Free Web NovelChapter 40: Chapter 40: Target
"Longteng Escort Agency..."
Xie Yuan repeated the unremarkable name, asking curiously,
"How does this Longteng Escort Agency manage to overshadow the four great martial arts halls?"
"On account of their Chief Escort, Shen Longteng. He’s known as the number one expert in Yunzhao County, his realm having reached the ’Qi and Blood Transformation’ stage beyond the Fourth Training."
Hodar said with a hint of admiration,
"Besides, the Longteng Escort Agency has other escorts at the Fourth Training level."
"No wonder."
This was the first time Xie Yuan had heard of any Martial Artist in the surrounding region who had broken through the four stages of External Training. Since he was the only one, it was no surprise he was acclaimed as the top expert in Yunzhao County.
Furthermore, the other escorts at the Longteng Escort Agency were also formidable. It was only natural that they could dominate all the martial arts halls in Yunzhao County, big and small.
Hodar took a sip of tea and continued,
"However, I heard the Vajra Sect is very unhappy about that claim and has been keeping a close eye on the Longteng Escort Agency. The two sides have had many conflicts, both open and secret, especially since the current County Captain from the Vajra Sect took office.
"The Vajra Sect is backed by the government, while the Longteng Escort Agency has the number one expert. Plus, an agency that large has its own supporters, so for the moment, neither can do anything to the other.
"But as things stand, as long as the Vajra Sect cannot produce an expert beyond the Fourth Training, they will never be a match for the Longteng Escort Agency."
Xie Yuan listened with great interest, feeling like he was hearing tales of the martial world.
To his current self, Yunzhao County was already a big pond.
Perhaps once he stood on that stage, he would be able to see an even wider world.
After he finished speaking, Hodar gulped down some more tea and changed the subject.
"But Junior Brother Xie, Yunzhao County is a treacherous place, teeming with experts. Even Master would... well. But here in Panlong Town, our sect is not to be underestimated, and this technique will keep you busy for a while.
"But when the time comes, if you want to try and make a name for yourself in Yunzhao, Junior Brother Xie, I don’t think it would be a problem, given your talent."
Hodar smiled, offering Xie Yuan some encouragement. After all, Xie Yuan’s cultivation speed was indeed a rarity since the founding of the Iron Garment Sect.
After Hodar left the training hall to go instruct the other disciples outside, Xie Yuan practiced a few more Fist Skills and fell into thought.
’I finally have a proper fighting style. In past struggles, I either fought for my life with an axe or relied on raw strength and physique. There was no method to it.’
’Although this style is crude, its advantage is that it matches my Cultivation Technique. It’s a step up from nothing, which is worth celebrating! After all, it was basically free. I have Senior Brother Huo to thank for thinking so highly of me.’
’My axe skills are powerful, but they should be considered my ’killing art,’ shouldn’t they? The moves are too ferocious. Unless it’s a matter of life and death, it’s best not to use them. It’s good to keep them as a finishing move.’
’But the Iron Garment Long Fist has limited future prospects. Or rather, that’s just how the Iron Cloth Shirt and the Iron Garment Sect are. If I really want to advance, I can’t stay in a small place forever.’
Xie Yuan clenched his fists.
’With my talent, I must learn more, practice more, and experience different Cultivation Techniques and martial arts. Sooner or later, I have to go to Yunzhao County. Hmm, the major martial arts halls in Yunzhao are expensive, but I have ways of making money now. I can start saving up slowly.’
’To go to Yunzhao, I first need to master Skin Training and become a First Training Martial Artist. Not to mention how treacherous Yunzhao is, there’s also Zhang Yufeng watching me like a hawk. While I’m saving money, I’ll find a way to break through here. But the secret to breaking through... hmm, I can’t just get it for free like the Iron Garment Long Fist. I’ll at least need to become a Core Disciple and earn Liu the Monk’s respect.’
’But Senior Brother Huo has mentioned a few times, hinting that he wants to recruit me. I wonder what the Sect Leader is thinking? If he still thinks I’m not good enough... I’ll wait for a chance to show my strength in front of him, and then pledge my loyalty. If I show that I hold the Iron Garment Sect in my heart, the Sect Leader should be pleased.’
After listening to Hodar’s explanation of the current situation, Xie Yuan had a much clearer idea of his future cultivation path.
He divided his plan into two parts. In the long term, a shallow pond cannot raise a flood dragon. To climb to the peak of the Martial Dao, he would definitely have to leave Panlong Town for Yunzhao County. Which faction to join was a question for later; for now, he had to make material preparations.
As for the present, his breakthrough to a Martial Artist was not far off. He had to find a way to gain the status of a Core Disciple and obtain the secret to breaking through.
These goals did not conflict with dealing with the threat of Zhang Yufeng; they could all be advanced simultaneously.
With his path forward now clear, Xie Yuan nodded slightly. All that was left was to complete today’s goal. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"Time for a scrub!"
Xie Yuan left the training hall and headed toward the pharmacy and bathhouse. Meanwhile, after leaving the training hall and instructing his junior brothers for a while, Hodar went straight to the back courtyard.
Standing at the entrance to the large study, he knew Liu the Monk was inside today, so he knocked gently on the door.
"Master."
There was no response from inside. Hodar found this strange and asked again, a little louder,
"Master?"
Only after he had asked twice did Liu the Monk’s weary voice come from the study.
"Come in."
Hodar composed himself, recalling the speech he had prepared. He was determined to persuade his master to accept Xie Yuan as a Core Disciple today, even if it meant docking his own allowance.
But when he entered the room, he saw Liu the Monk’s brow furrowed deeply, staring intently at a letter in his hand.
Liu the Monk stared at it for a long time before letting out a breath and handing the letter to Hodar.
"Take a look."
Hodar took it, and with a single glance, his expression changed drastically.
"...Your esteemed sect has been monopolizing too many of Panlong’s medicinal resources. After discussion, we have decided to temporarily withhold your sect’s share of profits from the apothecary. As for the specifics, we will pay a visit in the coming days to ’exchange pointers as martial friends’ and discuss the matter further..."
The signatories, naturally, were the Black Tiger Fist Hall and the Divine Weapon Hall.
Liu the Monk’s grave voice came from the side.
"They’re pulling the rug out from under us... Eldest Disciple, prepare yourself. If we can’t handle this, you’ll have to pack up and get out of Panlong with me."
...
「Several days later.」
Xie Yuan was practicing his Fist Skill in his small courtyard.
His Fist Skills were wide and sweeping, direct and straightforward. He showed no fear of being struck, highlighting their sheer ferocity.
Compared to his first attempt, Xie Yuan now wielded this Fist Skill with vigor and ease, and it already possessed considerable power.
[Iron Garment Long Fist - Minor Success: (47/100)]
’My progress is quite fast. Give me a few more days, and Senior Brother Huo will be the one asking me for pointers!’
Of course, he was only joking to himself. But Xie Yuan’s progress was truly astonishing, partly due to the simplicity of the Cultivation Technique, but mostly because of Xie Yuan himself.
With his comprehension, progress, and Inner Power, if he were still the same as an ordinary person, Xie Yuan might as well have spent his life chopping wood.
Of course, with his abilities, chopping wood for a lifetime was also a viable path—just a slower one.
’There have been rumors flying around the martial arts hall these past few days, saying someone is coming to challenge us. Everyone is on edge; I can’t even enjoy my bath in peace.’
Xie Yuan stroked his chin.
’Still, if there’s really going to be a fight, it might be fun to watch the spectacle and see how other people battle it out.’
His feelings for the Iron Garment Sect were exactly what one would expect from a nominal disciple toward his martial arts hall: they existed, but they weren’t strong. He felt no sense of crisis or honor.
However, if he knew that losing this fight would affect his medicinal supplements and baths, it would be a different story entirely.
Just as Xie Yuan was pondering when he could go watch the show, he suddenly heard Zhou Feng’s breathless voice calling from the distant hillside.
"Brother Yuan, Brother Yuan! This is bad! Brother Zhu and the others were hauling wood in the forest when they were... they were stopped by Zhang the Second and his men!"
