Chapter 53

Huh!

Huh~

In the piercing cold wind, Yang Yu stood in gray short clothes, his sleeves rolled up, his fists and feet bouncing and shaking, striking the snow as it flew in the wind.

His figure rose and fell, moving with the wind, his steps seemingly lifting and falling. Wherever he passed, large patches of snow were raised and fell, only to be extinguished by the wind of his claws.

After a long time, he slowly retracted his fists, exhaled, and steam rose from his sweat.

"Striking with fists, feet, fingers, and palms is the most fierce! If you don't move, it's fine, but once you move, you can break bones and grab internal organs. Some of the Qingzhou army's experts in grappling, once they start, are like fierce tigers, extremely ferocious."

Wang Wu, whose injuries had improved significantly, stood with his hands behind his back, occasionally commenting:

"You have already reached a high level."

Tan Hong watched with a blank expression but was genuinely envious in his heart.

His sword skills were already superb, and his claws were also well-trained, making his heart somewhat unstable.

"Just a bit of progress."

Putting away his stance, Yang Yu also had a slight smile.

Martial arts are ultimately about combat. With the experience of several major battles, his various martial arts skills had advanced rapidly over the past half month.

The Tiger-Form Grappling Hand had improved significantly, but the most significant improvement was in the Iron Crotch Technique.

Wang Wu's external cultivation skills were far superior to his, so he could provide more guidance. Some secrets, though seemingly simple, would never be thought of if not pointed out.

For example, the Iron Crotch Technique.

After Wang Wu's guidance, the progress was several times faster than before.

"Good is good, bad is bad! If you want to practice martial arts, you must maintain a bit of ferocity, neither too evil nor too good."

Wang Wu said, taking out a bag from his pocket and tossing it to Yang Yu:

"I went down the mountain last night and got your reward money! Count it, see if it's enough or not."

"Sir, you are righteous."

Yang Yu's mood improved even more as he took the money bag and weighed it in his hand.

He really started to count it.

Wang Wu, watching from the side, stared with wide eyes, while Tan Hong, who had also received the reward money, had a bitter smile on his face.

How can you count it in front of everyone?

"Money and goods are clear, no cheating, young or old. More is not needed, less is not acceptable."

Yang Yu leaned against a birch tree, opened the bag, and immediately shouted:

"The weight is off? Why are there some bottles and jars? Healing ointments? Or what?"

"Only silver?"

Wang Wu scolded with a bad temper:

"Short-sighted! Let me tell you, the things in these bottles and jars are truly good! They nourish the blood and qi, enhance internal qi, and treat both internal and external injuries!

Without connections, you won't be able to buy them in your lifetime!"

"Nourish the blood and qi, enhance internal qi? Indeed, the government has good cultivation methods, and there are such good things."

Hearing this, Yang Yu's eyes lit up.

A few days ago, he had already cultivated the "Old Mother's Breath Cultivation Record" to the third level, but unfortunately, he could not progress further due to the blood replacement level.

What he was most concerned about now was nourishing the blood and qi and enhancing internal qi.

The former determined the height of his internal and external cultivation, while the latter determined the power and endurance of his various martial arts skills.

However…

"Healing ointments are not necessary."

"Hmm?"

Taking the two bottles of healing ointment, Wang Wu raised an eyebrow:

"In the world, who doesn't get cut? Are you sure you don't want them?"

"Change them to something that nourishes the blood and qi. A little scratch isn't worth wasting medicine on."

Putting away the package, Yang Yu was eager to try it out right away.

If Wang Wu valued it so much, it must have some use.

"Here you go."

He threw two porcelain bottles over.

After both had finished counting, Wang Wu nodded, took out another package, and handed it to Yang Yu:

"Here, this is the compensation for those brothers. Take it and deliver it when you return to the city…"

"Sir, you're not returning to the city?"

Tan Hong's face changed.

Yang Yu was first stunned, then thought of something.

"Just now, I went back to the mountain camp. As expected, someone had dug up the graves and counted the bodies."

Wang Wu's expression was blank.

Tan Hong's face turned grim: "Sir, do you think they were looking for our bodies?"

"Whether or not, I cannot return to the city with you this time."

Wang Wu's tone was cold and firm:

"Even if there is a chance, no one will dare to touch you two if I don't show up."

"Alright."

Yang Yu took the package solemnly and asked about the situation in Black Mountain City.

"Trust no one except Wang Fobao."

Wang Wu said decisively.

"Is it not Wang Fobao's fault that Black Mountain City is in this state?"

Tan Hong gritted his teeth.

After this incident, he, who already had little affection for the Black Mountain County government, felt even more disgust.

"Even if Wang Fobao were made of iron, how many nails could he make in this mess?"

Wang Wu shook his head:

"You underestimate the county magistrate too much."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Yang Yu: "The six arts of Confucianism, Liu Wenpeng is best at archery. Those who underestimate him are dead."

Yang Yu shuddered.

Previously, he had even thought of sneaking into Liu's residence at night to shave his head or cut his throat.

"Commoners should not fight with officials, remember, remember."

Seeing that Yang Yu was silent, Wang Wu warned again.

He knew that this young man was not one to stay still.

"I always abide by the law, sir, don't worry."

Yang Yu smiled.

"Alright, go back now."

Wang Wu waved his hand, about to leave.

"Wait."

Yang Yu called out to Wang Wu again, asking if he had any unused weapons or ancient artifacts.

"Unused things are sold, who would keep so many old items?"

Wang Wu impatiently waved his sleeve and was about to leave.

Tan Hong, who had been frowning and silent, raised his head and said solemnly:

"Sir, if the family moves to An Ding County, how much silver would it cost?"

"Hmm?"

…

When they left, there were over ten people, but no one saw them off.

When they came, there were two people, but many welcomed them.

Sitting in the official sedan, Yang Yu felt a wave of disgust, and the thought of shaving the head or cutting the throat of this "Three Feet" magistrate grew stronger.

But this thought vanished instantly when he saw a Taoist with gray hair and clothes standing behind the Three Feet Liu.

A master!

Yang Yu lowered his head, becoming more cautious.

The pressure from this Taoist was even heavier than from Wang Wu.

'This Taoist has a faint, unpleasant smell. Could he be practicing the legendary poison technique?'

Yang Yu's mind was filled with thoughts.

The county magistrate, with a gentle and scholarly demeanor, apologized, saying that his second son's mischief had caused these deaths, and that he had already scolded him.

Yang Yu forced himself to listen, already feeling the urge to cut his throat by the time it was nearly dusk.

Just as the two were about to leave, the county magistrate asked about the packages they were carrying:

"According to the Great Ming Code, all loot from bandits and thieves must be confiscated, regardless of who captures it…"

"Hmm?"

Yang Yu almost couldn't hold back, his chest rising and falling for a moment before he smiled and handed over the package:

"Those valuables were taken by Captain Wang. This only contains some clothes…"

Both of them sneered inwardly.

Who doesn't know the name of Three Feet Liu?

Who would dare to carry gold and silver into his house?

Before entering the city, the two had already hidden their silver and money.

"Where are you talking about?"

Liu Wenpeng casually flipped through the clothes in the two packages, then waved his hand, dismissing them.

"Brother Tan, even if you want to leave, don't do it in the next few days."

Leaving the Liu residence, Yang Yu whispered.

Tan Hong nodded solemnly, also sensing the danger in the city, which was even more intense than a month ago.

"Liu Wenpeng…"

Yang Yu deeply exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Glancing back, he saw the Taoist, who seemed to be practicing poison techniques, waiting for someone and also watching him.

Feeling a chill, he quickened his steps and left.

"This young man seems to have guessed something?"

Guan Shanshui said indifferently.

"A mere blood-replaced lackey, is he worth worrying about?"

Inside the residence, Liu Wenpeng slowly walked over:

"Brother Guan, these few days, please move around the city. If you see Wang Wu, capture him! If anyone obstructs you, kill without mercy!"

Guan Shanshui's eyes flickered: "What if Wang Fobao obstructs?"

"It won't happen, he is not Wang Wu."

Liu Wenpeng smiled:

"Our captain is very smart."