Leaving the City (1)

Lin Zheyu murmured under his breath as a powerful aura suddenly surged from his body. Within that aura was an indomitable confidence and wild audacity that drove forward relentlessly—an invincible conviction! If this momentum could develop further, it would transform completely into an overbearingly domineering 'intent'! The invincible will of the strong! Beneath my fist, I am the truth! "This Wild Bull Fist is truly not simple," Lin Zheyu mused silently. Even after cultivating Golden Goose Skill to the Qi and Blood Realm, he had not been able to cultivate any momentum. He even suspected that even if he reached the eighth layer, he still would not manage it. Yet Wild Bull Fist was merely an unranked technique that could at most reach the Viscera Tempering Realm, and he had actually cultivated fist momentum with it. That was truly remarkable. [Heaven Rewards Diligence] Name: Lin Zheyu Origin Power: 0 Skills: Wild Bull Fist (Perfection) Golden Goose Skill (Fourth Layer, 67%) Turtle Breathing Art (Third Layer, 1%) Six Harmonies Saber (Proficient, 35%) Lin Zheyu looked at the figures in his consciousness. Wild Bull Fist had already reached Perfection. Just as he had anticipated, three units of Origin Power had pushed Wild Bull Fist to the Perfection realm. In fact, just a little over two units had been enough. While immersed in that extraordinary state, Lin Zheyu had taken only about three-quarters of the time to train Wild Bull Fist to Perfection. The remainder of the time had been spent consolidating, further contemplating the fist technique, and deepening his comprehension of fist momentum. "The fist technique that has accompanied me the longest has finally reached Perfection." Lin Zheyu looked at the figures in his mind, a touch of nostalgic emotion surfacing on his face. The very first martial art he had learned was Wild Bull Fist, a technique that even Liang Song himself had never cultivated to Perfection. Liang Song focused primarily on Golden Goose Skill; all his martial prowess lay in his legs. He had only acquired this fist technique by chance during his past travels. Finding it somewhat interesting, Liang Song had dabbled in it casually. In Liang Song's eyes, it was merely a third-rate martial art, not something deserving of deep attention. Whenever he took a liking to someone who came seeking instruction, he would teach them third-rate techniques like Wild Bull Fist. Lin Zheyu had been no different at the beginning, learning Wild Bull Fist first. Later, seeing Lin Zheyu's astonishing aptitude, Liang Song had genuinely wanted to take him on as a true disciple and passed down his signature Golden Goose Skill. After acquiring Golden Goose Skill, Lin Zheyu had shifted all his focus toward it, using all his Origin Power to elevate that leg technique. "Fist momentum... fist momentum..." "If I keep contemplating it, perhaps I can truly comprehend 'intent,'" Lin Zheyu pondered. Rising to his feet, he stepped into the courtyard to continue practicing Wild Bull Fist. Even after reaching the Perfection realm, one could still advance. It was just that without any path left behind by the creator, the road ahead required Lin Zheyu to contemplate, evolve, and blaze it on his own. "Wild... reckless... invincible... domineering..." Lin Zheyu murmured under his breath. In the courtyard, he threw his punches, his fists enveloped in a powerful fist momentum. As his thoughts shifted, the fist momentum shifted and transformed in kind. 'Momentum' was the embryonic form of 'intent.' 'Intent' was what every martial artist had to comprehend in order to advance from the Marrow Tempering Realm to the Transforming Jin Realm. Countless martial artists were stranded at the Marrow Tempering Realm, unable to advance for years simply because they could not comprehend an 'intent' of their own. Lin Zheyu wanted to see if he could thoroughly master this fist momentum and forge an 'intent' that belonged entirely to him. *Bang, bang, bang!* Dull thuds echoed across the courtyard. Having elevated Wild Bull Fist to Perfection, his body could now endure the explosive release of immense qi and blood energy. Qi and blood flooded his arms, causing muscles to swell and veins to bulge as terrifying explosive force coiled within them. The fist momentum swirled around Lin Zheyu with astonishing presence, exuding peerless power and conviction. Under the weight of this fist momentum, anyone whose will was not steadfast would not even be able to muster half their full strength. *Bang, bang, bang!* The echoes reverberated through the small courtyard, continuing for a full hour before finally subsiding. "No, transforming fist momentum into fist intent is too difficult." "Besides, this fist momentum hasn't reached its peak yet. To turn momentum into intent, the first thing I must do is push the fist momentum to its absolute limit." Lin Zheyu panted softly, a thoughtful look in his eyes. After resting for a while, he changed his clothes and headed outside. Digging obsessively into a dead end would not yield fist intent; it would only drive him into madness. Just like before, when he had turned the wild bull into a frenzied bull, falling into mad delirium. *I'll head out to buy a map and some supplies for leaving the city, then go outside tomorrow to take a look,* Lin Zheyu thought to himself. There was still plenty of time before the banquet, leaving him with little to do over the next few days. He purchased an updated map detailing the recent factions, major thoroughfares, and treacherous areas outside the walls, along with a few concealed darts, poison powders, mosquito-repelling herbs, dry rations, and other essentials. Carrying his purchases, Lin Zheyu took the opportunity to swing by Bidan Teahouse. Jia Yanyong and the others were indeed there. "Brother Lin, come, have a cup! My woman brewed it at home," Xie Jiang said with a grin, pouring Lin Zheyu a cup of wine. "Thanks." Lin Zheyu raised the cup and savored it carefully. The aroma was rich and mellow; though not particularly strong, it went down smoothly. "It tastes great. You two could open a wine shop of your own," Lin Zheyu said with a smile. "Heh-heh, good, isn't it?" "My woman's family runs a wine shop. This is their ancestral recipe. Every year, they brew some for themselves. This jar is for you." Xie Jiang hoisted a jar weighing about two jin from the floor and handed it over. "Thanks. I don't have anything good to give in return, though, so let me order a few extra dishes for us." "Waiter, over here!" Lin Zheyu called the waiter over, added a few side dishes, and ordered another jar of wine. "The Feihong Gang gathering is at noon in three days. Don't lose track of time practicing your martial arts," Ning Hui reminded him. "Are you going to Funing Garden or Fuhe Garden?" Xie Jiang asked. "Funing Garden." "Ha, I won! Pay up!" Xie Jiang looked smugly at the other two, holding out his hand for the coins. "Brother Lin truly is highly regarded by the Gang Leader—he's actually going to Funing Garden. I thought he'd have to wait until reaching the Viscera Tempering Realm to be invited there," Ning Hui sighed, pulling out some coins and handing them over. "I should have seen it coming. What a loss." "Last time Brother Lin was invited by Young Master Xu, I should have realized he'd be invited to Funing Garden this time," Jia Yanyong said with lingering regret, begrudgingly parting with his money. Losing a bit of coin was trivial; he just couldn't stand seeing Xie Jiang's smug grin. "Heh-heh, since I won a bit of coin, Brother Lin, tonight I'll treat you to Hundred Pavilions! Pick the finest girl!" Xie Jiang chuckled heartily. After some idle chatter, Xie Jiang brought up serious business. "After the New Year, it'll be our turn to garrison Baishi Mountain. The brothers stationed over there say the casualties have been pretty heavy this time," Xie Jiang said. "The bandit trouble there still hasn't settled down?" Lin Zheyu asked. Senior Martial Brother Han Mo had been out suppressing bandits for some time now; it was hard to say whether he would return before the New Year. "How could it be that simple?" "Many of the bandits outside the city come and go without a trace. Strip off their clothes and set down their weapons, and they look like law-abiding commoners. Wiping them all out is nearly impossible." "Besides, the larger bandit bands hide inside Lion Valley, which is full of peril. Once they duck in there, you can't even track them down," Ning Hui added. "Don't worry. Baishi Mountain won't be that big of an issue. If anything happens, Master Qiu and the others will be there to shoulder it." "Right, I heard that a ghost appeared at Baishi Mountain a while ago too. Maybe when we head over this time, Brother Lin will get to see one for real," Xie Jiang said. He shot Lin Zheyu a leering grin. "Brother Lin, you might even run into your ghost lover this time!" "Get lost." Lin Zheyu rolled his eyes speechlessly. From Xie Jiang and the others, he had already learned what 'ghosts' were in this world. They were said to be spirits born from resentment and baleful qi under peculiar conditions, retaining faint memories of their previous lives, but mostly dim-witted and muddled. Because they were composed of resentment and baleful qi, ghosts appeared terrifying, their features twisted and gruesome. These sinister entities were not overwhelmingly lethal. When they encountered ordinary people, the baleful, resentful, and yin qi clinging to them would seep into the mortals' bodies and erode their vitality. A single lapse could prove fatal. For martial artists, however, with their vigorous qi and blood and abundant yang qi, it would amount to a severe illness at most. And in the case of a Qi and Blood Realm martial artist, they did not even need explosives—a single punch vibrating their qi and blood, backed by immense vitality, was enough to blast such a spirit into nothingness. "Running into a ghost is nothing to fear, so long as we don't unearth a coffin and run into a living corpse," Jia Yanyong remarked nonchalantly. If one ran into a living corpse, fleeing for one's life was the only option. Those things were far more terrifying than bandits—bronze skin and iron bones, impervious to blades and spears. A single bite or scratch from one would taint the wound with yin poison, which was exceedingly difficult to cure. "By the way, I plan to take a trip outside the city over the next few days. If you run into other gangs or outside martial artists stirring up trouble, don't force a confrontation. If you really can't handle them, have someone ask Master Qiu to step in," Lin Zheyu said. "You're going outside the city? It's so chaotic out there, with bandits everywhere. What are you heading out for?" Jia Yanyong asked in confusion. "Yeah, the outside is a mess right now. Even Bone Tempering Realm martial artists aren't safe," Ning Hui echoed. "Just to see how things are outside and get familiar with the terrain, in case of emergencies," Lin Zheyu said with a smile. Songyi City's economy was in dire straits. Affected by the war, his storytelling copyright scheme had failed to gain traction. If he still could not find a good way to earn money, he would have to start preparing an escape plan. "Then you'd better be careful. The mountains and woods are crawling with bandits," Xie Jiang warned. "You'd best hire an experienced hunter to guide you. They know where there are fewer bandits and which trails are concealed." "Mm, I've taken that into account." "Come on, drink, drink! I'll be relying on you guys to hold down the fort over the next few days." Lin Zheyu raised his cup and toasted them. …… Early the next morning. The Xing clan estate. *Thud, thud.* *Thud, thud, thud.* At the crack of dawn, Xing Jinglong's door was knocked upon. "What are you making a racket for so early in the morning?" Xing Jinglong opened his eyes, displeasure written all over his face. Being awakened so early left him in a foul temper. If this servant failed to provide a satisfactory reason, he would not escape a harsh beating. "Young Master, someone from the Wuding Gang has come looking for you. He says he has important news to report," the servant said, trembling. Waking the young master was never wise, but he had no choice. The man from the Wuding Gang had warned that if he failed to wake the young master and caused a delay, he might lose his life. Xing Jinglong hailed from a branch of the Xing clan, but he rarely mingled with the clan's pampered young masters. He loved martial arts and loved fighting, which was why he ran with the Wuding Gang. Once he grew bored after knocking around for a while, he planned to follow his brother, Xing Penghai, and join the City Guard. "Bring him in," Xing Jinglong yawned, still groggy from sleep. It had been a long time since he had risen this early. "Young Master, the brothers sent word. They spotted Lin Zheyu heading toward the West Gate. It looks like he's leaving the city," the man reported. Hearing this, Xing Jinglong jolted fully awake in an instant. A look of pleasant surprise washed over his face. "You say the kid left the city?" The man nodded affirmatively. "He went toward the West Gate. There's nothing over there; except for people leaving the city, hardly anyone ever goes that way." "Haha! The kid is finally willing to leave the city!" "Go notify Uncle Zhao and Qiao Quan. Tell them to rendezvous at the West Gate. This time, I won't let him slip away even if he grows wings!" Xing Jinglong laughed boisterously. "By the way, how many of them are there?" Xing Jinglong asked. After suffering several setbacks at Lin Zheyu's hands, he had learned his lesson and intended to make thorough preparations this time. "Just him alone," the man answered. "Just one?" "What an arrogant, ignorant fool. Does he think he can roam freely outside the walls just because of his lightness skill?" "Heh-heh, this time, kid, you won't escape the palm of my hand!" Xing Jinglong sneered sinisterly, swiftly changed his clothes, mounted his horse, and galloped off toward the city's West Gate.