Chapter 84: Recommendation

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

Pang Qinghai!?

Chen Qing's heart shook violently.

The approaching figure was none other than Pang Qinghai, the Colonel from Five Terraces Sect and Gaolin County's most powerful authority!

In this Gaolin County, no one didn't know his name, no one didn't know his might but according to rumors, wasn't he severely wounded?

Pang Qinghai looked Chen Qing up and down, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, "Traveling in wind and snow at night, what fine interest."

Chen Qing took a deep breath of cold air, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart, and cupped his fists, "Junior Chen Qing greets Colonel."

"Shi Wenshan is dead."

Pang Qinghai got straight to the point, his gaze fixed tightly on Chen Qing's eyes, catching any subtle changes, "Right in that alley ahead, died miserably. Someone saw a figure with extremely fast movement techniques."

Chen Qing's brows furrowed slightly, showing just the right amount of shock and confusion, "Master Shi is dead? Is the Colonel suspecting me?"

"As for Master Shi... asking me to kill someone? How would I dare? I also question whether I have such ability. Master Shi was a transforming strength great achievement expert, while I've barely glimpsed the threshold. How could I be his match?"

His expression and tone were flawless, his eyes clear, carrying the nervousness and sincere eagerness to explain that a young person should have.

Plus that shock and bewilderment, as if he had truly just been dragged into a sudden storm.

Wouldn't dare? No ability!?

After a long while, Pang Qinghai suddenly chuckled lowly.

"Shi Wenshan colluded with rebels, trafficking private medicines and weapons. The evidence is solid, he deserved to die. His death saves some trouble."

He didn't pursue the matter further, only changing the subject, "Chen Qing, your bone structure may be ordinary, but this mental fortitude... is truly rare. Being trapped in this small Gaolin County is a waste."

Chen Qing's heart jumped, but his face maintained confusion, "What does the Colonel mean? I'm slow to understand, please speak clearly."

Pang Qinghai said, "Have you ever considered joining Five Terraces Sect?"

Five Terraces Sect!?

Chen Qing's heart contracted sharply.

This was precisely the ladder to heaven he had dreamed of.

"Think it over carefully. This game of chess in Gaolin is nearly finished."

Pang Qinghai seemed to mention it casually. Without waiting for any response from Chen Qing, he had already turned around, his black cloak cutting an arc through the wind and snow.

Chen Qing watched Pang Qinghai's retreating figure, then leaped onto the roof eaves, crouching low, his gaze piercing through the flying snow, firmly locking onto those several explosive core locations, which were the Huang mansion, Zhu mansion, Renhe Medicine Shop... and Far-Sight Escort Agency!

Wind and snow howled, unable to cover the sounds of metal clashing and miserable wails coming from various parts of the inner city.

Firelight reddened half the night sky.

So that's how it is!

Chen Qing's thoughts raced as he suddenly understood.

Shi Wenshan being tracked was no coincidence. Pang Qinghai's severe injury was fake, his lying low was real.

Tonight was very likely the moment he closed the net!

His own killing of Shi Wenshan was merely coincidentally hitting the edge of this thunderous storm, removing a nail for Pang Qinghai ahead of time.

"This place shouldn't be stayed in long!"

Chen Qing's figure shuttled across rooftops, racing toward his home outside the city.

Silently climbing into his own small courtyard, Chen Qing's movements were light as a cat.

The house was pitch black and silent, Lady Han obviously fast asleep.

He didn't disturb anyone, slipping into his own bedroom and gently barring the door behind him.

Then Chen Qing took out what he had found on Shi Wenshan's corpse.

Five hundred taels in silver notes. This obviously wasn't Shi Wenshan's entire fortune, but carrying such an amount showed his financial power.

There was also a thin booklet.

Chen Qing had thought it would be the "Breaking Wind Hand" manual, but opening the first page, he was stunned, "Eight Extremes Vajra Body!?"

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he quickly leafed through it.

This was clearly a superior hard skill!

Hard skills in martial arts had always been viewed as inferior martial studies, tempering the flesh, difficult to reach refined heights but that mostly referred to inferior hard skills, which only required bitter endurance and practice, lacking subtle methods.

Superior hard skills were completely different. Once mastered, their combat power was no less than sect superior martial studies, even more formidable in some aspects!

However, superior hard skills had two fatal flaws. First, they couldn't generate the "qi" that nourished internal breath, unable to strengthen foundations and cultivate essence. Years of fighting easily accumulated hidden injuries, causing most practitioners to have short lives.

Second, the cultivation process was exceptionally difficult, requiring great willpower and perseverance, plus expensive medicinal assistance, to break through layer by layer.

For these reasons, privileged noble children wouldn't practice this time-consuming, laborious, and body-damaging skill, while common people couldn't afford it at all.

Over time, true hard skill experts became increasingly rare, even becoming a means for noble families to train death warriors, gaining a bad reputation but these flaws were no difficulty for Chen Qing with his Heaven Rewards Diligence fate pattern!

Eight Extremes Vajra Body had eight realms: Iron Clothes, Copper Tendons, Steel Bones, Solid Rock, Golden Body, Tiger Elephant, Primordial Unity, and Vajra Indestructible.

These eight realms corresponded to internal boxing and superior martial studies realms. Iron Clothes, Copper Tendons, and Steel Bones exactly matched internal boxing's obvious strength, hidden strength, and transforming strength.

"That 'Toad Fishing Force'... is incomplete?"

Seeing this, Chen Qing suddenly realized.

He had always felt that the internal strengthening secret technique "Toad Fishing Force" shouldn't have only three realms.

Now it made perfect sense. How could Song Hu possibly possess a complete internal strengthening secret technique?

Clearly the "Toad Fishing Force" in his hands was merely incomplete.

If there was opportunity in the future, he must complete this "Toad Fishing Force."

Chen Qing continued reading "Eight Extremes Vajra Body," and soon a bright light appeared in his mind:

[Eight Extremes Vajra Body: Beginner (1/100)]

"This progress requirement isn't too high... could it be because I've already reached transforming strength?"

Chen Qing discovered that reaching the first realm "Iron Clothes" wouldn't be difficult, and this was without taking any auxiliary medicines, requiring only one month to achieve.

Recalling when he had practiced from nothing to obvious strength, that took a full two and half months.

Carefully storing the silver notes and "Eight Extremes Vajra Body," Chen Qing thought, "With this 'Eight Extremes Vajra Body' to temper tendons and bones, plus 'Toad Fishing Force' to nourish internal strength, the risk of injury should be greatly reduced."

He couldn't help but feel strong curiosity. If both these internal and external techniques were practiced to great depths, how formidable would his physical body become?

Wind and snow were fierce.

…

In Gaolin County's inner city, at the Huang family.

"Boom!!!"

The heavy iron-wrapped mansion gate exploded inward with a deafening roar!

Wood splinters and iron fragments mixed with snow shot out.

Firelight instantly illuminated the gateway, revealing teams of soldiers in black iron armor wielding crossbows and long sabers.

Their eyes were cold as they swiftly poured into the mansion, the rustling sound of boots on snow particularly grating in the deathly silence.

"By Colonel's order! Arresting traitors! Drop your weapons, violators will be killed!"

A thunderous roar echoed through the courtyard.

"Enemy attack!!"

"Protect the family head!"

The Huang mansion instantly erupted. Guards and retainers rushed out from everywhere, drawing swords and sabers, trying to resist.

For a time, the courtyard was filled with flashing blades, a scene of slaughter.

The angry roars of hidden strength experts mixed with the screams of ordinary guards, fresh blood spraying on the white snow, shocking to behold.

"Form ranks! Crossbowmen suppress!"

The county soldiers were well-trained. Shield bearers formed ranks in front while crossbowmen behind shot volleys.

Poisoned crossbow bolts with sharp breaking-air sounds immediately left the forward guards dead and wounded everywhere.

Those guards who usually bullied others appeared fragile under the military's strong crossbows and battle formations.

Only the guard captains and retainers could barely resist.

Huang Chengzong was awakened in the inner hall, his face deathly pale.

He had just thrown on clothes and rushed out when a withered, sharp-eyed elder followed like a shadow.

The elder's aura was deep and condensed like an abyss, obviously having just finished circulating qi.

Huang Chengzong had just rushed from the inner hall when he faced county soldiers surging like a tide.

"Hmph! Seeking death!"

The withered elder snorted coldly, stepping forward to block in front of Huang Chengzong.

His skeletal hand seemingly casually pressed forward, an irresistibly terrifying qi force exploded, several county soldiers in front struck like by heavy hammers, their iron armor dented, blood spurting from their mouths, internal organs instantly shattered, bodies flying backward like broken sacks into the crowd, causing chaos.

Whoosh!

Just then, a sharp shriek suddenly rang from the night sky!

A black light tore through wind and snow, where it passed, the air seemed penetrated.

The target pointed directly at the patron who had just shown his power!

"What?!"

The withered elder's brow furrowed, a deadly crisis instantly striking.

"Pang Qinghai?! Impossible! You clearly..."

He instantly thought of something, towering waves in his heart. That carefully planned ambush months ago, he had personally acted, confirming Pang Qinghai was severely wounded and near death.

It was precisely believing this that he completely stood with the Huang family.

The elder was shocked and enraged, his whole body's force madly surging, both palms suddenly pushing out, trying to resist this deadly spear.

However, the spear contained force far beyond his imagination, carrying decisive killing intent.

Puff!

The black light showed no hesitation, with devastating momentum instantly piercing the elder's palms, precisely penetrating his chest.

The spear tip emerged from his back, bringing out a spray of hot blood mist!

The Huang family patron let out a miserable shriek, his body carried by the spear's force flying backward, heavily nailed to the inner hall's door pillar!

Blood gushed like a spring, instantly dyeing the pillar and ground red.

Not far away, in the wind and snow, a figure appeared.

It was Gaolin County's Colonel, Pang Qinghai!

His figure was upright, eyes sharp, where was there any sign of severe injury and near death?

"Pang Qinghai... you weren't severely wounded?! You've been waiting for this day!"

Huang Chengzong's breathing hitched, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He had personally seen Pang Qinghai severely wounded, and Doctor Mo from Renhe Hall and Doctor Wang from Herbal Residence had personally taken his pulse. Pang Qinghai's life hung by a thread, only sustained by medicine.

Pang Qinghai said coldly, "Huang Chengzong, I warned you long ago, crossing the line is seeking death."

"Hahaha..."

Huang Chengzong looked at the patron's corpse, then at the resistance forces being quickly slaughtered around him. Knowing the situation was hopeless, he laughed desperately, his laughter filled with madness and unwillingness, "Winners and losers! Winners and losers! Nothing more to say! My Huang family... admits defeat!"

Almost simultaneously, the Zhu mansion direction also erupted with earth-shaking battle cries and firelight.

The Zhu family head had just sent off Cao Tieshan when his mansion was surrounded by county soldiers.

The Zhu mansion's elite and retainers tried to resist using the mansion as fortress, but the county soldiers were clearly prepared, carrying battering rams and hooks, attacking fiercely.

Renhe Medicine Shop, the core hub of private medicine circulation, was an even more important target.

The medicine shop's warehouse was broken open, county soldiers rushed in like wolves and tigers, capturing all the managers and clerks who were moving and trying to destroy account books and pills.

Boxes of 'Blood Gathering Pills' and 'Bone Corrosion Paste' were carried out, particularly glaring under torchlight.

Pine Breeze Martial Hall, because Master Shi Wenshan had died in the dark alley, was leaderless.

When county soldiers arrived, they quickly controlled the martial hall.

Wind and snow howled, unable to cover the sounds of metal clashing and death wails from various parts of the inner city.

This long-premeditated thunderous action struck with lightning speed, causing the Huang and Zhu families and their minions, entrenched in Gaolin County for years, to collapse completely.

Dawn was just breaking, wind and snow slightly abated.

Gaolin County, especially the inner city, was filled with post-disaster commotion.

On the main street, snow was trampled muddy.

At the corner tea house, the fire burned bright, but no one had the heart to drink tea.

People crowded at doorways and windows, their discussions boiling like water:

"Did you hear? Last night county soldiers raided the Huang and Zhu families! Flames reached the sky, battle cries shook all night!"

"More than that! Renhe Medicine Shop, Far-Sight Escort Agency, Pine Breeze Martial Hall... all destroyed! My heavens, this is earth-shaking!"

"I knew the Colonel couldn't really be severely wounded! Turns out he was pretending to fish! Now good, caught them all in one net!"

"Hey, what Gaolin Merchant Guild? Just a den of thieves! Private medicines! Armor! Colluding with river bandits! Which wasn't a capital offense? Colonel Pang is wise!"

"Look! Isn't that Second Young Master Zhu's wife? Heavens, they too... it's over, Gaolin County has really changed!"

"Blood River Gang was also caught, serves them right! Usually bullying merchants, now retribution comes!"

"What about Pine Breeze Martial Hall Master Shi? Why haven't we seen him?"

Explosive news flew like wings, stirring this small city that had just experienced blood and fire baptism.

In Zhou's martial hall, discussions were equally heated.

Last night's earth-shaking changes in Gaolin County, like winter thunder, shook all disciples' hearts and minds. How could they focus on practice?

All topics revolved around that thunderous storm.

Disciples gathered together, their faces full of awe for Pang Qinghai's thunderous methods.

The Gaolin Merchant Guild, such a massive entity, had collapsed overnight. This earth-shaking change was truly too shocking.

Chen Qing stood in a corner, his face also showing appropriate shock and bewilderment, though his heart remained calm.

Sun Shun approached and whispered, "Junior Brother Chen, with the Gaolin Merchant Guild fallen, this is good news... our Zhou courtyard's appointment documents can finally be sent out."

Chen Qing said, "Yes, Senior Brother Sun, you don't need to consider going to Shuangye County either."

Sun Shun breathed a long sigh of relief, nodding vigorously.

If possible, who would want to leave their homeland?

Just then, Zhou Liang emerged from the back courtyard.

His brow was tightly furrowed, his eyes carrying lingering worry.

"Quiet, everyone!"

Zhou Liang's voice wasn't loud, but carried heavy authority, instantly suppressing the whispers in the courtyard.

All disciples focused on him.

"These days, the situation is turbulent, people's hearts unpredictable."

Zhou Liang's gaze swept over everyone as he said gravely, "Unless necessary, no one may leave the martial courtyard without permission! Keep doors tightly closed, practice diligently, don't get involved in disputes! Remember, speak cautiously, disaster comes from the mouth!"

His tone was unprecedentedly stern.

The disciples' hearts tightened as they responded in unison, "Yes, Master!"

Suddenly the crisp sound of clashing armor came from outside.

Two county soldiers in black uniforms entered first, their sharp eyes scanning the scene.

The clamor instantly died, all disciples silent as cicadas.

Then a figure appeared at the doorway, it was Colonel's personal guard Pang Jiu.

His gaze was lightning-like, walking directly toward Chen Qing, bowing, "Master Chen, my lord requests your presence!"

Uproar!

At these words, Zhou's courtyard erupted!

Everyone's gaze focused on Chen Qing!

Colonel Pang Qinghai personally summoning Chen Qing?!

Zhou Liang quickly walked over, asking gravely, "What orders does Colonel Pang have for my young disciple?"

Pang Jiu cupped his fists, "Master Zhou, Master Chen is my lord's honored guest."

What kind of person was Pang Qinghai?

Chen Qing... had actually become Colonel Pang's honored guest?!

"Master, I'll go and return quickly."

Chen Qing's expression was calm as he said to Pang Jiu, "Thank you for your trouble."

"Please!"

Pang Jiu stepped aside, making an inviting gesture.

Chen Qing followed Pang Jiu through the murderous atmosphere and armor-lined Gaolin County military camp.

The air was filled with bloody scents and oppressive coldness.

Along the way, he saw stern-faced soldiers escorting dejected, disheveled prisoners, or carrying sealed boxes of confiscated wealth.

Former high and mighty noble servants and guards now cowered in the cold wind like stray dogs.

Among them were also their family members.

Xu Xiuhua knelt there, hair disheveled, her gorgeous brocade robe stained with mud. Her carefully maintained face no longer held any nobility, only fear and despair.

She looked up, meeting Chen Qing's calm, untroubled gaze directly!

In that instant, Xu Xiuhua's eyes widened as if seeing the world's most incredible sight.

She recognized Chen Qing, that fisherman's son she had once treated as easily manipulated.

How could he be here? And... and under the personal guard's escort, walking in so calmly.

Xu Fang kneeling beside her also saw Chen Qing, equally astonished.

Pang Jiu's gaze shifted slightly, asking with a smile, "Does Master Chen know them?"

Chen Qing pointed to Xu Fang, "That one beside her, I know."

Pang Jiu understood, saying easily, "Clear investigation. If unimportant, release her when the time comes."

As Pang Qinghai's personal guard, he naturally understood Pang Qinghai's intention to win over Chen Qing. This was merely going with the flow to grant a favor.

Chen Qing cupped his fists, "Thank you."

Pang Jiu smiled, "Small matter, Master Chen needn't be polite."

Finally, Pang Jiu brought Chen Qing to a heavily guarded stone hall beside the training ground.

Pang Qinghai sat in the main seat, the wide desk before him piled with jade boxes, property deeds, silver notes, precious medicines... a dazzling array, all shocking confiscated wealth.

"Colonel, Master Chen has arrived," Pang Jiu reported with a bow.

Pang Qinghai pointed to an empty chair below, "Sit."

Chen Qing sat as instructed.

Pang Qinghai's gaze looked outside the hall, "Demons and monsters, harboring filth, thinking they cover the sky with one hand, not knowing law is like a furnace, ultimately burning all evil spirits to ash."

Chen Qing cupped his fists, "The Colonel sees clearly."

Pang Qinghai withdrew his gaze, focusing on Chen Qing's face, getting straight to the point, "All night, what have you thought?"

Chen Qing said, "Please guide me, Colonel."

"My Five Terraces Sect's disciple recruitment isn't only through martial examination."

Pang Qinghai said slowly, "Its outer sect widely accepts talent, regardless of birth. As long as aptitude is adequate and fees affordable, all can join the outer sect, practicing middle and lower grade martial arts."

"After three years tempering in the outer sect, those whose bone structure, character, and comprehension all meet requirements will have their detailed information submitted to inner sect court heads. If any court head takes interest, they can be taken as disciples, receiving true heart method transmission, ascending to heaven in one step!"

Chen Qing listened silently.

This was the regular path. Three years of outer sect bitter cultivation, waiting to be selected, full of uncertainty.

He had already reached transforming strength with stable foundation. Wasting another three years in the outer sect had too high a time cost.

It might not even be as good as waiting for the martial examination.

"Of course, this path takes long and depends on luck, but... Five Terraces Sect has another rule."

Pang Qinghai seemed to see through his thoughts, "Anyone with family connections to inner sect disciples, holding valid recommendation letters and tokens, can skip the three years of outer sect suffering, directly submitted to court heads for review. If passed..."

He paused, "They become inner courtyard disciples, receiving superior heart method transmission."

Chen Qing's eyes couldn't help but brighten.

Directly entering the inner courtyard was undoubtedly a shortcut.

The saved three years were invaluable to him but the key was this recommendation letter...

Just as his thoughts raced, considering the possibilities, Pang Qinghai's next action made his pupils contract sharply.

He saw Pang Qinghai take out an antique-textured envelope from his wide sleeves.

"That Wu family girl mentioned you to me twice."

Pang Qinghai's tone was bland as he gently pushed the envelope before Chen Qing, "Plus Pang, as Gaolin County Colonel, has the responsibility to discover and transport talent. This is Pang's recommendation letter. The letter doesn't specify a particular person. Whoever holds this letter gains qualification for direct information submission and inner sect review."

He had another unspoken point: Chen Qing came from humble origins with no background. If he could join Five Terraces Sect through his help, Chen Qing would surely remember this favor forever.

Chen Qing's gaze fell on that letter, his heart couldn't help but pound.

Five Terraces Sect! Inner sect! Superior heart methods!

Chen Qing was indeed moved. If waiting for the martial examination, it would take another year.

Chen Qing cupped his fists, "Thank you, Colonel!"

"This letter is just a stepping stone. Whether you can enter Five Terraces Sect requires cross-examination. Forging iron requires self-strength. Ultimate success depends on your own ability."

Pang Qinghai said slowly, "The journey to the prefectural city is long. The Wu family has arranged everything. Three days from now, depart from Goddess Temple Dock, taking the water route north. The fleet is Wu family's special ships for transporting spirit fish, safe and convenient."

Three days from now! Goddess Temple Dock!

Chen Qing slowly raised his hand, gently accepting the letter.

Seeing this, Pang Qinghai nodded with satisfaction.

Chen Qing pondered for a long moment, "Colonel Pang, I have one more request. I wonder if you could help?"

Pang Qinghai looked at Chen Qing, "Speak."

He didn't hastily agree.

Chen Qing said, "My father Chen Wu served corvée labor three years ago, digging canals, with no news since then..."

"Three years ago, could it be Thousand Blade Canal?"

Pang Qinghai murmured, then said seriously, "I'll help you inquire about this matter, but I can't guarantee..."

Chen Qing bowed deeply, "Thank you for your trouble, Colonel."

Pang Qinghai waved his hand, "Alright, go now."

Chen Qing cupped his fists again before turning and striding away from the murderous military camp.