Chapter 91: Chapter 15: The Rise of the Hongshan Gang, Becoming a Direct Disciple

"So it turns out that this world is indeed filled with wonders. There's even a Prefectural Governor who managed to punch out a lake to create canals, benefiting the local populace."

Shen Qing couldn't help but exclaim after finishing reading Mountain and River Chronicles.

At first, he thought this world was an ancient one where Martial Arts flourished, but after finishing Mountain and River Chronicles, he realized that was not entirely the case.

Actually, this world was one where immortals and mortals coexisted, a magnificent universe that was far more formidable than he had imagined.

According to the records in the book, martial masters who cultivated to the extreme could live for hundreds of years, or even achieve eternal life, and become immortals through the power of Martial Arts, possessing the might to move mountains and overturn seas.

Though there were some exaggerations, it was clear that Martial Arts in this world were not limited to mere physical combat.

In such an information-isolated small place, if he hadn't read this book, he truly wouldn't have had such a perspective and awareness.

"Ordinary people who have trained their bodies well would try to obtain a place on the martial arts register and join the court for an official position. Only by getting into the court can one gain access to the most comprehensive cultivation methods and transcend the ordinary."

"I'm different from them. Just by relying on the Water Ink Panel, I can break through all the way and practice a great magic skill, but this is not the method to achieve the path of Immortal Martial Arts."

"In the future, if I want to go far, I'll still need to join the court. Firstly, for safety and stability, and secondly, to gain control over the secrets of Immortal Martial Arts."

"No wonder everyone is so eager to practice Martial Arts," Shen Qing murmured to himself as he closed the Mountain and River Chronicles.

It was already midnight, and Shen Qing didn't continue reading. He quenched his curiosity, blew out the oil lamp, and fell asleep head first.

Having moved to a new house, where there were two beds,

Shen Qing could finally occupy one by himself, no longer having to squeeze with his elder sister Shen Fang.

A night without dreams.

The next day.

The Corpse Pile piled up at the entrance of the alley caused ripples through the shanty area of West City.

Everyone knew that someone not to be trifiled with had arrived in the area.

Some people with intentions inquired about their background and found out that they came from Hongshan Village.

The reputation of the Hongshan People, of the Hongshan Gang, spread quickly in West City.

By noon, all the families that had followed from Hongshan Village had finished their shopping and tidying up, and many people began to have free time on their hands.

And with free time, trouble often brews.

Shen Qing knew many ways to make money, but in such a world where power was vested in individuals, it was hard to say if those could be fully realized.

After much thought, he decided to use the most reliable method, instructing these people to start collecting 'security fees' everywhere.

This task didn't require much skill. It was something all big gangs did, and the rewards could be substantial.

However, even in collecting protection fees, Shen Qing felt the need to add a unique twist.

"Other gangs charge five hundred large coins per household per month; we've just arrived, so let's charge less, only two hundred large coins per household per month," he said.

"If we encounter a family that truly has difficulties, we won't sell their children or force them, let it be for now."

"Then, we can't do nothing after taking the money. Like when we defended the village from tigers back home, form groups mixing the old with the young, and take turns standing guard in our area. Anyone with ill intentions, treat them like prey and deal with them accordingly."

"Can't guarantee anything else, but the 'security fee' must be earned with integrity." Shen Qing gave a series of instructions and looked around at everyone, asking, "What do you all think?"

"How will the collected 'security fees' be divided?" a hunter asked.

Without a second thought, Shen Qing replied, "Like yesterday, I take half, the rest is divided evenly among everyone, and bookworm keeps the accounts. If there are no objections, then we'll set down rules. Those who don't comply will be punished, those who contribute will be rewarded, with the reward money coming from me."

"Okay, no objections from me."

Having said that, Shen Qing took out the Nine Skills Martial Arts manual and handed it to Tian Xiaohu, saying, "We've come here together. Those under fifteen with free time can practice it, Xiaohu, you start teaching them. If there's anything unclear, they can ask me."

The others didn't expect Shen Qing to be so generous, willing to even teach them Martial Arts.

Thinking that it was something both Chen Yuan and Shen Qing had practiced, everyone's eyes lit up with eagerness, and they began to imagine themselves mastering the skills and walking with their heads held high, eager to try.

Perhaps influenced by the Corpse Pile, the already chaotic no-man's-land of the shanty area mostly agreed to pay up.

For those who really couldn't pay, as Shen Qing had requested, the hunters didn't insist on using force.

After collecting the fees, under Shen Qing's arrangement, they truly began patrolling the areas they had charged, looking quite official.

The residents living in the shanty area felt as if a new order was quietly established.

After living in the shanty area for a few days and seeing that everything was on the right track, Shen Qing tidied up and headed for Inner City Linfeng Hall, leaving the chores to Zhang Baqing.

The residents in the nearby alleys seemed to realize that he held a different status among the people.

As Shen Qing passed by them, they bowed and scraped, behaving extremely courteously.

It made Shen Qing somewhat uncomfortable for a while.

Linfeng Hall.

Returning after nearly twenty days, Shen Qing found the place just as it was before, neither hot nor cold. Searᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

It was even showing slight signs of decline.

Shen Qing wasn't too concerned about these matters.

He had already broken through to the Bone Refining Realm for several days now and thought to inform Li Linfeng to learn the killing technique of the Wind Defying Finger to accelerate his cultivation progress.

Shen Qing remembered that his eldest martial brother Ouyang Tiezhu had only reached the Great Perfection of the Bone Refining Realm at the age of twenty-five.

And from when he started practicing the Wind Defying Finger to now, it had taken roughly two months to break through to the Bone Refining Realm.

He didn't need others to tell him that his pace of progress was indeed fast.

He just wondered what sort of Sight the remaining direct disciples of Linfeng Hall's master's uncle possessed.

Counting the time, at this point, Hall Master Uncle Li Linfeng should still be in his room.

Shen Qing told a maidservant in the room that he was going to Li Linfeng's study.

At the time, not only was Li Linfeng inside, but his four direct disciples and his son and daughter were also in the study, seemingly discussing something.

The door of the study was open.

Through the doorway, Shen Qing caught a glimpse of Ouyang Tiezhu, whom he hadn't seen for many days.

In just one short month, Ouyang Tiezhu's temples had gotten flecked with grey, and his entire demeanor lacked vitality.

Besides him, there was another who sat with one arm in a sling, head bowed without making a single sound.

The atmosphere was somewhat somber.

As soon as Shen Qing arrived, Li Linfeng noticed him. At that moment, Li Linfeng was feeling gloomy; two of his direct disciples had been injured in a sudden turn of events, while Mi Gang waited menacingly outside.

He had been looking for connections higher up recently but to no avail; it was making his life difficult, his complexion growing dull as if covered by a layer of dark clouds.

He knew clearly that Linfeng Hall now faced a gap in succession and was teetering on the brink of crisis.

His eldest disciple, Ouyang Tiezhu, had just been defeated and then faced a tragedy at home, leading him to become despondent.

Furthermore, being twenty-five years old and only just touching the threshold of the Skin Forging Realm, breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Realm seemed very challenging.

Given the current situation of Linfeng Hall, there wasn't much to help him.

The youngest of the four disciples had decent talent and was already in the Skin Forging Realm at such a young age, but tragically, one of his arms had been rendered useless.

Now thoroughly disheartened, it was uncertain when he would be able to recover.

The second and third disciples were promising, one at Skin Forging Realm and the other at Bone Refining Realm, having worked their way up step by step.

It wasn't that they lacked talent; it's just that they both needed a bit more time.

Finally, there were his daughter and son.

Both had respectable talent, yet ultimately they were still too young.

If he had ample time, he could surely develop their abilities.

The problem now was the lack of time.

What he urgently needed at the moment was someone who could hold the fort.

He didn't aspire for someone who could match the children of the court and the four major families, but at least someone who could stand firm against groups like Mi Gang.

Only then could he protect the fruits of his lifetime's work.

It had to be said, Mi Gang was truly ruthless.

They were torturously and precisely tightening the noose around his neck step by step, and he felt powerless to stop it.

Pushing aside all these troubling thoughts, Li Linfeng asked Shen Qing, standing at the door, "Did you need me?"

Shen Qing greeted with a respectful fist and palm salute, "Yes. I have already…"

The troubled Li Linfeng interrupted him, "Wait outside until I'm done with my business. We'll talk afterward."

Seeing that they were indeed discussing important matters, Shen Qing realized it was inappropriate to interject so abruptly.

He ended up not continuing his speech and nodded in acknowledgment.

Li Linfeng gazed at his four closest disciples and his two children, his mouth slightly open, about to speak, yet he wasn't sure how to start.

He sighed heavily in his heart and then turned to Shen Qing outside the door, "Never mind, go ahead and tell me what you wanted."

Shen Qing was slightly startled, not understanding why Li Linfeng had suddenly changed his mind, but he answered honestly, "Uncle Hall Master, I have broken through to the Bone Refining Realm and would like for you to teach me the follow-up training method of the Wind Defying Finger."

"Ah!" Upon hearing this, Li Linfeng sprang up, his emotions surging.

He knew his niece from Lady Qi's house had some cleverness and talent, and he was keen on cultivating him, but he never expected Shen Qing to advance so swiftly.

Tallying it up, his niece from Lady Qi's house had been practicing martial arts for just over two months.

Just over two months! What did this signify?

He recollected only the children of high officials could achieve such a feat.

Born into the families of high-ranking officials, nurtured from a young age with various strengthening methods, such achievements were understandable.

Yet, what could a village youngster like Shen Qing rely on?

Such talent was simply extraordinary.

Li Linfeng felt both astonished and delighted.

It was fortunate that he was moved to mentor him that day, otherwise who knew when such a genius would emerge.

In an instant, all of Li Linfeng's displeasures were swept away.

Even a leaky boat has three thousand nails.

He hadn't fallen yet; Boss of Mi Gang, Hong Xingwen, was at the same realm but didn't dare to act rashly against him.

If Shen Qing was well-cultivated, with his rate of progress, he might be able to take up the mantle for him.

"Well done, lad." Li Linfeng's face beamed, and he walked over from the desk, grabbed Shen Qing's shoulders, and looked him up and down with growing satisfaction.

"I said before that I wanted to pick a good day to take you as my direct disciple; today seems like the perfect day. What do you think?"

"I defer to Uncle Hall Master's decision," replied Shen Qing, noncommittal.

His experience had proven that under instruction, the progress on the Water Ink Panel could be much faster; he was here to learn killing techniques, naturally, he wouldn't refuse.