Chapter 681: Entanglement

The next day.

"Blackie... come on, let's do some body-tempering!"

Although Ye Fengchun had been tired like a dead dog yesterday, in truth, any youth who could make it this far possessed a streak of ruthlessness. He climbed out of bed early this morning and took the initiative to extend the invitation.

His eyes were eager, as if he were saying: 'Come on... let's have some fun... let's hurt each other...'

Song Jingang swept his gaze over him, shook his head, and whispered an apology in his heart before finding Master Yu: "Master Yu... I have entered the ranks."

"What?"

Although his voice was soft, the plaza was filled with martial artists, each one sharp-eared and keen-eyed.

Master Yu's eyes lit up. She moved like a flash, pressing her hands against various parts of Song Jingang's body.

Song Jingang's skin tightened as if in a stress response; his bronze complexion deepened, and a hidden force surged within him, ready to be unleashed.

"Not bad, not bad... Body like bronze, strength like an ox... this is indeed the manifestation of entering the Ninth Rank."

Master Yu sighed in admiration: "It's a pity you aren't a girl, otherwise I would have wanted to take you as my disciple."

"That is... Song Jingang? He broke through?"

"He's only been here a few months!"

A group of youths discussed it in hushed tones, while others remained silent, starting their body-tempering exercises without a word.

"He... he broke through?"

Ye Fengchun's mouth hung wide open, feeling both bitter and helpless...

Jiang Yuer saw this scene, but her face remained expressionless; she simply walked over to a wooden post nearby.

Bang! Bang!

Every strike she delivered seemed more forceful than the last, and soon her arms began to swell and redden. Yet, the young girl seemed to feel nothing, letting the wooden post grind away her skin so that the medicinal effects could be absorbed more perfectly...

"Follow me."

Master Yu paid no mind to the others; in her view, letting those martial apprentices feel more stimulation was a good thing.

She led Song Jingang into the rear of the Bai Lu Academy.

'This Master Yu... she is definitely an expert in internal energy!'

Song Jingang followed behind Master Yu, gazing at her graceful back and full hips, but his mind began to wander: 'If this master didn't have a scar on her face, she would be a beauty too... Wait, what am I thinking? Although martial artists have vigorous blood and Qi, one must still have a bottom line...'

He forced himself to shift his gaze to the buildings on either side, discovering rows of tiled houses with the distinct charm of a Jiangnan water town.

Red bricks, green tiles, and horse-head walls—they had a unique flavor.

In front of some villas, there were small bridges over flowing water, passing by ponds filled with blooming lotuses. The roads were paved with slabs of bluestone, and on the small bridges sat cute, naive-looking stone lion statues. He couldn't help but marvel.

The next day.

"Blackie... come on, let's do some body-tempering!"

Although Ye Fengchun had been tired like a dead dog yesterday, in truth, any youth who could make it this far possessed a streak of ruthlessness. He climbed out of bed early this morning and took the initiative to extend the invitation.

His eyes were eager, as if he were saying: 'Come on... let's have some fun... let's hurt each other...'

Song Jingang swept his gaze over him, shook his head, and whispered an apology in his heart before finding Master Yu: "Master Yu... I have entered the ranks."

"What?"

Although his voice was soft, the plaza was filled with martial artists, each one sharp-eared and keen-eyed.

Master Yu's eyes lit up. She moved like a flash, pressing her hands against various parts of Song Jingang's body.

Song Jingang's skin tightened as if in a stress response; his bronze complexion deepened, and a hidden force surged within him, ready to be unleashed.

"Not bad, not bad... Body like bronze, strength like an ox... this is indeed the manifestation of entering the Ninth Rank."

Master Yu sighed in admiration: "It's a pity you aren't a girl, otherwise I would have wanted to take you as my disciple."

"That is... Song Jingang? He broke through?"

"He's only been here a few months!"

A group of youths discussed it in hushed tones, while others remained silent, starting their body-tempering exercises without a word.

"He... he broke through?"

Ye Fengchun's mouth hung wide open, feeling both bitter and helpless...

Jiang Yuer saw this scene, but her face remained expressionless; she simply walked over to a wooden post nearby.

Bang! Bang!

Every strike she delivered seemed more forceful than the last, and soon her arms began to swell and redden. Yet, the young girl seemed to feel nothing, letting the wooden post grind away her skin so that the medicinal effects could be absorbed more perfectly...

"Follow me."

Master Yu paid no mind to the others; in her view, letting those martial apprentices feel more stimulation was a good thing.

She led Song Jingang into the rear of the Bai Lu Academy.

'This Master Yu... she is definitely an expert in internal energy!'

Song Jingang followed behind Master Yu, gazing at her graceful back and full hips, but his mind began to wander: 'If this master didn't have a scar on her face, she would be a beauty too... Wait, what am I thinking? Although martial artists have vigorous blood and Qi, one must still have a bottom line...'

He forced himself to shift his gaze to the buildings on either side, discovering rows of tiled houses with the distinct charm of a Jiangnan water town.

Red bricks, green tiles, and horse-head walls—they had a unique flavor.

In front of some villas, there were small bridges over flowing water, passing by ponds filled with blooming lotuses. The roads were paved with slabs of bluestone, and on the small bridges sat cute, naive-looking stone lion statues. He couldn't help but marvel.

Even though Song Jingang had already practiced it, he didn't dare to display it even once.

'I don't necessarily need to seek a master to learn... but the shortage of silver is a big problem.'

A Ninth Rank martial artist actually had many ways to make money, such as becoming a hired thug or joining a security firm.

But each of those required a massive amount of time and energy, which didn't suit Song Jingang at this moment.

He had no other choice but to take things one step at a time.

After visiting Zhang Dazuiba, Song Jingang followed Master Yu to register and choose an empty villa to move into.

'I don't seem to need to take a master; after all, I know the martial arts moves, and as for the silver... I can't really be as shameless as the artifact spirit said, right?'

Song Jingang felt uneasy in his heart and was just about to speak when Master Yu...

"Those martial apprentices outside, they can't see the backs of the aristocratic children, and their lives will be just like that. For a genius like you, being able to see it but unable to grasp it—that is the true despair..."

"But... Master Yu, didn't you take Jiang Yuer as a disciple?" Song Jingang seemed to think of something: "It seems Master Yu doesn't like this kind of..."

"Not bad, you are very smart. If someone had sponsored me back then, how could I have been trapped at the Sixth Rank for my whole life?"

Master Yu said: "I suggest you take advantage of these few years to accumulate well, and then immediately join the Five Beasts Army; perhaps you can still fight for a chance..."

"Many thanks for your guidance, Master Yu."

Song Jingang thanked her and arrived at his small courtyard.

Clang!

After closing the door, he let out a long breath and whispered in his heart: 'If it were someone else, they would probably despair... but I won't.'

'I have the Eastern Zhenwu Talisman, which is already an unimaginable stroke of fortune. Even if I just practice martial arts ten times more than others every day, it is impossible for me to be left behind by the aristocratic children!'

More than ten days later.

Bai Lu Academy, main gate.

"Dad?"

Song Jingang looked at the travel-worn Song Laoliu, his eyes turning slightly red: "I... I've reached the Ninth Rank..."

"Those martial apprentices outside, they can't see the backs of the aristocratic children, and their lives will be just like that. For a genius like you, being able to see it but unable to grasp it—that is the true despair..."

"But... Master Yu, didn't you take Jiang Yuer as a disciple?" Song Jingang seemed to think of something: "It seems Master Yu doesn't like this kind of..."

"Not bad, you are very smart. If someone had sponsored me back then, how could I have been trapped at the Sixth Rank for my whole life?"

Master Yu said: "I suggest you take advantage of these few years to accumulate well, and then immediately join the Five Beasts Army; perhaps you can still fight for a chance..."

"Many thanks for your guidance, Master Yu."

Song Jingang thanked her and arrived at his small courtyard.

Clang!

After closing the door, he let out a long breath and whispered in his heart: 'If it were someone else, they would probably despair... but I won't.'

'I have the Eastern Zhenwu Talisman, which is already an unimaginable stroke of fortune. Even if I just practice martial arts ten times more than others every day, it is impossible for me to be left behind by the aristocratic children!'

More than ten days later.

Bai Lu Academy, main gate.

"Dad?"

Song Jingang looked at the travel-worn Song Laoliu, his eyes turning slightly red: "I... I've reached the Ninth Rank..."

"Haha, good child, worthy of being my seed. It's only been a few months, and you've already entered the ranks."

Song Laoliu patted Song Jingang's shoulder, feeling equally incredulous in his heart.

He actually knew best what kind of character his son had.

Who would have thought he had misjudged him?

Was it because he had been running around outside for the past few years and hadn't observed him in detail?

He thought for a moment and handed over a parcel: "These are clothes and shoes your mother made for you... practicing martial arts is hard work, you need to eat more."

Song Laoliu stepped forward and lowered his voice: "Sewn inside the clothes are one thousand taels in silver notes, all five-tael Baoyuan Firm notes that can be redeemed on sight... don't be reluctant to spend them."

"Dad, where did you get so much silver?"

Song Jingang was stunned.

He had indeed been secretly anxious during this period, almost ready to sell himself...

Who would have thought his dad was actually a wealthy man.

"Borrowed from a friend..."

Song Laoliu said casually, then hesitated and added: "Also... remember, you must never privately sell the 'Gold Mercury Pill'! If you really want to sell it, I have a way!"

Watching Song Laoliu's departing back, Song Jingang fell silent.

He returned to his small courtyard, closed the door and windows, tore open the clothes, and saw the gleaming silver notes.

"Baoyuan Firm, that is the largest bank that monopolizes Chuzhou, and behind it is the Five Poultry Sect..."

"One thousand taels, solid and real; if I'm frugal, it will be enough for a long time."

"The way my dad moved just now... he clearly knows martial arts, and he's very strong!"

Song Jingang gripped the Eastern Zhenwu Talisman around his neck, very much wanting to ask his dad about this treasure.

But thinking of the poison oath he had taken not to tell anyone about the Eastern Zhenwu Talisman, he fell into entanglement... ===== CHAPTER 682 =====