Chapter 131: Crisis Approaching

Gongliang City, secret base of the City Gate Guard.

"Boom!"

A large hammer emitting a faint gray aura smashed down from mid-air, causing the surroundings to tremble.

A human figure darted up like a flying bird, unleashing a lightning-fast fist technique; *dong, dong, dong*, the surface of the gray aura rippled and expanded.

The sound of the collision traveled far, yet strangely, the surroundings remained deathly silent.

The gray aura, known as Soldier's Malice, is a Qi-blood ultimate technique of the Thousand Armies Breaking Malice Fist.

This substance attaches to physical objects, amplifying destructive power and lethality; even specters cannot withstand it.

The level of power radiated by the owner of the figure during the exchange was clearly that of Proficient Force.

Relying on exquisite fist techniques, he dodged and shifted, launching attacks around the large hammer.

Every time the Soldier's Malice forced him into a desperate situation, he would suddenly erupt with a miraculous move, immediately turning the tables.

Suddenly, the large hammer accelerated with a *whoosh*, and the Soldier's Malice became as sharp as a blade.

The figure took a sharp breath, his torso and limbs bulging, radiating a bronze-colored glow.

"A Thousand Scales Facing the Sun, Ten Thousand Helmets."

*Swish*, a golden light like flowing water condensed and set on his body, and in the blink of an eye, he was draped in a layer of brilliant golden armor and helmet.

The hammer wrapped in Soldier's Malice slammed into him with a *thud*.

The figure staggered forward a few steps, stood firm without falling, his chest echoing with a lingering *whoosh*.

The golden light and gray aura entangled and churned, then simultaneously annihilated and dissipated a moment later.

A solitary figure walked over from an empty corner, hands clasped behind his back, having been watching from the side the whole time.

"Shi Yu, the Soldier's Malice Hammer Strike is the secret technique of our City Gate Guard for breaking through Qi-blood."

"You have only been in contact with it for half a month, yet you have already vaguely touched upon signs of a breakthrough; your aptitude is good."

The person speaking was none other than Captain Ye, one of the Eight Great Ghost-Catching Captains of Gongliang City.

The figure panting on the spot was also an old acquaintance of Zhou You, Zhang Shiyu.

This former Apprentice of the Dazhuang Fist took a few deep breaths, steadied his breathing, and cupped his fists.

"Adoptive father, this child has a premonition that I will definitely be able to break through to Qi-blood before the end of the year."

There was still a red mark on his chest, a trace left by the hammer's impact.

The Hard Qigong 'A Thousand Scales Facing the Sun, Ten Thousand Helmets' is the core secret method of the Thousand Armies Breaking Malice Fist, with power even greater than the General Unloading Armor Great Cloak.

The latter is practiced by ordinary City Gate Guards, while the former is only accessible to elite captain-level personnel.

With his Proficient Force level, Zhang Shiyu was already able to withstand the collision of the Soldier's Malice by driving this Hard Qigong.

If he broke through to Qi-blood, his defensive power would double, and not even a red mark would be left on his chest.

Captain Ye nodded with satisfaction; he had no children of his own and had painstakingly cultivated this adopted son, intending to make him his successor.

"Shi Yu, since you have joined my City Gate Guard, you must prioritize the nation and the state, killing specters to protect the world."

Zhang Shiyu nodded silently and pondered for a moment.

"Adoptive father, I still have one unresolved matter; if I cannot settle it, I lack the confidence to break through to Qi-blood in one go."

"Oh?"

Zhang Shiyu said slowly, "I have never known defeat in my life, except for failing at the Jian Xiong Martial Arts Hall; the opponent was an obscure Apprentice under Wang Laohu, which is a great humiliation."

"Winged Tiger Zhou You; he has made a name for himself now, so he is no mere mediocrity."

Captain Ye also knew that his old rival, Captain Chang, still wanted to recruit this person.

"I beg adoptive father to grant this!"

"If this knot in my heart is not removed, my mind will not be at peace, and I fear it will be difficult to break through to Qi-blood."

Zhang Shiyu crossed his hands and bowed deeply to the ground, his attitude resolute.

Captain Ye pondered slightly and soon made a decision, "Everything as you wish."

"

Jian Xiong Martial Arts Hall, Diba Lianwuchang.

Zhou You practiced the Tiger-Subduing Fist from the beginning, move by move, his skin and meridians trembling slightly as he felt the subtle flow of force.

Force is the foundation of Qi-blood; one cannot break through without reaching proficiency, but if one is too proficient, it becomes a shackle instead. Just like Xu Ying, who toiled for ten years and remained stuck outside the threshold.

Break and then establish; without breaking, there is no establishing.

The eight words Shen Sijing gave him were pearls of wisdom, every word worth its weight in gold.

Zhou You made full preparations, realizing that to return to simplicity, he still had to return to the most basic Tiger-Subduing Fist routines.

Black Tiger Digs the Heart, Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain, Hungry Tiger Pounces on Food...

His limbs and torso stretched and tightened by turns, every inch of his muscles, bones, and skin developed to the extreme.

A faint sound of a tiger's roar lingered in Zhou You's ears, piercing into the depths of his heart with every note.

Soon, it would be soon.

Xu Ying had left the martial arts hall for a month or two, and his work at the trading firm had officially entered its track.

The merchant caravans transporting goods were crucial, like the arteries transporting blood; they had to operate at all times and could not be interrupted for a single day.

As external dangers increased day by day, transportation costs rose sharply.

The previous model of hiring outside martial artists no longer worked; when encountering danger, the first reaction of hired martial artists was self-preservation, preferring to abandon the caravan's goods rather than take risks.

Only the employees of the trading firm, whose lives and livelihoods were tied to the rise and fall of the firm, could risk their lives to protect the goods.

However, ordinary employees had limited strength, and often suffered heavy casualties when encountering specters or powerful bandits.

Xu Ying's addition greatly increased the caravan's self-preservation capabilities.

He broke through to Qi-blood relying on Wu Yanyi's secret method, and because he had prepared in advance, the aftereffects were greatly reduced.

With the protection of those at the Blood Qi stage, seventy to eighty percent of the dangers the caravan encountered outside were neutralized.

Over these past one or two months, the number of caravans the Shen Family Trading Firm successfully sent out and brought back has increased several times over compared to the past.

The direct result is that profits have risen significantly, and the lives of the trading firm's employees have all become more comfortable.

Given current prices in the city, no matter how much cargo is brought in, it can be cleared out quickly; it can truly be said that wealth is pouring in and money is being made every day.

I heard from Zhou Laodie that Manager Xu's position is set to be promoted even further, and he will be qualified to participate in the distribution of dividends.

All of this is a situation that Xu Ying fought for with his life.

I heard from a few Apprentices whispering privately that in the short one or two months since Xu Ying left the martial arts hall, he has suffered countless injuries.

Just the various medicines for internal consumption and external application alone amounted to three large crates transported to his home.

He is using his own life to trade for a future where his whole family can live without worry for food or clothing.

Zhou You asked himself, if he were in the same situation, he would make the same choice.

"Blood Qi, I must break through to Blood Qi."

The current situation seems to have improved, but no one can say for sure what will happen in the future.

Xu Ying blocked a round for him; if the situation continues to worsen, it will be Zhou You's turn sooner or later.

"Zhou You, there is an honored guest visiting today, add dishes to the kitchen after noon!"

By noon, Li Hao told Zhou You this news.

A guest is coming? And adding dishes? Zhou You found it a bit strange; an honored guest who warrants adding dishes to the kitchen is not at the level of an ordinary visitor.

At the very least, it is someone the Hall Master values highly, or perhaps someone with an extraordinary status and a significant background.

"Where are they from?"

Li Hao shook his head, "I didn't see, but there are a few City Gate Guards waiting with horses at the entrance; hmm, they should be high-ranking officials of the City Gate Guard."

"I just don't know which high official it is."

When Li Hao mentioned the City Gate Guard, his tone was somewhat complicated.

He was originally a descendant of the City Gate Guard, but after his father died, the connections were severed; as of today, he no longer has any resentment about joining the City Gate Guard.

"Oh!"

Zhou You didn't pay much attention; a visit from high-ranking City Gate Guards, no matter how you look at it, shouldn't have anything to do with him.

It is better to practice boxing with peace of mind, accumulating bit by bit, and break through to Blood Qi with his main practice, the Tiger Subduing Fist.

(End of this chapter)