Chapter 161

Seeing this, Li Yan's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

There were experts everywhere here today. It was agreed that they would only broaden their horizons and act low-key, so how did they end up clashing with someone in the blink of an eye?

He frowned slightly and quickened his pace.

But after getting closer, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He saw that opposite Zhang Shitong stood an old man wearing old cotton clothes, a bamboo hat on his head, and even branches stuck in his hair bun.

The old man's attire was that of a down-and-out Jianghu traveler.

But he also had his hands on his hips, staring with a pair of dead-fish eyes, almost exactly the same as Shitong's demeanor.

"What business is it of yours?"

Zhang Shitong was clearly somewhat displeased, speaking while suppressing his anger.

"How is it not my business?!"

The old man spoke in a muffled voice, as if pinching his nose. "You bumpkin, how are you worthy of looking like me?"

As soon as he opened his mouth, it was a thick Ezhou accent.

Zhang Shitong was so angry that his chest heaved, but he rarely didn't use his stinky mouth. He cupped his hands and said, "We Guanzhong people are magnanimous. You are a senior who has come from afar; I won't haggle with you."

Having said that, he turned and left.

"Sigh, speak clearly!"

The old man, however, was unrelenting, as if he were determined to tease Zhang Shitong. He stepped forward and grabbed at his collar. "You mean I'm petty?"

Zhang Shitong felt aggrieved and turned his body abruptly.

His family's Heart-Intention Six-Harmony Boxing emphasized that the movement is born from the heart, and the intention is transformed into the fist.

This turn seemed to slide along the old man's palm, and at the same time, he wiped backhanded, wanting to deflect the old man's hand.

However, the old man just gave a light tug, and then arrived first despite starting later, pulling Zhang Shitong until he staggered and almost fell.

Li Yan watched, secretly shocked.

Zhang Shitong was an expert with many years of Internal Strength, and his Heart-Intention Six-Harmony Boxing had an extremely stable lower body, so he wouldn't easily lose his center of gravity.

The only possibility was that the old man had used clever force.

Sure enough, Zhang Shitong still wanted to struggle, but was pulled to the left and tugged to the right by the old man, stumbling like a child, in a sorry state.

The old man even said witty remarks. "Sigh, you kid, why can't you stand still? Don't pull me down."

"Hahaha..."

There were already quite a few people watching the fun, and they burst into laughter.

A smile also appeared on Li Yan's lips, and he watched the fun with his arms crossed.

He could see that this was clearly a formidable old senior who saw that Zhang Shitong looked like him and was taking him for a tease.

Zhang Shitong naturally realized this too, sat directly on the ground, and shouted, "What are you all laughing at? Haven't you seen an outsider bullying the young?"

Just at this moment, a voice sounded from afar.

"Senior Zhang, please stop!"

He saw a middle-aged man striding out from the main gate of the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui.

His steps looked slow, but his speed was extremely fast.

By the time he finished speaking, he had already arrived before them.

Seeing this, Li Yan's pupils shrank.

This person's feet rose and fell flat—it was the Bagua Tangni Step!

But every time the other party lifted his feet, internal strength would erupt, and it was light and airy, making people unable to see that he was using force, yet the strength was full.

To the point that onlookers would have an illusion.

As if he were shrinking the ground into an inch!

To have such exquisite use of internal strength, he was an expert in the Transformation Realm!

This middle-aged man was dressed in dark red military uniform, his posture was upright, and his face was broad and thick. Upon meeting, he cupped his hands respectfully and smiled. "Senior Zhang, why tease the younger generation? Master is already waiting for you."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Shitong lying on the ground and smiled. "Shitong, this is Senior Zhang Xiaoshan from the Yunyao Prefecture of Ezhou, a Dan Realm expert. His Bagua Willow Leaf Cotton Silk Palm is famous in the Jianghu."

Zhang Shitong scrambled up, cupped his hands with a face full of smiles, and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior. This junior is also surnamed Zhang, from Xianyang, practicing Heart-Intention Six-Harmony Boxing."

The old man felt bored, curled his lips, and said, "A person with a thick skin, and the kung fu is not very good either. Boring."

Having said that, he followed the middle-aged man and strode into the main gate.

Once he left, the scene instantly descended into chaos.

"Dan Realm expert!"

"It's a Dan Realm expert, damn it, I've broadened my horizons!"

"Zhang Shitong, what did it feel like just now?"

Zhang Shitong was now also puffed up. He patted the snow off his body and nodded. "Wonderful, truly wonderful. It felt like being trapped in a quagmire, completely unable to stand still."

"To be able to exchange moves with a Dan Realm expert, this life is enough."

"Pah!"

"Truly shameless!"

The people nearby laughed and cursed one after another; they were clearly all acquaintances.

Li Yan looked into the distance, lost in thought.

He couldn't see the trick in the other party's exquisite use of strength at all, but he had made an extra discovery.

He hadn't noticed it before, but after hearing that the other party was a Dan Realm expert, he realized that the smell on his body hadn't changed!

His application of the olfactory supernatural power had become increasingly profound.

Now, he could not only distinguish the scent of every person but also distinguish the other party's state through the changes in sweat.

For example, when a martial artist exerts force, the blood flows, and the sweat smell also increases.

And this old man's scent didn't change at all, which meant that even though he was exerting force just now, his whole body remained in a state of restraint.

Could it be that this is the characteristic of a Dan Realm expert...

I'll take a closer look later. If it's really like this, then I'll have experience in the future, so I won't be ignorant when an expert is in front of me.

"Well, you're truly loyal."

Zhang Shitong walked over at this moment, muttering, "Watching me get bullied with wide eyes, just watching from the side."

Li Yan also sighed. "Sorry, I should have taken action just now."

Zhang Shitong was stunned for a moment, somewhat moved. "That's not necessary."

Li Yan shook his head. "Don't misunderstand. It's not easy to run into a Dan Realm expert who also likes to joke. Without a heavy hand, I also wanted to experience it."

"Pah! Forget I said anything!"

Zhang Shitong spat and turned to leave.

Li Yan smiled slightly and followed closely behind.

…………

The Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui originated from the Great Xing of the previous dynasty.

It was originally an organization where Jianghu people gathered to resist the Golden Tent Wolf Kingdom. After the founding of the Great Xuan Dynasty, it was incorporated and became a semi-official organization.

Speaking of which, it could be considered the hand the imperial court extended into the Jianghu.

Some pure Jianghu travelers were disgusted by it and withdrew directly, while others needed this identity and integrated into it even more tightly.

So, until now, most of the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui were people from the local martial arts circles. With this identity, opening a bodyguard agency or a martial arts hall had many conveniences.

Of course, the imperial court wouldn't just give benefits.

Besides maintaining Jianghu stability and serving as instructors for local militias, the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui sometimes had to cooperate with the yamen to catch thieves and suppress bandits.

Therefore, the headquarters of the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui was also built extremely grandly.

Roughly speaking, it was divided into three large courtyards: front, middle, and back.

Besides handling official business, the front courtyard also had a huge circular arena in the center, flat on top, surrounded by stone carvings of Bagua, dragons, tigers, and other objects.

It hadn't been short of years, and it was already mottled.

The middle courtyard was the largest, and the main hall looked like a gathering hall, with a "Painting of the Fierce Tiger Walking at Night in Flying Snow" hanging above, implying the group of heroes' night raid on the camp during the winter when they resisted the Golden Tent Wolf Kingdom.

In that battle, quite a few Jianghu experts fell, but they also achieved brilliant results, killing many of the prairie eagles and Golden Wolf warriors, and even slaughtering the Prince and Grand Marshal hidden among them.

The subsequent battles that reversed the situation were also started because of this.

The back courtyard was naturally a place for receiving important figures.

"What are you looking at?"

Zhang Shitong walked a few steps and, feeling that Li Yan hadn't kept up, turned his head in a hurry, only to see Li Yan standing in front of the arena, motionless.

He hurried over to take a look. He saw that on the originally flat arena, a series of footprints had appeared, as if stepping in rotten mud, with even the traces of the shoe soles very clear.

One had to know that this arena was built with bluestone.

"This is truly extraordinary."

Zhang Shitong became interested and said in a low voice, "The original head of the Shanzhou Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui was named Cui Donghai, a master of the Mo Fist, who had reached the Dan Realm."

"He was overbearing by nature. Under the care of Lu Kang, he had a good relationship with Zhou Pan, and his disciples were used to being arrogant. As a result, five years ago, he offended a 'dragon crossing the river'."

"That person had a Shu accent and came directly to kick the hall. He didn't talk nonsense, left these footprints on the arena, and said that only those who could do this were qualified to fight him."

"What was the result?"

"No one went up. My father said that this is a method only a Gang Realm expert would have. Even if Shanzhou had such a person, I don't know where they are hiding. With Cui Donghai's reputation, he couldn't invite such a person to take action."

"As a result, after waiting for three days with no one to answer the challenge, that person laughed up at the sky and turned to leave."

"The face of the Shanzhou Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui was trampled into the mud. Cui Donghai was ashamed and fell into a serious illness, after which he closed his doors and stopped coming out."

"Why is this thing still left here?"

!.

"The new head of the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui is named Li Siping, a member of the Li family. When he took office, he said that this thing should be kept as a warning, requiring everyone to put martial virtue first and not repeat the same mistakes."

"Oh, he has methods!"

Li Yan nodded, looking at the footprints and feeling secretly shocked.

Internal strength practiced to a certain point has astonishing explosive power. If one is not afraid of skin tearing and flesh splitting, breaking monuments and snapping stones can also be done.

But methods like this were already somewhat mysterious.

No wonder it is said that once the Gang Realm is achieved, the fist communicates with ghosts and gods.

Coming here this time, he could be considered to have broadened his horizons.

His heart was even more expectant. He followed Zhang Shitong through the front courtyard and arrived at the middle courtyard.

Here, quite a few people had already gathered.

As soon as they entered, Zhang Shitong was asked questions one after another.

"Shitong, isn't Old Man Zhang coming?"

"Returning to Senior, there's something in Xianyang, he can't get away."

"Sigh, I was thinking of finding him for a few drinks..."

"Shitong, do you have any good seedlings in Xianyang recently?"

"I don't know, Senior..."

"Tsk tsk, a child from a Huashan boxing family was escorting a caravan and ran into a ruthless hand; the incense was broken, but the inheritance cannot be broken. That old friend entrusted me to find a good seedling to stand in and set up the household..."

"Senior, don't worry, I'll pay more attention."

Entering here, Zhang Shitong's habit of having a stinky mouth seemed to have completely disappeared. He was adept at dealing with people, finally having a bit of the demeanor of a successor to the Zhang Martial Arts Hall.

Li Yan pretended to be a follower, remaining silent.

He only used his eyes to look and his ears to listen, analyzing quite a bit of information.

Shanzhou seems to have no waves, but in reality, no place is peaceful.

The horse bandit organization "Chaoshang Society" in Longyou has expanded rapidly this year, robbing horses and looting, making the trade routes intermittent; the bodyguard agencies there are already unable to hold on...

A great swordsman appeared in Pu County, nicknamed Yuan Zhetian. He is overbearing by nature, looks down on the business of protecting others, specializes in eating 'Ge Nian' (a type of extortion), collects money to kill, and his fierce reputation is rising...

Several large ticket offices in Jinzhou have already begun to intervene in maritime trade bills and exchange, opening up new trade routes in various places; the bodyguard agencies in various states don't want to miss this piece of fat meat...

The "Glue-Cutting" swordsman in Weinan was attacked by some wild beast that came down from the Qin Ling Mountains and suffered heavy losses...

This era is just like this.

Even if the Great Xuan Dynasty is at its peak, imperial power does not reach the countryside, and the power distributed to the local level is limited; it is impossible to take care of all areas.

Chang'an is the center of Shanzhou, so it is naturally stable.

But even so, like the Law Enforcement Hall of the Chang'an Chenghuang Temple, there are only a hundred people. Once they get busy, many things cannot be taken care of.

The Commandant's Office has enough people, three thousand people in three battalion commands, but thrown into the entire Shanzhou, they can't even splash a spray.

What truly maintains local stability are the local garrisons, yamen catchers, the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui, and those heterodox sorcerers.

Of course, in those places, there are also fewer experts.

The Jianghu there is also purer—blood and rain of blades; only those who survive have the qualifications to speak.

"Is this the son of the Sick Tiger?"

Just as Li Yan was lost in thought, someone suddenly asked.

Li Yan looked up and saw an old man with gray hair, dressed in dark green brocade, wearing jade beads on his hands, looking elegant and luxurious.

Zhang Shitong hurriedly introduced him. "Li Yan, this is Senior Du Qing, the head of the Lantian Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui."

"Greetings, Senior Du."

Li Yan's expression was calm as he cupped his hands in a salute.

Old man Du Qing smiled. "Not bad, young and promising. I heard you've already made a name for yourself in Chang'an. The Lantian Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui is just lacking young talents like you."

Li Yan shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but I have already entered the Mystic Sect and am determined to practice the Dao; I will not join any Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui."

"Tsk tsk, what a pity."

Hearing this, Du Qing looked helpless, then spoke, "After all, we are all fellow villagers. If you have anything, just say the word; I still have some connections in Lantian."

"Thank you, Senior."

The old man shook his head and sighed, then turned and left.

Li Yan and Zhang Shitong looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

Anyone could see that the old man had other intentions.

Li Yan already had a reputation in Chang'an. If he had any intention of taking charge of the Lantian Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui in the future, this old man would probably be a different person.

This is the current situation of the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui.

In some places, they fight until they are bruised and bloody, while in others, like the Lantian Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui, it has almost become family property.

This old man Du Qing looks amiable, but Li Yan knows that he uses the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui as a handle to gather quite a few subordinates and form a mine protection team.

Occupying several Lantian jade mines, this old man is simply rich as oil.

Very soon, the master of ceremonies invited the representatives of the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui from various places to take their seats, with one shout after another, the rules strict.

Li Yan naturally mixed in behind the Xianyang Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui.

Their position was behind the main hall.

"Gentlemen, please!"

Just as everyone sat down, they heard footsteps one after another outside the door. An old man in brocade clothes smiled and raised his hand, entering the door while modestly declining with a group of people.

"Greetings, Guild Leader Li!"

Everyone stood up one after another to cup their hands in greeting.

Li Yan stole a glance to size him up. This Guild Leader Li looked less like a Jianghu person and more like a merchant—gentle and kind, with a scholarly demeanor.

Since the Great Xing Dynasty, the Li family had been a great clan in Guanzhong. Although they had ups and downs, now, with the help of maritime transport and the position of Administration Commissioner, they had returned to their peak.

This Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui leader was only at the Transformation Realm, and it was said that he rarely fought with others, but no one dared to underestimate him.

Those he invited were naturally those Dan Realm experts.

Zhang Shitong whispered from the side:

"The one just now is Luo Yingchuan of the Chang'an Bagua Palm. Ten years ago, he was already famous in Chang'an. Later, he went traveling, and I don't know when he returned..."

"This one is Wu Chengzong of the Wu family of Heart-Intention Six-Harmony Boxing. I heard you met Wu Mao on Niubei Ridge; that kid is quite cunning..."

"This one is Wang Mu of the Mantis Boxing, who is also proficient in Pi Gua. If you run into him in the future, you must dodge and walk away..."

Zhang Shitong muttered, but it wasn't considered impolite.

Because almost all the local Divine Fist Societies had people telling the young people behind them, clearly they had all come to broaden their horizons.

And those Dan Realm experts didn't care at all, laughing and talking with each other; they were clearly in another circle who knew each other.

As for the few experts from other places, they weren't even introduced to everyone.

Listening to Zhang Shitong's introduction, Li Yan looked calmly at all this, and a sentence suddenly popped into his mind:

That year, at the Shanzhou Jianghu gathering, I stood like a lackey...

(End of chapter)