I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 96 Chen Qinglang, are you tired of living?!
Baiyu Hall, in the middle courtyard.

"What? The exam time is postponed?"

When Fang Baiyu heard the news, he was so surprised that he didn't even have the appetite to drink tea.

Wang Ziwen and Hong Lie, who were sitting next to them, were also unhappy, and the smiles on their faces gradually froze.

"Why would Tang Qingyun delay the time for no reason?"

Although Tang Qingyun was in charge of the examination, it still involved Baiyutang. Tang Qingyun did not take on too much responsibility, and many key matters were handled in consultation with Fang Baiyu.

The time, method, details, etc. of the examination have all been negotiated.

The sudden change now undoubtedly made the people present feel uneasy.

Just now, they had found out that Tang Qingyun had urgently promoted a young man named Chen Qing to be a deacon to take the test.

They also knew that this Chen Qing was rumored to be the son of Sect Master Chen Qinglang. Although he was young, he was already a second-level warrior in the Essence Flesh Realm.

For these...

Fang Baiyu and the others endured it.

After all, once the rules are set, it's not uncommon for people to play some tricks in secret.

Now the on-the-spot delay... this is no small matter.

Wang Ziwen frowned and said, "Delaying the post is a big deal. After all, the post has already been sent... Maybe something unexpected happened that we're not aware of. If we don't know about it immediately, we'll be in a very passive position."

Hong Lie said, "That's easy. Brother Fang, just go and ask Tang Qingyun and you'll know."

Fang Baiyu felt that it made sense and was about to stand up.

Wang Ziwen suddenly said, "If something goes wrong, the Hall Master will personally intervene. It would seem that we are too hasty. It would be better if I went to ask. This would both convey our intentions and preserve the Hall Master's dignity."

Fang Baiyu nodded slightly, "That's very good."

"It is my duty to serve the Hall Master."

While Wang Ziwen was away, Fang Baiyu asked Hong Lie, "Hong Lie, are you confident in facing Chen Qing?"

Fang Baiyu felt uneasy about Chen Qing who suddenly appeared.

He had served in the Tiger and Wolf Sect for many years and only knew that the two sect leaders, Chen Qinglang and Meng Hu, were extremely powerful and had broken through the five basic levels early on and entered the realm of martial artists.

But he had never seen Chen Qing.

But just these five words "Chen Qinglang's son" are enough to show how extraordinary this boy is.

Hong Lie was also under great pressure. "If Chen Qing has the strength of just entering the Essence Flesh Realm, I am confident of winning. If this person's strength has reached the Lesser Success of the Essence Flesh Realm, I have a 30% chance of winning. If... he has reached the Greater Success of the Essence Flesh Realm, then I will..."

Eh.

Fang Baiyu sighed indignantly, "I was tricked by Tang Qingyun after all. How did Tang Qingyun know about the Chen Mansion incident so quickly after it all ended? There must be a spy inside. Don't let me find him... or I'll tear him into pieces!"

Not long after, Wang Ziwen hurried back.

Fang Baiyu asked anxiously: "How do you say it?"

Wang Ziwen shook her head. "The door is closed and no visitors are allowed. I didn't see Elder Tang. But I did see the Chen Qing everyone was talking about at the martial arts arena. I asked him, but he wouldn't say anything. But... I heard someone say that just now at Wang Po's shop..."

Wang Ziwen recounted in detail what she had learned about Wang Po's shop, and concluded by saying, "What kind of aura did Xie An cultivate...could it be related to this matter?"

Fang Baiyu's mood became even worse, "Xie An... aura?"

……

Qingwu County.

Tangjiabao.

Although the snow had stopped, a thick layer of white snow still covered the roof tiles. As smoke rose from the kitchen, it announced the start of a new day in Tangjiabao. Many servants were busy sweeping the thick snow from the ground in the courtyard.

In the inner courtyard, Tang Qingfeng, wearing a gray robe, was practicing health-preserving exercises.

Tang Zhengyang sat on a recliner under the eaves, smoking his pipe leisurely and giving Tang Qingfeng some pointers from time to time.

The atmosphere is very harmonious.

Tang Qingfeng, now over fifty, worked extra hard, listening carefully to every instruction from his adoptive father and making corrections. He was as devout as a young man who had just entered school, eager to learn.

In fact, such a scene has not appeared for many years.

After Tang Qingfeng repeatedly failed to master the Qi ten years ago, Tang Zhengyang became very disappointed with him and stopped teaching him martial arts. He reasoned that he already knew what he needed to know and didn't need any further guidance.

But Tang Qingfeng knew clearly that Tang Zhengyang was disappointed in his inability to master the Qi. He had mastered everything he was supposed to... didn't that mean the rest wasn't what he was supposed to master?
Over the past ten years, although Tang Qingfeng has been promoting health-preserving exercises everywhere and actively looking for people who might be able to cultivate a sense of Qi, on the other hand, Tang Qingfeng has never slacked off in his practice of health-preserving exercises.

He hoped more than anyone else that he could master the Qi and not disappoint his adoptive father.

The result is... reality is cruel.

After ten years of hard training, he still couldn't master the mysterious feeling of Qi.

This made Tang Qingfeng very upset for a while.

However, ever since the incident at the Chen Mansion a while ago, after Tang Zhengyang saw Li Changchun's coffin... he suddenly seemed like a different person. His previous decadent state had been replaced by a vibrant and energetic one. Not only did he increase his own health-preserving exercises, but he also carefully guided Tang Qingfeng, trying to help Tang Qingfeng master the sense of Qi...

Although Tang Qingfeng didn't think he could master this feeling, he felt much more relieved when he saw his adoptive father so energetic and full of expectations for life.

After practicing for a full hour, Tang Qingfeng finished and stood still.

Very disappointed.

I can feel the presence of Qi, but I can't control it.

Feeling somewhat guilty, he turned back to look towards the eaves and found his adoptive father lying on a chair, looking up at the blue sky, smoking his pipe blankly, with empty eyes and long hair blown by the wind. He looked very old.

Tang Qingfeng felt a pain in his heart and leaned forward, "Foster father, I... have disappointed you."

Tang Zhengyang took two puffs of his pipe and didn't blame anyone. "You've been working very hard these years. I've seen it all. It's no wonder you're not like that. Qi sensation requires luck. Back then, Master searched all over the country and only found a handful of people who could cultivate it. People with Qi sensation are hard to find. Maybe Qingwu County is just too small..."

Tang Qingfeng hung his head. The more his adoptive father comforted and understood him, the more he felt guilty.

At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door.

It was the housekeeper who came in with a dusty servant.

"Old Master, this is the kid from Baiyutang in Shuideng Town. He said Second Master has an urgent letter..."

"Urgent letter?" Tang Qingfeng immediately calmed down, strode forward, and looked at the servant. "What's the specific situation? Tell me in detail."

The servant recounted the entire incident in detail, concluding, "Elder Tang deliberately delayed the examination for this letter. Thinking it was a matter of utmost importance, I galloped all the way, not daring to stop for a moment."

Ok.

Tang Qingfeng took the envelope and wanted to open it, but thinking of his adoptive father being there, he handed it to his adoptive father with both hands.

Tang Zhengyang didn't answer it, just puffing on his pipe. "Just open it and take a look. It might be some bad stuff from the Tiger and Wolf Sect, but it's not very interesting."

The young man from the Tiger and Wolf Sect was shocked when he heard this: the Tiger and Wolf Sect was already a top-tier sect in Qingwu County, even the county magistrate had to give it face. This old man actually looked down on the Tiger and Wolf Sect, quite arrogant...

However, he only dared to think so in his heart, and did not dare to show any displeasure.

Tang Qingfeng opened the envelope and opened the letter paper. There was only one line of eye-catching words on it:
Xie An, who has cultivated a sense of energy and mastered it, can inherit the unique skills of Tang Family Fort!
hiss!
After reading the content, Tang Qingfeng gasped, his hands and feet trembling. His mind flashed back to the diligent and studious old man who had promoted health-preserving exercises at the Chen Clan Martial Arts School in Wuqiao Town.

Later, this person came to Tangjiabao specifically to give gifts and thank him for his teaching.

Is it him?

Tang Zhengyang noticed something was wrong with Tang Qingyun and glared at him, "Why are you shaking? You're already fifty years old and you don't have this much self-control. How disgraceful!"

"Godfather, look!" Tang Qingfeng didn't care about losing his composure anymore and hurriedly handed over the letter with both hands.

"It's just some minor incident with the Tiger and Wolf Sect, what's the big deal..." Tang Zhengyang snorted disapprovingly, snatching the letter away. Then... his expression gradually turned into surprise, his calm eyes gleaming brightly.

brush!
Tang Zhengyang suddenly stood up from the recliner, his legs and feet trembling even more exaggeratedly than Tang Qingfeng's, and his face turned red.

“Okay,… okay, okay, okay!”

He trembled as he reached for the dragon-head crutch beside him, slapping the ground repeatedly and almost howling, "Great! Qingyun did a great job! Steward Liu, give me a reward."

The servant was overjoyed and bowed in thanks, "Thank you very much, sir."

Then the butler left with the servant.

"Hahaha, hard work pays off. Great, great." Tang Zhengyang was still very excited and didn't care about losing his composure.

Tang Qingfeng felt speechless. He just said that he was unbecoming... What about you?

Although he thought so in his heart, Tang Qingfeng couldn't help but smile, "Godfather, how about I go to Shuideng Town now to pick this person up and show him to you?"

"it is good!"

Tang Zhengyang agreed immediately, but then rejected it, "No, that seems hasty. I'll go there in person...that won't work either."

Tang Qingfeng was very curious: "What happened again?"

Tang Zhengyang said, "I'm a centenarian after all, and my seniority is evident. If I go there rashly, I'll seem unsteady... Well, I'll go and see this person secretly, and you don't tell anyone."

Tang Qingfeng held his forehead and said, "Okay." Soon, Tang Qingfeng found a carriage and headed straight towards Shuideng Town with Tang Zhengyang.

Tang Zhengyang was in high spirits throughout the journey, his sickly demeanor gone, and he even asked about Xie An's background. Tang Qingfeng confided everything, ultimately offering a high evaluation: "From the moment I saw him, I knew he was extraordinary. He's still strong despite his age, a late bloomer. I never thought... you hit the nail on the head."

Tang Zhengyang was generous in his praise, "Qingfeng did a good job as well."

Then, Tang Qingfeng recounted the Baiyutang exam, concluding, "Everyone's eyeing the lucrative Blood Ridge Black Market. Chen Qinglang sent his son, Chen Qing, to take the exam, hoping to keep it in his grasp. Hong Lie is absolutely no match for Chen Qing. But right now... Xie An has long served as the Second Deacon of the Blood Ridge Black Market, deeply indebted to Wei Dian, and also wants to take the exam. So... my second brother postponed the exam to await his adoptive father's response."

They are said to be brothers, and their minds are connected.

Tang Qingyun postponed the test simply because he saw Xie An had developed a sense of Qi, and wondered if he could do him a favor.

However, this matter is of great importance, and Tang Qingyun cannot make the decision on his own. He still needs the approval of Old Master Tang.

Ha ha.

Tang Zhengyang took a puff of his pipe and said, "Qingyun has thought it through. This is the way it should be."

After an hour or so, the carriage arrived at Shuideng Town and stopped on the street near the back door of Baiyu Hall.

"Qingfeng, go to the other courtyard to find Qingyun and ask Xie An to perform a set of health-preserving exercises."

"What about you, godfather?"

"I'll observe from the shadows. If this person's popularity is exaggerated, then I'll just pretend it didn't happen. It won't be too embarrassing. If this person's popularity reaches a certain level, I'll have my own plans."

"Okay, I'll ask my second brother to get my adoptive father an identity as a Baiyutang disciple."

"No need. How can this mere wall stop me? It's just a decoration."

……

Northwest Villa.

Xie An saw Tang Qingfeng rushing over.

Although it had been a long time since we last met, it felt particularly cordial to see each other again. Tang Qingfeng was just like Tang Qingyun, not arrogant, with the temperament of a scholar, elegant and humble.

Xie An bowed deeply, "Master Tang."

Seeing that Xie An was still as friendly as before, Tang Qingfeng hurried forward to help him up. "Brother Xie An, please don't be like this. My second brother has already told me about your situation. When I first met you, I felt that you were a late bloomer. I didn't expect you to really cultivate the sense of Qi. Do you mind doing the Five Animal Exercises for me?"

Xie An was shocked.

Tang Qingyun had tested it, but it didn't explain the chance. Now that Tang Qingfeng had come again, he still needed to be tested.

It can be seen that the degree to which Tangjiabao attaches importance to the sense of qi far exceeds people's imagination.

"it is good."

Xie An agreed immediately and performed the Five Animal Exercises again according to the previous instructions.

Tang Qingfeng had been watching from the sidelines, completely captivated. After sensing Xie An's mastery of the Qi, he was even more astonished. Comparing himself to this old man, he was actually no match for him.

After Xie An finished his rehearsal, Tang Qingfeng finally woke up from his dream, "Excellent. Brother Xie's Five Animal Play is impeccable and has reached a high level of perfection. Even I am ashamed of myself."

"Master Tang, thank you for your praise. Thanks to you for your guidance that day."

"It's also Brother Xie's own hard work. Please wait a moment, my second brother and I will go out to discuss it." Tang Qingfeng gave Tang Qingyun a look, and the latter understood, and they left Baiyu Hall together.

When they reached a deserted intersection, Tang Qingyun asked, "Brother, how is this person's energy?"

Tang Qingfeng shook his head. "I haven't mastered the sense of Qi either, so I can't make an accurate assessment. But I see that this person's health-preserving exercises have reached a high level of perfection, and that's undeniable."

Tang Qingyun said, "Then please report back to father immediately. If this person is capable of the important task, I would like to do him a favor."

Tang Qingfeng said: "Don't bother, my adoptive father is already here."

Tang Qingyun was already eating and looked around.

Snapped.

Tang Qingfeng patted Tang Qingyun's shoulder and said, "Don't look anymore. I just saw Xie An practicing the Five Animal Exercises from the shadows. I will make the final decision on how to feel the Qi and heat. Come with me to the carriage."

Soon, the two arrived at the carriage and got in.

Seeing Tang Zhengyang sitting in the carriage, Tang Qingyun clearly felt that his father looked much better than usual and was very happy. "Father, you look much better."

"Hahaha, people are so cheerful when they're happy." Tang Zhengyang smiled brightly. "Qingyun, you did a good job. I've seen this person's Qi. Although his level is average, from my observation, he should have cultivated his Qi for less than two months. To be able to master Qi and circulate it properly in two months is a rare talent. If I teach him step by step, he will have mastered it in a few years and be able to take on great responsibilities."

"Congratulations, father. After searching for half a lifetime, you finally got what you wanted."

"Congratulations, godfather."

"Hahaha, it's all your fault. I have to give you a credit."

In an instant, the carriage was filled with joy.

The two sons hadn't seen their father so happy for many years, so they were naturally in a good mood as well.

After a moment, Tang Zhengyang changed the subject, "Qingyun, what does Chen Qinglang mean by this test?"

Tang Qingyun honestly stated, "Chen Qinglang intends to legitimize the Xueling Black Market and transform it into a commercial hub. Those responsible for future commerce will be able to obtain the rank of eighth-rank official. Therefore, Chen Qinglang allowed his son, Chen Qing, to take the exam. This will allow him to obtain an official position and embark on a career in the government."

Tang Zhengyang nodded slightly. "I see. No wonder there's such a grand ceremony. It even attracted the entire Shuideng Town population. It turns out Chen Qinglang is setting the stage for his son."

Tang Qingyun said: "Chen Qing is a warrior who has reached the minor success stage of the Jingrou realm. Hong Lie has no chance of winning."

The world is full of tricks, there are no such things as fair exams. They are all just insider trading, the results are decided in advance, and then they are just put on a show and passed through the motions.

However, there is a small chance of accidents in acting... Once an accident occurs publicly, no matter how serious the consequences are, you have to bear them.

For example, if Xie An came out on top in the exam, he would be the true incense master. Chen Qinglang would be helpless and could only resort to some means to suppress him afterwards, or make things difficult for him.

Seeing that Tang Zhengyang didn't speak, Tang Qingyun said, "Father, what about Xie An..."

"If he wants to take the test, then give him a fair chance. It's just right for me to see what he's capable of." Tang Zhengyang gave the answer.

Tang Qingyun: "What about Chen Qinglang..."

"Are you worried that if Xie An wins first place, Chen Qinglang will make things difficult for him?" Tang Zhengyang laughed. "It's been a few years since I last had tea with Chen Qinglang. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll go ask him for a cup of tea."

……

Twenty miles southeast of the county town.

Tiger and Wolf Mountain.

A vast mountain, six or seven hundred meters above sea level, overlooking the entire Qingwu County from the top, boasts excellent feng shui. This is where the Tiger and Wolf Sect's headquarters is located.

Although the Tiger and Wolf Sect had numerous ties to the county government, and even had branches and businesses within the county, its headquarters remained in the auspicious location of Tiger and Wolf Mountain. On the one hand, the thousands of Tiger and Wolf Sect members who had rushed into the county had put immense pressure on the county government.

On the other hand, Hulang Mountain in the southeast and the garrison in the southwest formed an angle with the county town. If the county town was invaded by foreign enemies, both sides could come to the rescue and contain the enemy. This was also an agreement reached long ago between the county government and Hulangmen.

Of course, in addition to the guards and the Tiger and Wolf Sect, there was also the Heavenly Sword Society. The Heavenly Sword Society was located near the Huai River's port, responsible for the waterways and commanding hundreds of miles of water. However, they had no direct conflict of interest with the Tiger and Wolf Sect, which was why they had always been at peace.

On the top of Tiger and Wolf Mountain, there was a large stronghold, resembling a bustling village, with people coming and going. Many martial artists were practicing with swords and spears, and there were also cavalry training, with an extraordinary momentum.

Da da da.

A white-haired old man, leaning on a dragon-headed crutch, walked up the mountain on the snow.

It passed through the crowd, attracting countless people's attention.

Walk to the entrance of the village.

The sturdy man guarding the gate with a knife raised his knife to stop them, "Please show me your ID card?"

The old man smiled and said, "No brand."

Clang.

When the man with the knife heard that the old man had no badge, he felt that the old man was looking for trouble, so he suddenly drew his knife and said, "Old man, this is the headquarters of our Tiger and Wolf Sect. No one in the entire Qingwu County dares to trespass. Please go back. I don't want to attack you."

The old man's smile grew even brighter. "Which sect leader is on duty today?"

The man with the knife became increasingly displeased. "Old man, you can barely walk, yet you're so arrogant. Sect Master Chen Qinglang is on duty today."

The old man said, "Then please tell Chen Qinglang that I am an old man with difficulty walking and ask him to bring a sedan chair out to meet me."

"How dare you! How can the leader of the sect allow you to carry a sedan chair?!" The man with the knife was furious and chopped at the old man with the knife.

At this moment, the old man suddenly roared, "Chen Qinglang, are you tired of living?!"

Boom!

The sound shook the eight directions and shocked the mountains.

The man with the knife suddenly felt pain in his eardrums and blood came out of his ears. He quickly covered his ears and screamed.

Countless disciples of the Tiger and Wolf Sect were shocked to the point of splitting headaches and ears threatening to explode. They covered their ears and screamed in agony, feeling the earth shaking and the world spinning...

----

ps: 10,000 words have arrived, please give me a monthly ticket~
(End of this chapter)