Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune: Starting with death row inmates

After recounting his experience of breaking through to the True Qi Realm, Wei Xiong said, "Therefore, I believe that whether a person can break through to the True Qi Realm depends on their mental state."

"If he follows the rules and lives a peaceful life from beginning to end, breaking through to the True Qi Realm is wishful thinking. But if he is fearless and has a strong will, it is only a matter of time before he can generate True Qi."

Comparing Wei Xiong's and Qin Pi's experiences, the conditions for breaking through to the True Qi Realm gradually became clear to Shen Chen.

Firstly, one must be filled with a sharp spirit. Qin Pi's family was destroyed, and he only wanted to kill his enemies. His sharp spirit was unstoppable, and he stepped into the True Qi Realm in one day. When Wei Xiong was on the verge of death, he broke through the concept that his father had forcibly instilled in him. He was not afraid of the rules of heaven and earth, and True Qi surged forth.

Secondly, the body does not produce extra fat. Qin Pi suffered torture in prison before breaking through to the True Qi Realm, and his body became thin. Wei Xiong suffered from famine and almost starved to death. It is difficult for a fat martial artist to sense the true qi deep in his body.

Shen Chen vaguely felt that there should be a third condition, but after thinking for a long time he couldn't figure it out, so he had to put it aside for the time being.

The following day, at the foot of Dogtooth Mountain, Wei Xiong asked Shen Chen, "Brother Shen, in your opinion, how did my trip to Ningzhou go?"

Shen Chen's heart stirred, and he drew a fortune stick for Wei Xiong.

[Good fortune: The salt and iron you brought successfully alleviated the supply problems of the Zhenbei Army. The army praises you as a chivalrous person with a strong sense of patriotism. Auspicious.]

Shen Chen said, "Brother Wei will certainly live up to his reputation for chivalry on this trip."

Wei Xiong laughed loudly, "Alright, then I'll be setting off, brother!"

He rode his yellow horse and gradually disappeared into the horizon.

After seeing Wei Xiong off, Shen Chen approached Qin Pi and inquired about Liu Ming: "Brother Qin, do you know Liu Ming, that traitor from the mountain stronghold?"

Qin Pi thought for a moment and said, "I know. Liu Ming was originally the deputy leader of the fourth squad under Zhao Ying. A while ago, he cut off the head of the squad leader, Fu Han, and surrendered to the government. It caused quite a stir. The village has offered a reward of tens of thousands of coins for his capture, right?"

"Are you interested in this traitor?" Qin Pi asked.

Shen Chen nodded: "Not bad."

Qin Pi said, "He broke through to the True Qi Realm recently, and now he is under the protection of the government. Killing him will not be easy."

He said, "A while ago, Lu Feng, one of Zhao Ying's subordinates, took on this job, but ultimately failed. This shows how difficult it was. You should find another job."

Lu Feng was quite famous in the village, and his strength was that of a rare True Qi Realm martial artist. He was skilled in using twin swords, and when he released his True Qi, his twin swords would slash so fiercely that not a blade of grass would grow beneath them. The fact that even a martial artist of this strength could not defeat Liu Ming showed how troublesome this task was.

Shen Chen stroked his chin: "I still want to give it a try. Is there anyone in the village who knows Liu Ming?"

Qin Pi stated frankly, "Liu Ming was once Zhao Ying's apprentice, so he must be familiar with Liu Ming."

In the afternoon, Shen Chen arrived at Zhao Ying's residence.

The guards at the gate stopped Shen Chen: "Whoever comes, state your name!"

Shen Chen cupped his hands in greeting: "Shen Chen has come to pay a visit to Master Zhao."

The guard grunted in response, but remained standing still, his eyes fixed on Shen Chen, without any intention of reporting anything.

Shen Chen was puzzled for a moment, then realized that the other party wanted to take the opportunity to ask him for money.

He didn't mean to give it to them. Guards should just stand guard obediently. What kind of hero would try to take advantage of someone?

Seeing Shen Chen standing still, the guard's expression darkened, and he said coldly, "Master Zhao is not in the manor at the moment. Please leave..."

Shen Chen remained standing still, and chuckled, "Your guard is probably just saying this on purpose because he sees I'm not willing to bribe you, isn't he?"

The guard, his scheme exposed, immediately roared, "You scoundrel, spouting nonsense! I'll have you beaten out of here!"

"Wang Shan, who's at the gate?"

A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out from behind the door. Fang Xue, holding a gun in one hand, slowly walked out, her fair forehead damp with wet hair, clearly having just finished practicing shooting.

Wang Shan immediately complained to Fang Xue: "Miss Fang, some thief from who-knows-where wanted to see Master Zhao. I stopped him, and he started causing trouble in front of the door!"

Fang Xue turned her gaze to Shen Chen, her expression immediately turning to surprise and delight: "Brother Shen?"

Shen Chen nodded slightly: "Chief Fang, it's been a long time."

"I didn't know you were coming today, please come in..." Fang Xue warmly stepped forward, took Shen Chen's hand, and led him into the mansion.

She suddenly remembered something and looked sharply at Wang Shan, whose face was ashen, beside her: "But this person just tried to extort a bribe from you and stopped you?"

Shen Chen didn't speak directly, but said, "I heard from the guards that Master Zhao is not in the manor. Perhaps we should visit him another day."

Fang Xue said, "My godfather is at home right now. I'll take you to see him."

She immediately and generously took Shen Chen's hand and led him straight into the inner palace.

Seeing this scene, Wang Shan, standing at the door, silently took off his hat. If his estimation was correct, he probably wouldn't need to come to Zhao Ying's residence again.

"Brother Shen, please forgive me. Wang Shan is greedy by nature. I will ask my godfather to replace him tomorrow," Fang Xue said apologetically.

Shen Chen glanced at Fang Xue out of the corner of his eye. Compared to a few months ago, Fang Xue's steps were now steady and powerful, her face was rosy, and her martial arts level had improved by more than a little bit. She was like a completely different person.

"How does Chief Zhao treat you?" Shen Chen asked. Fang Xue had asked him a few months ago which chief he should pledge allegiance to, and his answer was Zhao Ying. Now it seemed that this choice was correct.

"My godfather treated me very well. He took me in as his goddaughter and passed on half of his martial arts skills to me. I am now at the peak of the Visceral Realm." Fang Xue smiled. "Of course, I owe my success today entirely to Brother Shen and Brother Qin. I will never forget their kindness in guiding and protecting me."

Shen Chen avoided Fang Xue's grateful gaze: "No need to thank me. I often think about whether your brother would have survived, and whether you and your sister would be in a better situation if I hadn't persuaded Qin Pi and Wei Xiong that day..."

Fang Xue listened quietly and said softly, "I don't blame Brother Shen for this. Everyone has their own destiny."

Before they knew it, Fang Xue led Shen Chen to Zhao Ying's door.

Fang Xue knocked on the door and said, "Godfather, 'The Mastermind' Shen Chen has come to visit."

A mellow voice immediately rang out from inside: "Come in."

Shen Chen pushed open the door and entered. A middle-aged man dressed in white was sitting by the window reading a book. He had a refined demeanor and a handsome face. His dark eyes cast a scrutinizing gaze at Shen Chen.

"Shen Chen greets Master Zhao." Shen Chen bowed slightly, cupped his hands, and paid his respects to Zhao Ying.

Zhao Ying nodded slightly: "Sit."

After Shen Chen took his seat, he didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point with Zhao Ying: "Manager Zhao, I've come here today because of Liu Ming."