Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Su Derong sighed, threw the dry branch into the fire, and watched it quickly burn to ashes.

"Jiang He, you may not know this, but at its peak, my Su Family Escort Agency had three main routes and five branch routes, traveling north and south, with business covering several nearby counties. Now... only two main routes and three branch routes remain. The other routes are either too plagued by bandits or divided by gangs, making them impassable."

He raised his head and looked at Chen Jianghe, his eyes reflecting the flickering firelight: "This road, though it's an old path I've walked for many years, I... am not entirely confident. I have a feeling something will go wrong this time."

Chen Jianghe: "........"

Su Derong picked up a piece of firewood and poked at the fire: "This route is the oldest one the Su family has been operating on. But precisely because it's an old route, many people know about it, and many people want to take advantage of it..."

Chen Jianghe remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Since you're worried, why did you still choose this path?"

"Because we had no other choice." Su Derong threw firewood into the fire, sending up a shower of sparks. "The other routes are either longer and more time-consuming, or even more dangerous. The medicinal herbs we're transporting are for an emergency in the south, and we can't afford any delays."

He smiled wryly, "I've only traveled this route a few times with my elders. Back then, my grandfather was still alive, and the escort agency had four powerful bodyguards, making it a formidable force. The bandits would avoid us at the mere sight of the flag. Now..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Chen Jianghe understood.

The Su family's power has waned, and they are no longer what they once were.

"I shouldn't have dragged you into this mess." Su Derong suddenly looked at Chen Jianghe, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "You have good talent and a steady temperament. If you diligently train at the martial arts school step by step, it's only a matter of time before you break through the barrier of internal strength. The escort business is like walking on a knife's edge; who knows, one day..."

"Senior brother," Chen Jianghe interrupted him, his voice calm, "Now that I've signed the contract, I'm a member of the escort agency. I know how dangerous escorting is. But the meat and medicine from the martial arts school, and the care you've given me, I didn't receive these favors for nothing."

Su Derong paused for a moment, then smiled, a smile that held a mixture of helplessness and relief.

He leaned back against the cargo box, gazing up at the rock wall. "Sometimes I really envy you. Your mind is pure; all you want is to practice martial arts, become stronger, and protect your mother. And me? The title of Young Master of the Su Family sounds prestigious, but the burden is heavy. My Su family is weak now, and every step we take is like walking on thin ice. If this shipment succeeds, we can regain some face among the families in the city, and business will be easier in the future. If it fails..."

He didn't say the second half of the sentence, but Chen Jianghe understood it.

In chaotic times, a security escort agency that has lost its prestige is not far from closing down.

"But then again," Su Derong suddenly sat up straight, a slightly teasing smile returning to his face, "I feel much more at ease having you on this escort mission. You seem quiet and unassuming, but when you get going, you're both steady and ruthless."

Chen Jianghe: "..."

The campfire crackled and popped.

"Oh, right." Su Derong suddenly remembered something, "Now that you have achieved Ming Jin and have mastered the Five Elements Fist, the next step should be to accumulate Qi and blood to break through the An Jin barrier. If you can return safely from this escort mission, I will try to get you some ingredients for 'Bone Tempering Soup'."

Chen Jianghe cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Senior Brother."

"Don't thank me yet." Su Derong waved his hand, a sly smile in his eyes. "But there are conditions. You'll have to perform well before I can say anything."

He paused, then said seriously, "However, I still hope... it's best not to achieve any merit."

Su Derong yawned and patted Chen Jianghe on the shoulder: "Let's go, it's windy tonight. Remember, when you're on watch, keep your ears open, but don't be paranoid. There are many wild animals in this area; nine out of ten times, it's a deer or a rabbit. If you really need to give a warning, make sure you see it clearly before sending the signal."

"I see."

Then Su Derong walked to a caravan, sat down against the wheel, closed his eyes to rest, and his breathing quickly became even.

Chen Jianghe sat alone by the campfire.

The mountain wind grew stronger, causing the flames to flicker. In the distance came the long, mournful howl of an unknown wild beast, echoing through the valley and lingering for a long time.

Chen Jianghe slowly adjusted his breathing, calming his mind and body, and his senses became even more acute.

It was almost 9 PM, time for Zhou Yong to take the night watch.

Just as Chen Jianghe was about to get up, his ear twitched slightly.

A strange noise was mixed in with the sound of the wind.

It was not a wild beast trampling dry branches, nor a night bird flapping its wings.

It was the rustling sound of clothes brushing against the bushes, light, quick, and... in more than one place.

He turned his head sharply, his eyes fixed on the darkest shadow on the left side of the camp.

Almost simultaneously—

"call out--!"

A sharp, piercing sound tore through the night sky!

A black-feathered arrow shot out from the forest, heading straight for Zhou Yong, who was about to get up by the campfire!

"Enemy attack—!" Chen Jianghe roared, his body leaping out like a cheetah. His right hand reached out and, at the critical moment, he managed to grab the end of the arrow shaft!

The arrow tip was no more than three inches from Zhou Yong's throat.

Zhou Yong broke out in a cold sweat, but his reaction was swift. He rolled to the ground and drew his short knife from his waist: "Grab your weapon!"

The entire camp erupted in excitement.

"Enemy attack—!" Zhao Tieshan's roar rang out like thunder.

Almost the instant Chen Jianghe caught the first arrow, two short, sharp whistles suddenly rang out from the forest—

"Chirp! Chirp!"

The owl cries out, the enemy is attacking!

More than ten dark figures suddenly sprang out from the darkness on all sides!

Everyone was dressed in black and masked, wielding swords and knives, and their movements were swift and ruthless, clearly those of seasoned veterans.

The two leaders were particularly swift, covering more than thirty steps in just a few leaps, heading straight for Su Derong's location!

"Hidden strength..." Chen Jianghe's pupils contracted slightly.

The two men ran without swaying their shoulders or waists, their strength contained yet not revealed. But with each step they took, dust quietly swirled around them—a sign that the hidden strength of these masters was circulating their qi and blood and channeling their power throughout their bodies.

"Stop them!"

Zhao Tieshan roared and brandished his knife to meet the three men in black who rushed towards him from the left.

Zhou Yong and Wang Gui each led two squad members, guarding the left and right flanks respectively. In an instant, they were entangled with the enemy amidst the flashing of swords and the clash of clubs.

The sounds of impact, roars, and screams suddenly erupted.

Chen Jianghe did not rush out rashly.

He crouched low, drew a butcher knife from his waist with his right hand, and quickly slipped a brass knuckles onto his left.

—Clear the outer perimeter first.

His gaze locked onto three men in black who were trying to bypass the chariot formation and head straight for the horses behind them.

The three men were clearly not as skilled as their leader, but they were well-coordinated. One man attacked with a knife, while the other two flanked the enemy with short blades. Their moves were ruthless and all aimed at risking their lives.

Chen Jianghe made a move.

There was no shouting, no sign.

He slipped silently out from the shadows behind the car, like a gray shadow skimming the ground, and in an instant he had cut into the flank of the three.

The knife-wielder reacted with lightning speed, turning around at the first sign of trouble and sweeping the blade across!

Chen Jianghe neither blocked nor parried, but suddenly twisted his waist and hips, his body sliding along the blade like a fish. His left palm struck the side of the opponent's wrist. This strike seemed light, but it contained the power of a crushing fist, a clear force that penetrated to the bone!

"Snap!"

The crisp sound of wrist bones shattering was drowned out by the shouts of battle.

The man let out a miserable groan as his single-edged sword slipped from his hand.

Chen Jianghe's right hand shot out like a venomous snake, the knuckles-covered fist striking precisely three inches below his Adam's apple, the vulnerable spot where the trachea and tendons intersect.

"Ugh..." The man in black's eyes bulged out, and he collapsed to the ground clutching his throat.

The short blade on the left has already pierced towards his back!

Chen Jianghe used his sense of direction to pinpoint the location, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and spun sideways to avoid the blade. His right hand wielded the butcher's knife in a backhand motion, the blade flashing upwards and slicing through the arm of the man holding the knife.

The sensation of the blade severing tendons was clearly felt.

The man's arm went limp, and the short blade fell to the ground. Chen Jianghe's left fist followed closely, a powerful punch aimed straight at the heart!

"Bang!"

The sternum collapsed, and the figure flew backward.

Seeing that things were not going well, the third person turned around and tried to escape.

Chen Jianghe flicked his right hand, and the bag of lime powder flew out of his hand, hitting the other person on the back of the head with a "thud".

The powder bag ruptured, releasing white dust.

The man instinctively turned around, his eyes were instantly blinded, and he screamed and covered his face.

Chen Jianghe had already caught up quickly, and with a flash of light, the blade pierced through his neck.

Three breaths later, all three died.