Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Chapter 98 Conspiracy (Wishing all my godfathers a long and healthy life in the New Year, and may you achieve great success in real life!)

The ironback bear's corpse lay in a pool of blood, the moonlight shining on its jet-black, stiff fur, giving it a cold, eerie glow.

Chen Jianghe holstered his gun and stood there, his gaze sweeping over the enormous beast. He already had a plan in mind.

Bear skin can be used to make armor, bear bones can be used in medicine, and bear bile, bear paws, and bear tendons are even more precious.

Those hundreds of kilograms of bear meat are rich in qi and blood essence, making them a great tonic for disciples of the Transformation Realm.

He turned to look at the four figures standing there, dumbfounded: "Aren't you coming over?"

Wang Tiesheng was the first to come to his senses, swallowed hard, and strode forward.

Liu Qingshui, Li Yumei, and Zhou Xiaowei followed closely behind. The four of them approached and their eyes fell on the iron-backed bear carcass, their eyes filled with shock and awe.

A single shot pierced the skull, from the jaw to the back of the head, with unparalleled precision.

Such marksmanship, such power...

Wang Tiesheng swallowed hard, feeling increasingly that the young deacon before him was unfathomable.

Chen Jianghe looked at the four of them and slowly said, "This Ironback Bear is a shared trophy of our C-class No. 7 field."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the four men's faces: "You four accompanied me on patrol tonight. Although you didn't directly participate in the battle, you still made a contribution. You will each receive two hundred catties of bear meat. Take it back, stew it, and share it to replenish your energy and blood."

Upon hearing this, all four of them showed a look of surprise and delight.

The meat of a beast at the peak of the Transformation Realm is extremely beneficial to cultivation. If one can eat it regularly, the rate at which one's Qi and blood increase can be more than 30% faster.

"Thank you, Deacon Chen!" Wang Tiesheng clasped his hands and bowed, his voice filled with heartfelt gratitude.

Liu Qingshui, Li Yumei, and Zhou Xiaowei also quickly bowed.

Chen Jianghe waved his hand, took out a butcher knife from his pocket, squatted down, and began to dissect the bear carcass.

With skillful technique, he cut along the joints, avoiding the bones and tendons, and peeled off the bear skin completely before cutting the bear meat into different parts.

The bear bile was carefully placed into a jade box, the bear bones were removed one by one, the bear paws were cut off at the wrist, and finally, the four most precious bear tendons were removed.

The whole process was smooth and efficient; in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the enormous beast was completely dismembered.

Wang Tiesheng's eyelids twitched as he read it.

This Deacon Chen is not only a skilled marksman, but also incredibly adept at dissecting the alien beast.

Chen Jianghe divided the 200 jin of bear meat into four portions and handed them to the four people.

"Take it."

The four people accepted it with both hands and thanked them again.

Chen Jianghe put the remaining bear skin, bones, gallbladders, paws, and tendons into his cloth bag; these were the truly valuable items. As for the four hundred catties of bear meat, he only gave half, keeping two hundred catties for himself, which he could use or exchange for cultivation resources.

Wang Tiesheng watched as Chen Jianghe tied up the cloth bag and sighed inwardly.

This Deacon Chen really knows how to handle people.

Two hundred pounds of bear meat, divided up without a second thought, not even blinking. Such magnanimity, such composure, coupled with that astonishing fighting prowess...

He recalled the scene of Chen Jianghe killing Ironback Bear with a single shot; the power of that shot still echoed in his mind.

The initial stage of Gang Jin (罡劲) has become so powerful?

No, that's not right.

He was also at the peak of the Transformation Realm and had seen many of his senior brothers with the Gang Realm make their moves.

But none of the senior brothers' marksmanship seemed to be as...sharp as Deacon Chen's.

It was as if, when that spear was thrust out, the spear was no longer a spear, but an extension of Chen Jianghe's arm, an externalization of his will.

Wang Tiesheng suddenly remembered a phrase: "gun intent".

He had once heard an elder in the academy mention that when spear technique is practiced to its highest level, one can comprehend the essence of the spear. Those who comprehend the essence of the spear achieve perfect harmony between man and spear, becoming invincible among their peers.

Could it be that Deacon Chen has already...?

He dared not think any further, but his gaze toward Chen Jianghe held an increasing sense of awe.

For the next two weeks, the hunting grounds at No. 7, Bingzi, were unusually quiet.

Those strange beasts that used to roar and charge every night seemed to have quieted down overnight, and there was no more unusual activity.

Every day at dawn, Chen Jianghe would lead four disciples to patrol the fences in the east and west areas. They would return to the wooden house at noon, practice shooting in the courtyard in the afternoon, and meditate and regulate their breathing at night. His days were regular and peaceful.

But a sense of unease lingered in his heart.

The claw marks discovered that day, those overly smooth marks, those claw marks that changed direction...

Those marks didn't look like they were left by animal claws.

It's more like... a person.

Someone faked animal claw marks on the fence in an attempt to cover something up.

And that person was among these four.

Chen Jianghe remained calm and continued to patrol with four people every day, but he focused more on observing their every move.

After observing for half a month, Chen Jianghe found no conclusive evidence. The claw marks never reappeared, and the strange beast was no longer startled. Everything was eerily calm.

Until this day, Qian Shouyi's messenger arrived.

Chen Jianghe took the letter sealed with wax and opened it.

The letter was written in Qian Shouyi's own hand, the characters neat and strong: "My dear nephew Jianghe: It is as if we are meeting in person. I personally went to Yilin County and, as instructed by Abbot Han, administered seven days' worth of elixirs to Master Li. On the evening of the seventh day, Master Li finally awoke. His first words upon waking were to ask how you were doing at the sect. I recounted your achievements over the past year and a half. After listening, he remained silent for a long time, then burst into laughter, tears welling in his eyes. He said, 'Good, good, my disciple Li Chengyue is better than I was back then.' He asked me to tell you not to worry about him and to focus on your cultivation. He said his greatest pride in this life was taking you as his disciple."

Chen Jianghe's hand holding the letter trembled slightly.

Master has woken up.

The person who had been in a coma for two years finally woke up.

He continued reading: "Master Li can now get out of bed and walk around, supported by Su Derong and He Shouzhou, spending half an hour each day basking in the sun in the courtyard. Doctor Qin said his recovery is better than expected, and with proper care, he should live another three to five years without a problem. Master Li himself is quite optimistic, even joking with me, saying, 'Old Qian, you used to be a big shot in Yilin County, how come you're now a messenger?' I was so angry I glared at him, but there was nothing I could do."

Chen Jianghe's lips curled up slightly. His master could still joke, which meant he was in good spirits. But as he smiled, the curve of his lips disappeared.

Three to five years.

Han Shuitian's words resurfaced in his mind.

"It could take five years at most, or as little as three years."

My master only has three to five years left to live.

Chen Jianghe closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were calm again.

He aims to reach the core of the sect within three to five years and find a complete cure for the poison.

He didn't believe there was any poison in this world that couldn't be cured.

He just hadn't found the key yet.

Chen Jianghe folded the letter and tucked it into his bosom.

Just then, a soft knock came from outside the courtyard gate: "Deacon Chen, this disciple has something to report."

It was Liu Qingshui's voice.

Chen Jianghe looked up: "Come in."

Liu Qingshui pushed open the door and entered, clasped his hands in a salute, and said with a calm expression: "Steward Chen, there are several loose sections of the fence in the East District. I would like to ask you to come and inspect them with me tomorrow."

Chen Jianghe looked at him, his gaze calm as still water: "Understood. Tomorrow at dawn, proceed with the patrol as usual."

Liu Qingshui nodded in agreement and turned to leave.

The moment the courtyard gate closed, a glimmer of light flashed in Chen Jianghe's eyes.

When Liu Qingshui presented his report just now, a glint of something... indescribable flashed in his eyes.

That was neither reverence nor envy.

Rather, it's something more complex.

It's like... feeling guilty.

Hunting Ground No. 6, Class C, is the residence of the steward.

This courtyard is much larger than the wooden house in Field No. 7. It has blue bricks and black tiles, two courtyards, and even a small pond in the middle, where a few koi carp are raised.

At this moment, three people were sitting in a dark room in the backyard.

Feng Yan, dressed in a bright red outfit, leaned back in a grand chair, toying with a luminous pearl the size of a pigeon egg in his hand.

Song Qi sat opposite him, wearing a blue robe, his face still gentle and refined, but the light in his eyes was much sharper than usual in front of others.

Liu Qingshui stood by the door, his back against the door panel, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Feng Yan played with the luminous pearl and slowly said, "The buyer has been contacted."

17

He paused, then looked up at Liu Qingshui: "Guess how much they offered?"

Liu Qingshui's Adam's apple bobbed, and he shook his head.

Feng Yan held up one finger: "Ten bottles of Gangyuan Pills, five hundred-year-old medicinal herbs, two Breakthrough Pills, plus ten thousand taels of gold."

Liu Qingshui's pupils suddenly contracted.

Gangyuan Pill is exclusively for Gangjin disciples to cultivate, while Breakthrough Pill is an even more precious treasure that can help peak Huajin disciples break through Gangjin.

Feng Yan gently placed the luminous pearl on the table, his gaze falling on Liu Qingshui's face, a smile curving his lips: "Qingshui, you've been at Yanchen Academy for almost five years now, haven't you?"

Liu Qingshui nodded, his voice tight: "Yes...yes, it's been almost five years."

"It took you five years to go from the Lesser Completion of the Transformation Realm to the Greater Completion of the Transformation Realm." Feng Yan sighed with emotion. "If I hadn't given you a hand back then, do you think you would have been able to get into Yan Chen Academy? You should remember this kindness."

Liu Qingshui's face turned slightly pale.

He knew that what Feng Yan said was true.

He was originally an average disciple of the outer sect of Xingyi School, and it was already a stroke of luck that he was able to enter the inner sect.

A month ago, Feng Yan found him and gave him a shortcut.

They secretly stole the flesh and blood of the exotic beasts and transported it out of the hunting grounds, with Feng Yan and Song Qi in charge of disposing of the stolen goods.

In just one month, he used the flesh and blood of those strange beasts that should have been reported to the sect for "accidental deaths" to forcefully raise his cultivation level to the Great Perfection of the Transformation Realm.

The price he paid was that once he got on this ship, he couldn't get off.

Song Qi spoke at this moment, his voice gentle yet carrying a hint of coldness: "Qingshui, you have now reached the Great Perfection of Internal Energy, only one step away from the peak. If you could obtain the Breakthrough Pill, you might be able to break through to the Gang Energy realm."

He paused, his smile deepening. "By then, you'll be a disciple of the Gangjin sect. Your status within the sect will be vastly different from what it is today. You can then bring your parents to live with you at Changxi Mansion; that will truly be a time of pride and triumph!"

Liu Qingshui was startled.

parents.

He thought of that dilapidated mud-brick house, his father's hunched back, and his mother's calloused hands.

They toiled their entire lives in the fields, their greatest wish being for their son to achieve great success in Xingyi Quan and bring honor to their family.

But what about him? He's been a disciple for ten years, progressing from the outer sect to the inner sect. If he hadn't become the lackey of this senior brother from Yan Chen Academy back then, he would never have been able to enter the inner sect in the Xingyi Sect, which is full of geniuses.

Seeing the changing expressions on his face, Song Qi knew that the time was right.

He stood up, walked to Liu Qingshui, placed his hand on his shoulder, and said in a gentler voice, "Qingshui, I know what you're worried about. That kid Chen Jianghe is indeed quite capable. He killed Ironback Bear with a single shot; even Senior Brother Feng and I have to admit that his combat prowess was truly unexpected."

He changed the subject, his smile deepening: "But no matter how strong he is, he's still just one person. With the three of us joining forces, plus those people outside, are we afraid we can't take down a greenhorn who's only just entered the Qi Refining stage?"

Liu Qingshui raised his head, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes: "But... he did kill Ironback Bear with a single shot, and there's his previous record..."

"Battle record?" Feng Yan scoffed, interrupting him. "Liu Qingshui, Senior Brother Song and I are only at the initial stage of Gang Jin. With Senior Brother Song and I joining forces, why would we be afraid of a junior who has just broken through?"

Liu Qingshui opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Feng Yan stood up, walked up to him, and looked down at him: "Qingshui, Qingshui, do you think you still have a way out?"

He reached out and patted Liu Qingshui's face, the force neither too light nor too heavy, but carrying a strong sense of humiliation: "Wake up. If what we've done is exposed, we're doomed. Do you think Chen Jianghe will plead for you then? He'll just shoot us both to make his record even more glorious."

Liu Qingshui's face turned deathly pale.

Feng Yan withdrew his hand, turned around and walked back to the armchair, sat down again, picked up the teacup and took a sip, his tone returning to its previous casualness.

"Besides, this deal isn't just about embezzling a few strange beasts. Do you even know who the buyer is?"

Liu Qingshui shook his head.

Feng Yan and Song Qi exchanged a glance, and a meaningful smile appeared on their lips at the same time.

"The Sun Moon Cult." Feng Yan slowly uttered these four words, his gaze fixed on Liu Qingshui's face.

Liu Qingshui was struck dumb, frozen in place.

Sun, Sun Moon Cult?

That cult that was wiped out by the combined forces of the five righteous sects?

That demonic cult that cultivates demonic arts and devours the essence and blood of martial artists?

"You...you all..." His lips trembled, his voice shaking, "You and the Demonic Cult..."

'

"Shh—" Song Qi raised a finger to his lips, his smile still gentle, "Keep your voice down, the walls have ears."

Liu Qingshui trembled all over, and cold sweat poured down his back.

Demonic cult.

That's a heinous crime that will result in death and the extermination of the entire clan!

Looking at his expression, Feng Yan scoffed, "What's there to be afraid of? It's just a business transaction, not joining a demonic cult. They set the price, we supply the goods. Beast flesh and blood, medicinal herbs, ores—whatever they want, we give them. As for what they do with these things, what does that have to do with us?"

He put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Liu Qingshui's face with a hint of condescending pity: "Qingshui, do you think Senior Brother Song and I have managed to cultivate to the Gang Jin level all these years? By relying on the sect's stipends? Dream on. Without these extra incomes, we wouldn't even have touched the threshold of Gang Yuan."

Liu Qingshui opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Song Qi spoke again, his voice becoming even gentler: "Qingshui, after the matter is accomplished and you obtain the Breakthrough Pill, you can then break through to the Gang Jin realm."

Hunting grounds five, six, and seven will then be under our control. Once Chen Jianghe is eliminated, all the resources will be ours. You won't have to sneak around doing your embezzlement anymore.”

He paused, staring into Liu Qingshui's eyes, and said, word by word, "I will personally give you the Breakthrough Pill. Whether you can seize this opportunity is up to you."

Silence fell in the dark room.

Only the luminous pearl on the table still emitted a faint glow.

Liu Qingshui stood there, his mind a complete mess.

Demonic cult, embezzlement, Breakthrough Pill,罡劲 (罡劲 is a type of internal energy cultivation technique), parents. These words repeatedly clashed in his mind, making him dizzy.

After a long while, he raised his head, looked at Feng Yan, and then at Song Qi.

In those eyes, fear and greed intertwined, struggle and determination coexisted.

"I..." he began, his voice hoarse, "What should I do?"

Feng Yan and Song Qi exchanged a glance, a look of satisfaction flashing in their eyes.

Feng Yan stood up, walked to Liu Qingshui, and patted his face again, this time with much less force, carrying a hint of approval.

"It's simple. Keep an eye on Chen Jianghe, and write down his daily routine, habits, and weaknesses. Wait until he relaxes his guard..."

""

He reached out and gently stroked his neck.

Liu Qingshui's pupils suddenly contracted.

Feng Yan looked at him and laughed.

"Don't be afraid, I'm not asking you to fight. Your skills aren't enough for him to kill you with one shot."

He turned around, walked to the window, pushed it open, and the night wind rushed in, causing the candlelight to flicker.

"Once the buyer's team arrives, they'll handle him. You just need to make sure he..."

""

He paused, turned to look at Liu Qingshui, and smiled deeply.

"Make sure he shows up where he's supposed to be."

Liu Qingshui took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

"I see."

Feng Yan withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and looked out at the dark night sky.

Chen Jianghe...

'

He murmured the name, his voice carrying a hint of coldness, a touch of amusement, and a trace of apprehension that even he himself was unaware of.

"To kill an ironback bear with one shot, that's quite an achievement."

"pity..

'

He chuckled softly, but didn't finish his sentence.

Behind him, Song Qi picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.

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