A person sacrifices himself to become a saint in a chaotic world of martial arts.

Chapter 165 Qingyuan County Shaken

Su Bai spent nearly half an hour flipping through more than thirty cultivation manuals.

His brow furrowed slightly.

There is no superior training method.

The situation was exactly the same as that of the Golden Knife Alliance. Of the more than thirty cultivation techniques, only one was of medium quality, and the rest were all of low quality.

The intermediate-level martial arts manual, titled "Blood Fiend Blade Technique," was Liang Yan's signature martial art.

Unfortunately, Liang Yan had only mastered the skill to a high level, not yet perfected it, when he was killed by Liang Yan with a single blow to the throat.

As for the other inferior martial arts techniques, most of them overlap with the Golden Knife Alliance's collection, with only a few being unique to the Blood Knife Gang.

Su Bai took out the few unique cultivation manuals and placed them aside. His gaze fell on the books, and with a slight thought, the names of the cultivation manuals lit up on his golden finger panel, then transformed into countless pieces of information that flooded into his mind.

"Iron Bone Skill," a lower-level hard skill, can make bones as hard as iron when mastered to perfection.

"The Wandering Body Palm" is a lower-level palm technique that emphasizes agile movement and entanglement in combat.

"Wind Chaser Kick," a lower-level leg technique, emphasizes speed; the leg strikes like the wind.

He collected, comprehended, and stored each martial art technique deep within his consciousness.

The merits, demerits, lengths, and essentials of those techniques were as clear as if they were engraved in my mind.

After the last technique was recorded, Su Bai leaned back in his chair, his eyes flickering slightly.

He closed his eyes and mentally reviewed his martial arts system once again.

He possesses two superior hard skills: the Golden Bell Shield has reached the seventh level, making his body as solid as cast iron; the Dragon Roar and Tiger Howl Iron Shirt, although only at a minor level, combines internal and external cultivation, complementing the Golden Bell Shield, and its defensive power far surpasses that of others of the same level.

Two superior lightness skills: "Fleeting Shadow" (minor mastery), granting lightning-fast short-range bursts of speed; and "Chasing Clouds" (major mastery), allowing for long-range raids as if traversing flat ground. One for close combat, one for long-range attacks, complementing each other perfectly.

The sword technique: The Zhenyue Sword Technique is perfected, with a sword momentum as heavy and powerful as a mountain. When combined with the Zhenyue True Meaning, even an ordinary mid-stage True Qi Realm cultivator would have to avoid its edge with a single strike.

Sword Technique 1: Frost Sword Technique at its peak. The sword strikes like frost and snow, sharp and unparalleled. Combined with the Frost True Meaning at its inception, the sword's edge brings a bone-chilling cold.

As for inferior martial arts, he had lost count of how many he had collected, comprehended, and perfected.

Those low-level techniques, though insignificant on their own, accumulate over time and, when mastered to perfection, subtly benefit one's foundation in martial arts and understanding of its principles.

The martial arts system is quite comprehensive.

Su Bai opened his eyes and his gaze fell on the box of cultivation manuals in front of him.

At his current level, cultivating higher-level techniques would be of little use. Above the highest level are divine skills, which are what could truly transform him.

But such divine skills are hard to find.

Throughout Qingyuan County, none of the eight major powers plus the Zhenfu Division openly possessed any secret martial arts inheritances. The truly valuable items were either in the hands of powerful figures in the prefecture, or in the possession of reclusive masters, or—

Su Bai's gaze sharpened slightly.

Or perhaps, he's somewhere in Qingyuan County, somewhere he doesn't know, waiting to be discovered.

He exhaled softly, pulling himself back to reality.

The matter of divine skills cannot be rushed; we can only plan it slowly.

What needs to be done now is to prepare on two fronts: on the one hand, try to find out the whereabouts of the divine skill, and on the other hand, try to collect as many mid- to low-level martial arts techniques as possible.

Little by little, one can accumulate strength; like grains of sand forming a tower, mastering all available martial arts techniques to perfection is also a way to become stronger.

"grown ups?"

Wang Muzhi's voice rang in my ears, tinged with caution.

Su Bai looked up at him.

Wang Muzhi bowed and asked, "What should we do with these cultivation techniques?"

Su Bai put down the few martial arts manuals unique to the Blood Blade Gang and said calmly, "I'll keep these. The rest will be organized, archived, and added to the Zhenfu Division's library."

Wang Muzhi responded, then added, "Those silver, weapons, and jewels—"

"Make a detailed list first thing tomorrow morning and give a special report." Su Bai picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Tonight, take all the people and things back with you. Keep a close eye on them and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Yes!" Wang Muzhi bowed in response and turned to leave.

"etc."

Wang Muzhi stopped and turned around.

Su Bai looked at him and said calmly, "You've worked hard tonight. Let the brothers give it their all. After we're done, each of you will receive a reward of two taels of silver."

Wang Mu was taken aback, but then his face lit up with joy, and he clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "Your subordinate thanks you on behalf of the brothers, sir!"

He turned and strode away, his footsteps sounding even more forceful than when he arrived.

Su Bai watched his figure disappear outside the door, then turned her gaze to the courtyard.

The constables were still busy, but they were clearly working harder than before. Some carried boxes at breakneck speed, some ran alongside carrying weapons, and some shouted orders to direct the movement—it was a lively and bustling scene.

He turned his gaze away and looked towards the door.

Through the open gate, you can see the gray-white wall at the end of the courtyard.

Above the wall, a vast expanse of azure sky stretched out. Night had fallen, yet the sky remained a deep, clear blue; a few white clouds drifted by, but could not obscure the bright moonlight.

The moonlight shone down, illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime.

Su Bai looked at the sky and suddenly remembered some past events.

A few months ago, he was a martial arts novice who had just transmigrated to this world. Faced with the provocation of Luo Haoxuan, the young leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang, he could only feign compliance and force a smile.

Back then, even someone like Luo Haoxuan could act arrogantly in front of him, making him feel intimidated.

and after?

Later, he achieved some success and entered the Zhenfu Division, climbing the ranks step by step.

Even so, they still dared not completely turn against the likes of Jin Tangjing, the leader of the Golden Knife Alliance, and Liang Yan, the leader of the Blood Knife Gang.

Those people are deeply entrenched in Qingyuan County, and their influence is deeply entrenched. As a newly arrived chief inspector, he would only bring shame upon himself if he acted rashly.

So he took advantage of the situation.

By leveraging the power of the Zhenfu Division, the pent-up resentment of the constables, the open and covert struggles between the eight major forces, and everything else available, they destroyed the Tiger Head Gang, then the Golden Knife Alliance, and finally the Blood Knife Gang.

Step by step, we've come this far.

Looking back now, what about Jin Tangjing? What about Liang Yan? Those who had run rampant in Qingyuan County for twenty years were nothing compared to him. He killed them without hesitation.

Su Bai's lips curled up slightly, forming a faint arc.

Power, oh power!

This is a really good product.

It's absolutely delicious.

No wonder so many people want to climb up the ladder, at any cost. The feeling of standing high above, looking down on all living beings, and deciding life and death with a single word is indeed captivating.

However, he raised his head and looked at the bright moon that was half-hidden by white clouds.

It all comes down to ability.

Without strength, power is nothing but a castle in the air, which will dissipate with the slightest breeze.

Today, he was able to destroy the Golden Knife Alliance and the Blood Knife Gang because of the power of the Zhenfu Division, but the power of the Zhenfu Division ultimately depends on the knife in his hand.

Only with a sharp enough knife can power be secure enough.

He exhaled softly, picked up the teacup, and drank the cooled tea in one gulp.

A night breeze blew in from outside the door, carrying a chill and the shouts of the bailiffs in the courtyard.

"Quick, there's more here!"

"Place the box carefully, don't let it get damaged!"

"Zhang Laosan, how's it going over there?"

Su Bai put down his teacup, stood up, and walked to the door.

The moonlight cast long shadows on his slender figure.

Inside the courtyard, the constables were still busy.

Someone carried a large box out of the side room. The lid wasn't closed properly, revealing the gleaming silver ingots inside.

Someone walked by carrying a bundle of swords; the swords clashed and clanged.

Someone was leading a group of Blood Blade Gang prisoners out of the courtyard. The prisoners had their heads down and were staggering, no longer as arrogant as before.

Tang Dingzhen was standing in the courtyard, directing several servants to move things. He saw Su Bai and quickly walked over.

"My lord," he said, clasping his hands in greeting, "the inventory here is almost complete. In another hour, we will be able to transport everything back to the Zhenfu Division."

Su Bai nodded: "What about the interrogation?"

"It has already begun," Tang Dingzhen said. "The Golden Knife Alliance and the Blood Knife Gang members are being held in separate cells and interrogated separately. We should be able to get some information out of them by tomorrow morning."

"Let the brothers work a little harder," Su Bai said. "We'll report back on everything we find out tomorrow."

"Yes."

Tang Dingzhen agreed, but did not leave immediately. He looked up at Su Bai, hesitating to speak.

Su Bai glanced at him: "Speak your mind."

Tang Dingzhen hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Sir, when we were escorting the prisoners just now, I noticed the constables—they seemed like completely different people tonight."

Su Bai didn't speak, she just looked at him.

Tang Dingzhen continued, "In the past, these people would avoid gang members and wouldn't dare to speak loudly."

But tonight, you didn't see it, sir. They were holding those Blood Blade Gang members by the waist, their backs ramrod straight, their eyes gleaming.

It was like—like finally letting out the breath that had been held in for so many years.

"7

As he spoke, a complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

Su Bai listened quietly without responding.

Tang Dingzhen was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "My lord, I have a question."

"explain."

"Will you always be like this?" Tang Dingzhen looked at him with an indescribable look in her eyes. "I mean, will all the constables of the Zhenfu Division be able to stand up straight like they did tonight?"

1

Su Bai did not answer immediately.

He looked up at the sky illuminated by the moonlight. The white clouds were still drifting, but they could not obscure the clear radiance of the bright moon.

After a moment, he turned his gaze back to Tang Dingzhen.

What do you think?

Tang Dingzhen paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile: "I don't know. I just remembered someone."

"Deputy Inspector Feng?"

Tang Dingzhen nodded, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes: "Twenty years ago, when Deputy Chief Feng first arrived, he was just as decisive and ruthless. The Garrison Command was just as imposing back then. But later—"

He didn't continue.

Su Bai understood what he meant.

Later, Deputy Inspector Feng compromised.

For the sake of the bigger picture, for the sake of stability, and for the sake of so-called consensus, he took a step back. Taking a step back opens up a whole new world, but the knife has become dull.

Su Bai did not answer Tang Dingzhen's question.

He simply said, "Let's focus on doing what's in front of us first."

Tang Dingzhen glanced at him, nodded, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and left.

Su Bai stood at the door, watching his back disappear into the crowd.

The night wind continued to blow, carrying the clamor of the constables in the courtyard, the faint barking of dogs in the distant streets and alleys, and the silent chill of the moonlight.

He raised his head and looked up at the sky.

The clouds are drifting, the moon is moving, and the night is still long.

In every corner of Qingyuan County, no one is destined to sleep tonight.

The news has spread.

After the Golden Knife Alliance was destroyed, the Blood Knife Gang was also finished.

Overnight, two of the eight major powers were wiped out.

Who exactly is this young man named Su Bai, this newly arrived chief inspector?

What does he want to do?

How many more families does he have to destroy?

The mansions of the six major powers were brightly lit all night long.

Inside the main hall of the Wei family mansion, Wei Mingyuan, the third master of the Wei family, paced back and forth with a livid face, cursing under his breath; Wei Zhenghong, the head of the Wei family, sat at the head of the table, his brows furrowed, not uttering a word.

At the lower seat, several servants of the Wei family looked at each other, none daring to speak.

In the Wu family study, Wu Shixun was speaking in a low voice to the family head, Wu Shirong, his face pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead. After listening, Wu Shirong remained silent for a long time, then waved for him to leave. He then sat alone in the study, staring blankly at the map on the wall.

The Wan family, the Xie family, the Chamber of Commerce alliance, and the Iron Palm Gang—

Inside the Iron Palm Gang's headquarters, Zhao Zhijing stood before the gang leader, head bowed and silent. The gang leader sat in a grand chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, each tap distinct in the quiet hall.

He knocked for a long time before finally speaking, his voice low and deep: "Tell me, who exactly is this Su Bai?"

Zhao Zhijing raised his head, his lips moved, but he found that he couldn't answer the question at all.

he does not know.

Nobody knows.

That young man seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, and overnight, he turned Qingyuan County upside down.

Outside of the six major powers, the smaller and medium-sized forces in Qingyuan County were filled with unease.

In a small martial arts school in the south of the city, the master sat in the backyard, gazing blankly at the moon. A group of disciples surrounded him, and one whispered, "Master, the Zhenfu Division has wiped out two families; will they come after us too?"

The curator didn't speak, he just shook his head.

he does not know.

In a security escort agency in the north of the city, the chief escort was discussing something with several trusted confidants.

Some suggested sending a generous gift to the Zhenfu Division to express their gratitude; others said there was no rush, and they should first see how the six major powers reacted.

Some people were worried, fearing that if the city gates caught fire, the innocent bystanders would be affected.

The chief镖头 listened to their argument without saying a word, only gripping his teacup tightly.

And those who run casinos, lend money, and collect protection fees—these small fry who used to follow the eight major powers and get a share of the pie—are now cowering in their own territories, not daring to utter a sound.

They are all waiting.

The reactions of the six major powers.

Let's see what that young man named Su Bai will do next.

Waiting for an answer—

Is the Zhenfu Division really about to undergo a major upheaval this time, or will it be all bark and no bite, just like it was twenty years ago?

In the night breeze, these questions drifted through every street and alley of Qingyuan County, like invisible dark clouds weighing on everyone's heart.

In the courtyard of the Blood Blade Gang's headquarters, the torches were still burning, crackling loudly.

The constables continued their work, their footsteps remained chaotic, and their shouts continued to rise and fall.

The crates were carried out one by one, loaded onto trucks, and transported towards the Zhenfu Division.

The prisoners were led out in a string, heads bowed, staggering, and disappeared into the night.