Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

Chen Mo accepted the land deed and converted his own notes into silver, returning 350 taels to Xie Jinyou.

Afterwards, Chen Mo changed the plaque at the entrance to read "Chen Residence".

After moving into her new house, Chen Lan started cooking that very day, hoping for good luck.

At the same time, Chen Mo invited Wu Zhiai, Xie Jinyou, Xie Jinnian, Ye Zimou, Chang Hao, as well as acquaintances from Tianqing Martial Arts School, the Xie family, Hefeng Pawnshop, and the Iron Palm Gang.

In addition, he took the initiative to go to the county government office to ask Shen Qi for help.

Surprisingly, Shen Qi actually took time out of his busy schedule to accept the invitation and visit the Chen residence.

This action was observed by everyone, who naturally came to the conclusion that Chen Mo and Shen Qi had a close relationship.

Even if it isn't now, it will be in the future.

Therefore, everyone took the initiative to stand up and toast Chen Mo, one after another.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Shen Qi, claiming he couldn't hold his liquor, got up and took a walk in the lakeside garden of the Chen residence, and Chen Mo followed him.

The two sat down in the pavilion.

Shen Qi cut to the chase: "Chen Mo, would you be willing to go to Chuzhou to join a sect and pursue a higher path of cultivation?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo was deeply moved.

He immediately replied solemnly, "This junior is willing, and humbly requests guidance from Senior Shen!"

Shen Qi nodded slightly. "Are you aware that besides being the judge of Chu Prefecture, I have another identity?"

Chen Mo pondered for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Senior, are you a cultivator from some sect?"

Shen Qi nodded. "There are many sects and forces in Chuzhou, but there are a few that are the most famous, one of which is Nine Swords Mountain."

"I was once a disciple of Nine Swords Mountain. Later, I left Nine Swords Mountain and became the judge of Chuzhou. It has been three years since then."

While still under the influence of alcohol, Shen Qi recalled some past events, "When I was at Nine Swords Mountain, my master treated me very well. However, later I was determined to enter the Chuzhou government, so I did not take his feelings into consideration and left in a hurry."

"When we parted, I said that I would find a young person with talent surpassing mine to be my disciple, so that he could inherit my mantle and make up for my regret at leaving at that time. Therefore..."

At this point, Shen Qi looked at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo understood instantly.

He immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "I am deeply honored that Senior Shen has taken a liking to me!"

"Please sit down, there's no need to be so polite."

Shen Qi smiled and waved his hand, "I will draft a letter of introduction. You can take it to Nine Swords Mountain. However, Nine Swords Mountain is extremely strict in accepting disciples. Having a letter of introduction will only qualify you to enter the selection."

"Only those who pass the selection process can become true disciples of Nine Swords Mountain. At that time, my master will be able to choose you as my disciple."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo's eyes were filled with longing.

The dream I've longed for day and night to enter a sect and cultivate is no longer just a pipe dream.

He suppressed his excitement and thanked them again.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered the "Crescent Moon Array Diagram" on his chest. Carrying it meant he was always carrying a crisis that could take his life at any moment.

Perhaps a solution can be found at Nine Swords Mountain...

After hesitating for a moment, he did not reveal the secret of the Crescent Moon Formation to Shen Qi.

In this world, the more cautious you are, the safer you are.

Once you have a general understanding of the origins and development of the Crescent Moon Formation, it's not too late to ask someone for advice.

However, we can ask about the human sacrifice first.

Therefore, he asked, "Senior Shen, I used to work as a laborer in the iron furnace and suffered greatly from the persecution of the Black Tiger Hall. I would like to know if the Black Tiger Hall's practice of human sacrifice really increases the power of the forged weapons as the legends say?"

Shen Qi frowned, lost in thought, and after a few moments replied, "Based on my cultivation experience in Nine Swords Mountain, I have indeed seen many secret techniques that can enhance the power of weapons and even improve a person's strength. The Black Tiger Hall's human sacrifices might really be true..."

"I've heard my master mention their practices before; they seem to be very similar to the legendary demonic sect, the 'Crescent Moon Sect.'"

Upon hearing the words "Xieyue Sect," Chen Mo's heart stirred.

Doesn't this perfectly match the crescent moon formation on his chest?

It seems that if we want to unravel the secrets of the Crescent Moon Formation and resolve the crisis, we must go to Nine Swords Mountain!

After thinking it over, he nodded. "Oh, I see..."

The night sky was clear, and the moonlight shone down.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they left one by one.

Chen Mo invited Wu Zhi'ai and the others from Tianqing Martial Arts School to stay overnight, since the county town was quite far from Heihe Town, and traveling at night would be inconvenient.

The group sat in the courtyard, the smell of alcohol gradually dissipating.

Yin Tianqing patted Chen Mo on the shoulder, his eyes full of satisfaction. "Chen Mo, it is truly my good fortune that Tianqing Martial Arts School has produced someone like you. In the past, I had prejudices against your talent, but now I feel ashamed..."

Chen Mo hurriedly said, "Master, please don't say that. Without you, Master, I wouldn't be who I am today!"

Chen Mo's words were not at all pretentious.

Admittedly, innate talent is extremely important in the martial arts world, and his innate talent was indeed poor. Even so, Yin Tianqing still took him as a disciple and snatched him back from the jaws of the Black Tiger Hall.

Chen Mo will never forget this kindness.

He thought for a moment and said, "Master, I plan to go to Chuzhou in a few days to try to enter the sect for cultivation."

Yin Tianqing's eyes lit up. "That's... perfect! Young people should go out and explore. When they make a name for themselves, I can proudly say, 'Chen Mo is my disciple!'"

As they talked, they both burst into laughter for no apparent reason.

At this moment, Yin Shanshan, who was standing to the side, said in a slightly low voice, "Then... when will you leave, and when will you come back?"

Chen Mo pondered for a moment and replied, "In six or seven days, I don't know when I'll be back."

After hearing this, Yin Shanshan gave a soft "Oh," and after a long while, she said, "Then you must be careful when you go out. The martial artists outside are definitely stronger than those in Anyang County. Remember to avoid making enemies."

"Okay, Senior Sister." Chen Mo nodded and smiled.

Wu Zhi'ai was equally disappointed, but she remained silent throughout, listening and thinking.

This seemingly ordinary yet extraordinary young man is now much more robust than before, with an added air of heroism between his brows.

Wu Zhiai knew that this young man would eventually leave Anyang County.

She herself was a woman who had never practiced martial arts, and if she left Anyang County, she would become a burden to others.

Therefore, she sighed inwardly and looked up at the full moon in the night sky...

Late at night, the group returned to their rooms to rest.

Chen Mo was in the main room of his house, not yet asleep. He took out the second volume of "Li Huo Xuan Gong" and was about to start reading.

Suddenly...

A sharp pain shot through his abdomen. He threw the lower volume of the Li Huo Xuan Gong (a martial arts manual) on the ground, then flipped open his shirt to look at it. He saw that the crescent moon array diagram suddenly emitted a dazzling light.

He sensed a faint pulling force in the air, affecting the crescent moon formation, and this force seemed to originate from the north.

He immediately thought of it.

Anyang County is located in the southern corner of the country.

Chuzhou Prefecture, and other vast areas of other prefectures, are located in the north.