The Martial Saint Started from Scavenging

For the next few days, Ye Sheng lived a very regular life.

Every morning, he would go to the stream to fetch water and pick some wild vegetables and herbs along the way.

In the morning, we practiced basic sword techniques; in the afternoon, we practiced stance training and internal breathing exercises.

That night, I sat by the fire, studying those three pieces of vermilion paper.

Occasionally, if they're lucky, they might catch a wild rabbit or catch a few fish to improve their meals.

The progress of [Basic Knife Techniques] is steadily increasing, and it has now reached "49/500".

The Internal Breath Method has also increased from "0/100" to "7/100".

Although the progress was slow, Ye Sheng could feel himself getting stronger every day.

That afternoon, Ye Sheng was practicing his swordsmanship outside when he suddenly heard the sound of oars paddling through the water from deep within the reeds.

He stopped what he was doing, gripped the machete tightly, and looked warily in the direction from which the sound came.

Before long, a small boat emerged from the reeds.

There were Indians standing on the boat.

Ye Sheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Brother, I've brought you some food." Ah San jumped off the boat, carrying a cloth bag.

Ye Sheng took the cloth bag, opened it, and looked inside.

Inside were some rice, noodles, oil, salt, and a few pieces of salted meat.

Thank you.

"Don't mention it." Ah San waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over Ye Sheng. "You look well. How have you been these past few days?"

Ye Sheng nodded.

"It's fine, just a little stuffy."

Ah San smiled.

"You'll get used to it. You can go back after a few days of hiding."

He paused, then continued.

"By the way, Brother Zhang asked me to tell you that he's already making arrangements with the garrison headquarters. This matter should be resolved in about ten days to two weeks."

Ye Sheng frowned.

"What's the naval base's attitude?"

Ah San's expression was rather unpleasant.

"It's hard to say."

He lowered his voice.

"I heard that the garrison headquarters is taking this matter very seriously. Patrol Chief Zhao Hu personally led a team and searched the area around Shuilongdu for several days."

Ye Sheng's heart sank.

"Did they find anything?"

"No." Ah San shook his head. "Brother Zhang has erased all traces of you; they can't find anything."

He paused, then continued.

"However, your brother is being watched."

Ye Sheng's expression changed.

"What's wrong with my brother?"

"Don't worry, he's alright," Ah San quickly waved his hand. "It was that bastard Zhao Hu who brought his men to your house and asked them some questions."

He paused.

"Your brother is very clever; he didn't say anything. Besides, with the boatmen around, Zhao Hu wouldn't dare to do anything reckless."

Ye Sheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But I still felt uneasy.

Zhao Hu has his eye on Ye Kai; this is not a good sign.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing," Ah San suddenly said.

Ye Sheng raised his head.

"What is it?"

Do you know a girl named Su Wan?

Ye Sheng's heart skipped a beat.

"I know him, so what?"

Ah San's expression was solemn.

"I heard she got into trouble at the Qingyun Sword Sect."

Ye Sheng's pupils contracted.

"What happened?"

"I don't know the specifics," Ah San shook his head. "I just heard that she was reported for allegedly colluding with the Blood Pact Merchants Association."

Ye Sheng frowned.

Is Su Wan colluding with the Blood Pact Merchants?

That's impossible.

Su Wan fled to Shuilongdu because she was being hunted down by the Blood Pact Merchant Guild.

How could I possibly be colluding with them?

unless……

Ye Sheng's eyes turned cold.

Unless someone deliberately framed her.

"Does the shipping guild know about this?"

Ah San nodded.

"Brother Zhang knows. He asked me to tell you not to run around during this time. Things aren't peaceful at the Qingyun Sword Sect right now."

Ye Sheng remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I see."

Ah San gave a few more instructions and then turned to leave.

The small boat quickly disappeared into the depths of the reeds.

Ye Sheng stood there, his brows furrowed.

Su Wan's matter, the garrison's wanted poster, and those men in black who hijacked the ship...

These things seem unrelated, but Ye Sheng always felt that there was an unseen hand controlling everything.

He turned and went back into the house, where he sat down by the fire.

My mind is a mess.

Su Wan was reported for colluding with the Blood Pact Merchants Association.

So, who was the person who reported her?

The most likely culprits are the Blood Pact Merchant Guild.

When they failed to kill Su Wan, they resorted to this method to make it impossible for her to stay in the Qingyun Sword Sect.

But what benefit would they gain from doing this?

Ye Sheng couldn't understand it.

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

He's too busy taking care of himself to have any energy left to deal with Su Wan's affairs.

We can only hope that she will be safe and sound at the Qingyun Sword Sect.

Ye Sheng stood up and walked to the door.

As night deepened, the reeds swayed in the wind, making a rustling sound.

On the distant river, a few fishing lights can be seen, flickering on and off.

Ye Sheng took a deep breath, turned around and went back into the house.

He lay down on the wooden bed and closed his eyes.

But my mind was still a mess, and I couldn't fall asleep no matter what.

He finally drifted off to sleep in the middle of the night.

I slept very restlessly, and my dreams were full of all sorts of chaotic images.

When he woke up, it was already broad daylight.

Ye Sheng got up and walked to the door.

Sunlight shone on the river, making it sparkle.

The reed beds were quiet, with only the calls of water birds.

Ye Sheng stood there for a moment, then turned and went back into the house.

He picked up the wood-chopping knife and went to the open space outside the house.

Get into position and begin practicing the basic sword techniques.

Chop, cut, flick, stab.

Once, twice, three times...

Sweat quickly soaked through his clothes, but Ye Sheng didn't stop.

His mind went blank, filled only with the image of the knife.

There are only those four most basic moves.

Chop, cut, flick, stab.

Repeat it again and again, refine it again and again.

Gradually, Ye Sheng felt that his understanding of the knife had deepened.

In the past, he used a knife simply to chop and hack.

But now, he could vaguely sense the "momentum" of each strike.

That inexplicable and elusive "momentum".

It's like an invisible pressure that can make your opponent gasp for breath.

This is the [Initial Formation of Sword Intent].

Ye Sheng stopped what he was doing and looked at the panel.

[Basic knife skills: 49/500 → 55/500]

The progress has increased by another six points.

Moreover, he could sense that the effect of [Initial Condensation of Blade Intent] seemed to have become stronger.

Ye Sheng sheathed his sword, panting heavily.

He walked to the riverbank and washed his face with the river water.

The icy river water sobered him up considerably.

Ye Sheng looked up at the sky and guessed that it was almost noon.

He went back into the house, scooped some rice from the jar, cut some salted meat, and cooked a pot of porridge.

After the porridge was cooked, Ye Sheng ladled out a bowl and ate it with salted meat.

After finishing his meal, Ye Sheng walked around the house.

Suddenly, he saw a broken wooden box in the corner.

The wooden box was old and covered in dust.

Ye Sheng walked over and opened the wooden box.

Inside were some tattered items, old clothes, broken bowls, and a few yellowed books.

Ye Sheng picked up a book, opened it, and took a look.

This is a travelogue that records the local customs and culture of various places in the Eastern Regions.

Ye Sheng casually flipped through a few pages, and just as he was about to put the book down, he suddenly noticed a piece of paper tucked between the pages.

He pulled out the paper and unfolded it.

That was a map.

The map was very simple, drawn with charcoal sticks, but it was marked in great detail.

The map shows the general outline of the Eastern Region, as well as the locations of several important towns.

Blackstone Town, Water Dragon Ferry, Firestone Bay...

There is another place that Ye Sheng has never seen before.

"Dragon Bone Mountain".

Ye Sheng stared at the mark on the map, his brow furrowing.

Where is Dragon Bone Mountain?

He looked closely and found that Dragon Bone Mountain was located about 100 li northwest of Blackstone Town.

Next to the marker for Dragon Bone Mountain on the map, there is a line of smaller text.

"Ancient battlefield ruins, frequented by monsters, extremely dangerous."

Ye Sheng's heart skipped a beat.

Ancient battlefield ruins?

Could there be anything good there?

He recalled an old man in the ghost market saying that artifacts from previous civilizations were often unearthed in the ruins of ancient battlefields.

Although most of the items are junk, you can occasionally find some treasures.

Ye Sheng carefully folded the map and put it into his pocket.

This thing might come in handy someday.

He turned and walked out of the house, standing at the door for a moment.

The reed marshes were quiet, with only the sounds of the wind and water.

Ye Sheng suddenly felt that although these days were quiet, they were also too boring.

He's not the kind of person who can stay idle.

Instead of just waiting here, we should do something.

For example... how about going to Dragon Bone Mountain?

Ye Sheng shook his head, dismissing the idea.

The naval headquarters is currently holding a warrant for his arrest; running around at this time would be suicidal.

It's best to stay put and wait until things calm down.

Thinking of this, Ye Sheng turned and went back into the house.

He sat down by the fire, took out the three pieces of vermilion paper, and continued to study them.

Time passes little by little.

Before I knew it, another five days had passed.

That afternoon, Ah San came again.

He brought not only food this time, but also a message.

"Brother, good news." Ah San jumped off the boat with a smile on his face. "Brother Zhang has taken care of things at the naval base."

Ye Sheng felt a sense of relief.

"real?"

"Really." Ah San nodded. "Brother Zhang spent a lot of money, and finally shut that bastard Zhao Hu up."

He paused.

"The arrest warrant has been withdrawn; you can go back now."

A hint of joy flashed in Ye Sheng's eyes.

I can finally go back.

"However..." Ah San suddenly spoke again.

Ye Sheng's heart tightened.

"But what?"

"Brother Zhang said that although things have calmed down, you'd better be careful," Ah San said in a low voice. "That bastard Zhao Hu is no good. He agreed on the surface, but it's hard to say whether he'll do something bad behind the scenes."

Ye Sheng nodded.

"I see."

Ah San gave a few more instructions and then turned to leave.

Ye Sheng stood there, watching the small boat sail away, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

I can finally go back.

He turned and went back into the house to start packing his things.

There wasn't much to pack up, just that machete and those three pieces of cinnabar paper.

Ye Sheng packed his things away and took one last look at the mud house where he had lived for more than ten days.

Although it was simple, he gained a lot from this experience.

The progress of [Basic Knife Techniques] has increased significantly, and [Internal Breath Techniques] has also been unlocked.

More importantly, his understanding of martial arts has deepened.

Ye Sheng turned and walked out of the house, boarding the small boat.

The boat left the shore and sailed upstream along the river.

The reeds receded into the distance behind us, eventually disappearing from sight.

Ye Sheng stood at the stern, gazing ahead.

Shuilongdu, I'm back.