The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

Chapter 59 Recklessness

A diverse group of people crowded in front of the wall:

A burly man standing with his arms crossed, a lone traveler with his hat brim pulled low, and a shrewd-looking street urchin.

These were all "wind chasers," who made a living by taking on challenges and receiving rewards.

If someone is willing to pay, he will also take on "side jobs" on the side.

The list lists all the wanted criminals that the government has ordered to be apprehended: notorious bandits, murderers, and remnants of cults.

The reward money came from the government treasury, and some victims also contributed to the reward.

If a large order can be closed, it will be enough to ensure a comfortable life for several years.

However, among them were many notorious figures, whose subordinates included military officers and constables, as well as criminals.

"This is not an easy task."

Li Yuan shook his head inwardly.

Those who make the list are all formidable figures.

Naturally, besides capturing people, the Wind Catchers also ventured into deep mountains and wild marshes to search for rare medicinal herbs and exotic animals.

But those places are extremely dangerous; many people who find the treasure have never come out.

As Li Yuan walked, he pondered and slowed his pace.

Numerous scattered stalls lined the street, selling a chaotic mix of goods:

Cracked pottery jars, old books with illegible handwriting, oddly shaped withered roots and broken stones, and even copper rings and jade pieces of unknown origin for sale.

Li Yuan squatted down in front of a stall and casually fiddled with something.

The stall owner, a middle-aged man with squinty eyes, immediately stepped forward: "Officer, you have a good eye! These are all treasures passed down from our ancestors; who knows, they might contain secrets from a previous dynasty or martial arts relics!"

Li Yuan picked up a short dagger covered in green rust; the leather rope wrapped around the handle was mostly rotten.

"The officer knows his stuff!" the stall owner said in a low, mysterious voice. "Don't let the rust fool you, the pattern—the weight—it's probably the personal weapon of some ancient martial arts master! The price is negotiable—"

Li Yuan stood up and dusted off his hands.

Does anyone really believe that you can find divine weapons in the junk on the roadside?

At least he doesn't believe it.

Green Ox Martial Arts Society.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the old locust tree, shattering into shimmering spots on the bluestone ground, like scattered gold dust.

Lu Qing lay motionless on the bamboo chair, his eyes fixed on the white figure under the old locust tree.

Second Grandma was bending over to check on the progress of the medicinal herbs being decocted when a few strands of her black hair slipped from the wooden hairpin, lightly brushing against her fair neck with her movements.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

"Second Grandma."

The voice was squeezed out of his throat, deliberately lowered and hoarse.

Second Grandma paused for a moment, but without turning around, she continued to spread out the angelica root slices one by one.

Her fingers were long and slender, with neatly trimmed nails that shone brightly against the dark brown of the medicinal herbs.

Lu Qing propped himself up on the bamboo chair, his eyes gleaming with an unreal light, and the fire in his chest burning even brighter.

"Second Grandma, is the medicine ready?"

He asked, a smile on his face that he had imagined countless times, a smile he considered gentle and refined.

Second Grandma then turned around, holding a celadon medicine bowl in her hand, steam rising from the rim of the bowl.

She walked slowly, her skirt brushing against the fallen leaves on the bluestone, making a soft rustling sound.

"Lu Qing, this is the last dose." Her voice was soft as she tidied a stray hair at her temple. "After you finish this bowl, your injuries will be almost completely healed."

Lu Qing reached out to take it.

The moment their fingertips touched, he deliberately ran his fingers across the cool back of her hand, feeling the delicate texture of her skin.

Second Grandma jerked her hand away as if bitten by a poisonous snake!

The medicine bowl shook violently, spilling scalding hot medicine, with a few drops landing on the back of her hand.

Second Madam stared wide-eyed at the smirk on Lu Qing's face, her eyes swirling with shock, anger, and a hint of—

Lu Qing couldn't understand why he was angry at their lack of ambition.

"You One"

Her lips trembled, as if something was stuck in her throat, and she could not utter another word.

Lu Qing's smile remained unchanged.

He slowly took the bowl, drank the bitter medicine in one gulp, licked his lips, and lingered on her with a sticky look in his eyes: "Second Madam, you don't need to avoid me like this." He leaned forward, lowered his voice, "It won't be long before I recover..."

""

Second Grandma's face turned pale instantly.

"Since Lin Chong has accepted me as his true disciple," Lu Qing continued, "he intends for me to inherit everything. Master Lin is already old; after he passes away, the two of us... that's only a matter of time. Why bother?"

Second Grandma's face flushed red.

It was a red that blazed with fury, burning through the skin.

"Lu Qing!" The second grandmother finally found her voice, letting out a soft shout filled with anger.

His voice trembled, as if it had been chilled to the bone.

After a moment, looking at Lu Qing's haggard face and disheveled, dirty hair, her tone softened somewhat, "I'll let it slide because you're still recovering from your illness and your fever made you talk nonsense. But if you ever have any more improper thoughts, I won't let you off easily!"

After saying that, she turned and left.

Lu Qing watched her retreating figure, a sneer appearing on his lips.

"Stop pretending to be innocent!"

"Who doesn't know that Lin Chong is too old to satisfy you?"

"So all that swaying and hip-waving all day... I wonder who you're trying to seduce!"

Lu Qing's smile gradually widened.

Women always want to be prostitutes while also maintaining a virtuous image.

"Don't worry, Second Grandma, I will definitely take good care of my injuries. I will definitely be able to return to the path of martial arts. I am a genius!"

'

He lay back down, but felt the sunlight was a bit too bright.

No one noticed what was happening.

Lu Qing looked around and found the courtyard so empty it made him uneasy.

He remembered that at the height of the Qingniu Martial Arts Society, the shouts of more than thirty fellow disciples during their morning practice could make the roof tiles vibrate.

At that time, Master Lin stood on the steps giving instructions, his voice loud and clear, and every disciple's eyes burned with passion.

And now...

A dozen or so figures were scattered about, their shouts of practice weak and feeble, like the groans of a sick cat.

Someone threw a punch at the wooden stake, the movement was weak and feeble, the eyes were wandering, and the mind had long since flown away.

People kept trying to get through but failed and left.

Lu Qing still remembered that two days ago, a senior brother of Zhou Ping failed to pass the test and left with red eyes, his back like a roadside figure.

If something like this happens to me during the martial arts exam, who would send their children here?

Only one or two people came here sporadically, and that was because of Li Yuancai.

Li Yuan, a disciple who passed the martial arts exam, gradually became the face of the Qingniu Martial Arts Society.

"What incredible luck!"

Thinking of Li Yuan, the fire in Lu Qing's chest burned even brighter.

He turned his head and stared intently at the figure in the east corner of the courtyard.

Li Yuan practiced boxing with his upper body bare.

Sweat streamed down his taut muscles, glistening oily in the afternoon sun.

His movements were not fast, but each punch he threw was accompanied by a dull whistling sound, like a heavy hammer blow.

With each step, a shallow indentation was left on the bluestone ground.

"If I hadn't been injured, I would probably be stronger than him..." Lu Qing's eyes burned with determination as he silently pondered, "Once I'm fully recovered, I'm determined to take everything back, with interest!!"