All the gods began by cultivating the Iron Shirt technique.

Southern Song Dynasty, Jiaxi Year 1.

That year, the world descended into further chaos as the Mongol cavalry once again swept south, plunging the border regions into misery. Anqing Prefecture, situated on the border between the Song and Mongol territories, was the primary target of the Mongol attack on the Southern Song. The Mongol army was powerful, far beyond the capabilities of the militarily weak Southern Song to resist.

Although the Mongol cavalry failed to breach Anqing Prefecture's defenses in the short term, how long the city could hold out has become a worrying question.

Tongjiang County, inside the Qin family's backyard.

The guards gathered in twos and threes, chatting idly. Compared to a year ago, the number of people here hadn't changed much. However, after a year of getting to know each other, the people who were once strangers had become familiar with each other.

"Damn this world! I heard the Tartar army is already stationed more than ten miles outside the city. Judging from this, another major battle is probably coming soon!"

During a casual conversation, one of the guards suddenly sighed and said, "With the frequent outbreaks of war, Tongjiang County is becoming increasingly unstable. Within a year, the entire county is filled with fear and unease. Even though the county magistrate frequently steps forward to appease the people, he still cannot dispel their anxiety."

If it weren't for the Qin and Xu families intervening to appease the people and even setting up porridge stalls to help them, Tongjiang County would probably have descended into chaos long ago. Even so, as time went on and resources became scarce, people in the county spontaneously organized various gangs. Faced with this situation, the county government did not intervene to stop it.

These gangs, under the guise of mutual support, haven't accomplished anything significant so far, but who knows what the future holds.

"War is raging everywhere. Even if you leave Anqing Prefecture, other places are just as unsafe."

A guard sighed, and only continued when he saw everyone looking at him:

"A few days ago, some江湖人 (jianghu people, people from the martial arts world) came to the county. They said that a major event happened in Jiaxing Prefecture last month: the Lu Family Village there was wiped out overnight. Not a single chicken or dog was spared, not even the children!"

"What?! Is that true? Hasn't the government investigated this?!"

"Investigate? Hmph. Why would officials who only care about collecting money bother with these gangland feuds? In the end, they just let it go."

......

The guards gathered in small groups, chatting. Even though most of them were illiterate, their lives were at stake, and they couldn't help but care. Especially since Anqing Prefecture had fought several battles with the Mongols over the past year. Although they had temporarily defended the prefectural city, some of the counties under its jurisdiction had suffered, and they didn't know when the Mongol army would attack.

The guards sighed and lamented, but there were also many people practicing swordsmanship in the training ground. They knew that in chaotic times, no matter what, strengthening their own strength was the first choice for survival.

A year has passed since Instructor Zhao taught them swordsmanship. During this year, everyone has practiced swordsmanship and made considerable progress. In particular, the members of the Iron River Martial Arts School, who already had a foundation in martial arts, had a more solid foundation than the other guards, even though they had never been exposed to swordsmanship before. Under Instructor Zhao's frequent guidance, they also made rapid progress.

call!

A gleaming beam of light traced an arc in the air, like a lightning bolt cleaving through the thick gloom. The blade tore through the air, and after a horizontal slash, the blade instantly shifted, changing from a sweeping motion to a diagonal upward strike. As the momentum ended, it suddenly slashed vertically downward, the blade twisting and turning in the air as the thirteen basic sword techniques were executed one by one.

Although it was a basic swordsmanship technique, the power it displayed was considerable. Each change in the longsword sliced ​​through the air, creating a soft whistling sound. While it couldn't match the formidable power displayed by Instructor Zhao, it was still far superior to the other guards.

Sizzle! Buzz!

With a final thrust, the longsword came to an abrupt halt, its blade emitting a buzzing vibration in the air.

"Good! Junior Brother Yang, it seems your swordsmanship has truly reached a high level."

Beside the training ground, Shi Yingfeng clapped and cheered. Compared to a year ago, Shi Yingfeng had grown taller and his skin, outside his clothes, had gradually turned a brownish-yellow, though it didn't yet have the same texture as Huang Hui's. But as he walked, he was like an iron tower, exuding an aura of oppression.

"I'm still far behind Senior Brother Shi." Yang Pan shook his head, not letting the other party's praise go to his head.

Compared to a year ago, he can now perform the Thirteen Basic Sword Techniques smoothly and without any hindrance, and the thirteen sword techniques can be changed at will without being bound by any particular order.

Despite this, Yang Pan was not arrogant, because he understood that his swordsmanship lacked practical experience.

Even though it can be changed at will now, once it encounters a real enemy, this swordsmanship might lose its usual fluidity and speed. Not to mention, this is a basic swordsmanship, without many variations and power techniques, so it naturally has little power to speak of.

Compared to a year ago, I now have some ability to protect myself.

Sheathing his longsword, Yang Pan stepped down from the training platform and went to rest with Shi Yingfeng.

Although the Iron River Martial Arts School has five disciples, Yang Pan is more familiar with Shi Yingfeng. Moreover, the two have helped each other with martial arts over the past year. In just one year, Yang Pan has completed the first level of Iron Shirt training, which involves skin-grinding. Next, he will begin training for the second level, striking techniques.

In contrast, Shi Yingfeng had begun practicing martial arts six months prior. Now, he was tall and exceptionally strong, and the power of his fists was probably not much weaker than the longsword strikes of the other guards.

"Junior brother, have you heard about what happened in Jiaxing a while ago?" Shi Yingfeng asked after drinking a bowl of tea while resting on a chair.

"I heard that the entire Lu family in Jiaxing was wiped out by the Red Serpent Fairy."

Yang Pan also took a sip of tea, his expression becoming much more serious. He had learned of this news from a martial arts expert who had passed through the area some time ago.

However, compared to this news, Yang Pan was more interested in these passing martial arts figures. He even considered whether he could strike up a conversation with them and leave Tongjiang County together. Unfortunately, when Yang Pan glanced at these martial arts figures from afar, they were all dressed in similar clothes, suggesting they were disciples of some sect. However, their attitude towards ordinary people was extremely hostile, so he abandoned the idea.

After all, the other party didn't seem like a kind person at all. Rather than risking leaving, it would be safer to stay in the county and continue practicing martial arts and swordsmanship.

When asked about the news the other party brought, Yang Pan had many thoughts on his mind.

Thanks to his memories from his previous life, he was fairly familiar with the plot of The Return of the Condor Heroes. Now that the Lu Family Manor had been wiped out, Yang Guo would soon be heading to Peach Blossom Island, then joining the Quanzhen Sect, entering the Ancient Tomb Sect, and honing his martial arts skills in just a few years before stepping into the martial world to create a legendary tale of the Return of the Condor Heroes.

There was a time when he longed to roam the martial world with a sword, but now that he has actually entered this world, he finds that even survival is so difficult.

"I thought that the Liangzhe region would be more peaceful, but I never expected such a tragedy to happen. Is there any place in this world where people can live in peace?"

Shi Yingfeng sighed. Although he practiced martial arts, he had never considered venturing into the martial world. However, living in chaotic times, one needed some martial prowess. Compared to becoming a renowned hero in the martial world, he longed for a stable life.

Yang Pan remained silent. Peace and tranquility—how luxurious those two words were in this chaotic world of dynasties. There were still about thirty years until the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, and the people of Song could barely survive. But once the Mongol hooves trampled into the Central Plains, that would be the day the people of the world cried out in despair.

At that time, let alone living in peace, even simply surviving will be a luxury!

Yang Pan never placed his hopes on the goodness of others; in his view, survival was only a matter of life and death!

......

After leaving the Qin family mansion, Yang Pan headed straight for the Iron River Martial Arts School. The Qin family didn't strictly control the guards within their mansion, as the guards were divided into two shifts, one in the morning and one in the evening. The daytime guards were sufficient for patrolling, and the remaining guards on night duty couldn't possibly stay at the Qin family mansion all the time.

The Tiehe Martial Arts School is basically unchanged from a year ago, except that the weeds in the corners of the walls are thicker, and the blue bricks in the training ground where the disciples practice are cracked and no one has replaced them. The whole school looks old and desolate.

"You're here." As soon as they entered the martial arts school, the voice of the senior disciple Huang Hui came from the courtyard.

Yang Pan looked in the direction of the sound. Compared to the martial arts school a year ago, the only one who hadn't changed was Huang Hui. He was still strong, but his face looked a little haggard. Yang Pan and the other disciples knew this, because the old master had passed away earlier this year. As the old master's only son, Huang Hui naturally felt a great deal of grief.

Nodding, Yang Pan approached the wooden stake in the martial arts hall, which was often used for skin abrasion. After a year of arduous training, combined with the effects of the medicine and the Longevity Fruit, Yang Pan had now achieved complete perfection in skin abrasion. The rough hemp rope that used to scratch his skin could no longer leave even a mark on Yang Pan's skin.

"Senior brother, I want to cultivate the second level of Iron Shirt Technique."