Physical immortality begins with Bajiquan

Before Qin Heng could speak, he patted his chest and said, "My name is Fang Yu, the eldest disciple of Sun Dazhu of the Hongmen Martial Arts School! Before I left, my master specifically told me to take care of you in the army." He then plopped down next to Qin Heng, pulled out two pieces of dried meat from his pocket, and shoved one into Qin Heng's hand without saying a word: "Try it, my mother made it, it's much better than the wheat cakes issued in the army."

Qin Heng held the dried meat in his hand, his fingers paused slightly, and he subconsciously wanted to return it.

But when he looked up, he met Fang Yu's incredibly bright and sincere eyes, and the words he was about to say were swallowed back down.

"It tastes good." Qin Heng smiled slightly and took a bite of the jerky without hesitation.

Twelve days have passed since I met Fang Yu.

For the next twelve days, Cheng Yang seemed to be deliberately tormenting people, blowing the bugle and breaking camp before dawn every day, forcing the entire army to search and annihilate along both banks of the Canglan River tributary.

From river bends and harbors to vast reed beds, from muddy beaches to rocky shores, every place where people could hide was thoroughly searched.

Despite their tireless efforts, they only managed to capture a dozen or so old, weak, sick, and disabled bandits, failing to even spot the main force of the river bandits.

At first, everyone was excited by the reward of a thousand taels of silver and the official position of an eighth-rank officer, but after days of running around, they couldn't even get a hot meal, let alone make a contribution and receive a reward.

Even these dozen or so scattered bandits were divided up by the Huang family and the garrison commander. With too many wolves and too little meat, resentment grew stronger and stronger in the army. Many martial arts scholars cursed in private, but dared not utter a word because of Cheng Yang's status.

With the help of the Huang family, Qin Tianbao naturally became the captain of the second team of martial arts scholars, in charge of six people including Qin Heng and Fang Yu.

During those twelve days, Fang Yu stayed with Qin Heng almost every step of the way.

They would eat together at the same table, rest together, and even defecate together. During marches, he would always be by his side, constantly telling him interesting stories from the Hongmen Martial Arts School.

Qin Heng was initially a little unaccustomed to it and was often irritable, but as time went on, he gradually got used to it.

Before nightfall that day, Qin Tianbao suddenly summoned the entire team, saying he had received a military order from Deputy Garrison Commander Cheng Lie. He announced in an icy tone: "Tonight, the perimeter of the camp must be reinforced. The terrain in the direction of Black Pine Forest is complex, so additional sentries need to be set up to monitor the area and prevent bandits from launching a night attack. Qin Heng, you are skilled in martial arts, so this matter is entrusted to you. Go quickly, and we will change shifts at 11:45 AM."

Before the words were even finished, Fang Yu immediately spoke up: "Why send Qin Heng alone? Such a dangerous task should at least require two people. Captain, send me along!"

Qin Tianbao glanced at him coldly and slowly said, "The key to a covert sentry post is concealment; too many people will only make it easier to be exposed. Furthermore, once a military order is given, how dare you question it? Any further dissent will be dealt with according to military law!"

Fang Yu wanted to argue, but Qin Heng subtly tugged at his sleeve. He took a step forward, calmly cupped his hands, and said, "Qin Heng, I obey!"

After Qin Tianbao turned and left, Fang Yu stamped his feet anxiously, "Brother Qin, are you stupid? Departing from the army alone, and going to that Black Pine Forest? How dangerous is that? I'll go with you, even if I get a beating!"

Qin Heng shook his head and patted his shoulder: "No need, brother. You stay in the camp, be careful in everything, and don't act alone. I'll handle this matter."

He knew perfectly well that if his good cousin was planning something, tonight was the perfect opportunity.

As the old saying goes, it's not the thief you should fear, but the one who has his eye on you. Rather than waiting for the thief to make a move, it's better to chop off his paws first!

Night fell, at the third quarter of the hour of Xu (7:45 PM).

Qin Heng did not immediately head to the high point of the Black Pine Forest. Instead, after leaving the camp, he hurried along and quietly sneaked into the Black Pine Forest.

Instead of taking the main road, he climbed up the steep slope on the side, his steps as light and swift as a ibex, making very little noise.

Qin Heng stopped behind a boulder about twenty feet away from the original sentry post at the foot of the mountain.

He held his breath, pressed his body against the cold rock, and waited quietly.

The moonlight, like water, filtered through the gaps in the leaves, scattering scattered silver light across the ground.

The forest was eerily quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind, the occasional faint cries of night birds, and the sporadic drumbeats from the distant camp.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, two dark figures silently emerged from the depths of the forest.

Walking in front was Qin Tianbao, dressed in black night clothes and wearing a black mask. Behind him was a tall man, dressed in the same clothes, with broad shoulders, a thick back, and arms that were longer than average.

The two stopped in front of the boulder, gazing at the mountaintop in the distance, searching for Qin Heng's whereabouts.

"Where's that kid?" Huang's hidden-strength retainer asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with impatience. "Could it be that he's too scared to come and secretly ran back to camp?"

Qin Tianbao sneered, his cold gaze sweeping across the dark forest: "Run? It's good that he dares to run. He has military orders to follow. If he dares to abandon his post, I can send him to the central command tomorrow for disobeying military orders. Let's wait a bit longer. Maybe he's gone somewhere to take a dump. If no one's around, I'll deal with him when we get back to camp."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and said in a deep voice, "This is a secret between you and me. Don't tell the young master or the others. When he arrives, you go first, and I'll block his retreat from behind. Remember not to be careless; my cousin is quite strong. Be ruthless and cripple him! I only want one thing from him; the rest are yours."

"Don't worry, Young Master Qin, with you and me working together, even if I let him have three blows first, I can still crush him!" The guest elder of the Huang family sneered, his tone full of disdain.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a dark shadow darted out from behind the boulder, moving with ghostly speed and without making a sound.

Qin Heng gave the two no time to react and attacked the Huang family's guest.

He pushed off the ground with both feet, twisted his waist and hips violently, and instantly channeled all his strength into his arms. His hands formed claws, his left hand feinted to distract the opponent, and his right hand, like an iron hook, swiftly grabbed the guest's left shoulder and collarbone, twisting it forcefully.

"Click!"

The guest felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder, and his collarbone suddenly shattered. The crisp sound of bones breaking was clearly audible. Just as he was about to open his mouth to scream, Qin Heng's left hand pressed down on his right shoulder blade and pinched it. A cold, dark force penetrated into his body through the bone crevices, causing his meridians to break inch by inch.

"Snap!"

His right scapula shattered with a crack. Huang's guest elder's eyes widened suddenly, his throat tightened, and he could only manage a muffled groan before collapsing to the ground like a limp rag. Blood gushed from the wound on his shoulder, instantly soaking the yellow earth beneath him and spreading into a large, glaring crimson patch.

Qin Heng slowly withdrew his blood-stained hand, stood firmly, and looked directly at Qin Tianbao beside him with cold eyes.

From the moment the attack was made to the moment a person was crippled, it took only a breath.

Qin Tianbao's pupils contracted sharply, and he subconsciously took three steps back, his muscles tensing instantly like a bowstring.

"you!"

He exclaimed in surprise. He hadn't expected Qin Heng to be lying in ambush here and daring to strike first, and he certainly hadn't expected him to be so ruthless and decisive.