Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

After resting in the herb garden for a night, the medicinal wine I drank last night has been completely digested.

The medicinal power wasn't as potent as the Blood Qi Powder, but it was gentle and long-lasting. After the alcohol's effects dissipated, the remaining medicinal properties transformed into wisps of heat, slowly coursing through the body, nourishing the muscles and dispelling cold and dampness.

When Lu Chen woke up, he felt warm all over.

He had traveled all day on mountain roads yesterday and fought with Liu Heng. Logically, he should have some soreness in his body, but at this moment, he only felt a slight tension in his shoulders and back, and his blood circulation was even smoother than last night.

"This medicinal wine isn't bad at all."

Lu Chen thought to himself.

The fact that the yam business has been able to operate in Chixia Mountain for so many years is certainly not without its foundation.

He was thinking of buying a few bottles of this medicinal wine to take back with him.

As dawn broke, there was already activity in the herb garden.

The distant mountains and forests were dark and gloomy, with only the occasional chirping of birds. Among the medicinal herb fields, some early-rising farmers were already busy at work, while several guards, carrying bows, slowly patrolled the perimeter.

After getting up, Lu Chen went to the open space in the herb garden and first stood on the coiled dragon stake.

He stood with his feet slightly apart, his knees and hips lowered, his back coiled like a dragon, and his breathing was sometimes deep and sometimes shallow.

As the frame was set up, the body's Qi and blood slowly circulated, and the lingering warmth of last night's medicinal wine was gradually absorbed, sinking into the depths of the flesh and blood along the meridians.

Half an hour later, Lu Chen finished his training.

He exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling his whole body heat up and his muscles fully activated.

Then he began practicing the Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist.

Azure dragon extends its claws, green dragon coils its body, piercing through the clouds and entering the sea...

The force of the punches left white streaks in the morning mist, causing the sleeves of his clothes to flutter.

Not far away, Wang Zhong, who had just finished inspecting the medicinal garden, walked over carrying a mountain bow.

Upon seeing this, he stopped and a hint of approval appeared in his eyes.

"Your Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist technique is quite good; you've already achieved minor mastery?"

After Lu Chen withdrew his fist, Wang Zhong stepped forward and asked with a smile.

Lu Chen clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, Chief Wang. Your judgment is excellent."

"My boxing skills have reached a minor level of mastery."

As he spoke, a transparent light screen quietly appeared:

[Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist: Minor Success]

[Progress: 329/500]

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhong's eyes showed even greater appreciation: "Excellent!"

"The Azure Dragon Tongbei Fist is known for its flexibility and variations, and it is considered one of the more difficult martial arts styles to master. For you to have achieved such a high level of proficiency at such a young age is a testament to your talent."

"You flatter me, Chief Wang!" Lu Chen replied modestly.

Wang Zhong smiled and said, "Your sparring with Liu Heng last night really impressed me."

He then patted Lu Chen's arm and said, "That Liu Heng is narrow-minded and petty. Your punch yesterday taught him a lesson."

"From now on, we're all brothers, so let's not hurt our harmony anymore."

Lu Chen knew that Wang Zhong wanted to resolve the conflict between him and Liu Heng and avoid internal strife. After all, they were both on temporary assignments in Wang Ji, and it would be a loss for Wang Ji if either of them got hurt.

He paused for a moment, then said, "Leader Wang, rest assured, as long as he doesn't provoke me, I will not fight him again."

Wang Zhong nodded, "That's good."

"You will rest in the herb garden today. After the herbs are packed, escort them back to the city early tomorrow morning."

Then, Wang Zhong turned his attention to the depths of the mountains.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the layers of mountains were shrouded in a thin fog, revealing only their vague outlines. Further away, a crimson glow hung above the mountain ridge, like fire or blood, never fading, casting an eerie red hue over half the sky.

Wang Zhong narrowed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then whispered, "Is this Crimson Cloud Mountain hiding immortals or demons...?"

His voice was soft, as if he were muttering to himself.

The next day, the morning light was bright.

The mature medicinal herbs in the herb garden have all been loaded onto trucks.

The wooden crates were tightly bound together with thick hemp rope.

Wang Zhong personally inspected the ropes, then had them covered with an oilcloth before saying in a deep voice, "Let's go."

This escort team consists of twenty people.

Led by Wang Zhong, who had reached the Lesser Mastery of Blood Removal, the team was accompanied by guards who were also experts in the Blood Removal Realm.

On the return journey, everyone was noticeably more cautious than on the way there.

The cart arrived with everyday supplies like salt, cloth, and grain, which were of limited value. Losing the yams wouldn't be a big deal.

But now that the carts are full of medicinal herbs, if they are stolen, the Wang family's supply of pills for the next month will be affected.

The mountain road was narrow, and the wheels made a dull sound as they rolled over the wet mud.

The trees on both sides were dense, their branches and leaves blocking out the sky, so that the sunlight that fell down was already dappled with light and shadow. The mountain wind blew by, and from time to time, there were faint rustling sounds coming from the grass, making it impossible to tell whether they were insects, snakes, or people hiding in the shadows.

Wang Zhong walked at the front, carrying a mountain bow on his back, with a short sword swaying lightly at his waist.

Lu Chen was in charge of escorting the third medicine truck.

Liu Heng followed behind the car. Having lost to Lu Chen, he had lost both face and money. At this moment, his gaze toward Lu Chen was filled with barely suppressed resentment.

As they walked until noon, just as the group rounded a rocky slope, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from the forest ahead.

Wang Zhong suddenly raised his hand.

"stop!"

The entire team came to an instant.

The next moment, more than a dozen figures in tattered clothes rushed out of the woods.

Unlike the seasoned bandits of Black Wind Stronghold who were familiar with the mountain paths, they walked with unsteady steps, their faces full of fatigue and ferocity. Some carried bundles on their backs, some held chipped knives in their hands, and two others were wounded, as if they had just fled from elsewhere.

The two sides met face to face on the mountain road and were both taken aback.

The man at the head of the group had a full beard and a fresh scar under his left eye. When he saw the escort team, his eyes changed instantly.

Wang Zhong's eyes darkened, and he asked coldly, "Which gang are you from?"

The scarred man did not answer.

His gaze swept over the escort team, and seeing that Wang Zhong and the others were all strong and skilled in martial arts, a hint of hesitation flashed across his face.

But soon, the scent of medicine wafting from the car made greed overshadow his fear in his eyes.

"Several trucks were full of medicinal herbs. The brothers were just worried about not having enough money to buy medicine, and this was delivered right to our door."

The scarred man gritted his teeth and growled, "Brothers, if we seize this batch of medicine, we'll have a chance to survive!"

Wang Zhong's face turned cold. "Don't hold back, kill them!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the bandits charged forward, howling.

The mountain path was narrow, leaving almost no room for maneuver, and the two collided directly.

A flash of swords and shouts of battle instantly shattered the silence of the mountains and forests.

Wang Zhong drew his bow and nocked an arrow. With a twang of the string, one of the bandits at the forefront was shot in the chest and screamed as he rolled down the hillside.

A bandit rushed into the caravan, brandishing his knife at Lu Chen. The knife's movements were chaotic, yet they carried a ruthless, reckless ferocity.

Lu Chen dodged to the side, his right arm shooting out like a dragon, and punched the opponent's wrist.

Click!

The bandit twisted his wrist, and the long sword slipped from his hand.

Lu Chen then shoved his shoulder forward and punched the other man in the chest, sending him flying backward and knocking over a companion behind him.

His gaze was calm, and as he unleashed his fist techniques, he stood guard beside the medicine cart, performing one punch after another on the chaotic mountain path.

Within a few breaths, three bandits had fallen at his feet.

Just then, a very thin gust of wind suddenly came from behind Lu Chen.

"Um?"

Iron wire grappling technique.

Liu Heng!

In the midst of the chaos, Liu Heng took advantage of Lu Chen's back to him and quietly approached, his five fingers like hooks, gripping Lu Chen's right shoulder.

If this grip is firmly secured, and the shoulder and elbow are then moved aside, Lu Chen's arm will be immediately rendered useless.

In front of him, a bandit was wielding a large sword and slashing down.

"Go to hell."

Liu Heng's eyes were filled with resentment and malice.

Originally, he planned to master the Iron Wire Grappling Technique before settling scores with Lu Chen.

Unexpectedly, fate gave them a chance, and they ran into a gang of bandits.

Driven by malice, Liu Heng attacked Lu Chen from behind.

"My money isn't so easy to take!"

"I'm afraid you might have the life to take it, but not the life to spend it!"

However, just as he gripped Lu Chen's shoulder with his five fingers, Lu Chen actually grabbed his wrist with his own hand.

"Grappling techniques?"

"Me too!"

Lu Chen grabbed Liu Heng's wrist and pulled hard, dragging Liu Heng in front of him.

Before Liu Heng could react, a large sword with a notch was already slashing down on his head.

puff!

Blood splattered as Liu Heng's heart was cleaved open by a single blow.

A corpse lay on the spot!

Lu Chen then punched Liu Heng from behind, smashing his nose into the face and causing it to cave in completely.

After a fierce battle, the bandits were no match for them. The scarred leader was killed by Wang Zhong with a single palm strike, and the others either died or fled.

Wang Zhong, disregarding the pursuit of the fleeing bandits, hurriedly checked the medicine cart and the escort team.

The medicinal herbs were intact, and no one was injured; only Liu Heng died.

Wang Zhong stepped forward to examine Liu Heng's body. Lu Chen stood aside and explained that Liu Heng's attempt to assassinate him failed, and he was unexpectedly killed by a bandit with a single blow.

Wang Zhong glanced at Lu Chen but didn't ask for details.

He knew exactly what kind of person Liu Heng was.

He simply said, "Load it into the car and head back to the city!"

A mere Blood Refining Realm cultivator is insignificant in this chaotic world; his death is no big deal.

Lu Chen watched as Liu Heng's body was loaded into the car, a hint of regret in his voice: "I didn't even have time to touch the body..."