Returning to the Beginner Village

Of course, every cloud has a silver lining; there are benefits too. At least Si Shuiyun doesn't talk back to him much anymore. Especially during the days he was bedridden, Si Shuiyun took meticulous care of him, serving him everything he needed, practically treating him like royalty.

In order to blend into the crowd and gather information, the four of them fabricated identities: Si Ming Si Jingyu a young master from a noble Aristocratic Clan who had temporarily fallen on hard times; Si Jingyu was his first wife whom he had married for the sake of Lineage alliance; Si Shuiyun was a maid who had accompanied him during his dowry; and Hongdou was a child bride who had grown up with him since childhood and was now being taken as his second wife.

In the past, Si Shuiyun would never have agreed to accept such an identity, even if it was just an impersonation. But now, probably because she felt guilty, she consulted Si Jingyu's opinion and mumbled a couple of times before agreeing.

Since the four of them were in disguise, Si Jingyu naturally couldn't show her face, and the easily deceived Hongdou couldn't be relied on either. So it was all Si Shuiyun who was busy taking care of things. She was discussing with the Origin Return Sect members about joining the team, negotiating with the caravan to hire a carriage, and also preparing medicine to serve Si Ming. She was truly hardworking and made Si Ming feel a little guilty.

Just then, some noise came from outside. The four of them were too lazy to come out, but after a moment of concentration and sharpening their senses, they understood what had happened.

Hongdou asked, puzzled, "Why did these robbers have to attack? Don't they just shout slogans and move on the street?"

Si Ming, "There are always exceptions. Didn't the disciples of the Origin Return Sect say they would take action once a year?"

"But they said that they've already used force twice this year, so they shouldn't be doing it again."

"Of course it's because we're in the convoy too! Ever heard of the Protagonist Disaster Law?" Seeing Hongdou's confusion, Si Ming continued his rambling. "Simply put, wherever the protagonist goes, disaster will strike. They're like walking, talking harbingers of calamity. For example, if a powerful demon is sealed away somewhere, once the protagonist arrives, it means that the seal will be broken for various reasons, ultimately leading to the demon's escape."

"It sounds like the 'protagonist' is on the villain's side, and for the sake of world peace, the 'protagonist' should be eliminated."

"Then the story can't be written."

Si Ming smiled, struggled to his feet, and said, "Let's go out and take a look. After all, we owe this caravan a favor. If they can't solve it, let's lend them a hand."

Chapter 335 Returning to the Beginner Village

Seeing Du Longyin, the leader of Heavenly King Stronghold, who was relentless and determined to fight, Zhao Donglai cursed his bad luck inwardly.

According to the rules of the martial arts world, as long as the escort agency leaves a small toll, the bandits blocking the road should let them pass. However, there is an exception: newcomers to the martial arts world. They have no reputation, and even if they shout out their names, no one will bother with them. Even if the other party is willing to pay tolls, it's just a beggar's price to pay. Therefore, they desperately need a battle record to show for themselves.

After all, we're not cultivators, so there's no such thing as a realm division that you can recognize at a glance. Things like, "He's a Late Golden Core Realm cultivator, and I'm just a Middle Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. I'm definitely no match for him, so I'll just give him all the money," don't exist. There are only two ways to judge strength: one is that the difference in cultivation is so great that even a blind person can sense it, and the stronger party isn't deliberately hiding their strength; the other is simply reputation.

A person's name is like a tree's shadow. In the martial arts world, one needs a reputation to carry them. When others hear that you are Qiu Qianren, the leader of the Iron Palm Clan, nicknamed "Iron Palm Water Skimming," whose palm techniques and lightness skills are unparalleled in the martial arts world, they will naturally be trembling with fear and dare not be negligent.

But if you are an unknown nobody, even if you have the same skills as Qiu Qianren, others will not take you seriously, at least not until you show your martial arts.

Heavenly King Stronghold had just been established and was in dire need of a battle to make a name for itself and establish its status in the martial arts world so that it could earn more toll money in the future. Therefore, Du Longyin set his sights on the Origin Return Sect, which had a great reputation but was actually quite weak.

Zhao Donglai fully aware of this, but he was helpless. He couldn't very well discuss with the other party, saying, "We don't need to fight today. I'll spread the word about you in the martial arts world later, so everyone knows you're a master." Even if Du Longyin believed it, once the news got out, all the outlaws would use Origin Return Sect as a stepping stone, using it to elevate their own status. Fellow martial artists would be ashamed to associate with the Origin Return Sect.

Therefore, this battle is inevitable, whether we like it or not; that's just how helpless people are in the world.

Both sides had a tacit understanding and did not resort to weapons or engage in open combat. After all, it was only for the sake of reputation, and there was no need to risk their lives. They simply sent their best fighters to duel and determine who was superior.

On Heavenly King Stronghold's side, it was naturally the chieftain Du Longyin who made his appearance. As soon as Zhao Donglai saw the stance the other party was taking, he knew that apart from himself, no one in the sect could match him. His two adopted sons were ultimately a little lacking, while Liang Zhenhuan, although talented, had only been practicing for a short time. If he trained for another three to five years, he might be able to replace him.

"Sect Leader Zhao, my family's Extreme Arrival Palm technique is ever-changing, containing the principles of Yin and Yang, and imbued with the primordial energy of heaven and earth. It is an ultimate internal martial art, so you must be careful!"

"Hmph, bring it on."

As a renowned master, Zhao Donglai naturally had no need to announce his family's unique skills.

Du Longyin, acknowledging himself as the junior, took the initiative to strike. With a single step, his thighs rubbed against his shins as he pulled his trousers taut. His palm swept through the air, creating a whistling wind. This display of power proved that his earlier words were not mere boasting.

Zhao Donglai, experienced and composed, parried the punch with a powerful Golden Gate Covers the Crown strike, then extended his other arm and suddenly reached out a claw towards Du Longyin's crown.

He used the Origin Return Sect's ultimate technique, the Five Elements Lost Track Fist, which subtly incorporates the interactions of the five elements. Each move is full of mystery, and once unleashed, the attacks are relentless and difficult to withstand.

Du Longyin had gathered intelligence beforehand and had some understanding of the Five Elements Lost Track Fist. He didn't try to block it head-on. Instead, he bent over, took a step, and pulled his legs back, using his spine to propel himself backward. He then retreated half a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters), avoiding the area covered by the fist's wind. This caused Zhao Donglai's punches to miss and prevent him from continuing his attacks.

The moment Zhao Donglai's momentum waned, Du Longyin charged forward again, striking straight at Zhao Donglai's chest with both hands and feet. It seemed chaotic, but the swirling wind revealed that every punch and kick contained immense power, almost enveloping every part of Zhao Donglai's body, unleashing its full force.

Clearly, Du Longyin was not only skilled in palm techniques but also possessed remarkable leg techniques. He had deliberately concealed this skill in order to achieve a surprise effect in the battle.

Many disciples of the Origin Return Sect saw through this and shouted that it was despicable. The lackeys of Heavenly King Stronghold, on the other hand, were smug and claimed that all's fair in war, cheering for their leader.

Du Longyin ignored the discussions of others. He knew that Zhao Donglai practicing the "Origin Return Secret Manual" for many years, possessing profound Internal Cultivation and a long breath. The longer the battle dragged on, the lower his chances of winning would be. Therefore, he had to finish the battle quickly and achieve victory with lightning speed.

His tactics were undoubtedly successful. With unexpected leg techniques and all-out bursts of power, he suppressed Zhao Donglai, continuously gained the upper hand, and victory seemed to be within his grasp.

A voice suddenly rang out beside Zhao Yili: "Does your sect leader have any other trump cards to turn the tide?"

Is this a negative portrayal of her godfather?

Zhao Yili was displeased and wanted to yell "What a load of crap!" but when he turned around and saw that the speaker was the maid he secretly admired, his anger vanished. He stammered, "My godfather also knows the Acu point Brushing and Bone Dislocating Hand Technique and the Heavenly Dipper Sword Technique, but..."

The Acu point Brushing and Bone Dislocating Hand) technique, as its name suggests, leans more towards skill and is definitely not a Heavenly Dipper Sword Technique), it goes without saying that it is useless without a sword.

Fearing that this would make them look down on him, Zhao Yili added, "However, my godfather has profound Internal Cultivation, having Origin Return True Qi forty years. He is far superior to our opponents. As long as we find the slightest flaw, we can immediately turn the tide. Although we have been careless for the moment and fallen into their trap, the outcome is still uncertain."

Si Shuiyun nodded and said, "I understand."

Then, she lightly touched the ground with her toes, and with a burst of energy, she leaped forward like a giant arrow shot from a crossbow. The force of the wind she generated stung Zhao Yili's face. In the blink of an eye, she had already rushed into the group of henchmen of Heavenly King Stronghold, raised her right hand high, and slammed it down!

With a loud bang, one of the henchmen didn't have time to react before being struck in the chest by a palm strike, causing a noticeable cave-in. He was sent flying, clearly beyond saving.

"You scoundrel, you disregard the rules of the martial world!"

"Despicable and shameless! They actually launched a sneak attack!"

"She's a woman, kill her!"

The crowd at Heavenly King Stronghold was instantly enraged. They roared and brandished various weapons, slashing at Si Shuiyun, intending to chop her into mincemeat.

Seeing this, Zhao Yili's heart leaped into his throat. He wanted to save the person, but found that he was too far away. By the time he arrived, the person would have already been torn to pieces.

Just when he thought a terrible tragedy was about to unfold, what happened next left him with a memory he would never forget.

Si Shuiyun twisted her body, and her strong, muscular frame became soft and boneless in that instant, like a water snake, dodging the first wave of weapons with an exaggerated curve. Then she pushed and slashed with both hands.