Iron Shirt Level Five, Mysteriously Vanishing True Qi

No matter what world it was, merchants were exceptionally well-informed.

News of Ning Chuan displaying his might at Qingshi Inn, recovering the tenants' silver, and compensating the inn had already spread throughout Qingshi Town's business circles.

In these troubled times, where could one find an official with such formidable martial arts and a heart full of chivalry?

To encounter one was a stroke of luck.

Seeing that Ning Chuan had two children with him, Shopkeeper Li specially arranged a carriage for him, allowing Ning Chuan—

When the other merchants heard that Lord Ning would be escorting the caravan, they all came to pay their respects, grinning from ear to ear.

The linen-clad burly men wore complicated expressions, both fearful and respectful toward him.

"Lord Ning truly is a fine official! So young, a martial artist, and so upright besides!"

"With Lord Ning escorting us all the way, there's no need to worry about safety. If we deliver the goods intact to the county seat, we can earn quite a bit more silver and buy our wives and children a few new sets of clothes!"

Before long, the caravan had finished packing and stood ready to depart.

The fifty linen-clad burly men of the Joint Defense Camp wore sabers at their waists and carried long spears in hand. Twenty led the way, twenty guarded the rear, and the remaining ten protected the middle.

Clang, clang, clang, clang...

"At the first gong, ten thousand taels of gold! At the second gong, storehouses full of gold and silver! ...Set off!"

Shopkeeper Li personally struck the gong. After nine rings, the caravan slowly set out. The families seeing them off wept miserably.

"Father, you must take care of yourself on the road!"

"Don't worry, old woman. An Imperial Guard lord is personally escorting us this time, so there's no need to fear for our safety!"

The scene looked like a final farewell between the living and the dead, all because bandits plagued this road so severely. Many who left never returned, becoming dry bones by the roadside.

Once the convoy left the town, its speed gradually increased.

The journey stretched a thousand li. Some rode horses, some sat in carriages, and some walked with shoulder poles—they could not move quickly no matter what.

After sitting for a while, Ning Chuan grew terribly bored, and there was no room to move about inside the carriage.

He simply called Zhang Dashan over and had him arrange for people to protect Big Dog and Xiao Hua.

Ning Chuan then went alone to the rear of the convoy, following it from more than five hundred meters away. He picked up small stones from the ground and began practicing the hidden weapon technique Meteor Chasing Moon.

The stones let out piercing shrieks as they shot toward the trees on both sides of the road.

Rows of holes appeared in the large trees, while the smaller ones snapped at the waist. Who knew how many trees had suffered disaster.

At night, after the caravan made camp, he found an open space nearby to practice Iron Shirt.

On the first day, the caravan traveled without incident.

Quite a few bandits watched them from afar along the way, but upon seeing such a massive convoy, none dared make trouble.

Ning Chuan's Meteor Chasing Moon had already reached the fifth level. Not only had its power increased fivefold, but he could now launch five hidden weapons at once.

Yet after practicing it over and over, he felt no further progress. Meteor Chasing Moon was stuck at the peak of the fifth level, unable to reach completion.

"If I run into the Silver Armored General again, one shot will pierce his soul!"

Iron Shirt had also reached the peak of the fifth-level Jade Marrow Realm, only one step away from great completion. From outside to within, inner and outer becoming one, he would cultivate Iron Shirt true qi.

By this point, Ning Chuan had cultivated Iron Shirt to its highest realm, achieving Copper Skin, Iron Bone, Silver Tendon, Golden Muscle, and Jade Marrow.

Once Copper Skin was achieved, his defense increased dramatically. Blades and swords could scarcely harm him, and he also gained rebounding force. If ordinary weapons struck his body, he would be unharmed, while the blade would surely chip.

Once Iron Bone was achieved, every strike became fierce and domineering, its might terrifying. Even ordinary fists and kicks could shatter gold and split stone—truly dreadful.

Once Silver Tendon was achieved, hardness and softness complemented one another. His agility and flexibility rose tremendously, while his killing power multiplied.

For those who practiced only Iron Shirt, below the third level their defense and offense were both terrifying, but they were exceedingly clumsy and could easily be kited. Once Silver Tendon was achieved, however, that weakness no longer existed.

Once Golden Muscle was achieved, terrifying power lay hidden within the muscles, greatly increasing one's endurance in battle—enough to wage a prolonged fight against old monsters of profound cultivation.

He had achieved Jade Marrow, but strangely, he was unable to generate true qi.

No matter how Ning Chuan practiced, he could not sense any true qi being born.

In the woods, he assumed his stance and stirred his blood and qi. As he practiced Iron Shirt, he focused his mind and sensed the condition within his body.

After a long while, Ning Chuan suddenly furrowed his brow, as though he had discovered something.

"True qi—there really is true qi!"

Ning Chuan sensed a thread of true qi suddenly emerge from his Jade Marrow, only to vanish into his body in an instant, as though his body had swallowed it.

Had Ning Chuan's senses not been so sharp, he truly would not have noticed it.

As long as it could generate true qi, that was enough!

If one day was not enough, then he would practice for a year. If a year was not enough, then ten years...

Ning Chuan practiced the Iron Shirt over and over. Threads of true qi continuously sprang forth from the jade marrow, only to vanish in an instant, leaving not a trace behind.

As the newly generated true qi was devoured by his body, his physique grew a little stronger.

He continued practicing again and again, as though he knew no fatigue.

Not until dawn broke and the caravan set out did Ning Chuan return to the convoy, drenched in sweat.

Though he had trained all night, he felt refreshed and invigorated, incomparably exhilarated.

After the convoy had traveled several li, several men in tight-fitting outfits approached from ahead, carrying sabers and wearing swords, dressed like wandering heroes of the martial world.

Most eye-catching of all was the exceedingly luxurious carriage following behind them.

The two tall horses pulling it were remarkably handsome at a glance, clearly no ordinary steeds.

The leading man clasped his fists toward the caravan.

"Is Young Hero Ning Chuan among the caravan ahead?"

Zhang Dashan, who was clearing the way at the front, did not dare neglect the matter and hurriedly went to inform Ning Chuan.

Ning Chuan was curious. Having lived two lives, he had no friends in this world. Why would someone seek him out halfway through the journey?

He stepped down from the carriage, walked forward, and asked, "I am Ning Chuan. May I ask what business you have with me?"

The leading man bowed and clasped his fists. "My master is concerned that Young Hero has endured the hardships of travel, so he ordered us to bring his own carriage for your use. We hope you will not refuse, my lord!"

With that, he turned and hurried away, giving Ning Chuan no chance to decline.

Ning Chuan could not make heads or tails of it. He had the carriage inspected, and finding no mechanisms or traps within, moved in with Big Dog and Xiao Hua.

After the convoy traveled for several more hours, it entered a wasteland, a place with no village ahead and no inn behind.

"Eh? How can there be a tea stall up ahead in such a desolate place?" Shopkeeper Li pointed ahead, his face full of astonishment.

He had traveled this road his whole life, yet he could not remember there ever being a tea stall here.

Ning Chuan looked over. More than ten people were boiling water and brewing tea in the simple tea stall, bustling about in full swing.

On dozens of crude stoves, crate after crate of large steamed buns billowed with steam, giving off an enticing aroma.

As the caravan slowly approached, one of the men came forward. He was the very man who had previously delivered the carriage to Ning Chuan.

He cupped his fists and called out loudly from afar, "Young Hero Ning Chuan, my master knows that Young Hero has been wearied by travel, and has specially ordered this humble one to boil water, brew tea, and steam buns here in waiting for you, so that you may ease your fatigue from the journey!"

Having said that, he hurried away with his attendants, likewise giving Ning Chuan no opportunity to question him.

Ning Chuan was covered in question marks, even more dumbfounded than before!

"In this wilderness, could they have drugged the food with knockout powder and be plotting something sinister?"

He had seen far too many such scenes in novels before.

Zhang Dashan, Shopkeeper Li, and the others had never encountered such a situation either, and for a moment did not know what to do.

"Lord Ning, how about I have a few brothers taste it first and see whether it's poisoned?" Zhang Dashan asked tentatively.

"Very well!"

The burly men of the Joint Defense Camp had already swallowed who knew how many mouthfuls of drool. Each grabbed a large meat bun and ate with great relish, as though they wished they could swallow their tongues along with it.

After eating for quite some time, they found there was no poison.

At Ning Chuan's call, the caravan rested where it was. Meat buns and tea were distributed to everyone, and the entire caravan was overjoyed.

For the rest of the journey, whenever mealtime arrived, the men in tight-fitting outfits would appear on time with all manner of food carefully prepared. Once they saw the caravan arrive, they would call out a greeting from afar and leave, making Ning Chuan's heart beat an even louder drum.

The caravan moved forward slowly when a great city suddenly appeared ahead.

"Lord Ning, Hanshan Town lies ahead. The caravan will rest here tonight and will not depart until early tomorrow morning. You may take a walk around and experience the local customs," Shopkeeper Li came over to report.

Ning Chuan emerged from the carriage and followed the caravan on foot.

Outside the town, a long line had formed, with those entering the city paying the entry fee.

"Is that the Bluestone Caravan ahead? Might this be Young Hero Ning Chuan?" A guard stepped forward and asked with cupped fists, his tone exceedingly polite.

Ning Chuan replied politely as well, "That is correct. May I ask what guidance you have for me, Guard?"

The guard said respectfully, "I would not dare presume to offer guidance. Orders have come down from above: members of the Bluestone Caravan need not pay the entry fee. Please enter the city directly."

Having said that, he handed over a pouch and said, "Someone has entrusted me to deliver a hundred taels of silver to you, my lord, for Lord Ning Chuan's convenience in Hanshan Town!"

Ning Chuan took the pouch. It weighed heavily in his hand; opening it, he found ten gleaming silver ingots inside.

Having accepted gifts all the way here, Ning Chuan was already used to it. One more bag of silver made no difference.

At this moment, atop the bell-and-drum tower on the city wall, Strategist Cao Bao of the County Yamen waved his folding fan, taking in the entire scene.

Watching Ning Chuan enter Hanshan Town, Cao Bao's face broke into a profound, unfathomable smile as he slowly said:

"From what I see, this man...

Young and hot-blooded, brimming with vigor—he must be lustful and unable to withstand the temptations of beauty!

And judging by his clothes, coarse hemp and rough cloth, he comes from poverty—he must be greedy for wealth!

Along the way, he has also received so many favors from this old man. Once I reveal my identity, he will surely be filled with gratitude and bow his head in submission!

Next, with just a little bait of money and beauty, he will surely be mine to use! Arrange it..."

Having said that, he snapped his folding fan shut with a swish, then cracked his fingers with a slap, looking as though every pearl of wisdom lay in his grasp.

It had to be said, when Strategist Cao Bao called Ning Chuan lustful, he had truly judged the man accurately.

"Strategist Cao, brilliant!" The two men beside him raised their thumbs.

These two were the leaders of Qingshan County's two great gangs: Green Wolf, leader of the Green Wolf Gang, and Black Tiger, leader of the Black Tiger Gang.

Both were renowned Martial Arts Eighth Rank experts in the county seat.