Liu Yuan hurriedly shook his head. "Steward Huang's family definitely doesn't count. At most, they keep three to five Ranked Martial Artists."
"They only use them to maintain the surrounding farmlands."
"Those who can be called a Lineage in the County Town have at least dozens of martial artists, with Mid-grade Martial Artists stationed there."
"However, I heard there's a very powerful force in the County Town called Huang Family Manor. It's one of the stronger Family Factions in the County Town. I just don't know whether Steward Huang has any connection to Huang Family Manor."
"If he does, we'll have to be careful."
Chen Feng nodded in realization. "So that's how it is."
Three to five Ranked Martial Artists were no weak force either. As for Mid-grade Martial Artists, the Middle Three Ranks, he still had no idea how strong they were.
Liu Yuan continued, "By the way, Chen Feng, if you go hunting in the mountains lately, you should be careful too!"
"For some reason, many unfamiliar martial artists have come to our Black Stone City recently."
"They seem to be looking for something."
"Our blacksmith shop has received many weapon orders. I have to help Master with them, so I came back early."
"If you go to the County Town later, you can come find me at the Yang Family Blacksmith Shop. Since I won't be home, I'll have to trouble you to look after things here!"
Chen Feng smiled. "Of course."
They continued talking for a while, exchanging more information.
It gave Chen Feng a deeper understanding of Black Stone City in the County Town.
After Liu Yuan went home,
Chen Feng remained where he was, his eyes still thoughtful.
He sighed inwardly. Gangs, Lineages, government offices, provincial warlords—the beginning of a troubled age!
The Great Gan Dynasty's might overshadowed all beneath heaven, its territory boundless and vast. Its lands were broadly divided into seventy-two prefectures. Each prefecture had dozens of County Towns, and each County Town had dozens of villages and towns.
Their Black Mountain Village was merely one such small village.
He did not know what the upper levels were like, but at the bottom of society, all kinds of gang forces were locked in mutual crushing.
The blacksmith shop where Liu Yuan worked was only a small force in its own right.
As for those people from the city searching Black Mountain for something,
Chen Feng felt it had little to do with him. It just so happened that he had not wanted to go to Black Mountain recently anyway.
He could just grind proficiency at home.
After dinner that evening, Chen Feng saw that his Iron Fist Technique proficiency had reached 91% of the beginner stage.
So he did not go straight to sleep. Instead, he continued practicing martial arts in the darkness of night.
Whoosh, whoosh!
His movements looked slow, but if anyone drew near, they would hear a howling sound whenever Chen Feng swung his arms.
The sound was low and deep, like a tiger's roar!
Chen Feng was filled with anticipation. It seemed that today, he would be able to cultivate the Iron Fist Technique to a higher level.
He wondered what kind of talent he would awaken.
Over at the Liu family home, Liu Yuan could see Chen Feng still practicing martial arts through the window.
He sighed inwardly. Looks like Brother Chen was shaken up after seeing demons devour people a few days ago!
What a pity. He missed the best age for martial arts, and no one is teaching him. With only these village-style moves, he won't be able to train anything worthwhile!
After watching for a while and seeing nothing unusual, Liu Yuan stopped paying attention.
As he chatted with Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu for a while longer, Liu Yuan felt hopeful. Once he made something of himself in Black Stone City, he could bring his parents there as well.
Elsewhere,
within the Huang Family estate,
the atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.
Bang!
A crisp crack rang out.
A cup was smashed directly into pieces.
Huang Haisheng sat in the seat of honor, his face extremely grim. He said coldly, "You're saying the news has already leaked?"
Liu Hao stood below, worry in his eyes. "Yes, Master. According to our information, rumors have already begun to circulate faintly in Black Stone City that the Demonic Blade Secret Realm lies within Black Mountain."
"Though they are only rumors, they have already drawn the attention of quite a few people."
"Just today alone, several groups have entered Black Mountain."
Huang Haisheng's expression shifted between light and dark, his face hideous. He said icily, "Damn it. Our Huang Family has been here for decades, and we only just obtained a few clues, yet the news was leaked."
"Looks like someone doesn't want me to claim this credit!"
A cold smile hung on Huang Haisheng's face, and a glint of frost flickered in his eyes.
In only a short time, he had figured out what was going on.
Then he said coldly, "Liu Hao, arrange for someone to bring that Yin Shengzi back tonight. We'll take the first step and use that Yin Shengzi as a sacrifice. That will be our chance to soar to the heavens in a single step."
"Be careful. Try not to attract anyone else's attention."
Steward Liu Hao's eyes lit up with delight. "Yes, Master."
Excitement filled his eyes.
They clearly had an opportunity to soar to the heavens in a single step.
They had only hidden for so long because the right moment had never come.
Now, was it finally time to begin?
Your Iron Fist Technique proficiency +1.
Your Iron Fist Technique has reached 1% proficiency. You have awakened the new talent Superhuman Arm Strength. Strength +2, speed +1.
In the darkness of night, Chen Feng looked at the new information refreshed on the panel.
Joy appeared on his face. "I finally broke through."
Buzz!
In that instant, he felt a vast surge of energy pour into both arms.
He felt his arms rapidly undergoing transformation, their flesh and blood becoming more refined.
Name: Chen Feng Cultivation: First Rank (Skin Refining Realm) Skill: Iron Fist Technique (Proficiency 1%.) Beginner Talent: Superhuman Arm Strength (Your arms can unleash twice your own strength.)
As the information flooded in, Chen Feng's eyes shone with delight. So it was this kind of talent?
He sensed the strength in his arms.
He merely clenched his fist slightly.
Crack!
A faint sound of air breaking could be heard.
The power contained within had increased compared to before.
And this was without even using the Superhuman Arm Strength talent.
What delighted him even more was that although the breakthrough in the Iron Fist Technique mainly enhanced his arms, it had also slightly strengthened his entire body.
His legs had improved, and his speed had increased as well.
Moreover, his cultivation had finally broken through into the First-Rank Realm.
He touched his skin, delight rising in his heart. His skin had become much tougher now.
If he encountered Wang Hu again, Chen Feng felt that he would not need to flee at all. He could probably blast Wang Hu to death with a single punch.
After that, beneath Lin Xue's pained gaze, he put out the lamp and went to rest.
A pleasant night life.
However, in the middle of the night,
Chen Feng suddenly opened his eyes.
He looked toward the door.
Outside, Liu Hao had brought a First-grade Martial Artist.
They had arrived outside Chen Feng's house.
Looking at the house in the night and listening to the two breaths within,
A cold glint flashed through Liu Hao's eyes as he said icily, "Make your move."
"Yes."
Beside him, a man in black with a mask over his face rushed swiftly toward Chen Feng's house.
Before coming here, they had already made a plan.
Just a mud-legged peasant.
End it quickly!
Before you continue