Chapter Thirty: Untitled

Xiang Yang was unaware of the Giant Bear Gang's speculations and reactions, nor did he have the inclination to consider them. Having completed his mission, he was now solely focused on diligently practicing his skills.

For several days straight, he practiced the Hu Family Saber Technique, Iron Finger Technique, and Iron Crotch Technique almost non-stop, not daring to slacken for a moment. He knew that the stronger he became, the safer his situation would be.

Under the scorching sun, Xiang Yang practiced the Hu Family Saber Technique with his Wild Goose Feather Saber, his body bare-chested. He was completely focused, and with the boost from his years of foundational saber training, his progress was remarkable. While he hadn't mastered the technique yet, he had achieved considerable success. At the very least, Xiang Yang felt he now had a seventy percent chance of winning a fight against Hu Qiang at his peak.

"Wang Ying, Captain Wang, Steward Fang from Magistrate Li's household, and Qian Fu from the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts Hall. Based on Hu Qiang's performance back then, he didn't seem to be lying. One of those three must be the one who harmed Xiang Da Niu. As for who it is, I'll need to investigate slowly while on duty at the yamen. I can't alert the snake."

Feeling that his stamina had been greatly depleted, Xiang Yang stopped and sat on a small stool to practice the Iron Finger Technique. He used his mind for two purposes: one, to skillfully untie the stubborn knots in the rope with his fingers, and two, to ponder in his heart who the mastermind behind the scenes was most likely to be.

Xiang Yang was most familiar with Wang Ying. He was the Uncle Wang who had comforted him in the mourning hall and who, in the yamen, was dignified and righteous, cracking down on criminals. He had even led efforts to eliminate the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold multiple times. Could such a person be the murderer of Xiang Da Niu? Xiang Yang found it hard to believe.

Steward Fang, Magistrate Li's steward, was not much different in age from Wang Ying. He was also a burly and strong man, but he had always presented himself as a good-natured person. Xiang Yang had interacted with him several times when he was serving as a yamen runner assistant, and he didn't seem like the killer either.

In Xiang Yang's mind, Qian Fu was the most suspicious. This was because Qian Fu was always a mysterious figure, rumored to be a martial arts expert who understood Internal Energy Cultivation. The Fierce Tiger Martial Arts Hall was founded by Old Hero Qian, and the Fierce Tiger Fist was purely external martial arts. Where did Qian Fu get his Internal Energy Cultivation? This was enough for Xiang Yang to be suspicious.

That wasn't all. Xiang Yang thought about the name Qian Fu called—Qian Fu (潜伏), meaning "to lurk." He wondered what Old Hero Qian was thinking when he gave his son such a name. Of course, that was just a joke.

"On the surface, Qian Fu does seem the most suspicious. However, everything must be based on evidence. You can know a person's face but not their heart. Someone who appears righteous or honest on the surface may not be so at their core; usually, such people are good at putting on an act."

Xiang Yang did not hesitate to speculate maliciously about Wang Ying and Steward Fang. There was even a possibility that these three might all be members of that powerful faction.

"Huh, I got it? This rope-untangling skill is considered mastered. Next is practicing the finger strength training, the lock-finger technique."

Xiang Yang rejoiced in his heart and tossed the hemp rope aside. He brought his right index and middle fingers together, flexing and curling them with extreme agility. Coupled with the calluses formed from friction, he had successfully practiced the first level of the Iron Finger Technique.

"My progress is a bit too fast. Could it be the effect of the Wordless Book? If it really is, that would be great. If I can have such an advantage when cultivating Internal Energy in the future, even though I started martial arts late, I can still achieve great things."

Xiang Yang had heard people who traveled extensively in the county town talk about things outside.

For example, internal martial arts require foundational training from a young age. Around the age of six, one cultivates a sense of Qi, uses medicinal baths and diets to strengthen essence and vitality, and achieves twice the result with half the effort during breathing exercises. Simultaneously, meridians are expanded, and the Dantian is enlarged. By adolescence, it's a stage of rapid improvement.

He was now fifteen years old. Before this, he had only practiced basic saber techniques, and his meridians and Dantian had already taken initial shape. Even if he obtained Internal Energy Cultivation, compared to those who had been cultivating it since childhood, he was far behind, and his future potential was very limited.

However, Xiang Yang was not worried. With the Wordless Book in his possession, was he afraid of not having martial arts that could improve his aptitude?

"Huang Shang started practicing martial arts at nearly seventy, and through his self-created Nine Yin Manual, he achieved mastery of both internal and external aspects, becoming a master of his generation. There were also Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling; both started practicing martial arts several years older than me. Through fortuitous encounters, they underwent marrow cleansing and transformation, ultimately becoming martial arts grandmasters, invincible. With my Wordless Book, can I really be inferior to them?"

Thinking of this, Xiang Yang couldn't help but feel a surge of ambition and aspiration. One day, he too would write his own glory and legend in this world.

In Black Mountain, within the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold, Poison Scholar sat alone in the vast, empty hall. The oil lamp cast a dim, flickering light, reflecting his shifting expression.

Hu Qiang had left the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold three days ago. In those three days, there had been no news whatsoever—neither alive nor dead. This was a significant departure from his usual practice of sending regular updates.

In the past, both he and the Great Leader, Big Beard, knew when Hu Qiang went down the mountain. People had their secrets. They didn't care whom Hu Qiang knew or how he went down the mountain to enjoy himself, as long as he sent regular messages to report his safety. The duration of his absence didn't matter.

But now, three days without any news was a bad omen, especially since Hu Qiang was injured and his combat strength was reduced by ninety percent. He could easily be beaten to death by a skilled opponent.

"This scoundrel. I hope he wasn't caught by the authorities, otherwise, this stronghold will be in danger."

With these thoughts, Poison Scholar made up his mind. He lit a torch and headed towards the innermost part of the stronghold, near a cliff. The path was deserted and far from the main living areas of the bandits. Anyone else might not have dared to take a step, but Poison Scholar's expression was calm; he had his own confidence.

Tap, tap, tap. Poison Scholar hooked his index finger and knocked on the stone wall. Then, he cleared his throat and spoke, "Big Brother, your little brother Chen Ning has something important to report."

Chen Ning was Poison Scholar's real name. Ever since he joined the bandits on the mountain, he was usually called by his nickname or Second Leader. Only when facing the Great Leader of the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold, Big Beard, did he reveal his real name.

"What is it? Didn't I tell you not to disturb me when I'm practicing unless it's absolutely necessary?"

A deep, powerful voice came from behind the stone wall. Although it was just a soft sentence, it caused Poison Scholar Chen Ning to break out in a cold sweat, his face showing a trace of fear. This showed how deeply ingrained Big Beard's authority was.

"Big Brother, Third Brother has likely met with misfortune. He's been gone for three days without any activity. I suspect he's either been killed or captured by the authorities. It might not be safe here. I suggest we move the stronghold to a temporary base. The stronghold recently received a large shipment of supplies from Zhou Fugui, which is enough for us to remain hidden for a while."

Poison Scholar said nervously. He wasn't certain that the stronghold had been exposed or that there was imminent danger, but Chen Ning had always acted with caution. He preferred to spend extra effort and time rather than regret it when disaster struck.

"Hmm, you have full authority over everything in the stronghold. As for Hu Qiang, don't bother with him. His death might even be a good thing. His background is somewhat special, different from ours, and he's not one of us. Come find me when it's time to depart."

Like a cunning rabbit with multiple burrows, the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold was a primary target for the authorities. Their encampments on Black Mountain were not limited to one location, and this was not the first time they had relocated.

Chen Ning wiped the sweat from his forehead and respectfully replied, "Yes." Then, he carefully left, bowing his head. However, as he turned, he couldn't help but sigh. After today, the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold would likely disappear from sight for a while. And without Hu Qiang, who was brave and fierce like a giant demon ape, the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold's influence would probably diminish significantly.