Peace of Mind

Behind Qingfeng Temple.

A family of black-skinned wild boars rolled about in the mud.

Chen Mu emerged from the woods, startling the family of two adults and three piglets.

One large black boar had protruding fangs. Its nostrils twitched as it stared curiously at Chen Mu.

Pfft!

A fist-sized clod of dirt suddenly burst against the big boar's forehead.

The boar froze in confusion.

Pfft!

Another clod exploded.

Pfft, pfft, pfft...

Now the family of five was neatly covered in dust and mud.

This two-legged sheep was far too arrogant!

Did Second Senior Brother have no temper at all?

They absolutely could not endure this!

The family of five charged forward, snorting furiously.

Wild boars weighing three or four hundred pounds were thick-skinned and tough, with razor-sharp fangs.

When they charged, even lions and tigers had to get out of the way.

Like five tiny tanks, the boars barreled toward Chen Mu.

Just as they came within four meters of him.

Pfft!

A cloud of brilliant red smoke abruptly appeared, shooting straight at the black boars' nostrils.

Thud!

The five boars' front legs gave way, and their heads plunged into the mud with a splat.

Driven by momentum, they all flipped into the air, ears and tongues flailing wildly.

After landing, they failed to stop themselves and rolled straight to Chen Mu's feet.

They lay crammed together one after another, completely unconscious and snoring away.

Chen Mu could not help clenching his fists.

"It worked!"

Inside the Five Ghosts Bag, every storage compartment on the bottom level of the Egg-shaped Shelf had been sealed with waterproof oilcloth and tree resin, ensuring that not a trace of air could escape.

At that moment, it was filled with thick red smoke—the modified Spirit-Disturbing Smoke!

The original Spirit-Disturbing Smoke was colorless and odorless, its greatest strength being concealment.

The modified Spirit-Disturbing Smoke was not only festive in color, but also rich in scent.

But it was more potent, faster to take effect, and anyone exposed to it dropped at once!

Second Senior Brother before him was proof enough.

Chen Mu smiled as he looked over the family of five.

"Braised, or charcoal-grilled..."

"Chief, we found that scholar!" A yamen runner leaned close to Constable Lu and whispered.

"Finally!" Constable Lu said excitedly.

His eyes were bloodshot, his face flushed, and he was trembling with excitement.

Only after quite a while did he come back to himself. He tossed the yamen runner a few bits of silver and waved him away.

Amid the man's profuse thanks, he hurried out of the yamen.

At dusk, Constable Lu quietly arrived before a house.

A bean-sized lamp flame flickered inside, and a figure sat in the shadows.

The joy in Constable Lu's heart could no longer be contained.

This was his hope for cultivating Soul Force!

Ten years of Body Refining, a century of Soul Nurturing.

Body Refining was already difficult enough, but Soul Nurturing was even harder!

But now, a shortcut lay right before him!

Once he cultivated Soul Force, he would live longer, become impervious to blades and spears, and truly be able to roam the world unhindered!

"Scholar, obediently become the nourishment for my advancement!"

Drawing his waist saber, Constable Lu gathered all his strength and smashed through the Wooden Cabin door with a thunderous crash.

He lunged straight at the figure by the table.

South of Qingshan County, by the Bailang River.

At a bend in the river, schools of pale fish swam across the calm water.

Chen Mu sat on a stone by the riverbank.

A mass of Black Smoke flickered in and out beside him.

Every so often, the Black Smoke would plunge into the water.

Each time it did, a large swath of fish vanished from the surface.

Inside the Five Ghosts Bag.

At the center of the Egg-shaped Shelf was a vertical shaft one meter in diameter, packed with unconscious Live Fish. This was the feeding port Chen Mu had reserved for the Five Ghosts Bag.

The shelf and tent were only meant to prevent it from stealing food. It still had to be fed.

"Time to go." Chen Mu glanced at the sun, which was about to set in the west.

For the past half month, he had practiced the Body Tempering Technique in the mornings and stayed by the Bailang River in the afternoons to train the Five Ghosts Moving Mountains Incantation.

Continuously controlling the Five Ghosts Bag made Chen Mu's head throb in waves.

What exactly does the Five Ghosts Bag consume—vital essence, spiritual energy, or soul power? Chen Mu thought uneasily, his face pale.

At first, he had not known and had trained recklessly. He had nearly passed out from it.

The Yin Soul Paper Figures were like invisible hands. Acting through them consumed physical strength. Controlling the Five Ghosts Bag consumed something even more mysterious.

Once he overused it, he became listless and irritable.

So whenever he practiced, Chen Mu always conserved as much as possible.

The moment he summoned the Black Smoke, he dispersed it before the Paper Man could materialize.

That was why the Black Smoke constantly hovered around him.

Glancing at his reflection in the water, he saw dark circles beneath his eyes, a pale face, and bloodshot eyes gleaming with excitement. He looked exactly like he had after gaming all night in his previous life.

"Grinding Proficiency is way more satisfying than playing games." Though exhausted, Chen Mu was excited.

He only had to chant a few incantations, and the Black Smoke went swooshing through the air. No game could compare to that feedback!

After grinding for half a month straight, his Proficiency had soared.

Although the Five Ghosts Moving Mountains Incantation had not reached the Second Tier, it had successfully been shortened to under ten seconds, becoming faster and more discreet.

He slung a knee-high little bamboo basket onto his back and put seven or eight fish inside to avoid drawing attention.

Following the Bailang River, Chen Mu headed southeast toward Little East Mountain.

Boom!

Constable Lu charged in like an enraged wild boar.

Yet he was sent flying back out like a rag doll.

A Burly Man with a blank expression stepped out of the Wooden Cabin.

He wore black trousers and an undershirt. His bare arms were packed with powerful muscles, as though carved with blades and axes.

Constable Lu stared fixedly at that familiar face. A flash of realization struck him, and he recalled the grievous injury he had suffered a year ago.

"It's you! The culprit behind the Wang Family Massacre Case!"

"Aren't you dead?!"

Constable Lu's face was filled with horror. Who had been beheaded, then? How could the two men look so alike?

"Lu Jin, you really are cautious."

"I followed you for half a year and finally waited until you were alone."

Constable Lu's expression changed.

This man was connected to the culprit and had deliberately waited in ambush... This was dangerous!

"Attacking civilians in the dead of night."

"Constable Lu, are you planning to murder someone and steal their valuables again?" the Burly Man asked with a mocking smile.

"The constable of Qingshan County is a murderous fiend. Heh!"

Lu Jin's scalp went numb. He knows! How does he know?!

"With Qingfeng Temple on Little East Mountain, I didn't dare touch you. But this is Qingshan County town, and you're all alone. Heh..." The Burly Man wore the expression of a cat toying with a mouse.

This is bad! Lu Jin's heart sank.

Caught off guard earlier, he had taken a blow head-on and was already injured.

If this continued, he could be worn to death!

I can't stay in town. I have to find Cheng Yi somehow! Lu Jin hardened his heart.

He pulled out a Five Qi Pill and stuffed it into his mouth with a pained expression.

His blood and qi surged at once, and his face immediately flushed crimson.

He raised his waist saber high, let out a roar, and turned to run!

As December arrived, the weather in Qingshan County turned cooler, though it was not as cold as the heartland of Great Liang. Evergreen plants continued to grow.

Chen Mu stood leisurely upon the long stone bridge spanning the river.

As he admired the lush green wilderness along both banks of the Bailang River, his weary spirit gradually eased.

Before returning home each day, he always stood on the bridge for a while to rest and soothe his tense mind.

"Beautiful mountains and clear waters. If not for the Yinhun causing trouble and human disasters never ending, hiding away in Qingshan County would actually be quite nice."

What he wanted most was to become the Ten Mile Slope Sword God, but unfortunately...

Chen Mu turned and looked east of the stone bridge.

The broad road stretching outward led directly to Little East Mountain.

Little East Mountain was verdant and green, but midway up its eastern slope was a large, conspicuous yellow patch.

That was where the Altar stood. Every blade of grass and tree had been cleared away.

Looking at the yellow patch, Chen Mu shook his head. "Unfortunately, Qingshan County has always concealed dangers."

"I'll start preparing supplies tomorrow," Chen Mu thought as he patted the bridge railing.

Just then, a Burly Man approached from afar.

He carried a disheveled man with bloodstained sleeves on his back.

Apparently not expecting anyone on the bridge, the Burly Man paused, then continued onto the bridge as though nothing had happened.

Curiosity appeared on Chen Mu's face, but he did not ask. This was an unsafe world, and kindness did not always bring good results.

Judging from their direction, they were probably going into town to seek a doctor. Were they laborers building the Altar?

In an ancient age with such underdeveloped productivity, opening mountains to construct a massive Altar would surely result in terrible casualties.

Noticing the newcomer's gaze, Chen Mu felt pity and nodded in greeting with all the kindness he could muster.

The man froze, then returned the nod with a bitter smile.

"He fell down from the mountain. More than half his life is gone. I'm carrying him back so he can see his children one last time," the Burly Man explained bitterly.

Chen Mu's heart tightened. Life was always so fragile. "My condolences."

The Burly Man sighed and carried the man past Chen Mu.

Chen Mu watched their retreating backs and shook his head helplessly.

He wanted to help, but he lacked the ability.

He could not even guarantee his own safety and survival. How could he help others?

Chen Mu turned and left.

What he feared seeing most were such helpless tragedies of life.

But after taking two steps, he could not help stopping.

Compared with these people at the bottom, he had a cheat, never lacked food or drink, had martial arts to practice, and had even recently acquired a wondrous magical artifact.

He was far happier than they were!

"If I hadn't seen it, then so be it. But since I've encountered them, even if I can't offer major help, giving them something is no problem."

"This isn't just helping others. It's also to give myself peace of mind."

With that thought, Chen Mu reached into his sleeve, turned back, and flung his hand.

Whoosh!

An Iron Lotus Seed tore through the air, trailing a spiraling current, and instantly reached the bridgehead.

Clang!

Two Short Blades the length of forearms crossed in midair and struck.

The Iron Lotus Seed shattered from the blow, scattering sparks in every direction.

Ha!

Chen Mu withdrew his hand and broke into a wide grin!

Heh!

The Burly Man slowly lowered his twin blades, revealing a ferocious expression.