The next morning.
Ma Gui's small courtyard was packed with Three Harmonies Gang members.
A middle-aged man in a black brocade robe, with a small mustache, was examining Wang Xiong's corpse.
The joints of his hands were thick, a size larger than those of ordinary people.
Yet the skin on the backs of his hands was flawless and tender enough for the blue veins beneath to show through, enough to make countless women jealous.
He was the Three Harmonies Gang's Second Gang Leader, Gao Kaiyuan, the "Shattered Jade Hand."
"Wang Xiong was killed by a single punch that shattered his skull.
The fist force was heavy and broad, as if his head had been smashed apart by a Vajra Pestle. It should have been the Vajra Fist."
Gao Kaiyuan was experienced in the ways of the martial world. With only a glance at Wang Xiong's corpse, he had judged the situation and the martial art that had killed him.
A subordinate walked over and said, "Gang Leader, there's nothing unusual about the other guy. His leg was kicked broken, and he was strangled to death in the end."
"Who was he?"
"That guy was called Ma Gui, just some lowlife thug. He did a few things for Wang Xiong, but he hadn't officially joined our Three Harmonies Gang yet.
Do you think it could have been the Black Tiger Gang or the Sky Eagle Gang? Neither of their territories can compete with ours, so they secretly killed Brother Xiong."
Gao Kaiyuan narrowed his eyes. "No. If those two gangs had done it, they would have been boasting about it long ago.
That person broke Ma Gui's leg first, then killed Wang Xiong, and finally strangled Ma Gui. It was obvious he was targeting Ma Gui.
Investigate Ma Gui carefully. See whether he had any enemies or the like."
The subordinate nodded.
"So we're letting this matter go for now?"
"Let it go? How could we possibly let it go!"
Gao Kaiyuan snorted coldly. "Wang Xiong was a leader of my Three Harmonies Gang, and now he's died for no clear reason. If we let this matter go just like that, where would the Three Harmonies Gang's face—where would my, Gao Kaiyuan's, face go?
There are plenty of people who know the Vajra Fist, but in all of Black Stone County, there is only one place that can train the Vajra Fist to this level: Zhenwei Martial Arts School!
Come, bring the men. Let's go pay Li Jingzhong a visit!"
Inside Zhenwei Martial Arts School, Han Zheng arrived for class early in the morning as though nothing had happened.
During a break between lessons, Li Sancheng came over to Han Zheng.
He looked around and lowered his voice. "Did you hear? Ma Gui was killed last night. Even Wang Xiong from the Three Harmonies Gang died! The whole southern part of the city has exploded!"
Han Zheng's expression did not change. "You don't think it had something to do with me, do you?"
"Of course not. Wang Xiong was a Three Harmonies Gang leader with several lives on his hands.
Still, you need to be careful lately. Don't get mixed up with Ma Gui in any way.
I heard the Three Harmonies Gang is investigating everyone connected to Ma Gui."
From the start, Li Sancheng had never considered that Ma Gui and Wang Xiong's deaths might have had anything to do with Han Zheng.
They were all just rookie martial arts academy apprentices. How could they possibly kill a gang leader like Wang Xiong, someone with blood on his hands?
It was only that Han Zheng had asked about Ma Gui yesterday, and Ma Gui had died today. The coincidence was a little too perfect.
Han Zheng patted Li Sancheng on the shoulder. "Thanks."
"Do brothers need to say that?"
Never mind that Han Zheng had not killed Ma Gui—even if Han Zheng really had killed him, Li Sancheng would only have clapped and cheered.
Ma Gui and his father were both jailers, but Ma Gui's father was greedier and more ruthless in his dealings, and he had often bullied Li Sancheng's father at the County Yamen.
Ma Gui was also older than him. When they were children, he had always bullied him and stolen his pocket money.
That was why Li Sancheng had called Ma Gui a bastard before. He hated him so much his teeth itched.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose at the entrance of the martial arts academy.
Gao Kaiyuan strode into Zhenwei Martial Arts School with more than ten broad-shouldered, fierce-looking Three Harmonies Gang disciples.
Li Jingzhong expressionlessly parted the crowd of disciples, walked before Gao Kaiyuan, and said in a deep voice, "Gang Leader Gao, what brings you to my Zhenwei Martial Arts School?"
"I merely want an explanation from Academy Master Li."
Gao Kaiyuan wore a smile that did not reach his eyes. "My subordinate Wang Xiong was killed last night, dying beneath the Vajra Fist.
Academy Master Li, you were once a lay disciple of Vajra Prajna Temple, and the most famous martial art of Zhenwei Martial Arts School is the Vajra Fist. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
"Utter nonsense!"
Li Jingzhong was so angry that he laughed instead. "Back then, in order to expand its influence, Vajra Prajna Temple permitted all lay disciples to teach the Vajra Fist to others.
How could there be merely thousands or tens of thousands of people in this world who know the Vajra Fist?
Besides, my Zhenwei Martial Arts School has no grudge against your Three Harmonies Gang. Why would I kill one of your underlings for no reason?"
Gao Kaiyuan said unhurriedly, "Academy Master Li, don't be anxious. I never said you killed my man.
But what about all these disciples in your academy who know the Vajra Fist?
Let me investigate them one by one. If it isn't here, I'll leave. How about it?"
Li Jingzhong said coldly, "This batch of disciples has only been at the academy for half a year. How could they have gone out and killed someone?
You want to investigate whoever you please, Gao Kaiyuan? Isn't that a little too overbearing?
If you want to investigate this academy, you'll have to get past me first!"
"Fine, then let me experience Academy Master Li's White Ape Through-Arm Fist!"
As soon as the words fell, Gao Kaiyuan abruptly attacked. With a flicker of his body, he had already arrived before Li Jingzhong.
Those hands, white as jade and enviable even to women, suddenly surged with blood and qi, their veins bulging.
In the blink of an eye, they turned bluish-black, his fingers as thick as carrots and like ghostly claws.
Shattered Jade Hand!
Li Jingzhong twisted his waist and hips, and his arms suddenly lengthened by a section, like a white ape of the mountains and forests.
His arms lashed out like two Iron Whips, and a violent explosion instantly rang through the air.
Bang!
The White Ape Through-Arm Fist and Shattered Jade Hand collided with a thunderous crash, the booming roar from the impact making everyone present's eardrums ache.
The floor tiles beneath their feet shattered inch by inch, and both men retreated a step at the same time.
Gao Kaiyuan dispersed his Shattered Jade Hand and laughed loudly. "Academy Master Li's White Ape Through-Arm Fist truly lives up to its reputation. I won't investigate Zhenwei Martial Arts School today.
But if I find out that the person who killed my subordinate really came from Zhenwei Martial Arts School, then next time, I won't be coming alone."
With that, Gao Kaiyuan turned and left.
He merely had some suspicions about Zhenwei Martial Arts School, but he had no evidence at all.
Thus, Gao Kaiyuan had only two purposes in coming here today.
One was to strike the mountain and shake the tiger. Once the true culprit heard the news, he might reveal a flaw.
The other was to flaunt his might. One of his men had been killed; if he did not even let out a fart, would they not truly think him easy to bully?
Whether Wang Xiong's death had anything to do with Li Jingzhong or not, he had to make this trip.
In terms of strength, the two of them were actually evenly matched.
Right now, he did not have enough evidence, so he exchanged one move to save face before leaving.
If he truly had evidence, then what Li Jingzhong would be facing today would be all three gang leaders of the Three Harmonies Gang.
"Close the doors! Continue practicing martial arts!"
Li Jingzhong returned to the academy with a dark expression.
He felt that he had suffered bloody bad luck as well.
That damned murderer could have used any martial art to kill someone, yet he had insisted on using the Vajra Fist.
And the Three Harmonies Gang's conduct was simply far too overbearing. They dared come straight to his door without any evidence.
On the training ground, Li Sancheng looked at the footprints left by the two men after exchanging a single move. They had sunk more than half a foot into the bluestone floor tiles, making him click his tongue in amazement.
"My goodness! Is this the might of a Xiantian Mortal Transformation Realm martial artist? If they went all out, wouldn't they tear the whole house down?"
"Don't forget what the Academy Master said. The Acquired and Innate Realms are only the beginning of martial arts. There are even more realms waiting for us beyond them."
Li Sancheng shook his head. "Forget it. We'll be doing well if we can reach the Innate Realm in this lifetime.
As long as one achieves the Innate Realm, they'll be a first-rate figure in Black Stone County. Even the County Magistrate would have to be polite when meeting them."
Han Zheng said nothing, but his eyes were filled with yearning for power.
Li Sancheng felt that the Innate Realm was the limit, but after seeing the might of the Xiantian Mortal Transformation Realm today, Han Zheng wanted more than ever to see what the martial path beyond Xiantian truly looked like.
But now was not the time to aim too high.
Han Zheng had not expected Gao Kaiyuan to trace the matter to their door through Wang Xiong's corpse.
Not a single martial artist who had spent decades roaming the martial world was simple.
He would have to be cautious and cautious again in his future actions.
Over the next half month, perhaps because Gao Kaiyuan's overbearing behavior had angered him, Li Jingzhong remained in a foul mood and became much harsher even in his instruction.
The academy disciples all kept as quiet as cicadas in winter, terrified that one mistake would earn them a furious scolding from Li Jingzhong.
Han Zheng did not care. He had never made a mistake.
Over those half a month, Han Zheng opened another ten acupoints, bringing his total to eighty opened acupoints.
As his proficiency in the Iron Elephant Skill rose higher and higher, his cultivation speed also became faster and faster, even in the outside world.
The greatest benefit of cultivating within the Gluttonous Crucible was not actually saving time, but being able to observe true Martial Intent.
Mastering the Martial Intent of a technique allowed one to accumulate proficiency more quickly.
For martial techniques, higher proficiency meant greater power could be unleashed in battle.
For internal cultivation methods, higher proficiency allowed one's cultivation speed to become increasingly faster.
During morning class, Li Jingzhong did not have everyone continue practicing fist techniques. Instead, he led them before the weapon racks.
"Today, what I will teach you is weapons!"
Li Jingzhong held a heavy Iron Whip in his hand and smashed it down through the air. A piercing howl instantly rang out.
"To martial artists, weapons are extensions of the fists and feet.
Learning martial arts and practicing fists is the foundation, while weapons allow you to unleash even more terrifying killing power in combat.
However, I do not know saber techniques, sword techniques, or the like. I will only teach you the basic use of weapons.
The weapon paired with my Li Family's inherited martial art, the White Ape Through-Arm Fist, is the Iron Whip. This weapon is relatively uncommon, and I do not recommend that you choose it.
The sword is the lord of all weapons: nimble and ever-changing, with countless varieties of sword techniques. Those who wish to roam the martial world in the future may choose the sword.
The saber moves with weight and force, emphasizing dominance and slaughter. Those who seek the utmost killing power may choose the saber.
The spear is a weapon of battle formations, breaking through sharp fronts and charging into enemy lines, unstoppable in its edge. Those who aspire to join the army may choose the spear.
Now, you may go to the weapon racks and choose your weapons."
Although Zhenwei Martial Arts School charged expensive tuition, its treatment was genuinely good.
With the world in chaos, weapon prices had risen as well. A fine refined-steel longsword cost more than ten taels of silver.
"Han Zheng, what are you choosing?" Li Sancheng asked.
"A saber."
Han Zheng did not hesitate much.
To protect oneself in troubled times, of course one had to pursue the utmost killing power.
With that, Han Zheng directly chose a Wild Goose Feather Saber, its blade long and straight, shaped like a goose feather.
Li Sancheng scratched his head and also chose a saber, though his was a heavier Golden Ring Cleaver.
With his build, a sword definitely would not suit him.
A spear would not work too well either. He had no plans to join the army.
The world was so chaotic now. If he joined the military and was sent to fight the rebels, that would be disastrous.
So a saber was still the most suitable choice.
Thanks to reader Jiangbei Little Red Star for the 10,000 Qidian Coin donation (^ω^)