Line 246, Part Two

Inside the Chen Xiang Temple.

At this moment, a strong man who was 1.9 meters tall and whose muscles were like gray rocks was wearing an open-chested short jacket and bowing to Zhang Rongfang.

"Hua Chengying of the Iron Shirt Hall greets Guardian Priest."

"You're too kind, Master. I admire the culture of Hard Skill and have been living in the Dao Palace, hoping to learn true Hard Skill arts techniques."

We are so fortunate to have finally found a truly talented and skilled expert!

Zhang Rongfang had a gentle expression and returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"There's no need for Guardian here. Just treat me like an ordinary apprentice."

Hua Chengying is the person with the highest level of Hard Skill in the area around Citong.

His Iron Shirt Kung Fu had been honed to perfection. In the martial arts world of Citong, he was known as Jianghu Iron Shirt Man.

Although his rank is only Seventh Grade, he is still a genuine master of Hard Skill.

"You're too kind, sir. You already have a foundation in martial arts, so practicing Hard Skill like this will be much more efficient."

"Oh? What makes you say that?" Zhang Rongfang asked.

"You may not know this, High Grade Expert, as they break through the limits of their grade time and time again, will also make their skin and muscles more resilient."

This inherently makes them stronger than ordinary people. Such people start by practicing Hard Skill, which naturally equates to the basic level of Hard Skill where they have already laid a solid foundation.

For example, I have a friend who was Sixth Grade, and he came to me to learn Iron Shirt Technique.

As soon as he started practicing, his physical strength was already comparable to that of the disciples in our school who had reached the second level.

"So he only skimmed through the First Layer of Iron Shirt before moving on to the second," Hua Chengying explained.

"I see." Zhang Rongfang understood. "If I were to cultivate both, I wonder what level I would be considered? I would appreciate it if the Master could test me."

Hua Chengying responded and came closer to carefully check Zhang Rongfang's condition.

Occasionally, let them extend their arms and tap their muscles.

"It should be at the second level of strength. As expected of Super Grade!" he exclaimed in admiration.

Before he arrived, he already knew that the person in front of him was Super Grade expert from the Great Dao Sect.

So I wasn't too surprised.

Although Super Grade is very strong, he has had several encounters with him in Citong.

I have a vague recollection of it.

This opportunity to connect with Super Grade is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for him.

"Is it equivalent to the second layer of Iron Shirt?" Zhang Rongfang nodded.

"That's right. My Iron Shirt Hall Iron Shirt Skill has six levels in total. Once you've mastered all of them, you'll reach the Sixth Grade level of Hard Skill."

By then, aside from vital points, all other parts of his body will be able to withstand several full-force strikes from an expert of the same level without injury.

Hua Chengying explained, a hint of pride on her face.

"Moreover, unless it's an expert of the same level, the body will hardly be injured even if struck with full force five or more times in a row on the same spot. After ten breaths, you can accept the second round of blows."

"Impressive! In other words, as long as you move quickly and keep changing body parts, it's almost impossible for a skilled opponent of the same level to hit you?" Zhang Rongfang exclaimed in admiration.

"That's right." Hua Chengying nodded.

"Impressive! Impressive! I look forward to your guidance from the curator." Zhang Rongfang clapped his hands.

A Daoist priest standing nearby offered to present the "teaching fee," which consisted of twenty large ingots, each weighing ten taels, on a round plate.

He handed over two hundred taels of silver in one go!

Hua Chengying's expression hardened. He valued this relationship more than the money.

"I, Hua, will definitely do my utmost!"

Chen Han, who was standing to the side, did not understand why Zhang Rongfang had suddenly started practicing Hard Skill again.

But Daozi was exceptionally talented, and he had his own reasons for everything he did, so it was difficult for Daozi to persuade him.

He secretly noted down the situation here and planned to send Bird Message back to the Heavenly Treasure Palace in Great Capital by carrier pigeon.

The Grand Master will make his own arrangements when the time comes.

At this time, Hua Chengying and Zhang Rongfang were in the martial arts training ground behind the Daoist Temple Martial Arts Practice Field, one teaching and the other learning, and from time to time using medicinal baths to wash and train their body parts.

Just as Hua Chengying had said, Zhang Rongfang had a very high physical strength and progressed very quickly in training.

The Iron Shirt technique only has six levels, and the method is relatively crude. In Zhang Rongfang's case, he easily reached the advancement requirements for the first two levels in just two days without using any Attribute Points, and directly began to practice the third level.

At that moment, Sun Chaoyue, whom he had met once before, met Sun Qinghong, her father.

This former Prefect Tanyang Prefecture is facing an extremely important choice in his life.

*** Tong Manor.

In a secluded courtyard.

Sun Qinghong coughed, covering her mouth with a handkerchief.

A splash of bright red slowly spread across the white handkerchief.

"Brother Sun, look at you, have you been taking your medicine on time? Why is your condition and injuries getting worse?" Tong Haocun asked with concern as he sat across from him at the stone table in the courtyard.

He and Sun Qinghong were close friends back then, and now he is taking in the Sun Family, shouldering all the criticism.

In truth, Sun Qinghong was indeed a great benefactor to the Sun Family.

The Sun Family owes him a huge favor.

What puzzled Sun Qinghong was that Tong Haocun hadn't been coming to this courtyard much since half a year ago.

Why did they come here again today after coming here just a short while ago?

"Brother Tong, please speak frankly. The fact that my Sun Family has survived to this day is all thanks to your help. I, Sun Qinghong, will always remember this kindness!"

"Brother Sun, sigh," Tong Haocun sighed deeply. "You always keep your troubles to yourself. Even after you were scammed, if you had just asked me about it earlier, things wouldn't have turned out this way."

He looked up at the other person's face and found that Sun Qinghong only had doubts on her face.

"Brother, I've come to you for help this time."

"Seeking help? Brother Tong, why do you say that?" Sun Qinghong asked in surprise. "I am currently injured and ill, my wife is missing, my family's wealth is exhausted, and I only have a daughter and an old servant to depend on for survival. How can I help you?"

"Brother, you may not know this, but not long ago, my Tong Family fleet offended the local governor in the port of Sims Country for some reason. In the end, we had to ask the ship owner Gersa to step in and settle the matter."

We promised Gersa that after returning home, we would repay his kindness by gifting him all the porcelain from our Tongjia Baofeng ship.

But who would have thought...

Tong Haocun sighed again.

"Who would have thought that after returning home, Gersa would quickly change his mind and demand not just one ship of porcelain, but three!"

Sun Qinghong was also taken aback.

"We had been discussing countermeasures, but we were at a loss."

This is three shiploads of goods! If we really give them to them, my Tong Family will suffer a severe blow; all the profits of the past two years will be wiped out. What am I supposed to do?

"That Gersa is truly a despicable person. Oh, Brother Tong, don't worry, as long as there's anything I, Sun Qinghong, can do for you, just let me know."

However, given my current physical condition, the Sun Family has neither money nor manpower. Sun Qinghong's voice gradually lowered.

His injuries have become chronic due to the delay in receiving optimal treatment.

He possesses Ninth Grade martial arts skills, but can only perform at the level of sixth or seventh grade.

And so it continues to worsen.

He didn't understand how he could possibly be of any help in his condition.

Tong Haocun looked emotional and patted Sun Qinghong on the shoulder.

"Brother, are you still glad I've kept quiet about this? Your daughter knows Zhang Ying and Zhang Shoujiao, why haven't you said a word about it? If I had known about your family's past with Zhang Shoujiao, wouldn't your identity problem have been easily solved?"

"Zhang Ying, Zhang Shoujiao?" Sun Qinghong looked bewildered.

He had absolutely no recollection of the name.

"Brother, that's not fair of you. You're still pretending with me at a time like this? That kind of big shot is the current Daozi of the Great Dao Sect. His master is the Grand Master Chongxuan, a top-tier big shot who can reach the heavens."

"You know this kind of person, yet you act like you know nothing about him? Isn't that a bit..." Tong Haocun slightly dissatisfied.

"Brother, this Non-Self know. If I knew such a person, why would I have needed to ask you for help in the first place? I really don't know what's going on." Sun Qinghong looked bewildered.

Seeing this, and judging from his expression, Tong Haocun seemed to believe it somewhat, and was somewhat convinced.

"Then it might be your Chaoyue who met such an important person at some point."

Previously, when Chaoyue and Xin Yao went out shopping together, Xin Yao saw her talking with Lord Zhang Shoujiao.

Although it was a short time, the two seemed to be old acquaintances.

Brother, you have to understand, for business people like us, as long as we have such a connection, as long as we can visit them and not be turned away in person, then there is a possibility of developing and deepening the relationship!

"Since you have this connection, you should quickly strengthen that relationship. Otherwise, if too much time passes, their impression of you will fade, and you might not even see them again. The relationship will be broken."

Sun Qinghong narrowed her eyes, a ripple of emotion stirring within her.

"Brother, is what you're saying true?"

"Of course it's true, brother. You know, if that lord were willing, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to get your Sun Family out of the Secret Teaching's influence," Tong Haocun said with a smile.

"Oh? Why is that?" Sun Qinghong's heart skipped a beat, and a thought immediately arose in her mind.

"Is that even a question? Others might have a lot more trouble, but Zhang Shoujiao is in charge of all External Teachings discipline in Citong, which means he's in charge of your family's affairs."

"Even if something happens to the Secret Teaching, it's under his jurisdiction. Tell me, if he wanted to take care of your Sun Family, would he need to go to such lengths?" Tong Haocun shook his head.

This time, Sun Qinghong was truly tempted.

He went to great lengths to flee and evade capture, all because his identity was falsely accused of being a traitor to the Secret Teaching.

If they now have this opportunity to clear their names, with his and his daughter's abilities, the Sun Family will definitely have a chance to turn things around in the future! You must know, they are Spirit Person.

In Great Ling, many positions are designated to be held only by Spirit Person.

For example, the position of Prefect, and many other key and sensitive positions.

"Brother, it seems you've figured it out." Tong Haocun smiled. "This is a golden opportunity for your Sun Family to rise again!"

"Brother's reminder was timely. If you hadn't noticed in time, I probably would have missed this fleeting opportunity!" Sun Qinghong said earnestly, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"It's not too late to understand now!" Tong Haocun nodded in satisfaction.

"But brother, what does this have to do with that big ship owner Gersa?" Sun Qinghong asked, puzzled.

"That's because Isibass, the big boss behind Gersa, is a good friend of Zhang Shoujiao. If he puts in a word, what will Gersa be then?" Tong Haocun said with a smile.

"I see."

"Brother, Chaoyue has kept this from even you. You'll have to give her a good talking-to later. Make her understand our current situation. Besides, that Zhang Shoujiao comes from the Heavenly Treasure Palace of the Great Dao Sect, a renowned medical holy land. If we connect online, your ailment might be completely cured."

"I've heard of the Heavenly Treasure Palace too, I understand," Sun Qinghong said, her eyes gleaming with intense hope.

Immediately, the two lowered their voices and began to discuss how to expand and deepen this line of communication.