Forged Through a Hundred Trials

Forged Through a Hundred Trials

Deep in the night, Li Yifan returned to the small courtyard he rented. Only after bolting the door did he slowly exhale a breath of stale air. His fight with Zhao Hu had looked easy, but it had been fraught with danger. A Body Refining martial artist's strength was indeed formidable. Had Li Yifan not relied on his Minor Accomplishment-level martial skills and precise timing, the outcome would have been uncertain.

He sat cross-legged and sank his consciousness into the Panel.

[Name: Li Yifan]

[Realm: Body Tempering · Skin Refining (Perfection)]

[Techniques: None]

[Skills: Basic Breathing Technique (Minor Accomplishment: 185/500), Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber (Minor Accomplishment: 75/500), Basic Tracking Technique (Minor Accomplishment: 48/500), Investigation (Beginner: 25/100)]

[Status: Lightly Injured (Qi and blood surging, recovering quickly)]

"Skin Refining Perfection..." Li Yifan sensed the changes in his body. His skin had become exceptionally tough; ordinary blows from a staff would probably do little to harm him, and he was far more resistant to changes in temperature. More importantly, beneath his skin, his qi and blood brimmed and surged, as if he had strength to spare. They seemed to point toward a deeper level of tempering: Body Refining.

From the original owner's scattered memories and what everyone knew in this world, Body Tempering had five realms. Skin Refining was the foundation, tempering the skin and strengthening one's defenses. Body Refining tempered the muscles, greatly enhancing strength, explosive power, and endurance. Only with strong muscles and vigorous qi and blood could the body withstand the immense strain of the later realms: Bone Refining and Tendon Refining.

However, moving from Skin Refining to Body Refining meant overcoming a minor bottleneck. With a common technique like the Basic Breathing Technique alone, progress would become extremely slow. He would need a more effective cultivation technique or ample resources to help him along.

"Money, resources, techniques..." Li Yifan tapped his knee lightly with his fingers. The several dozen taels of silver he had gotten from Zhao Hu, along with his previous savings, seemed like a decent sum. But they would be a mere cup of water poured onto a burning cart of firewood if he tried to buy precious medicinal ingredients or techniques to support Body Refining cultivation. Zhao Hu's "allegiance" might bring him certain conveniences, but he would have to find a way to secure the truly valuable resources himself.

The next day, Li Yifan went to the County Government as usual to check in. But the atmosphere had changed.

In the constables' quarters, Zhao Hu's face was still somewhat pale, and his armpit was wrapped in thick bandages. When he saw Li Yifan enter, his eyes flickered with complicated emotions. He actually stood up of his own accord and forced a faintly respectful smile. "M-Master Li, you're here."

The quiet greeting, "Master Li," struck like a thunderclap in the constables' quarters. Every constable stopped what they were doing and stared in disbelief. Zhao Hu, the overbearing constable chief, was actually showing Li Yifan such respect? And he was injured, too?

Some quick-witted constables had already pieced things together, having heard that Li Yifan and Zhao Hu had both gone to the Yuelai Tavern last night, and seen Zhao Hu's battered state that morning. Their gazes toward Li Yifan immediately filled with awe and suspicion.

Li Yifan remained calm. He nodded slightly to Zhao Hu in greeting, then walked straight to his usual seat. He did not try to steal the spotlight, but his invisible presence had already made it clear to everyone: the constables' quarters had a new master.

"Constable Chief Zhao is injured, so I'll temporarily handle the yamen's affairs for the time being." Li Yifan's voice was not loud, but everyone heard him clearly. "My colleagues, carry out your duties. If anything important comes up, report it directly to me."

He had not thrown his weight around, yet he had naturally taken control. Zhao Hu's mouth twitched, but remembering the letter of allegiance and Li Yifan's ruthlessness the previous night, he could only lower his head and mutter, "Everything will be as Master Li decides."

Over the next few days, Li Yifan quickly mastered the day-to-day operations of the constables' quarters. He did not purge Zhao Hu's old subordinates. Instead, he rewarded people according to their merits, assigning some minor but lucrative duties to capable constables who had not been overly dependent on Zhao Hu. At the same time, he focused his efforts on restoring order at the western docks.

Black Mountain City stood near a tributary of the Canglan River. Its western docks were a hub for the distribution of goods, but also the area most deeply infiltrated by gangs and plagued by disorder. Zhao Hu had once extorted merchants there, colluded with gangs, and lined his own pockets, all while turning a blind eye to genuine criminal acts.

Li Yifan took his men and stationed them directly at the docks. Using his Minor Accomplishment-level Investigation skill and Basic Tracking Technique, he solved several cases of extortion and cargo theft in quick succession. He arrested several thugs who had thrown their gang connections around and lorded it over the docks, then punished them according to the law. Clashes with the Azure Garb Society, which held sway in the area, were unavoidable. But Li Yifan's formidable strength and iron-fisted methods gave the society's leaders pause, and they reined in their arrogance for the time being.

The dockside merchants soon discovered that their new "Master Li" was strict but fair. As long as they paid the proper taxes and fees, he protected them. They no longer had to endure extortion by gangs or extra shakedowns by yamen runners. The docks were transformed almost overnight, and merchants sang his praises.

The improved order at the docks brought tangible benefits, too. Out of gratitude, the merchants gave him small "tokens of appreciation." They were scattered amounts, but they added up to far more than Zhao Hu's short-sighted way of squeezing people dry, and they were more sustainable. More importantly, by controlling the docks, Li Yifan could buy, at lower prices and ahead of others, some qi-and-blood-rich catches and special medicinal ingredients brought downstream from the upper reaches of the Canglan River. They would greatly benefit his cultivation.

One day, while Li Yifan was inspecting the docks, an old fisherman cautiously approached and spoke in a low voice. "Master Li, I caught a rare Crimson Blood Catfish this morning. I hear it's excellent for replenishing the qi and blood of martial artists, so I saved it especially for you."

Li Yifan's heart stirred. He had heard of the Crimson Blood Catfish. It was descended from a low-level Monster Beast, and its flesh contained pure qi and blood. It was a treasured tonic among Body Refining martial artists, and worth a great deal.

"Old sir, this Crimson Blood Catfish is worth at least fifty taels at market price. I'll pay you what it's worth." Li Yifan did not want people thinking he had seized it by force.

The old fisherman waved his hands repeatedly. "I couldn't possibly! You brought order to the docks, Master Li. Now we can fish and make a living in peace. This fish is just a small token of my gratitude! Besides, it'll die as soon as it's out of the water, so it's hard to keep. The taverns would pay me next to nothing. I'd rather give it to an upright official like you!"

Unable to refuse, Li Yifan accepted the gift, but still pressed ten taels of silver into the old fisherman's hands as payment for the cost. The old man thanked him profusely.

That evening, the rich aroma of fish drifted through the courtyard. Li Yifan stewed the Crimson Blood Catfish with a few ordinary medicinal ingredients to make a medicinal dish. As soon as he swallowed the fish, it transformed into a rush of heat that spread through his limbs and bones. His muscles seemed to hunger for the energy, and tingling, prickling sensations rippled through them.

[After consuming a Crimson Blood Catfish medicinal dish, your qi and blood are replenished. The efficiency of the Basic Breathing Technique has increased greatly, accelerating your Body Refining progress.]

He did not dare waste a moment. He immediately circulated the Basic Breathing Technique, guiding the wave of heat to temper his muscles. His previously sluggish Body Refining progress suddenly accelerated several times over!

[Realm: Body Tempering · Body Refining (Early Stage: 5/100)]

He had officially entered the Body Refining Realm! His strength had increased noticeably once again. A faint whistle of air followed as he threw a punch.

"Resources. This is how important they are!" Li Yifan now understood just how hard it was to make any progress in martial arts through hard training alone without resources. He had to get more resources—and better ones!

A few days later, an opportunity came knocking.

The owner of Jishi Hall, Black Mountain City's largest medicine shop, Qian Fugui, came personally to the yamen and asked to see Li Yifan by name. His face was full of anxiety.

"Master Li, you have to see justice done for me!" Qian Fugui said, his face crumpling. "A shipment of valuable medicinal ingredients worth a thousand taels was robbed thirty miles outside the city, in Black Wind Gorge! The escorts were killed or badly injured!"

Black Wind Gorge? Li Yifan's gaze sharpened. It was the only route to the neighboring county, with steep, wooded terrain and treacherous cliffs. Bandits had always made their home there. But the largest bandit den, Black Wind Stronghold, had been wiped out in recent years—the original owner had taken part in the raid—so things should have been quieter. The bandits who dared rob Jishi Hall's medicinal shipment were no ordinary bunch.

"Don't worry, Shopkeeper Qian. Tell me exactly what happened. What medicinal ingredients were stolen? How many bandits were there? What did they look like?" Li Yifan asked calmly, signaling one of his subordinates to take notes.

[Skill: Investigation proficiency +5. You begin systematically organizing the case information.]

Qian Fugui hurriedly explained, "Three fifty-year-old Blood Ginsengs were stolen, along with a batch of auxiliary ingredients for making Bone Tempering Pills! There were about a dozen bandits. They wore masks, and they were all skilled fighters. Their leader was especially powerful—he killed our hired escort leader with one slash! Oh, and when they retreated, one of my men pretended to be dead and faintly heard them say something about the Fierce Tiger Gang and 'paying respects'..."

The Fierce Tiger Gang? A cold glint flashed in Li Yifan's eyes. It was another major gang in Black Mountain City, as powerful as the Azure Garb Society but even more brazen in its dealings. If the Fierce Tiger Gang really was behind this, then it was no mere bandit robbery. It might involve a struggle between the city's gangs, or even... certain people inside the yamen. Zhao Hu had been close with the Fierce Tiger Gang in the past.

Medicinal ingredients worth a thousand taels—especially fifty-year-old Blood Ginsengs—would benefit martial artists in the Body Refining and Bone Refining Realms alike! If he could recover them... Li Yifan was tempted. This was not only a huge fortune, but also the cultivation resources he urgently needed!

Besides, suppressing the bandits would earn him merit and give him legitimate grounds to further consolidate his position and reputation.

"I've been informed of the matter." Li Yifan rose to his feet, his tone firm and resolute. "Shopkeeper Qian, rest easy. I'll gather my men and head to Black Wind Gorge at once. We'll bring these lawless bandits to justice and recover the stolen goods!"

He did not mobilize too many people. He chose only five capable constables with respectable family backgrounds who had been performing well lately. Two of them were Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang, who had gone with him to arrest Hou San. Too many people would draw attention and make it easier for word to leak out.

Before setting off, he made a special "visit" to Zhao Hu, who was "recovering from his injuries" at home.

"Constable Chief Zhao, what do you make of the Jishi Hall case?" Li Yifan asked casually.

Zhao Hu's eyes flickered. Forcing a smile, he said, "Well... Black Wind Gorge is a dangerous place. It was probably the work of some roving bandits. You're going in person, Master Li? Isn't that too risky? Why not... take some time to consider it?"

"No need." Li Yifan stared into his eyes. "I hear the Fierce Tiger Gang has been very active lately. You used to deal with them a lot, Constable Chief Zhao. Do you have any leads?"

A fine sheen of sweat appeared on Zhao Hu's forehead as he stammered, "Well... The Fierce Tiger Gang acts brazenly, but surely they wouldn't rob a merchant caravan? Maybe someone's framing them?"

Li Yifan sneered inwardly and asked no more. He stood up and took his leave. Zhao Hu's reaction had practically confirmed his suspicions. This trip to Black Wind Gorge would be more than a bandit hunt. He would have to watch out for arrows in the back, too.

Five hours later, Li Yifan arrived at Black Wind Gorge with five constables. The gorge was deep, with steep and rugged terrain.

[Skill: Basic Tracking Technique proficiency +10! You find scattered carriage tracks and signs of a fierce battle. You follow faint footprints and drops of blood left behind by the bandits as they fled, leading deeper into the gorge.]

"Follow me. Stay alert." Li Yifan gave the order in a low voice and took the lead, following the tracks. His tracking skills came in handy here, enabling him to avoid potential traps and hidden sentries.

At last, in a secluded hollow deep in the gorge, they found the entrance to a cave disguised with branches. Voices could be heard faintly from within.

"Brother Wang, we made a good haul this time! The gang leader will reward us handsomely for these Blood Ginsengs!"

"Ha! Too bad that old geezer from Jishi Hall got away. We could've made an even bigger score."

"What are you afraid of? With Constable Chief Zhao backing us, how could the authorities trace this back to our Fierce Tiger Gang?"

The conversation in the cave confirmed Li Yifan's suspicions beyond doubt.

Li Yifan gestured to the five constables behind him, signaling them to surround the cave entrance. Then he took a deep breath and brought himself into peak condition.

The qi and blood of the early Body Refining Realm surged through his body, and the moves of the Minor Accomplishment-level Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber flowed through his mind. He drew his saber, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes.

The next moment, he shot forward like lightning and charged into the cave!

"By order of the authorities, you're under arrest! Surrender!"

Chaos erupted inside the cave! More than a dozen bandits frantically grabbed their weapons.

Their leader, a hardened bandit with a scar across his face, was both shocked and enraged. He roared, "Grab your weapons! Kill them!" Wielding a broad, ghost-head saber, he charged at Li Yifan first. His aura was ferocious, and he was clearly a Bone Refining expert!

"Good! Just what I wanted!"

Li Yifan did not dodge or retreat. He unleashed his strength and met the bandit's attack with a move called "Tiger Descends the Mountain." His saber flashed like a bolt of white silk!

Clang!

Sparks flew! The clash of metal rang through the cave!

Li Yifan swayed and took half a step back, while the scarred bandit stumbled back three full steps. The web of his thumb split open, and his face filled with shock! He was in the Body Refining Realm, yet he had been overpowered in strength?

What he did not know was that though Li Yifan had only reached the early stage of Body Refining, his foundation was incredibly solid. Combined with the boost from his Minor Accomplishment-level saber technique, the strength he unleashed was already on par with that of an ordinary mid-stage Body Refining martial artist!

"Die!"

Li Yifan pressed his advantage, unleashing his saber technique like a tiger bursting from its cage, his attacks unrelenting! The cramped cave was even better suited to his precise, vicious saber work!

[Skill: Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber proficiency +25! Fighting in close quarters has made your use of the saber technique even more cunning and ruthless!]

The other constables charged in and fought the bandits. With Li Yifan holding the scar-faced leader at bay, they were under far less pressure.

The battle ended in less than the time it took to burn a stick of incense. More than a dozen bandits, including the scar-faced leader, were killed or injured and captured. In the corner of the cave lay the crates of medicinal ingredients stolen from Jishi Hall.

As he inventoried the spoils, Li Yifan found the three Blood Ginsengs in an exquisite jade box. They were a deep, blood-red color and gave off a rich medicinal fragrance. Just smelling it made his qi and blood stir.

"Those really are good stuff..." Li Yifan's confidence settled. This risky trip had been worth it!

But just as he prepared to lead the captives and stolen goods back, a rush of hurried, disorderly footsteps suddenly sounded outside the cave, followed by a brazen voice:

"Which gang are you with, brothers? You dared touch the Fierce Tiger Gang's goods? You must be tired of living!"

Li Yifan's eyes turned cold. The Fierce Tiger Gang's reinforcements had arrived at just the right time. He tightened his grip on his saber, knowing that the real trouble had only just begun.