Forged in Fire

CHAPTER FOUR: TEMPERED INTO STEEL

The night was deep. Li Yifan returned to his rented courtyard, closed the door tightly, and only then slowly let out a turbid breath. The battle with Zhao Hu had seemed easy on the surface, but it had been perilous. The strength of a Body Refining realm martial artist was indeed formidable. If not for his minor-achievement-level martial techniques and precise grasp of the battle's rhythm, the outcome would have been uncertain.

He sat cross-legged and sank his awareness into the panel.

[Name: Li Yifan]

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

[Technique: None]

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

[Status: Light Injury (Qi and blood surging, recovering quickly)]

"Skin Refining is at its peak..." Li Yifan felt the changes in his body. His skin was extraordinarily tough; ordinary strikes from clubs or staves probably couldn't harm him anymore, and his tolerance for external temperature shifts had greatly increased. More importantly, beneath the skin, his qi and blood swelled and surged, as if he had inexhaustible strength, faintly pointing toward a deeper layer of tempering—Body Refining.

Based on the original owner's fragmented memories and the common knowledge of this world, the five realms of Body Tempering began with Skin Refining as the foundation, honing the skin to enhance defense. Body Refining then tempered the muscles, greatly boosting strength, explosive power, and endurance. Only with robust muscles and vigorous qi and blood could one support the immense strain that Bone Refining and Sinew Refining would later place on the body.

However, moving from Skin Refining to Body Refining was a minor bottleneck. Relying solely on a common technique like Basic Breathing Technique would become extremely inefficient. One needed a more effective technique or ample resources to assist.

"Money, resources, techniques..." Li Yifan tapped his knee lightly. The dozens of silver taels he'd taken from Zhao Hu, plus his previous savings, seemed like a decent amount, but buying the precious herbs or techniques needed to support Body Refining cultivation was like trying to put out a cartload of firewood with a cup of water. Zhao Hu's "loyalty" might bring some convenience, but for truly core resources, he'd have to find his own way.

The next day, Li Yifan reported for duty at the County Government as usual. But the atmosphere had changed.

In the constables' room, Zhao Hu's face was still pale, his armpit wrapped in thick bandages. When he saw Li Yifan enter, his eyes flickered with complex emotions. He actually stood up on his own, forcing a somewhat respectful smile onto his face. "Li... Master Li, you've arrived."

That "Master Li," though not loud, struck like thunderclap through the entire constables' room. All the constables stopped what they were doing, staring in disbelief. Zhao Hu, that always arrogant and domineering constable captain, was showing such deference to Li Yifan? And while injured?

Connecting the dots from last night—when someone had seen Li Yifan and Zhao Hu enter the Yuelai Tavern one after the other—and Zhao Hu's disheveled state this morning, the sharper constables had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth. Their gazes toward Li Yifan were now filled with awe and suspicion.

Li Yifan's expression was calm. He gave Zhao Hu a slight nod as a greeting, then walked straight to his usual seat and sat down. He didn't try to steal the spotlight, but the intangible aura he carried made it clear to everyone that the constables' room had changed hands.

"Captain Zhao is injured. For now, I'll handle the county's official business temporarily," Li Yifan said, his voice not loud but clearly reaching every ear. "All colleagues, stick to your duties. If anything important comes up, report directly to me."

There was no aggression, yet he naturally took over the authority. Zhao Hu's mouth twitched, but thinking of the letter of allegiance and Li Yifan's ruthlessness the night before, he could only lower his head and mutter, "Everything is as Master Li commands."

Over the next few days, Li Yifan quickly grasped the daily operations of the constables' room. He didn't go out of his way to push out Zhao Hu's old subordinates. Instead, he rewarded merit and assigned some trivial but profitable tasks to constables who hadn't overly attached themselves to Zhao Hu and had decent ability. At the same time, he focused his main efforts on straightening out the order at the West City docks.

Black Mountain City bordered a tributary of the Canglan River. The West City docks were a hub for goods distribution, but also the area most infiltrated by gang forces and the most chaotic in terms of public order. In the past, Zhao Hu had extorted merchants there, colluded with gangs, and lined his own pockets while turning a blind eye to real crimes.

Li Yifan led his men and stationed himself directly at the docks. Using his minor-achievement-level Detection skill and Basic Tracking Technique, he successively cracked several cases of extortion and cargo theft, arresting a few gang-backed thugs who had been bullying the market and dealing with them according to the law. In the process, conflicts with the Azure Garb Society, which had a foothold there, were inevitable. But Li Yifan's displayed strength and iron-fisted methods made even the Azure Garb Society's leaders wary, and they temporarily reined in their arrogance.

The merchants at the docks soon discovered that this newly appointed "Master Li," though strict, was fair. As long as they paid the proper taxes according to the rules, they received protection and no longer had to endure gang exploitation or extra extortion from the constables. In a short time, the atmosphere at the docks cleared up, and the merchants sang his praises.

The improved order at the docks also brought tangible benefits. The "gratitude fees" the merchants offered were scattered, but many drops made a flood—far more sustainable than Zhao Hu's method of killing the goose for the golden egg. More importantly, by controlling the docks, he could buy, at lower prices and with priority, certain catches and specific medicinal herbs rich in qi and blood that were shipped down from the upper reaches of the Canglan River. This greatly aided his cultivation.

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

Li Yifan's heart stirred. He'd heard of the Crimson Blood Catfish—a descendant of a low-grade Monster Beast. Its flesh contained pure qi and blood, making it a coveted tonic for Body Refining realm martial artists, and it was worth a considerable sum.

"Old sir, this Crimson Blood Catfish is worth at least fifty taels on the market. I'll pay you the market price," Li Yifan said, not wanting to gain a reputation for taking things by force.

The old fisherman waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, no! Master Li, you've straightened out the docks so we can fish and live in peace. This fish is just a small token of my gratitude! Besides, this fish dies as soon as it leaves the water and doesn't keep well. The taverns would just lowball me anyway. Better to give it to an upright official like you!"

Unable to refuse, Li Yifan accepted the gesture but still pressed ten silver taels into the old fisherman's hand as a cost price. This only made the old man thank him profusely.

That night, a rich fish aroma filled the small courtyard. Li Yifan stewed the Crimson Blood Catfish with a few common medicinal herbs into a medicinal meal. As the fish meat entered his stomach, it transformed into a scorching current that spread through his limbs and bones. His muscles seemed to absorb this energy hungrily, sending waves of soreness, numbness, and tingling through him.

[Consumed 'Crimson Blood Catfish Medicinal Meal.' Qi and blood enriched. Basic Breathing Technique efficiency greatly increased. Body Refining cultivation progress accelerated.]

He didn't dare slack off. He immediately activated Basic Breathing Technique to guide this hot current in tempering his muscles. The previously slow progress of Body Refining suddenly multiplied several times over!

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

He had officially entered the Body Refining realm! His strength had grown noticeably again. When he threw a punch, he could hear a faint sound of air being split.

"Resources—this is the importance of resources!" Li Yifan deeply understood that without resources, relying solely on hard training to achieve anything in the martial path was as hard as reaching the sky. He had to obtain more and better resources!

A few days later, an opportunity came knocking.

Qian Fugui, the steward of Jishi Hall, Black Mountain City's largest medicinal herb merchant, personally came to the County Government, asking specifically to see Li Yifan. His face was full of anxiety.

"Master Li, you must do right by me!" Qian Fugui said with a mournful expression. "A batch of precious herbs worth a thousand taels from my shop was robbed at Black Wind Gorge, thirty li outside the city! The escort guards were killed and wounded!"

Black Wind Gorge? Li Yifan's gaze sharpened. That was the only route to the neighboring county, with tall mountains and dense forests, a treacherous terrain long infested with bandits. But in recent years, the largest bandit den, Black Wind Stronghold, had been wiped out (the original owner had participated in that campaign), so things should have calmed down. For someone to dare rob Jishi Hall's herbs, this band of outlaws was no ordinary bunch.

"Steward Qian, don't panic. Tell me the details. What herbs were taken? How many bandits? Any distinguishing features?" Li Yifan asked calmly, signaling his men to take notes.

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

Qian Fugui quickly replied, "Three fifty-year Blood Ginsengs and a batch of auxiliary herbs for refining 'Bone Tempering Pills'! There were about a dozen bandits, all masked, all skilled. The leader was especially formidable—he killed our hired escort captain with one saber stroke! Oh, and when they retreated, one of my men who was playing dead overheard them saying something about 'Fierce Tiger Gang' and 'tribute'..."

Fierce Tiger Gang? A cold light flashed in Li Yifan's eyes. This was another major gang in Black Mountain City, on par with the Azure Garb Society, and even more arrogant in its actions. If the Fierce Tiger Gang was really behind this, then this wasn't just a simple bandit robbery. It likely involved gang conflicts within the city, and even... certain people inside the County Government? Zhao Hu had been close to the Fierce Tiger Gang in the past.

Herbs worth a thousand taels, especially the fifty-year Blood Ginseng, were useful even for Body Refining and Bone Refining realm martial artists! If he could recover them... Li Yifan's interest was piqued. This wasn't just a huge fortune; it was the cultivation resource he desperately needed!

Moreover, suppressing bandits and earning merit was legitimate and would further solidify his position and reputation.

"I understand the situation." Li Yifan stood up, his tone decisive. "Steward Qian, rest assured. I'll gather my men immediately and head to Black Wind Gorge. I will definitely apprehend these lawless bandits and recover the herbs!"

He didn't mobilize too many people. He only selected five constables with good skills, clean backgrounds, and recent positive performance, including Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang, who had gone with him to arrest Hou San before. Too many eyes would only make it easier for news to leak.

Before setting out, he made a special trip to "visit" Zhao Hu, who was "recovering" at home.

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

Zhao Hu's eyes flickered. He forced a smile. "Well... Black Wind Gorge is a dangerous place. It's probably the work of roaming bandits. Master Li, are you going yourself? Isn't that too risky? Maybe... we should take our time and plan?"

"No matter." Li Yifan held his gaze. "I hear the Fierce Tiger Gang has been active lately. You've dealt with them before, Captain Zhao—any leads?"

Zhao Hu's forehead beaded with sweat. He stammered, "Well... the Fierce Tiger Gang acts bold, but robbing merchant caravans? That seems a stretch. Maybe someone's framing them?"

Li Yifan sneered inwardly. He asked no more, rose, and took his leave. Zhao Hu's reaction all but confirmed his suspicions. This trip to Black Wind Gorge wouldn't just be about wiping out bandits—he'd have to watch for hidden knives at his back.

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

[Skill: Basic Tracking Technique proficiency +10! You find chaotic cart tracks and signs of fierce struggle, and follow faint footprints and blood drips left by the fleeing bandits, leading deep into the gorge.]

"Follow me. Stay sharp." Li Yifan gave the low order and took the lead, tracking along the trail. His tracking technique proved invaluable here, letting him sidestep potential traps and hidden sentries.

At last, in a concealed hollow deep in the gorge, they found a cave entrance camouflaged with branches. Voices drifted out from within.

"Brother Wang, this haul's not bad! The chief's sure to reward us handsomely for this Blood Ginseng!"

"Heh, pity that old geezer from Jishi Hall got away. Could've squeezed out more."

"What's to fear? With Captain Zhao covering us, what can the authorities do to the Fierce Tiger Gang?"

The conversation inside clearly confirmed Li Yifan's suspicions.

Li Yifan gestured to the five constables behind him, signaling them to surround the cave mouth. He took a deep breath, centering himself to peak condition.

Blood and qi surged through his Body Refining early-stage body. The minor-accomplished moves of Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber flowed through his mind. He drew his waist blade, a cold killing intent flickering in his eyes.

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

"Authorities here to arrest you! Surrender now!"

Chaos erupted inside! A dozen bandits scrambled for their weapons in panic.

The lead bandit, a scar-faced brute, started in fury. "Arm yourselves! Kill them all!" He swung a ghost-head saber and charged at Li Yifan, his aura fierce—clearly a Bone Refining Realm expert!

"Good!"

Li Yifan didn't dodge. He unleashed his inner strength, and with a move "Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain," his saber light lashed out like a ribbon of steel, meeting the attack head-on!

Clang!

Sparks flew! The deafening clash of metal echoed through the cave!

Li Yifan's form swayed, stepping back half a pace, while the Scarred Bandit stumbled three steps back, his tiger-mouth split open, face full of shock! He was in the Body Refining Realm—how could he be outmatched in raw power?

What he didn't know was that though Li Yifan was only at Body Refining early stage, his foundation was rock-solid, and with minor-accomplished saber technique backing him, his explosive strength rivaled that of an ordinary mid-stage Body Refining cultivator!

"Die!"

Li Yifan pressed his advantage, unleashing his saber art like a tiger springing from its den, a relentless barrage of attacks! The cramped cave space favored his refined blade work!

[Skill: Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber proficiency +25! Fighting in tight quarters sharpens your saber usage, making it more vicious and cunning!]

The other constables charged in, engaging the bandits. With Li Yifan tying down the strongest Scarred Bandit, their pressure eased considerably.

In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the fight ended. The dozen bandits, including the Scarred Bandit, were either dead or wounded, all captured. In a corner of the cave sat the medicine crates looted from Jishi Hall.

While tallying the spoils, Li Yifan found a delicate jade box containing three stalks of Blood Ginseng, rich with medicinal fragrance and crimson as blood. Just the scent made his blood and qi stir faintly.

"Truly fine goods..." Li Yifan's heart settled. This risk had been worth it!

But just as he prepared to lead the team back with the prisoners and loot, hurried, chaotic footsteps sounded outside the cave, along with an arrogant voice:

"Which crew are you inside? Touching the Fierce Tiger Gang's goods—you got a death wish?"

Li Yifan's eyes turned cold. The Fierce Tiger Gang's reinforcements had arrived—how "timely." He tightened his grip on his blade, knowing the real trouble was only beginning.