Warriors Are the World's Most Powerful Weapons; Capturing a Flood Dragon, Shattering Mountains – Who Do You Think You Are?

"Impossible, right? Can an iron tool that makes noise kill a person? Did they die of fright?"

"There isn't a single iron tool in the martial world capable of killing a martial artist. My uncle is a martial artist, and his greatest strength lies in that pair of fists; he can shatter a half-meter-long rock with one punch. How could someone who doesn't practice martial arts kill a martial artist with an iron tool? Heh, I don't believe it!"

"I don't believe it either. It's simply impossible. If such a thing existed, why would we bother practicing martial arts?"

"Exactly. It's impossible that after practicing martial arts, one could still be killed by someone who doesn't..."

More and more disciples came over to join the discussion under the tree.

The content of Huang Xuanhe's conversation was simply too captivating.

The outer-court disciples present were all young men between 12 and 20 years old, full of vigor and burning with curiosity about the world outside Black Cloud County.

In just a moment, over twenty people had gathered.

They chatted under the shade of the tree.

However, it was mostly Huang Xuanhe doing the talking, while the others listened.

Occasionally, someone would chime in with a question or two.

"Actually, I don't believe it either."

Huang Xuanhe leaned against the tree, one foot resting on a stump, and scoffed, "It's likely just a story spread through hearsay. Heh, the most powerful weapons in the world are martial artists. Only a martial artist can unleash destructive power that exceeds the imagination of ordinary people!"

"Perhaps you haven't seen how truly formidable a real martial arts master can be."

"But I have!"

"Back in the Longcang River in Guan Province, there was a beast known as the Water-Roaming Evil Flood Dragon that stirred up trouble in the river. A martial arts master from Guan Province couldn't stand it any longer, entered the river to grapple with it, and forcibly dragged this evil flood dragon onto the shore to fight. During the battle, they caused a small mountain to collapse!"

"That martial arts master was later rewarded by the government with 5,000 taels of silver and a mansion in the wealthy district of the provincial capital, and was then hired to serve as an instructor in the provincial army!"

"I don't know if you have heard of this person; his name is the Flood Dragon Slayer, Xing Tao."

Hiss...

Upon hearing these words, Those present collectively drew a sharp breath.

They were envious of the 5,000 taels of silver and the mansion.

At the same time, they were shocked by the immense destructive power that could cause mountains to crumble and the earth to split during a fight with an evil flood dragon!

If Huang Xuanhe hadn't said it, they never would have imagined that such a powerful existence could exist in this world.

"Do you know why those formidable martial arts masters don't carry any decent weapons?"

"Because for a powerful martial artist, their own body is the hardest weapon. Weapons forged from ordinary metal simply cannot withstand the high-intensity bursts of a martial artist!"

"When martial arts are practiced to the later stages, one's muscles and bones become as indestructible as if they were cast from copper and iron. You could stand there and hack at them, and you still wouldn't be able to kill them!"

Huang Xuanhe sneered, "Tell me, how could a martial artist possibly be killed by an iron tool?"

His words prompted many of the young men to chime in with agreement.

Although Huang Xuanhe shared the same surname as Huang Dequan, they were not relatives.

Huang Xuanhe was very young, looking to be about 13 years old.

No one knew his background; he had been brought in personally by Master Li, Li Heshan. He was never seen practicing martial arts, leaving as soon as the time was up, and sometimes he didn't even show up at the Fist Academy at all.

It was rumored that his family was wealthy and powerful, and he had only come to Black Cloud County to lie low after offending someone in the provincial capital.

Despite his young age, Huang Xuanhe was well-informed and arrogant. He was always picked up and dropped off by a carriage, and the clothes he wore were likely things ordinary people couldn't afford even after working for decades!

Even someone like Huang Dequan, who had managed to latch onto an inner-court disciple, dared not offend Huang Xuanhe.

He leaned over, offered a cigarette, and smiled, "Junior Brother, so do you know why Black Cloud County has been so chaotic lately? My family's restaurant is having its business disrupted by these outsiders."

"I don't smoke this kind of trash."

Huang Xuanhe flicked away the cigarette Huang Dequan had offered.

Huang Dequan felt a pang of heartache; he had bought that tobacco for five guan per jin specifically to expand his connections at the Fist Academy and show off his status.

He hadn't expected Huang Xuanhe to not only refuse to smoke it but to throw it away entirely.

"The matter is simple."

Huang Xuanhe pulled a black object from a wooden box he carried, lit it, and exhaled a puff of smoke.

He said, "Our Black Cloud County is located on the border of Tiannan Prefecture. Although it is some distance away, now that Tiannan Prefecture is in chaos, how could those refugees not flee toward us?"

"Those who can survive fleeing from a war-torn area are not simple characters; they are either ruthless or have their own methods."

"There must be martial artists among the refugees. How could people who have traveled such a long distance not have some skills?"

"These people coming to Black Cloud County are likely just looking to stay and find a way to survive."

Huang Xuanhe exhaled another cloud of smoke.

He acted like a little adult, his core radiating confidence and arrogance, along with a noble temperament that many other outer-court disciples lacked.

"Doesn't that mean Black Cloud County is going to fall into chaos? Won't the rebel army come slaughtering their way over here?"

Some outer sect disciples were worried, and many others began to discuss it as well.

Life in Black Cloud County was already difficult enough; with gangs, petty officials, and all sorts of unsavory characters causing a mess, it was not easy for ordinary people like them to survive.

Now, these outsiders had suddenly appeared to compete for resources.

Their living space had shrunk even further.

If the rebel army were to actually invade, wouldn't they all be dead?

"What the hell are you afraid of!"

Huang Xuanhe laughed heartily and said, "The Prince is personally leading the Xiangnan Army to suppress them; there is absolutely no way they can lose!"

"You all know who the Prince is, right? A martial arts expert on the Great Liang Hidden Dragon Ranking. And the Xiangnan Army is even more formidable—although there are fewer than ten thousand of them, even the weakest soldier is a warrior in the Blood-Tempering Realm. They will have no problem sweeping through the rebels!"

"I also heard that the imperial court has issued many bounties, and many martial arts experts, even powerhouses from various sects, have rushed over to kill them."

"Quelling the rebellion is just a matter of time!"

The outer sect disciples breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of awe toward this young master with such an extraordinary background.

Ordinary people could never know so much!

"Junior Brother Huang, what is that thing you're smoking?"

Huang Dequan asked with a fawning smile, "The packaging looks quite exquisite; it must be very expensive, right?"

"What does it matter to you what this thing is called? You can't afford to smoke it anyway, so why ask so many questions?"

Huang Xuanhe gave a disdainful smile. Having been spoiled by his family since childhood, he was hot-blooded and looked down upon such sycophants.

Huang Dequan was humiliated, his face turning red, yet he dared not offend this young man.

But in order to save face, he chuckled, "Isn't it just a brown stick? Why would you think I can't afford it?"

"This thing is called a cigar. It comes from the northern regions where vassal kings hold territory and dozens of states stand side by side; it was brought over by a group of foreign merchants from overseas. It's only sold in the provincial capital, fifty taels of silver for a box of five. You think your mother can afford to smoke this?"

As soon as these words were spoken.

The eyes of the outer sect disciples present changed.

Even Huang Dequan was shocked beyond belief; his family's small tavern only earned about a hundred taels a month.

And yet, this single brown stick cost ten taels of silver?

He truly was a wealthy young master from the outside, powerful and influential!

The discussion under the shade of the trees continued, but it mostly consisted of the outer sect disciples asking Huang Xuanhe for advice on various matters.

Shi Wen, who was practicing his punches, remained expressionless and did not join in the commotion.

Only when he heard certain topics did his pupils constrict, revealing his shock.

Among them, he felt a sense of regret regarding the injury of Senior Brother Li.

Come to think of it, Senior Brother Li had been quite good to him, and the man had high hopes of becoming a warrior. Who would have thought things would suddenly turn out like this?

Perhaps I should go visit Senior Brother Li tonight, Shi Wen pondered to himself.

At this moment, a group of people emerged from the inner sect.

Yan Kai, who was leading them, called out in their direction, "Junior Brother Huang, let's go grab a meal when you're free. Junior Brother Qin has made a breakthrough, let's go celebrate!"

"Understood, Senior Brother!"

Huang Dequan was filled with pleasant surprise, subconsciously adjusting his attire.

He had not expected that he would actually be qualified to dine with this group of inner sect warriors.

"Get lost, Senior Brother Yan wasn't calling you."

Wei Shan stopped him with a look of disgust, "Who do you think you are? Do you have the qualifications to attend Junior Brother Qin's celebration banquet?"

"We were calling Junior Brother Huang Xuanhe!"