Martial Artists Were the Most Powerful Weapons in the World; They Captured Flood Dragons and Shattered Mountains-Who Do You Think You Are?

"Could that be true? A piece of metal that makes a noise can kill people? Did it scare them to death?"

"There's no such metal weapon in the martial world that can kill a martial artist. My uncle's a martial artist. His fists are his greatest weapon. He can split a half-meter-long rock with one punch. You think someone who doesn't practice martial arts can kill a martial artist with a piece of metal? Ha! I don't buy it!"

"I don't believe it either. It's impossible. If something like that existed, why would we practice martial arts?"

"Exactly. Surely you can't practice martial arts and still get killed by someone who doesn't..."

More and more disciples came over to talk beneath the tree.

It was mainly because Huang Xuanhe's conversation was so captivating.

The Outer Courtyard disciples there were all strapping young men between twelve and twenty, full of youthful vigor and curiosity about the world beyond Black Cloud County.

In no time, more than twenty people had gathered.

They chatted beneath the shade of the tree.

But most of them listened to Huang Xuanhe, with few speaking up.

Every so often, someone would ask a question or two.

"To be honest, I don't believe it either."

Leaning against the tree with one foot on the stump, Huang Xuanhe scoffed. "It's probably just a story that grew in the telling. Ha! The most powerful weapon in the world is a martial artist. Only martial artists can unleash destructive power beyond ordinary people's wildest imagination!"

"You may never have seen how powerful a true martial arts expert can be."

"But I have!"

"Back then, at the Longcang River in Guan Province, a Water-Roaming Evil Flood Dragon was wreaking havoc in the river. A martial arts expert in Guan Province couldn't stand by and watch, so he went into the water and fought it hand to hand. He dragged the evil flood dragon onto the bank by sheer force, and their battle brought down a small mountain!"

"Afterward, the government rewarded that expert with five thousand taels of silver and a mansion in the wealthy district of the prefectural city. Then they hired him as an instructor in the prefectural army!"

"I don't know if you've heard of him. He was called Xing Tao, the Flood Dragon Slayer."

Hiss...

At those words,

everyone present drew in a sharp breath.

They were envious of the rewards—a mansion and five thousand taels of silver.

At the same time, they were stunned by the immense destructive power that had made a mountain collapse during the battle with the evil flood dragon!

If Huang Xuanhe hadn't told them, they never would have imagined that someone in the world could be so powerful.

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

"Because a powerful martial artist's body is the hardest weapon of all. Weapons made from ordinary metals can't withstand the explosive force of a martial artist going all out!"

"Once you've practiced martial arts to a high enough level, your bones and sinews are like cast bronze and iron, indestructible. You could stand there and let someone hack at you, and they still wouldn't kill you!"

Huang Xuanhe scoffed. "So tell me, how could a martial artist possibly be killed by a piece of metal?"

His words drew plenty of agreement from the young men.

Though Huang Xuanhe shared a surname with Huang Dequan,

they weren't related.

Huang Xuanhe was very young, looking about thirteen.

No one knew his background. Master Li Heishan had brought him here personally. Since arriving, he hadn't been seen practicing martial arts. He came and left at set times, and sometimes didn't come to the Fist Academy at all.

Rumor had it the boy came from a wealthy and influential family. He'd offended someone in the prefectural city, so he'd come to Black Cloud County to lie low.

Though Huang Xuanhe was young, he was well-informed and proud. A carriage took him wherever he went, and his clothes and accessories probably cost more than an ordinary person could earn in decades!

Even Huang Dequan, who had cozied up to an Inner Courtyard disciple,

didn't dare offend Huang Xuanhe.

He went over with a rolled cigarette and a smile. "Junior Brother, so you know why Black Cloud County's been in such chaos lately? Those outsiders have disrupted business at my family's tavern."

"I don't smoke this garbage."

Huang Xuanhe flicked away the cigarette Huang Dequan had offered.

Huang Dequan felt a pang. His tobacco had cost five strings of cash per jin. He'd bought it to build connections at the Fist Academy and show off his status.

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

"It's simple."

Huang Xuanhe pulled a dark stick from the wooden case he carried, lit it, and exhaled.

"Black Cloud County lies on the border of Tiannan Prefecture. It's a bit far away, but now that Tiannan Prefecture is in turmoil, wouldn't the refugees flee in our direction?"

"Anyone who can make it out of a war zone alive is no ordinary person. They're either ruthless or resourceful."

"There are bound to be martial artists among the refugees. If they've traveled all this way, they must have some skill."

"Those people have probably come to Black Cloud County hoping to find a way to make a living."

Huang Xuanhe exhaled a puff of smoke.

He put on the airs of a grown-up, confidence and pride radiating from him, along with an air of refinement the other Outer Courtyard disciples lacked.

"Then won't Black Cloud County fall into chaos? Could the rebels attack us?"

An Outer Courtyard disciple fretted, and many others joined in the discussion.

Black Cloud County was already a hard place to get by. Gangs, petty officials, and all sorts of riffraff made a mess of everything, and ordinary people like them struggled to survive.

Now all these outsiders had come to compete for scraps.

There'd be even less room to survive.

If the rebels attacked, wouldn't they all be doomed?

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Huang Xuanhe laughed. "The Prince personally led the Xiangnan Army to put down the rebellion. There's no way they'll lose!"

"You know about the Prince, right? He's a martial arts expert on Great Liang's Hidden Dragon Ranking. And the Xiangnan Army is even more formidable. It has fewer than ten thousand soldiers, but even the weakest are Blood-Tempering Realm martial artists. They'll sweep right through the rebels!"

"I've also heard the court issued a whole slew of bounties. Plenty of martial arts experts and even powerful sect members have gone there to kill people."

"Putting down the rebellion is only a matter of time!"

The Outer Courtyard disciples breathed easier, and at the same time felt a sense of awe toward this young master from a distinguished background.

Ordinary people wouldn't know so much!

"Junior Brother Huang, what are you smoking?"

Huang Dequan asked with an ingratiating smile. "The packaging looks so fancy. It must be expensive, right?"

"What's it to you? You couldn't afford it anyway. Why ask so many questions?"

Huang Xuanhe gave him a scornful smile. Spoiled by his family from a young age, he was full of youthful swagger and looked down on people who sucked up to the powerful.

Huang Dequan's face flushed with humiliation, but he didn't dare offend the boy.

Still, wanting to save face, he forced a smile. "It's just a brown stick. Why wouldn't I be able to afford one?"

"This thing's called a cigar. It came from overseas, brought by barbarian merchants from the northern lands, where vassal kings carve up the territory and dozens of states stand side by side. They're only sold in the prefectural city. A box has five cigars and costs fifty taels of silver. You think you can afford to smoke one, you son of a bitch?"

At those words,

the Outer Courtyard disciples' expressions changed.

Even Huang Dequan was stunned. His family's little tavern brought in only about a hundred taels of silver a month.

And one of those brown sticks cost ten taels?

What a rich young master from the outside world, with power and influence!

The conversation beneath the tree continued, but most of the Outer Courtyard disciples were asking Huang Xuanhe questions.

Shi Wen kept practicing his punches, his expression unchanged. He didn't join in.

Only when certain topics came up did his pupils contract, his shock plain to see.

He felt especially sorry to hear that Senior Brother Li had been injured.

Come to think of it, Senior Brother Li had always treated him well. He'd also had a good chance of becoming a martial artist. Who could have guessed things would suddenly turn out this way?

Maybe I should go see Senior Brother Li tonight.

Shi Wen pondered.

Just then, a group of people came out of the Inner Courtyard.

Yan Kai, at their head, called in their direction, "Junior Brother Huang, want to grab a meal together sometime? Junior Brother Qin has broken through. Let's celebrate!"

"Sure, Senior Brother!"

Huang Dequan's face lit up with delight, and he instinctively straightened his clothes.

He hadn't imagined he'd be qualified to dine with these Inner Courtyard martial artists.

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

Wei Shan stopped him with a look of disgust. "Who do you think you are? What makes you think you're qualified to attend Junior Brother Qin's celebration banquet?"

"We were calling Junior Brother Huang Xuanhe!"