Someone Rides the Wind, Someone Sinks to the Bottom

"Fine, a truly fine display of chivalry, drawing one's blade to help those in need!"

Wang Ping stopped insisting, took back his money pouch, and patted Lin Qing heavily on the shoulder, his tone becoming much more sincere.

"Young Master Lin is a man of great righteousness. I, Wang, am honored to call you a friend. If you ever encounter any difficulties on Yongning Street in the future, as long as it does not violate the law, feel free to come find me."

"Head Constable Wang, you are too kind."

Lin Qing gave a humble smile and cupped his hands again. "Since your wife and son have been delivered safely, I still have chores to attend to at my shop, so I shall take my leave."

Having said that, he did not wait for Wang Ping to offer further pleasantries and turned to leave.

His figure soon disappeared around the street corner in front of the county office.

Wang Ping gazed in the direction Lin Qing had departed, his eyes flickering as his thoughts churned.

This Lin Qing possessed unfathomable skills, acted with propriety, knew when to advance or retreat, and did not claim credit; he would surely achieve great things in the future.

He would remember this favor.

"Go and investigate Yongning Street. Find out who has been spreading rumors about Young Master Lin and bring them to me; I want to have a little chat with them."

"Yes, Head Constable Wang!"

After preparing the medicinal powder required for the Thousand Aspect Technique and combining it with several days of tireless, sleepless cultivation.

That night, in the quiet room.

Lin Qing faced the bronze mirror, holding his breath and focusing his mind. He first applied the medicinal liquid to his face, waiting for it to be absorbed.

The blood and qi within his body flowed slowly according to the pathways of the Thousand Aspect Technique.

He concentrated his intent, manipulating his facial muscles to slowly squirm and rearrange...

Gradually, the handsome and resolute face in the mirror began to change.

His cheekbones seemed to rise slightly, his jawline became somewhat more square, and the corners of his eyes drooped just a fraction.

Although the changes were subtle, his entire temperament was now distinctly different from before.

He had transformed from a young lad into a plain-looking youth with a slightly weary expression.

At the same time, the sharp aura that naturally emanated from his body due to his martial arts training gradually receded as the technique circulated.

He became plain and unadorned, just like an ordinary commoner who knew no martial arts.

[Thousand Aspect Technique (Elementary)]
[Experience: 1/2000]

"It worked..."

Lin Qing looked at the stranger in the mirror and let out a long sigh of relief, his eyes unable to hide his joy.

This Thousand Aspect Technique was truly miraculous; it not only disguised his appearance but could also conceal his aura!

He dispelled the technique, and his face slowly returned to its original state.

Although he had only just reached the elementary level, this meant he now possessed a crucial trump card.

The identity of Iron Face could perhaps be played with even greater mastery.

He pushed open the window and looked out at the heavy night sky.

Undercurrents were surging in Qingping County.

But as for how to walk the path ahead.

The initiative was slowly being grasped in his own hands.

Time flew like a white horse passing a crevice, the sun rising and the moon setting.

Several days passed in a flash.

In the backyard of the Benevolent World Hall.

The sound of iron rings clashing and the whistling of fist winds rang out incessantly.

Lin Qing was shirtless, his bulging muscles clearly defined, the flowing sweat glistening in the afternoon sun.

On his arms, a dozen or so iron rings rang out in a rhythmic vibration with his movements.

Every time he threw a punch or collided, it pulled the major tendons in his body, making them taut and springy like bowstrings.

Cultivation in the Tendon Opening Realm lay in tempering the complex major tendons within the body one by one, making them more resilient so they could unleash more powerful force and support greater speed.

However, these movements clearly still lacked some more effective cultivation techniques.

"It seems I need to go find my master for cultivation methods. My current progress in the martial path is already considered quite good."

Lin Qing had no intention of deliberately hiding his talent, but if he broke through too quickly, it would be difficult to explain given his mediocre aptitude.

The next day, he arrived at the martial hall to train. Just as he was wiping sweat away with a cloth, he heard a commotion coming from the inner courtyard.

Listening to the vague discussions of the other disciples, he finally understood.

Feng Jianyun, the second senior brother of the inner courtyard, had officially begun his attempt to break through the fourth barrier: the great realm of Organ Cleansing!

As the news spread, the entire Hong Family Martial Arts Hall and even the surrounding streets were stirred into a frenzy.

Feng Jianyun was only twenty-six and had family support; to begin attempting the Organ Cleansing realm at such an age was significant.

This meant his martial aptitude was at least superior, and his potential was immense.

Once the breakthrough succeeded, his five internal organs would be preliminarily tempered, and the efficiency of his blood and qi circulation would far surpass that of the Bone Forging Realm, resulting in a qualitative change in his strength.

More importantly, this paved the way for him to eventually glimpse the higher secret realm of Blood Refining.

The Blood Refining Realm—those were figures who could truly establish a sect and dominate a region within Qingping County; they were few in number and held illustrious status.

If Feng Jianyun could continue to advance triumphantly, the status of the Iron Thread Fist Martial Hall would surely rise along with him.

The disciples in the hall discussed the matter fervently, their faces glowing with a sense of reflected glory, as if they could already see the brilliant future of the martial hall.

There were also other disciples with dejected expressions, as if they saw the bleakness of their own paths reflected in the success of the second senior brother.

However, beneath this bustle, Lin Qing also clearly sensed something unusual.

In the evening, he saw several disciples who had joined months after him.

With dejected expressions, they packed their simple belongings and silently left the martial hall courtyard.

One of them was Zhao Min, a senior brother who had joined two months before him and with whom he had occasionally sparred.

Lin Qing's heart stirred, and he stepped forward.

"Senior Brother Zhao, this is...?"

Zhao Min looked up, forcing a bitter smile onto his face: "Junior Brother Lin. I am preparing to leave."

"Why? Isn't the martial hall currently in its prime?"

Lin Qing asked, though he had already guessed the reason in his heart.

Zhao Min sighed, his eyes dim: "The martial hall is indeed flourishing, and the senior brother and second senior brother are heaven-sent talents. But precisely because of that, the requirements for ordinary disciples like us seem to have invisibly risen."

"More importantly, my family can no longer afford the tuition and the cost of medicinal powders."

He patted his flat, empty bundle, his tone filled with helplessness and resentment: "Practicing martial arts is, after all, a money-burning endeavor. For someone like me with an ordinary family background, being able to train to the point of strengthening the body and knowing a few moves is already no small feat."

"To go any further is hard—too hard."

Lin Qing fell silent.

He thought that if he were not carrying the Heavenly Dao Record and possessing some foundation from the Benevolent World Hall, his situation would likely be no better than Zhao Min's.

In this world, resources for martial arts were like a natural chasm, blocking the paths of too many people.

"What are your plans for the future?" Lin Qing asked.

Zhao Min shook his head, his eyes somewhat dazed: "What else can I do? Perhaps find a job as a guard for some wealthy family. Or join a caravan and run a few escort missions, licking blood off the blade just to earn a living."

"It is better than staying in the martial hall, watching others advance by leaps and bounds while I remain at a standstill."

He cupped his hands toward Lin Qing: "Junior Brother Lin, although your bone structure is average, your comprehension is excellent, and you are willing to work hard. You will surely make a name for yourself in the future. Take care!"

Watching Zhao Min's somewhat desolate silhouette disappear at the entrance of the martial hall, Lin Qing sighed inwardly.

The world is like a torrential flood, washing away everything without mercy.

Some ride the wind to rise, while others sink to the bottom.

This only strengthened his resolve to seize every opportunity and continuously improve his strength.

At the same time, a thought became clear in his mind.

He could no longer continue to hide his true capabilities.