The first time Jiang Che had said this, the crowd below had erupted in discussion, and Deng Yan had even leaped up to challenge him. But when he said the same thing this time, the response below was—
Complete silence.
It was no wonder they stood frozen in fear. Jiang Che had displayed strength that was simply too formidable.
Who was Deng Yan?
He had been the former county captain's favored man, one of those most qualified to contend for deputy commander. His Wind Breaking Saber Technique was incomparably fierce, and few could match him. Even across the vast Yanggu County, he had a considerable reputation.
Every faction in the county wanted to recruit him.
He was unquestionably a formidable opponent.
Yet such an expert could not withstand even one punch from Jiang Che.
Just one punch had sent Deng Yan to his knees in surrender.
With strength like that, who would still dare to act up?
"Every word Deputy Commander Jiang said is right. I, Jin Dayya, have no objections whatsoever!"
The first to submit was Jin Dayya, who had been shouting the loudest moments ago. He bowed deeply and respectfully to Jiang Che.
"I have no objections!"
Hu An immediately came to his senses and stated his position as well.
The three most prestigious men in the West City Martial Camp had all submitted. How could the rest dare raise any objections? One after another, they bowed to Jiang Che.
One battle had settled everyone's hearts!
"That battle just now was very impressive. I had underestimated you." After dismissing the crowd, Jiang Che and Liu Zhi gathered together again. The praise in Liu Zhi's eyes was undisguised.
"You flatter me, sir. I dare not accept such praise."
Jiang Che dipped his head slightly.
"Judging by the force behind that punch, your Savage Bull Strength should have reached mastery, and you've entered the Inner Breath Realm, haven't you?" Liu Zhi stopped walking and fixed Jiang Che with a burning gaze.
"Your insight is indeed sharp, sir. I have entered the Inner Breath Realm."
Having displayed his strength before everyone, Jiang Che had no intention of concealing it. Besides, if he had not used his full strength, he could not have defeated Deng Yan so thoroughly. He admitted it openly and frankly.
Terrifying!!!
Liu Zhi's hands clenched unconsciously behind his back.
Though he had known Jiang Che possessed extraordinary talent and had mentally prepared himself, hearing Jiang Che admit it so directly still left him unable to suppress his shock.
Half a month of martial training, and he had entered the Inner Breath Realm.
Such talent... not to mention Tai'an Prefecture, even across all of Yue Province, would absolutely be considered outstanding.
If Jiang Che had possessed the support of a powerful background and family, Liu Zhi did not dare imagine how far he could have gone.
Compared with Jiang Che, even Liu Zhi's fairly decent talent was as different as clouds and mud.
Thus, this time, he did not force himself to offer any more comments. He merely said in a grave voice:
"With your talent, you will certainly achieve something in the future. But the prerequisite is that you remain steady and never allow yourself to grow lax. When I was in the army, a frontier general said something that I still remember to this day. I will give those words to you now.
"The martial path is difficult, harder than climbing to the azure heavens. You must sail against the current, your resolve enduring forever, before you can attain great achievements."
"I will remember your instruction, sir."
Jiang Che's expression was solemn. Unlike Zhu Sheng, although Liu Zhi also valued him because of his talent, Jiang Che remembered Liu Zhi's favor in promoting him and felt grateful toward him.
"The difficulty of martial arts lies not only in one's talent, but also in resources." Liu Zhi paused here, his gaze drifting slightly. Only after a long while did he continue:
"This world has never been fair. Some people's starting point may be the endpoint for people like us. Even if their disposition is lacking and their talent insufficient, as long as they have abundant cultivation resources, their cultivation can still advance rapidly.
"You are no longer that young. If you wish to accomplish something, you must make plans early, find yourself a solid patron, and secure a reliable source of wealth."
Jiang Che remained silent. In truth, he understood everything Liu Zhi had said.
His Sacrifice Heavenly Stele could not elevate him casually either. It likewise required the support of vast resources.
"I know Captain Zhu has a beloved daughter around your age. Captain Zhu entrusted the important duty of escorting her to you before, and the meaning behind that is already plain enough. You must grasp the proper measure."
Liu Zhi continued.
"I understand, sir, but... I currently have no feelings of that sort, and the captain's daughter seems to have no such intentions toward me either." Jiang Che might resort to any means necessary in some matters, but he would not agree to this.
The Zhu family was powerful, but only for the moment.
From the very beginning, his sights had not been set on Yanggu County. Finding a brainless woman would only bring him more trouble in the future.
"I am not saying this to persuade you. In fact, I also know the consequences of marrying into the Zhu family. It is simply a visible shortcut." Liu Zhi looked at Jiang Che as though he were seeing his younger self.
Back then, he too had thought himself extraordinary, but in the end...
"I understand."
The two walked on in silence. Neither spoke first again, until Liu Zhi reached the entrance of the yamen and finally stopped. He turned to Jiang Che and changed the subject:
"Since your flesh and blood now manifest vitality, your next step should be considering how to strengthen the qi within your body and step into the Bone Forging Realm."
"I ask for your guidance, sir."
His limited knowledge of martial arts had, in truth, mostly been taught by Liu Zhi.
"The four realms and three barriers beneath the Innate Realm refer to breaking through Flesh and Blood Manifestation, Muscle and Bone Refining, and Meridian Unblocking. To enter Bone Forging, the foremost condition is that the qi within your body be abundant.
"This is a process of accumulation. You can strengthen your blood qi and thereby generate inner breath. Once it flows on without end, you may begin forging your bones."
"Also, Savage Bull Strength is merely an ordinary Body Tempering Method. It can no longer meet the needs of your cultivation. You must find a better cultivation method that can take you further.
"This is another major hurdle. Cultivating with an ordinary method will grant you only ordinary strength, while cultivating with a superior Body Refining Method can broaden your meridians and strengthen your muscles and bones.
"I cannot help you with this, because I cultivate only an ordinary Body Refining Method. It is not suitable for you; practicing it would merely waste your talent."
"But I do not even possess the most ordinary Body Refining Method right now."
Jiang Che raised his head and looked at Liu Zhi.
As long as he had sufficient resources, his golden finger could indeed enhance his body. But if he could not obtain a cultivation method, he feared he would find it difficult even to set a sacrifice target.
"That is why family background is so important. Captain Zhu possesses a family-inherited Body Refining Method, one that can be considered quite good. It only depends on whether you wish to cultivate it. Still, there is no need for you to rush for now.
"For the time being, focus on increasing your inner breath. It will not be too late to obtain a Body Refining Method before forging your bones. Your foremost priority now is to cultivate a Guardian Skill."
Liu Zhi guided Jiang Che without holding anything back.
"A Guardian Skill?"
"The Savage Bull Fist contained within Savage Bull Strength is far too ordinary, and it can only be used at close range. The Guardian Skill I refer to is Weapon Arts, like the saber technique Deng Yan cultivated.
"Mastering a saber technique can raise your combat strength the fastest."
After thinking back on their earlier exchange, he had already come to understand. It was not that Jiang Che had deliberately acted arrogantly and delayed defeating Deng Yan, but that he had never cultivated any saber or sword techniques and simply could not do so.