Appeasing

"Dark Energy is indeed several times stronger than Bright Energy! And it's more covert!"

Wang Sheng felt the Dark Energy flowing through his meridians. With just a thought, it could immediately strike an opponent's body like a venomous snake.

Besides using their own internal Dark Energy to counteract it, opponents could only endure it head-on.

"What is this?"

As Wang Sheng circulated Dark Energy throughout his body to temper it, he suddenly discovered an anomaly in a meridian on the lower left side of his right arm.

Whoosh...

Surging Dark Energy swept through all the meridians of his right arm like a tide.

Crack, crack, crack...

Within some of the meridians in his right arm, there were still traces of the subtle energy left behind by that Dark Energy martial artist.

If Wang Sheng hadn't advanced to Dark Energy and discovered it, over time, the Bright Energy would have been unable to detect it. This would have allowed a minor injury to gradually develop into a major one, potentially even crippling his entire arm.

"Such malicious intent! To think they'd bully me for not understanding Dark Energy!"

Wang Sheng's eyes turned cold. He used his Dark Energy to meticulously scan his entire body, removing all the hidden threats left by that Dark Energy martial artist.

"I'll continue cultivating. Once I've used up the resources I have on hand, I'll see if I can find this person!"

Wang Sheng suppressed the killing intent in his heart.

He still had plenty of resources. He wanted to convert all these resources into strength in a short period.

Strength was the only thing that mattered.

Otherwise, if chaos were to truly descend upon Ershui City, and he still had a large stash of unused resources, it would be a complete waste.

Time flowed by quickly.

Approximately another eleven or twelve days passed.

Wang Sheng, unafraid of the side effects of the Great Heaven Supplement Pill, consumed several more pills. Finally, with the potent effect of the Great Heaven Supplement Pill, his progress increased by eighty to ninety percent daily. His Forging Gold Technique advanced from Great Accomplishment (1/3000) to Great Accomplishment (1025/3000).

His cultivation officially broke through to the middle stage of Dark Energy.

In addition, The Blood Stacking Technique officially mastered its second layer. Once activated, his strength would at least quadruple. The drawback was a several-day period of weakness after a while, but this could be compensated for by taking medicine to replenish his depleted energy.

The White Dragon Sword Technique advanced from Beginner to Minor Accomplishment, also generating a trace of Bright Energy.

Combined with the Great Tablet Shattering Hand, Wang Sheng now possessed two traces of Bright Energy and one trace of Dark Energy.

Bright Energy flowed on the surface of his body, generating force from strength. Dark Energy was hidden within his body, constantly waiting to erupt.

And whether it was Dark Energy or Bright Energy, when fighting, the combination of Bright and Dark Energy would undoubtedly result in a killing power far exceeding that of ordinary single Dark Energy martial artists.

On this day, Wang Sheng had just broken through to the middle stage of Dark Energy and was planning to rest for a bit before continuing his cultivation in the afternoon.

However, he didn't expect someone to come looking for him, and someone who insisted on seeing him.

The visitor was Yu Mu from the Yu family, who lived opposite the Wang family.

Yu Mu, dressed in a blue constable's uniform, stood waiting in the hall. Upon seeing Wang Sheng, who had just emerged from seclusion, he complained with a look of grievance, "We've been childhood friends for years, is it really this hard to even meet up!"

"No, I've just had some important matters to deal with recently," Wang Sheng replied.

"Ah, what could be more important than us childhood friends getting together? Erya and Heidan are already waiting for us at Songding Tower, let's go!" Yu Mu said rather urgently.

"Do you have something to discuss?" Wang Sheng asked.

"Heh heh, look at this uniform I'm wearing. I've finally started working! From an insignificant constable, I've officially become an officer of the yamen."

"The Squad Leader is having drinks with someone at Songding Tower today. I can take you guys to meet him, just in case you or Heidan want to transfer to the constabulary, or if you encounter any trouble in the future, it might save you some face!"

Yu Mu patted his chest and made a promise, seemingly looking out for Wang Sheng.

But in reality, he was showing off his connections and his backing.

As for those connections and the favor, they were hardly worth mentioning.

Yu Mu himself had to curry favor with that Squad Leader in every possible way. Even if Wang Sheng and the others went and had a few drinks with the Squad Leader, how much genuine friendship could they forge!

The reason for this gathering was twofold for Yu Mu: First, he wanted to flaunt his status among his friends. He had grown significantly compared to a few months ago, truly becoming someone in the government.

Second, Yu Mu had learned from his mother that the Wang family seemed to be unusual now.

Yu Mu didn't know which martial arts school or academy Wang Sheng was studying at. As a mere constable, he didn't have the time to search every martial arts school and academy.

Therefore, Yu Mu wanted to use this opportunity to probe the Wang family's background and see how Wang Sheng's father had become "Master Wang." Was it true or false? He would know with a single test!

"Then let's go take a look."

Wang Sheng had already left his seclusion chamber, so he might as well go and meet them.

For over ten days, no news had come from Luo Zhengwen. Wang Sheng also took the opportunity to visit the Martial Academy to check on the situation with the rebel barbarians.

Songding Tower.

In the main hall, Wang Sheng, Yumu, Heidan, and Erya shared a drink.

Except for Wang Sheng, the other three showed significant changes in their demeanor and presence.

"Damn it, this life is unbearable! I have to castrate pigs and slaughter them every day. I'm so tired my hands cramp!"

Heidan slammed his cup on the table and exhaled heavily.

"Hahaha, that just means your Master values you and has entrusted you with important tasks," Yumu said with a smile.

"If you have to castrate pigs every day, doesn't that mean you get to eat meat every day?" He Erya said enviously.

"More or less. Forget eating meat every day, I can eat until I'm sick of it," Heidan said, sounding rather proud.

Although his job was tiring, being able to eat meat daily was quite good.

As for eating meat until he was sick, that was naturally an exaggeration.

"That's just pork. Following my young lady, I've eaten mutton, venison, and I've even gnawed on the bones of a great worm!"

"And you don't know, the young lady from the great Liu Family uses salt as white as snow, and the spices in her room are so fragrant I almost passed out!"

"Also, a few days ago, the Zheng Family's son-in-law achieved Bright Energy. I followed my young lady to congratulate him. The Zheng Family's son-in-law was handsome and polite, and he even thanked me!"

Seeing Heidan's attempt to show off, He Erya also started talking about her experiences, mentioning how many important people she had met and how much delicacies she had eaten, all to highlight her own status.

After she finished speaking, Heidan was genuinely envious.

Of course, Heidan didn't notice the purple bruises on He Erya's arms, which she deliberately concealed.

Wang Sheng listened with a smile, but his mind was elsewhere.

Now that he had broken through to Dark Energy, it was time to settle things with that old man from the Liu Family.

The Dan Family's son-in-law achieving Bright Energy, could it be Wu An?

Wang Sheng had sensed a hint of hatred from Wu An towards him. If Wu An was foolish enough, he would find an opportunity to kill him as well.

"But the most impressive is still Big Brother Yu! Big Brother Yu has become a true official. You'll have to look out for us from now on!"

He Erya looked at Yumu with a fawning expression, even mixed with a hint of newly learned flirtatiousness.

Heidan also nodded repeatedly, acting very enthusiastic and ingratiating towards Yumu.

"Hahaha, absolutely, absolutely!" Yumu chuckled.

Then, Yumu looked at Wang Sheng, "Wang Sheng, how is your martial arts training going? Have you switched to doing business? Could it be you've made a fortune and become a rich man!"

Wang Sheng calmly took a sip of his tea and said, "Still training. I don't know when it will end!"

"Haven't made any money!" Yumu thought to himself, the tension in his chest eased, and his smile widened. "Then it seems what Mother said about Mr. Wang was just Old Man Wang joking!"

Thus, Yumu, who felt he was living the best life among the four, began to act superior, putting on airs and imitating the tone of adults.

"Wang Sheng, it's not that I want to criticize you, but what kind of future can you have by practicing martial arts? Your parents are getting old, you can't just rely on them to fund your bottomless pit of martial arts training!"

"How about this, I'll find you a job first. My father needs people at the docks. You can carry a few sacks with them every day, and at least you'll have enough to eat. Or if you want to join the yamen, I can put in a good word with the squad leader! Of course, you'll need to have enough money ready to satisfy the squad leader!"

Yumu's tone was somewhat aggressive, as if he were lecturing a junior, condescending and arrogant.

"Exactly, Wang Sheng. Even if you practice martial arts, in the end, you'll just become a bodyguard. The bodyguards at my young lady's house are treated like dogs, and they risk their lives when trouble arises. You should listen to Big Brother Yu." He Erya shook her head, saying it for his own good.

"Wang Sheng, don't mistake good intentions for ill will. It's already a favor that Big Brother Yu can sit with us now," Heidan chided Wang Sheng, then looked at Yumu. "Big Brother Yu, can you really get me into the yamen? Look at me?" Heidan's face was full of sycophantic smiles.

"You!" Yumu looked at Heidan with a hint of disgust. The stench of pigs was already emanating from Heidan.

Wang Sheng frowned slightly. He hadn't expected the three of them to have become like this after only a few months apart!

Suddenly, Yumu stood up abruptly and quickly walked towards a black-clothed squad leader who had just entered Songding Tower.

"Squad Leader, this humble one, Yumu, greets the Squad Leader!"

Yumu bowed deeply, hands clasped, wishing he could just kneel before the black-clothed squad leader.

"Ah, it's Yumu!"

"I have guests here, make yourself at home."

The black-clothed squad leader, a burly man, said indifferently.

Beside him was a man in a green shirt.

"Yes, yes. If you need anything, just say the word. I'll be waiting over there!"

Yumu chuckled obsequiously, nodding and bowing, and pointed in a direction.

The black-clothed squad leader and the green-shirted man glanced over casually.

The black-clothed squad leader looked away.

But the green-shirted man's eyes lit up. He put away his folding fan and immediately walked forward quickly, "Junior Brother Wang, you're out of seclusion? Why didn't you tell your Senior Brother!"

"Senior Brother Luo, I just finished my seclusion today! I appreciate your concern, Senior Brother!"

Wang Sheng hadn't expected to run into Luo Zhengwen, and rose to clasp his hands in greeting.

"Oh, oh, Junior Brother, you're too kind. With our relationship, what's there to say!"

"Come, come, let me introduce you to a squad leader. If you encounter any troublesome matters in the future, you can find him!"

The green-shirted man was Luo Zhengwen. He pulled Wang Sheng over.

"This is my Junior Brother, Wang Sheng!"

The black-clothed squad leader had already noticed their close relationship. Hearing Luo Zhengwen's introduction, his previous indifference towards Yumu instantly turned into a smile, filled with respect. He quickly clasped his hands and bowed, "Shen Huan, squad leader of the yamen, greetings, Brother Wang!"

"Wang Sheng of the Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy, greetings, Squad Leader Shen!"

Wang Sheng also returned the bow.

"This, this, this!"

Yumu stood dumbfounded to the side, his eyes wide, completely stunned.

Watching the squad leader, who had seemed eager to please Luo Zhengwen, now fawning over Wang Sheng, whom he had just lectured, Yumu was utterly shocked, his mind going blank!

The squad leader he had tried so hard to appease was now trying to appease Wang Sheng, whom he had just lectured!!!

Instantly, Yumu's whole body went numb, and goosebumps erupted all over him.