Li Cheng thought about it more and more and felt that Deng Qing must be a member of the previous dynasty's royal family. Otherwise, how could Deng Qing, a poor man, have such knowledge, and where did he learn to read, write, and speak eloquently?
What's even more incredible is his incredible progress in cultivation, which can only be explained by his royal lineage.
But he was well-versed in history, and there was no such thing as the Huaxia Dynasty or the Yan and Huang Emperors in history.
Li Cheng became increasingly confused, until the mystery in his mind became completely knotted.
Just as Li Cheng was deep in thought, Deng Qing arrived at the camp and went straight to his own tent.
He drank a bowl of water, stretched his chest, and felt refreshed.
Zhang Quan's old score has finally been settled.
The words he spoke to Li Cheng also allowed him to release the pent-up frustration in his heart.
At that moment, he felt an unparalleled clarity of mind.
Suddenly, the wooden sign outside the tent was struck, making a series of ringing sounds, followed by Big Brother Zhao's voice, "Brother Deng Qing, are you there?"
"Yes! Please come in."
Deng Qing called out, Big Brother Zhao walked in, smiling, "Brother Deng Qing, I've almost finished investigating Zhang Quan's recent situation..."
Just as Big Brother Zhao was about to take out the documents, Deng Qing waved his hand and said, "No need, I just received news that Zhang Quan and the Seven Heroes of Shaoshang fought and are dead."
Big Brother Zhao stood there, stunned. "Dead? When did this happen?"
"I just heard about it too; it must be what happened just now."
Deng Qing didn't want to dwell on the topic, and instead said, "I'll have to trouble Big Brother Zhao to buy some more Ginseng Pill for me. We've already used up what we bought earlier."
Upon hearing that there was another business opportunity, Big Brother Zhao disregarded everything else and readily agreed.
Deng Qing took out the silver and handed it to him, saying thank you for your hard work.
Big Brother Zhao carefully put away the silver, reassured Deng Qing, and hurried off.
After seeing Big Brother Zhao off, Deng Qing closed the tent flap, too lazy to even wash up, and collapsed onto the bed.
He hadn't slept for a day and a night. He had been so busy practicing his martial arts, attending banquets, and killing people that he hadn't felt tired at all.
Now that the matter is settled, I feel relieved and sleepiness is creeping in.
He fell into a deep sleep as soon as he touched the bed.
Just after Deng Qing fell into a deep sleep, Li Cheng was standing outside a tent, looking up at the sky.
The Jade Rabbit rose in the east, and seven or eight stars appeared in the sky.
The mountains and rivers are vast, inspiring awe and pride, but unfortunately, Li Cheng was in a bad mood, and consequently lost interest in the wilderness and the Mountain Moon.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man strode over, and upon reaching him, bowed respectfully, "Young Master."
Li Cheng withdrew his gaze. "Is everything taken care of?"
"It's all taken care of."
The middle-aged man said, "I told the people at the Command Center that Lu Yan and the other two surrounded and attacked you and Zhang Quan. Zhang Quan fought bravely to the death while protecting you, and I killed the other three. The people at the Command Center asked a few questions, took a statement, and then left."
Li Cheng nodded.
The middle-aged man hesitated, Li Cheng said, "Speak what you want to say."
The middle-aged man swallowed hard and said, "Young master, why do you do this? In my opinion, that Deng Qing is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He dared to kill Zhang Quan today, and he might very well try to harm you in the future. Why do you need to cover for him?"
Li Cheng looked at him, "If he wanted to attack me, he would have done it long ago. Why wait until tomorrow?"
The middle-aged man was speechless for a moment.
Li Cheng scoffed, "I asked you to investigate Zhang Quan's affairs, how much have you found out?"
"This..."
The middle-aged man thought for a moment and then said, "There weren't many attendants this time, only about a dozen. I did manage to find out some things, but Zhang Quan is already dead, so some of his words can't be taken at face value..."
Li Cheng's eyes turned cold. " Uncle Chen, I don't want a second Zhang Quan to appear by my side."
I know you're on good terms with Zhang Quan, but if you're going to continue lying to him, you should leave too.
The middle-aged man's expression turned serious, and he hurriedly said, "Young master, please calm down. It's like this: back at the Martial Arts Hall, it was indeed Zhang Quan who deliberately harmed Deng Qing. He tampered with things, making Deng Qing unknowingly become your substitute, which led to Blood Butcher Xiong Zhen's pursuit."
Li Cheng's face tightened, his eyes flashing.
The middle-aged man had no choice but to continue, "Later, Zhang Quan learned that Blood Butcher Xiong Zhen was looking for Zhou Fei's belongings. He guessed that the important things Zhou Fei left behind were likely in Deng Qing's hands, so he rushed to Deng Qing's house that very night, intending to kill him and steal the treasure. However, Deng Qing was too cunning and did not succeed."
That's pretty much the gist of it. Of course, some of it is based on my investigation, and some I added myself based on factual evidence.
Li Cheng's face grew increasingly grim. He rubbed his hands together vigorously and gritted his teeth, saying, "That's not what Zhang Quan told me!"
He said that everything before and after was a misunderstanding, and that it was because his Senior Brother Deng was too petty and wouldn't let it go.
So the so-called misunderstanding was actually him repeatedly harming people; he truly deserves to die!
Thinking that he had tried his best to ease the tension between Zhang Quan Qing, and even invited Deng Qing to persuade him to let bygones be bygones, Li Cheng felt a tightness in his chest.
"No wonder Senior Brother Deng asked me today, 'If I were treated like that, would I still be able to let the wind blow by?'"
Li Cheng gritted his teeth.
The middle-aged man said coldly, " Deng Qing is far too audacious. My family, the dignified Li Family..."
"Enough!"
Li Cheng interrupted him with a sharp shout, "How dare you speak ill of Senior Brother Deng? What other filthy things has Zhang Quan done?"
The middle-aged man swallowed hard. "They should be gone."
Li Cheng said coldly, "Is that so? Zhang Quan only learned to do evil the day he met Senior Brother Deng?"
Chen Shan, you can stay silent, but before you tell a lie, I advise you to think carefully before you speak.
Chen Shan was shocked; he hadn't expected Li Cheng to address him by his given name.
At that moment, he dared not hide anything any longer and told Zhang Quan Bamboo Tube everything about how he had used the Li Family's name to fight lawsuits and seek profits over the years.
Li Cheng trembled with rage, shouting, "I was truly blind to have been deceived by such a villain for so long..."
Chen Shan stood still.
Li Cheng took a deep breath and said, "I won't take the Retest. Let's go back."
"Young Master!"
" Senior Brother Deng has saved me time and time again, yet I have such a treacherous servant as Zhang Quan under my command. I have no face to see him."
"Please reconsider, young master."
"I have thought it over carefully, and I have decided to return to the Clan Mausoleum to focus on martial arts training and studying."
"What about the head of the family..."
"My father doesn't care whether I have a place at the Martial Dao Institute or not; what he cares about is what I've learned. There's no need to say more."
"Yes!"
Just after 11:45 Hai Hour, Deng Qing woke up.
Although Deng Qing slept for less than two hours, he was already full of energy.
Since refining that Wasteland Blood, his recovery ability has increased dramatically. He can even recover his energy and strength without sleep or with only a very short period of sleep.
Deng Qing got up, stretched his limbs, straightened his clothes, and went straight to Sunny-Rain Residence.
Before long, he arrived at the place and saw the White-Clad Woman standing in front of the door, talking to two people.
Deng Qing looked closely and realized that the two people knew each other.
One is Elder Wei, and the other is Zhao Jia; both are members of the management team at the Yanshan Prefecture Martial Arts Hall.
He had dealt with the two of them when he was Sword Examiner at the Martial Arts Hall.
Seeing that they were talking, Deng Qing stopped and waited quietly at a distance.
His arrival was noticed by the three, but the White-Clad Woman remained silent, and neither Zhao Jia nor Elder Wei looked at him.
The night was quiet, and a gentle breeze carried Zhao Jia's voice from afar, "... In short, I've been in the academy for so many years; in terms of seniority and ability, I should be qualified enough. I hope the elders will grant me a chance to be admitted to the Martial Dao Lower Court this time."
Upon hearing the words "qualification for inclusion," Deng Qing took note.
The White-Clad Woman waved her hand and said, "Who told you that there are any vacant spots for registration?"
Zhao Jia replied in a low voice, "I have my own channels. I am utterly loyal to the elder, and since the elder went to great lengths to secure a spot for me, I was naturally tempted and came here specifically to try and obtain it."
Elder Wei stood to the side, silent, like a stone statue.
The White-Clad Woman gazed into the distance, looking at the mountains and rivers. "You're already on the register. The Martial Arts Hall is also a branch of the Martial Dao Lower Court, so why are you fighting for this? Just do your job well and get promoted step by step."
Besides, the vacant spots are reserved for Sword Examiner, which have nothing to do with your current job. What use would it be for you to fight for them?
"Even the spots reserved for Sword Examiner are mine."
Zhao Jia answered quickly, clearly having already considered everything thoroughly.
The White-Clad Woman said, "I can't give it to you now, maybe next time."
Zhao Jia suddenly lifted his robe and knelt down. "May Zhao Jia ask, Elder, who received this spot?"
The White-Clad Woman's eyes turned cold. "You dare question me?"
Zhao Jia said loudly, " Zhao Jia wouldn't dare! But what Zhao Jia wants to say is that if I am truly inferior to that person, Zhao Jia will accept it wholeheartedly and without a word. However, if that person is inferior to Zhao Jia, I beg the elder to give Zhao Jia a chance."
Zhao Jia dared to speak like this not only because he was confident in his seniority and achievements, but also because his uncle had been kind to the White-Clad Woman.
He also got into the Martial Arts Hall through his uncle's connections.
In Zhao Jia's view, he was part of the group connected to the White-Clad Woman.
Now that such a good opportunity has come to light, and after finding out that it was the White-Clad Woman who caused it, he is extremely restless.
Therefore, they asked Elder Wei to travel hundreds of miles away to inquire about the truth of the matter.
"How dare you!"
The White-Clad Woman's voice turned cold, her aura so powerful it seemed to stop the wind around her.
Zhao Jia quickly lowered his head, "This subordinate dares not, but this subordinate only asks for reassurance."
As he finished speaking, the White-Clad Woman, whose face was hidden behind her mask, showed a hint of emotion.
She didn't speak, as if deep in thought. For a moment, everyone fell silent, making the sound of the Flowing Water nearby seem even louder.
Deng Qing stood at a distance, pondering whether he should step back further, as it seemed inappropriate to overhear such confidential matters.
Suddenly, the White-Clad Woman pointed at Deng Qing and said, "Very well, I won't hide it anymore. The spot on the register is for him."
Deng Qing's heart skipped a beat, and then he saw the White-Clad Woman beckoning to him, "Come here."
Deng Qing quickly stepped forward.
He thought to himself, "Could it be that the White-Clad Woman told me not to report to the Military Affairs Office because of this?"
While he was lost in thought, Zhao Jia and Elder Wei had already set their sights on him.
Both of them looked somewhat bewildered, and both felt that Deng Qing looked familiar.
Deng Qing approached and bowed to the two men, saying, "Greetings Elder Wei; greetings, Mr. Zhao."
Elder Wei, "Have we met somewhere before?"
Deng Qing cupped his hands and said, "I am Deng Qing. A few months ago, I also served as Sword Examiner at the Yanshan Prefecture Martial Arts Hall and was ranked Grade A."
"I am fortunate to have this opportunity thanks to the discerning eyes of Elder Wei and Mr. Zhao."
" Deng Qing?"
Elder Wei's expression changed drastically; he remembered.
Zhao Jia recognized Deng Qing as well. In the next instant, his eyes turned bloodshot, and he knelt down before the White-Clad Woman again, his voice filled with sorrow, "The elder would rather give the registration spot to an incompetent brat at the Skin Tempering Realm than to Zhao Jia. How can Zhao Jia accept this?"
His voice trembled, and he became more and more agitated as he spoke, "If the elders had chosen Xie Xuan, I would have accepted it. But this brat surnamed Deng couldn't even outshine the Sword Examiner, so how could he possibly defeat Zhao Jia?"
Deng Qing thought to himself, "Do I really have to change my identity and talk to you like this?"
Elder Wei also felt this was inappropriate, and cupped his hands, saying, "Elder, please forgive me. As far as I know, everyone who is registered must undergo an examination. If you give this spot to Deng Qing, he will definitely not pass the examination. In that case, it will be a waste of your good intentions."
The White-Clad Woman waved her hand. "What's the point of saying all this? Zhao Jia needs to be truly convinced. Old Wei, you also think Deng Qing is unworthy. Since that's the case, why not just have a fight?"
Zhao Jia suddenly looked up.
The White-Clad Woman said, " Zhao Jia, let me ask you a question: You fight Deng Qing. If you win, I will replace you with the candidate recommended for this registration. If you lose, will you accept it?"
Zhao Jia jumped to his feet. "Is the elder truly telling the truth?"
Before the words were even out of his mouth, Zhao Jia immediately realized his mistake and hurriedly said, "This subordinate has absolutely no intention of doubting the elder. As the elder says, if I am defeated by Deng Qing, it is because of my incompetence, and I will never mention the matter of being registered again!"
He agreed very quickly, afraid that if he hesitated even a moment, the White-Clad Woman would change her mind.
The White-Clad Woman glanced at Deng Qing, Deng Qing nodded.
With our future at stake, why hesitate to fight!
Zhao Jia was equally eager for battle. He strode to an open space ahead, drew his longsword with a loud bang, and stared intently at Deng Qing, "Boy, draw your sword!"
Deng Qing strode in, spreading his hands, "I have no sword, so I'd like to ask Mr. Zhao for a couple of pointers empty-handed."
Zhao Jia's face flushed crimson. "Fine, you've got a death wish! I'll grant your wish!"
Before the sharp shout had even finished, Zhao Jia charged forward with his sword drawn.
Enraged, he unleashed a deadly attack, his sword aimed straight for Deng Qing's throat, showing no intention of testing him.
Unexpectedly, just as he began to unleash his Sword Momentum, he felt a blur before his eyes.
Before Zhao Jia Deng Qing could even make out Deng Qing's figure, a sharp pain shot through his wrist as he held the sword, causing his fingers to involuntarily loosen.
The longsword clattered to the ground, and immediately afterward, Deng Qing's left hand pierced under his arm, while his right arm closed in.
Zhao Jia tried to throw a punch to resist, but his arm and body were compressed and locked together. In the next instant, he was uncontrollably curled up into a ball.
He opened his mouth to shout, but he was already sent flying.
Even the seasoned Elder Wei was astonished, his mouth agape, his gaze following Zhao Jia's figure as if he were watching a ball soaring through the air.
Elder Wei watched as Zhao Jia leaped across the turbulent River and landed on the opposite bank, more than ten feet away.
With a loud bang, Zhao Jia crashed to the ground, rolled twice, and barely came to a stop.
He lay on the ground for more than ten breaths before slowly propping himself up and then staggering to his feet.
Before Elder Wei could even call for help, Zhao Jia had already run off without looking back.
Over here, Deng Qing had already finished his attack and let out a soft breath.
This was only because he held back; if he had truly used the full force of the Elephant Hurls, Mountain Crumbles" technique, Zhao Jia would never have been able to get up after taking that blow.
Then, Deng Qing bent down to pick up the longsword from the ground and handed it to Elder Wei with both hands, saying, "Please keep this for Mr. Zhao Elder Wei."
When Elder Wei took the sword and looked at Deng Qing again, his eyes were completely different from before.
Then, Elder Wei solemnly bowed to the White-Clad Woman, saying, "Elder, your Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils has made the right choice; I am completely convinced. As for Zhao Jia, I will try to persuade him."
The White-Clad Woman nodded.
After bowing, Elder Wei took his leave without saying anything more.
Deng Qing bowed deeply to the White-Clad Woman, saying, "Thank you for passing on your skills, senior."
The White-Clad Woman nodded and said, "You're quite good. To have mastered the Elephant-Throwing Method to such an extent in just one day—such talent is truly a gift from heaven."
After offering a few humble words, Deng Qing asked, "May I ask, senior, what does it mean to be included in the register?"
The White-Clad Woman said, "Those who are registered at the Martial Dao Institute receive corresponding treatment and status, as well as various benefits, which is why many people flock to it. You saw Zhao Jia's appearance just now."
Deng Qing nodded.
The White-Clad Woman continued, "However, all I can give you is a recommendation for inclusion in the register. Whether you pass the assessment and are actually included depends on your own abilities."
Deng Qing immediately understood. So it was about taking the civil service exam and getting a permanent position. That's great! Someone as indifferent to fame and fortune as me would love to be a permanent employee. As the saying goes, drinking tea and reading the newspaper is a good way to cultivate oneself.
He was delighted, but solemnly replied, "This junior will certainly do my best to live up to your recommendation."
The White-Clad Woman said, "Speaking of which, you had a good opportunity. Luckily, you didn't report it after your cultivation broke through, otherwise it would have taken some effort to mobilize you."
Now, I've used my connections to transfer your personnel allocation authority to the Prefecture Examination Deployment Office.
Deng Qing was taken aback. He didn't know what the Prefecture Examination Deployment Office, but he knew it must be related to power, so it was definitely a good thing.
The White-Clad Woman continued, "The day after tomorrow, the candidates participating in the Retest will enter the Desolate Soil, and you will go with them. Your role will be that of a coordinator; you'll be informed of your specific duties once you're inside."
Deng Qing bowed and accepted.
The White-Clad Woman added, "Also, don't mention my recommendation for you to be included in the register to the other coordinators. Most of them were temporarily recruited, and if you tell them, it might cause unnecessary trouble."
"I understand."
He naturally knew the importance of this matter. Showing off before even passing the test would only invite resentment and bring no benefit whatsoever.
With the task settled, Deng Qing then asked the White-Clad Woman to guide him in his cultivation.
The White-Clad Woman waved her hand and said, "Your progress has exceeded my expectations. There's no need to elaborate on the key points of techniques and Mental Method cultivation; what I want to emphasize is the combination of supplementation and practice."
Deng Qing composed himself and listened attentively.
The White-Clad Woman said, "Without supplements, just focusing on vigorous training will not only make little progress, but may also harm your health. However, if you only know how to consume supplements without putting in the effort and using the medicinal power to strengthen your muscles and bones, no matter how much you eat, it will be of no use. These two things must be combined; neither can be lacking."
Deng Qing nodded repeatedly.
He had personally experienced this principle.
After he used up all his Ginseng Pill and Wasteland Blood, even if he still wanted to practice, he could no longer practice for a long time in one go as before.
The White-Clad Woman twirled a strand of hair behind her ear. "Furthermore, cultivation also requires methods. This ' Elephant-Throwing Method ' will be twice as effective if practiced with weights."
However, ordinary weight-bearing methods are not enough; underwater and beneath waterfalls are excellent Training Ground.
Deng Qing's eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed, "Thank you for your guidance, senior. I will go and make the preparations now."
He knew of a waterfall, and after saying this, he set off to practice intensively there.
The White-Clad Woman stopped him, saying, "There's no need to be so impatient. Come tomorrow, and I'll take you to practice under the waterfall. Remember to bring plenty of tonics; you might be surprised by the results."