Breaking the Army

Hearing Qin Yang say this, Li Tong felt relieved.

He cleared his throat. "Nephew, what do you plan to do with the Twin Snake Gang's territory?"

"The Twin Snake Gang's territory... I haven't decided yet."

"But since Uncle Li is asking, you must have some thoughts."

Qin Yang wasn't lying. The Twin Snake Gang had been nothing but bullies, murderers, and arsonists.

He had no interest in that sort of thing.

"Guild Leader Luo of the White River Gang wants to take over the Twin Snake Gang's territory and asked me to be the middleman."

Li Tong spoke bluntly.

"I've heard of the White River Gang. Seems like a gang made up of dock coolies. Can't make it at the docks anymore?"

Qin Yang took a sip of tea.

"Lately, the government and noble families have been cracking down on the White River Gang. Looks like they won't allow any gang presence at the docks anymore."

"They have to find new turf and leave that troubled spot by the river."

Li Tong sighed softly.

Linjiang City had the North River, with thriving water transport and countless merchant ships.

That made the area a target for many.

The White River Gang used to scrape by at the docks.

But lately, it seemed someone wanted to cut them off even from that.

"The White River Gang..."

Qin Yang tapped his teacup lightly with his fingers, thinking.

Seeing this, Li Tong knew there was a chance.

"Nephew. Guild Leader Luo said that after they take over the territory, they'd like to invite you as an Offering. You'd get a twenty percent cut of the monthly profits. How about it?"

Li Tong said softly.

"Thirty percent... I want thirty percent."

Qin Yang said indifferently.

"Then I'll go back and discuss it with him."

Li Tong nodded lightly.

As long as there was room to talk, that was fine. The worst was when there was no room at all.

They chatted a bit longer, then Li Tong took Li Baling and took his leave.

After leaving Qin Manor.

Li Baling grumbled, "Dad, if you were going to talk business with Qin Yang, why drag me along? I couldn't get a word in."

Li Tong shot Li Baling a glance. "See the gap now? That Qin Yang is the head of his household now, and I hear he's a Blood Moving Martial Artist."

"You two grew up together—can't you learn something from him?"

Li Baling rolled his eyes. "I don't know how this kid Qin Yang suddenly got smart... no, it's like he became a different person."

"I barely recognize him anymore."

Li Tong snorted. "Don't give me all that nonsense. When we get back, I'm hiring a Boxing Master for you. You're going to train hard!"

"Damn it." Li Baling wailed.

"Master. There's still no word from the old master."

"All we know is that he left Nanxing City..."

Not long after Li Tong and his son left, Qin Yang was about to head back to his room to cultivate when Qian Hai hurried in.

"So he went missing on the way back. Hire a few more Wandering Swordsmen to ask around. There should be some leads."

Qin Yang said thoughtfully.

"Alright. Also, everything we brought back from the Twin Snake Gang's base has been sold. Counting the silver notes we found, it comes to about five thousand taels."

Qian Hai reported.

"Mm, have the accountant tally it up."

Qin Yang wasn't too concerned.

"Uncle Qian, I want to train in another weapon and a Tempering Technique."

"Where do you think I should look for these two martial arts?"

Qin Dongsheng had only left behind the family heirloom, the Azure Wave Blood Transference Method.

Qin Yang would have to find other martial arts on his own.

"Let's set aside the Tempering Technique for now. It depends on what weapon you want to train in, young master."

Qian Hai asked.

"I want to practice the saber."

Qin Yang had long since made up his mind.

"That's easy enough. I know a second-rate saber technique."

"Wait. Young master, you didn't just happen to know I practice the saber, did you? That's why you said you wanted to train with it?"

Qian Hai caught on.

This Qin Yang was clearly after his skills.

"Uncle Qian, I really do want to practice the saber."

"Besides, you wouldn't want all that skill of yours to go to waste, would you?"

Qin Yang said with a grin.

He'd been planning to milk Qian Hai for all he was worth from the start.

"Forget it. I won't bother arguing with you."

"The saber technique I practice is called Po Jun Saber Technique. It was originally created by a general who fought long on the battlefield, then passed down through the mortal world until I stumbled upon it by chance."

"Unfortunately, my meridians were destroyed, cutting off any chance I had to step into the Blood Transference Realm. I've never been able to unleash this technique's true power."

"Maybe in your hands, it can flourish."

Uncle Qian sighed softly.

"Not maybe—it will definitely flourish."

Qin Yang was brimming with confidence.

"Then follow me. I'll teach you this Po Jun Saber Technique right now."

Qian Hai said in a low voice.

The two arrived at the Martial Arts Courtyard.

Qian Hai casually picked out an iron saber for Qin Yang.

"Young master, do you know what's most important in practicing the saber?"

Qian Hai first asked Qin Yang a question.

"Speed and explosive power?"

Qin Yang took the iron saber and swung it a few times casually.

His strength was enough to whip up a gust of wind.

"Not ruthlessness."

"To practice the saber, you have to be ruthless enough."

"The heart must be ruthless, and only then can the saber be ruthless."

Qian Hai's expression turned serious.

Qin Yang also dropped his playful demeanor and listened attentively.

Qian Hai treated Qin Yang like his own disciple, holding nothing back and passing on everything he knew.

The Po Jun Saber Technique was, after all, a battlefield saber art. Its moves were straightforward, requiring immense explosive power and stamina to bring out its full strength.

Qin Yang fit both requirements perfectly.

His Great Accomplishment in Arhat Fist gave him solid explosive power.

And after cultivating his family's inherited Azure Wave Blood Transference Method, his breath was long and his blood energy thick.

This saber technique seemed tailor-made for Qin Yang. Within a single day, he had nearly mastered all the moves and routines.

Night fell.

Qin Yang stood in his Small Courtyard, iron saber in hand.

"The Po Jun Saber Technique has four major stances."

"They are Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain."

"I need to fully practice each of these four stances before I can be considered to have begun."

Qin Yang recalled the saber techniques he'd learned that day, his gaze gradually turning blank and serene, as still as an ancient well.

He slipped back into that state of deep focus.

Great Wind Stance.

Qin Yang swung the iron saber rapidly, his right arm's muscles exploding with power, turning the blade's light into a gale as it slashed out.

Then came Forest Stance.

That forest was a dense, somber forest.

His saber style became grim and thick as a forest—seemingly ordinary, yet hiding lethal intent.

Mountain Fall Stance!

Qi and blood erupted in a frenzied burst, forming a terrifying force like a collapsing mountain peak.

Having entered the state of Zen Meditation, Qin Yang finally managed to execute a complete Po Jun Saber Technique.

After finishing the practice, his body was slightly damp with sweat.

"I didn't expect the Po Jun Saber Technique to consume this much physical strength."

Qin Yang was somewhat surprised.

He pulled up the system panel.

Code
Host: Qin Yang

Arhat Fist: Perfection (Zen Meditation)
Azure Wave Blood Transference Method: Third Layer (43/600)
Po Jun Saber Technique: Beginner (1/200)

"Two hundred proficiency points just to reach Beginner?"

"This second-rate saber technique really is a pain to train."

Qin Yang stared at the numbers, growing even more excited.

The harder it was to train, the more powerful the technique would be.

For him, it was just a matter of putting in a little more sweat.