Nurturing the Sword

Liu Xueya held considerable influence within the Song-Pacifying Army.

Those who were conscripted by his men naturally dared not disobey him in any way.

Even the veteran main force members, having undergone several purges in the past, are equally obedient to him.

Although these people had many doubts and complaints about the prison renovation project, they dared not slack off in their actions.

It only took a little over half an hour.

Hundreds of people rushed into the prison, shoveling and cleaning, and wielding sledgehammers to dismantle the fences.

Chu Tianshu then had the seventy-seven surviving prisoners taken outside to get some sun and acclimatize.

In a little while, I'll give them a bath and change their clothes.

Things at the prison were so busy that Huo Ming came over in the evening.

Chu Tianshu met him outside the main gate of the prison.

The afterglow of the setting sun, like golden scales on the horizon, stretched across the west and burst into view.

Chu Tianshu looked at the street in front of him with some surprise.

Luoyang under the daytime is completely different from the old streets under the sunset.

The low, dilapidated traces on the doors of residential houses, the eaves of shops and teahouses.

After the sky was shrouded in a dim light, mixed with a few warm yellow rays of light.

It displays a robust and resilient silhouette.

Those ordinary dirt roads have been transformed into golden streets and alleys.

The bustling sounds from near and far, amidst such scenery, bring a sense of peace and tranquility.

Huo Ming saw that as soon as he stepped out the door, he stared into the distance, lost in thought for a while, and didn't disturb him.

Huo Ming spoke only after Chu Tianshu had come to his senses.

"I've already made contact with my comrades in Luoyang, and then, using Liu Xueya's name, I'll gradually place them in various departments."

"But for the entire Western Henan region, the manpower is still insufficient."

Huo Ming said, "The Plague God and evil spirits here have also encountered problems."

"In my reply telegram, I mentioned that in addition to sending clerks, headquarters should also try to gather some doctors to help."

Chu Tianshu shook his head. "Ordinary doctors are unnecessary; it would be best to bring over some sorcerers."

Huo Ming sighed, "Warlocks are scarce where we are too."

"Then let's inquire around in Luoyang first."

Chu Tianshu gazed at the sky and pondered, "There should be some sorcerers in a place like this."

Huo Ming continued, "Those three old men from Chenjiagou are very proactive now, keeping a close eye on Chen Xuewen."

"As for the others in Chenjiagou, their enthusiasm has been greatly encouraged. I plan to arrange for them to serve as instructors in various parts of the Song-Pacifying Army."

"Having them train these troops before our large numbers arrive is a form of restraint, preventing them from having any further opportunities to cause trouble."

"During the training, we can also gather information about these soldiers to help us assess them after taking over, and then decide whether to punish, dismiss, or incorporate them, ensuring everyone gets what they deserve."

Chu Tianshu said, "Either is fine."

Huo Ming praised, "How did you manage to get those three old men so obedient?"

Sometimes, being able to live is far more useful than being able to die.

Chu Tianshu took out a silver needle, adjusted its tip, and said, "They have many hidden injuries, and acupuncture will only be effective in the short term. However, I have another set of hard qigong that can help them guide their vital energy."

"Their lifespan, which would normally be two or three years, could be extended to five or six years if they learn well."

"Moreover, they don't have to experience the emptiness and fear of their declining vitality every day. For the next five or six years, they can maintain a youthful appearance, only declining rapidly in the last seven days before death."

As Chu Tianshu finished speaking, he suddenly thought of something.

"The three of them have relied on medicinal baths to maintain their strength for so many years, so their understanding of the medicinal properties must be quite profound."

"I've written down a few prescriptions. Have them check them carefully. When collecting these medicinal herbs, make sure they're of the best quality and deliver them here."

Those who cultivate themselves to Eating Makes an Immortal can distinguish whether a plant is poisonous, even if they have never seen it before, simply by relying on their sense of smell.

Those three old men were actually of different ages. They were all outstanding individuals of their respective generations, and with the help of the essence of the martial arts passed down from Chenjiagou, they became more and more skilled as they aged. In their prime, they cultivated Eating Makes an Immortal and gradually developed the Guanyin Bone.

Having them help brew the medicine, understand its properties, and control the heat are excellent choices.

Huo Ming readily agreed, "So, you're planning to stay here for the foreseeable future?"

"I've already had them renovate those rooms. Once they're finished, what's wrong with living here for a while?"

Chu Tianshu pressed his thumb against his index finger, rubbing the knuckles, and his eyes sharpened.

"My medicine may not be effective against this Plague God- like evil immediately, but I have many other methods."

"Let me let it try them one by one."

The overwhelming physical power of the Martial Stove God, and the compressed medical Mind Power of the Sanqi Divine Sword.

It should have belonged to the Yin element, but it transformed into Weapon Soul within Yin.

Its potential is enough to challenge the Taboo Sky-Spanning Divine Art, Vertical and Horizontal Simple Seal for Refining Spirit into Qi.

The ancestors of the Ghost Gate Witch Doctor did not have such favorable conditions.

Oh, and there's also the Nine-Nine God-Startling Sword Intent.

Chu Tianshu summoned the token in his field of vision and fed the Snake Half he had previously obtained to the sword manual.

I didn't expect that the Snake Half could be killed with a single cut, but the Rainbow Half-Body would be so difficult to kill.

I originally wanted to round it up before doing the deduction.

[Deduction complete.]

Cultivation Technique: "Nine-Nine Tribulation Ash God-Startling Sword".

The Sword Intent is sharp from one to three nines, and poisonous ashes from four to five nines.

After Nine-Nine Eighty-One Refinements, its brilliance shines brightly, reaching towards the wild geese in the clouds.

Chu Tianshu lowered his eyelids slightly, digesting the revised and deduced content.

The original Nine-Nine Eighty-One Refinements of the Tribulation Ash Sword Manual differed in the first twenty-seven refinements.

The subsequent tempering was merely a repetition of the previous twenty-seven temperings.

Now, with the addition of the Snake Half deduction, although the ability to control "plague energy" has not been obtained.

However, it also incorporates the method of tempering swords with a hundred poisons.

One can utilize the poisonous energy from the outside world to enhance Sword Intent and strengthen the spirit.

"Even the most poisonous things are reduced to ashes..."

Chu Tianshu looked at the city bathed in the setting sun.

"Indeed, even the most poisonous substances are reduced to ashes."

Even if this city now resembles a giant prison.

The seven turbidities run rampant, and all kinds of poisons and evil deeds prevail.

Beneath these layers of rubble, some structures still stood firm.

As long as the rosy dawn shines down, there is still a glimmer of hope to turn decay into gold.

Chu Tianshu suddenly laughed and said, "Little Huo, have you ever thought about personally participating in the creation of a city as precious as gold?"

Huo Ming asked, puzzled, "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

"I have a senior who called an era a golden age. Tsk, that's a huge exaggeration. I used to think that things were stable and improving in my hometown, but not really that much good, nothing to be overly happy about."

Chu Tianshu continued, "But just now, it suddenly occurred to me that gold itself isn't actually something that shines; it's only because it's hidden in the soil and rocks, contrasting with the mud, that its texture is so pleasing."

Therefore, only those who break through the soil to extract the gold can appreciate the first breathtaking moment.

He opened his arms, looked up at the sky to bask in the sunlight, and spoke softly.

"Then, let me enjoy this."

How much of a calamity can one's own despondent thoughts amount to?

If even this current state of calamity is piling up, then we must break through it.

That sword strike was more than just Spirit-Shocking.

(End of this chapter)