Realm-Hopping Martial Master

Jiang Shu's voice was extremely soft, yet it exploded in Old Chou's ears like thunder. He couldn't have imagined that this man, who was holding his own against two opponents, was actually his own disciple, Jiang Shu.

In just half a year, he had progressed from the Bone Forging Realm to the Refining Internal Realm—and a stage of the Refining Internal Realm where three or more vital organs had been tempered. It was important to remember that Jiang Shu wasn't some genius from a prominent clan in the commandery city, backed by the resources of a large family. He had traveled alone from a small county town in Pingling County to the commandery city, and now he was back. This cultivation realm, this combat power, these martial arts, this rate of progress in his martial path—Mere martial talent could no longer explain it! What fortuitous encounter had his disciple experienced! Even Old Chou, a man past fifty, found his breathing nearly becoming erratic at that moment.

"I'll be waiting for you in the main courtyard," Chou Hai said softly after taking a deep breath, knowing Jiang Shu wouldn't kill Nie Gaozhan. He then leaped away.

「A quarter of an hour later.」

Nie Gaozhan walked over slowly, carrying his concubine who had already breathed her last. "After all, we shared the same bed. I left her body intact, merely granting her a cup of poisoned wine. No harm done, right?"

"No harm at all. It's quite fitting, actually, since the Yao Family has also been annihilated. They can all be reunited as a family," Jiang Shu replied, his voice casual. Amidst Nie Gaozhan's barely suppressed rage, Jiang Shu turned and walked away. The annihilation of a major household—this matter alone was enough to give Nie Gaozhan a severe headache.

Heavy, dark clouds veiled the entire sky. A waning moon cast a dim, faint light.

「In the main courtyard.」

"So, you're saying that after you delivered the letter to Zhao Yuanchang, he didn't take you to the Zhao Family's Hidden Technique Pavilion to select martial arts and Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques? Instead, he just made you a Gold Token Honored Retainer to send you away?"

"Beast!" Listening to his disciple recount his trip to the commandery city, Chou Hai couldn't help but clench his teeth, finally speaking of old grievances.

The Heavenly Patrol Department of the Da Jing Dynasty, serving the Emperor by patrolling the lands, wielded great authority and had a presence throughout the world. Back then, he had been serving in the Department. During a mission, he chanced upon Zhao Yuanchang, who had only recently broken through to the Refining Internal Realm and possessed little combat power. Chou Hai had saved him from danger several times. It could be said that without Chou Hai, Zhao Yuanchang would have died in the mountains long ago. Because of this, Zhao Yuanchang had wanted to become sworn brothers with him on several occasions.

However, at that time, Chou Hai was planning to accumulate enough Merit Points to be promoted to a Captain of a Hundred. Naturally, he didn't want any entanglements with a large clan. Even when Zhao Yuanchang offered the most precious "Middle Grade Cultivation Technique" from his family, Chou Hai had politely refused with a smile. After all, if he had truly secured a captain's position, his status would have been even higher than Nie Gaozhan's current position! Moreover, compared to Nie Gaozhan, being in the Heavenly Patrol Department would have given him access to even higher-level cultivation techniques and martial arts. The Refining Internal Realm was certainly not his limit!

Yet, fate is often unpredictable. Nobody expected that just before he could secure the captain's position, despite being a highly favored candidate, he would be ambushed during a mission. A group of well-equipped bandits charged at them like a tide right after he and his men had slain two Rank-Three Mutant Beasts. All of his men fell in battle; only he, gravely injured with his vital organs damaged, managed to escape.

By the time he returned to the commandery city, the dust had settled. Not only had the captain's position gone to someone else, but he himself was given a major demerit for mission failure. It was at that moment he finally saw the situation clearly. He voluntarily applied to become a Hidden Guard, relocating from the commandery city to the remote Pingling County.

Old Chou's voice was low as he finished speaking, and he let out a long sigh. It might have seemed that in his ten-plus years in Pingling County he had let go of everything, but when speaking of the past, a deep sense of resentment still lingered.

"So you're saying, Teacher Chou, your injuries are still very severe?" Jiang Shu asked, puzzled. "You can't live to be 120 years old like others in the Refining Internal Realm, and even reaching a hundred is difficult? Didn't the Heavenly Patrol Department have elixirs to treat your injuries back then? Isn't it said that the Internal Fortification Pill can strengthen the vital organs?"

"The injuries were too severe. Even the Small Rejuvenation Pill was ineffective, let alone the Internal Fortification Pill, which has no healing properties. The only thing that could have cured my injuries was the Great Rejuvenation Pill! However, with my authority at the time, I had no way to purchase it." Old Chou shook his head. If he hadn't been desperate, why would he have come here? As a martial artist, who wouldn't wish to advance further?

Great Rejuvenation Pill, Jiang Shu thought. He knew that was an elixir available only in the provincial city. However, with his status as a top genius of the Danxia Chamber of Commerce, obtaining a few shouldn't be too difficult. It would just mean another trip for him to bring back the elixirs. Although Old Chou could be somewhat unreliable, he hadn't held back in the slightest when teaching martial arts. Just like in the battle at the county yamen, Old Chou really only knew those three saber strikes... For that kindness alone, it was worth remembering.

"Great Rejuvenation Pill..." Old Chou couldn't help but sigh again. He knew his own condition best. Initially, perhaps just one Great Rejuvenation Pill would have been enough to heal his injuries. But now, they were worsening day by day. Even a whole bottle of Great Rejuvenation Pills might not be enough to fully heal him and restore his vitality. Besides, it had come to this. He was approaching his sixtieth year, and his vitality was declining from its peak. He feared he would never be able to break through to the Blood Exchange Realm.

"Teacher Chou, is Senior Brother Qi still practicing martial arts under you?" Jiang Shu asked. "You know that with my current status, it's not convenient for me to meet him. Here are some Blood Strengthening Pills, Blood Purifying Pills, and Leopard Strength Tiger Bone Pills. Please give them to him in your name, so he can continue his martial arts practice and eventually leave this place."