Chapter 120: Intent As Tide, Capturing Qi From The Void
The Tian Xuan Saint, separated by a sea of clouds and mist, separated by thousand-ren cliffs, vaguely saw at the bottom of Deep Ravine a figure sitting upright before a cold pool, wearing a straw cloak, holding a fishing rod and fishing.
The fisherman seemed to notice, lifting his head.
Two gazes, separated by a sea of clouds, met in the void.
A few drops of water slid from the edge of the fisherman’s bamboo hat, as if colliding with an invisible sharp blade, silently dissipating into nothingness, evaporating into mist, and merging back into the sea of clouds.
Red Fifth Master withdrew his gaze, expressionlessly glancing at Guan Sheng and the others hastily descending the distant mountain path, paying them no mind.
He merely skillfully lifted the fishing rod, scraping, gutting, and washing a flat carp he had hooked.
The flat carp here had a heavy earthy fishy smell and many bones; Red Fifth Master had eaten it for over two months and was thoroughly fed up.
He greatly missed the sweet soy milk porridge and Lu Zhu Huo Shao he ate that day in Wuqing County.
He would even be fine squatting on the ground again, slurping them down.
Unfortunately, in their current situation, having something to eat was already not easy.
Red Fifth Master sat at the bow of the boat, fussing with a dilapidated stove, a small sand pot on top; with practiced movements, he added japonica rice and fish meat to the pot, and in short order, the porridge turned white and tender, emitting a clear fragrance.
Whoosh!
A figure swiftly darted over, landing in front of the small boat, face anxious.
“Red Fifth Master, give the order quickly! Brothers have long gathered in the countryside, just waiting for your word—then we’ll charge into Wuqing County, seize back our brother’s corpse, kill Nie Zheng, blood debt paid in blood; isn’t that better than stewing in this damn marsh!”
Red Fifth Master moved unhurriedly, without any fuss, eating straight from the small sand pot, though he occasionally frowned and smacked his lips, the taste like chewing wax.
After the meal, he tossed aside the small sand pot and said,
“No going.”
Ren Character Hall Master was stunned, not reacting.
Red Fifth Master repeated: “During this time, stay put in the countryside properly—no seizing the corpse.”
“What?!” Ren Character Hall Master could hardly believe it.
As early as the second day after Xin Character Hall Master’s death, Red Fifth Master had sent word to Guo Lu Society members to gather in the countryside outside the county.
The brothers had thought Red Fifth Master was preparing to discuss major matters and join forces to seize the corpse, so they had bitterly held back.
Who would have thought it was this kind of order?
Ren Character Hall Master’s face darkened as he said, “Red Lao Wu, that was our brother who grew up eating from the same pot and sleeping on the same deathbed as us; you’re even his child’s godfather…”
Red Lao Wu was expressionless and said,
“The living are far more important than the dead. So, no going.”
Ren Character Hall Master fell silent, saying nothing, yet silently declaring his stance.
Red Fifth Master narrowed his eyes, his mighty intent crashing down like a mountain range; the calm cold pool surface instantly surged with wild waves, the surrounding hazy mists abruptly dispersed by this terrifying aura, revealing a clear yet oppressive heaven and earth.
Ren Character Hall Master grunted dully, retreating several steps, a taste of rust surging up in his throat.
“No seizing the corpse—those who disobey the order will be slain!”
……
Outside Wuqing County, Biao Shou Wo.
West wind swept over withered grass.
In the bleak wind, sallow and emaciated couples squatted in groups of three or five, bewildered children standing before them, a grass tag stuck in their hair, trembling slightly in the wind.
Slanted writing on paper listed age and specialties; if there were phrases like “sturdy muscles and bones” or “suitable for martial arts practice,” well-dressed people would occasionally stop to inquire about the price, feeling bones and probing muscles, as if appraising livestock.
This was the place to sell oneself or one’s children by inserting a tag; those in the county or outside who couldn’t afford food, or refugees, would come here to sell sons or daughters.
After all, the county’s orphanage not only lacked children but had become a bloodsucking ground for some underground gangs to harvest organs and take at will—a good child went in and came out a monster.
Some soft-hearted parents, unable to bear their children falling into such straits, preferred selling them here, hoping they might encounter a good family and strive for a future as servant or maid.
And what few knew was that Biao Shou Wo had quietly changed owners two months ago.
And at this moment, in an unremarkable low earthen house in Biao Shou Wo.
Almost everyone in Guo Lu Society except Red Fifth Master had gathered.
“Red Fifth Master really said that?”
Zhou Yiyong’s forehead veins bulged, tiger eyes wide, staring at Ren Character Hall Master.
Ren Character Hall Master sighed, voice dry, and could only repeat: “Red Fifth Master said no seizing the corpse—those who disobey will be slain!”
“What bullshit! We call him Fifth Master out of respect; without face, what is he? At most he can beat me to death—what else?!”
Zhou Yiyong flew into a rage, slamming the table and cursing vehemently.
“Exactly! Red Fifth Master is acting on his own; I suggest holding a tea party to temporarily relieve him of duty!”
“Xin Hall Master’s bones aren’t even cold, and he’s suffered such insult—we set out today to give our brother a proper burial!”
“Right! We’re brothers, not eunuchs—we wouldn’t swallow our own balls after cutting them off!”
The room instantly boiled like hot water poured into boiling oil, the crowd furious, roars and curses nearly lifting the roof.
“Creak—”
At that moment, Money Grabber pushed the door and walked in.
Zhou Yiyong glanced at Money Grabber, seeming to think of something; the anger on his face eased somewhat as he said gravely,
“Li Hall Master, how’s the arrangement at Biao Shou Wo?”
Zhou Yiyong usually only called Money Grabber ‘Li Hall Master’ on special occasions.
Money Grabber walked to the table, grabbed a coarse porcelain tea bowl and gulped down a big mouthful, moistening his dry lips, then said,
“Those intending to go to Sichuan were given resettlement fees and told to head south secretly; those unwilling, we didn’t force.”
“After we leave, this den can’t be hidden, but perhaps it will make those people restrain themselves in the future, not treating poor compatriots like pigs and dogs…”
The twenty thousand silver taels Money Grabber had borrowed from Zhao Guangxi were mostly spent at Biao Shou Wo.
Using thunderous methods to clear out the original vermin and petty leaders entrenched here.
Forcing the remaining thugs to surrender, then repairing houses, raising children, teaching techniques, imparting basic martial arts.
If desperate but conscientious parents pleaded, he gave them some silver to help the whole family relocate south to Shu region.
Then Money Grabber found that twenty thousand silver taels was just a drop in the bucket, only able to save one place—how to obtain millions of spacious homes?
Originally, Money Grabber planned to borrow more silver from Zhao Guangxi…
Only, it was too late now.
The crowd argued endlessly.
And in an unremarkable corner, Bai Manlou sat cross-legged on a cushion, a sheathed long sword across his knees, using soft deerskin dipped in tung oil to wipe the long sword.
In just a few short days, Bai Manlou’s entire demeanor had changed greatly, sword intent stern, his eyes bright and startling.
Even the precious sword in his hand seemed to come alive, resonating with Bai Manlou’s breathing and qi and blood circulation.
His strength had broken through to Slay Two Thieves.
《Zhou Tian Liu Qi Sword》, originating from Shu Mountain sword immortal secret transmission, divided into four realms—
He-I Outer Qi Sword: Treat the long sword in hand as an external object, forging sword techniques, force flowing through the sword body.
Self-I Inner Qi Sword: Turn from outer to inner, treat oneself as a sword, resonating with one’s own subtle qi.
Shared-I Flowing Qi Sword: Human and sword communicate, spirituality intersects, circulating endlessly, like lightning like light— with a thought, the sword is there.
No-Self No-Qi Sword: Discard the sword, forget self, no sentient beings aspect, no lifespan aspect—grass, wood, bamboo, stone all can be sword.
The previous Bai Manlou had barely touched the third realm, Shared-I Flowing Qi Sword.
But after the last forceful intrusion into Patrol Inspector’s office and crushing defeat, he broke and then stood, fully comprehending the mystery of Flowing Qi Sword.
Unyielding, forging straight ahead.
Whoever fails to kill Bai Manlou will only make him stronger.
He suddenly snapped shut the scabbard, a clear and long sword cry ringing out, like a dragon chanting in shallow water, instantly overpowering the room’s clamor, abruptly falling silent.
Bai Manlou said calmly,
“Red Fifth Master only said no seizing the corpse; he didn’t say no charging into the county yamen and chopping that dog official.”
The crowd heard this and was stunned.
It seemed… that was the reason?
Zhou Yiyong’s expression shook; he jumped up and said,
“Right! Red Lao Wu won’t go—we will! What right does that dog official Wang Herui have to lord over us, throwing his weight around, keeping a pack of lackeys to prey on the countryside!
I say, let’s kill into the county yamen—Money Grabber as county magistrate, Brother Bai as clerk, me as county magistrate! Brothers all as generals, wearing that official skin!”
“Exactly, Vegetable Market Intersection is heavily guarded, and that Nie Zheng is there too—so we’ll pull the firewood from under the cauldron, take that dog official’s life as hostage!”
Money Grabber’s gaze swept over the crowd, lingering slightly on each familiar face.
He was silent for a moment, then said: “Since that’s the case, then we’ll burn Wuqing County Yamen! But brothers must follow my plan—outsmart, not play hero.”
Moments later.
One by one, figures clustered like sparks, leaving Biao Shou Wo, silently yet swiftly merging toward Wuqing County.
……
“Guo Lu Society people have entered the county.”
Near Vegetable Market Intersection, in a dim and secluded chess teahouse.
Lu Jing casually placed a black chess piece on the intricate chessboard, suddenly seeming to sense something, looking remotely toward the door.
Opposite him, Nie Zheng who was focused on the game, and the other several first-rate experts in the teahouse who were either sipping tea or feigning sleep, all changed expression upon hearing this, hearts shaken.
Not because of Guo Lu Society’s rebels, but because of Lu Jing.
Vegetable Market Intersection was in central Qingfang Street east of Wuqing County, directly facing the East Gate’s gate cave, fully over twenty li away.
The East Gate’s gate cave had water ripple patterns, and beyond East Gate eastward was the Grand Canal, Banye Ferry Crossing.
Water-related meant death-related, so the East Gate was also called ‘death gate’ by the people.
But Lu Jing sat at Vegetable Market Intersection, some distance from the gate towers of the four county entrances east, west, south, north—the nearest over twenty li, the farthest forty or fifty li.
From such a distance, Lu Jing could sense it, intent like tides, capturing that foreign qi in the void.
Was this the divine ability of first Slayer of Intent?
Everyone present immediately felt more awe toward Lu Jing.
Not only had he slayed four thieves, including the hardest-to-slay intent thief.
This was… martial dao grandmaster material!
“But they’re quite clever.”
Lu Jing’s gaze shifted slightly, as if penetrating layers of houses to see certain scenes, a playful smile curling at his lips.
