36: Bandit Suppression

As the group stepped into the Drunken Immortal Tower, they were immediately greeted by the tempting aroma of food.

With carved beams and painted rafters, the place was packed with guests, and waiters moved busily through the crowd, presenting a scene of great prosperity.

Shi Poyue was clearly a regular here. As soon as the manager saw him, he rushed over with a face full of smiles: "Master Shi, you haven't been here for a while! Esteemed guests, please come upstairs quickly, your private room has been reserved for you!"

Everyone followed the manager up to the second floor and entered an elegant private room facing the street. The environment was refined, the view was expansive, allowing them to take in the scenery of half the street.

After sitting down, Shi Poyue didn't even look at the menu, skillfully ordering several of the Drunken Immortal Tower's signature dishes, specifically emphasizing the whole roasted lamb, and then instructing them to bring several pots of fine wine.

While waiting for the dishes, the group started chatting.

Naturally, the topic revolved around the recent sparring session and Chen Linsheng's astonishing speed of progress.

"Junior Brother Chen, be honest, did you secretly eat some Immortal Pill or miraculous medicine?"

Fourth Martial Sister Zhao Linger rested her chin on her hand, her big eyes blinking as she stared at Chen Linsheng, still finding his progress of five Skin Quenching cycles unbelievable.

"I'm monitored by Father every day when I practice, and I've only just reached the Ninth Layer!"

Chen Linsheng gave a wry smile and cupped his hands:

"Fourth Martial Sister, you jest. It is merely due to Master's excellent guidance, coupled with the usual pointers from Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, that this Disciple was lucky enough to gain some insight."

His words were sincere, pushing all the credit away from himself.

Third Martial Sister Liu Ruyan covered her mouth and smiled:

"A Sheng, stop being so modest. Talent is something you can't force. However, your Foundation is truly solid. Just now, when sparring with Fourth Junior Sister, your palm technique and internal strength already showed considerable maturity. It seems you've put in a lot of effort recently."

"A Sheng is right. The Martial Dao inherently requires persistent effort, like grinding stone with water. You must never slack off during your daily practice."

The eldest Senior Brother's mature statement caused Zhao Linger to playfully stick out her tongue.

At this moment, the whole roasted lamb was served.

Second Senior Brother laughed heartily, picked up his chopsticks first, and said loudly: "Alright, alright, stop spacing out, just enjoy the meal! If you ask me, nothing in the world is more important than eating! You must Cultivate, but you must eat even more!"

As he spoke, he deftly cut off a plump lamb leg with a dagger and placed it on Chen Linsheng's plate.

The rich aroma of the meat and the genuine laughter of his Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters instantly dispelled all formality, leaving only warmth in the room... Over the next few days, Chen Linsheng entered a period of focused, intense Cultivation.

In the morning, he repeatedly honed the Hunyuan Palm on the Drill Ground until his arms were sore and numb, carefully experiencing the resonance between his vital energy and his skin membrane with every palm strike.

In the afternoon, he would reliably dive into the Qing River.

Under Five Senses Clarity, the water flow was no longer an obstruction, but instead became the most subtle "teacher."

He could "hear" the direction of the undercurrents and "see" the pattern of the aquatic plants swaying. Every twist and every kick of his body in the water quietly increased his experience in Aptitude for Water.

He even followed the river channel deep into the mountains, enduring the impact beneath waterfalls, honing several Skills that had not yet reached Perfection.

Nighttime was reserved for digesting the Tiger Meat Medicinal Cuisine and circulating the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique.

His vital energy flowed through his body like streams merging into a river, surging endlessly. He could clearly feel his skin membrane becoming tougher with each cycle of washing and refinement.

On the third day, Chen Linsheng was Cultivating at home when a servant suddenly arrived, saying the Museum Master needed to see him.

Chen Linsheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and his thoughts raced: 'Master calling me now must mean the ice muscle pill has been refined!'

He suppressed the joy in his heart, nodded to the servant, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, I will go now."

After a brief word with Su Wan, Chen Linsheng quickly left the house and headed straight for the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall.

Arriving at the Quiet Room in the back courtyard, Museum Master Zhao Zheng was indeed waiting for him.

Seeing Chen Linsheng, a slight smile appeared on his face. Without saying much, he took out a palm-sized white jade bottle, warm to the touch, from his sleeve and handed it over.

"Take this. It just arrived from the Hundred Herbs Hall—the ice muscle pill. There are twenty pills in total. Take one per day, using its medicinal power to circulate your vital energy and quench your skin membrane. Remember not to be greedy; you must proceed step by step, allowing the medicinal power to be completely absorbed."

Zhao Zheng instructed, his tone serious.

"Furthermore, this Medicinal Pill has a cold property. If you take it in a water environment, using the chill of the water flow to quench both internally and externally, the effect will be even better."

Chen Linsheng took the jade bottle with both hands; it felt slightly cool and he could sense the pure medicinal power contained within. Excited, he bowed and said, "Thank you, Master!"

Zhao Zheng nodded slightly, then changed the subject to another matter: "Yes. Also, the County Yamen's Water Patrol Division is currently recruiting temporary experts to help suppress a group of Water Bandits active at the junction of the Qing River's upper reaches and the Great Marsh. This gang of Water Bandits is quite cunning, familiar with the waterways, and has repeatedly escaped capture."

He looked at Chen Linsheng, his gaze holding both examination and expectation:

"Your current strength is quite good, and your Foundation is solid. You now need the tempering of actual combat. For this operation, your eldest Senior Brother will also be leading a team. I intend for you to go along and gain some experience."

Pausing, Zhao Zheng explained: "You must understand that when you later Cultivate the Python Dragon Strength I taught you, the key is to perceive the changes in strength while in the water; familiarity with Aptitude for Water is crucial. Taking a temporary post at the Water Patrol Division, gaining experience, and accumulating merits will be highly beneficial for your future. Several of your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters currently hold posts in the Water Patrol Division."

Chen Linsheng's heart stirred, and he immediately understood his Master's profound intentions.

This was both tempering experience and paving the way for him to Cultivate more advanced Cultivation Techniques and integrate into the official system in the future.

He immediately cupped his fist and agreed without hesitation: "This Disciple understands and is willing to go!"

"Good!" Zhao Zheng's approval deepened when he saw the crispness of his reply. "Water Bandits are fierce, and fighting on water is different from fighting on land. You need appropriate Martial Skills to rely on."

As he spoke, he took out two thin, slightly antique thread-bound books from his robe and handed them to Chen Linsheng.

"This one is the Eight Steps Catching Cicada. It is a Medium Grade Movement Technique of the mortal grade, focusing on short-distance bursts, pursuit, sudden advances, and even escape. The footwork is exquisite; when practiced to a deep level, you can Move like lightning within a small area, which suits you perfectly."

"The other book," Zhao Zheng pointed to the second volume, "I know you chose the long spear as your weapon, and your Foundation is already stable. This Startled Swan Spear is a High Grade Martial Skill of the mortal grade. Its Moves are fierce, its momentum like a startled swan, emphasizing speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness. It is perfectly suited for your current stage of Cultivation. You take it and study it well."

He placed the two Secret Manuals into Chen Linsheng's hands and finally said:

"Water Bandits are fierce, this is absolutely not like sparring at the martial arts hall. On this trip, you must obey your eldest Senior Brother's arrangements. Suppressing the Water Bandits is the perfect Opportunity to hone your Movement Technique and spear technique. I hope you practice diligently and do not waste this Opportunity."

Holding the ice muscle pill and the two brand new Secret Manuals, Chen Linsheng felt a warm current surge through his body. His Master's intention to nurture him was undeniably earnest.

He bowed deeply, his tone utterly firm: "This Disciple will certainly not fail Master's high expectations. I will Cultivate diligently and relentlessly, and face this bandit suppression effort with all my might!"