78: Another bandit suppression

Having mastered the force-application methods of the Iron Arm Skill and feeling the solidity and power in his arms that far surpassed the ordinary, the inspiration regarding Cultivation Techniques in Chen Linsheng's heart became increasingly clear and intense.

"The Iron Clothes Art emphasizes overall defense, like an invisible suit of iron armor covering the whole body. The Iron Arm Skill emphasizes localized breakthroughs, tempering the arms to be indestructible. Meanwhile, the Golden Bell Shield focuses more on the tight integration of muscle and skin, forging bones of iron and skin of copper, as steady as a golden fortress... These three may seem to have different focuses, but their core is the tempering of the physique, pursuing the ultimate 'hardness' and 'toughness'."

He recalled the scene where, after the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique and Hunyuan Palm reached Perfection, the spirit book underwent a transformation, fusing and advancing into the Hunyuan True Body.

At that time, it was the perfect Fusion of a foundational Cultivation Technique and an application method that produced a qualitative change.

"So, if I take these three techniques—the Iron Clothes Art, Iron Arm Skill, and Golden Bell Shield—which are all of the mortal grade and all point toward 'body tempering' and 'hard qigong,' and Cultivate them all to a certain Realm, could I also trigger some kind of resonance, or even... another advancement?"

This thought spread through his mind like wildfire.

He had visited the black market several times searching for the other prerequisite techniques for the Golden Robe Skill, but there had been no news; they were clearly extremely rare.

Rather than bitterly pursuing that ethereal Opportunity, it was better to first Cultivate these techniques at hand that could clearly form a system!

If he could use this to raise his defensive power to another level, or even birth a new Divine Effect, the boost to his current strength would be immediate!

"Exactly! Paths are forged by people! Since I can't find the prerequisites for the Golden Robe Skill for now, I'll forge a path myself! Using the Hunyuan True Body as a Foundation to govern various body-tempering hard qigongs and integrating them thoroughly might not necessarily be inferior to that Golden Robe Skill!"

At this thought, a burning brilliance erupted in Chen Linsheng's eyes, and he suddenly had a clear goal in mind.

In the following days, the focus of his cultivation adjusted once more.

The daily operation of the Python Dragon Strength did not slacken, and the medicinal power of the crimson blood flesh paste continued to be digested.

However, he invested more time into the integrated cultivation of the Iron Clothes Art, Iron Arm Skill, and Golden Bell Shield.

Inside the riverbed Immortal Cave, his figure was sometimes as steady as a rock, his Qi and blood restrained as he operated the Iron Clothes Art, his body surface seemingly covered by an invisible, tough membrane of Qi.

At other times, his arms would swing, using palms or fists to strike the hard cave walls, producing dull "thud-thud" sounds; this was the hammering and force penetration of the Iron Arm Skill.

Then he would strike a pose, his Qi and blood surging, the muscles all over his body bulging like cast copper or iron, with the faint, low echo of a bell ringing—it was the Golden Bell Shield in operation.

Initially, there were slight conflicts and stagnations in the Qi and blood circulation routes of the three techniques, especially when trying to activate two at once, which would cause a faint pain in his Meridians.

But relying on the solid Foundation provided by the Hunyuan True Body and his meticulous control over his own Qi and blood, Chen Linsheng carefully adjusted and smoothed them out.

He no longer viewed the three techniques as independent entities, but as different components of a single whole—a "body tempering system."

The Hunyuan True Body was like a powerful furnace, containing and gradually harmonizing these "hard qigong" Qi and blood flows that shared the same source but flowed differently.

He tried to concentrate the condensed force of the Iron Arm Skill into his arms while maintaining the rock-solid defensive posture of the Golden Bell Shield, making his parries and blocks even more powerful.

He also integrated the "Resonating Bell" effect of the Golden Bell Shield while using the Iron Clothes Art to cover his entire body's defense; as his Qi and blood circulated, that low hum seemed capable of vibrating outward, interfering with the Qi and blood flow of enemies in close proximity.

This process was not achieved overnight; it was even several times more difficult than cultivating a single technique alone, consuming a vast amount of mental energy.

But Chen Linsheng never tired of it. He could clearly feel that every successful attempt at Fusion brought a small but real improvement to his physical defense. His muscles and bones seemed to be evolving toward a more perfect form through this repeated tempering and Fusion.

Just as Chen Linsheng was immersed in exploring the Fusion of techniques, undercurrents surged once again beneath the seemingly calm surface of Qinghe County.

This day, while patrolling the docks, Chen Linsheng heard some news from several familiar laborers and tea stall owners.

"Have you heard? The Black Mountain Gang and the Hundred Herbs Hall are at odds!"

"Oh? Over what? Those two usually mind their own business."

"Apparently it's over a batch of something called 'Snake Saliva Grass.' They say the Hundred Herbs Hall ordered it, and the Black Mountain Gang was responsible for the transport. But when the goods arrived, the quantity was wrong and the quality was much worse. The Hundred Herbs Hall won't let it go, but the Black Mountain Gang is claiming it was loss during transit and refuses to take responsibility."

"Tsk tsk, the Black Mountain Gang has been suppressed quite hard by the martial arts halls and the government lately; they still dare to be so stubborn? The Hundred Herbs Hall isn't to be trifled with either; those herb gatherers in their guard team are all skilled hands..."

"Exactly. Yesterday, the two sides almost came to blows at the eastern city warehouse. In the end, it was only suppressed because County Commandant Wang sent people over."

Listening to these discussions, Chen Linsheng's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Friction between the Black Mountain Gang and the Hundred Herbs Hall?

On the surface, it was a perfectly ordinary commercial dispute. But during this sensitive period, especially when the Black Mountain Gang had just been suppressed and had chosen to fully withdraw, suddenly having a conflict with another major local power like the Hundred Herbs Hall was inherently unusual.

Was the Black Mountain Gang deliberately provoking trouble to test the reactions of various parties?

Or had something gone wrong internally, leading to blunders even in basic cargo escorting? Or perhaps... that side needed certain special medicinal herbs, and the Hundred Herbs Hall refused to cooperate?

Chen Linsheng secretly made a note of this, his heart on guard.

Sure enough, not two days later, the Water Patrol Division received a report—a merchant ship robbery had occurred in the Black Water Ravine section, a tributary leading to the neighboring county downstream of the Qinghe.

A fleet of merchant ships carrying cloth and ordinary medicinal herbs was intercepted by a group of unidentified Water Bandits. Part of the cargo was plundered, and two sailors were injured, though fortunately, no lives were lost.

Head Constable Wang handed this matter to Shi Poyue to handle and specifically named Chen Linsheng to accompany him.

On one hand, it was because Chen Linsheng was highly skilled in water and familiar with the river channels; on the other hand, it was with the intention of tempering him and letting him accumulate more merits.

"Senior Brother." Chen Linsheng arrived at the docks and saw Shi Poyue, who was currently inspecting weapons and crossbows.

Shi Poyue nodded upon seeing him, his expression solemn: "A Sheng, you're here. You know the situation; the water at Black Water Ravine is complex with many forks, making it easy for bandits to hide. We're taking a team on a fast boat this time. We must drag these dregs who are harassing the people out!"

"Understood," Chen Linsheng replied, then asked seemingly casually, "Senior Brother, I heard this group of Water Bandits has average strength, as if they drifted in from elsewhere?"

Shi Poyue snorted and said, "According to the descriptions of the sailors who escaped, they indeed don't seem like anyone powerful. Their weapons are a mess, and their movements lack discipline. They're likely from some other place that was cleared out, drifting here hoping to make a quick score. Perfect, we'll use them for practice and let the boys under you see some blood."

Chen Linsheng nodded, but his heart did not fully relax.

Anything related to "water" in present-day Qinghe County could potentially involve unexpected trouble.

Soon, a fast boat from the Water Patrol Division, carrying Shi Poyue, Chen Linsheng, and over a dozen elite soldiers, left the main dock and sped toward the downstream direction of Black Water Ravine.