Chapter 280: 256 Search, Part 2

“These people have been passing through here frequently lately… and their body technique is very good. We’ve crossed paths a few times, but haven’t interacted with them.”

One skilled member of the Rebel Sect spoke up among the rest.

The others remained silent, the night was hazy, and no one could see Zhang Zhenhai’s awkward embarrassment.

Of course, it might also be that they were deliberately pretending not to see….

Zhang Zhenhai slowly recovered and followed up.

“They should be from the Jade Sea Gang.”

“Jade Sea Gang?” Zhang Rongfang was surprised.

“Yes, it’s a major gang newly risen in Citong recently. Behind it, we suspect it might be a faction from the Jade Sea Dragon God’s side.” Zhang Zhenhai nodded.

“West Sect Sea Dragon?” Zhang Rongfang nodded.

Sea Dragon…. this name is really fateful… to have encountered it even here.

“Ignore them. As long as they don’t provoke us, we won’t bother them.” He now had no interest in acting heroically; the waters behind the Sea Dragon run extremely deep, even if the Great Dao Teaching pressed down with full force, it would at most result in mutual destruction. Unsustainable.

So for now, his best route is to continue lying low, continue accumulating attribute points.

He still had fifteen attribute points, kept for preparing a new Hard Skill.

“Let’s go.” He said in a deep voice.

“Yes.” Zhang Zhenhai shivered and responded quickly.

*

*

*

On a three-story crimson ship at Cituo Port.

On the top of the third floor, by the mast.

A brawny man with long hair draped and chest exposed, holding a wine pouch, was half-lying inside the top floor, gazing at the crescent moon over the sea.

“The sea gives birth to the bright moon, at this moment, we share it from afar. Lovers lament the distant night, caring thoughts rise continually.

We parted since the middle of Anhui. It must be ten years now, Liu Chan brother.”

“Indeed, it’s been a long time.”

At the entrance on the top floor, emerged a figure in a silver robe with a ghostly mask.

The figure’s silhouette indicates he is male, with broad shoulders, arms hanging past knees, and a silver whip coiled around his waist.

“Didn’t expect you to be sent here.” The ghost-faced man said in a deep voice.

“Aren’t you the same? And taking a name like Jade Sea Gang? Ha ha ha…. If the old acquaintances knew, I wonder if they would laugh themselves to death.

Of all things to impersonate, you chose the ones under the Jade Sea Dragon God.” The brawny man with the wine pouch didn’t glance at the other, looked up at the night sky, gulped down a mouthful of wine.

“Just a necessity of the situation.” The ghost-faced man was indifferent. “You Thousand Teachings Alliance didn’t come here to take advantage as well.”

“There’s some intention, but my main purpose here this time is to investigate, as a few skilled people went missing here before.” The brawny man with the wine pouch responded casually. “The original plan was shelved, and the master ordered me to probe.”

“You’re still the same, relying on those scattered troops, nothing can be accomplished. Why don’t you work with me?” The ghost-faced man replied.

“With you? Isn’t your Sensing Sect also just a scattered force? Ha ha.” The brawny man waved his hand. “Don’t persuade me, I’m not interested.”

“The one you’re looking for should be Guardian Zhang Ying, right?” The ghost-faced man spoke up.

“You know too?”

“Well, since you’re visiting Citong, it’s impossible to ignore this person. Previously, when Princess Yongxiang disappeared, this person remained unscathed, showing the Great Dao Teaching must value him greatly. He might even surpass the previous Daoist.”

The ghost-faced man explained, “It’s only natural your people fell into his hands.”

“Indeed, it makes sense. Want to join forces?” The brawny man with the wine pouch smiled and asked.

“No interest, we have our plans, best not interfere with each other.” The ghost-faced man replied.

“Alright then, no interference.” The brawny man with the wine pouch smiled.

The two immediately stopped talking. The ghost-faced man lingered for a bit more, then turned and left.

Until he completely left.

Another person silently approached the side of the brawny man with the wine pouch.

“Sir, should we still proceed according to the original plan?”

“Of course. Guardian Zhang Ying certainly has some Great Dao Teaching masters protecting him.

Have our people act, remember to leave a mark, and the people of Linlang Association and Hundred Merchants Association will naturally take the bait.” The brawny man with the wine pouch laughed.

“But sir, how can you be sure they will take the bait?” The deputy asked in confusion.

“Simple, within a hundred meters around Agarwood Palace, is a forbidden area designated by Guardian Zhang Ying of the Great Dao Teaching.

Linlang Association is always arrogant and believes they communicate with all nations, they don’t take anyone seriously. Just lead Zhou Dongjun near Agarwood Palace. That kid has ruined a lot of our plans, we can use this to deal with him.”

“But… will they really fall for such a simple plan of diverting disaster?” The deputy couldn’t comprehend.

“Let Hundred Changes Association prepare first. Go.” The brawny man with the wine pouch lazily said.

“But, aren’t you afraid that Guardian Zhang Ying might personally interfere? If his side is extremely powerful, what should we do?” The deputy still couldn’t understand.

“The stronger he is, the happier I am. Perfect for Zhou Dongjun to test how those people disappeared before?”

Raising the wine pouch, he blocked his deputy who was about to speak again.

“Alright, alright, talkative girls aren’t popular. Come on, have a drink, take a nap.

Relax… everything is under my control….”

He yawned and lazily closed his eyes.

*

*

*

Knock knock knock.

Outside a residence on the outer ring of Citong.

Zhang Rongfang carried large bags and boxes, dressed in a brocade robe with fish patterns, wearing a gray sheepskin hat with gold trim, tapped lightly on the door.

“Who is it?”

Rapid footsteps sounded from inside the house.

Soon, a small window opened on the door, revealing the face of a black-haired man, glancing at Zhang Rongfang.

“Who are you? May I ask what you need? Looking for someone?”

His accent carried a strong native Mountain Province tone.

It instantly gave Zhang Rongfang a sense of familiarity. He was born in Qinghe Palace located on Pingyu Road, Mountain Province.

Who would’ve thought that far away in Citong, he could encounter such a fellow villager.

“My name is Zhang Jingrong, and I’m here to find Master Li Guanyue.”

“What business do you have? Tell me first.” The man did not lower his guard.

“It’s like this, I’m here to seek apprenticeship and learn martial arts.” Zhang Rongfang said earnestly, lifting the gift he held in his hand.

“Seeking apprenticeship?”

The man was momentarily stunned.

Puff.

The small window was immediately closed.

“Wait a moment, I’ll go get my father.”

Zhang Rongfang wasn’t impatient and stood at the door waiting patiently.

The Hard Skill passed down by Li Guanyue was a family tradition, passed down through generations, only to males, called the Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training.

Upon hearing this name, Zhang Rongfang instantly associated it with the legendary warrior who made this skill famous.

He had been skeptical for a while, and now the emergence of this martial art further supported his conjecture.

He suspected that the world he had come to might very well be a special one that diverged from ancient times.

Some things that existed in his previous life also existed here, while others did not.

Some famous figures were like this, as were some poems and songs.

Not long after, the mansion’s door opened.

A tall, brooding, bearded man with a scrutinizing look in his eyes gazed at Zhang Rongfang.

“Who told you to come here to seek apprenticeship?” The man’s temples were graying, indicating his advanced age.

“Junior heard of Master Li’s heritage, impressed by the incredible external martial arts, and yearned for it…”

“You can go back now. Leave! Scram!” The man waved his hand and turned to enter the house, slamming the door shut with a bang.

Before Zhang Rongfang could finish speaking, he was interrupted, leaving him slightly taken aback.

But he quickly collected himself.

In fact, before coming, he had already sent people to inquire with Li Guanyue through tentative contact.

But the answer was: absolutely no external transmission.

The Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training seemed an overused name, but the most authentic tradition had always remained with the Li family.

That is, the family that Li Guanyue belonged to.

Li Guanyue’s family had been obstinately hard-headed since his grandfather’s generation.

Absolutely uncompromising, willing to die rather than spread the art externally!

The people Zhang Rongfang sent earlier had even offered unimaginably high prices and conditions, but were still turned away.

And if coercive measures were used…

Li Guanyue had been forced to flee his hometown and come to Citong before because of such pressure.

If he were unwilling, something might go wrong in teaching martial arts. If any thoughts were hidden….

The memory of being scammed by his master last time was still fresh for Zhang Rongfang.

Just two extra words added to the manual had cost him a huge amount of effort, time, and money in vain.

Besides, Zhang Rongfang was inherently kind-hearted and couldn’t bring himself to commit any vile acts for someone else’s family-descended martial arts.

So ultimately, he decided to make a personal visit.

Knock knock knock.

Zhang Rongfang knocked on the door again.

“Master Li, I sincerely wish to become your apprentice and learn from you. Rest assured, whatever conditions you propose, as long as I can bear them, I’m willing!”

The Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training is not an ordinary Hard Skill; when fully mastered, it’s said to rival the legendary feats of Li Cunxiao, who famously defied the Five Horses Dismemberment punishment.

Zhang Rongfang naturally wanted to witness such a Hard Skill firsthand.

However, no matter how he called from outside, there was no response from within.

Zhang Rongfang didn’t get angry.

He had already gathered all the information about the Li family.

The Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training greatly enhances strength, and once mastered, the only vulnerable points on the body are the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, and rear. The rest of the body is as tough as metal and iron.

Not to mention, this Li Guanyue, merely a sixth-grade expert, could escape with only minor injuries from several encounters with seventh and eighth-grade masters.

This demonstrates the strength of this Hard Skill.

After knocking for a while and still receiving no response, Zhang Rongfang had no choice but to leave.

Sitting in a nearby inn.

Zhang Zhenhai, veiled, sat down beside him.

“Young master, since Li Guanyue fails to appreciate favors, why not directly capture his sons and daughters to threaten him…”

“Avoid such violence.” Zhang Rongfang waved his hand. “Martial arts obtained through coercion might have flaws that won’t be discovered until many years later. By then, it’ll be too late.”

“Then what should we do?” Zhang Zhenhai frowned, “Is it because the money offered isn’t enough? Then let’s double the previous amount; we have no shortage of money.”

The Rebel Sect accumulated many assets over the years, and the wealth disguised under many identities far exceeded ordinary imagination.

There’s never a concern about not having enough money.

“We can try. Also, Li Guanyue has three sons and three daughters; maybe we can start from there.” Zhang Rongfang suggested.

“It’s just that there are too few experts in top-notch Hard Skill. Many others belong to major sects and teachings that forbid external transmission, or else it wouldn’t be this troublesome!” Zhang Zhenhai lamented.

“It’s fine. If our investigation is correct, the Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training can be refined to the Super Grade, a top-notch Hard Skill comparable to those of major sects.” Zhang Rongfang had patience.

Now, he had added another attribute point, reaching sixteen points.

As long as the Li family’s issue was resolved, he wouldn’t have to worry about Hard Skill for perhaps a very long time.

He had actually found and learned ordinary Hard Skills available on the market.

But the intensity of Iron Cloth that reached the sixth grade already surpassed many low-grade Hard Skills.

Making those low-grade Hard Skills utterly useless, even when cultivated to the highest level, they couldn’t match the current strength of Iron Cloth.

So afterward, he could only seek martial arts superior to Iron Cloth.

The Bright Dragon Fist of the Eastern Sect of Buddhism was one option, but unfortunately, no one was there to teach it.

The same goes for the Zhenyi Sect.

The Confucian Sect’s techniques had long been lost.

The top-notch Hard Skills available on the market nowadays were truly unique to the Li family.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep