Chapter 41: 40

In no time, the transformation was complete.

Zhang Rongfang hadn’t had time to feel the change in his body when a sudden realization struck him.

The memories of practicing Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill overlapped significantly with the Mist Smoke Step of Morning Energy Talisman.

A vast amount of cultivation memories intertwined, with many connections and combinations between the two martial arts, eliminating some redundant parts.

Soon, a new form of footwork emerged in his mind.

Zhang Rongfang closed his eyes, carefully perceiving this new footwork.

Quickly, he opened his eyes again, seeing in his attributes panel a red line drawn below both Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill and Morning Energy Talisman.

The two red lines merged at the bottom, condensing into a red dot.

The red dot moved, flying to the Limit-Breaking Skill area, where it merged.

Suddenly, the heavy mountain blurred and disappeared, transforming into a red glow.

Soon, the red light faded, revealing characters within.

’(Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Step Heavy Mountain)’

The two Limit-Breaking Skills fused together, and a wealth of memories about using the two fused Limit-Breaking Skills surfaced in Zhang Rongfang’s mind.

The rapid burst speed compounded with Heavy Mountain’s explosive power.

The combination of the two created a strength far surpassing the previous singular use of Heavy Mountain.

But similarly, the consumption increased considerably.

’It can actually be like this?’

It was unexpected for Zhang Rongfang that the fusion of the two Limit-Breaking Skills would happen automatically.

Anyway, everything is developing positively, and he only needs to know that his strength has increased again.

’Unfortunately… there’s still some waste. The overlapping parts of Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill and Mist Smoke Step actually wasted attribute points. If it were a complete set of Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual, I might truly be a third grade now.’

He sensed another round of enhancement in his overall physical strength, endurance, and explosive leg power.

Zhang Rongfang again directed his gaze to the attributes panel.

’Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada has already started, can be upgraded anytime, and as for the cultivation of Wood Armor Skill… it requires a lot of medicinal baths, and the current conditions are not very good…’

Huaxin County isn’t considered large, and the medicinal ingredients needed for Wood Armor Skill baths number more than ten kinds, several of which are missing and unavailable for purchase.

Thinking of this, Zhang Rongfang decided to focus entirely on body techniques.

If not for the body technique, he wouldn’t have gotten insider information about Mi Gang’s actions this time.

Nor would he have been able to inform his master and senior brothers.

’Now that the body technique is fused, my strength has advanced again; perhaps I can attempt some hunting outside.’

His martial arts have greatly improved, his eagerness to try it out; testing in the city might expose his concealed strength.

But outside the city, testing against fierce beasts would equally be good.

At that moment, Zhang Rongfang thought of Mi Gang’s Chen He.

Previously, he was hit so hard that his arms were nearly wasted, and there’s still a grudge in his heart.

’Before going hunting outside this time, I’ll settle the score for the injuries to my arms.’

“Is Zhang Rongfang, Taoist Master Zhang, here?” Suddenly, a man shouted loudly outside the temple.

Zhang Rongfang walked along the eaves to the front door and opened it.

“I am Zhang Rongfang, who are you?”

Outside stood a bald dwarf, wearing a green and brown mixed leather outfit, holding a wooden staff, and upon seeing Zhang Rongfang, he quickly showed a smile.

“Taoist Master Zhang, I am under Brother Chen He’s command from Mi Gang; Brother is recently busy with affairs, so he let me invite the Taoist Master for a drink at Drunken Singing Pavilion.” He blinked, displaying a ’men-understand’ expression.

Zhang Rongfang sensed Mi Gang’s recent schemes and realized the man certainly wasn’t genuinely inviting him for drinks. Clearly, he had other intentions.

“There’s no need for drinks. Thank you for your kindness, and please pass my gratitude to Chen. Besides, the rain is heavy today; it’s inconvenient to go out.”

“Taoist Master, to put it this way, it would be difficult for me to report back. If Brother Chen knows I couldn’t invite you, I’ll be punished when I return. Taoist Master, consider giving me a hand and keeping Brother Chen’s face.” The dwarf persuaded.

But no matter how he persuaded, Zhang Rongfang politely declined.

In the end, the dwarf had to leave helplessly, holding an umbrella.

Watching the ox cart leave slowly, Zhang Rongfang closed the temple door, his face calm and emotionless.

The heavy rain continued until the evening before gradually stopping.

The entire county was cleansed and spotless.

At this moment, in Chen He’s home.

Chen He, Old Ding, and three other in-grade experts from Mi Gang had gathered together.

The five sat around the table, with a mountain-shaped oil lamp placed in the center.

The bright light flickered slightly, emitting translucent smoke.

“It’s all the talk in the gang that Qinghe Palace sent quite a compensation today, and that old thing Tang Sha compromised for the Chen family’s matter, for the death of the young gang leader, giving us many favours.”

Old Ding held an iron ball in his hand, while the eagle tattoo on his neck reflected a mysterious dark green under the lamp’s light.

“In this way, most gang members probably won’t think of taking action again. Hehe…” A man with a small braids hairstyle sneered.

“What did the gang leader say?” Old Ding looked at Chen He.

“On the first day of the month, when Zhang Xuan’s son gets engaged, he’ll surely come. At that time, when he finishes the banquet and heads back to the mountain, we’ll make a move.” Chen He replied calmly.

“What next? How to clean up afterward?” A man asked.

“The money from the gang leader is enough for us to enjoy for decades if we move elsewhere. Why worry about this? At worst, we go to another confederate state.” Another man said casually.

“In the end, how exactly did the young gang leader die? Was it truly under Qinghe Palace’s secret Heavy Mountain technique?” Old Ding couldn’t help but ask.

Chen He sighed and nodded. “Yes, and it was indeed the standard Heavy Mountain technique. I wouldn’t mistake it; when Zhang Xuan, the old Taoist, descended the mountain, he killed more than ten people; I witnessed them all. Those kinds of wounds couldn’t be wrong.”

“Tsk tsk… Why would a half-buried old man descend the mountain to kill the young gang leader? Hasn’t anyone wondered about this?” Old Ding questioned, puzzled.

“Who knows… Anyway, after this incident, even if others know we did it, without evidence, it’ll only be left unresolved.

At that time, with Huang Jude’s group of bandits covering for us, we can dispose of the bodies, and no one will ever know,” Chen He said calmly.

The others immediately burst into laughter.

So many people ganging up on one old man, even if he’s a fifth-rank, he surely won’t escape death.

After it’s done, everyone can split a large sum of money and properties. It’s a gamble that will guarantee prosperity for the second half of our lives.

At the same time.

In a corner outside the room.

Zhang Rongfang’s face showed the same astonishment.

He was squatting in the shadows, in front of him was a small bottle of wine and a few cold dishes, ready for a midnight snack.

He never expected to overhear such explosive news today.

Ever since he first came to the Chen family and heard some intelligence, Zhang Rongfang became fond of these stealthy actions.

Whenever he had free time, he would come to the Chen family to eavesdrop.

Sometimes, when he got hungry, he would bring some snacks to eat while listening.

With the continuous breaking of his physical limits, his five senses had also improved a lot.

He could catch most of the conversation even if they were speaking in low voices in the room.

Originally, he planned to have some snacks tonight, take a break, and then wait until Chen He fell asleep to make his move.

But he never expected…

In the corner, Zhang Rongfang’s expression was unpredictable at the moment.

’I didn’t expect that the flaw I left behind would lead to a misunderstanding about Master. I also didn’t expect that Master could… This must be a secret technique from the Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual itself. No wonder the name revealed itself automatically…’

At this moment, he finally pieced together a series of information.

’This is troublesome… Chen Wuyou was recognized as having died at Chongshan. Since they have identified Master… how can I possibly explain to Master and the others?’

Zhang Rongfang didn’t think he could solve the entire problem by himself. The crux of the issue was whether Master believed the Mi Gang would surely strike.

As he ate, finishing his small bottle of wine, Zhang Rongfang packed up the remnants into his bag and, heavy-hearted, prepared to leave the Chen family.

“Wait!” Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

A possible solution to this entire matter appeared in his mind.

Based on the information he’d gathered from eavesdropping at the Chen family, this method had a high success rate.

Immediately, Zhang Rongfang climbed over the wall of the Chen family, casually threw his package into a garbage pile, and slipped into a narrow alley.

Soon, he changed into a different set of clothes and headed swiftly towards the county government office.

Using the Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill combined with the Mist Smoke Step for his soundless lightweight skill, Zhang Rongfang easily scaled the courthouse’s back wall, avoiding the patrolling guards, slipping in unnoticed.

This sort of thing becomes easier with practice; initially, he felt worried and afraid, but after doing it multiple times, his heart grew brave and steady.

Not long after, he quietly scaled the back wall of the county office again to exit.

Holding a large bag, he dashed swiftly into the night.

Suddenly, he seemed to trip over something underfoot.

With a crisp snap.

“Who’s there?!” The patrolling guards were startled and began closing in.

From afar, Zhang Rongfang saw the group had already raised their crossbows, aiming in his direction.

It was widely acknowledged that the Great Spirit soldiers were highly skilled in archery and crossbow shooting.

Immediately, his heart tightened, and he employed the Shrinking Step secret technique underfoot.

Secret techniques, when merged, do not disappear, and he could still use them individually.

Instantly, he maneuvered in an odd twist, exerting force underfoot, stepping forward three meters ahead with a speed far beyond before.

Thud! Thud!

Two crossbow arrows buried deeply into the ground behind him.

Without stopping to think more, Zhang Rongfang sprinted with all his might towards the distance.

He hadn’t expected the county office’s defenses to be so stringent, getting discovered right at the start.

*

*

*

Chen He was meticulously wiping the good item before him with an oilcloth.

Bam!

Suddenly, the front door was slammed open with great force.

Startled, he hurriedly grabbed the item and shoved it under the bed.

Then he turned and rushed to the study door, pulling it open.

Swish!

In an instant, over a dozen crossbows aimed straight at him.

Under the torchlight, the courtyard of the Chen family was suddenly flooded with numerous fully armed soldiers wearing bamboo hats.

A burly, brown armor-wearing captain turned his head, looking at Chen He while holding a government-issued saber.

“This outfit? It’s him! Arrest him!”

With one glance, he recognized the style of the robe Chen He was wearing.

“!!???” Chen He dared not move an inch, with over a dozen crossbows pointed at him; at this range, even a master beyond the sixth rank would have no chance of survival without protection.

“Search! Find all the recently stolen items! They must still be in this building!” the captain shouted.

Originally shocked and confused, upon hearing these words, Chen He suddenly remembered the crossbow under his bed, his face drastically changing, his heart turning ice-cold.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep