Chapter 49: 48 Doubts, Part 2

Zhang Xintai was somewhat stunned as well. He had been diligently training to break through to the second rank since the age of ten, enduring the hardships of winter and summer, never taking a day off.

Now, at thirty years old, he finally reached the second rank.

Yet Zhang Rongfang… he’s only seventeen… and he’s about to catch up with him?

“In this case, it really should be like this.” Chen Lianqing also showed surprise on his face, nodding in agreement. “But if we take action, it will inevitably implicate our junior brother. Even if we send him away, it would be useless.”

“…” Zhang Xuan did not answer.

Because this issue was difficult for him to resolve.

“Actually, as long as our identities are not exposed, everything is negotiable,” Zhang Xintai said. “Once we make a move, let junior brother and my wife leave together. Changing names and identities afterward is not impossible….”

He felt somewhat silent.

If he had known from the start that he would have to act so soon, he would never have married Yanzi.

Unfortunately…. one cannot predict the future.

While dealing with the three masters of the Mi Gang, they were noticed by Tang Sha and his associates.

Now, Tang Sha has joined forces with Chen Baihu, continuing to investigate closely and coming closer to the truth step by step.

Once discovered, it could set off a chain reaction, potentially leaking their entire uprising plan.

If the imperial army presses in, their small number of people would be insufficient to fight.

Therefore….

One cannot predict the future…

“Alas…. I don’t even know why those three from the Mi Gang suddenly targeted me,” Zhang Xuan sighed.

At the time, fearing exposure, he killed too quickly, leaving no survivors for interrogation.

“At this point, pursuing this is meaningless. The key is, those three were outstanding masters in Huaxin County, disappearing together. Only very few forces could achieve this.” Chen Lianqing said.

“It’s natural for Tang Sha and Chen Baihu to suspect us,” Chen Lianqing continued.

“Tang Sha has long held suspicions about me,” said Zhang Xuan. “This time is just a more thorough investigation.”

“Why not just eliminate this person quietly?” suggested Chen Lianqing with a frown.

“It’s difficult. After all these years, I’ve never found an opportunity. During that incident with the Chen family, I thought perhaps something might emerge, but the old guy didn’t reveal any flaws. He never goes anywhere alone and always has at least four people guarding him,” Zhang Xuan shook his head.

“I am somewhat worried that if Tang Sha can’t find any flaws, he might secretly target Yanzi and our junior brother,” Zhang Xintai frowned.

“I will send additional people to keep an eye on our junior brother, always ready to offer protection. Xintai, you should also stay alert to any changes within the palace. Inform me immediately if Tang Sha makes any moves,” Chen Lianqing instructed.

“Alright,” Zhang Xintai nodded heavily.

“Don’t worry,” Chen Lianqing coldly assured, “With me here, I won’t let anything happen to Yanzi and our junior brother.”

*

*

*

At dawn.

Inside Qinghe Temple.

Zhang Rongfang sat cross-legged on the meditation mat, closing his eyes to calm his mind and body while reciting scriptures and conducting morning lessons.

Li Heng, the temple master, and others like Xiao Jiu were absent, leaving only two apprentice disciples dozing off nearby.

The summer heat made people drowsy even in the morning.

Several flies buzzed around the pigheads and fruit offerings in front of the shrine.

“Rongfang!” Suddenly, a shout came from outside the door.

Zhang Xintai walked in briskly.

“I’ve found out how to learn the Flame Emperor Talisman and Soul-Stabilizing Talisman!”

Zhang Rongfang opened his eyes and stood up.

“Senior brother, sit down and have some water first, then tell me slowly.”

He had previously entrusted Zhang Xintai to inquire about obtaining the Flame Emperor Talisman and Soul-Stabilizing Talisman, not expecting news this soon.

He poured water for Zhang Xintai, and the two sat at a small stone table found outside the guest room.

“The Palace Master, in his early years, took on three disciples in total, all of whom received genuine teachings.

One of them, a man named Lin Chaoxin, chose to learn the Flame Emperor Talisman and Soul-Stabilizing Talisman. However, Lin Chaoxin is peculiar by nature and unsociable. If you want him to teach you the Soul-Stabilizing Talisman and Flame Emperor Talisman, I’m afraid it will be difficult.”

“Isn’t there any other way?” Zhang Rongfang frowned. The Qinghe Palace’s Great Dao Teaching legacy surely couldn’t be mastered by only the Palace Master.

“Of course, there are other ways.” Zhang Xintai nodded. “Within Qinghe Palace, indeed only these two know the Flame Emperor Talisman and Soul-Stabilizing Talisman, but outside of Huaxin County, there are far more than just two people who do.

“Our Great Dao Teaching’s temples and observatories are spread throughout the nation. All branches must report and record tournaments at the Great Capital Celestial Treasure Palace headquarters, which is the foundation of our teaching.”

“So, I could acquire these talismanic skills from other temples, observatories, or from the Celestial Treasure Palace headquarters?” Zhang Rongfang understood.

“Exactly.”

“And how would one acquire talismanic skills elsewhere? What qualifications are required?” Zhang Rongfang asked in confusion.

“That I don’t know; generally speaking, you need to venture out,” Zhang Xintai shook his head.

Zhang Rongfang fell silent for a moment, realizing that obtaining the cultivation technique was more complicated than he had anticipated. It seemed he would have to advance sooner than planned, which was originally set for the second year.

Otherwise, lingering here would merely be wasting time.

“By the way, in a while, your sister-in-law plans to head to Tan Yang for supplies. Being alone with a trade convoy makes me a little uneasy. If you happen to learn the Soul-Stabilizing Talisman and Flame Emperor Talisman, Tan Yang could be your contact point; Master Hongdao there has mastered these talismanic skills. My father could also help with introductions. Would you accompany her to protect her?” Zhang Xintai suggested.

“To Tan Yang?” Zhang Rongfang perceived that his senior brother seemed to want to send him far away.

“Tan Yang is one of the major cities on Pingyu Road, far more prosperous and larger than here in Huaxin County. It boasts far richer resources,” Zhang Xintai explained.

Zhang Rongfang’s heart stirred as he suddenly recalled the Wood Armor Skill given to him by his teacher, which required several medicinal herbs for a bath.

Perhaps going to Tan Yang would allow him to complete it…

“How far is Tan Yang?”

“Three days will get you there.”

“Alright! I’m going,” Zhang Rongfang earnestly agreed.

It would be good to go, to see more of the world; if he could complete the Wood Armor Skill’s recipe or acquire more body technique martial arts, it would be perfect.

However, before leaving, he intended to attempt a less challenging acquisition of talismanic skills.

For instance, finding Lin Chaoxin.

After Zhang Xintai left, Zhang Rongfang returned to sit on the meditation mat.

He closed his eyes, and the attribute panel appeared once again before him.

’Zhang Rongfang—Life 25-26.

Skills: Rejuvenation Purification Talisman Manual – Mountain-shaped Talisman (Limit-Breaking) (Limit-Breaking Skill: Heavy Mountain, five times),

Void Observation Skill (First Layer Essence Aperture).

Dragon and Snake Ascension Skill (Limit-Breaking) (Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Ground.)

Morning Energy Talisman (Limit-Breaking)

Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada (Perfection)

Fusion Limit-Breaking Skill: Shrinking Step Heavy Mountain.

Available Attributes: 5.’

He had kept them before to wait for a new Talismanic Skill.

Now that it was time to leave, naturally, he had to maximize everything to turn into actual combat power.

This time, without a moment’s hesitation, he directly clicked the plus sign behind Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada.

Ssss.

The “Perfection” in parentheses disappeared and quickly revealed “Limit-Breaking”.

Zhang Rongfang immediately felt his skin heating up, especially his legs, which were scorching hot.

The change didn’t last long and soon disappeared, like soaking in a hot bath.

A few minutes later, he stood up, moved his legs a bit. Returning to the room, he moved lightly.

Suddenly, his shadow flickered, and in just two seconds, Zhang Rongfang’s shadow had circled the entire floor of the bedroom.

’The speed is about ten percent faster than before, other changes are minimal….’

Additionally, this Limit-Breaking did not reveal a Limit-Breaking Skill.

This left Zhang Rongfang slightly disappointed.

But Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada was not a particularly good lightweight skill, so any enhancement was already quite good.

This is the disparity with low-grade martial arts. Compared to more advanced martial arts, the gap is too large.

The boost is small, there’s no Limit-Breaking Skill, and the grade limit is low.

This breakthrough even cost him two attribute points.

Zhang Rongfang glanced at his remaining three attribute points, feeling a bit of heartache.

The improvement in body technique was only one-tenth, too wasteful.

’However, my previous speed was already about equal to the Five-Grade Sect Leader of the Black Fist Sect, Zhuang Dali. Now that it’s ten percent faster, I should have a slight edge.’

’So it seems, as long as I want to leave, even a Five-Grade expert won’t be able to stop me.’

Zhang Rongfang estimated in his mind.

This improvement didn’t seem much, but in reality, it allowed him to roughly gauge his position.

It should be equivalent to a Four-Grade in terms of main body technique speed.

’I should save the last three attribute points; I’ll soon be entering a new Talismanic Skill, and I’ll add them then.’

At this point, Zhang Rongfang clearly felt that the grade enhancement was really becoming weaker and weaker in enhancing speed and strength.

Inexplicably, his gaze suddenly fell on the life attribute at the very top.

The life attribute hadn’t been moved for a while. It seemed to have completely reached its limit.

A limit of 26 points is indeed strong. Among everyone Zhang Rongfang had seen, only his master Zhang Xuan, later tested and calculated his attributes, exceeding this number, reaching the highest limit of 31.

At this moment, looking at the life attribute and feeling the increasingly slow progress of physical enhancement.

Zhang Rongfang once again recalled his previous conjecture about life.

If life determines a person’s lifespan, does martial arts gain compensatory force through the damage to life?

’Then, if the human body reaches a certain limit, is it because life itself cannot support the corresponding force, thus leading to the limit of force?’

Looking at the life attribute, Zhang Rongfang fell into deep thought.

’If life increases to a certain extent, what will happen? Can it break the limit of force?’

*

*

*

“Zhang Xintai is about to run.”

At the peak of a mountain behind Qinghe Palace.

The supervisor Tang Sha sat cross-legged on the ground, holding a twig, writing and drawing continuously on the ground.

Upon hearing the report, he paused his actions.

“How did you find out?”

“Zhang Xintai’s wife and junior apprentice, both have already joined the Bai family’s caravan set to depart for Tan Yang.

Additionally, Yang Hongyan’s parents have also disappeared, with no movement since last night, they likely fled long ago.” In the rear, a tall, burly Daoist solemnly reported.

It was none other than Qi Mountain Daoist from the Daoist Palace.

Compared to a few months ago, he seemed much more fatigued, looking as if he was frequently staying up late.

“Zhang Xuan always seemed obedient, but once he takes action, he’s fast and fierce. So, his son arranging the weak and burdens behind to leave first, probably indicates he’s preparing to act.” Qi Mountain whispered.

“I have always suspected Zhang Xuan of harboring trouble, and after finally dismantling the Chen family, another one has come running.” Tang Sha said blandly.

“Since we can confirm Zhang Xuan and his son’s movement, why don’t we secretly control Yang Hongyan first? Maybe we can extract clues and evidence from her.” Qi Mountain suggested.

“Are you confident?” Tang Sha was surprised. Currently, he had no idea how many accomplices Zhang Xuan had outside.

“As long as we change identities and attire, and don’t wear Daoist robes, it should be fine.” Qi Mountain nodded.

With Qinghe Palace currently short on manpower, he had to resort to utilizing his family’s connections, pulling some people, and personally taking action.

With his current strength on the verge of reaching Three-Grade, plus the personnel he could bring, capturing an ordinary woman and a Daoist yet to enter the rankings would naturally be a breeze.

“Then let’s try it.” Tang Sha frowned, “Zhang Xuan’s group is becoming increasingly active, there’s likely some major move. Move quickly.”

“Understood.” Qi Mountain bowed his head in agreement.

He understood Tang Sha’s mind; only by completely clearing out all the pests within Qinghe Palace could the Daoist Palace be truly revitalized and expanded.

Be it the Chen family or Zhang Xuan, did they really think the resources they siphon from the Daoist Palace annually couldn’t be calculated by others?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep