Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Even If You’re Not Afraid of Pain, Max Out Defense

The coarse iron sand was full of sharp, jagged points.

If an Entering Grade Martial Artist were to circulate their Inner Qi and launch this iron sand, the force would rival that of a shotgun.

But Zou Feng clearly intended to use this iron sand to scour his body.

That’s right. Not to bathe, but to scour.

He leaped into a large wooden tub, one specially made for bathing, and began writhing his body in the iron sand.

Every so often, he would scoop up a handful and rub the iron sand all over his body.

He paid special attention to the most vulnerable parts, sparing none.

But that wasn’t all. Before he started scouring himself, Zou Feng had also consumed various elixirs required for the Cultivation of the Tribulation-Indestructible Body.

While these elixirs could repair some of the physical damage, their main purpose was to stimulate his internal organs, forcing them into overdrive and overdrafting his body’s potential, regardless of the cost.

The Tribulation-Indestructible Body was a True Skill that could only be practiced after one reached Entering Grade. Naturally, its Cultivation wasn’t limited to hardening the exterior—the interior had to be trained as well.

“AWOO AWOO AWOO—”

“OW! AAAH—OOH—”

Scouring his body with iron sand was naturally accompanied by all sorts of strange cries.

Of course, this was all an act for others to see.

However, the one who truly wanted to scream in agony at this moment had to be his top patron, Qian Kun.

But this was only the beginning. By the time his Cultivation of the Tribulation-Indestructible Body reached the stage of Integration and Mastery, Qian Kun would likely have screamed his lungs out.

Watching this scene, Zhao Tianhu remained relatively calm, but Liu Chun and Xiong Datian were terrified.

’This isn’t Cultivation, this is outright self-mutilation.’

On any other day, Zou Incense Master seemed perfectly normal. You could even say he was a quintessential nice guy with no airs about him.

’But once he starts his Cultivation, he’s just too twisted…’

’I heard that the last madman in the gang who practiced this Tribulation-Indestructible Body actually managed to reach the stage of Entering the Hall and the Room in a short time.’

’But the moment after he did, before he could even finish shouting “I did it!” in ecstasy, he coughed up blood and died on the spot.’

’So even if Zou Incense Master is some kind of masochistic freak, can anyone really master this thing and live to tell the tale?’

’Besides, even if he does master this Skill, it just makes him really tough to hurt.’

’It really suits Zou Incense Master’s disposition, content to just turtle up here…’

’He’s not afraid of pain, so of course he’s going to max out his defense!’

Liu Chun and Xiong Datian exchanged a look, and both saw the same discontent in each other’s eyes.

’Zou Incense Master was content to hide in his shell here, but they weren’t. They had joined the gang to get ahead in the world…’

***

That night, Liu Chun and Xiong Datian were on their routine patrol among the various warehouses.

But when they returned, they were both black and blue, barely able to walk back to their quarters while leaning on each other for support.

Zou Feng, who had still been in the middle of his Cultivation, couldn’t help but frown at the sight.

“What happened?”

In truth, Zou Feng didn’t even need to ask. He already knew what had happened.

’Tsk. That Ma Pingchuan has no patience at all. It’s only been a few days, and he already has to test the waters.’

’Couldn’t he have waited until I’d had some more time to focus on my Cultivation?’

’He’s really in a rush to get himself killed.’

“Zou Incense Master… While we were on patrol, we ran into Ma Incense Master’s men…”

“They insisted our Martial Arts weren’t good enough to be in the Black Flood Dragon Gang and demanded a sparring match…”

At this moment, Liu Chun and Xiong Datian felt not only indignation, but a deeper sense of shame.

After all, their opponents hadn’t used superior numbers to bully them; it had been a series of one-on-one matches.

Even so, they had been beaten so badly they couldn’t even fight back.

If they had to find fault, it was that the men had continued to land heavy blows even after they had clearly won.

After hearing them out, Zou Feng brought his fingers to the tip of his nose and, Cultivating his Skill, sniffed the fragrance on them.

He himself could also use these poisonous incenses to refresh his mind and sharpen his senses.

Zou Feng didn’t reprimand Liu Chun and Xiong Datian. It would have been pointless.

’After all, Ma Pingchuan and his cronies were really targeting me.’

’Even if Liu Chun and Xiong Datian had managed to hold back from fighting, that bunch would just find other excuses to provoke and test me later.’

’Their goal was to constantly make trouble for me under the guise of “reasonable” actions that didn’t violate the gang’s rules.’

’And eventually, force me to reveal an exploitable weakness.’

“Let’s go. We’ll go have a look.”

With that, Zou Feng led the way toward the area where Ma Pingchuan lived.

Zhao Tianhu immediately grabbed an iron rod and followed, looking menacing.

Seeing this, Liu Chun and Xiong Datian were at first confused, then overjoyed.

’So we misjudged Zou Incense Master! When something actually happens, he doesn’t turtle at all. He’s a man who takes responsibility.’

Overjoyed, they gritted their teeth against the pain and grabbed whatever they could use as weapons.

Of course, the things they grabbed weren’t actual weapons like swords or sabers, but rather wooden clubs, stools, and the like.

Drawing blades would change the nature of the confrontation entirely, which was exactly what Ma Pingchuan and his cronies wanted.

Soon, Zou Feng and his group arrived at Ma Pingchuan’s residence.

A group of about ten men, including Ma Pingchuan himself, were not inside, but out in the front courtyard, eating meat and drinking.

Roasting over a bonfire was what was clearly Spirit Beast Meat.

“Well now, what wind blew Younger Brother Zou over here today?”

“Hahaha, perfect timing! Care to join us for a drink?”

Seeing Zou Feng, Ma Pingchuan stood up with a broad smile, gesturing as if to welcome him.

Ma Pingchuan was portly and a fine young man who was always laughing.

He always wore a kind and affable smile.

So on the surface, he had never shown Zou Feng the slightest bit of displeasure.

Zou Feng, also smiling, waved his hand. “No need, Ma Incense Master. Your men were a bit too heavy-handed just now, don’t you think?”

“It was just a friendly spar. My men were less skilled, so they lost. That’s fine. But since we’re all brothers in the Black Flood Dragon Gang, what’s the big idea beating them until their faces are swollen like pigs’ heads?”

Upon hearing this, Ma Pingchuan feigned surprise. “Ah, is that so?”

He immediately turned and yelled at his men by the bonfire, “Which of you did this? Why would you be so rough with our two brothers?!”

“Er… Forgive me, Ma Incense Master. I can guarantee I absolutely didn’t mean to be so rough!”

“That’s right, I thought they could dodge. I wasn’t even using my full strength…”

Ma Pingchuan cursed, “Damn it! All of you, watch yourselves next time! Be careful Zou Incense Master doesn’t make you regret it!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Understood!”

This was followed by a roar of laughter.

Once the little play was over, Ma Pingchuan turned back and said apologetically, “Younger Brother Zou, I’m truly sorry. As an apology, how about your big brother here downs a cup?”

Such a blatant provocation was, of course, exactly what Ma Pingchuan wanted. He was hoping Zou Feng would attack in a fit of rage.

A squabble between subordinates was one thing, but an Incense Master personally making a move was something else entirely. There were far too many ways to exploit such a situation.

He had been hoping all along that Zou Feng would be unable to resist stepping in personally.

Even if Zou Feng wasn’t stupid enough to bully his subordinates and attack them directly, if he insisted on sparring with Ma Pingchuan himself, that would be even better.

’The moment Zou Feng dares to make a move, I’d just throw myself on the ground and scream, “He’s trying to kill me!”’

’Then I could blame all my old, chronic injuries on Zou Feng.’

’With the gang rules in place, and with Master Qian there to administer “justice,” I could guarantee Zou Feng would have to compensate me for everything, right down to his own underwear!’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep