Realm-Hopping Martial Master

"No, the Famished Tiger Martial Hall is not just any ordinary martial hall. Chou Hai himself is quite inscrutable. When he came to open his hall in Pingling County, he had all the other hall owners beaten and subdued. Such strength is comparable to yours, isn't it, third brother?"

"Jiang Shu managed to become his Disciple, frequently visiting his large courtyard and gaining his favor. For Chou Hai's sake, we must treat Jiang Shu differently than other Martial Artists."

As the Family Head, Yao Zhengxing was naturally more composed than his third brother.

"Our Yao Family is now able to lead many prominent families because we've aligned ourselves with County Magistrate Nie, but other prominent families have their own methods. When everyone is relying on their own abilities, County Magistrate Nie will naturally turn a blind eye, and may even protect us to some extent. But if we go too far, grabbing people and killing them in the street, will County Magistrate Nie still stand by us?"

"I know you, third brother, want to say you can disguise yourself, but have you considered how many prominent families are watching you and me right now? It's unnecessary to lose face in front of the County Magistrate for the sake of such a minor figure."

"How about this: write an invitation and have someone wait specifically outside Jiang Shu's courtyard."

"Whenever he returns, give it to him. Say that our Yao Family wishes to invite him for a meal."

"If he doesn't come, it means he feels guilty. Although we can't kill someone in the street, as long as we keep a close eye on him, there will be plenty of opportunities as long as he's in Pingling County!"

Closing his eyes and then reopening them, now swirling with murderous intent, Yao Zhengxing continued, "If he comes, this banquet will be the last delicacy he ever enjoys in this world!"

"Regardless of whether he is the one who killed Wenbai."

"Regardless of whether he has anything to do with Zhenglong's death."

"Since he has chosen to stand in the way of our Yao Family, then he... must die!"

"If he hands over the spices, let him choose a more comfortable way to die."

"If not, we'll break his limbs, throw him into a well, torment him for a while, and let him starve to death!"

"Additionally, prepare a generous gift in advance. Send it over to Chou Hai after Jiang Shu is dead."

With each statement, Yao Zhengxing issued his commands.

He stood up.

Wenbai was his own son. Zhenglong was his own younger brother. If Jiang Shu truly was the murderer, death would be too easy for him!

Killing someone in the street was too easy to leave evidence. The Yao Family was at the height of its power; it was more important to gradually attract Martial Artists from other prominent families, without risking its grand position over a mere youngster.

If Jiang Shu came, that would be ideal—an effortless solution. They could also acquire the spice recipe. If he didn't come, then once our Yao Family has thoroughly stabilized the situation, we'll go back and take care of him!

"The Family Head is wise."

Amidst the chorus of praise for his wisdom, the elders and juniors of the Yao Family gradually left the hall.

When no one else was left, Yao Zhengxing went to the ancestral hall alone.

Looking at the highest memorial tablet, he bowed respectfully. "Grandfather, your wish is about to be fulfilled by your grandson."

"Our Yao Family has waited for so long, prepared for so long, and finally has the opportunity to rise."

"Once the Yao Family firmly controls all of Pingling County, becomes the sole prominent family in control, and commands the resources of an entire county, in the future, we will definitely produce several geniuses who reach the Refining Internal Realm!"

"They will lead our Yao Family back to the main branch!"

「Elsewhere.」

Jiang Shu waited until his panel's transmigration cooldown was complete before he hurried down the mountain and returned to the inner city.

An invitation was delivered into his hands almost immediately.

"A banquet from the Yao Family? Interesting. I should go ask Old Chou for his opinion," Jiang Shu mused.

Casually folding the invitation, Jiang Shu naturally knew this was a setup, but he was no longer afraid of the danger posed by the Yao Family itself.

The only real danger in Pingling County was County Magistrate Nie.

His brow smoothed slightly. They knew full well that the death of the Bone Forging Realm expert was inextricably linked to him. Yet, instead of threats, they sent an invitation. But the current situation was much better than he had initially envisioned. When he first prepared to return, his greatest worry had been that the Yao Family would treat him as a major threat and directly call upon County Magistrate Nie to suppress him. That was why he hadn't dared to return to the city until the panel's cooldown period had passed. It seemed he had been overly anxious.

As usual, he first spent a short while in Qi Yuan's courtyard, catching up with him and exchanging some pointers. Only then did Jiang Shu go to visit Old Chou.

The Famished Tiger Martial Hall was clearly on the verge of disbanding. The apprentices were dwindling in number.

Old Chou did not seem to care at all, lying back leisurely in his rocking chair in the courtyard.

"Master Chou."

"You're back? Let's talk in the room."

Inside the room.

"You're saying that after you killed the Yao Family's Bone Forging Realm expert, they not only didn't question you but also sent you an invitation to attend a banquet?"

A sneer touched the corner of Old Chou's mouth. "Hmph. These prominent families, the more business they do, the more they lose the heart of Martial Arts. This is why I've said you must leave Pingling County and see the world."

"A true Martial Artist cares only for their own Martial Arts. Repay kindness with kindness, and malice with malice. If someone kills my kin, I'll kill their entire family! The Yao Family members are all spineless. How can they even speak of higher Realms? They'll be stuck in the Bone Forging Realm their entire lives."

"It's a Realm achieved purely through resources! When you eventually reach Yongning Commandery City, you'll find such cultivators are a dime a dozen. People wouldn't even want them as servants."

"And now, they still think of using conspiracies and schemes to commit murder? Inviting you to a banquet before they make their move? Ridiculous!"

Old Chou's words radiated a cold disdain, clearly showing his contempt for spineless Martial Artists.

"The letter I asked you to deliver concerns my private affairs, but it's also a fortuitous opportunity for you. Therefore, before you deliver it, I must assess you thoroughly. Only if you possess sufficient capability can I entrust this task to you."

"Do you know what the Refining Internal Realm is? Why can some Martial Artists break through to the Refining Internal Realm, while others remain in the Bone Forging Realm their entire lives?" Old Chou's tone shifted suddenly, directly addressing the essence of Martial Arts.

"This Disciple does not know," Jiang Shu replied honestly, standing upright.

"Cultivation Technique! It's like this: without foundation exercises and breathing methods, an ordinary person could eat meat their entire life and never achieve Qi Blood Transport or the grand circulation of qi and blood throughout the body! They would never be able to cultivate Force!"

"The fundamental difference between the Refining Internal Realm and the Bone Forging Realm lies in Force! The Force of the Skin Grinding Realm and Bone Forging Realm is merely ordinary Force. Therefore, it can only increase physical strength and temper the skin and bone membranes; it cannot produce various miraculous effects!"

"A Cultivation Technique that allows a Martial Artist to cultivate to the Refining Internal Realm must be a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique! A technique capable of cultivating True Force!"

"Our Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength is merely a Low Grade Cultivation Technique that cultivates ordinary Force. Therefore, even if you master it completely, you can only reach the Bone Forging Realm."

"I do have a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique that leads directly to the Refining Internal Realm. However, this technique has significant limitations. If you were to learn it, you would be restricted for life. With your talent, I believe learning it would be a waste."

Old Chou paused at this point.

Jiang Shu seized the opportunity to ask, "True Force? What is the difference between the Force I currently generate and the True Force of a Refining Internal Realm Martial Artist?"

"Attributes. The five viscera correspond to attributes. The Refining Internal Realm is also an exceedingly wondrous Realm. Among Martial Artists who have refined their five viscera, combat strength can vary drastically. Each different Middle Grade Cultivation Technique produces a different True Force."

"As for the specifics, you will understand after you deliver the letter. For now, I ask you only one thing: if you attend the banquet and face the Yao Family's numerous Martial Artists, how confident are you?"

"If County Magistrate Nie does not intervene, no one can stand against me." Jiang Shu lifted his head, his expression brimming with natural self-confidence.

Although he had not yet reached the Peak of the Bone Forging Realm, with his surging qi and blood, how could ordinary Bone Forging Realm experts possibly withstand him? Moreover, he possessed numerous Martial Arts techniques. With his alloy combat saber, he could attend the banquet alone. The insignificant Yao Family was hardly worth mentioning.

"Then go. Act boldly. Once it's done, deliver the letter."

"As for anything in Pingling County, I'll be here to take care of it."