Realm-Hopping Martial Master

"We are from the County Town of Yongning County!" Zhao Zhen was the first to speak, his intent to intimidate the other party. Besides, they weren't exactly lying. Their little junior sister was indeed on her way to the County Town.

"The County Town of Yongning County? Isn't that at least a ten-day journey from here? Why would you run so far?"

"Brother Yuan, this guy is deceiving you. I think I've seen this man before, right in Qingfeng County's gambling house. It looks like these few are all from Qingfeng County."

"Qingfeng County, huh." Yuan Yong stroked his beard, his gaze beginning to wander.

Zhang Ruo and her two companions had never expected their identities to be exposed so suddenly. For a moment, the atmosphere tensed. Zhao Zhen gripped his saber. Li Qi frowned, still unwilling to fight. After all, they were outnumbered, three against five. Among their trio, only he possessed the highest Realm, having merely tempered his upper and lower limbs. As for their five opponents, although their Realms were unknown, the fact that they had hunted a Mutant Beast—one of the top existences of the Second Tier—made them formidable. He himself was no match for them!

Therefore, his thoughts shifted, and he spoke, "My junior brother and I are from Qingfeng County, but we are merely escorting this young lady back to the County Town of Yongning County." He and his junior brother, as Martial Artists, often spent time away from home. Zhang Ruo, however, was different. She had trained in Martial Arts within her family's large courtyard since she was young and rarely saw outsiders. Even her fellow disciples at the Martial Arts school seldom saw her. He didn't believe any of the five could recognize Zhang Ruo. He fabricated an identity out of thin air, figuring it would make the five men more wary.

Li Qi remained composed, unfazed. Behind him, Zhang Ruo was extremely nervous. She clutched her small whip, her gaze involuntarily drifting towards the depths of the cave where Jiang Shu still stood steadfastly in his stance, breathing steadily.

"Yuan Yong, behave yourself!" the leader suddenly spoke. He held a long saber and was the only Martial Artist in the group not carrying a Mutant Beast on his back. He had been quiet and reticent since arriving at the cave. As if sensing the shift in Zhang Ruo's gaze, he looked towards the depths of the cave for the first time and saw Jiang Shu. His brow furrowed.

By now, the rain in the mountain forest, which had come quickly, had left just as swiftly. In merely a quarter of an hour, it had already stopped.

"Let's go!" The leader's words were crisp and decisive as he turned to leave. Clearly, he held absolute authority within the group.

Once he left, Yuan Yong, who had been eying Zhang Ruo, glared at the trio one last time, stamped his foot forcefully, and followed closely. The five men walked further and further away. It wasn't until they were a considerable distance from the cave that Yuan Yong couldn't help but speak up, "Brother Qu, those three are clearly just fledglings. What's there to fear? That girl—I don't think she's from the County Town either. They all tensed up the moment he spoke."

"There's another one inside, very strong."

"Our most important task for this mission is to deliver the goods! Once we reach the County Town, Yan Yulou will have plenty for you to enjoy," the man surnamed Qu spoke succinctly. "Besides, if that girl really is from the County Town of Yongning County, you can inquire carefully later; you're bound to meet her again. If she truly has status, it's fortunate we didn't provoke her this time."

"If she can't be found, we'll just come back to Qingfeng County to look for her. Good food is worth the wait."

"Alright, I'll listen to Brother Qu. I recognized one of the men in there; I just didn't expect Brother Qu to rate him so highly. But no matter how impressive he is, he won't be a match for you, Brother Qu. You're only one step away from the Refining Internal Realm."

"If this mission is successful, Brother Qu, you'll be able to join the Yao Family."

"If you gain their recognition, there's still a chance for Middle Grade Martial Arts."

「The cave.」

After the five burly men left, the atmosphere relaxed considerably. Everyone had a different expression. Zhao Zhen glared at Jiang Shu, internally furious that Jiang Shu had remained silent earlier. In his view, with Jiang Shu's strength, if he had spoken up, they would definitely have been safe. Li Qi shared the same opinion but was better at concealing his emotions. In any case, the five men had left, so it was best to avoid further trouble.

Only Zhang Ruo, who had been observing the leader of the five men, faintly guessed that he might have chosen not to act because of Jiang Shu's presence. This 'Shang Junming,' it seemed, even if not from the County Town, was a rare genius, the kind seldom seen even in a regular county seat. At the very least, her two senior brothers definitely didn't possess such ability! And this 'Shang Junming' appeared to be only about her age. His Talent was terrifying! If he were recruited into their Zhang Family... she might be able to firmly secure her position!

"Brother Shang, those five people we just met—we might encounter them again on the road. So, could I ask you to travel with us? You're also heading to the County Town, so we're on the same path."

"Furthermore, it won't be for nothing; I'll cover all travel and accommodation expenses. Although I don't possess any Middle Grade Martial Arts, I do have three graded Martial Arts techniques. If Brother Shang doesn't disdain them, you're welcome to choose any."

"Also, my Zhang Family is a prominent clan in the County Town. I visited with my grandfather as a child, so I'm somewhat familiar with it. If there's anything you want to know about the County Town or the journey there, please ask. I'll tell you everything I know."

Though they had only met twice on this journey so far, Zhang Ruo believed she was a fairly accurate judge of character. A regular invitation wouldn't sway this Shang Junming. Only by appealing to his interests could she hope to persuade him. Moreover, the journey would allow them to understand each other better, building familiarity and laying the groundwork for her future attempts to recruit him.

"Agreed." After a moment, having completed one full cycle of cultivation, Jiang Shu spoke, "You mentioned earlier that the Zhang Family is a prominent clan in the County Town. What are some of the other prominent clans there?"

Jiang Shu accepted. Firstly, according to the map, the path ahead would be free of mountains and forests, mostly flat terrain, which would reduce the danger; he would merely be doing a favor that cost him little. Secondly, he could learn about the distribution of power within the County Town in advance. Currently, he only knew that the Zhao Family, to whom Old Chou had asked him to deliver a letter, was very likely a prominent clan. Of anything else, he knew nothing.

"The Zhao Family, Li Family, Sun Family, Wang Family, Zhou Family... Yao Family, Zhang Family." Zhang Ruo mentioned her own family last, continuing, "That's the general ranking by influence. But in truth, even the smallest, my Zhang Family, has several experts at the Refining Internal Realm."

"These prominent families all possess Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques. This is what attracts many geniuses from the various county towns to the County Town, because only by cultivating Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques can one have a chance to become a Refining Internal Realm expert."

"Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques are also called True Strength Techniques. But they are strictly controlled. In our Zhang Family, for instance, only true geniuses of the main lineage can learn them. Outsiders must undergo a series of trials. Ideally, they must marry a woman from our Zhang Family and have children; only then will they be taught the technique."

This was information that many Martial Artists from Pingling County would never know, yet Zhang Ruo shared it readily.

「The rain stopped.」

「The sun rose.」

The four set out again. Although Li Qi and Zhao Zhen clearly disliked Jiang Shu, Zhang Ruo was the one among the three of them who truly made the decisions. If they hoped to learn True Strength Techniques in the future, they would have to rely on Zhang Ruo putting in a good word for them. Therefore, they naturally didn't dare to say much.

The journey was smooth. They passed through various county towns, each with its own distinct culture and customs. In just over ten days, a vast river, about a hundred meters wide, lay before Jiang Shu and the others. The river teemed with boats; countless fishermen were casting their nets. On the riverbanks, ferries waited to take passengers across. The four of them casually chose one. The current was gentle, but the boat sped swiftly.

Yongning County Town, a hundred times larger than Pingling County Town, resembled a colossal beast crouching beneath the setting sun. Through its wide-open gates, carriages and horses flowed in an unceasing torrent.

As they neared the dock, Jiang Shu's keen eyesight allowed him to see that every fisherman on the river moved with agility, clearly possessing a foundation in Martial Arts. Every one of them was a Martial Artist at the Qi Blood Sensing stage! On the docks, figures who looked like gang members stood watch, their qi and blood surging, overseeing the fishermen. They had clearly reached the Skin Grinding Realm!

"This is the South Gate of the County Town's outer city." Zhang Ruo's voice became extremely soft. "Most of the commoners here make their living from the water. The largest faction is the Cao Gang, said to be backed by the Zhao Family. Their leader is reportedly one of the strongest experts in the Bone Forging Realm."

Even though she had visited as a child, the sight was still astonishing upon her return. Even ordinary people here practiced Martial Arts. Such a grand spectacle was nothing like what one would see in a small county town! If she felt this way, how much more so for Li Qi and Zhao Zhen? Their breathing grew heavy.

Only Jiang Shu remained composed, his gaze sweeping far and wide. He took in every fisherman, every gang Martial Artist, and every pedestrian entering the gates. Compared to Pingling County Town, where reaching the Bone Forging Realm was enough to establish oneself, this place was an entirely different world.