Novel Full Chapter 58: Qi Sensing
Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Qi Sensing
Although the conversation between them sounded amicable, in reality, neither trusted the other.
In Fang Yue’s eyes, Chen Cheng’an was once a ’hot-blooded’ youth. He had spoken out for the farmers at the Martial Examination, those who were struggling to survive under the burden of increased taxes.
But now, he had become a wanted criminal, a rebel who had killed an official.
There was no telling—no guarantee—that Chen Cheng’an’s character was the same as before.
Perhaps if Fang Yue got any closer and revealed an opening, the man would attack without a moment’s hesitation.
And if Chen Cheng’an were truly open and honorable, why would he be hiding like this, afraid to show his face?
Hiding in that thatched hut, not revealing himself—wasn’t that a sign of his own defensiveness?
"Ahem... Brother Fang, you’re willing to let me leave? If I recall correctly, my head is currently worth three thousand taels of silver!"
Chen Cheng’an’s voice was still weak, his tone filled with self-mockery.
Fang Yue’s breath hitched when he heard this. Three thousand taels of silver... If he used it for training, he could buy three doses of Skin Polishing Secret Medicine every month.
That would be enough to let him complete the Skin Grinding stage in just over a month and begin Bone Forging.
The remaining silver coins could even support his training for a very long time after that.
It was a fortune large enough to make anyone’s eyes turn red with envy.
Even Fang Yue, already a Martial Scholar, was no exception.
It was just that his personality was conservative—or perhaps ’cautious’ was a better word. ’As long as I have enough time, my Martial Arts Cultivation is certain to advance, allowing me to grow stronger.’
Wealth and status would naturally follow.
’So why risk my life fighting Chen Cheng’an here?’
"You’re overthinking it, Brother Chen. That being the case, I’ll take my leave now. It’ll be as if I never saw you."
Fang Yue continued to retreat cautiously, his grip on the bow and arrow never slackening, still on guard against Chen Cheng’an.
"Heh, Brother Fang. Cut the act. You think I’d believe you?"
"You’re not tempted by the silver, so you must be here for that Secret Manual! A manual that lets one cultivate beyond the Four Martial Arts Gates to the Qi Sensing realm... I refuse to believe you don’t want it."
Chen Cheng’an’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. He had fallen to his current state precisely because of that Secret Manual.
A Secret Manual that allows one to cultivate beyond the Four Martial Arts Gates to the Qi Sensing realm... every one of them is a priceless treasure.
In Xiahe County Town, at least, only the top factions—the major Martial Arts Halls and a few great families—possessed Secret Manuals for the Qi Sensing realm.
Other places, like the White Tiger Boxing Hall, had no such thing.
Therefore, a Secret Manual like that was enough to establish one’s own power in Xiahe County.
Chen Cheng’an refused to believe that Fang Yue wouldn’t be tempted.
He didn’t know how Fang Yue had found out, but he absolutely refused to believe the man wouldn’t be tempted.
He didn’t believe Fang Yue would be willing to just walk away after finding him.
’Fang Yue must be going to find reinforcements, or he’s plotting something devious.’
"A Qi Sensing Secret Manual?"
Fang Yue was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Chen Cheng’an to say that.
’Could there be more to the story of how Chen Cheng’an became a wanted criminal?’
Qi Sensing!
A realm beyond the Four Martial Arts Gates. Fang Yue had only ever heard of it.
Furthermore, it seemed there wasn’t a single Martial Artist in all of Xiahe County Town who had reached the Qi Sensing realm.
Even the publicly acknowledged strongest individual, Lord Liu of the County Magistrate’s Office, was said to be a Martial Artist who had only achieved Great Success in Marrow Transformation.
And yet, only a handful of factions in Xiahe County Town were known to possess Qi Sensing Secret Manuals.
As for why there wasn’t a single Martial Artist in the Qi Sensing realm throughout Xiahe County Town... that was something beyond Fang Yue’s knowledge.
He hadn’t thought much of it before, but hearing Chen Cheng’an speak now, Fang Yue sensed there was something odd about this whole affair.
He also realized that perhaps this Secret Manual was the real reason Chen Cheng’an was a wanted man, and why the bounty was so high.
"Hah! So you are after the Secret Manual after all. Let’s get to it, then. We’re both Martial Artists; let’s have a straight fight. What’s the point of all these schemes and tricks!"
Chen Cheng’an let out a loud laugh and finally stepped out of the hut.
He held an Iron Rod in one hand. Faint bloodstains were visible on his other arm, a clear sign his injuries had not fully healed.
His eyes were locked on Fang Yue, betraying a desperate madness.
"Heh, I’m seriously injured right now, I’m no match for you. But my life isn’t something you can take so easily."
After suffering such a great upheaval, a person’s character often changes drastically.
"Believe it or not, I have no interest in you."
Fang Yue shook his head, then slowly backed away, finally disappearing into the forest.
’Chen Cheng’an didn’t hurt anyone in Da Liushu Village, which proves he hasn’t completely lost his mind,’ he thought. ’So naturally, I won’t make a move either.’
Only after Fang Yue’s figure had completely vanished did Chen Cheng’an’s legs finally give out.
His body swayed, and he slumped to the ground.
Clearly, Chen Cheng’an’s injuries were far more severe than he had let on.
"He actually left! If only he had taken a few more steps forward just now!"
A look of regret, mixed with a hint of wistfulness, crossed Chen Cheng’an’s face.
Just then,
a series of noises echoed from the forest.
Soon, the figures of several government constables emerged. Clearly, they had their own skills to have found this location.
"Chen Cheng’an! Drop your weapon and surrender now! It’s your only chance to live. If you put up a futile resistance, today will be your last!"
The lead government constable was tall and powerfully built, his muscles bulging as he clutched a Broadsword.
"A pack of dogs!"
"In your dreams!"
"Even if I die, I’m taking you with me!"
Chen Cheng’an grew agitated, forcing himself to stay upright as he glared at the government constables closing in on him.
"Hmph. You’re seriously wounded. Without treatment, you’ll die for sure."
The government constables approached with caution. Even though Chen Cheng’an looked to be in a terrible state, as if a strong gust of wind could topple him, they didn’t charge in recklessly.
Instead, they spread out and closed in carefully.
Clearly, they wanted to take him alive. Otherwise, a volley of crossbow arrows from a distance would have sealed his fate.
"Heh, then come and get me!"
Chen Cheng’an screamed madly, but the movement seemed to aggravate his wounds, and he immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Seizing the opportunity, the several closest government constables charged.
But in the next moment, a series of agonized screams rang out.
Fine lines of blood suddenly appeared on the bodies of the constables who had been so eager to claim credit.
In a flash, they had suffered devastating blows.
At the same time,
the originally frail Chen Cheng’an suddenly erupted with power. The long Iron Rod in his hand swept out like a dragon taking to the sky.
The constables, already caught in the sneak attack and severely wounded, had no way to dodge such an assault.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The sound of breaking bones rang out in succession, and then the constables fell silent.
Before the thatched hut, only Chen Cheng’an and a single government constable—one who had been a step too slow—remained.