Translator: AnubisTL
After the fall of the Yan Family and the Righteous Gang's rise to power, the situation in Blackrock City quickly stabilized.
Li Qing, who had become a martial arts patron of the Righteous Gang, did not divert his attention to the gang's internal affairs but instead immersed himself wholeheartedly in the path of martial arts.
The martial arts library of the former Yan Family was naturally taken over by the Righteous Gang. Many of the martial arts manuals stored there had accumulated a thick layer of dust.
As one of the key figures in the downfall of the Yan Family, Li Qing was granted access to this library, where he could freely choose from the martial arts legacies it housed.
Most of the martial arts legacies in the library were not recorded in written form. Instead, they were patterns carved by the martial arts masters who had originally created these techniques, infused with their own martial aura and will.
This method of inheritance made initial learning quite challenging. For beginners, understanding the true essence of these martial arts was particularly obscure.
However, once one progressed to the later stages, the rate of improvement would accelerate. Daily observation of these patterns, which embodied the true essence of martial arts, was almost equivalent to receiving personal instruction from a master.
Li Qing entered the former Yan Family's martial arts library, where many martial arts manuals were scattered on the floor. The dust on the shelves indicated that these items had not been touched for a long time.
"Currently, I possess four martial arts techniques. Taking on more would be too much to handle. However, it wouldn't hurt to browse through the Yan Family's collection to broaden my knowledge. If I find a technique that truly suits me, I might consider practicing it."
As he spoke, Li Qing picked up an old piece of animal skin, dusted it off, and unfolded it.
On it was a pattern of a hand. Just by observing it, Li Qing could sense the martial will it contained.
"Stone-Shattering Palm: When mastered, it allows one to crush hard stones bare-handed."
From the name alone, it was clear that this was a palm technique, and its described power was impressive. However, Li Qing was not particularly interested.
With the four martial arts he already practiced, adding another palm technique would not significantly enhance his strength. After a brief glance, he placed it back in its original position.
Li Qing then quickly browsed through the various martial arts in the library.
"The Great Unity Sword Canon," "Eight Desolation Fist," "Black Tiger Saber Method," "Thunderbolt Finger"... It was undeniable that the Yan Family's collection of martial arts was quite remarkable. Among them were several superior techniques that tempted Li Qing, making him consider abandoning his current practices to switch to these advanced techniques.
But this thought was quickly dismissed. While superior martial arts were highly tempting, they also demanded considerable talent and aptitude.
For example, the "Great Unity Sword Canon" featured an extremely complex set of sword techniques. For someone like Li Qing, who had hardly ever handled a sword, it would be difficult to master.
Compared to the flashy sword techniques, the straightforward and powerful hammer techniques were more suited to him. Thus, many of his current martial arts leaned towards the fierce and robust style.
After some browsing, Li Qing sighed softly, put down the martial arts manual he was holding, and prepared to leave.
But soon, he noticed a dark golden scroll half-unrolled at the bottom of a shelf, used as a support for the shelf's leg.
At first, Li Qing thought it was a piece of gold, which would be quite valuable if taken to Maple Country.
When he took out the dark golden bamboo slip, he finally saw the text on it clearly. It turned out to be a martial art recorded in written form.
"Golden Body Technique"! "I never expected the Yan Family to actually use a martial art inheritance as a table leg. Just how looked down upon is this martial art?" Li Qing chuckled to himself, then curiously began to read the text.
However, the very first sentence at the beginning made Li Qing's expression change.
"When this technique is mastered, the practitioner becomes invulnerable to swords and spears, impervious to sharp weapons, and their entire body becomes as if cast in gold and iron."
The opening description was captivating, and Li Qing was puzzled. Why would the Yan Family look down on such a powerful martial art and use it as a table leg? After reading the rest of the content, Li Qing couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.
This "Golden Body Technique" was extremely difficult to master, and it was divided into an exaggerated seven levels!
Generally, martial arts are divided into three levels, corresponding to Outer Strength experts, Inner Strength experts, and Transformed Strength grandmasters!
But this "Golden Body Technique" had the first level as just the beginner stage, the third level as a minor achievement, and the sixth level as the major achievement. As for the seventh level, even the creator of this technique hadn't mastered it because he ran out of lifespan! Yes, he simply didn't live long enough.
Because practicing this technique took a lot of time. It took three years just to reach the beginner stage, and then another ten years to achieve minor mastery.
As for major mastery, it would take thirty years. Li Qing strongly suspected that only the creator of this technique had ever achieved it.
In addition, at the end of this "Golden Body Technique" scroll, there was a special note, which was probably the reason why the Yan Family had completely abandoned this martial art.
"Note: This martial art can only be practiced after the age of sixteen. Otherwise, the bones of the body will become fixed, and there will be no further growth!"
Seeing this, Li Qing's mouth twitched involuntarily. "This is really a pain. You can only start practicing at sixteen, which means you'd be nineteen by the time you reach the beginner stage, and fifty-nine by the time you achieve major mastery!"
Achieving major mastery of the Golden Body Technique at fifty-nine would indeed make one a formidable presence among Inner Strength experts. But at that age, with declining vitality, engaging in combat would be a significant disadvantage.
"No wonder the Yan Family used it as a table leg. It's just too impractical."
Li Qing complained several times, but he still decided to keep this technique.
This turtle-like technique, in the end, was quite suitable for him. A martial art that could strengthen the entire body was rare.
As for time, Li Qing still had over a hundred years to live, so he wasn't afraid of the passage of time. Taking it slow wasn't a problem.
If he could truly master this technique, there would be very few people below the grandmaster level who could threaten his life.
In the following days, Li Qing began to pack his belongings.
Some jade he had bought at the market, along with some gold, silver, and valuables he had scavenged from the Yan Family, he packed them all tightly and carried them on his back. Then he went to find Tian Long.
"Leader Tian Long, as expected, I still can't forget those two wine recipes. So I plan to travel for a while, and the date of my return is uncertain." Li Qing said, cupping his fists.
In recent days, Tian Long, who had been extremely busy, was suddenly stunned. He hurriedly spoke up, "Brother Li Qing, why are you leaving Blackrock City so abruptly? If you're looking for brewing materials, I can have the gang members search for them. There's no need for you to leave personally!"
After all, they had fought side by side to conquer the world, and Tian Long naturally felt reluctant to see Li Qing go.
Of course, the most crucial concern was the gang's elder Mo Nan. Tian Long worried that after Li Qing left, he wouldn't be able to suppress the old man who practiced internal martial arts.
"Hahaha, Gang Leader, there's no need to persuade me to stay. I'm not leaving forever; I'll definitely return," Li Qing laughed heartily.
At this, Tian Long sighed repeatedly. After thinking for a long time, he truly couldn't come up with any conditions to make Li Qing stay. After all, Li Qing didn't even care about the position of the Righteous Gang's second-in-command.
"Since your mind is made up, I won't say more," Tian Long said regretfully.
Li Qing smiled and continued, "However, before I leave, there's one more thing I need to trouble you with, Gang Leader."
"Speak your mind! As long as it's within my power, I'll do my utmost!" Tian Long declared, pounding his chest.
"It's nothing too difficult. The An family living across from Zhengming Street, where I used to stay, has been very kind to me. I hope that after I leave, Gang Leader Tian Long can look after this grandfather and granddaughter pair for me. Consider it as repaying a favor on my behalf."
Hearing this, Tian Long immediately recalled the little girl and the old man who had dared to stand in front of him to plead for Li Qing.
"Hahaha, that's a small matter. Don't worry, as long as the Righteous Gang exists, no one in Blackrock City will dare to bully them!" Tian Long agreed without hesitation.
"Then I, Li Qing, thank you in advance, Gang Leader!" Li Qing said sincerely. Before turning to leave, he added, "Gang Leader, before I go, I want to offer one last piece of advice. Please don't think I'm meddling."
"When we overthrew the Yan Family, the Seven Killers played a crucial role. Now that the Righteous Gang is in charge of Blackrock City, I hope you don't forget the origins of those in the Seven Killers!"
Having fought alongside Tian Long, Li Qing didn't want him to follow the same path as the Yan Family. He offered this heartfelt advice, hoping Tian Long would treat the people of Blackrock City well.
Upon hearing this, Tian Long understood Li Qing's meaning and realized that Li Qing truly regarded him as a comrade. Otherwise, he wouldn't have offered such counsel.
Tian Long spoke with a solemn expression, "Good brother, I'll remember your words. I rose from the grassroots and understand the hardships of the common people all too well. You can rest assured."
Li Qing nodded, then turned around.
"No need to see me off. Farewell!"
In front of the luxurious mansion, Li Qing, carrying his luggage, walked onto the dark street. His figure gradually faded into the distance under the crimson moonlight.
Tian Long stood beneath the Righteous Gang's plaque, firmly watching Li Qing's departing figure.
When Li Qing was no longer in sight, Tian Long bellowed, "Find a skilled painter! Have my brother Li Qing's portrait painted and enshrined in the gang. Even if I'm no longer here, if Brother Li Qing ever returns to the Righteous Gang, the entire gang must follow his lead!"
"Also, there is a family named An on Zhengming Street. Bring the grandfather and granddaughter to the gang and ensure they are well taken care of from now on!"
(End of the Chapter)
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