Chương 121: Cultivating Martial Arts

By the time the merchant convoy returned to Qinghe County, it was already dark. The bandits along the way had actually been very well-behaved; no one came out seeking death. However, the horse carriages were simply too unreliable. Two separate breakdowns forced the journey to be halted for quite some time. Song Que was incredibly frustrated by this. If this issue couldn't be resolved, there would be no way to increase the speed of transport, and the danger factor would rise significantly.

After all, lingering in the wild mountains was never a good idea. But not being a mechanical engineer himself, what else could Grandee Song do? He could only endure it and wait to find capable people to delegate the task to. Delivering the goods to the Guan family, he left Zhong Hong with Old Guan to find buyers for the cargo. Song Que didn't bother with the rest, leading his group to Aunt Li's house. Fellow villagers reuniting were naturally overjoyed, as if they had an endless supply of things to talk about.

Seeing Aunt Li so happy, Grandee Song was also satisfied. He instructed her to train the newcomers for a few days, after which Pockmark Luo and his three companions would take them to the various branch stalls. He was just calling Xiong Ba, intending for the two of them to return to the Plum Garden, when Aunt Li stopped him:"A'Niu, Auntie almost forgot to tell you! Yesterday, a young lady named Yuniang came looking for you but missed you. She asked me to pass on a message: when you return, remember to go find her."

Ignoring Aunt Li's suggestive gaze, hearing about women gave Grandee Song a headache as big as a bucket! He was determined to return quickly and begin cultivating the Thousand Hammer, Hundred Refined Body. A bunch of thirsty women are always drooling over my looks! Can't I, Grandee Song, just keep my irresistible charm under wraps? What a headache!... With a face expressing pity for the heavens and the people, Grandee Song was just about to slip away with Xiong Ba.

However, they hadn't gone far before they were caught red-handed!

"Young Master Song!" They had just reached the entrance of Old Zhan's house when several people on horseback galloped up the street. Leading the group was Tie Yuniang, followed by four guards. Forcing a smile, Grandee Song cupped his hands in greeting:"Yuniang, what a coincidence!"

"Hehe, not a coincidence at all! I specifically assigned people to keep watch, telling them to report to me immediately if they saw you. That's why I arrived right on time!" What an honest child! Grandee Song sighed inwardly.

"Young Master Song, did you receive the message I asked them to pass on?" Right now, what he feared most was being entangled by a woman! This damned martial art, the Glass Body Tempering Art, made the burning of lustful fire too terrifying! As long as a woman got close, he could 'harden' at any moment! Afraid of losing his rationality, how could Song Que dare to go strolling with her? He quickly found an excuse to decline:"I received it. Thank you for your concern, Yuniang.

But I have many matters to attend to these next few days. I'll likely have to frequently leave the city to visit the surrounding towns. I'm afraid I won't have free time to accompany you, Yuniang."

"Is that so?" Tie Yuniang's face fell in disappointment:"I wonder what is keeping you so busy, Young Master?"

"I have a whole bunch of subordinates under me, and the expenses for practicing martial arts are high! Naturally, I need to run around to earn money!" Grandee Song said, exasperated. Unaware she was asking a very brainless question, the little girl's eyes lit up upon hearing his words:"Young Master Song lacks money?! Was the 10, 000 taels from last time not enough? If not, I can go back and ask my father to provide you with some more! My father has plenty of money!" Motherf cker! * Grandee Song was in awe.

To be this boy-crazy... I have nothing left to say! With a daughter throwing her father under the bus like this, Old Tie will definitely have plenty of bitter pills to swallow in the future! But thinking about this little wench... Sweet, foolish, and naive—she has all three! Plus, a wealthy old man! If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. She truly is the perfect target for a gigolo! But how could Grandee Song rely on his face to eat?!

My ambition is to conquer people with my talent! I'll leave this 'premium goods' to someone more capable! He assumed an impassioned, righteous tone and reprimanded: A man living between heaven and earth must forge a name for himself among the mountains and rivers! If one does not strive in their youth and only knows how to live off others in comfort, how can they ever talk about a future?!

"Miss Tie, please do not say such things again! I, Song Que, relying on my own two hands, can also rise above others!"

"I am fatigued from traveling today and must return to rest. Let us part ways here." Handsome! So handsome it's stunning! Tie Yuniang's eyes brimmed with hearts, her face so flushed it looked like it could drip water! She was so engrossed in staring at the handsome man that she forgot to answer! It wasn't until she saw Grandee Song spur his horse away that she snapped out of it and hurriedly explained:"Wait, Young Master Song! I didn't mean to look down on you! Please don't be angry, okay?!"

But how could Grandee Song dare to stay?! He simply waved at her and urged his horse to gallop faster. With the speed of the Black Dragon Horses, master and servant vanished without a trace in moments. Only then did Miss Tie's eyes turn red with grievance, and she led her men home dejectedly....

"Tsk, tsk. To think this lecherous, flirtatious brat could actually utter such ambitious words! The sun must be rising in the west!" Hearing the clatter of hooves outside, the Zhan father and daughter poked their heads out to witness the conversation. Old Zhan couldn't help but smack his lips and mock him.

"Father, I think Little Song is a very good person! Perhaps you've misunderstood him."

"Hmph, what do you know about the sinister nature of people's hearts, you silly girl?! With a flirtatious face like that, he's definitely not a good person! If you ask me, this kid is just 'playing hard to get' to catch a bigger fish!" Handsome face = bad person, lowlife. Xiaoxiao was speechless at her old man's logic. She rolled her eyes at him and went back inside. It's a pity I didn't get to see the pets! The young girl sighed sorrowfully.... Returning to Plum Garden Mountain Villa.

The gatekeeper, Old Li, opened the gate for Song Que and Xiong Ba, conveniently reporting:"Young Master, a Miss Tie came looking for you yesterday. Upon learning you weren't home, she promised to return next time." This little wench is truly persistent! Grandee Song chuckled and said:"Old Li, if she comes again next time, just tell her I'm not home. Say that I've gone to the surrounding towns and won't be back for a few days."

"Yes, Young Master!" Old Li was one of the few servants who remained at the Plum Garden since Song Que bought it from Young Master Xu. After evaluating their decent personalities, Grandee Song kept a few of them on to work. Instructing the old man to shoo the girl away for him, the two quickly headed to their rooms. Exhausted from two days of travel, he felt uncomfortable all over and wanted to take a bath.

Rubbing the heads of Husky and Mengmeng, who ran out to welcome him, Grandee Song shouted:"Wukong, cook up some light dishes for the Master! And prepare a glass of water for me; I'll drink it after my bath!"

"Squeak... Squeak!" — Yes, sir! Resting that night, Song Que conveniently took a moment of free time to observe the Black Iron Stronghold. Everything in the stronghold was normal. Old Nie even had the leisure to sit alone, drinking wine and admiring the moon. Looking at his solitary figure, Song Que felt a pang of sympathy. After all, the pain of losing one's entire family, wife, and child was not something just anyone could endure.

To be able to suppress the hatred in his heart without acting crazily—Nie Feng's mental fortitude far surpassed that of an ordinary person. Offering him comfort might just be superfluous; it was best to let him have his quiet time alone like this. Grandee Song sighed, controlled the Mountain Sparrow to fly a lap for reconnaissance, and finding nothing suspicious, returned to rest in the cave with peace of mind.

Over the next two days, the tools and medicinal herbs needed to aid his cultivation—which he had ordered previously—were delivered. Old Yun also conveniently found him a stack of books containing both Buddhist scriptures and Daoist texts. The words within were so profound and ethereal that they were enough for Grandee Song to study until his soul ascended! Tie Yuniang had also come by once, but having been instructed beforehand, Old Li naturally sent her away disappointed.... Inside an isolated, enclosed courtyard.

Li Xin looked curiously at Xiong Ba, who was busy arranging two massive cauldrons filled with iron sand. Unable to hold back, he asked:"Big Brother, what are you guys planning to do?"

"Xiong Ba and I plan to practice a martial art. To cultivate this, the practitioner must sit in a cauldron of hot iron sand and absorb the metallic essence within." Busy mixing medicinal ointments, 'Pharmacist' Song replied vaguely without lifting his head. Hearing his explanation, Li Xin grew even more curious:"There's such a bizarre martial art?! Big Brother, how powerful is it?"

"Since it's so elaborate, its power is naturally top-notch! Once perfected, the practitioner's entire body will be like steel, impervious to swords and spears! Amazing, right?" Song Que smiled. Li Xin's eyes lit up:"Big Brother, can I practice it too?" Evaluating him from head to toe, Grandee Song said disdainfully:"You? Can you endure hardship?! Leaving aside the pain of being 'cooked' over a roaring fire, afterward, you need someone else to use an iron rod to strike every part of your body!

Do you, brat, dare to practice it? Have you seen the two iron rods standing in the corner?" Turning his head to look at the corner, he saw two iron rods, nearly two meters long, resting against the wall—one with a round end, the other flat. The weight was absolutely no less than several hundred catties! Li Xin couldn't help but gulp. Looking again at Xiong Ba, whose arms were as thick as Li Xin's thighs, grinning at him, he shuddered all over.

"Big Brother... can it kill you?" Song Que found it amusing:"If it killed you, who would dare practice it?! But the agonizing torment isn't something just anyone can endure." In reality, most people who practiced this art suffered from hidden injuries or disabilities. But confident in the Tesseract's assistance, Grandee Song didn't let this issue trouble him.

"Big Brother, I want to practice it." Thinking about how he was falling further and further behind, and fearing he might not be able to help his Big Brother in the future, Li Xin hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and bracing for death. Surprised, Song Que evaluated the resolute gaze of the kid in front of him. Since his father died that time, this was only the second time he had seen him so determined. Song Que couldn't bear to refuse:"Then you need to go back and ask your mother.

After practicing this art, your appearance will deform; you'll become darker, and your limbs will be thicker than Xiong Ba's! You must be mentally prepared for that." Hearing about the physical deformity, Li Xin panicked slightly. But looking at his Big Brother, who dared to practice it despite being so handsome, what did he—with his ordinary appearance—have to lose? He firmly made up his mind; when he went back later, he had to persuade his old mother!