Chapter 24: Sects

After consuming a large amount of meat and Blood Qi Powder, Chen Qing's physical strength improved significantly, and the number of times he practiced Tongbi Boxing every day continued to increase.

【Heaven rewards the diligent; success is inevitable】

【Tongbi Stance: Minor Mastery (871/1000)】

【Tongbi Boxing: Minor Mastery (781/1000)】

【Gale Saber Technique: Minor Mastery (66/1000)】

"At most one more month, and I can break through to the Dark Jin realm."

Chen Qing calculated privately. After a quick tidy-up, he headed toward the Qinghe Pier.

Due to his recent diligent training, his consumption of Blood Qi Powder had become exceptionally high. Not only did the powder increase his blood qi, but it also had the miraculous effect of relieving fatigue, allowing him to maintain high-intensity cultivation.

Just as Chen Qing stepped through the gates of the River Bureau, Old Li hurried up to meet him: "Ah Qing, emergency assembly."

Old Li and Chen Qing both served under Cheng Ming. Old Li had been with the River Bureau for over twenty years, but due to his strength, he had never been promoted to River Envoy.

"Assembly!?" Chen Qing was somewhat confused.

Old Li lowered his voice, "Don't ask, just follow me quickly."

Soon, all the river patrols of the Bureau had gathered, including non-combat personnel like Chen Qing.

An extraordinary middle-aged man approached, surrounded by River Envoys including Cheng Ming. This man was none other than the Chief River Envoy, Ke Yunqi.

Ke Yunqi's gaze swept over the crowd like lightning as he said in a deep voice, "Captain Pang will arrive at the South River Pier at noon. Every squad must strictly guard their respective river sections. If any ruffians cause trouble, they are to be arrested on the spot..."

Hearing this, Chen Qing suddenly understood.

No wonder the entire River Bureau was making such a large movement; it was to welcome Captain Pang's return from his mourning period.

As the command was issued, the nine squads quickly dispersed to various strategic points along the South River to set up defenses.

The banks of the South River were lined with rows of houses, forming a unique landscape of alleys and courtyards. On the river, boats shuttled back and forth, the water shimmering under the light. On one side was the bustling marketplace of the Outer City, and on the other was the brilliant, sleepless prosperity of the Inner City.

"The Inner City is the true land of leisure," Cheng Ming remarked with emotion. "The restaurants, flower boats, and gambling dens here stay open all night. As long as you have enough silver, this is a paradise on earth. Countless people in the Outer City would kill to move in, even if they could only settle on the very fringes of the Inner City."

Several veteran patrols showed looks of longing upon hearing this.

Cheng Ming looked at Old Li. "With your savings, you should be able to afford two rooms in the Inner City by next year, right?"

Old Li gave a bitter smile. "It'll have to be the year after next. Inner City property prices have risen quite a bit again."

Looking at the Inner City in the distance, Chen Qing also pondered silently.

The Outer City was a place where gangs ran rampant in the slums and the environment was harsh, while the Inner City was a land of desire for all. In this world, the chasm of social class had long been etched into the very marrow of everyone's bones.

For the poor to turn their lives around and cross class lines was extremely difficult. The true paths to wealth and prosperity were long held firmly in the hands of great aristocratic families; commoners had almost no place in them.

Only the path of the martial examinations seemed to offer a way to break these shackles and find a glimmer of hope.

However, how could an ordinary person afford to train a martial student? Money, resources, and connections—every single one was a tiger blocking the path.

The ancients often said that it is difficult for a humble family to produce a noble son, but many people did not even understand what "humble" meant—it referred to declining aristocratic families who still had some ancestral prestige to rely on and some connections to maintain.

But for someone like Chen Qing, who had no house or land and survived solely on two boats, he could at best be considered a half-commoner.

If it was already so difficult for a humble family to produce a noble son, it was as hard as climbing to heaven for a commoner to change their fate and leap classes.

At that moment, a patrol member whispered, "That person looks like 'Wind-Chaser' Hou Huaiyu, the Vice Leader of the Blood River Gang!?"

Following the finger, there were four or five burly men wearing the gang's uniform, their arms embroidered with various patterns. These men were tall and muscular. The leader sat indifferently in a corner drinking tea, looking like someone not to be trifled with.

Old Li narrowed his eyes. "The Iron Hand Gang is here too."

Not far away, another group of imposing gang members was watching.

The Blood River Gang and the Iron Hand Gang were the two largest gangs in Gaolin County. They had many experts and their own industries; they were not something small gangs like the Golden River Gang or Black Water Gang could compare to.

Cheng Ming said slowly, "When the Captain was here, he was exceptionally strict in cracking down on these gangs. The largest gang, the Water Transport Gang, was once uprooted by him. Now that the Captain is returning, the Blood River and Iron Hand gangs naturally want to test the waters."

In addition to the two major gangs, forces such as the Wangyuan Escort Agency and the Forging Shop had also sent people. Even more eye-catching was the Guangchang Martial Arts Hall; the disciples of the Hongyun Martial Arts Hall were all brimming with blood qi, clearly being skilled fighters.

Cheng Ming reminded them from the side, "You should all be familiar with Chief Wu of the Wangyuan Escort Agency and Manager Cao of the Forging Shop. You must not offend these forces."

Old Li hesitated for a moment. "That Senior Disciple of the Guangchang Martial Arts Hall, Guo Zi'ao—he is at the Huajin realm. If you encounter him in the future, you must be careful. He has a very fierce temper..."

Several young patrols had clearly heard of Guo Zi'ao's fearsome reputation and nodded solemnly.

Chen Qing's heart tightened as he memorized the faces of the experts present. This was his first time encountering so many factions and so many masters. After all, while the Captain might not remember who came, he would certainly know exactly who failed to show up.

Just then, a commotion arose on the river.

"Zhu Qing! He is a Huajin expert from the Zhu family."

"He is not an easy man to talk to. The Five Great Clans asked him to host a welcome banquet for the Captain. Could it be..."

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a beautifully decorated pleasure boat slowly approaching. A middle-aged man of extraordinary bearing stood at the bow.

Zhu Qing was not only a Huajin expert, but he also had the backing of the Five Great Clans. His appearance immediately tightened the atmosphere.

"He's here! The Captain is back!"

A sudden commotion erupted in the crowd, and the entire river section instantly boiled over. The various experts who had been leisurely watching rose one after another, their gazes turning in unison toward the distant river.

A small black-canopied boat slowly drifted in, and a middle-aged man in green sat poised at the bow. His face was calm, and his brow carried a hint of detachment and indifference. He was none other than the Captain of Gaolin County, Pang Qinghai.

The moment Captain Pang appeared, the surrounding whispers rose like a tide.

"That is Captain Pang!"

Cheng Ming could not help but marvel. "It is said he passed the Martial Scholar exam at fifteen and the Martial Military exam at eighteen. He mastered the Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Art, and the former leader of the Water Transport Gang was once killed by his palm."

"That Water Transport leader was a peak Huajin expert!"

Chen Qing focused his gaze. The previously imposing Zhu Qing actually hurried forward to meet him. The two conversed happily, showing no sign of hostility.

The crowd instinctively made way, watching the group head toward the Inner City. Even after Captain Pang's figure disappeared around a street corner, the surrounding discussions continued for a long time.

Chen Qing's mind replayed the scene of the gathering masters, his heart filled with unshakeable shock.

"The Captain is truly from the Wutai Sect," Old Li remarked with deep emotion. "Even the Five Great Clans have to show him respect."

A hint of confusion appeared in Chen Qing's eyes. "The Wutai Sect!?"

Cheng Ming explained, "That sect is practically a state within a state. Every year, the tax silver collected from various regions is divided into two parts: one for the Imperial Court, and one for the sect."

"The sect's responsibility is to protect the cities and the common people, and by the way, to clear out heretical cults and rebels."

"In our Yunlin Prefecture, there are four great sects, and the Wutai Sect is one of them. It is said that the sect hides profound and mysterious martial arts, secret methods, and even..."

Cheng Ming lowered his voice, "...experts above the Huajin realm. That is why Captain Pang's status is so transcendent."

Hearing this, waves of shock surged in Chen Qing's heart. If the power of Ming Jin was already beyond mortal imagination, what kind of realm lay above Huajin?

Could it be that... cultivators truly existed in this world?

Currently, his own strength was meager; what he had seen and heard was merely a drop in the ocean.

"Boss, how can one join the Wutai Sect?" A young patrol's eyes burned with a flame of desire.

Cheng Ming shook his head with a bitter smile. "First, you must stand out in the martial examinations, and then pass through layers of selection in the prefectural capital..."

"To pass the martial examinations..." The young patrol clenched his fists.

Chen Qing remained silent.

"Still too young," Old Li thought, shaking his head as he looked at the hot-blooded youth.

"Don't think too much about it. Those things are too far from us," Cheng Ming said, glancing at them. "For now, we must keep our hearts steady. Passing the hurdle in front of us is what matters most."