A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 285 Minghong Sword
Duan Rong returned to Liulu and lay down on the bed tiredly without even taking off his clothes.

He had not slept the whole night yesterday, and tossed and turned until the second half of the night tonight. Not only did his body feel heavy, but his mind was also exhausted.

As soon as his back touched the bed, he fell into a deep sleep.

Duan Rong slept soundly this time.

But after falling asleep, all kinds of dreams kept haunting him.

The father, mother, playmates, neighbor girl, and even a lamb he had raised in his childhood, deep in his original memory, all came to talk to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong couldn't quite understand what they were saying, but everyone had a kind look on their faces. Even the lamb surrounded him and bleated...

Duan Rong felt a kind of warmth wrapped in his dream...

After the rooster crowed several times, Duan Rong suddenly woke up.

Duan Rong opened his sleepy eyes. The remnants of last night's dream seemed to still leave a faint warmth in his body...

Duan Rong didn't know what this warmth was, maybe it was just a dream...

It was still dark on the window and still quiet outside, and it was far from bright.

Duan Rong had lost his habit of sleeping in since his soul traveled through time. He lifted the blanket, got out of bed, washed up in the courtyard, and left Liu Lu.

At this time, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and there was only a very faint streak of pale sky in the eastern sky.

It was also quiet inside the Yuanshun Escort Agency. It was the time when people were sleeping soundly.

Duan Rong walked through the deserted martial arts arena in the central courtyard and turned to the front yard of the escort agency.

He hadn't been to this front yard for a long time since he became an apprentice escort.

Duan Rong walked past the courtyard where he lived as a chores disciple. From behind the door curtain, he could hear the sound of heavy and mixed snoring...

Duan Rong glanced at the bricks and tiles in the yard and couldn't help sighing...

Duan Rong was just passing by here. Without stopping, he crossed the yard and walked straight along the alley.

After a few breaths, Duan Rong walked through a corner door and stepped into a fairly spacious courtyard.

However, although this courtyard is spacious, there is nothing else in it and it is all gray and dilapidated.

This yard is where firewood and charcoal are stored in the escort agency.

Every autumn, the yard would be filled with dry firewood and charcoal of various qualities. However, after a winter of use, the yard was basically cleared out in the warm weather of early spring.

In the corner of the yard, there is a weapon rack with many broken weapons on it, which are used by the miscellaneous disciples to practice.

Duan Rong looked at the courtyard, and some familiar memories came to his mind.

Among their batch of errand disciples, only he and Kong Bin were selected as apprentice escort masters. The rest of them either worked as errand boys in the escort agency forever, just like old man Sun in the horse farm, or left the escort agency and sought other ways out.

When Duan Rong revisited the old place, he suddenly felt a sense of inexplicable sadness in his heart.

In fact, he made a special trip here not to reminisce about the past, he didn't have the spare time for that!

Duan Rong's oxtail knife had two or three broken edges due to the killing of Jie Daohan, and was basically useless.

He has been using this oxtail knife for a year. He came here to find a home for this knife.

Duan Rong drew out the oxtail knife from his waist. In the dim light of the cold night, the knife light was still flashing like water, but there were obvious gaps in the cold light.

Duan Rong stood there and threw the broken-blade oxtail knife in his hand into the weapon rack with a clang.

Duan Rong glanced at the weapon rack, and in the dim light, he walked out of the yard without looking back.

Duan Rong walked along the path in the front yard and came to the gate of the escort agency.

Duan Rong left the escort agency and went straight to the beef soup shop on West Street. He ordered a large bowl of beef soup and two sesame cakes, and sat down at a seat near the street.

Although it was just daybreak, there were already a few pedestrians on West Street.

Duan Rong sipped the hot beef soup and looked at the familiar street market.

It has been more than a year since his soul traveled here, and he has already become familiar with the customs and people of Xiangu County. This time he went to the sect, and he didn't know whether he would come back.

He is different from others. Others have relatives here, but he actually has no ties.

Duan Rong took a bite of the pancake, then scooped up a few slices of beef with chopsticks and stuffed them into his mouth.

Duan Rong puffed out his cheeks and chewed.

I wonder if I can still have such a delicious breakfast after I go to Taiyimen?
Duan Rong slowly finished a large bowl of beef soup and sesame seed cake. He wiped his mouth, stood up and left reluctantly.

At this time, the sky was already bright.

The streets suddenly became noisy, and people started to make noise in front of many shops.

Duan Rong strolled leisurely along West Street towards the weapons shop.

Since his oxtail knife was broken, he planned to go to the weapon shop to choose a suitable weapon.

To be honest, after Duan Rong broke through the state of great perfection, the oxtail knife was already a little unsuitable for use. However, he still had time to change it. As soon as he entered the city, he was tracked by Li Daohan.

At this time, the weapons shop had just opened, and the clerk who was soliciting customers at the door was still yawning, looking like he had not yet woken up.

Just then, Duan Rong walked over slowly.

When the clerk saw Duan Rong in his escort uniform, he smiled and said, "Sir, you're here early! What do you want to see?"

Duan Rong said: "I'll get myself a knife!"

The guy immediately said, "Then go inside. The knife is on the east side, in the most conspicuous position!"

Duan Rong nodded and stepped into the weapons shop.

This was his second time to come to the weapon shop. Last time, he bought the Willow Leaf Throwing Knife!

The knife is the most common weapon in this world, so it is naturally placed in the most conspicuous place. Duan Rong saw it as soon as he stepped into the weapons shop.

Inside the weapon shop, there was an old man sitting behind the counter drinking tea. Upon seeing Duan Rong come in, he stood up slightly, nodded, and then sat down to sip his tea.

Duan Rong walked to the knife stall and started picking carefully.

Duan Rong practiced the Five Tigers and Sheep Sword that was improved by Xiao Zongting, the most notable feature of which was balance.

This is true for martial arts, and it is also true for weapons.

It can't be too heavy, nor can it be too light. There has to be a balance.

After achieving the state of great perfection, Duan Rong felt that his oxtail knife was a bit thin.

The weapons shop has a wide variety of knives, including knives of various shapes.

Duan Rong tried many, but felt that none of them were good enough.

At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared at the door of the shop and shouted, "Emi, I brought a batch of weapons from the workshop. Please come out and collect them."

Duan Rong heard the voice sounded familiar, so he turned his head and saw that the person standing at the door was Tao Rong. Duan Rong turned his head and Tao Rong immediately saw him.

At this moment, the old man who was drinking tea behind the counter immediately jumped out and said, "My dear young master! Why did you come to deliver the weapons in person? This is not your job!?"

The old man immediately ran towards Tao Rong, kept greeting him, and used various polite words to flatter him.

Tao Rong waved his hand, handed a list to the old man, and said, "Mr. Hai, please count them quickly and sign them so that I can report back! Is my father waiting for me in the workshop?"

The old man couldn't help but smack his lips when he heard this. "The master is in the workshop?"

"Do you think I'm willing to do this? My father said that I'm leaving tomorrow, so I need to deepen my memory so that I don't forget my roots!"

"Yes, yes... the master is right..." The old man nodded and took the list, then went outside to check the weapons.

As soon as the old man left, Tao Rong strode in and walked up to Duan Rong.

Tao Rong clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Brother Duan, how are you? I haven't seen you for a few days. Brother Duan seems to be more reserved."

Duan Rong also clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Brother Tao is more easy-going now."

Tao Rong laughed and said, "What's up? Brother Duan, you want to see the weapons?"

Duan Rong said, "I'm leaving tomorrow, so let's find a better weapon for myself."

"Oh." Tao Rong nodded with an expression of understanding.

He took a look at the knife that Duan Rong was testing and said flatly, "This knife is not suitable for Brother Duan!"

As Tao Rong spoke, he stood at the stall, looking left and right. Suddenly, his eyes determined, and he slowly walked to a place, reached out and grabbed a sheathed blade placed high up in his hand.

Tao Rong smiled, walked back to Duan Rong's side, handed the sheathed blade in his hand to Duan Rong, and said in a clear voice: "Brother Duan, try this one."

Duan Rong glanced at the knife in Tao Rong's hand, and saw that the scabbard was covered with dust. He hesitated slightly, but he still grabbed the knife in his hand, and with a clear sound of "swish", he pulled out the knife.

The style and feel of this knife immediately made Duan Rong's eyes light up.

This knife is not as bright as other weapons, but is dark in color.

The blade is sharpened on one side, the back of the blade is slightly thick, and the tip of the blade has almost no curvature!
Tao Rong naturally noticed Duan Rong's expression, and then said: "This is a replica of the Minghong Sword from the Western Regions! The formula of the Western Regions craftsmen is a secret, so we only learned the pattern."

Duan Rong looked at the blade in his hand and liked it very much. He murmured, "Minghong Sword?"

Tao Rong said, "Yes! The Minghong Sword made by the craftsmen in the Western Regions, when plucked with the finger, sounds like the cry of a wild goose, so it is called the Minghong Sword! But we copied it, so it is not quite as good as it could be. But from what I have seen, the heavy style of this sword is quite suitable for Brother Duan's swordsmanship!"

Duan Rong looked at Tao Rong and exclaimed: "Brother Tao, you have great insight! I really like this sword!"

Tao Rong smiled and said, "As long as Duan Rong likes it! I will treat you to this sword and give it to you, Brother Duan!"

Duan Rong said, "Alas... you are running a business, how can I take it for free?"

Tao Rong said: "Brother Duan, you don't have to be polite. As the saying goes, there is no acquaintance without fighting. If it weren't for the hard fight with Brother Duan on the stage, Tao would not have made the breakthrough. It's just a weapon, it's nothing!"

Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat. Tao Rong actually made a breakthrough!

At this moment, the old man outside the door came in, holding the list and said, "Master, I have counted everything. There is nothing missing. Here is the receipt!"

Tao Rong took the order, looked at the old man, and said, "Hai Lao, this knife in this gentleman's hand is on my head."

The old man's eyelids jumped, and he looked at the plain-looking Duan Rong and said in astonishment: "Sir...!?"

This man looks so unfamiliar, but the young master calls him "Sir"?

Who is this person?

Tao Rong turned around and said to Duan Rong, "Brother Duan, I'm leaving now!"

Duan Rong clasped his fists and replied, "Brother Tao, take care!"

Tao Rong smiled and strode out.

The old man came to his senses as if awakened from a dream, and bowed to Duan Rong and said, "Sir, let me pack this weapon in a wooden box for you."

Duan Rong said, "No need, I'll take it." After saying that, Duan Rong walked straight out of the shop.

The old man looked at Duan Rong's back and felt annoyed. He always prided himself on having a sharp eye, so how come he couldn't tell the difference between the noble and the humble?
The old man's eyes suddenly lit up, and he thought of the recent rumors, as if he suddenly remembered something...

Duan Rong was very excited when he found a weapon that suited his needs.

After he came out of the weapons shop, he went straight into the clothing store and picked out a set of clothes for himself.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and saddles make the horse. He didn't know what kind of situation would appear after entering Taiyi Sect, so it was not a bad idea to choose a decent set of clothes for himself.

Duan Rong was in the clothing store, looking at himself in the bronze mirror. He was wearing a gorgeous suit with piping, and actually had the temperament of a nobleman.

Duan Rong nodded with satisfaction, pointed to the clothes he had taken off beside him, and said, "Boss, please help me get rid of this old clothes."

Duan Rong paid the money and walked out of the door, dressed in gorgeous clothes and holding a Minghong sword, looking like a truly noble young man!

After Duan Rong finished all these, he returned to Liulu and tried out the knife in his hand in the courtyard.

Just as Duan Rong was trying on clothes in the clothing store, it was already past roll call time in the yamen.

Coroner Liu Kui walked into the police station and placed the autopsy report, which he had written overnight, on Zhu Guibao's desk.

Zhu Guibao crossed his legs and drank tea. He glanced at the rather thick autopsy report and said with a smile, "Kui is really amazing! He finished it in one night!"

Liu Kui glared at Zhu Guibao and said, "Xie Daohan died in your district. It's such a big case? And you act like nothing happened and just sit here drinking tea every day?!"

Zhu Guibao's face froze, and he said, "If I want to investigate, I need clues! It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I can't just seal the city gates, right? Besides, the old county magistrate has been promoted, and the new one hasn't arrived yet. Even if I want to seal the city, I need the power, right?"

Liu Kui curled his lips and said, "You sit in the detective's room and drink tea every day. Can clues fall from the sky?"

Zhu Guibao said, "Kui, don't you see that there is not even a manager in the yamen? The head of the yamen died, the old county magistrate left, and people's hearts are scattered. I sit here every day, which is good enough. You see, it's already past the time of the day, and Yang Zhen hasn't come yet. This kid used to be so active, he always came to the yamen on time. You see, he was just doing it for show. Now, at this time, there is not even a shadow of a person to be seen."

Liu Kui glanced at Yang Zhen's seat. It was indeed past the roll call time, but Yang Zhen had not arrived yet. This was not his style!
Duan Rong returned to Liulu Courtyard and immediately drew out the Minghong Sword and started wielding the Five Tigers and Sheep Sword.

The state of great perfection, coupled with a very handy weapon!

It was such a pleasure to have Duan Rong call me at this moment!
The warm spring sun shone on Duan Rong, and Duan Rong suddenly entered a state of great clarity and emptiness again.

Duan Rong had entered this state when he broke through the state of great perfection, but he had never been able to figure out what kind of state this state of great emptiness and clarity was!
Because Duan Rong discovered that once he had a conscious thought, he would immediately exit this state of great emptiness and clarity.

In other words, in this state of great emptiness and clarity, he cannot fight with others, because once a thought arises, the state of great emptiness and clarity will dissipate.

However, after a period of exploration, Duan Rong has come to understand that once he is in the state of great emptiness and clarity, his martial arts will immediately jump to the next level.

For example, now, Duan Rong has directly stepped into the true Qi realm!
He devoured and digested the spirit of Jie Daohan's Zhan Dao, and the method of circulating the true Qi of Kuruo Prajna Dao began to operate in his body in an instant.

A strand of dense true energy condensed in an instant as the internal breath surged!

"It turns out that the true qi is refined from the internal breath!"

Duan Rong's eyes moved, but as this thought came out of his mind, his Great Void Bright Realm collapsed, and the trace of true energy that had been condensed in his Dantian also dissipated.

Just then, there was a knock on the door!

(End of this chapter)