Martial Saint: Starting with Accumulating Experience

Chapter 113 Flying Fish

There is another important question.

Before his cultivation technique was perfected, Chen Feng could not control his body shape and muscle structure at will like the gang leader.

If he had a burly, muscular physique, he would be too conspicuous, and anyone could tell at a glance that he had practiced the Iron Armor of the Sea.

That'll expose us then.

To give an analogy, it's like a novice fitness enthusiast in a past life. Yesterday, they were thin and weak, but in the blink of an eye, their muscles have grown dramatically, their size has exploded, their latissimus dorsi has become sculpted, and their deltoids have turned outward. The contrast is ridiculously large.

Anyone who sees this would be suspicious.

Having made up his mind, Chen Feng temporarily stopped allocating points through the system, intending to accumulate enough pills before continuing his progress.

He slowly rose from the futon, stretched his muscles and bones, and his bones emitted a series of crisp popping sounds, as an unprecedented sense of power filled his limbs and bones.

Chen Feng smiled faintly, hoping that the leader of the Canal Gang wouldn't be too weak.

The Xunjiang River flows for thousands of miles, its waters carrying silt from upstream, giving it a deep, murky blue-green hue.

.

.

The vegetation on both banks, soaked by the river wind and moisture, had turned black, its branches leaning diagonally towards the water's surface, and the reeds swaying gently, exuding a sense of desolation.

On the vast river, a small boat with a black awning glides across the water, the boatman humming a tune as he slowly rows.

On the boat was a figure, as upright as a pine tree, gazing at the river, watching the river flow "like a flowing river, never ceasing day or night."

You seem to have gained some insight.

[A deeper understanding of the "Canglang Technique"]

A gentle breeze stirred Chen Feng's hair, causing his long black hair to flutter slightly. With a thought, he brought up the system panel [Canglang Technique]: Perfect (36/?).

He had heard the notification sound "seems to have gained some insight" thirty-six times.

Ever since he left Yongning Bay by carriage and transferred to a small boat at the ferry, whenever he stared at the river for a while, the sound of his voice would start to echo in his ears.

"I don't even know what I've figured out," Chen Feng thought to himself.

Ordinary experience points cannot be used to add points to the "Canglang Manual"; everything can only be comprehended through observing the river, just like the flow state, which is mysterious and profound.

Chen Feng didn't know what the "?" on the panel represented, but he hoped it wasn't 16,000.

Otherwise, it would be absolute torture. He's not a fisherman; he doesn't have that much time to stare at the river.

"Boatman, how much longer until we reach Flying Fish Ferry?" Chen Feng asked softly.

"Almost there, almost there," the old boatman replied slowly, gripping the oar. "We'll be almost there after the bend ahead."

After saying that, the old boatman turned to look at Chen Feng: "Sir, you should be careful when you go to Flying Fish Ferry. It's not as peaceful as it used to be; it's very chaotic there."

"It's nothing, I'm just taking a stroll and seeing what's going on," Chen Feng replied casually, his answer vague and unambiguous.

The old boatman didn't delve into the matter further, but instead enthusiastically recommended: "Since you've come all this way, you must try the flying silver fish in the ferry, otherwise you'll have come for nothing."

Feiyu Ferry boasts unique water features and a highly developed fishing industry. The flying silver fish is the natal fish of the ferry, hence the name Feiyu Ferry.

At dawn and dusk, schools of silver fish burst out of the water, leaping and soaring through the air, their silver scales reflecting the sunlight and water, creating a breathtaking and unparalleled spectacle.

The fish is incredibly tender, with not a single bone, and is fresh without any fishy smell. It is a signature dish of major restaurants in the ferry area and has always been loved by high-ranking officials, nobles, and chivalrous figures.

Chen Feng listened quietly, nodded slightly, and looked ahead.

After a brief pause, he turned to the old boatman and slowly said, "Boatman, you just said that Flying Fish Ferry is very chaotic. Could you explain it more clearly so I can be more attentive?"

Upon hearing this, the old boatman subconsciously looked around at the river and sighed, "It's all because of the Canal Gang and the Canglang Gang. They're openly and secretly competing with each other. They're fighting over checkpoints, shops, and even the fish-collecting business on the river is being divided and fought over by the two gangs."

He slowed the boat down and continued, "Now, martial artists and thugs are everywhere in the ferry, and ordinary merchants and boatmen don't dare to utter a word in the way."

Chen Feng asked calmly, "Is the government just going to sit idly by and do nothing?"

The old boatman shook his head with a wry smile: "The government officials and their underlings are well paid for, so they always turn a blind eye. Both sides have powerful backers, and neither wants to offend the other completely."

Chen Feng nodded. This was similar to Yongning Bay. The canal transport in Yongning Bay was managed by the Canglang Gang. All they had to do was pay the government the required amount each month.

The government offices even outsourced the task of patrolling the streets, as if it were a contract job.

The old boatman continued, "It's just tough on us little people who make a living by boat. If we're unlucky, this piece of land belongs to the Canglang Gang in the morning and to the Canglang Gang in the afternoon. We have to pay twice a day."

Chen Feng frowned slightly: "Does the Canglang Gang also charge this much?"

"Why wouldn't we accept it? We accept whatever the canal gangs accept, afraid of being outdone," the old boatman sighed helplessly.

Chen Feng fell into deep thought for a long time.

Seeing his silence, the old boatman said no more, and began humming a little tune again: "Flying Fish Ferry, the water flows gently, pavilions and terraces reflected in the water are like a painting, the ferry is full of prosperity that never ends..."

'

Before long, the awning boat rounded the bend.

Chen Feng could see from afar that the stone wharf stretched out in a row, with cargo ships and passenger boats shuttling back and forth, and merchants hawking their wares and porters and boatmen bustling about.

Several other pleasure boats were moored along the river, and the boatmen were cleaning the hulls and tidying up the curtains and chairs.

Chen Feng had barely taken two steps after disembarking when he saw a blue stone archway standing in the center of the ferry crossing.

The three large characters "Feiyu Ferry" on the street are carved with sharp strokes and weathered by time, and the characters are already mottled, but they still exude a profound and imposing aura.

On either side of the archway stood a stone pillar ten feet high. On the left pillar, a wave-patterned flag was tied, fluttering in the river wind—the very flag of the Canglang Gang.

The stone pillar on the right is empty, with only a few knife marks of varying depths remaining, indicating that it was recently damaged.

Chen Feng did not linger at the dock, but left quickly and soon arrived at the Flying Fish Ferry headquarters of the Canglang Gang.

The main hall is not far from the dock, built along the water, and surrounded by a high, bluish-gray wall.

However, Chen Feng noticed that in some places, large pieces of bricks and stones had fallen off the walls, and there were many cracks and collapses. There were also craftsmen working back and forth, repairing and patching the broken stones and bricks.

As for the main entrance of the hall, it looks brand new, as if it had just been repaired.

"The attack by the Canal Gang must have been fierce. Judging from their appearance, they clearly forced their way in," Chen Feng thought to himself.

"Who goes there!" Two guards from the Canglang Gang immediately stepped forward, stopping Chen Feng and shouting sternly, "Anyone with unauthorized access, leave immediately!"

Chen Feng took the token from his waist and displayed it directly in front of the two men.

The gang members' expressions changed drastically. The waist badge was silver with gold, clearly indicating that the person was at the level of the Grand Hall Master!

The two men stared intently at the sign, which was engraved with the two characters "Chen Lang." They were shocked and their hearts pounded with fear—it was the new head of the headquarters!

"Greetings, Chief Inspector Chen!" The two bowed quickly without the slightest hesitation.

"No need for formalities. You lead the way and take me to Lord Lu." Chen Feng said in a steady voice, gesturing to one of his followers.

The man stood up in response and led the way.

The hall is surrounded by courtyards, with winding corridors and bluestone slabs paving the main road. Ancient pines are planted on both sides, which makes it even more solemn.

The two passed through the front yard and the main hall, finally arriving at the council hall.

"Chief Chen has arrived!" a member of the gang shouted from outside before slowly pushing open the wooden door.

The hall was already occupied, and the atmosphere was quiet.

On the left, in the main seat, sat a burly man with a dark complexion, sharp eyes, and wearing a heavy cloak, with a thick-backed broadsword at his waist.

Upon seeing Chen Feng enter the hall, the burly man slowly stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Chief Chen, you've come at just the right time. Please take a seat."

His tone wasn't exactly warm, and his eyes scanned Chen Feng up and down with a hint of scrutiny.