A Long River Myth

One day after the meeting with the river official to capture the thief on the Shangcang River.

On Jinshui Street, Li Hong went into the cellar in the backyard and lit an oil lamp.

Yesterday, after we finished our work, it was already morning, and everyone was exhausted.

He didn't stay long after returning to the patrol office. He went home, practiced standing meditation for a while, and then slept for a whole round.

A battle consumes a lot of energy and vitality, especially when the opponents are all experts, and the fight is a constant struggle between life and death.

Yesterday morning, he single-handedly killed three Jiang bandit leaders and five smaller bandits. Although his achievements were great, he was truly exhausted.

Therefore, he did not carefully count all the spoils he had brought back, but only checked the amount of silver.

At this moment, on the wooden table in the cellar, Li Hong looked at the blood-stained blue cloth bag, feeling a hint of anticipation as he opened the blind box.

This was found in Han Gang's arms.

He then opened it and found it was a booklet, and his eyes narrowed in surprise.

This is a very rare martial arts manual called "Finger Flick Technique".

It seems to be a long-range attack martial art that cultivates finger strength to launch objects.

Li Hong opened it to take a look.

After a long while, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"This finger-flicking technique is a powerful internal martial art. Once mastered, it allows one to gather blood and qi into strength, concentrate that power in the fingers, and kill without leaving a trace!"

It seems that Han Gang has some background.

This kind of martial arts from the Jianghu is exactly what Li Hong wants.

Since he started learning martial arts, he has always studied the official martial arts, which makes him very easy to identify.

If they were to actually fight in private, it would be difficult to conceal their identities and would bring a lot of trouble.

I must learn some martial arts from the martial arts world, just in case.

This "Finger Flicking Technique" is quite good; if a martial artist from the Outer Strength faction learns it, he can only use it to launch hidden weapons.

However, martial artists with internal strength have already condensed their blood into power and can also mobilize their internal energy, sending it several meters away from their body through their fingers, making it impossible to defend against.

"You can practice it; it can be a secret weapon."

Li Hong hid the booklet and arranged the broken silver, porcelain bottles, and other miscellaneous items on the table.

He examined the pitch-black pill in the porcelain bottle yesterday after opening it, but dared not eat it rashly because there were no labels.

Who knows what kind of supplements these Jiang bandit leaders usually use?

If we encounter any heretical practices, we must confess and wait a few days until the rumors have died down before we dare to use the medicine from the patrol officer.

As for money, Han Gang was not poor, although he only had a dozen or so taels of silver.

However, a hundred taels of silver notes were found on the soles of his shoes, which was probably the other party's life savings.

I've heard that "Huishuntong" is a money exchange located in the inner city.

"Enough for a month's cultivation; I won't have to worry about anything until I reach the mid-stage of Inner Strength!"

Li Hong's eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile spread to the corners of his mouth.

With this small windfall, I felt a little more at ease.

"The martial arts exam... there are only five months left. I must pass it before the spring exam next year at the latest and become a first-class martial arts student..."

He pondered to himself, ever since Liu Ming revealed a corner of the power dynamics in this world to him.

After revising the plan, he is now pursuing a genius path.

But to stand out in this martial arts exam... there's still a long way to go.

"The panel provides me with strong assistance, but I still need to think of a way to address the funding gap."

As long as there is a glimmer of hope, Li Hong is absolutely unwilling to miss this martial arts exam and wait another three years.

He pulled a book from the wooden table: "Records of Various Regions: Xu Tao".

This book is a concise introduction to the various countries and regions of Litu.

These were books he had found in the library after learning about the extraordinary Lingyun Sect.

It records the customs and cultures of more than a dozen countries, including the Great Qi Dynasty. The author has personally traveled to these countries, so it is very detailed.

In ancient times, unlike in previous generations, there were no audio-visual materials, and information channels were heavily obscured.

Most people at the bottom of society may never even leave their county town in their entire lives.

Not to mention going beyond the borders of the Great Qi Kingdom.

Information about the outside world can only be obtained through other people's oral accounts.

As for those who have the opportunity to learn to read, they can glean some knowledge from books.

This author is named "Xu Tao". He seems to be a martial arts expert, otherwise he would not have the ability to travel all over the world.

Li Hong had read through this book thoroughly a few days earlier.

Some information was gleaned from the subtle clues recorded.

"This world isn't just one province called Li Tu; it seems there are eight provinces in total!"

"The pinnacle of martial arts... may not be as simple as I think."

"After passing the martial arts exam, if one can establish a foothold in the inner city, there should be more channels to gain a detailed understanding of this world."

Li Hong opened the book again and continued reading it.

I want to find more clues to broaden my current worldview...

............

At the same time.

In front of the grocery store.

The sun was shining brightly, and Li Fulin was sweeping the ground with a broom in his hand.

Yao was holding a basin of water at the back, sprinkling water and pressing down the ash.

All that could be heard was the sound of horses neighing in front of the door.

A short while later, a somewhat hesitant voice suddenly rang out:

"father!"

Li Fulin suddenly looked up at the doorway, where a face appeared that was both unfamiliar and somewhat familiar.

"Red Jade?"

Li Fulin was stunned for a moment, as if a thunderbolt had struck his heart.

He threw down the broom, a sudden, eager smile spreading across his face: "Hongyu, come in quickly!"

Li Hongyu was dressed in a black jacket, her smile as radiant as a flower.

Behind her followed a young man dressed in a silk robe, carrying two brocade boxes in his hands. His features resembled hers by a third.

She hadn't been to this general store for several years. Although Zhou Tingshan had urged her to come this time, she couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.

"Is this Serena Williams? It's been years!"

But Li Fulin's eyes narrowed into slits as he sized up Zhou Wei behind him:

"It's hard to recognize me now!"

Zhou Wei forced a smile, put down the brocade box, bowed respectfully, and said in a loud voice:

"Grandpa, your nephew Zhou Wei greets you."

"Yes, yes, Grandpa is doing well!"

Li Fulin laughed excitedly. How many years had it been since his eldest daughter had returned home?

He was also accompanied by his nephew, which left him somewhat at a loss.

"Sister-in-law!"

After entering the room, Li Hongyu smiled and approached Yao Shi, leading Zhou Wei and saying, "Zhou Wei, this is your aunt!"

"Hello, Auntie!"

Zhou Wei smiled broadly and bowed deeply, bending even more than when he bowed to Li Fulin.

"Eh."

Madam Yao smiled and agreed. She had regained her health over the past two months and was no longer wearing only cotton and linen clothes as before.

She wore jewelry that Li Hong had bought for her on her fingers and in her hair, so she didn't look too out of place.

The group entered the main room and took their seats.

As Li Hongyu turned to look at him, she tugged at Zhou Wei's sleeve.

Zhou Wei then opened several brocade boxes, placed them on the table, and smiled:

"Grandpa, this is top-grade red ginseng, and also Yulinxiang's satin..."

Li Hongyu promptly followed up with a smile, "Father, I've been so immature all these years, not around..."

"Daughter, it's all in the past. Let's not talk about family anymore."

Li Fulin waved his hand to interrupt, his smile unchanged, and said to Yao Shi, "Cuihua... call Hong'er over."

These days, with people visiting Li Hong at both the martial arts hall and the patrol office, many people have come to pay their respects.

Li Fulin followed along, welcoming and seeing off guests, already knowing that his eldest grandson was no longer the same as before.

He was caught off guard just now, but he has already calmed down. How could he not understand these basic social skills?

Last time, he and Yao encouraged Li Hong to visit his daughter's home to meet her relatives, but when he returned, Li Hong gave a vague answer.

But it's easy to imagine that her grandson probably wasn't well received by her husband's family back then.

It's only been a short time... Li Fulin's expression remained unchanged, but he couldn't help but feel delighted.

Hong'er, you're really going to be something!

...............