Elderly Martial Saint: Sixty Times the Cultivation Speed ​​at the Start

Two days later, just as dawn broke, Yi Yang went out carrying his old bamboo basket.

Yang Hui's injuries haven't fully healed yet. Those two guys from Shengcang Martial Arts School were too ruthless. The village's folk remedies can stop the bleeding and reduce swelling, but for internal injuries, she still needs to go to town to ask a doctor.

When Yi Yang reached the village entrance, Aunt Zhang was squatting by the door picking green beans. Seeing his basket, she quickly asked, "Grandpa Yi, are you going to town again?"

Yi Yang nodded with a hint of sadness and said, "Yes, I need to buy some medicine for Yang Hui. She's still not better. I watched her grow up, so I have to take care of her."

Aunt Zhang's nose stung with tears as she listened, but she cursed, "That shrew is tough. Even the King of Hell would have to curse her a couple of times before taking her."

Yi Yang smiled, then walked towards Yunwen Town without taking the package.

Yunwen Town is much more lively than Sanmu Village.

Steam rose from the pancake stalls on the street, the aroma of oil mixed with the smell of horse manure wafting into my nose—an unpleasant smell, but very real.

Yi Yang first went to an old clinic in the east of the town.

The resident doctor's surname was Hu. He had a white beard, droopy eyelids, and always looked at people's shoes first when examining them.

The poor wear straw sandals, the rich wear soft boots; before even asking about illness, prices are already divided into three classes.

Yi Yang handed over the name of the medicine.

Dr. Hu glanced at it, stroking his beard, and said, "Internal injuries from a fall? The injury is quite serious."

Yi Yang sighed and said, "The poor are unlucky. They offended the martial arts master and got injured."

Hearing this, Dr. Hu felt some sympathy and quickly dispensed the medicine.

"Apply externally for three days, and take internally for five days. Avoid cold water and oily foods. If the chest tightness and pain worsen, bring it to me for examination. Don't try to force yourself to drink folk remedies."

"How much?"

"Two ounces and eight mace."

Yi Yang slowly reached into his pocket for the silver coins, as if he couldn't bear to part with each one.

Dr. Hu's lips twitched slightly. "Alright, two ounces and five mace. Consider it a token of my kindness."

Yi Yang carefully put away the medicine and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

After leaving the clinic, he didn't rush to leave but circled the streets twice.

The most diverse and interesting news comes from the entrances of tea stalls, grain shops, and porters' shops.

He bought a bowl of coarse tea, sat in a corner, and listened to the whispers coming from all directions.

"The case at Shengcang Martial Arts School is still unresolved; the former headmaster has gone to the county."

"The Nine Evil Sect has been really strange lately. People in several villages have died, two martial artists from Shengcang have also died, and a constable from Qingmu Mountain has also been killed."

"Speak less, for loose lips sink ships."

Yi Yang held the teacup and blew away the broken leaves on top.

Two days after Yang Shuqing went missing, there was still no major commotion in the county.

That's not surprising.

Yang Shuqing had just made a meritorious contribution when he returned to his hometown overnight, accompanied by two trusted confidants.

The people in the county government would only assume that he was handling personal matters or hiding elixirs in seclusion.

Yi Yang went to the herbal medicine stall to buy a few more auxiliary ingredients for the Blood-Strengthening Decoction. Nowadays, Blood-Qi Powder and ordinary herbal decoctions are helping him less and less.

With the silver in her arms, she began to feel awkward.

After reaching the third level of Qi and Blood cultivation, money is sometimes just a stepping stone. Without connections, even with the stepping stone, you'll only end up hurting yourself.

Just as he was about to leave the town, a man walked towards him from the street corner.

The man was dressed in shorts, had broad shoulders, and walked with a steady gait; he was Ren Hao, one of Zhao Gang's men.

Ren Hao took a few steps back, cupped his hands, and said respectfully, "Uncle Yi, my eldest son invites you to have some tea."

Yi Yang glanced at him but did not refuse. He could take this opportunity to see if Zhao Gang had any cultivation resources.

"Let's go then."

It was still that restaurant on West Street. During the day, the restaurant was open for business, with customers playing drinking games and making toasts in the main hall, but the private rooms on the second floor were quiet.

Zhao Gang sat by the window, with tea on the table but no wine.

Today he was dressed in a black outfit, with the cuffs tightly tied, making him look like a half-drawn sword, sharp yet commanding.

Upon seeing Yi Yang enter, Zhao Gang stood up. "Uncle Yi, you look much better these past few days."

Yi Yang placed the medicine packet on the table and sat down. "I escaped with my life in the mountains, but even the King of Hell won't take me. I can only eat two more bowls of porridge."

Zhao Gang stared at him for a moment.

The old man still looked like a country bumpkin, with an old short jacket, rough hands, and white temples.

Zhao Gang, however, practiced the method of observing qi and discerning strength. He judged a martial artist's general foundation by the rise and fall of the skin and flesh, the landing point of the steps, and the length of the breath. Unless the strength of the martial artist exceeded his, he rarely made a mistake.

The last time I saw Yi Yang, he was at the second level of Qi and Blood Refining Realm.

Looking at him today, he's still training his muscles, but his aura is much calmer, indicating that his strength has improved again.

Zhao Gang cursed the old monster in his heart, but smiled heartily on the surface. "Old man, your skills are really changing prices every day. If you keep raising them like this, I'm afraid my little restaurant won't be able to afford tea anymore."

Yi Yang took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Master Zhao didn't call me just to praise me for being so vigorous despite my age, did he?"

"Of course not."

Zhao Gang tapped his fingers on the table. "The wind has shifted in Yunlin County recently. I've been thinking of some good news I should tell you."

Yi Yang put down his teacup and made a listening gesture.

Zhao Gang lowered his voice and whispered, "As you should know, Yunlin County was previously openly divided into two factions and three groups."

"I don't know much about that. Please explain more clearly."

"The Sanyuan Society, the Red Tiger Gang, the Black Knife Gang, and the Zhang, Wang, and Li families in the inner city."

Zhao Gang used his chopsticks to mark a few seats on the table.

"The Zhang, Wang, and Li families occupy the inner city, and they monopolize the grain, medicine, weapons, and martial arts schools. The Sanyuan Society manages the trade routes, while the Chihu Gang and Heidao Gang handle the dirty work in the outer city. The county magistrate sits in court, and the captain commands the troops, but if you really want to get anything done, you still have to be mindful of these people's opinions."

Yi Yang listened without interrupting.

Zhao Gang continued, "But none of that matters. Actually, there's another powerful force in the county town, but it's been keeping a low profile and is unknown to outsiders—that's the Sky Patrol Division."

"This Heavenly Patrol Bureau has a very powerful background; it's the dynasty's other weapon besides the army, an office personally overseen by the Imperial Martial Saint. From patrol guards to patrol chiefs to acting chief inspectors, each level is more prestigious than the last."

"But the Celestial Patrol Bureau can't just interfere anywhere. The powerful families and the government are all wary of it, so without a pretext, it can only watch from the sidelines."

Yi Yang gripped the rim of the teacup, seemingly knowing what the other person wanted to say.

"Now we have a reason."

"right."

Zhao Gang uttered a single word, his expression darkening.

"Nine Evil Sects"

The private room fell silent for a moment, then the shouts of the patrons downstairs carried up through the floor, creating a noisy atmosphere.

Zhao Gang said, "These days, the Nine Evils have been very active in the area. Blackwater Village, Greenwood Mountain, and other counties have all been affected by them. The higher-ups are already preparing to send a high-ranking official from the Sky Patrol Division to Yunlin County to oversee things."

"An important person?"

"At least the patrol director, or even higher."

At this point, Zhao Gang picked up his teacup but didn't drink. "The Sky Patrol Division wants to use the Nine Evil Sects as a pretext to expand from Yunlin County to the surrounding villages and towns. They're short-staffed right now, desperately short-staffed."

Yi Yang looked up and casually remarked, "It seems Chief Zhao is one of them too?"

Zhao Gang grinned, this time his smile was genuine.

"I'm already inside. My position is patrol chief."