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

half a month later.

A secret private room on the third floor of a restaurant on West Street in Yunwen Town.

The private room was luxuriously decorated, with a jar of aged wine, two plates of braised meat, and a plate of peanuts on a mahogany round table.

Zhao Gang took off his outer robe from the Sky Patrol Bureau, wearing only a gray short jacket. He had a broad chest, and the cuffs were rolled up to his forearms. Old scars crisscrossed his wrists, looking as unsightly as gnarled old vines.

He picked up the wine bowl, gulped it down, and the wine dripped down his stubble.

"Cool!"

Zhao Gang slammed the bowl down on the table, grinning, and said, "Old man Yi, I've really seen something new these past two weeks. The Sky Patrol Division is a truly damn big tree."

"Back when I was in the black market, I had to ask for favors from three different people to buy a single Water Essence Pill. I'd lose face and still end up getting ripped off."

"And now?"

He patted his chest, his tone filled with barely suppressed satisfaction: "One credit, one change of pills, the path is perfectly clear. I reckon that with two or three more muscle-strengthening pills, I'll be able to touch the door to the third level of Qi and Blood."

"It's good to have a powerful backer. I used to think this saying was vulgar, but now I understand that the reason why vulgar sayings are passed down is because our ancestors learned from their own experiences of being beaten."

Yi Yang sat opposite him, wearing an old blue robe over his official robes. His hair was gray, and the wine bowl beside him only lightly touched his lips.

He has been at the museum for half a month now.

By day he guarded the archives, and by night he practiced martial arts. His life was so peaceful that it made one want to yawn. But for Yi Yang, peace was more valuable than any martial arts world.

Zhao Gang picked up a piece of braised meat, chewed it a couple of times, and suddenly looked up curiously and asked, "Old man, there's something I've been holding back for half a month."

Yi Yang paused, holding the peanuts in his hand, and casually said, "Holding it in is bad for your health. Speak."

Zhao Gang pointed at him with his chopsticks: "If you're so capable, why don't you fight for it?"

"Patrolman number thirty-four, holed up in the archives reading papers. I've heard all the things those young guys outside say about you behind your back."

"They say you're old, they say you've got connections, they say you're just coasting along in a retirement job."

"Just hearing about it makes my hands itch to try it."

Zhao Gang's nostrils twitched, and the smell of alcohol reached his brow: "With your sword, if you really went to the training ground, I can't guarantee you'd be in the top ten, but no one would dare stop you from being in the top twenty."

Yi Yang put the peanut in his mouth and chewed it slowly.

"When people get old, they are afraid of dying."

Zhao Gang rolled his eyes: "You might be able to fool Sun Hao with that, but you think you can fool me? Old man, you can't treat people like fools."

Yi Yang raised his wine bowl and took a sip.

"I'm doing quite well at the archives. I'm sheltered from the wind and rain, and there are plenty of files to collect."

"I receive a monthly salary, a share of medicinal herbs, and a place to live. I can also retire peacefully."

"After all the fighting, in the end, don't we all still need to eat and sleep?"

Zhao Gang stared at him for a while, then suddenly lowered his voice.

"Retirement is one thing, but some things won't stay away from you just because you don't step in them."

Yi Yang didn't respond.

Zhao Gang tapped his fingers on the table a few times, and casually remarked, "It's been too quiet at the county government office lately."

"Yang Shuqing, a mere constable, had just gained the favor of the Commandant's Office and even received the Muscle-Changing and Bone-Removing Pill. Logically speaking, now that the man is gone, the County Commandant should have turned Sanmu Village upside down long ago."

"But there's been no official action for the past two weeks."

Zhao Gang squinted, and the drunkenness on his face subsided considerably.

"That's not right. The quieter it is, the more it means something is swimming down there."

Yi Yang held the wine bowl, his expression still that of an old man listening to gossip.

"Perhaps the county government is too busy."

"fart."

Zhao Gang cursed bluntly: "I know better than you what kind of people those in the county government are. They'd spend ages trying to retrieve a copper coin from a latrine with a stick, let alone after a constable has died."

He leaned forward, staring intently at Yi Yang, as if trying to discern something, and said, "My channels have discovered that several unfamiliar faces have recently arrived in town. They walk with a certain air, their hands have calluses like those of government officials, but they don't dress like officials."

"These people are probably from the government office, just in disguise."

After listening, Yi Yang poured Zhao Gang a drink and said casually, "Brother Zhao, you're well-informed."

Zhao Gang looked at the wine bowl but didn't drink it.

"Old man, let's stop playing games now."

"I won't ask about Yang Shuqing's matter."

"I, Zhao Gang, am a man of the underworld; I don't like to dig up my friends' graves."

"But if you're really being targeted, don't try to tough it out. The Sky Patrol Division isn't just for show."

Yi Yang glanced at Zhao Gang for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject, saying, "What about the matter I asked you to handle?"

Zhao Gang laughed heartily, reached into his pocket, pulled out a small bag, and placed it on the table.

The bag was opened, and inside lay a white porcelain bottle.

"I have successfully completed my mission."

"I found a good buyer for that Muscle Strengthening and Bone-Pulse Removing Pill. The buyer has been stuck at the peak of Body Refining for several years, and he's like a hungry wolf seeing meat when he sees a pill."

"After deducting the intermediate expenses, I've exchanged five Water Essence Pills for you."

Zhao Gang pushed the porcelain bottle over: "Five pieces, they're all here."

Yi Yang picked up the porcelain bottle and uncorked it.

A warm, medicinal fragrance wafted out, like the scent of damp earth after a spring rain, seeping into the lungs through the nasal cavity, nourishing all the internal organs.

Five Water Essence Pills—that's no small sum.

Yi Yang knew that the Yi Jin Ba Gu Dan (a traditional Chinese medicine pill) was useful to the right person, but it wasn't enough to guarantee five Shui Yuan Dan (another traditional Chinese medicine pill).

Zhao Gang mostly made up the difference in silver, and even used his connections to help.

He didn't expose it; some relationships are better left unsaid.

Yi Yang put the porcelain bottle into his bosom.

Thank you.

Zhao Gang waved his hand dismissively and said, "Don't say those two words, they sound too formal."

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Gang became more talkative.

He crushed the peanut shells, but he used too much force, and the crumbs spilled all over the table.

"Old man, even while you're inspecting the archives, you still need to be wary of someone."

"Who?"

"Tang Hao".

When Zhao Gang mentioned this name, the corner of his eye twitched, and a hint of anger flared up in his breath from the alcohol.

"The patrol captain, ranked thirteenth. He's not the strongest, but he's cunning."

"There used to be two black markets in Yunwen Town, one under my control and the other under his control."

"Back then, we were fighting over a route for medicinal herbs. It was the rule of the underworld: whoever had the strongest fist got the meat."

"Turns out, that bastard bribed one of my men."

Zhao Gang picked up his wine bowl, the rim of which he gripped so tightly it made a cracking sound: "That night I led men to negotiate, but we were ambushed on the way. Three of my brothers died there, and this knife wound on my chest is from that time."

He patted the old scar on his chest, his voice hoarse.

"I didn't let him off easy either."

"I risked my life to kill one of his trusted men."

"Neither side won, and the feud has become irreconcilable."

Yi Yang listened quietly without offering any opinion, but kept the matter in mind.

Zhao Gang leaned back and exhaled a breath reeking of alcohol.

"Now everyone has entered the Sky Patrol Bureau. On the surface, we all wear the same skin, but underneath, the people are still the same."

"Tang Hao will not let me go."

"If he can't touch me, he'll target the people around me."

Zhao Gang raised his hand and pointed at Yi Yang. "You count as one."

Yi Yang said, "Am I, an old man who looks at case files, worth his trouble?"

Zhao Gang scoffed.

"Don't underestimate the urge of a scoundrel to cause trouble. Even maggots in a latrine can come up with some creative ways to do it."

"Tang Hao has a trusted subordinate named Fang Yu, who works as a guard in the Martial Law Hall of the Sky Patrol Division."

"This man is ruthless and cruel; he's a master at using the rules to kill. Be careful if you encounter him."

Yi Yang nodded to indicate that he had made a note of it.

Zhao Gang finished the last sip of his drink, stood up, and stretched.

"Alright, I have to go back and keep an eye on things."

"Don't actually use that imperial archive as a coffin. If you spot any of those county officials approaching, give me a heads-up."

Yi Yang also stood up and said before leaving, "Brother Zhao."

Zhao Gang turned to look at him: "What?"

Yi Yang said, "Once you break through to the third level, I'll treat you to some good wine."

Zhao Gang immediately perked up.

"I've got your word in this. If you try to fool me with this lousy liquor again, I won't stand for it."

The two parted ways at the restaurant.

The night breeze swept through the streets, dispelling the smell of alcohol.

Yi Yang walked slowly along the back street toward his residence, his official knife pressed against his waist and a porcelain bottle against his chest.

The roadside lanterns glowed yellow, the wonton stalls were still open, the soup pots were bubbling, and the aroma of scallions mixed with the fragrance of meat warmed one's stomach.

Yi Yang looked at the small print in front of him.

【Yi Wood Health Preservation Exercise Level 3: (8450/12000)】

[Nine Peaks Blade, Minor Mastery: (4860/6000)]

[Introduction to the Five Internal Organs Cultivation Method: (3200/5000)]

After two weeks of intensive training, we are nearing the critical point.

With the five Water Essence Pills in hand, the Wood Nourishing Skill should advance to the fourth level within the next two days.

Qi and blood are in four stages, reaching the realm of bone forging.

Bones like iron, muscles and tendons in perfect harmony.

At that point, even ordinary swords and knives might not be able to easily break through the skeleton.

When Yi Yang entered his courtyard, Jiang Yuexin and Yang Hui were already asleep.

There was warm water in the kitchen, and a bowl of porridge was placed upside down on the table.

Yi Yang glanced at it, and his old face softened a bit.

Having someone offer you a meal is more valuable than any official robes or tokens.

He carefully put away the Water Essence Pill, then closed the door and bolted it.

On the same night.

In a rented house south of Yunwen Town, an oil lamp was burning brightly.

The room smelled strongly of alcohol, and on the table were roast chicken, braised meat, and two jars of Shaoxing wine.

Lu Neng, the head constable under the county constable, sat in the main seat.

He was in his thirties, lean and wiry, with high cheekbones, long fingers, and short nails. At his waist lay a goose-feather saber, its hilt polished to a gleaming shine.

Two of his men sat beside him.

One of them was named Zhou Ping, and his face was full of scars.

The other man was named Du Sheng. He had a narrow face and small eyes, and he always glanced out the window while drinking.

Luneng picked up a chicken leg, took a big bite, and the meat juice smeared on his lips.

"After half a month of investigation, it wasn't a waste of time at all."

Zhou Ping lowered his voice.

"Boss, is there really something wrong with that old man?"

Luneng threw the bones into the plate and wiped his hands with a cloth.

"This is a big problem."

"We found the carcass of the giant snake from Qingmu Mountain. Its belly had been cut open, its gall bladder was gone, and all its valuables had been taken."

"What's even more interesting is that Wang Yue's remains were found in the mud near the snake's body."

Du Sheng frowned.

"Wang Yue died next to a snake, and Yang Shuqing has also disappeared. Can this really be called a cult?"

Shandong Luneng sneered.

"The Nine Evils have been scapegoated long enough; it's time to ask someone else."

He picked up the wine bowl, but didn't drink it.

"Yang Shuqing is confirmed dead. His body has been found in a ravine. There are the patterns of official boot soles and fragments left by his two confidants."

"The item that the county magistrate wanted on him is also gone."

Zhou Ping grinned and asked curiously, "What is it?"

Shandong Luneng glared at him.

Zhou Ping quickly shut up.

The flames inside the room flickered, and Luneng's face appeared harsh in the interplay of light and shadow.

"Don't utter things you shouldn't say."

"All the clues, when pieced together, lead to one person."

"Yiyang".

"A sixty-year-old woodcutter was swept down a slope by a giant snake but survived. Wang Yue died, as did Yang Shuqing, who had a grudge against him, but he turned around and joined the Bureau of Astronomy."

Luneng drank the wine, his tongue licking between his teeth.

"What a coincidence! There are far more coincidences than this. It's like someone is setting things up behind the scenes."

Du Sheng hesitated and said, "But he is now the chief of the Sky Patrol Division."

Shandong Luneng scoffed.

"The head of the guards at the archives is just an old man with a hunched back, who looks after papers."

"The Sky Patrol Bureau is expanding right now, stuffing all sorts of monsters and demons into it. Wearing a skin doesn't mean you have a backbone."

Zhou Ping, holding up his bowl, flattered, "Boss, you have three levels of Qi and Blood. Killing a sixty-year-old man is just a matter of lifting a finger."

"If that old man really has something hidden, and he brings it back to present to the county magistrate, the boss will probably get a promotion this time."

Luneng listened with satisfaction, patted the hilt of his knife, and said, "That's right, now is the time to find an opportunity to make our move."

Du Sheng asked, "When will we move?"

Luneng looked out the window.

Night fell over the eaves, and occasional lights could be seen in the distance, in the direction of the inspection warehouse.

"Wait until he's alone."

"No matter how high the walls of the Sky Patrol Bureau are, they can't protect an old man who always has to go home."

He turned the wine bowl upside down on the table.

"Starting tomorrow night, keep a close watch on Yi Yang."