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

Inside a brightly lit private room at a large restaurant in Yunlin County.

Zhou Jiang stood up, holding his wine glass, and said with a very happy smile, "Uncle Yi, Brother Zhao, I sincerely want to toast you both today."

He raised the glass above his head, and the wine shimmered with an amber light in the candlelight.

"Old Master Yi has become the head of Qianyang Tower, and Brother Zhao has also made further progress in Yunwen Town. This is a double celebration. Although I, Zhou, am just making a living in the county government, I know that the Xuntian Division is not an easy place to climb. I also observed the assessment two days ago. The two of you have made it to where you are today because of your real abilities."

Yi Yang sat in the main seat, with his hands on his knees, and took a sip of tea from his bowl.

"You're too kind, Lord Zhou."

He put down the bowl and said in a calm and unhurried voice, "This old man is just an ordinary martial artist. I got to where I am today entirely by luck."

Zhou Jiang smiled and waved his hand, congratulating him, "Old Master Yi, you're too kind. I saw it with my own eyes on the day of the quarterly exam. You played beautifully in those matches. Your cultivation at the fourth level of Qi and Blood is quite remarkable in Yunlin County."

At the same time, Zhou Jiang cursed inwardly, "Old fox, still pretending in front of me. You're clearly at the fifth level of Qi and Blood, but you're unwilling to reveal your strength during the assessment. Are you trying to trick me into thinking you're only at the fourth level of Qi and Blood so you can attack me? Do you think I'm that stupid?"

After he finished speaking, he drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, and tapped his fingers twice on the edge of the table as he put the glass down.

The waiter immediately brought over two trays.

Five silver notes, each worth one hundred taels, were neatly arranged on a red silk tray.

On the other tray were two silver notes, each worth fifty taels.

Zhou Jiang pushed the tray containing five hundred taels of silver in front of Yi Yang.

"Uncle Yi, this is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't think it's too little."

Yi Yang glanced at the silver note but didn't reach for it.

Zhou Jiang then pushed another tray in front of Zhao Gang.

"Brother Zhao, this is also true for you. One hundred taels isn't much; just consider it a token of friendship."

Zhao Gang's eyes lit up when he saw the silver notes. Although he had seen so much money before, he had many brothers to support. One hundred taels of silver was enough for him to buy a lot of pills on the black market.

But he didn't rush to put it away; instead, he turned his head and glanced at Yi Yang.

Yi Yang picked up the teacup and took another sip. When he put the bowl down, he reached out and picked up the five silver notes, weighing them in his hand.

"Lord Zhou is so kind. If I don't accept it, I would seem ungrateful."

He casually tucked the banknote into his pocket.

"However, let me make this clear from the beginning: I'll accept the money, but the proper procedures must still be followed. I can't break the rules of the Sky Patrol Bureau."

Zhou Jiang's smile deepened as he said, "Of course, of course. Don't worry, Mr. Yi, I, Zhou, always follow the rules and will never make things difficult for you."

He paused, then added.

"If you two ever need anything in Yunlin County, just let me know. I, Zhou, will help you if I can, and I'll find a way to help you if I can't."

Seeing that Yi Yang had accepted the money, Zhao Gang also put his own silver note into his pocket.

"Then thank you very much, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Jiang sat down again and called for the servant to serve the dishes.

The subsequent drinking session was much more lively.

Zhou Jiang was a chatterbox; he could talk about anything from interesting local happenings in the county to which young lady was the prettiest and which official had recently been promoted.

Yi Yang didn't respond much, only occasionally uttering a word, and spent most of his time eating.

Zhao Gang and Zhou Jiang were having a lively chat, and their back-and-forth conversation kept the atmosphere in the private room quite lively.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhou Jiang's face turned red, and he became more talkative.

"Old man Yi, brother Zhao, it's fate that we can sit together and drink today."

He raised the glass and swirled it.

"In my life, I, Zhou, admire two kinds of people the most: those who are capable and those who follow the rules. You two possess both qualities, so from now on, we're on the same side."

Yi Yang put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Lord Zhou, you flatter me."

Zhou Jiang waved his hand.

"Don't mention it, don't mention it. Old man, even though I'm doing well in the county government now, who knows what tomorrow will bring? It's true that having more friends means having more options."

After he finished speaking, he downed another glass of wine, and as he put the glass down, his eyes glanced towards Yi Yang.

"Old man Yi, if you don't mind, please don't hesitate to ask me for help in the future."

Yi Yang hummed in agreement.

"Then thank you very much, Lord Zhou."

The drinking party ended quite late.

When Yi Yang and Zhao Gang came out of Fumanlou, there were hardly any people left on the street.

The moon hung in the sky, illuminating the bluestone slabs until they appeared white.

The two walked along the street toward the Sky Patrol Office. After walking for a while, Zhao Gang couldn't help but speak up.

"Old man, what exactly is your relationship with that Zhou Jiang guy?"

He lowered his voice, which carried a hint of disbelief.

"I remember Zhou Jiang had a few people try to ambush you and snatch the things from your hands. How long has it been, and he's already giving you money?"

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, Yi Yang walked at a leisurely pace and said calmly, "There are plenty of people who will give money; one more won't make a difference."

Zhao Gang clicked his tongue.

"That's true, but when I met Zhou Jiang just now, I felt that he was very flexible and cunning, with a mind as sharp as a sieve. He's being so polite today, who knows what he's up to."

He paused, then added a sentence.

"Old man, don't underestimate him."

Yi Yang glanced at him sideways and said nonchalantly, "I know what kind of person he is."

Zhao Gang was stunned for a moment.

Yi Yang continued walking forward, and the sound drifted over from ahead.

"But as long as you have the strength to suppress him, he's a good dog who can get things done."

Zhao Gang pondered for a moment, then nodded.

That makes sense.

He didn't say anything more, and the two parted ways at the alley entrance.

Zhao Gang went west, while Yiyang went east.

The moonlight cast long shadows of the two people.

……

Lei Yun Martial Arts School.

In the back room, Yi Xun sat on a chair, his hands gripping his knees, his knuckles clenched tightly.

He's been sitting here for three days.

Three days ago, Yi Zhanzhi was carried off the stage of the quarterly exam and sent back to the courtyard of Lei Yun Martial Arts School.

The owner of the clinic, Mu Fenghai, invited the best doctor in the city and found several experienced bone-setting masters. After a day and a night of hard work, they finally managed to save Yi Zhanzhi's life.

Keren still hasn't woken up.

The Izuru Han has been unable to eat or sleep for the past few days, and has lost a lot of weight.

He stared at the locust tree outside the window, his eyes unmoving.

Footsteps came from the courtyard.

Liao Xu pushed open the door and walked in, carrying a bowl of hot tea.

"Grandpa Yi, have some tea."

Yi Xun snapped out of her daze, took the bowl, held it in her hands, but didn't drink from it.

Liao Xu sat down on the stool next to him and remained silent for a moment.

"Grandpa Yi, there are some things I need to clarify with you regarding Zhanzhi."

Yi Xun raised his head, his eyes filled with exhaustion.

"you say."

Liao Xu tapped his fingers twice on his knee and explained earnestly, "Zhan Zhi's last opponent was a martial artist who had reached the third level of Qi and Blood perfection. Logically speaking, that match should have been difficult, but the opponent surrendered after only a few moves on stage."

Yi Xun frowned and remained silent. He found it strange at the time, but assumed that the other party was afraid of his grandson.

Liao Xu then added, "After that martial artist conceded defeat, Zhang Songqing from Cangyun Pavilion went up on stage to challenge Zhan Zhi."

He paused, lowering his voice.

"Although we knew that Zhang Songqing had reached the peak of the third level of Qi and Blood a year ago and was stronger than Zhan Zhi, we did not expect the gap between the two to be so large. Moreover, Zhang Songqing was very ruthless and specifically targeted the muscles and bones."

Upon hearing this, Yi Xun's hand trembled slightly, and he pondered, "You mean...?"

Liao Xu nodded and said, "Chu Yao, the master of Cangyun Pavilion, has a deep grudge against my master. The old score from more than ten years ago has never been settled. It is no coincidence that Zhan Zhi was crippled this time."

Yi Xun's face was frighteningly pale.

He opened his mouth, but it took him a long time to squeeze out a few words.

"Then... what should we do?"

Liao Xu fell silent.

The patrolman gripped his hand even tighter.

"Cangyun Pavilion..."

He gritted his teeth, his voice trembling.

"Our Yi family is risking everything, can we...?"

Liao Xu interrupted him.

"Old Master Yi, the Zhang family of the inner city is behind Zhang Songqing."

Upon hearing this, Yi Xun froze.

The Zhang family in the inner city.

One of the three great families.

That was something that people from small, insignificant families like theirs could never even dream of.

Yi Xun's lips trembled twice, and the bowl slipped from his hand, falling to the ground and shattering into pieces.

"Zhanzhi... how is Zhanzhi now?"

Liao Xu sighed.

"Master invited the best doctor in the city, and Zhanzhi's life was saved, but his bones and tendons were broken. Even if they are set, the efficiency of his blood and qi circulation will be greatly reduced in the future."

He paused, then added.

"It will be very difficult to break through to the next level."

Izuru swayed and leaned back in his chair.

He closed his eyes, and two streams of murky tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

"Our Yi family... is it all over?"

Liao Xu did not respond.

The room was so quiet that you could hear the wind rustling through the leaves outside.

After a long time, Yi Xun opened his eyes, his voice hoarse.

When will Zhanzhi wake up?

Liao Xu stood up.

"The doctor said it will be soon, within the next day or two at the latest."

He walked to the door and glanced back at Yi Xun.

"Grandpa Yi, please take care."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and went out.

Yi Xun sat in his chair, staring at the broken porcelain shards and tea on the floor.

The leaves of the locust tree outside the window rustled in the wind.

He suddenly remembered the day a few months ago when Yi Zhanzhi said he had been accepted as the last disciple by the master of Lei Yun Martial Arts School.

Everyone in the Yi family mansion was ecstatic. He was the last disciple of the county's top martial arts school—what an honor! The Yi family was about to prosper!

But now?

Yi Xun lowered his head and covered his face with both hands.

When you take on benefits, you also take on risks. Who in the small town could have imagined that Lei Yun Martial Arts School and Cang Yun Martial Arts School had such a connection?