The Outsider
Translator: AnubisTL
As Guo Zhentong had said, he did not disturb Li Qing's stance training after arriving. He merely sipped on strong liquor, his gaze tinged with melancholy as he looked at Master Gu's grave.
Li Qing, who had initially hoped to receive some guidance, turned around only to find that the Commander had already disappeared without a trace.
By now, the sky had darkened, and the howling winds outside the fortress had gradually begun to subside.
Li Qing added one last handful of soil to Master Gu's grave before returning to the military camp outside the fortress.
However, the training ground was anything but peaceful tonight. A large number of soldiers had gathered, preparing for an expedition with great fervor!
Were they going to take action against the bandits in the north? That was Li Qing's first thought. He squinted and looked at the Commander leading the formation at the front—it was Yuan Xiao! After a rousing speech, Yuan Xiao, leading nearly two thousand soldiers, marched toward the north in a grand and imposing manner.
Seeing this, Li Qing hurried back to his tent, not daring to watch any longer.
As a blacksmith attached to the army, Li Qing naturally only needed to stay in the camp and did not have to join the expedition.
"Phew! It seems like a real battle is about to break out. I just don't know if Liang Country and the bandits are truly colluding."
After returning to his tent, Li Qing quietly pondered the current situation.
If Liang Country and the bandits were indeed colluding, this expedition could very well end in a disastrous defeat, and it might even affect the area where he was stationed.
"I wonder if the court has sent additional troops to the border. The situation is so tense now; a larger-scale conflict could erupt at any moment."
Li Qing sighed deeply. His sources of information were too limited. Without sufficient intel, no matter how sharp his mind was, he couldn't possibly analyze the specific details of the current situation.
"No point worrying about all that. The most urgent task is to break through to the level of an Outer Strength expert. Only then can I have some ability to protect myself."
As he spoke, Li Qing instinctively picked up two meal bowls, preparing to head to the mess hall for food.
But soon he shook his head, put down the bowl that had belonged to Master Gu, and took only his own bowl to the mess hall.
The mess hall area, usually bustling with noise every night, was unusually quiet tonight. Even the soldiers passing by occasionally wore solemn expressions on their faces.
A battle was coming.
A battle meant death. It seemed that the people in the army were not entirely unaware of the current situation.
On duty at the mess hall tonight was still Fatty Wu. Even his plump face, for once, showed a trace of worry.
"I heard your master was ambushed by bandits while transporting grain?" Li Qing tentatively asked. By now, this incident was no secret in the army, and it was the very excuse Commander Yuan Xiao had used for the expedition.
Fatty Wu quickly filled Li Qing's bowl with food, even pressing it down to add an extra two scoops of cured meat.
"Yeah, but the court is about to send another grain transport team. I just don't know who will be in charge of receiving it this time. What if they take me along?" Fatty Wu's face was tense, and beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.
The grain transport team is being sent again? This indicates that the imperial court is not entirely unaware of the situation at the border, and that the grain supply is still sufficient, with the supply line remaining stable.
It seems the situation isn't as dire as I imagined. Thinking this, Li Qing casually picked up a steamed bun, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled, "Don't worry, this time receiving the grain shouldn't be too dangerous. After the last lesson, the transport will surely be heavily guarded."
"How do you know?" Fatty Wu asked with a suspicious look.
Li Qing rolled his eyes and didn't say anything more, then carried his meal bowl back to his tent.
After finishing his meal, when the night was deep and quiet, he once again traveled to the World of Eternal Night.
"Calculating the time, it's about time for the delivery. Yan San should be coming today, right?"
Li Qing wrapped himself in a thick cotton coat, then assumed his stance and continued practicing his postural exercises. It didn't take long before the courtyard gate was indeed knocked on again.
Knock knock knock! "Is Master Li here?" Yan San's voice followed.
Li Qing walked unhurriedly to the gate and welcomed Yan San in. Yan San still wore a fawning smile, eager to please this skilled blacksmith in the city.
"The knives are all forged. Where's what I asked for?" Li Qing pointed to a pile of knives in the corner of the courtyard.
"Ah! Master Li is indeed a man of his word! Don't worry, I've brought what you asked for from the Yan Family!"
With that, Yan San took out a roll of animal hide and a green bamboo scroll, handing them directly to Li Qing.
Li Qing accepted the animal hide and bamboo scroll. Both looked ancient, clearly items of considerable age, with no signs of being fake.
Unrolling the animal hide, he saw a vivid depiction of a fierce tiger pouncing on its prey, full of artistic essence! Just one glance, and Li Qing was struck by the martial intent emanating from the hide.
Seeing this, Yan San thought Li Qing didn't understand what was depicted. He explained, "Master Li, the Yan Family said this was a very ferocious beast in the past. A martial arts master observed this beast hunting and created this technique!"
"Although such ferocious beasts can't be found anymore, this martial art has been passed down!"
Li Qing pondered for a moment, then said, "Hmm, not bad."
The other ancient green bamboo scroll contained something even more unexpected for Li Qing—it was a volume of internal martial arts, the Turtle Breathing Art!
This time, Yan San didn't offer much explanation, as he could see the satisfaction in Li Qing's eyes.
"Master Li, shall I take the knives now?" Yan San tentatively asked.
"Sure, take them," Li Qing nodded.
Bang! After the courtyard gate closed, a faint, ambiguous smile finally appeared on Li Qing's lips.
"Heh, the Yan Family thinks they're clever..."
In the center of Blackrock City, within a grand and luxurious mansion.
"So, you're saying that blacksmith Li showed a satisfied expression after receiving the two martial arts you brought?"
A young nobleman dressed in fine silk, with delicate skin, asked with a strange expression.
Beside him, Yan San, who was maintaining a very humble posture, nodded repeatedly and responded, "Yes, that's correct. I can assure you, Young Master Yan, see, I've even exchanged the cutting knife!"
"Mm, well done. That blacksmith Li is indeed a man of little insight. No need to pay him any more attention in the future," the young master of the Yan Family waved his hand and said casually.
Behind him, a burly middle-aged man also sneered:
"That blacksmith Li is probably just an amateur, completely ignorant of martial arts."
"The first technique we sent over, the Light Silk Leg Technique, requires a delicate touch. As a blacksmith, he's used to heavy and forceful movements, which are absolutely unsuitable for this kind of skill. At best, he might achieve a minor level of proficiency, but he poses no threat."
"As for the Fierce Tiger True Intent Diagram that followed, although the imagery on the animal skin scroll is intense, if one has never seen a real ferocious tiger, it's absolutely impossible to master. In this day and age, where can one find a vicious tiger for him to observe?"
Yan Song also chuckled lightly and said, "Finally, that Turtle Breathing Art is the most time-consuming to practice. Without ten or eight years, one probably wouldn't even get past the basics."
"Three useless things actually made that blacksmith Li so satisfied. It seems he really is just an amateur."
(End of the Chapter)
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