Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

"Cultivation Resources are important, but Root Bone and Comprehension are just as crucial!"

Xu Yang felt a satisfying fluidity he had never experienced when practicing his fist techniques before. Previously, practicing felt like walking on a rugged mountain path. Every step was incredibly difficult, and sometimes he would even take a wrong turn, forcing him to backtrack and start over.

But now, it was as if a smooth, wide road stretched out before him. He just had to step forward, without worrying about potholes underfoot or the risk of straying from the path.

For the first time, he felt that training could actually be a pleasant experience. With every punch he threw, new insights bloomed in his mind.

As his vital energy surged, wisps of True Qi were refined, at a rate significantly higher than before.

’Is it always this easy for Lu Ren to cultivate?’

Xu Yang was a little shocked. This was just with an Upper B-grade Root Bone. What about the person in Gale Hall with the Lower A-class Root Bone?

’No, that’s not right. Lu Ren can’t achieve this. He only has an Upper B-grade Root Bone; his Comprehension isn’t at an Upper B-grade level.

’My Comprehension and Root Bone are both Upper B-grade, which is why my cultivation has this effect.’

Lu Ren and the others were risking their lives in the mountains for resources. But by staying in Weiyuan Hall to train diligently, his gains might not be any less than theirs.

He then tried practicing the Turtle and Snake Grand Posture. He found that its efficiency in both nourishing his vital energy and tempering his Physique had also increased dramatically. After just a short while, he felt a pang of hunger; the food he had eaten didn’t seem to last as long as before.

’At this rate, I can reach Great Success in both the Turtle and Snake Grand Posture and the Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist within a month at most.’

...

「Sanhe Gang, Juyi Hall」

Three corpses, already beginning to stink, were laid out in the center of the hall. Waves of foul odor spread through the room, making the present members of the Sanhe Gang nearly vomit several times.

But seeing the grim face of their Gang Leader, Li Sanhe, seated at the head of the hall, they could only swallow it back down, even if they had already thrown up.

"Gang Leader, who are these three?" Wang Xinggui couldn’t help but ask.

Ever since the three bodies were brought back, Gang Leader Li Sanhe had worn a dark expression. Yet Wang Xinggui, who had been with the Sanhe Gang for seven or eight years, didn’t recognize the dead men. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"I’ve seen them before. They’re from the Sishui Gang," another minor leader spoke up.

Suddenly, everyone present grew even more confused. Why would the Gang Leader bring back the corpses of Sishui Gang members?

"They weren’t just Sishui Gang members. They were my moles planted inside the Sishui Gang," Li Sanhe said, his face dark.

The Sishui Gang and the Sanhe Gang had been rivals for many years, and both sides had sent moles into the other’s ranks.

Moles were crucial. They were responsible for passing information and gathering intelligence on the enemy’s movements. Therefore, even if you knew who among your subordinates was a mole for the other side, you usually wouldn’t eliminate them.

It was precisely because of the information passed by these moles that misjudgments could be avoided, preventing all-out war between the two gangs.

This time, the Sishui Gang had eliminated all of the Sanhe Gang’s moles. It was a clear sign they were about to make a move—and likely one detrimental to the Sanhe Gang. That’s why they would get rid of the moles, to prevent any information from leaking out.

’What could it be? Is Zhang Sishui planning to declare war?’

’Does Zhang Sishui dare to go to war with me?’

’We are both at Qi Gathering Great Success. Once a war starts, it will only result in mutual destruction.’

’This is bad!’

It was as if Li Sanhe had realized something. ’Zhang Sishui’s son... he must be on the verge of reaching Qi Gathering Great Success! That’s why they eliminated the moles—so I wouldn’t find out.’

Zhang Sishui had a son who had already reached Qi Gathering Minor Achievement several years ago.

Calculating now, he should be about to break through to Qi Gathering Great Success. This had to be the reason they eliminated the Sanhe Gang’s moles—to keep Li Sanhe from learning that Zhang Sishui’s son was about to reach Great Success.

’I absolutely cannot let Zhang Sishui’s son reach Qi Gathering Great Success. Once the Sishui Gang has two masters at that level, I’ll be the first to die.’

Li Sanhe was both shocked and enraged. He had finally figured out the Sishui Gang’s plan. As long as Zhang Sishui’s son had not yet reached Qi Gathering Great Success, there was still hope.

Even if he couldn’t win, he had to drag them down with him.

"Recall everyone to the Main Altar! And be on high alert!" Li Sanhe bellowed.

"Gang Leader, what’s happening?" a gang member asked.

"Just do as I damn well say!"

Li Sanhe offered no explanation. By the time his voice faded, he had already left Juyi Hall.

...

As dusk settled, Xu Yang left Weiyuan Hall and made his way toward Bai Shi Workshop.

After he had walked a mile or two outside the city, a figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the road ahead, blocking his path.

"Brother Xu, don’t be alarmed. It’s me." Fearing Xu Yang might misjudge the situation, Li Sanhe quickly revealed his identity.

"Oh, it’s Gang Leader Li. You gave me quite a scare. I thought I’d run into some clueless bandit."

Xu Yang cupped his fist in greeting and stopped three paces away from Li Sanhe, his mind on high alert.

For Li Sanhe to intercept him on the road, all alone at a time like this, he was definitely up to something that couldn’t see the light of day.

’This is a good opportunity!’ he mused internally.

’If I were to launch a surprise attack with Wind and Thunder Strength, I might have a chance to kill Li Sanhe. But that’s a bit risky, since I’ve never truly witnessed the abilities of a Qi Gathering Great Success master.’

’Although Wind and Thunder Strength is a Killing Move designed for Qi Gathering Great Success masters, to me, every single move from such a master is also a Killing Move.’

’There’s a chance of success, but it’s still a gamble. I should first see what this sneaky Li Sanhe wants from me before deciding whether to strike.’

"With Brother Xu’s skills, what clueless bandit would dare to rob you?"

Li Sanhe’s tone shifted. "To be honest, Brother Xu, I’ve been waiting here to ask for your help in killing someone. Of course, it won’t be for free. I can offer you this much."

As he spoke, he held up three fingers.

Xu Yang’s heart sank. He had come to hire him for an assassination.

Li Sanhe was waiting here all alone, without even his subordinates. It was obvious he didn’t want anyone else to know about this.