We're practicing all martial arts, so why did you switch to easy mode?

Chapter 120 'Usury' Style Technique: Thick Earth Gate
boom.

The door was forcibly broken open.

"no one?"

The room was empty; there was no sign of Su Chen.

"Afraid of crime and absconded?"

Granny Qi looked around, and the thought popped into her mind. Her eyes suddenly turned cold.

They had just made a deal with Su Chen last night, but he disappeared overnight, right after they were attacked.

What a coincidence!

"Let's wait and see. If he doesn't show up today, then last night's attack must be related to him, and he must be one of the accomplices!"

Although she had doubts, she decided to observe further.

the other side.

Inside a dilapidated house.

Su Chen stared solemnly at Chu Xiaoxiao's corpse.

"died!"

This time he was truly dead. Su Chen couldn't detect anything unusual about his heartbeat, pulse, or breathing; he was no different from a dead person.

When Su Chen brought Chu Xiaoxiao back last night, he originally planned to wait for her to wake up and then ask her some questions.

Unexpectedly, when I woke up this morning, I found that Chu Xiaoxiao's heartbeat had stopped, and she had clearly died.

"Chu Xiaoxiao must have practiced a technique similar to feigning death, and pretended to be dead after being attacked last night."

Even she herself did not expect that the other party would use a deadly attack, which her body simply could not withstand.

So although she successfully faked her death and deceived the Xuan Shui Gang, she ultimately succumbed to her injuries and died during the act!

After a thorough examination, Su Chen quickly determined the true cause of Chu Xiaoxiao's death.

Even he didn't expect that Chu Xiaoxiao, who was supposed to fake her death, would actually die. Unfortunately, he still planned to wait for Chu Xiaoxiao to wake up and find out what kind of cultivation technique she was practicing.

However, Su Chen did not immediately place Chu Xiaoxiao's body in the abandoned house; he still harbored a sliver of hope:
"Could it be a characteristic of this technique, first slowing down the heartbeat, then stopping it completely, and then recovering in no time?"

Given this, Su Chen decided to observe further. Chu Xiaoxiao, who was in a state of suspended animation, could not be awakened, so he planned to stay in the abandoned house for a while longer. If Chu Xiaoxiao still showed no signs of recovery after a few days, he would then deal with her.

It won't take too long, a day or two should be enough, since a body will decompose after death.

As for why he didn't take Chu Xiaoxiao back, although Su Chen's residence was remote, it didn't necessarily mean it was safe. Taking a fake dead person with him would attract too much attention, and if they were discovered, it would be a loss. It was better to stay here, since it would only be for a day or two anyway.

After hiding Chu Xiaoxiao's body, Su Chen tallied up his meager gains from the previous night: only seven Qi and Blood Pills, all obtained from the unconscious man from the Xuan Shui Gang. As for Chu Xiaoxiao herself, he could only say that she truly lived up to her reputation as a young lady, being penniless.

"Besides this pile of clothes, there's probably not much of value on her." Su Chen glanced at Chu Xiaoxiao, shook his head slightly, and then looked at her head. "And this jade hairpin!"

"Jade hairpin..."

Suddenly, Su Chen seemed to think of something, and his gaze fell on the hairpin in Chu Xiaoxiao's hair. His eyes gleamed. He stood up, went to her, and pulled the hairpin out of her hair.

There was a click.

As if a mechanism had been triggered, the jade hairpin, which was more than ten centimeters long, suddenly fell off, revealing a rolled-up piece of white paper.

Su Chen's expression brightened with joy. This jade hairpin actually concealed Dong XZ's boots! Hiding them at the waist, in one's bosom, in one's sleeve, in one's knife, or even poison—nothing could be as concealed as a jade hairpin, especially for a woman; it was practically a natural hiding place!

Su Chen clicked his tongue in amazement; if it weren't for his sudden inspiration, he really wouldn't have noticed this.

Unrolling the paper, Su Chen began to read it. The more he read, the more delighted he became. He had never expected that the jade hairpin contained a martial arts technique.

"Houtuque!"

Although it was only a few hundred words, the content shocked Su Chen: "This is... a technique for tempering the spleen!"

After reading several hundred words, the words "cultivation technique" suddenly appeared on the panel, appearing and disappearing as if waiting for Su Chen's favor.

Su Chen calmed down slightly and carefully examined the technique again: "It is similar to the Transformation of Internal Energy Technique, but the Thick Earth Technique has greater limitations."

The Thick Earth Gate can also absorb energy, but not everyone can do it; it has significant limitations.

Only those who trigger the energy fluctuations of the cultivation technique can be absorbed; otherwise, they can only refine their internal strength through cultivation.

However, this kind of tempering is not like the daily arduous training of a normal martial artist. It can transfer energy to others and then withdraw it, repeating this process to increase the speed of cultivation.

As long as the opponent's strength is not lower than your own, it's fine.

Under this premise, the stronger the opponent, the better the feedback effect of the force, and the faster the cultivation speed.

Although it cannot match the speed of cultivation as Huajin Gong, it is far superior to Huajin Gong in terms of safety.

After all, the Transformation Skill is a method that is almost like plunder, forcibly absorbing the strength of others, and this skill is more like 'usury'.

I'm lending you my strength; whether you agree or not, you have to accept it.

As long as your strength is inferior to mine, I can reclaim this force.

Moreover, the stronger you are, the purer the energy I recover will be, and the faster you will be able to cultivate.

Such behavior is strikingly similar to usury!
Of course, if your strength is inferior to the opponent's, the energy you send over might be absorbed by the opponent, wasting your energy and delaying your own cultivation time.

After reading the whole thing, it can be summarized in one sentence: The advantage of this technique is that you can cultivate it without limit through the 'usury' method, while the disadvantage is that you can only cultivate it through the 'usury' method.

There are advantages and disadvantages!

In addition, Su Chen also saw a hidden message in it:
The initial stages of practicing this technique are very difficult. Only when one has developed internal strength through this technique can it truly be effective.

For an ordinary person, this would involve careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, but for Su Chen, these shortcomings had little impact, so he made a plan after only a moment's thought.

Top up, spend real money, and unlock easy mode:
[Easy Mode Activated: Stand for ten minutes to reach the beginner level of the Thick Earth Gate.]

Ten minutes later, switch to easy mode again:
[Easy Mode Activated: Stand for twenty minutes to reach the first level of the Thick Earth Gate.]

Twenty minutes later, having mastered the second level of the Thick Earth Technique, Su Chen stopped cultivating.

He has enough Qi and Blood Pills and enough money, but his body can only take six Qi and Blood Pills at a time per day, so he needs to wait until tomorrow to meet the panel's requirements.

After cultivating the Thick Earth Gate, his body did not experience any abnormalities, but he clearly felt that his strength had increased slightly, and his muscles had become much more solid.

I didn't expect that this was a technique that could shape one's body, although the effect wasn't very obvious.

……

Cai Mansion.

After two days of adjustment, the Cai residence barely managed to restore order, but Cai Liuhe had little to be happy about.

Although no trace of Chu Xiaoxiao and Chu Yingying has been found so far, and the only public announcement is that they are missing, he believes that they are probably in grave danger.

For someone of the Chu family's direct lineage, disappearance sometimes means death.

Two of Chu's direct descendants died at the hands of the Six Harmonies Gang, and the Six Harmonies Gang cannot escape responsibility for this matter.

There were footsteps outside the door.

Cai Xiaoyue rushed in, her face full of worry, and said, "Father, the gang members we sent out have sent back news that they still haven't been able to find Chu Xiaoxiao and Chu Yingying."

"Have you found out who did it?" Cai Liuhe rubbed his eyes and asked.

Upon hearing this, Cai Xiaoyue shook her head: "I can't find it."

Both the government and the Six Harmonies gang dispatched a large number of people, but they were unable to find out the identity of the perpetrator last night.

They seemed to appear out of nowhere and disappear without a trace.

"Go look again. We need to find them alive or dead!" Cai Liuhe said in a deep voice.

"Yes!"

After responding, Cai Xiaoyue was about to leave when she suddenly heard someone shout, "Something terrible has happened, sir..." "What is it?" Cai Xiaoyue looked at the person in confusion and asked.

"Master, the Xuan Shui Sect has arrived with a large force!" the steward hurriedly reported.

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people walked towards them from outside the courtyard. They were all dressed in black and looked menacing.

"Chief Cai, it's been a long time. I never expected the Cai family to suffer such a calamity. What a pity!"

Leading the way was an elderly man, short in stature, with a face covered in wrinkles. He spoke with a smile, but that smile gave the impression that he was up to no good.

Hearing the commotion, Hong Ming went out and saw the old man. His heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm. He cupped his hands and said, "So it is Elder Hong Jinchen of the Xuan Shui Sect. I was unaware of your presence. Please forgive my lack of hospitality."

"It's hardly an honor to have you here; in fact, it's a shame we weren't properly greeted. The entire Cai residence is so grand, yet not a single person came to welcome us. No wonder we were ambushed," Hong Jinchen said casually, his words revealing a sharp edge.

Cai Liuhe could easily understand, his expression changed slightly, he looked at the other party deeply, and said in a deep voice: "Elder Hong, you may speak frankly, there is no need to beat around the bush."

"Good!" Hong Jinchen smiled and his wrinkles smoothed out. "Chief Cai is indeed courageous and responsible. In that case, I would like to ask Chief Cai: Our Xuan Shui Sect entrusted the two Chu sisters to the Liu He Gang for safekeeping. Now that the two women have disappeared, does Chief Cai have any explanation for me?"

"I will naturally investigate this matter thoroughly!" Cai Liuhe said expressionlessly.

"Find out? I think this was done secretly by your Six Harmonies Gang. Otherwise, who in the entire Dafeng City could break into your Cai Mansion without leaving a trace?" A Xuan Shui Sect disciple sneered and retorted without any politeness.

"Nonsense!" Upon hearing this, Cai Xiaoyue was immediately speechless with anger. She took a step forward and snorted coldly.

"Dare to do it but not dare to admit it?" The man glanced down at Cai Xiaoyue with disdain in his eyes.

"you……"

Cai Liuhe stopped Cai Xiaoyue and looked at the disciple. Under Cai Liuhe's gaze, the disciple's eyes were unfocused, but his aura remained undiminished.

“Besides the Liuhe Gang, there are many others who can come and go freely in the Cai residence, such as the Xuanshui Gang and the Xuanshui Sect…” Cai Liuhe replied.

"Absurd!" another disciple exclaimed, "We entrusted the Chu sisters to your care at the city lord's request. Now their fate is unknown, and you're acting like thieves crying 'stop thief!' Do you really think our Xuan Shui Sect is easy to bully?"

The atmosphere became tense, but Hong Jinchen, who was in the lead, remained calm and composed, with empty eyes and an attitude of indifference.

"Whether someone is a thief or not is not for you to decide!" Cai Xiaoyue retorted without any politeness.

At this moment, Hong Jinchen interrupted everyone, saying, "We're not here today to argue, but to ask Chief Cai for an explanation!"

After he finished speaking, he turned his sharp gaze, like the edge of a knife, to Cai Liuhe.

"Give me three days, and I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter." Cai Liuhe knew that the Xuan Shui Sect had come to cause trouble, and after a moment of contemplation, he said.

However, Hong Jinchen showed him no respect whatsoever, extending a finger and coldly snorting, "I'll only give you one day. If you fail to find the murderer, I'm afraid there will be no place for you, Cai Liuhe, in this vast city of Dafeng."

"What can you do in a day?" Cai Xiaoyue's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and she questioned.

Upon hearing this, Hong Jinchen's eyes narrowed, and without saying a word, he struck out with a palm towards Cai Xiaoyue. The fierce palm wind stirred up the air, creating waves of energy that rushed towards her.

Seeing this, Cai Liuhe raised his eyebrows and quickly stepped in front of Cai Xiaoyue, his palms throbbing as he concentrated his strength into his palms, which shimmered with light.

boom!
Their palms touched, creating endless ripples that swept away the surrounding dust. Their sleeves and hair danced in the wind, and their palms collided with intense force.

Deng!
Hong Jinchen took a step back, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes, then withdrew his hand, and his aura suddenly weakened.

He sneered, "Little girl, you're so rude! Don't you know that children shouldn't interrupt adults? If it weren't for Chief Cai's intervention, I would have taught you a lesson!"

“This is Cai’s daughter, and she should be disciplined by Cai. What’s it to you?” Cai Liuhe showed no respect for Hong Jinchen.

Hong Jinchen wasn't angry. Instead, he gave Cai Liuhe a deep look and said indifferently, "Chief Cai, remember, you only have one day."

After saying that, Hong Jinchen led a group of Xuan Shui Sect disciples away arrogantly.

puff!
"Father!" Cai Xiaoyue was full of resentment, but when she suddenly saw Cai Liuhe spit out a mouthful of blood, her expression tightened.

After a series of changes in expression, Cai Liuhe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and waved his hand, saying, "I'm fine."

"No, you look terrible. I'll go get Brother Zhu to come and take a look at you," Cai Xiaoyue said anxiously.

However, Cai Liuhe grabbed Cai Xiaoyue, shook his head, and said nothing, but the meaning was self-evident.

Cai Xiaoyue had no choice but to give up and helped Cai Liuhe into the hall. When Cai Liuhe sat down, she picked up a cup of tea and said, "Dad, have some water first."

"Let's leave it here for now."

Cai Liuhe shook his head, then suddenly looked at Cai Xiaoyue and said seriously, "Xiaoyue, go and call Zhu Yan here."

"Huh?" Cai Xiaoyue was taken aback when she heard this, but quickly realized what was going on.

Not long after, Cai Xiaoyue hurriedly brought Zhu Yan over, and Cai Liuhe led Zhu Yan into the room.

"Boss, what's wrong with your injuries?"

Zhu Yan noticed Cai Liuhe's pale face and immediately stiffened, asking, "May I take a look at you?"

"No need."

Cai Liuhe shook his head, coughed lightly, and looked at Zhu Yan with a mixture of determination and tenderness in his eyes. He said, "Zhu Yan, I know that you and Xiaoyue are in love, so I have a few things to tell you. You must promise me that you will take good care of Xiaoyue for me."

Seeing Cai Liuhe's solemn expression, Zhu Yan felt a sense of dignified solemnity and nodded, saying, "Chief, please speak."

boom!
The door was opened, and Cai Xiaoyue burst in.

"Father, tell me, what exactly happened? Why did you dismiss the servants in the house and make Brother Zhu take me away tonight? Why won't you come with me?"

After learning about Cai Liuhe's arrangements from Zhu Yan, Cai Xiaoyue was completely flustered. She also learned that Cai Liuhe had just instructed the steward to dismiss the servants in the Cai household.

Although the Cai family no longer had many servants, Cai Liuhe's actions made her very uneasy, as if something big was about to happen.

She gazed at Cai Liuhe, awaiting his reply.

Cai Liuhe stood up, a gentle smile on his face, and came to Cai Xiaoyue. He reached out to stroke her hair, but then quickly withdrew his hand.

He chuckled softly, "Xiaoyue, leave Dafeng City with your brother Zhu. Find a place without war or strife to live out the rest of your lives in peace. Consider this the last thing your father will do for you."

"Father, I won't leave!" Her pretty face was full of stubbornness. With Cai Xiaoyue's intelligence, she could easily guess Cai Liuhe's thoughts. She couldn't help but ask in distress, "Father, is there really no other way?"

Upon hearing this, Cai Liuhe fell silent. He belatedly realized that when the Chu family took over the Liuhe Gang, there was no room for maneuver left; he had already been abandoned by those above him.

"Father, please come with us," Cai Xiaoyue said, her voice choked with sobs.

Cai Liuhe shook his head: "As long as I'm here, you can leave. If I'm not here, no one can leave!"

"Okay, I'm going, Dad. Take care!"

After struggling for a long time, Cai Xiaoyue's expression hardened, as if she had made a great decision, and she spoke.

Upon hearing this, Cai Liuhe couldn't help but smile, then took out a secret manual from his robes and said:

"This is the Unfixed Skill, which has two cultivation methods: the positive one and the negative one. The positive one saves people, while the negative one kills them. Your father previously instructed you to cultivate the positive one. If you wish to cultivate it in the future, you can only cultivate the positive one. Remember, you must never cultivate the negative one, or you will suffer a qi deviation!"

"it is good!"

Cai Xiaoyue accepted the manual and then asked, "Why is this?"

“Life and death are two extremes. If one cultivates both positive and negative techniques, two completely different forces will be generated. With two forces that are incompatible like water and fire residing in the body, it will eventually get out of control,” Cai Liuhe said quietly.

"Then can I help Brother Zhu with his cultivation?" Cai Xiaoyue asked again.

Hearing this, Cai Liuhe was silent for a while, and then said, "If Zhu Yan does not betray you, then let him cultivate. However, this technique seems to require a special physique to cultivate. Over the years, I have only found that you can cultivate it. Even your mother cannot."

"Alright, it's getting late. You should hurry up and pack your things. I'll have one of my trusted men take you away later," Cai Liuhe urged.

"Ah."

After watching Cai Xiaoyue leave the room, Cai Liuhe closed the door.

The sandalwood incense burned slowly, its fragrance filling the room.

Sitting cross-legged, recovering from his injuries, Cai Liuhe showed an unusual look of fatigue on his face. Suddenly, he swayed and fell onto the bed.

(End of this chapter)