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

Chapter 175 Sixfold Blade Shadow, Acting as a 'Male Concubine'

[Easy Mode Activated: Swing your sword 500 times to master this extraordinary swordsmanship.]

After repeatedly activating the easy mode, Su Chen was about to reach the limit of his extraordinary swordsmanship. Without resting, he completed five hundred sword swings in one go.

Upon completion, the panel suddenly changed, and the sword-drawing skill could be improved again.

Su Chen continued to use the easy mode:
[Easy Mode Activated: Swing your sword 600 times to reach level 6 in the Drawing Sword Technique.]

Swish swish!
In the courtyard.

As a figure darted and shifted, a flurry of sword flashes and shadows appeared, accompanied by howling winds that rustled the leaves.

The shadows of blades were numerous, and a chilling wind blew in. Upon closer inspection, one could see the terrifying power hidden within.

It appeared to be a single strike, yet it seemed as if six strikes were delivered in an instant, with six layers of sword shadows hidden within, poised to strike.

A moment later, Su Chen sheathed his sword and stopped practicing.

"With my Blood Transformation Realm Level 2 strength and the sixth level of the Sword Drawing Technique, I can almost crush martial artists of the same level."

Even against a Blood Transformation Realm expert, with the support of numerous techniques, he can still defeat them.

If they exert all their strength, they might not be without a fighting chance against someone at the fourth level of the Blood Transformation Realm.

After a brief trial run, Su Chen assessed his own strength.

Such strength would have placed them among the top in Dafeng City in the past, but now they don't even rank among the best.

He didn't care; with the panel in place, the future looked promising.

Afterwards, Su Chen finished organizing the Myriad Wonders of the Profound Heart and packed it all up and took it with him.

The Myriad Wonders of the Profound Heart Technique contains too much information. Even with his exceptional memory, he couldn't memorize so much knowledge in a short time, so he had to take it back with him.

Back at the Qiao residence, Su Chen separated the five categories of material, taking out only the gold needle category for study, while hiding the rest in a secret room.

Over the next few days, Su Chen became exceptionally busy due to the addition of the Profound Heart Myriad Wonders cultivation method.

There's a lot to do.

The first step is to refine Qi and Blood Pills.

During the few days he was away, Su Chen had already used up all his Qi and Blood Pills. If he didn't refine more, he wouldn't be able to continue cultivating.

He also wanted to refine more pills to increase his experience in order to achieve the same medicinal effects as the Hong Family Qi and Blood Pill.

His approach to alchemy is correct, but he lacks experience and cannot reach the level of a seasoned alchemist. He can only improve his alchemy skills through more practice.

Secondly, improve the mind-control powder and soul-guiding incense.

The mind-control powder is now almost useless against him. He can easily defeat someone weaker than him with a single slap, but it is completely ineffective against someone stronger, rendering it utterly useless.

In addition, there is also incense to guide the soul.

The Soul-Guiding Incense played a crucial role in acquiring the Pure Yuan Scripture and the Myriad Wonders of the Profound Heart.

Without it, Su Chen might not have been able to find Ma Chen and obtain these two secret manuals.

There will likely be many more places where we need to use the Soul-Guiding Incense in the future, so it is natural to put the improvement plan for the Soul-Guiding Incense on the agenda.

After all, the restrictions of half an hour or one kilometer are still too large, and it would be best to improve them.

Third, cultivate the Myriad Wonders of the Profound Mind.

Through this period of training, Su Chen has realized the importance of the secret manual to him.

Regardless of the 36,000 techniques for generating power, simply refining the golden needle can improve one's control over power.

If he continues to refine his skills, Su Chen will eventually be able to 'mobilize ten parts of his strength, unleash ten parts of his power, and exert twelve parts of his strength'.

Moreover, Su Chen was also very envious of the power-generating techniques recorded in the manual, but he was unable to cultivate them because he currently had too few golden needles.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Su Chen was refining Qi and Blood Pills when Hong Ming came looking for him.

"Aunt Xue wants to see me?"

Hong Ming revealed his purpose: this time, it wasn't for him to see Su Chen, but for Qin Xue.

"Yes, she originally wanted to find you, but every time the people at the Qiao residence said you weren't there, she had no choice but to find me." Hong Ming sighed softly.

Although he had been staying in Fengbei City for some time, he still had some understanding of what was happening in the outside world.

After the three elders of the Hong family died, the entire Hong family collapsed and scattered.

Hong Tao, as Hong Lian'er's father, was able to receive the protection of the Chu family, but others were not so lucky.

The fact that Hong Risheng died in the previous battle made things even worse for Qin Xue's family.

They might be coming to see Su Chen this time because they need something from him.

Hong Ming knew about Qin Xue's difficulties, so he immediately came to find Su Chen after learning about it.

Su Chen agreed after a moment's thought. Regardless of his relationship with the Hong family, Qin Xue had given him a lot of help when he first arrived in Dafeng City.

She's in trouble now, so I'll help if I can.

Following Hong Ming into the courtyard, Su Chen immediately spotted Qin Xue, who looked anxious.

After not seeing her for many days, Qin Xue had lost a lot of weight and looked somewhat old, with a few strands of white hair occasionally showing among her black hair.

Upon seeing Su Chen, Qin Xue's face lit up with joy. She quickly stepped forward and was about to kneel down when Su Chen stopped her.

He smiled and said, "Aunt Xue, I haven't been at the Qiao residence for the past few days, so I didn't know you were coming. I hope you won't mind."

"It's no fault, it's no fault." Qin Xue quickly shook her head, her voice trembling with tears, "Su Chen, please, please save Chen'er."

As she spoke, she tried to kneel down again, but Su Chen helped her up.

Su Chen reassured her, "Aunt Xue, don't panic. Can you tell me what happened first?"

Hong Ming chimed in, "Yes, Xue'er, let's sit down and talk it over."

Qin Xue nodded and sat down with the help of Su Chen and Hong Ming, her emotions calming down slightly.

She then recounted the whole story.

After the three elders of the Hong family died, the Hong family fell apart, with some of its members dying and others fleeing.

If Hong Risheng were still alive, Hong Tao might well have taken care of their family out of consideration for their shared lineage.

But with Hong Risheng dead, all the relationships Qin Xue had cultivated before became meaningless.

She had hoped to ask Hong Tao to protect Hong Chen and take him away, but she didn't even get to see Hong Tao's face.

Left with no other choice, Qin Xue and Hong Chen left the Hong family and settled in Qingxi Town.

However, the fact that the two were Hong's people could not be erased even if Hong Tao did not take them away.

When some forces that had been offended by Hong Risheng and the Hong family learned of their plight, they couldn't help but kick them while they were down.

Qin Xue could tolerate it, but Hong Chen could not, and clashed with these people time and time again.

But how could Hong Chen possibly be their match? Every time they fought, he was left battered and bruised.

These people didn't kill Hong Chen, but beat him half to death to humiliate him.

Qin Xue knew that continuing like this was not a solution, so she decided to take Hong Chen away from Qingxi Town.

Just then, the Chu family sent men to arrest Hong Chen without explanation.

Upon learning of this situation, Qin Xue felt as if the sky had fallen. She made numerous inquiries, hoping to rescue Hong Chen.

Later, I learned from a kind person that it was Chu Hong, a member of the Chu family, who had captured Hong Chen and made him his male concubine.

This news struck Qin Xue like a bolt from the blue, completely devastating her and nearly causing her to faint.

But in order to save Hong Chen, she had to pull herself together.

She used all her savings to gather information, but the result left her utterly desperate.

Any man who becomes Chu Hong's male concubine will not survive more than a month in her hands!

In other words, Hong Chen can only live for a month at most, but his injuries have not yet healed, and under Chu Hong's torment, he probably won't live for a month at all.

Thinking of this, Qin Xue frantically begged her former friends to have mercy and save Hong Chen, but no one was willing to offend the Chu family for her sake.

Unintentionally, Qin Xue thought of Su Chen, knowing that Su Chen had a good relationship with the Qiao family. If Su Chen was willing to ask the Qiao family to intervene, they might be able to save Hong Chen.

So she went to the Qiao residence to see Su Chen, but for three days in a row she was told that Su Chen was not at the Qiao residence.

She thought Su Chen didn't want to see her, and her heart sank, but she still didn't give up.

Until she met Hong Ming, Qin Xue asked him for help, just to see Su Chen once.

After learning about Qin Xue's ordeal, Hong Ming naturally did not refuse, and thus took the initiative to go to the Qiao residence to find Su Chen.

"Su Chen, ten days have passed, and Chen'er is still injured. I really can't bear to think about it..."

The usually strong-willed Qin Xue has cried countless times over her son's issues.

Su Chen glanced at Hong Ming, then nodded and said, "Aunt Xue, don't worry, leave Hong Chen's matter to me."

"Thank you, thank you..." Qin Xue was overjoyed upon hearing this and thanked him repeatedly.

"Xue'er..." Overwhelmed with joy and sorrow, Qin Xue's vision went black and she fainted. Hong Ming stepped in time to support her and prevent her from collapsing.

After sending Qin Xue back to her room, Hong Ming went to the courtyard. He glanced at Su Chen, but hesitated to speak.

Seeing Hong Ming's cautious demeanor, Su Chen couldn't help but find it amusing, so he said, "Master, please speak frankly."

"Is this matter causing you a lot of trouble?" Hong Ming asked.

Su Chen shook his head: "It's just a matter of asking for someone, it shouldn't be too difficult."

"That's good!"

Hong Ming breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. The pressure from the Chu clan was no less than that from the Hong clan; these clans were not so easy to talk to.

"Master, you stay here with Aunt Xue, I'm going out for a bit." Su Chen got up to take his leave.

"it is good!"

Su Chen did not return to the Qiao residence, but went directly to the headquarters of the Four Seas Gang to find Qiao Qiliang.

"Vice Chief, Young Master Qiao is in the inner hall."

Led by a member of the gang, Su Chen headed straight for the inner hall.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Before he even got close, Su Chen heard a violent coughing fit. He went inside and found Qiao Qiliang coughing while looking at his official documents.

"Are you alright?" Su Chen asked with concern as he sat down.

When Qiao Qiliang saw Su Chen, a smile appeared on his face. He shook his head and said, "He caught a cold and has already seen a doctor and gotten some medicine. As long as he takes the medicine, he should get better."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "What brings you here this time?"

After hesitating for a moment, Su Chen told Qiao Qiliang about the matter, but omitted the fact that Chu Hong had captured Hong Chen to make him a gigolo.

After hearing this, Qiao Qiliang said, "How about this, I'll go with you to the Chu family. We need someone; it shouldn't be a problem."

"Forget it, you should rest more. I'll pay a visit in my capacity as the vice leader of the Four Seas Gang. If that doesn't work, I'll come to you again." Su Chen shook his head and refused, not intending to make Qiao Qiliang go through all that trouble.

“Alright, shall I have Qiu Sihai come with you?” Qiao Qiliang said after a moment’s thought.

Qiu Sihai is the nominal leader of the Sihai Gang, so having him there would undoubtedly provide an extra layer of protection. In addition, he knows a lot and can offer advice to Su Chen.

"it is good!"

A short while later, a middle-aged man with a somewhat simple and honest appearance came over.

Qiao Qiliang told Qiu Sihai about the matter, and Qiu Sihai naturally had no reason to refuse.

The two went to the Chu family.

"Chief Qiu, how much do you know about the Chu family?" Su Chen asked on the way to Fengdong City.

Qiu Sihai replied solemnly, "Very strong. With the addition of the Hong family alchemists, I think the Chu family will surpass the Liang family sooner or later."

Of the five major clans, two started by selling elixirs: the Yun clan and the Hong clan.

The Yun family monopolized all the medicinal herb business in Xia Prefecture and became the head of the five great families because they had the support of the prefectural lord.

The Hong family, relying on the Qi and Blood Pill, has risen to the top. Although they are at the bottom, they are steadily progressing and will eventually surpass the Chu and Luo families.

This is why the Chu and Luo families are so fixated on the formula for the Qi and Blood Pill.

Once they obtain the formula, they can use it to rise to become the second most powerful family in Donglin Prefecture.

After the Hong clan was destroyed, the Chu clan recruited almost all the alchemists who had left the Hong clan.

With the supply of medicinal herbs, it will probably not be long before they can produce Qi and Blood Pills in a continuous stream to help the warriors in the clan improve their strength.

As the leader of the Four Seas Gang, Qiu Sihai was well aware of this.

Although the Chu and Luo clans are now considered the four major clans, the Chu clan has actually surpassed the Luo clan.

This can be seen simply from the situation in Fengdong City and Fengbei City.

While the Luo family was rivaling the city lord's mansion, the Chu family had already unknowingly gained control of most of the power in Fengdong City.

The two chatted as they traveled, and an hour later they arrived at Fengdong City. Not long after entering the city, they came to the gate of the Chu residence.

"Please inform them that Qiu Sihai and Su Chen from the Four Seas Gang have come to visit."

Qiu Sihai abandoned his naive demeanor and appeared somewhat dignified.

Soon, the guard who had made the announcement came out and welcomed the two inside. The guard led them to the main hall and said, "Please wait a moment, gentlemen."

The guards withdrew, and the maids brought tea and snacks to greet the two.

Qiu Sihai didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up his tea and began to slowly savor the snacks, commenting as he ate.

Not long after they started eating, a well-dressed elderly man walked in. Upon seeing him, Qiu Sihai immediately stood up.

"Chief Qiu, this old servant is the steward of the manor. My master is currently preoccupied with important matters, so please bear with me and wait a moment."

Qiu Sihai thought it was Chu Jingtian, the patriarch of the Chu clan, who had come, but it turned out to be a steward. After hearing these words, his smile became somewhat stiff.

"It's alright," Qiu Sihai replied with a forced smile.

The old steward was polite again, and when he saw that the tea and snacks were gone, he asked the maids to refill them.

This time, however, Qiu Sihai was no longer in the mood to eat or drink.

His face darkened slightly, clearly dissatisfied with the Chu family's hospitality, showing that they did not take the Four Seas Gang seriously.

However, seeing that Su Chen did not speak, Qiu Sihai could only shut up.

About half an hour later, Chu Jingtian, the patriarch of the Chu clan, arrived late. Upon seeing Qiu Sihai, he cupped his hands and said, "Hahaha, Chief Qiu, it is an honor to have you here. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."

"Hehe, Chief Chu, you're too kind," Qiu Sihai replied with his signature smile.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Qiu Sihai revealed the purpose of his visit: "To be honest, I have come here to ask Chief Chu for someone."

"Oh? Who is it?" Chu Jingtian asked with a soft "hmm".

"He is the son of a friend of mine, named Hong Chen. He was arrested because he had an unintentional conflict with Miss Chu Hong of your family. It was only thanks to the Chu clan chief's leniency that I, Qiu, am extremely grateful."

"Such a thing is true." Upon hearing this, Chu Jingtian glanced at the old steward beside him, who then closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Chu Jingtian pondered for a moment and then laughed, "Haha, this matter is Chu Hong's fault. Chief Qiu, please wait a moment, I will send someone to find her and release the people."

Although Qiu Sihai's words were spoken in his name, considering the power behind him, we can give him that face.

After all, the enemy of my enemy can become my friend in the future. It's no big deal to let go of a member of the Hong family.

"Clan leader, Hong Chen has arrived."

Before long, two Chu family guards carried in an unconscious man dressed in fine clothes.

Seeing Hong Chen's condition, Su Chen stepped forward to check his injuries, a barely perceptible glint of something unusual flashing in his eyes.

Hong Chen's physical condition was very poor. Not only was he deficient in qi and blood, but all his internal organs were also in varying degrees of decline.

If it weren't for the fact that Madam Chu had given him some healing medicine before she arrived, Hong Chen's injuries would probably have been much more serious.

He helped Hong Chen up, glanced at Qiu Sihai, and Qiu Sihai immediately understood, saying, "Thank you very much, Chief Chu."

Chu Jingtian nodded, picked up the teacup, put it down without taking a sip, and said with a smile, "It's alright."

"Now that the person has been found, I will take my leave of Chief Chu." Seeing that Chu Jingtian intended to see him off, Qiu Sihai said.

"Chu Shou, see our two distinguished guests out." Chu Jingtian stood up and called to the old steward.

Qiu Sihai clasped his hands in a fist salute again, then quickly stepped forward to take Hong Chen from Su Chen's hands and helped him leave.

Upon seeing this scene, Chu Jingtian narrowed his eyes and focused his gaze on Su Chen.

It's clear that this person, who didn't say a word the whole time, has a higher status than Qiu Sihai.

"The deputy leader of the Four Seas Gang is barely considered a person of importance."

Thinking of Su Chen's previous performance, Chu Jingtian chuckled and then turned to leave.

The group passed through several courtyards and were about to reach the gate of the Chu residence.

Just then, a sharp voice rang out: "I'd like to see who dares to take my pet away."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman in a long red dress striding in from the side courtyard. She had a beautiful figure and gorgeous makeup, which, combined with the red dress, made her look somewhat alluring.

At this moment, her pretty face was tense and filled with anger.

Her gaze first fell on Hong Chen, then shifted to Qiu Sihai, and the moment it glanced at Su Chen, she suddenly stopped.

He then turned around and came to Su Chen, looking him up and down with a scrutinizing air.

Chu Hong coldly retorted, "You took my pet away, and I'm very unhappy about it!"

Su Chen ignored the rich young lady and instead turned his gaze to the old butler beside him.

The old steward was about to speak when Chu Hong interrupted him: "Uncle Shou, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

After a pause, she said to Su Chen, "He's been eating, sleeping, and playing with my things these past few days, costing me a lot of money and energy. How about this, if you can defeat Uncle Chu Qing, I'll let bygones be bygones and let him go, okay?"

(End of this chapter)