Narration System for the Journey of Martial Arts

As the murmurs grew louder, the bailiffs slammed their fire sticks on the ground repeatedly, making a series of 'bang, bang, bang' sounds. The old man continued, "Given the collapse of the city gate, the government has decided to increase the number of laborers to fill any gaps and repair the city walls..."

Upon hearing the news of conscription for corvée labor, even the most indifferent ordinary citizens, who were merely there to watch the spectacle, couldn't help but feel indignant. After all, spring had just arrived, the busy season for farming. If corvée labor was being conscripted now, what would they eat and drink? The northwest wind?

Liao Shijie didn't care about any of that. He was just following orders to define the nature of the matter. As for what would happen afterward, that was none of his business.

"Should we quickly tell the family to send a gift to Zhigelou as a gesture of goodwill?"

As the deputy prefect, Liao Shijie's position was awkward, but he was not short of sources of information. Although he was not entirely sure what had happened last night, he knew a thing or two, and that was enough for him to figure out the cause and effect.

While Liao Tongzhi was still hesitating, countless people in the city had already begun to act in secret. If he saw them, he would undoubtedly curse them as shameless and then rush home to check their belongings.

………………

The backyard of Zhigelou.

Butler Su held a dozen or so visiting cards in his hand and said:

"These are visiting cards sent by stewards of several princely mansions in the city, as well as leaders from various industries. They were delivered to my home along with gifts, without going through Zhige Tower."

"According to Xiao Yezi, the gatekeeper, these people were very nice and left as soon as they put down the gifts. He didn't have time to refuse them and could only report it."

“I just took some time to go and see. All the things they sent were good, including ginseng, deer antler, rare ancient books, unique calligraphy and paintings, jade and jewelry, and so on.”

"The Zhao Prince's Mansion sent the most items, including a copy of 'The Purple and Green Finger-Pointing Mystery Collection.' I had heard you mention it before, so I brought it with me."

As he spoke, he took out a brocade bag from his bosom, and when he opened it, there were two thin volumes of rare ancient books inside.

Su Yuchen nodded and said, "Bai Yuchan is the founder of the Taoist sect, but unfortunately these things are useless to me now. If you are interested, you may take a look."

Butler Su nodded and then changed the subject:

"Last night I sent Wang Chuyi out of the city as you instructed, and he has already met up with Ma Yu and the others. There were some minor hiccups along the way, though, as they encountered the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan."

"In addition, I have already asked Yang Tiexin about the matter that you asked me to do. According to him, in the period before the master died, Niujia Village had not yet been massacred by the government troops."

“I have already shown him the address in the letter that the master sent back then. According to him, there are six villages around Jinze Town, and Niujia Village is one of them.”

"Now that I think about it, whether the master died of illness, was killed by human intervention, or died in an accident, I'm afraid we can only find out by going there to see for ourselves."

Su Yuchen nodded, pointed, and a porcelain vase on the table floated into the hands of Butler Su. He then instructed:

"Go and make the arrangements. We'll be setting off in a few days. As for the restaurant, I'll leave it to Xiao Yezi's father."

"In this porcelain bottle are some pills that I've refined in my spare time over the years. I wasn't planning to take them out, but it seems I have no choice now. You can give one to each of those kids, so that they won't be unable to even hold onto a restaurant after we leave."

Butler Su responded and, seeing that he had no further instructions, turned and went downstairs to prepare the things needed for the long journey.

………………

late at night.

Having received the message, Ouyang Feng, who was still obsessed with the Nine Yin Manual, had already arrived in Daxing Prefecture.

Ouyang Feng, one of the Five Greats of the martial arts world, scoffed at what Ouyang Ke said, calling it all wishful thinking.

He's here.

Upon seeing the narration, Su Yuchen scanned the scene with his divine sense, got up and went to the window. He saw a figure leaping up not far away, back to the moonlight. In the darkness, the figure resembled a winged eagle, with a pair of eyes gleaming with emerald green.

Without Su Yuchen needing to make a move, a figure was seen swiftly rushing past outside the Zhige Tower. In mid-air, the figure used his hand as a blade to slash at the approaching person. It was none other than Steward Su.

This strike didn't employ any unnecessary variations, only retaining the fastest speed. In the blink of an eye, the hand blade had already reached Ouyang Feng's chest.

Faced with this slash, Ouyang Feng, who had no way to dodge in mid-air, inhaled sharply, causing his chest to cave in an inch, just at the end of Steward Su's blade. Then, he smiled wickedly, and his chest suddenly bulged out with a 'gurgling' sound, like a toad exhaling, as a surge of true energy countered.

"I never imagined there was a master like you in Zhige Tower. Why are you hiding your identity?"

Steward Su lightly touched the ground with his feet and retreated backward in mid-air. He touched the treetops and moved like a dragon, changing direction three times in an instant. His hands, palm, knife, and sword, changed three times in succession, attacking Ouyang Feng's chest, left shoulder, and back.

Faced with Butler Su's attack, Ouyang Feng moved like a nimble snake, using speed to counter speed. He unleashed both palms simultaneously, and the two exchanged seven or eight blows in an instant. The palm force was fierce, and the palm wind spread everywhere.

Then his body changed shape. Facing the palm strikes and swords of Steward Su, Ouyang Feng not only moved like a nimble snake, but his fists and palms were also like nimble snakes, able to twist and turn at will. Facing attacks from all directions, he could always strike unexpectedly and counterattack while defending.

"Impressive skills! Your martial arts are no less than mine. I am deeply sorry for coming so late at night." After blocking all the attacks, Ouyang Feng's figure flickered, and he became entangled with Steward Su, fighting faster and faster.

The two men used their fists, palms, fingers, and legs without being bound by any particular moves, changing their stances at will as they moved freely across the rooftops surrounding Zhige Tower.

Chapter 471 Preparing to Head South

With a loud 'bang,' the two men faced each other, their fists and palms clashing. In that instant, their bodies jolted, and they were both swept backward.

As soon as Ouyang Feng's toes touched the roof tiles, he pressed down with both palms, quickly inhaling and exhaling several times until his stomach swelled up. With a "gurgle," he shot towards Steward Su like an arrow released from a bow, his palms pushing out horizontally, the fierce palm force producing a roaring sound like mountains collapsing and seas splitting.

Butler Su clasped his hands together and channeled his inner energy. A dragon-shaped energy swirled in his palms, and as he channeled his energy, the dragon shadow split in two. He pushed out with both palms, and with a roar, two blood dragon phantoms rushed toward Ouyang Feng.

With a loud 'boom,' a deafening sound echoed in the sky, and a wave of air surged outwards in all directions, suddenly arriving outside the range of Zhige Tower.

"The old beggar's Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. Now I believe you have the Nine Yin Manual," Ouyang Feng said.

He reached in and pulled out two manuals, saying, "Toad Kung Fu, Divine Camel Palm, Spirit Snake Fist, and Instant Thousand Miles—all the martial arts of White Camel Manor are here."

As he spoke, he casually tossed the two manuals aside, and they hurtled toward Steward Su. Steward Su narrowed his eyes and pointed out with his right hand. The next second, a blood-red venomous snake, about the thickness of a finger and an inch long, flew out from between the two manuals and struck Steward Su's fingertip.

With a flick of his finger on the snake's head, a 'ding' sound was heard, and the small snake hissed and slithered backward. Ouyang Feng reached out and coiled his hand around the snake, which quickly slithered up his arm and perched on his shoulder, constantly flicking its tongue at Butler Su. The man and the snake looked exceptionally evil.

Butler Su didn't take it seriously. He rolled up his sleeve and hid the two manuals inside, saying, "I've long heard that Ouyang Feng, the Western Poison, will stop at nothing. Seeing it today, I can confirm it's true."

Ouyang Feng scoffed, "If you carelessly die by my spirit snake, it's simply because you're not skilled enough."

Butler Su shook his head dismissively and said, "These aren't enough. The Nine Yin Manual is all-encompassing; the second part alone includes claw techniques, palm techniques, fist techniques, whip techniques, lightness skills, sonic techniques, and soul-capturing secret techniques..."

Ouyang Feng said, "If you need anything else, just say so, and I can go to the palace to get it."

After a moment's thought, Steward Su took out a book from his pocket, casually tore off the last third, and tossed it to Ouyang Feng.

“You…” Ouyang Feng reached out and grabbed the book, and said angrily.

Butler Su wasn't afraid of him and said bluntly, "Your martial arts skills are only worth this much. If you're not willing, then the deal is off."

Ouyang Feng snorted coldly, gripped the remaining manuscript in his hand, glanced at it casually, and then turned and flew away.

Seeing Ouyang Feng's figure disappear, Butler Su rushed back to the backyard of the restaurant, and with a light tap of his toes, disappeared at the gate.

………………

[Ouyang Feng is determined to obtain the Nine Yin Manual. He is extremely angry about your actions and has decided to merge with the Nine Yin Manual before massacring Zhige Tower.]

[You have obtained the "Toad Kung Fu" (altered version), the full text of which is modified as follows...]

[You have obtained the "Snake Fist Technique." The second, sixth, eighth, and ninth sections each contain flaws. The modifications are as follows...]

[You have obtained the "Instant Thousand Miles" skill. The flow of true qi through your meridians has been adjusted as follows...]

[By examining the secret manual left by Ouyang Feng, you will be immune to ordinary poisons.]

Watching the narration flash by with a large amount of content, Su Yuchen shook his head, not paying it any mind. It would be strange if Ouyang Feng hadn't modified the content. He scanned it with his divine sense, memorizing the revised narration, but unfortunately, these martial arts techniques were of almost no help to him at present.

“All paths lead to the same destination; in the end, they all lead to the same goal,” Su Yuchen sighed to himself.

With a thought, a cluster of purplish-red flames rose in the void, instantly burning the two manuals to ashes.

With a flick of his sleeve, a vast expanse of scripture patterns flowed out, filling the empty space around the small building.

"Make a copy for yourself, or give it to Su Ding and the others. That way, they won't be caught off guard when facing Ouyang Feng in the future."

………………

"Oh, there are guests too."

Upon hearing this, Steward Su looked up at the window and saw a faint, ethereal figure swiftly approaching under the moonlight. It arrived at the outer perimeter of Zhige Tower and quietly stood on the roof ridge.

"It seems there's no ill intent," said Butler Su.

Your actions have alerted the old monsters hidden in the Later Jin palace. After confirming that you possess the legendary 'Sword Control Technique,' the Later Jin royal family is willing to express their goodwill.

Su Yuchen nodded and said, "Go and greet them."

As Butler Su turned and fled, Su Yuchen couldn't help but sigh. Even in this world, considered low-level martial arts, there was no freedom; it was far inferior to the high-level martial arts of the Tang Dynasty. The spiritual energy here wasn't enough to support him in unleashing large-scale destructive attacks; the world's sustainability was insufficient.

"Never mind, less killing means less karma," Su Yuchen thought to himself.

A moment later, the figure gave a distant salute and then quickly flew away. Butler Su waited until the other person was far away before returning.

"It was a palace eunuch who brought us a sword manual and promised that no one would ever cause trouble for Zhige Tower again."

[You have obtained the 'Soaring Cloud Sword Technique'. This sword technique was created by the reclusive Taoist Lingyun of Changbai Mountain. The sword technique is light and graceful, like the clouds on the mountaintop, unpredictable and swift as lightning.]

Su Yuchen nodded, and with a sweep of his divine sense, he deduced the sword technique, but it was all for naught: "This can only restrain the forces in the court. Who would take the promises of people like Ouyang Feng seriously?"

"Get ready, we'll set off in a few days."

………………

When the time came, Su Yuchen turned and went downstairs.

In front of the screen wall at the main gate of the Su residence, Steward Su was reprimanding Su Xuan, Su Ding, and the others, telling them to guard the house properly, practice martial arts diligently, and not to become lax just because he was not around.

"Son..."

"Young master, let me go with you. I can drive a carriage."

"Young master, please let me go with you."

Upon seeing Su Yuchen approach, the group couldn't help but speak up.

In recent years, Su Yuchen has lived in seclusion in the back garden, rarely showing his face. Only the steward Su occasionally catches a glimpse of him. His parents have lamented countless times that their destiny with the immortals is right before their eyes, yet it remains thousands of miles away, impossible to grasp.

"All of you, behave yourselves!" Butler Su snapped. "Shouting like this, what kind of behavior is this? I'm not even gone yet, have you already forgotten all the rules?"

Looking at the group of people huddled up like partridges, Su Yuchen shook his head and chuckled before turning and getting into the carriage. The steward snorted and said, "You all better watch out, or I'll punish you when I get back."

Amidst a series of "Got it!"s from the group, Butler Su leaped onto the carriage shaft and drove it out of the Su residence. He hadn't gone far when he heard cheers and jubilation behind him, and Butler Su shook his head helplessly.

Chapter 472 An Encounter on the Road

As Su Yuchen and his servant traveled south, the weather grew warmer as they went further south, the chill of early spring gradually faded, and greenery began to appear.

That evening, the two were driving past an unnamed town when they saw a commotion outside the town, with many people gathered at the town entrance discussing something.

After seeing this, Butler Su went over to take a look and returned to say:

"They say there have been bandits in this area for some reason."

"Just seven or eight days ago, Guo, a wealthy man in this town, accompanied his wife back to her parents' home to visit relatives. Somehow, they encountered a pair of notorious thieves who not only cut off one of Guo's ears for no reason, but also made them serve as sedan chair carriers for a while."

"Strange, that pair of thieves didn't ask for money or kidnap anyone. They seemed more like a prank by江湖 heroes. I wonder where they came from."

"After seven or eight days of turmoil, the town is still in a state of panic, and even merchants dare not travel south recklessly. The constables from the prefectural government will be coming to investigate today, and we are now waiting for them to go and check the situation."

"Young master, I heard that the pair of notorious thieves, a male and a female, were riding the same red horse. It seems... that they are Brother Guo?"

Huang Rong inherited Huang Yaoshi's disregard for etiquette and was capricious in her temper. She would injure people at will, simply to amuse the dull-witted Guo Jing.

Upon seeing the narration, Su Yuchen felt displeased, shook his head, and said, "Don't worry about it. Fortunately, no one was killed. As for the rest, it has nothing to do with us."

Butler Su responded and turned the corner, entering the town through another intersection. The two rested for the night and set off again the next day. By then, there were already merchants and travelers on the main road.

It is said that yesterday, the constables of the prefectural city searched the mountains and forests within a dozen miles and were certain that the pair of thieves had left. Therefore, the merchants and travelers who had been delayed for so long were unwilling to linger any longer and immediately set off in twos and threes.

By noon, the weather had become hot. The people were still fine, but the horses couldn't take it anymore. At this time, under the shade of the trees on both sides of the road, small groups of merchants were already resting. Steward Su found a shady spot and drove over there.

After finding out where the water source was, Steward Su went to fetch water, and Su Yuchen got off the carriage and sat down to the side.

"Brother, did you not prepare any provisions? Would you like to share some with me?"

Su Yuchen looked up and saw that the other person was a scholar standing three feet away from him. When the scholar saw Su Yuchen looking over, he raised the grain bag in his hand.

You bumped into Ouyang Ting.

[Ouyang Ting, a native of Daming Prefecture, later served as the magistrate of Hejian County. He was known for his hatred of evil and chivalrous spirit. During his tenure, he often privately punished illegal acts and was nicknamed "The Eccentric Hero".]

Su Yuchen shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, brother, but my steward has gone to fetch water. There's no need to trouble you."

The scholar nodded, then found a spot not far from Su Yuchen, put down his book box, smiled at Su Yuchen, and sat down to eat by himself.

A moment later, Butler Su returned with two buckets of water. He first wet a towel and helped Su Yuchen wipe his hands before placing one bucket next to the horse. Then he took out a foldable table from the carriage and put all the water and food on it.

The scholar who was eating dry rations on the side glanced over and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. The small table was fully stocked with everything from flatbread to beef, dried fruit, and fresh fruit. It didn't look like a trip to a distant place, but rather like a rich young master enjoying a spring outing.

After Su Yuchen tasted a few pieces of fruit, the housekeeper Su finally started eating.

Su Yuchen took out a delicate porcelain bottle, poured out a pill the size of a longan, and ate it.

This was a low-end version of the 'Bigu Pill' that he created himself by referencing military rations from later generations, using dozens of precious medicinal herbs, combined with staple foods, and forcibly compressed with true essence, to maintain his daily bodily needs.