Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

Qingjing Street is located in the northeast of Kainan Prefecture.

Sikong Xuan gave Gao Yuan a house with two courtyards. The ground was paved with blue bricks. Although there was not much decoration, it was very clean and exuded a practical feel.

Early in the morning, more than thirty people gathered under the ginkgo tree outside the courtyard. They were all wearing straw hats and linen clothes, and each carried a bag, rope, hoe and other items. They were all disciples and members of the Shennong Gang.

In the courtyard stood a man with a rugged, unrefined air, dressed impeccably, clearly distinguishable from the other gang members.

It was Mu Wufu, another leader of the Shennong Gang.

He was assigned by Sikong Xuan to Gao Yuan's command, mainly responsible for matters such as medicinal herb collection and military equipment.

At this moment, Mu Wufu was quietly watching the boy in the courtyard practice his boxing.

The young man stood as straight as a pine tree and moved as swiftly as a rabbit. He performed a set of Taizu Changquan, a martial art widely known in the martial arts world, with both precision and elegance, as well as ferocity. The combination of the two created an indescribable effect.

Since Mu Wufu was in charge of the military equipment, even if his own martial arts skills were not very high, he had a lot of knowledge. At this moment, his eyes were full of admiration.

In an instant, all his resentment towards the gang leader for transferring him to work under a young man vanished.

This young man, though not very old, is indeed qualified to be the vice leader!

Gao Yuan focused intently on practicing his fist techniques, unaware of Mu Wufu's thoughts. Since entering the Shennong Gang five days ago, he had asked Mu Wufu to help him find some martial arts techniques from the martial arts world, including Taizu Changquan and Five Elements Staff.

The aim is to learn from the strengths of others and perfect one's own skills. Although they are all ordinary people in the martial arts world, one can still gain insights and benefit greatly.

At least, his Tianshan Plum Blossom Capturing Fist and Palm Technique has become increasingly refined.

After Gao Yuan finished performing a set of Taizu Long Fist, as he finished his moves and calmed his breath, a very faint white aura suddenly rose from his Baihui acupoint, which was a sign of his internal energy being abundant and improving.

Chang Ying, who was squatting under the eaves, saw him finish practicing and scurried up to him.

At that time, under Gao Yuan's care, the little girl was no longer the pitiful and disheveled girl she had been in the Jingzhao Prefecture. She was wearing a blue jacket and her hair was styled in two buns, each with a small butterfly hairpin. She looked quite well-behaved.

"Brother, when can I practice martial arts like you?"

Chang Ying handed over a handkerchief, her little face flushed red from the winter wind.

Gao Yuan pinched the little girl's cheek, then stroked his chin, pondering, "You're willing to listen to me?"

"Of course I'll listen to my elder brother."

Gao Yuan put on a serious expression and asked again, "No matter what, you won't have any complaints?"

"No, no."

Chang Ying panicked upon hearing this, thinking she had angered Gao Yuan again, but she raised an eyebrow and said in a pitiful tone:

"Didn't you think that by learning martial arts, you could help others if someone like the Tianyi Gang came looking for trouble? Humph, you don't know what's good for you!"

Gao Yuan took a step forward, patted her head again, and smiled:

"If you only learn some rudimentary martial arts, you won't be able to help your elder brother. To learn advanced martial arts, you need to be able to read and understand principles. Are you willing to learn to read?"

When it comes to recognizing characters, Chang Ying's little face immediately showed a hint of fear, and her little mouth pouted so much it could hang an oil bottle.

Seeing her silence, Gao Yuan was secretly pleased: "Go and have fun, your older brother has his own plans."

"Okay, big brother!"

The little girl was quick-witted. Seeing Mu Wufu standing in a corner of the courtyard, giving Gao Yuan "face," she darted away and ran off.

After Chang Ying left, Mu Wufu approached Gao Yuan and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Chief."

Although Gao Yuan holds the title of deputy gang leader, if Sikong Xuan is not present, the gang members will usually drop the "deputy" title when addressing him.

It's all about the ways of the world and human relationships!

"Brother Mu, no need for formalities. How's the matter I asked you to inquire about going?"

As Mu Wufu stood up, his brows furrowed involuntarily.

"Reporting to the leader, Wu Fu led over fifty brothers to search the area around Wuliang Mountain for several days, but they couldn't find a place called 'Shanren Ferry,' but..."

"Just say what you want to say."

"A disciple from Tianshui reported that there is an old, unnamed iron bridge spanning the Lancang River, about forty miles south of Tianshui County."

Gao Yuan frowned slightly: "Is this the only iron bridge across the Lancang River from upstream to downstream?"

"There are certainly more than one iron bridge along the Lancang River, but according to your requirements, this is the only one that meets the criteria for now."

He paused, then said:

"Although this bridge is not called 'Good People's Ferry,' it is backed by Wuliang Mountain to the west and bordered by the Blackwood Forest to the east. Whether you go to the foot of Wuliang Sword Sect or the Blackwood Forest, it is only an hour's walk. As for the waterfall that looks like the Milky Way hanging upside down, that disciple only said that he had never seen it."

Gao Yuan looked out of the courtyard, a slight feeling stirring in his heart.

The nameless iron bridge... subtly matches the location information that "Good People's Ferry" should have, and as for the great waterfall, it may be in a more hidden canyon.

In short, let's verify it first.

"Is that disciple from Tianshui outside the courtyard?"

"exist!"

"Outside the courtyard are some agile disciples familiar with the mountainous terrain; insect repellent, ropes, and dry rations have been prepared!"

Gao Yuan's face relaxed:

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you brothers to come along to Tianshui County."

With his nimble, light-footed movements, he was determined to succeed.

"Please feel free to give instructions regarding any tasks within your jurisdiction, Chief!"

Although Mu Wufu did not know why Gao Yuan asked them to find the iron bridge, the Shennong Gang, starting with Sikong Xuan, had very strict rules of hierarchy, and he would not ask Gao Yuan unless he told him.

"Prepare the horses, let's go!"

Tianshui County.

This place is located not far from Wuliang Mountain, sandwiched between Kainan Prefecture and the capital of Dali Kingdom. One of the tributaries of the Lancang River flows around the county, hence the name Tianshui County.

Wuliang Mountain is majestic and expansive. There are also trails leading up the mountain from Kainan Prefecture, but the locations and directions are different.

Jianhu Palace is the residence of the Wuliang Sword Sect. It is accessible from Tianshui County. There are well-maintained stone steps leading up and down the mountain for shopping or to climb the steps to become a disciple.

Tianshui County, being adjacent to Kainan, facing Jianhu Lake, and bordering Dali, is naturally more bustling than ordinary market towns.

It produces a lot of large bamboo, such as yellow bamboo, light bamboo and Ci bamboo, and there are many artisans weaving baskets and bags on the streets.

Children brandish bamboo knives and swords, shouting, "I am a hero, you are a bandit!" This shows the rise of martial arts.

In Dali, there is never a shortage of yams such as He Shou Wu, Ren Sheng, Shi Chang Pu, and Huang Jing. Many merchants gather here to buy them and then resell them to make a profit. Shennong Gang also has a base here.

Sudden.

A series of crisp hoofbeats echoed at the end of the street, and a group of martial arts practitioners looked ahead. It was not uncommon for martial arts practitioners to ride horses to Wuliang Mountain in Tianshui County, but looking further ahead...

The leader was a handsome young man, and although the horse he rode was not a famous steed, it still made him look exceptionally refined.

People who roam the underworld usually have sharp eyes, so everyone immediately moved to the side of the street. They outnumbered the other people, and if they were to clash with them, things would probably not end well!

After the dozen or so riders left, about a quarter of an hour later, more than twenty people wearing straw hats, carrying medicine bags and medicine hoes followed closely behind.

As the crowd dispersed, a man dressed in green asked, "Who was that?"

"I don't recognize the boy in the lead, but the others are all dressed in Shennong Gang attire."

"Why would the Shennong Gang appoint a mere teenager as their leader?"

Someone paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered the news they had heard earlier: "It should be the new deputy leader of the Shennong Gang."

Immediately, a chorus of voices rose and fell in the street.

Some well-informed people were talking excitedly: "Could something big have happened?"

"I don't know, but the Shennong Gang has really fallen on hard times, making a mere kid their vice leader. Maybe they're out of talent?"

"Ha, you guys don't know anything!"

"I only glanced at that young man a few times, and his gaze immediately locked onto me; he's clearly not someone to be trifled with!"