There's something wrong with me

Chapter 59: Qi, Blood, and劲 Force (5.2K)

Night.

Anqing County, inside a prison chamber.

The torch on the wall cast a flickering light.

Zhang Feng and the First Prince sat at the head of the room.

In the small open space in front of them were some instruments of torture, as well as the chief constable and the county magistrate bound to torture chairs.

On the ground at their feet were several weapons and some gold and silver that had been found in their wells.

"Speak! Was it you who covered up the forbidden book case?!"

Swish!

At this moment, a constable took over the task of the clerk, lashing the chief constable with a soaked whip, eliciting a cry of pain.

With this scream, the interrogation by torture officially began.

However, the chief constable was a tough man, screaming as he may, he did not utter a single word about the forbidden book case.

On the contrary, he glared at everyone, viciously saying, "Kill me if you have the guts!"

Swish!

The constable did not kill him, but continued to whip him.

After a few lashes, he was left only with screams, no more harsh words.

Smack!

When the other two constables whipped the county magistrate, he gritted his teeth tightly, truly a tough guy.

Moreover, it wasn't just these three constables carrying out the torture; there was also a group of constables nearby with murderous looks, holding various instruments of torture in their hands.

Among them, there were two more heating iron brands in the furnace.

'Damn it! Almost killed me!'

Their originally excited mood today had turned into anger and unease because of the assassination attempt by the chief constable and the county magistrate.

Because they were familiar with the law and knew the consequences of assassinating two princes.

At best, the county magistrate and the chief constable would definitely be beheaded.

They, the constables, would be implicated; even if they were lucky enough to survive, they would still lose several layers of skin.

At worst, their family members and relatives would not be spared, including close neighbors and close friends.

If a heavy crime were to be imposed, it could turn a county upside down.

'Fortunately, the two princes did not implicate us...' The constables were now very grateful that the two princes did not blame them, otherwise they would have been冤枉 wronged to death.

Because they really did not expect that the usually fair and just chief constable and county magistrate would actually be assassins?

'Don't blame me for being unrighteous...'

But precisely because the constables were not dead, it caused them to become more and more angry, more and more afraid.

They took turns going up to whip the two men, each using all their strength.

Judging by this momentum, they would definitely beat some monsters and demons out of the county magistrate and the chief constable tonight.

"Speak!" The county clerk even stared at the county magistrate with bloodshot eyes, using a pair of iron pliers to pinch the flesh on the county magistrate's arm, "Speak quickly! Are there any accomplices?!"

The county clerk squeezed the pliers hard, his tone fierce.

The county magistrate endured the pain, gritting his teeth and refusing to speak.

Seeing that the county clerk had torn off the flesh, but the man still did not speak, he waved his hand, "Continue the torture!"

The county clerk actually wanted to use the torture himself, but his hand cramped from squeezing the pliers too tightly just now.

"Your Highness, Seventh Prince..."

At this moment, the county magistrate was bowing and scraping, pouring tea and water for Zhang Feng and the First Prince.

Zhang Feng was sitting on a large bench covered with a tiger skin, leaning softly and comfortably, watching the others being tortured in front of him.

The First Prince had seen many scenes in the Ministry of Justice, so he didn't care about such bloodshed. Instead, he looked at Zhang Feng with concern and said:

"Little Seven, if these two still don't speak, I will have someone use the fish scale torture. You should avoid it for now."

The First Prince felt that his younger brother seemed indifferent to this scene, but the scenes of slow slicing and rat gnawing would be completely different.

The First Prince was afraid that Zhang Feng would have nightmares.

As for why Zhang Feng was able to capture the assassins and lift them up.

This physique speaks for itself.

But it cannot be denied that he has some martial arts skills.

The First Prince understood this in his heart, but now there were outsiders around, so he did not ask.

The others did not dare to mention it either.

At this moment, just as the First Prince said the words 'fish scale torture'.

At the same time, the Ministry of Justice official from Lin City who had come along also took out a finely woven fishing net.

The chief constable, who was familiar with the slow slicing torture, immediately went blank in his mind, leaving only fear as he shouted, "I'll talk! I'll talk!"

"Junior brother!" The county magistrate also suddenly turned his head to look at him at this time, his eyebrows full of anger, "Don't be greedy for life and afraid of death! Don't betray your principles!"

"I don't want to be tortured..." Once the chief constable's psychological defense line was loosened, he completely vented his anger and said everything directly.

"My master is a Jianghu person, he wanted to assassinate the Emperor, the two of us were both assigned by my master..."

"Junior brother!" The county magistrate shouted again, trying to stop the chief constable from continuing to reveal secrets.

"Shut up!" Without waiting for the others to say more, a constable directly whipped the county magistrate's face, gradually cracking open a not shallow cut.

"The forbidden book case a few years ago..." The chief constable did not listen, did not look, and continued without hesitation, "That was also done by us... but I don't know where my master is now... I know about the forbidden book! It's in the middle of my courtyard! You can find it by digging down one zhang!"

"Why did you want to assassinate my father?" The First Prince asked the key question while ordering his trusted aides in the Ministry of Justice to take people to retrieve the book.

"Why can't we kill him?" At this moment, the county magistrate saw that everything had been said, but laughed a few times, looking at Zhang Feng and the First Prince at the head of the room,

"My master just can't stand that Emperor suppressing the Jianghu, so he wants to kill him!

You two are the Emperor's descendants, Master said: Kill them all!"

"But we have no grievances with you." The First Prince shook his head, wanting to know where his father, who was wholeheartedly for the people, had offended someone?

Because the First Prince felt that the reason 'can't stand it' was a bit too far-fetched.

"Did my father offend your master?" The First Prince really wanted to know, "My father built canals, repaired the Great Wall, and loved the people like his own children. Where exactly did he offend your master?

Could it be that my father dispersed all the sects in the Jianghu?"

The First Prince stood up, "But now that there are fewer sects, fewer people practice martial arts and bully ordinary people.

I also know that this is unfair to you, but it is fair to ordinary people.

Of course, you are not ordinary people, and you will not understand."

"Don't ask, your father did not offend my master, and my master is not killing people for the sake of forbidden books, it's just that he simply can't stand it."

The county magistrate grinned, revealing a smile, which tugged at his wound, and the blood oozing from his face flowed down his cheeks.

"Moreover, I don't listen to the great principles of the world, and I don't distinguish between right and wrong in the world.

Because if I distinguish between right and wrong, I am just repaying my master's kindness, what is wrong with me?

If you let your confidants arrest people, will they ask you what is wrong with that person?

Although I am not my master's subordinate, I know the grace of nurturing.

Now, if there is anything wrong, it can only be blamed on my poor skills."

He spat a mouthful of blood, looking at Zhang Feng,

"The winner is king, the loser is villain."

The First Prince ignored him, but also knew that this was a difference in ideology, and there was no way to communicate.

"Come, first lock this person up, cripple his martial arts, and after some time, send him to the Ministry of Justice's prison."

...

Zhang Feng and the First Prince stayed here for ten days.

During this time, according to the chief constable's detailed report.

The First Prince also restored the tragic massacre at that time in detail.

As written in the document, it was indeed the 'greed for wealth' of the Jianghu expert.

Moreover, this matter was planned by the chief constable's master ten years ago.

This master first let the two of them slowly mix into an official position in the county.

Then, after the eldest disciple sat in the position of county magistrate, the master relied on his high martial arts skills to directly snatch, kill, and silence.

Then bury the matter.

In his opinion, there are criminal cases everywhere in Lin Chao, and there are also many forbidden book cases.

With two disciples covering it up, it will basically settle down, and the file documents will remain in the Ministry of Justice to gather dust.

It's just unfortunate that the First Prince took over.

Including the 《Slanting Sun Righteous Saber》 buried by the chief constable, was also dug out.

Also in the past few days of finding the secret manual.

Zhang Feng read this book several times.

Zhang Feng found that this is a cultivation method for 'gathering blood in the arms'.

Compared to his own method of gathering blood in the arms, this one will be more detailed.

After all, Zhang Feng relied on his own ever-changing strength, and skillfully used the 《Formless Finger》 method, using the stone of another mountain to attack jade.

Therefore, there will be some deficiencies in the 'theoretical foundation knowledge'.

But this one made Zhang Feng make up for some basic knowledge.

However, even without it, Zhang Feng could gradually reverse it, but it would take some time.

...

Unconsciously.

The fifteenth day of coming to Anqing County.

This morning, in a tent in the military camp outside the county.

Zhang Feng had thoroughly understood the knowledge and completely moved it for his own use.

After finishing his practice.

Zhang Feng also left his tent and came to the central tent.

The First Prince was eating absentmindedly, holding a roll of documents in his hand.

Zhang Feng did not disturb him, and opened the 《Cloud Walking Step》 secret manual on the side.

It is a leg technique secret manual, and it is the 'private collection' of the imperial brother.

But the imperial brother will not, and has no intention to cultivate it.

Zhang Feng watched for a while.

After the First Prince finished reviewing the documents in his hand, he also looked at Zhang Feng, "If Little Seven likes it, this secret manual is yours."

"I have already copied a copy." Zhang Feng put the book back in its original place, "Imperial brother, you have been blatantly putting the forbidden book here these past few days, just for me to see, right?"

"Haha!" The First Prince laughed: "You have grown up, and you seem to have some martial arts skills, if you practice it, you shouldn't get hurt, right?

But if you feel uncomfortable while practicing, just don't do it, lest you injure yourself.

Anyway, you must act according to your ability, and don't be eager for quick success.

"Thank you for your teachings, Royal Brother."

Zhang Feng didn't explain that he had already mastered everything, so as not to discourage his Royal Brother.

Instead, Zhang Feng asked, "Royal Brother, are you returning to Lin City in the next few days?"

"Yes."

The First Prince nodded, and then asked with a puzzled expression, "Doesn't Little Seven want to get married? I wanted to take you out to see the Lake City Lantern Festival these past two days, but you kept making excuses.

If you hadn't been making excuses, I wouldn't be going back so soon."

The First Prince's idea was very simple: since he couldn't handle his younger brother's important matter, he would return to Lin City to find other important matters to do.

He couldn't just be idle all the time.

"Yes."

Zhang Feng didn't hide anything from his Royal Brother, "I don't want to get married right now."

"Don't want to?"

The First Prince asked, "Although I don't know why you don't want to, I believe Little Seven has his own plans.

But... after you and I return to Lin City, what about Mother's side... how does Little Seven plan to explain it?"

"Easy."

Zhang Feng looked at his Royal Brother, "It depends on Royal Brother."

"How does this relate to me?"

The First Prince didn't quite understand.

Zhang Feng smiled and said, "When Royal Brother has a child, Mother will be distracted and may not care about me anymore.

Furthermore, I'm not going back.

I want to go to the Southern Border to take a look.

I hope Royal Brother can explain it to Mother when you return."

...

Zhang Feng left with more than thirty soldiers.

Even these soldiers were forced upon Zhang Feng by the First Prince.

Otherwise, Zhang Feng would have chosen to travel alone, to go abroad and see where the Rock Fruit grows.

However.

On the way to the Southern Border.

While Zhang Feng had people inquire, he also leisurely searched, and he did buy a Rock Fruit in a remote town.

The price was fifteen hundred taels of silver.

After Zhang Feng bought it, he saw that it was gray overall, about the size of a ping-pong ball, and looked like a stone.

But if you peel off the thick gray skin, there are a few drops of transparent liquid inside.

...

That night.

Zhang Feng smeared the liquid on his fingers and felt a burning sensation that he couldn't quite describe.

The next second, just after the burning sensation passed, a very special Qi sensation was born.

It was just like the book described, opening the Spiritual Veins was very simple; the book described it in one sentence, but in reality, it only took a few seconds.

But it was too fast, and Zhang Feng didn't feel anything.

Thus.

Zhang Feng poured out the liquid again, covering both hands with a thin layer.

He experienced it for a while.

After the blood Qi of both hands was opened.

Zhang Feng felt that the power he exerted, with the blessing of blood Qi, should have increased by about five percent.

Not the current power, but a 5% increase in strength.

According to the area and the use of force.

Zhang Feng felt that after opening his arms, it should be about 25%.

As for opening the Spiritual Veins in the rest of his legs, it shouldn't add to the force exerted by his 'arms and hands'.

Because Zhang Feng found that this 'blood Qi' was not easy to mobilize.

It wasn't the internal force he imagined, but like a root, it only existed in the place where it was opened.

After it was used up, it would grow from the flesh and blood, and then it would still be there.

Moreover, the consumption of replenishing Qi was higher than the consumption of the same amount of power in ordinary times.

Fortunately, Qi can be preserved.

During the preservation period, it can also replenish the energy consumed by gathering Qi.

After studying the basic usage and Qi gathering techniques.

Afterwards, Zhang Feng was thinking that since this blood Qi could be gathered, could it be mobilized and exerted like internal force in the future?

This was a new topic.

Also, the feeling of opening the Spiritual Veins, as well as the legs and arms, had to be opened, which required more Rock Fruits.

Zhang Feng devoted himself to new searches and studies.

...

Two months later.

Yangzhou, in a small town.

"Selling candied haws!"

"Fresh leaf cakes!"

Accompanied by the shouts of traveling merchants and vendors.

There was a stall owner who looked to be in his fifties, who was arranging some jewelry and small pendants on his stall.

These were all wood carvings, which looked quite delicate.

From time to time, there were little girls playing, or some women, who stopped.

"Thirty Wen, no less."

The stall owner strongly refused the customer's bargaining.

He wouldn't budge even a single Wen.

After setting up the stall for a morning, he didn't sell many.

When it was noon, he was about to go to the inn next door to ask for something to eat.

At this time, a man of about forty years old stopped in front of the stall, pretending to look at small objects, but whispered quietly:

"Steward Wu, I waited for a month in Lin City some time ago, but I didn't see your two apprentices come to find me.

Instead, I saw some government soldiers wandering around my foothold.

If I hadn't been careful, I would have been caught by those government soldiers.

There are experts from the Imperial Guards in there."

"Absolutely impossible."

Steward Wu took out a cheap small object and handed it to him, "My two apprentices have always been trustworthy. Since they promised me that they would assassinate the emperor, they will definitely go!

How could it be the government soldiers going?"

Steward Wu's words had an unquestionable tone, "I tell you, even if you desert, my two apprentices will never betray you!"

"It's impossible."

The man chuckled and returned the small object to him, "I believe it."

"What do you mean?"

Steward Wu said displeased, "Sometimes you believe it? Sometimes you don't believe it? Helper Xun, are you making fun of me?

Don't think that because you, Helper Xun, have superb martial arts and have opened 50% of your Spiritual Veins, I will be afraid of you."

50% of the Spiritual Veins means that half of the body parts have been opened.

Zhang Feng only had 5%.

"Steward Wu, I know that you have also opened 50%, so don't pretend to be weak to make me careless."

Helper Xun saw that Steward Wu was unhappy, but shook his head and said:

"But speaking carefully, you and I have never really fought each other, so it's really unknown who is higher and who is lower."

"Then let's try?"

Steward Wu's face completely darkened, "Since you want to compete, I will naturally accompany you to the end."

"I didn't come here today to fight with you."

Helper Xun snorted and shook his head again, "Sure enough, you still don't know what happened in Anqing County some time ago."

"What happened?"

Steward Wu frowned, "Has the case been exposed? Impossible! My two disciples have always been thorough in their work, and it is absolutely impossible to leak any handles!"

"Why do you always say it's impossible?"

Helper Xun was very annoyed by Steward Wu's self-righteous temper, but there were not many people who could join forces now, so he still patiently said:

"The First Prince and the Seventh Prince have gone to investigate your old case."

"What?"

Steward Wu was in a trance, as if he had connected to something, and couldn't help but anxiously asked Helper Xun, "You said before that my two apprentices didn't find you, could it be...?"

"I also waited in Lin City for a long time before I went to Anqing County."

Helper Xun replied, "After inquiring for many days and observing for many days, I learned that the County Constable and the Head Constable were missing.

I guess that either they were afraid of being exposed and feared the imperial court, so they hid their names and identities.

Or..."

He shook his head, took an object, put down two copper coins, "Or, Brother Wu, please accept my condolences, but don't go alone to inquire.

Now that you and I have lost a pair of helpers, some things still need to be discussed in the long term."

"Discuss?!"

Steward Wu's eyes widened, and he was about to rush out from behind the stall.

Helper Xun flashed to his front and raised his voice, "There are not many Jianghu experts left. Five out of ten have become dogs of the imperial court.

The remaining four are afraid of the dog emperor's prestige and dare not ask about world affairs, so they hide their names and identities.

The remaining one, you and I are the best among them, disdaining to associate with these people.

But if you and I rashly go to take revenge and get caught in it, then there will be no more unrestrained Jianghu in this world.

Only the Zhang family's dynasty decrees will remain."

...

Another month passed.

The vendors here suddenly discovered that Old Wu, who loved to take small advantages and had a bad temper, suddenly stopped setting up his stall.

No one knew where he went.

But the vacant stall was soon occupied by others.

...

Another three months passed.

Zhang Feng had been living a free and easy life these days.

Practicing martial arts, sleeping, unrestrained.

Until the end of the year.

Zhang Feng settled down in Nancheng on the border, casually taking a idle job.

Of course, even if he took a big job, the local prefect would not dare to order around the 'suddenly arrived' Seventh Prince.

He now prayed that the Seventh Highness would just eat, drink, and have fun.

He would do the rest of the achievements.

However, Zhang Feng really didn't want this and didn't make things difficult for people.

Usually, he just played and strolled around, and carefully experienced a tour in the ancient world.

Like this.

Zhang Feng lived in Nancheng, not only strolling around the city, but also occasionally going to the deep mountains abroad, sometimes looking for Rock Fruits, or learning some wild survival knowledge.

Sunrise and sunset.

In a blink of an eye, another three years passed.