Forge a path to success

Even when battered and contaminated, their fighting strength will not diminish; with each victory, they will grow ever more formidable.

3. The dragon soars high without regret.

In the heat of battle, the Kanglong Dharma Image emerged alongside the spear, advancing and retreating together.

[Curse:]

1. This spear was forged at Dragon Sleep Peak and completed by the master of Chenjun Palace. It cannot be used by those with ordinary martial arts skills.

2. This spear is not a weapon for self-cultivation, but a tool for warfare. Those without merit cannot wield it.

3. This spear is made from the remains of a dragon, and anyone with treacherous intentions who touches it will be injured.

4. This spear was forged specifically for future generations, using intent to bind karmic connections. When it kills an external being with a particle level of 6 or higher, it restores the essence of a particle level 6.

[Longing: Like a dragon soaring high without regret, there is no turning back.]

"How do you manage to pick up such great deals everywhere you go?" Vande asked, his eyes wide.

Chu Heng Kong twirled his spear a few times, then put it away, a smile creeping onto his face. He possessed many rare treasures, but such a handy and usable weapon was a rarity.

The Godslayer is incredibly sharp, but once drawn, it inevitably leads to a life-or-death battle. Using it for a mere friendly spar is likely to result in immediate rebellion. The Scythe of Calamity is also a formidable weapon, but its use would expose it to Olek. It's likely that the Demon of Doom would cast a curse from afar, even if it doesn't personally intervene, rendering the prosthetic arm's true power untapped unless absolutely necessary. The Deathwing of Vansalal presents a different problem altogether: the evil god's power is excessively strong, and with his 3rd-level essence, he simply cannot fully control it. Using it in a fight would almost certainly result in death; until he reaches level 4, it can only be used as a free wing.

Few of the relics salvaged in Huilong City are of interest to him. As a result, despite his many achievements, Detective Chu has nothing to show for himself when it comes to sparring. He even had to use his Spirit Blade when fighting with Li Ke before. But today, he got a level 5 relic for free in a friendly match, and such a good gun at that!

"I usually do good deeds and accumulate virtue, and I behave uprightly, so naturally I am blessed with good fortune," Chu Hengkong said cheerfully.

Ji Qiufeng, standing to the side, chuckled: "Heng Kong, I never thought I'd hear the words 'blessed by good fortune' from your mouth again..."

"I think it's bad luck getting to your head!" Ji Huaisu grinned mischievously.

Chu Hengkong coughed twice, recovering from his smug state: "Just kidding, of course I know... But Mr. Ji, that person was someone you know, shouldn't you meet him?"

Ji Qiufeng sighed, "Why was I not there earlier? What was I trying to hide?"

"Their relationship is that bad?"

"It's not that bad, it's just that I'm really not good at dealing with him." Ji Qiufeng smiled and waved his fan. "Huaisu, why don't you think we should pick out a weapon too? Your father has managed to save up some money these past few months."

Ji Huaisu made a face and put her arm around Chu Hengkong's arm: "Dad, do you think I'm a child? Buying me a gift? Now that I have a boyfriend, I don't need you to pay for it."

Ji Qiufeng was overjoyed: "Good thing, good thing, you've really grown up. Now I can save my secret stash of money with a clear conscience..."

The city lord leisurely departed, leaving behind only a helpless assassin. Ji Huaisu, clinging to his arm, muttered, "Which level of relic should I buy?"

"Dude, I think you'd better prepare yourself to pawn your gun beforehand," Vande whispered.

Chu Hengkong also had a headache: "If all else fails, I'll just work and save up some money temporarily..."

"A gentleman sells money, not effort," Vande jeered.

"Do I look like a gentleman to you? I've been in the underworld since I was eleven, and I've never done a job that didn't require physical labor."

"Why don't you ask Da Haibao for a job? With Gulibo's connections, the shop owner will probably give you a nice job as a book deliveryman, 5 yuan per trip."

“Going back to my old profession is not a bad way out…” Chu Hengkong nodded seriously.

Ji Huaisu grabbed Fan De and rolled her eyes repeatedly: "I say, you two really have the nerve to plot loudly in front of me? Do you think I'm such a materialistic woman?"

"Just kidding around for fun." Vande said nonchalantly. "Besides, I think you really need a weapon. Qingxia is poor but at least he carries a big gun. You, Captain Ji, are going into battle and you're still just fiddling with a stick first. Is that reasonable?"

“We Discipline Knights rely on ourselves in everything. Taking relics is useless.” Ji Huaisu pouted. “No weapon of the same level is better than the one I made myself, and weapons of higher levels are not necessarily easy to use.”

Ji Huaisu's current ambivalent needs are, to some extent, a common characteristic of the path to supreme power. As is well known, the path to supreme power is characterized by low barriers to entry and high destructive potential; the low barriers to entry mean that it does not rely on external aids.

No foundation is needed to get started, just enough emotional connection. Combat involves various elemental powers, and just the combinations are equivalent to eighteen kinds of martial arts. Daily travel is also incredibly convenient; for example, a carp like Bangbang can travel long distances without even needing a plane...

Discipline knights like Ji Huaisu have gone a step further than elemental mages, forging their own weapons from the elements. Captain Ji, on the other hand, is born with a pair of light shields and shadow blades; why would she need to buy any other weapons?

Chu Heng thought for a moment: "How about buying some protective gear..."

Ji Huaisu created hand armor and changed colors with a series of snaps: "I have three sets of armor, I can wear whichever I want."

Vande stared wide-eyed for a long time: "You're going to get a flying motorcycle too?"

"I'm already at level 4 with the Free Wind build, what's the point of having a Boundary-Clearing Wheel?" Ji Huaisu said dismissively. "That's why I don't need it, I don't need it at all~"

Chu Hengkong pondered for a while, then shook his head and said, "I think we've gone astray. Although Huaisu's fighting style is usually quite aggressive, he's essentially a mage like the Spiral Tower..."

"Who are you calling a natural disaster?! Who are you calling a natural disaster?!"

Chu Hengkong held down his girlfriend who was yelling and screaming: "So she really doesn't lack weapons. What she needs more are magic scrolls... skill books. Being able to learn a new skill is more convenient than any relic."

"Last time I translated the sealing punishment for low-ranking knights for her."

"What we lack is the means to create a medium-mass point, my friends," Ji Huaisu sighed. "And the process of transforming into a free wind is incredibly troublesome, so we can only grind it out in the end..."

Chu Hengkong glanced at her shopping bag and saw that it was full of reference books such as animal encyclopedias and biology guides. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Are you going to start a farm when you go to fourth grade?"

"Ah Kong, shut up."

"If you really need more books, you can always tag along when Van der goes to the library later."

"That's a great idea! Van der, when are you planning to go?"

"Oh dear, I need to prepare a little more..."

The two chatted casually for a moment, then quickly got back to shopping.

Afterwards, they helped the bookstore sell a lot of merchandise and also bought some interesting souvenirs for their friends. By the second half of the event, most of the publications had been sold out, and the bookstore's stall switched to selling various fruits grown by Gulliver.

And just like that, before we knew it, night had fallen. The exhibition, which we thought would soon be over, turned into night amidst conversations and laughter.

With most of the goods sold, the stall owners relaxed a bit. Food stalls started offering free drinks, and the remaining unsold goods were given away to anyone who caught their eye.

After the arena where the morning's duels shattered, a large pit appeared in the middle of the exhibition hall. Lico scavenged for seeds and, using her plant cultivation skills, grew a pile of wood as tall as a one-story building. Ji Huaisu tossed a spark into the pit, and a magnificent bonfire instantly blazed, illuminating numerous flickering figures.

"This is a tradition at every exhibition," Lico told everyone with a smile. "On the nights when everything is sold out, we sing and dance."

The little animals took out all sorts of musical instruments, but surprisingly, no one took the initiative to start. Instead, they all tacitly gave up the chair in front of the campfire. Under the firelight, shadows surged, and the poet Sriel rose from the surface like black water, taking the chair without hesitation.

Chu Hengkong was relieved to see this, knowing that the poet remembered yesterday's promise. A small portion of these mercenaries would be traveling to their hometowns around the world, making them the best audience to spread the music.

The mercenaries called out expectantly, and Sriel responded with enthusiastic music.

"Long time no see, it's still me, Sriel, tonight!" He plucked the strings quickly. "As usual, the poet will sing the opening song, and whether you listen to songs or tell stories afterwards is up to you."

"Sing, Sriel!"

"I'll leave after I finish listening to your song."

"That old rascal is keeping us in suspense; he's bound to write a great piece!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and the poet joined in. He glanced at Chu Hengkong and chuckled softly, "Then please enjoy my new piece, 'The Lone Serpent.'"

He began playing a soothing folk tune, then opened his mouth with a hoarse voice.

"Do you think back to the rain in the car that night?"

Like a lonely little snake in winter, longing for a warm past.

The elderly have all forgotten how vulnerable you once were.

I only met you again by chance in my dream…

He lit a cigarette made of his shadow. The poet, usually so glib and witty, now spoke with a bold and desolate voice, as if he had transformed from a pedantic scholar into a man weathered by life's storms.

"Going out on a rainy night for a sense of justice is nothing more than a desire for pleasure."

Accompanying you as you drive to evade pursuers was just a passing fancy.

They don't care about your age, they don't care about your intelligence.

I exhale a puff of smoke contentedly, looking at you who have been busy working for me…

The song unfolds slowly, sketching a picture of an unbridled man. It speaks of his bravery and arrogance, his leisure and maturity, his carefree nature, and his unrestrained wildness. Compared to him, the girl beside him doesn't seem to have much ability. She can't influence what the man does, she can't shake his ambitions, she receives much help from him but can't truly repay him, she simply stays by his side, doing what she can.

Until one day, a long, long time later, the girl left. The man was alone again, still strong and brave, yet wandering the world alone, lost and bewildered.

Only then did he realize that his memories and past were all contained within the girl. But the girl was gone, and he had nowhere to go.

"...But now, looking back, it's hard to find a moment of peace."

I miss your intelligent voice, I miss your words.

The firelight of the present moment cannot ignite the smoke of the past.

Like a cold little snake, curled up alone in its hole…

The poet lowered his voice and, after a long while, sang the last line.

Where are you now?

I really miss you.

The lingering notes of the piano music faded, the song had ended, but no applause could be heard in the exhibition hall. The men blinked hard, and occasionally a sob could be heard.

Some thought of their former lovers, some of their wives at home. Some longed for their young daughters, some reminisced about their nagging mothers. The men on the battlefield were about to return home, but many more would soon be heading back. They would have to wait a long time before they could see each other again…

Perhaps we will never see each other again.

"Sing it one more time," someone said.

"It's a good song."

"Let's do it again!" "I still haven't memorized it..." "Sing it."

So the poet played his harp again, imprinting the melody into the hearts of the people. He sang it once, then again, and then the lonely people sang new songs. Soon after, they danced around the firelight, facing the desolate night, singing, cursing, and shouting, expressing the longing that had been buried in their hearts for who knows how long, a longing unknown to anyone…

They will take the songs to all parts of the world, telling stories of longing and reunion after separation.

Chapter 296 Don't Talk About State Affairs

It was late at night, the exhibition had long since ended, and the streets were deserted and quiet.

Ji Qiufeng walked alone on the street, a folding fan in one hand and a bottle of fine wine in the other. The wine was a privately brewed treasure of a poisonous otter, which he had personally obtained in exchange for several couplets written by the little animal. He walked slowly, as if waiting for something.

Ji Qiufeng suddenly stopped, trying hard to suppress his laughter. Behind a street lamp was a thief-like figure, but this person was quite burly, and the street lamp pole looked like a bamboo pole, offering no cover whatsoever.

He called out cheerfully, "Senior Brother Huan Ge, how have you been!"

Senior Brother Huan Ge—a burly, masked man carrying a huge bundle on his back—immediately jumped out, spread his palms, and shouted, "My nemesis, Ji Qiufeng! Old friends reunited after 20 years, now is the time for a duel. Come, let's settle this!"

Ji Qiufeng greeted Huan Ge warmly, patting his thick arm: "Brothers, it's been so long since we've met, we should naturally have a drinking contest. Tonight, we won't leave until we're both drunk!"

"Hey, are you even listening to me? I want to have a martial arts match! A real, no-holds-barred one!"

“It’s not too late to compete after we finish drinking.” Ji Qiufeng pulled him forward, “It’s just in time for Cui Ke to get off work, let’s go to his house and ambush him.”

"Hey! I don't want to drink this. Just three cups, that's the most I can have!"

Trek sat at his dining table, looking distressed. "You two good-for-nothings have it easy here, while I have a proper job... Coming home after work and seeing your two old faces makes me want to go back to the office..."

"You're the one with the oldest face, Dad," Lico said bluntly. "Don't laugh at this simple meal. I didn't have time to prepare anything, so I just made some noodles."

"Let's get some more to go with the drinks."

"Okay, okay, remember not to drink too much." Lico put down a plate of peanuts. "I'm taking Mom out for a drive. Uncle Huan, Uncle Ji, you two keep chatting~"

The young girl quickly finished tidying up and led Mrs. Trek downstairs. A dish of peanuts and three bowls of noodles with gravy appeared on the table. Ji Qiufeng said with envy, "It's so good that my daughter can cook."

"Who told you to be less sloppy than me? If your father is good-for-nothing, the kids will naturally learn on their own." Trek said dismissively. "Besides, aren't your daughter's apprentices all outstanding?"

“That apprentice can’t be described as ‘excellent’ anymore, he’s practically ‘terrifying’…” Huan Ge took off his mask and ate noodles.

Ji Qiufeng bowed and said, "I must thank Senior Brother Huan for gifting him this precious spear."

"They are all my junior disciples, and such a talented one at that. Chenjun Palace is now one of the most prominent, but there are only three of us, including you, me, and my senior sister. I can't just give these weapons to the younger generation..." Huan Ge said with a pained expression, "How can I, alas, how can I just leave them in a treasure chest to look at every day~~~!"

Trek popped a peanut into his mouth: "You really feel bad about it?"

Huan Ge slammed his fist on the table: "I really like that gun! And I really, really want that prosthetic arm too!"

"How embarrassing, even a child is more mature than you."

“Jas Trek, do you think that’s a good thing?” Huan Ge asked dramatically. “No matter what path you take, it’s important to stay true to yourself. Chu Hengkong’s nature is even more outwardly apparent than mine; he’s an arrogant and unruly person, yet he usually stands there with a heavy heart. He seems mature and steady, but he’s lost his childlike innocence. No matter how capable a child is, he can’t take flight!”

“Heng Kong is too bound by the past, as I have mentioned to him before. He is currently searching for old friends, and I think his fate will bring about a result.”

Ji Qiufeng got up and poured wine for the two of them. Huan Ge said he wouldn't drink but let the wine glass be filled to the brim, while Cui Ke smiled and only took half a glass. He swirled the small half glass of wine and said leisurely, "I think he has too many high-level items on him. Even if he upgrades to level 4, he may not have much of an increase in combat power. Instead, he is just trying to 'digest' the results to live a more comfortable life."

Besides, even without upgrading, his current combat strength is more than enough. In martial arts, he's proficient in all four branches, just like you, and his innate constitution contains an ancient, fragmented mental cultivation method that has been lost for who knows how long. Add to that his scattered, unorthodox components… without even drawing his sword, he could probably hold his own against a level 5 particle, right? How terrifying!

He took a sip of his wine and suddenly said, "Wasn't he the one who cut through the wilderness?"

Huan Ge also looked at Ji Qiufeng, who said frankly, "That's why I sent him to Jingsha to avoid disaster."