Li Baolu’s face was unclouded, his heart unhurried; he simply gazed blankly at the other man, appearing still half-lost in a daze. After a long moment, he scratched his head and said, “Again.”

With that, he pushed off, charging straight at Gao Tongcheng. The glint of his blade was like a rainbow, slashing out a sheet of white silk that swept toward his opponent, carrying even more momentum than before.

Gao Tongcheng’s confidence swelled. Just as the blade’s light reached him, he swung his staff out again, tapping precisely against the back of Li Baolu’s hand, right alongside the arc of the sword light.

Li Baolu cried out, and his long saber flew out of his grip, arcing perfectly toward Shisanniang.

………………………………………………………………

Zhao Shengli gasped in shock. He tried to rise but it was too late; he could only watch the long saber shoot toward Shisanniang, aimed directly for her proud, soft chest.

His eyes bulged, desperately hoping Li Muchen’s arrow would intercept the blade, but no arrow came. He saw the saber about to pierce Gao Song’s chest, certain to spill blood.

A teacup suddenly dropped, blocking the path of the long saber just in time. With a sharp clink, the saber was deflected by the cup and immediately shot off at an angle. The teacup hit the floor, water splashing out and wetting the rug.

Li Muchen glanced at Shisanniang with a smile. Zhao Shengli and the others let out a collective sigh of relief, thinking, Close call, too close. They had completely forgotten to watch Li Baolu.

Li Baolu had been sent flying again. After striking Li Baolu’s saber away, Gao Tongcheng followed with another blow, sending Li Baolu soaring before halting his momentum.

He remembered his master’s warning: once engaged, one must commit fully, and only stop when the opponent is incapable of retaliation, otherwise it is tantamount to suicide.

Furthermore, his master had just said not to hold back, that they needed to see some real severity, lest they underestimate themselves!

He was elated inwardly. He hadn't imagined his master was so formidable; merely pointing out things to him for one afternoon, teaching him three moves of staff fighting, had yielded such power. Facing the situation now, even three or four of his former self wouldn't be a match for that man!

“Master know—” he turned and smiled.

Li Muchen nodded. “Yes, not learned in vain. Not bad!” Li Baolu stood up, clutching his chest, and laughed awkwardly, “A formidable staff technique… a truly formidable staff technique!”

“Li-zi, you’re useless! Can’t even handle a little punk like him,” Zhao Shengli grunted.

Li Baolu refused to be cowed. “Head Zhao, it’s not that I’m useless, it’s that this kid is incredibly strong, truly strong!”

“Go on, go on. Whether he’s strong or not, we’re the ones who know!” Zhao Shengli waved a dismissive hand.

Li Baolu grew annoyed and snorted, “Head Zhao, why don't you spar with him? If you win, I’ll polish your iron armor for a month!”

“Oh? You’re certainly stubborn!” Zhao Shengli raised an eyebrow.

Li Baolu huffed, “Two months!” Zhao Shengli clapped his hands. “It’s a deal!”

“And if you lose?” Li Baolu asked.

“Nonsense, brat. Same deal if I lose,” Zhao Shengli said, playfully striking the air toward him. “But you dreaming I’ll lose? Impossible, no chance!”

“Not necessarily!” Li Baolu muttered, then turned to Gao Tongcheng, “Xiao Gao, let’s fight!”

……………………………………………………………………

Gao Tongcheng looked toward Li Muchen, eager to begin.

Li Muchen chuckled. “Head Zhao is an old hand from the battlefield. To become a company commander, he must have killed at least ten men. You need to be careful.”

“Yes, Master!” Gao Tongcheng nodded vigorously, looking excitedly at Zhao Shengli.

Zhao Shengli laughed. “Monk, you only taught him for an afternoon, and he can already knock down Li-zi. Truly skilled teaching!” Li Muchen smiled. “Head Zhao, you should be cautious, don’t capsize in a ditch.”

“Hmph, that’s Li-zi. Watch me!” Zhao Shengli waved his hand and laughed. “If I make your disciple cry, don't you, as his master, feel heartbroken!” Li Muchen smiled. “Head Zhao, I can’t match your quick tongue, let’s settle this with our hands!” Zhao Shengli drew his saber and gestured dismissively, “Hmph, come on!”

Gao Tongcheng gripped his staff with both hands, performed a salute, and then sprang up, bringing it down from above—similar in power to the Mountain Cleaver strike in saber techniques, carrying immense force.

Zhao Shengli let out a fierce cry and met the attack, slashing out straight with lightning speed, clearly intending a head-on clash, favoring brute force over finesse. While somewhat crude, there was nothing to argue against in the choice.

In mid-air, Gao Tongcheng suddenly shifted his move, changing the downward strike into a horizontal sweep. The transition was skillful, and Zhao Shengli couldn't react in time. His strike missed, and he took a blow across his back.

“Eh?” Zhao Shengli stumbled back a step but held his ground, spinning around to lash out with his saber, which descended like lightning, about to strike Gao Tongcheng.

Madam Gao gripped her handkerchief tightly, her face turning pale.

Gao Tongcheng was startled too, but he delivered a sudden, quick sweep—a strike launched later but arriving first—landing a blow on Zhao Shengli’s backside. Zhao Shengli flew backward and landed heavily by the hall entrance.

“Hahahaha…” Li Baolu clapped his hands and laughed loudly. “Head Zhao, you lost!”

Zhao Shengli shot up, intending to rub his rear, but immediately remembered the lady present and stopped himself! He shot Li Baolu a glare; his expression was far from pleasant.

Li Baolu, lacking any tact, continued to roar with laughter. “Head Zhao, a bet is a bet! I don’t have to polish armor for two months! That’s great!” Li Muchen smiled. “Head Zhao, what do you think of my disciple?” Zhao Shengli snorted, too annoyed to speak properly. “Impressive! Li-zi, don’t get carried away. It’s just two months of armor polishing, nothing major!” “Head Zhao, this is the first time I’ve ever beaten you!” Li Baolu said happily.

Zhao Shengli grunted, “What’s the big fuss? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at? Settle down now!”

Gao Tongcheng, beaming, sat down beside Madam Gao. She examined her son a few times, then relaxed; she saw no sign of injury or suffering. She had expected that when her son learned martial arts from a master, it would be grueling, involving constant beatings, leaving him bruised and battered—yet he appeared perfectly fine.

She asked softly, “Cheng’er, are you tired?” Gao Tongcheng hastily replied, “Mother, I’m not tired. Practicing with Master is like playing!” “Silly child!” Madam Gao shook her head and said no more. In front of the Master, how could he dare say anything else? She would ask him properly later.

The crowd murmured, finding it unbelievable. Gao Tongcheng was merely someone with rudimentary fighting skills, yet after Li Muchen’s afternoon guidance, he could defeat them.

Had their long, arduous training, all that sweat, been completely worthless? A profound doubt crept in, feeling as if everything they knew was being overturned.

Xiong Sihai asked, “Great Monk, what exactly is going on here?”

Li Muchen smiled, taking in the shifting expressions on everyone’s faces. He said gently, “Nothing much. Tongcheng is quite quick-witted, and combined with the Mad Demon Staff Technique, he can manage to protect himself for now.”

“Then are the things we learned so inferior?” Xiong Sihai asked, unwilling to accept it.

Li Muchen shook his head. “That’s not quite right either. What you learn is for fighting on the battlefield; it’s different from the subtle arts of the martial world. They shouldn’t be mixed up.” “But he, by himself, can defeat all of us!” Xiong Sihai insisted.

Li Muchen smiled. “One Tongcheng can defeat one of you, but ten Tongchengs cannot defeat ten of you. That is the difference between combat skill and refined martial arts.” Xiong Sihai opened his mouth, finding the words difficult to articulate, but finally gritted his teeth and spoke, “Great Monk, why don’t you teach us as well? How about it?” He showed some restraint, hesitant to look directly at Li Muchen.

Li Muchen considered it for a moment and nodded. “If you all wish to learn, I won’t be secretive. However, I can only teach everyone this Mad Demon Staff Technique.”

“Yes!” the others agreed in unison.

Zhao Shengli laughed. “Ha! With our guns, we can just use them as staffs!” Li Baolu chuckled slyly. “Monk, if we learn the staff technique, can we beat him?”

He pointed at Gao Tongcheng.

Li Muchen smiled. “Naturally. Tongcheng’s foundation is still shallow; in terms of strength or speed, he cannot compare to you all.” “Then—then—teach us quickly!” Li Baolu was overjoyed.

Gao Tongcheng looked at Li Muchen, feeling a pang of anxiety. He had just managed to get the upper hand, and now he was about to be surpassed again—this feeling was incredibly frustrating.

Li Muchen smiled. “Once you all learn the Mad Demon Staff Technique, who is higher or lower depends on your individual cultivation.” Gao Tongcheng’s spirit lifted; he understood the implied meaning: with diligent practice, he could certainly surpass them!

…………………………………………………………………………

Shisanniang stood up with a smile. “You all practice martial arts; I’ll head back first.” The others rose with her, trying to persuade her to stay, suggesting they could practice later and spend more time talking together now.

Shisanniang still declined, smiling with pursed lips. “I’ll go to Changping Tower tomorrow; let’s go together then!” The others were overjoyed and nodded repeatedly.

Li Muchen merely smiled faintly, saying nothing. As Shisanniang left, she shot him a glance before gracefully departing.

After Zhao Shengli and the others escorted her out, they returned and immediately reproached Li Muchen for being too cold, hurting Shisanniang’s feelings.

Li Muchen found it exasperating but simply ignored them.

That night, Li Muchen began teaching them the Mad Demon Staff Technique. This style had no accompanying internal cultivation method; it was purely external. Their learning it would not conflict with the martial arts they used in the army.

The technique Gao Tongcheng learned included breathing and circulation exercises, implicitly containing an internal force method; it was different from what the soldiers were learning. After all, Gao Tongcheng was set on the path of a martial artist, using the staff forms merely as a vehicle to cultivate internal energy.

They learned quickly, mastering two forms in one night, practicing sparring until they were proficient. However, Li Muchen could not feed them training drills using various world martial arts, as he had with Gao Tongcheng. That was limited by his status. Even so, they quickly grasped these two moves, their power immense, and everyone practiced with high spirits.

The next day, they rose early to continue practicing the Mad Demon Staff Technique.

Gao Tongcheng watched for a while and noticed their practice differed from his own. He felt very pleased, believing the Master still favored him.

In the morning, Li Muchen taught him another move, then urged him to practice more, think more, and grasp it through his own comprehension, rather than relying solely on diligent repetition.

The group left the residence and went to the manor in the east to fetch Shisanniang before heading to Changping Tower. However, it was still early; they wouldn't reach lunchtime for another hour or two.

Shisanniang did not refuse and accompanied them.

Eight men and one woman walked along the north-south thoroughfare of Tianlong City. The men were robust, radiating a chilling military aura, while the woman was delicate—and the famous beauty of Tianlong City, Shisanniang.

Shisanniang was wearing a light yellow silk shirt today; the hem fluttered gently as her graceful figure moved with captivating allure.

They inevitably stole glances, but were swiftly glared back into line by Zhao Shengli and the others, presenting themselves with an arrogant swagger that made Li Muchen shake his head repeatedly.

After browsing and purchasing quite a few items, they finally strolled slowly toward Changping Tower.

Upon seeing them arrive, the waiter hurried out, his expression peculiar. “Which military gentlemen are here? Do you still want that private room?”

“No, change to another one!” Zhao Shengli stepped forward.

The waiter paused, then nodded quickly. “Understood. How about the one on the east side?”

“Yes, that will be fine!” Zhao Shengli nodded, then turned to Li Muchen. “Monk, that room seems to bring us bad luck; something always happens when we sit there. Let’s change it.” Li Muchen smiled. “Just the east room will do.”

The waiter instantly broke into a wide smile and ushered everyone in, saying cheerfully, “We have been taking excellent care of the gentlemen’s horses, rest assured.”

“Mm,” Li Muchen nodded.

They had left their horses behind the previous night precisely because military steeds are more valuable than people. The inn dared not play any tricks, lest the Shenwu Army cause severe trouble if anything went amiss.

Once they were seated in the private room, Li Muchen smiled. “Shisanniang, this meal is to treat you—to thank you for your efforts yesterday.” “Oh? Then I won’t be polite,” Shisanniang smiled suddenly, and the room brightened instantly.

While they were talking, heavy footsteps suddenly sounded—thump-thump-thump-thump—like weights pressing on everyone’s hearts, creating an indescribably uncomfortable atmosphere.

Li Muchen frowned immediately. This person was being far too audacious.

“Which one is Mingkong? Where is Mingkong?!” A sharp roar suddenly echoed, exploding throughout the entire tavern, vibrating everyone’s eardrums.

Li Muchen stretched languidly and said calmly, “I am Mingkong. Who calls for me?” His voice was clear, mild, and even, carrying distinctly to everyone present.

“Mingkong bald donkey, come out and die!” The loud shout was followed by the door being violently yanked open. Standing in the doorway was a sturdy, somewhat short and stout man.

His face was round; he wasn't ugly, but his expression was utterly brutish. He held a massive double-bladed axe, pointing it directly at Li Muchen. “Are you that Mingkong bald donkey?”

The shining double-bladed axe glinted menacingly. Looking at the heavy, terrifying edge, people couldn't help but think that surviving one such blow would be impossible!

Li Muchen frowned and said in a deep voice, “I am Mingkong. Sir, your insults are uncalled for. What business do you have here?”

The round-faced man glared. “Damn it, you offended our young mistress! Of course, I have to sort you out and vent her anger!”

Li Muchen said flatly, “So, you are from the Fan Escort Agency. Correct?” The round-faced man grunted, “Bald donkey, you certainly understand things quickly!”

……………………………………………………

Li Muchen’s expression darkened, and he said slowly, “Sir, calling me a bald donkey repeatedly—are you not afraid of the wrath of all monks under heaven?” “Hmph, monks are all filth!” the round-faced man cursed carelessly.

Li Muchen slowly stood up, cupped his fists, and said, “Since that is the case, whatever instruction you have, please lay down the challenge. I will accompany you without fail!” “Ah, finally straightforward!” The round-faced man suddenly rejoiced and grinned. “I heard you killed quite a few Western Zhao soldiers. Let’s have a spar!” Li Muchen frowned. “Since you are from the Fan Escort Agency, you should know that I only fight enemies on the battlefield; I do not spar with others.”

“Hmph hmph, you say that well. I’d like to see it!” He sneered dismissively, strode in with large, flowing steps, and brought his axe down in a leading blow.

This strike was not aimed at Li Muchen, but at the young attendant Xiao He, who had just opened the door.

Xiao He flinched, surprised that the man would suddenly strike him, but his instinctive reaction kicked in! He drew his saber to parry the axe blow, intending to block it.

The moment the saber left its sheath, he regretted it. Seeing the brute’s immense strength, he knew he was asking for trouble; he shouldn't have met force with force but should have stepped back!

But regret came too late. To save his own life, he had to block it. With this thought, he mustered all his strength and channeled it fiercely into his long saber.

Ching! A light hiss sounded, and Li Muchen flicked his wrist.

Ding! A crisp sound followed as the axe suddenly changed trajectory. Instead of striking Xiao He, it hit a sliver of black light, resulting in a clash of metal as a chopstick dropped to the floor.

The round-faced man’s face changed; he staggered back a step, staring wide-eyed at Li Muchen.

Li Muchen frowned. “If there is no serious issue, please withdraw,” he said. “Bald donkey, you truly have some skill!” The round-faced man let out a cold sneer and roared again, swinging the axe toward Li Muchen this time—it was genuinely aimed at him.

Li Muchen was extremely impatient. He stood up and punched across the table.

With a dull thud, the man flew backward, straight out through the doorway. Bang! A second dull sound suggested the tavern itself shook slightly.

“Xiao He, close the door. Let’s eat,” Li Muchen instructed.

Li Muchen’s punch had struck the side of the axe head perfectly, delivering immense force. Though the brute’s strength was considerable, it was negligible before Li Muchen.

Xiao He responded with spirited agreement, spat outside the door, and excitedly closed it, returning to his seat.

“Monk, that punch had some heat!” Zhao Shengli clapped and laughed loudly.

Xiong Sihai managed a wry smile. “That punch just offended the Fan family!” Li Muchen laughed. “Xiong Sihai, so what if we offended the Fan family? I’d like to see how formidable they really are!”

“Sigh…” Xiong Sihai just shook his head and said no more.

“Who wants to see how formidable my Fan family is?” A severe voice suddenly rang out, causing a dull ache in everyone’s eardrums.