The Young Sect Master, 'Zhuge Yun,' standing by the entrance, sneered at the two Qin masters. "Golden Sword Sect? Haha… What, you actually dare to threaten someone from my Guiyuan Sect? Never mind the two of you junior disciples; even your Golden Sword Sect Master wouldn't dare speak those words on Guiyuan Sect territory!" His expression was anything but friendly.

The two Qin masters froze.

"This, Young, Young Sect Master…" The elder Qin brother stammered, wanting to speak but finding no words.

"Young Sect Master, these two lads are being reckless. They only spoke that way to save their junior brother. In this world, principle reigns supreme! Qin San was in the wrong, and he has no one to blame for his death. We beg the Young Sect Master not to be angry." Old Master Li chimed in hastily.

"Hmph!"

Only then did the Young Sect Master, 'Zhuge Yun,' let out a cold snort, turned, and led his sister away, accompanying Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu.

Silence finally descended upon the shattered private room.

"You two were also messing around!" Old Master Li’s face darkened as he chastised Qin Da and Qin Er. "That Qin San was dirty in his dealings and provoked trouble; him dying is just his due! But you two hurled threats without even seeing who you were dealing with! That is the Guiyuan Sect! Your Golden Sword Sect enjoys a very leisurely life in Xuyang Commandery; do you not think you have enough formidable enemies? Is it easy for Elder Brother Wang to hold the Golden Sword Sect together? If, because of you two, we further antagonize the Guiyuan Sect... I fear the Golden Sword Sect won't last much longer."

Qin Da and Qin Er immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

On the land of the Nine Provinces, sects were clearly ranked by strength.

The Eight Great Sects of the Nine Provinces. Unquestionably, every single one was immensely powerful.

And the Guiyuan Sect, capable of controlling an entire commandery and boasting a heritage spanning over a thousand years, was deeply entrenched. The Sect Master alone, 'Zhuge Yuanhong,' was a supreme powerhouse across the Nine Provinces. Even Clear Lake Island was reluctant to provoke the Guiyuan Sect carelessly... The Guiyuan Sect was considered a major power in the Nine Provinces.

Among the thirteen commanderies of Yangzhou Province, things were relatively peaceful only within the nine commanderies controlled by Clear Lake Island, and the two controlled by the Guiyuan Sect and the Iron Shirt Sect. The remaining two commanderies were extremely chaotic.

Within Xuyang Commandery alone, there were dozens of scattered, minor sects, and the influence of bandits and brigands was vast.

The lifespan of these sects varied—the longest lasting a century, the shortest being wiped out within a few years—only for new sects to rise in their place. Compared to the Guiyuan Sect, these so-called sects were no more than ants facing an elephant. The gap was simply too enormous. Although the Golden Sword Sect was considered relatively formidable within Xuyang Commandery, it was miles apart when compared to the Guiyuan Sect.

This was because the Golden Sword Sect did not have a single Innate Realm expert.

"Qin Da," Liu Rufeng frowned, "In the past, I thought you acted with more restraint. Why such recklessness today! As for Teng Qingshan's strength, I believe unless your Golden Sword Sect Master comes in person, perhaps no one can match him!"

This Liu Rufeng was a core disciple of Clear Lake Island.

However, even in Clear Lake Island, he had heard the names of several masters from the Guiyuan Sect, especially the Sect Master, 'Zhuge Yuanhong.' Who in the Nine Provinces would willingly provoke Zhuge Yuanhong?

Qin Da replied with helpless sorrow, "Though Junior Brother Three often had a poor character, we trained martial arts together since childhood—for decades. Our bond is deep. When Teng Qingshan threatened to kill Junior Brother Three, I was agitated just then, that’s why I spoke rashly, hoping he would grant face to the Golden Sword Sect and spare Junior Brother Three’s life!"

"We can only blame ourselves for being less skilled than the Senior Brother," Qin Er added, his face etched with sorrow.

Old Master Li glanced down at the deceased Qin San and sighed. "Enough. Give Qin San a grand burial, and let this matter drop; do not mention it again! That Teng Qingshan is so young, yet his methods are so potent, and he is clearly close with the Young Sect Master. In the Guiyuan Sect later on, he is destined for high office. It is best not to make an enemy of him!"

Having reached this point, Old Master Li’s family merely compensated the Moon-Embracing Pavilion for the losses and returned home.

Teng Qingshan and the other three walked along Central Street, crossed the Canal Bridge, and proceeded along the eastern embankment of the Great Yu-Yang Canal.

"I never realized life for commoners was like this." Along the way, Zhuge Yun and Zhuge Qing questioned Teng Qinghu and Teng Qingshan about stories from the Teng Family Village. Zhuge Yun hissed with hatred, "It was right to kill him; such scum deserved death!"

"Young Sect Master..." Teng Qingshan began.

Zhuge Yun interrupted with clear displeasure, "Big Brother Teng, I’ve called you Big Brother, and I truly dislike it when people call me Young Sect Master. You can just call me Xiaoyun."

Teng Qingshan paused slightly, then smiled. "Alright. By the way, Xiaoyun, I wanted to ask, which sect is this Golden Sword Sect? How dare they utter threats?"

Every family has its rules; every army has its discipline!

On the first day upon joining the Black Armored Army, during the welcoming feast, the brothers of the Black Armored Army had all instructed Teng Qingshan regarding the army's rules.

The rules were simple!

If you get into a fight outside, regardless of whether you are right or wrong, fight to win first! No matter what, you must not tarnish the reputation of the Black Armored Army!

While the words were spoken fiercely!

Amongst themselves, the Black Armored Army soldiers held this consensus—as long as it wasn't one of the Eight Great Sects, fight first and ask questions later regarding any other sect. As for the Eight Great Sects, some face should still be granted. Take Clear Lake Island, for instance; it controlled nine commanderies, far surpassing the Guiyuan Sect in strength.

"I honestly haven't even heard of that sect," Teng Qingshan chuckled self-deprecatingly. On his first day in the Black Armored Army, Teng Qingshan had memorized the names of the Eight Great Sects of the Nine Provinces!

"Then it’s just a small sect, from Xuyang Commandery!" Zhuge Yun said dismissively. "In Yangzhou Province, the eleven commanderies controlled by Clear Lake Island, the Iron Shirt Sect, and my Guiyuan Sect prohibit others from establishing sects. Therefore, the remaining two commanderies are filled with all sorts of minor sects, but they are all weak. The Golden Sword Sect... Hmph, to destroy it would only require one commander leading a battalion to wipe them out cleanly!"

"Oh, so they are from Xuyang Commandery," Teng Qingshan realized with a flash of understanding.

Gongyang Qing was also from Xuyang Commandery.

Xuyang Commandery and Tiannan Commandery were probably the two most chaotic commanderies in Yangzhou.

Furthermore, major sects rarely allowed their disciples to stoop so low as to become guards for wealthy merchants. This was because sects like Clear Lake Island and Guiyuan Sect had the support of government forces as their outer layer, allowing their disciples to enter officialdom directly.

Serving as an official was, naturally, far more glamorous than being a retainer.

"Even the minor sects in Xuyang Commandery are that arrogant?" Teng Qinghu glared.

"Big Brother Qinghu, those two were merely junior disciples of the Golden Sword Sect. They don't know the immensity of heaven and earth," Zhuge Yun snorted. "My father often says that when Guiyuan Sect members encounter anyone outside, they should fight to win first! As long as no great evil has been committed, the Guiyuan Sect will bear responsibility for everything!"

Teng Qingshan smiled upon hearing this.

This was what a true major sect sounded like—bold enough to make such declarations!

"Right," Zhuge Yun suddenly lowered his voice. "Big Brother Teng, today, when you defeated those two, you instantly rushed before them, striking them down before they could even react to block. Those two were also first-rate martial artists, I assume. The strength and speed you displayed today were significantly greater than yesterday."

Yesterday, during the Centurion selection battle, Teng Qingshan had relied solely on his long spear from start to finish; his inherent strength and speed were rather average. But today, facing two first-rate martial artists, Teng Qingshan demonstrated an overwhelming advantage bare-handed.

"Oh, that’s thanks to the Mighty Ox Strength Art," Teng Qingshan replied with a smile.

Zhuge Qing, who had been quietly accompanying them, spoke up with surprise, "Mighty Ox Strength Art? The Mighty Ox Strength Art of the Black Armored Army? Big Brother Qingshan, what does your improvement in strength have to do with it?"

"I have cultivated this Mighty Ox Strength Art to the sixth layer, so my explosive power, speed, and so on have all seen a significant boost," Teng Qingshan stated plainly.

"Ah!" Zhuge Yun exclaimed.

"The sixth layer?" Zhuge Qing was startled; since she wore a veil, her expression was obscured.

"Qingshan, you—you reached the sixth layer?" Teng Qinghu was also greatly shocked.

"That was only in one day," Zhuge Yun couldn't believe it.

Teng Qingshan nodded with a smile. "Yes, although it was just one day. However... most of my extraordinary meridians are now unblocked. So, cultivating these first six layers was seamless, one continuous flow, without any issues. Still... the Mighty Ox Strength Art is truly formidable; it boosted my strength by a huge margin!"

Zhuge Yun understood, but his amazement only deepened.

"Brother, we're at the North Gate," Zhuge Qing remarked.

When they entered the sect for the assessment, Teng Qingshan and the others had entered through the West Gate. This time, they returned via the Guiyuan Sect's North Gate.

"Big Brother Teng, I respect you more and more. Well... my sister and I must return to our residence now. Big Brother Teng and Big Brother Qinghu also need to return to the barracks. Let's part ways here," Zhuge Yun said with a smile, and the siblings departed.

Teng Qingshan gazed at the retreating figures of Zhuge Yun and his sister.

"Knowing that I've reached the sixth layer... this news will surely reach Zhuge Yuanhong's ears quickly!" Teng Qingshan mused silently. "In Zhuge Yuanhong's eyes, my background is clean, making me someone worth winning over. He should be making some moves soon!"

"Qinghu, let's go back."

Teng Qingshan immediately turned and headed toward the Black Armored Army barracks with Teng Qinghu.

...

Teng Qingshan felt no ripple of emotion today about killing Qin San.

This was the world of martial artists, after all! Slaughter happened frequently, and the deaths of disciples from minor sects were normal. Especially since Teng Qingshan was now affiliated with the Guiyuan Sect, how would the Golden Sword Sect dare to cause trouble?

While forging his path in the Nine Provinces, Teng Qingshan had often contemplated the security of the Teng Family Village.

He feared no ordinary sect! Because even an Houtian Realm martial artist, when facing a thousand troops, especially heavily armored soldiers, could be easily slain by a coordinated encirclement.

For example, the third leader of the Iron Mountain Gang, a peak Houtian expert, was killed by a single charge from the White Horse Camp. Martial artists, despite cultivating internal energy, still possessed physically fragile bodies; two fists struggle against four hands. Faced with a massive army's siege, they could be killed easily.

Currently, the Teng Family Village possessed hundreds of heavily armored warriors and numerous men armed with bows. This level of military might deterred even horse bandits!

Even the three thousand bandits of the Yanshan Gang were routed in terror.

Most Houtian martial artists would not dare provoke such a fortified manor; this village could practically be considered a powerful faction. Among Houtian martial artists—aside from a monster like Teng Qingshan—perhaps no one else could stand alone against a thousand brave, skilled fighters!

...

The inherent strength of the Teng Family Village left Teng Qingshan without much personal fear. More importantly... in the cutthroat world of the Nine Provinces, conflicts rarely involved collateral damage to entire clans. If someone offended Teng Qingshan, and he couldn't kill the offender, would he then wipe out the offender’s clan?

Such an act was rarely committed unless the perpetrator was utterly depraved.

Because to do so would invite the scorn of the entire world.