Volume 2 Chapter 36: Herculean Strength - Martial God

**Chapter 36: Herculean Strength** Within the small countries of the northwest, many are traversed by a mountain range that stretches across the entire region. However, apart from these areas, the land towards the north is predominantly wide, open grasslands. Tianluo is one such country. Both Taicang County and Tai'a County fall within its Linlang Prefecture. Yet, unlike Taicang County, Tai'a County lacks significant mountains and is mostly flat. Here lies the border between Tianluo and Kairong, one of the three major powers of the northwest, whose strength far surpasses that of Tianluo. When the bandits in Tai'a County stage their raids, they often steer clear of trade caravans from Kairong. Because of this, Kairong's military turns a blind eye to these bandit activities, not exerting much effort to eradicate them. For Tianluo, however, these bandits are a significant blight. Unfortunately, without Kairong's military cooperation, they are never completely eradicated. The bandits of Tai'a County have no fixed base, allowing them to remain agile and avoid being wiped out in one strike. Looking at Tai'a County as a whole, the border location and the prevalence of bandits have fostered a martial culture that surpasses other counties. Among the bandits alone, there are five skilled masters of the interior force at the tenth level. The Red Scarf Bandits are one of the top organizations among many bandit groups in Tai'a County. This formidable group boasts two masters at the tenth level of interior force, a fact that seems unimaginable to ordinary bandits. A master of the tenth-level interior force is a sought-after figure for any major family. Even if they choose not to serve under others, they can establish their own family. While not every tenth-level master can found a prosperous lineage, many great families with centuries of legacy were initially formed by a master at this level. Currently, the two leaders of the Red Scarf Bandits were leading their group to pillage a village and then gathered to rest in an open area. The leaders, Guan Qing and Guo Shao Feng, were robust middle-aged men with a shared feature—cold, penetrating eyes. Among the Red Scarf Bandits, many are fearless. Yet, when these fearless warriors face their leaders' steely gaze, they transform from tigers into mice, not daring to show any disobedience. This is the aura the two leaders possess, which allows them to control the Red Scarf Bandits. Inside a vast tent, the two leaders were enjoying wine and food while discussing future plans. For the villages of Tai'a County, as long as they pay the head tax monthly, they remain largely untroubled. To sustain themselves long-term, in addition to robbing passing merchants, the tributes from these villages are essential. If there were no villages in Tai'a County, the bandits would struggle to survive comfortably. Suddenly, the tent's flap was lifted. A lean man entered and respectfully saluted the two leaders, saying, "Chief, I'm back." Guan Qing nodded slightly, "How did it go?" "Chief, both Wolf Fang and Fierce Tiger agreed to our proposal. They are willing to join us in attacking Taicang County and avenging Captain Guan. However, their leader, Lan Hai, refused, insisting that the matter does not concern them and is not worth risking their lives for us." Guan Qing's expression darkened. He snorted, "Did you tell them that any spoils from this mission would be theirs entirely, with us taking nothing?" The man lowered his head, "I did, but Vice Chief Hai Hui Qiao asked me to convey a message. She suggested that since Guan Wei died due to his own greed and violation of rules in Taicang County, his death was self-inflicted. If we rally together to eradicate the Cheng Family, it might provoke Linlang Lin Family's wrath, leading to their retaliation. Therefore, she advises you to reconsider and not act impulsively..." As Guan Qing's face became increasingly stormy, the man wisely stopped talking. Guo Shao Feng's expression shifted, "Brother, since that woman Hai Hui Qiao fails to appreciate us, we should ignore them. With Wolf Fang and Fierce Tiger on board, we can still overpower the three major families of Taicang County." Although Guan Qing's face was incredibly grim, he remained composed. "Brother, do not underestimate the three families of Taicang County." He snorted coldly, "While there are only two tenth-level masters there, as I know, they have more than five ninth-level experts. Aside from the He family, the Xu and Cheng families have over a century of heritage. Though it's rare to see masters above the ninth level, they have plenty of seventh and eighth-level ones." He chuckled darkly, "If we truly clashed, even with our alliance of four, our victory would come at a severe cost." Guo Shao Feng hesitated, "Brother, you fear Lan Hai will take advantage?" Guan Qing nodded slightly, "Indeed, though Lan Han Yang, like us, is a tenth-level master, everyone knows his skills surpass ours. Furthermore, the crafty and shrewd Hai Hui Qiao has reached the peak of the ninth level. Together, they could defeat us even in a fair fight." He sighed, "Having such a force lurking behind us is truly unsettling." Guo Shao Feng blinked, understanding that despite his strength, his strategic acumen paled in comparison to his brother's, which was why he willingly remained under Guan Qing's leadership rather than establish his own faction. "Brother, what shall we do then? Should we avenge Guan Wei?" Guo Shao Feng, unable to figure it out, asked directly. A fierce glint appeared in Guan Qing's eyes, "The revenge is inevitable, but Hai Hui Qiao made a point. We must plan carefully." The Red Scarf Bandits have thrived in Tai'a County for decades not solely on sheer force. While they were deep in conversation, a sudden uproar erupted outside, and a figure burst in like a storm. Had He Yi Ming and the others been present, they would have recognized the man they encountered at the Jinlin Country’s border, the very man who escaped by leaping into the water. Now, disheveled and exhausted, with tangled hair and a face full of torment, he seemed about to collapse at any moment. Seeing his state, Guan Qing and Guo Shao Feng were naturally shocked. Especially Guan Qing, knowing the purpose of these men, sharply inquired, "What happened? Where is Leader Liao?" With a sob-like inflection in his voice, the man replied, "Chief, Leader Liao is dead." Guan Qing's facial muscles twitched, though his demeanor remained calm, "Explain in detail." The man then recounted their journey and their encounter with He Yi Ming's group, particularly emphasizing He Yi Ming's extraordinary horse. Without that steed, they might never have met such an end. After listening, Guan Qing glowered, "Four people—just four—and yet they wiped you out?" "Chief, actually, only two engaged us." The man admitted in shame, "Those two were incredibly skilled, and Leader Liao was caught off guard as well." Indeed, Leader Liao was killed by a cloth strip—a bizarre incident beyond belief, leaving them unable to describe what happened. All they could say was that Leader Liao was ambushed and died at a loss. Guo Shao Feng's eyebrows shot up, "Do you know who those four are?" Keeping his head down, the man replied, "After jumping into the river to save myself, I changed my appearance and tracked them. When they lodged at an inn, I checked their horses. Besides that extraordinary steed, the others were branded with the insignia of Tai Cang He Jia." "Tai Cang He Jia..." Guan Qing finally burst out, standing abruptly, with a gust that nearly extinguished the tent’s fire. "Taicang, always Taicang," Guan Qing muttered furiously as he paced back and forth in the tent. After a moment, he finally made a decision. "Someone, prepare my horse. I will personally visit Fierce Tiger and Wolf Fang." Guo Shao Feng was startled, "Brother, what do you intend?" "We've founded the Red Scarf Bandits and ruled Tai'a County unchallenged for twenty years. Now my brother and Liao Lao Si die at Taicang. If we endure this insult silently, our reputation will undoubtedly plummet. How can we face others then?" Guan Qing gritted his teeth. "I plan to invite Xu Han Bai of Fierce Tiger and Zhong Wei of Wolf Fang to join us in visiting Lan Hai. If they agree to join, fine. If they refuse, heh, the four of us will deal with them first." Guo Shao Feng nodded firmly, "Alright, brother, with your decision, I will surely accompany you." His eyes gleamed with anticipation, seemingly eager for the upcoming confrontation. ※※※※ A pair of not very large hands gently stroked the stone bed, as though caressing a beloved, evoking a strange feeling. A moment later, He Yi Ming sighed in disappointment and stood up. "Sixth Brother, what exactly are you searching for?" He Yi Tian finally could not hold back and inquired. He Yi Ming chuckled, "Brother, I'm looking for some materials." He Yi Tian, puzzled, asked, "What materials? Are you searching for these stones?" "Yes, I need some Wenli Stone," He Yi Ming responded without hesitation. "What do you need Wenli Stone for?" He Quan Xin also chimed in with curiosity. Since He Yi Ming's return, he had been accompanied by both He Quan Xin and Yuan Cheng Zhi. He Yi Ming's request was peculiar; he wanted to select a bed from Yuan's residence. The significance of He Yi Ming's position in the family even exceeded that of He Quan Xin. Though not aware of his innate-level breakthrough, his prowess as a sixteen-year-old master of the tenth level of interior force spoke volumes about his potential. Yuan Cheng Zhi, unable to discern He Yi Ming's exact capabilities, nevertheless perceived some nuances from He Quan Xin and his son's behavior towards He Yi Ming. Thus, when He Yi Ming made his unusual request, Yuan Cheng Zhi agreed without hesitation and personally accompanied him to inspect each bedroom in the residence, allowing He Yi Ming to select his desired bed. Had He Yi Tian made such a request, He Quan Xin would likely have refused and reprimanded him. But for He Yi Ming, He Quan Xin remained silent. After entering ten bedrooms, it became clear to everyone that He Yi Ming wasn't interested in ordinary beds. Any wooden or iron-framed bed was dismissed with a glance, while stone beds were examined carefully before he moved on disappointedly. Finally, after He Yi Tian's questioning, He Yi Ming voiced his true intent. Yuan Cheng Zhi sighed internally with slight exasperation, but maintained a friendly demeanor, "Yi Ming, if you wanted a Wenli Stone bed, you should have mentioned it earlier. But these beds..." He Yi Ming frowned slightly, "Is there an issue?" Yuan Cheng Zhi sighed again, "Beds made from such stone are usually rudimentary and are typically used for the servants' communal sleeping arrangements." He Yi Ming then understood the reasoning. In Tianluo and Huo Wu, Wenli Stone is not considered a luxury material, but due to its properties, affluent families often prepared Wenli Stone beds that provided comforting warmth during cold winters. However, the wealthy in Jinlin dismiss such comfort. In their view, Wenli Stone is inferior, suitable only for servants. In winter, placing servants on Wenli Stone beds saved firewood—a practical choice. This is simply a variation of customs between regions, a detail even He Yi Ming's intelligence couldn't foresee. Now that he had found its location, He Yi Ming didn't hesitate. Under Yuan Cheng Zhi's guidance, they arrived at the servants' quarters. When He Yi Ming saw the communal bed, his eyes lit up. The communal bed was crafted from a single, massive Wenli Stone, measuring two meters wide and ten meters long. It could easily accommodate twenty people. "Uncle Yuan, using such a large Wenli Stone as a bed seems wasteful, doesn't it?" "Wasteful? Not at all," Yuan Cheng Zhi laughed. "Yi Ming, you probably don't know. Our Jinlin, specifically Zheng Tong Prefecture, is one of the largest Wenli Stone producers in the northwest. Large Wenli Stone slabs are rare elsewhere, but here they are commonplace and not at all valuable." Nodding in realization, He Yi Ming said, "Then Uncle Yuan, may I take this stone bed?" "Sure, take it if you want it," Yuan Cheng Zhi agreed readily, though hesitated thereafter, "But Yi Ming, this is where the servants sleep. You shouldn't stay here. Moving this to your room, however..." Given the bed's enormous size, few suites could accommodate it. He Yi Ming smiled, "Uncle Yuan, I want this bed, but not for sleeping." Yuan Cheng Zhi was puzzled, "Then what do you intend to do with it?" He Yi Ming gave a mysterious smile, "Since it's a gift from you, Uncle Yuan, I can use it however I deem fit, right?" Yuan Cheng Zhi, not offended by He Yi Ming's evasive response, replied cheerfully, "Of course, it's all yours now." Serving about a dozen servants, these sleeping arrangements posed no burden to Yuan's residence. Meeting He Yi Ming's request was paramount. Soon, following Yuan Cheng Zhi's orders, the communal bed was cleared. Acknowledging the others with a nod, He Yi Ming went to a corner of the room, crouching as if searching for something beneath the bed. Finally, he opened his eyes wide, softly commanding, "Rise." At his word, the entire bed lifted into the air. Everyone, including He Quan Xin, was stupefied, finding it hard to believe their eyes. "Uncle Yuan, I'll be taking this. Thank you..." With a booming crash, He Yi Ming, lifting the massive slab, broke through the wall and vanished from sight, his feet seemingly running on air. Wenli Stone is relatively lightweight among stones. However, the communal bed weighed at least several thousand pounds. Not even He Quan Xin would guarantee lifting it while casually walking away. After a long pause, Yuan Cheng Zhi turned, eyes full of admiration, "He Quan, now I understand." "Understand what?" He Quan Xin responded as if woken from a dream. "I understand why He Bo Bo entrusted the grand guandao to Yi Ming," Yuan Cheng Zhi sighed deeply. "I've heard father speak of He Bo Bo's natural strength, which I always doubted. But today, I witness true herculean strength. I wonder if the grand guandao might be too light for Yi Ming." He Quan Xin: "..." He Yi Tian: "..."