Section 6: Addressing Injustice

"Oh dear, Mr. Xu, please don't be angry. This child has just arrived and doesn't recognize you." The plump boss hurried over, rubbing his hands and smiling ingratiatingly.

"Boss, who is this guy?" Wang Tianyi asked the boss

An old donkey cart ambled along the official road, with Zhang Chuanxiu sitting at the front, driving the donkey. In the back, where the wind whistled through the gaps, sat Wang Tianyi and Zhao Qianjie. In a small town near Qingzhou, they found this cart; to save money, the three of them pooled together twenty taels of silver to purchase the cheapest cart from the livery.

Zhao Qianjie was furious, taking a step forward and slapping the thin man across the face. "You dare to hit me?" "I’m hitting you, you despicable dog!" The opponent did not possess any martial arts skills, and Zhao Qianjie found it enjoyable to hit him, becoming increasingly reluctant to stop. The more the opponent howled in agony, the more energized Zhao Qianjie became, ultimately driving him under the table.

Ah? I still talk in my sleep? I never knew that. So, what did I say?" Tianyi was somewhat surprised

After several days of traveling through wind and rain, Wang Tianyi and his two companions arrived at the first major city along their route—Luyi City. They were nearing the border of the province where Qingzhou is located. The city was bustling with merchants from various places, and a variety of accents could be heard. As they drove through, Wang Tianyi and his companions admired the scenery of Luyi.

The shopkeeper quickly turned around.

Dear guest, as you can see, if you exit the hotel and walk east for three blocks, you will find some stalls selling books and paintings that are usually gathered there year-round. It is now noon, and it would be best for you to hurry, as the days are short in winter; if you take an hour or two longer, they may close their stalls and head home.

Esteemed guest, do you have any instructions?

There are many people dining in the restaurant, and many of them are armed, making it clear at a glance that they are individuals from the martial arts world

"It is like this, practicing swordplay while breathing, the more I dance, the more comfortable it becomes." Zhao Qianjie straightened his body. He did not dare to lean against the carriage for too long, fearing that he might damage it.

Zhao Qianjie handed the thread end to Wang Tianyi

Stop! Zhao Qianjie could no longer hold back and stood up, pointing at him.

Wang Tianyi understood the reason, as the explosive practice every night required him to channel his internal energy to the necessary places as quickly as possible. His internal energy was not meant to be densely packed in his palms like a glove, but rather to burst forth like a fountain. Such internal energy would not cause any internal injuries when striking someone; in fact, due to the speed of the flow, by the time it reached his palm, it had already become "unable to penetrate the silk of Lu". However, the only benefit was that it allowed him to swing his sword faster.

"It's nothing. When I first entered Qingcheng, I thought the same way. In fact, if you look at any disciple of Qingcheng, they all think like this. However, some people truly lack talent, and that cannot be forced, such as you and me." Zhao Qianjie spoke these words lightly, as if discussing a dream.

Then, waving his hand, a staff member behind the front desk immediately approached, "Old Four, these gentlemen are chivalrous heroes. I remember they booked a six-person room this morning; you should take them to the three-person room. The payment remains the same."

Wang Tianyi was pulling on Zhao Qianjie’s arm. As soon as that kid came out, Zhao Qianjie kicked the thin guy in the rear. Under the force of this kick, the thin guy stumbled and lost his footing, tripping over the threshold of the door and flying out, landing in a heap. After a long while, he let out a thunderous wail: "You dare to hit me? Just wait!"

The boss was anxiously jumping up and down beside them, but they couldn't pull Zhao Qianjie away no matter how hard they tried. Zhang Chuanxiu watched with glee, arms crossed. In the end, it was Wang Tianyi who managed to hold Zhao Qianjie back. That Xu Ye had finally found a moment of opportunity; he had been clinging tightly to a table leg, but now he quickly crawled out and ran towards the main door.

My internal energy is running too fast said Wang Tianyi

"I am not going; I want to take a shower and sleep well until tomorrow morning." Zhang Chuanxiu had a look of deep intoxication on his face

However, the boss's face turned ashen.

I never knew I had this problem. Hehe, Qianjie, do I often say that?

Have you ever tried to send the energy from your dantian directly to your arms or thighs? I mean without going through the meridian circulation described in the books

The boss glanced at the three of them, suddenly lowered his head, and after a long period of contemplation, said: "It's nothing, he's just a petty thug who dines and dashes." As he spoke, he quickly raised his head and met Wang Tianyi's gaze, his whole body shuddering. "Thank you all for upholding justice for me today."

"Tian is knowledgeable, unlike me who just eats and sleeps, feeling content with knowing just a few characters," Zhang Chuanxiu said with a smile

Agreed. Let's find an inn first! Find the best one!

Today, upon arriving in Luyi, we must take a good rest

"Yesterday, I was so excited to be able to go out and play that I couldn't sleep. I heard you loudly reminding everyone to pay attention to safety; your voice was really loud," Zhang Chuanxiu said with a smile.

I asked the instructor, and he said that our Qingcheng Sect excels in swordsmanship. The cultivation of internal energy is not as complex as in other sects; generally speaking, it is manageable. However, he mentioned that such an approach is entirely unnecessary. The internal energy techniques of Qingcheng are complementary to its swordsmanship, and the operation of internal energy is based on the sword techniques. Currently, the operation of internal energy in Qingcheng is most conducive to the performance of Qingcheng swordsmanship

"You blind fool!" The thin man suddenly grabbed the wine jug from the table and smashed it onto the face of the shop assistant, who was just getting up from the ground. Instantly, the shop assistant's face was a mess, blood streaming down.

On their first outing, they encountered thugs they could take on. What could be more uplifting than such chivalrous deeds?

Ah! What did I say?

"How come Tianyi wants to take the scholar examination?" Zhao Qianjie asked while biting into a chicken leg.

This meal is on me. Dinner will also be hosted by the small restaurant.

"Do you know who I am? I am the accountant of the Xu family in Luyi City! Don't you want to inquire about who I am?" The thin man showed no fear in front of the three young men, each of whom was armed with a long sword.

"You said you want to be the best in the Qingcheng competition, so you must work harder and not let others look down on you." As soon as Zhao Qianjie finished speaking, Wang Tianyi's face immediately turned red. Exposing one's inner thoughts is a blow to anyone.

"I am the same as Senior Zhang, Tianyi you ... ... " Zhao Qianjie had not finished speaking when he was interrupted by the roar from the next table

Your internal energy usage is incorrect. The master said that internal energy should be densely concentrated in the palms, as if it has form, slowly lifting the cotton thread up.

Three individuals inquired with several locals and learned that the best inn in the area is the Sihai Inn

The people in the restaurant burst into laughter simultaneously

Indeed, you have gone too far. Zhang Chuanxiu and Wang Tianyi both stood up

"Tianyi, I heard you talking in your sleep yesterday, haha," shouted Zhang Chuanxiu, who was hurrying outside.

Fortunately, there are three of us with the *books*; otherwise, it would be quite unbearable for one person at night, " Wang Tianyi said with lingering fear. Practitioners of martial arts possess strong physiques, and meditating can help resist the cold, but it is still impossible to endure the freezing temperatures all night long

What are you staring at?! Still staring?! This Xu Ye pushed the boss aside and splashed a plate of unfinished fish, along with its meat and soup, onto Wang Tianyi and the other three. They were too close to dodge. Zhao Qianjie, who was closest to him, suffered the most, getting splashed all over with fish soup in his white warrior outfit

Hehe, let me give it a try. Tian Yi channeled his internal energy, causing the cotton thread to suddenly rise as if blown by a gust of wind, and then it slowly descended.

"What do you think you are? How dare you meddle in my affairs?" Clearly, the thin man's anger had completely shifted towards Zhao Qianjie.

"Hehe, didn't the master say that this way of channeling energy is not allowed? He said it would diminish its power." Saying this, he mimicked the master's tone: "Channel the energy to the dantian, steady as Mount Tai." The two of them laughed together

The Four Seas Inn consists of two two-story wooden buildings. The larger building at the back serves as the inn, while the smaller building in front is exquisitely constructed and functions as a restaurant. The enthusiastic waiter pulled the donkey cart to the back and arranged three rooms for them. The three individuals deposited their silver coins and spare long swords at the inn, and then leisurely made their way to the front restaurant to order a table of food and drinks.

Zhao Qianjie pinched a piece of thread with his hand and placed it on the palm of his right hand. With a surge of internal energy, the cotton thread slowly rose and floated in the air

Are there any bookstores selling books nearby?" Wang Tianyi asked

Zhao Qianjie blinked a few times and said, "Tianyi, you have mentioned this several times. I sleep right next to you, and I am a light sleeper. Your sleep talking is quite loud."

Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats; this matter does not concern you. Instead, the boss hurried over to persuade the three of them.

Wang Tianyi engraved his name on the hilt of his new sword with a dagger, and then wrapped cotton thread around the hilt in circles to absorb sweat and prevent the longsword from slipping from his grip

Ah, several days have passed, and we cannot find a place to stay. Camping in the wild at night is indeed quite cold. Zhang Chuanxiu and the others initially lacked experience in traveling; sometimes, in their eagerness to make progress, they missed roadside inns and villages. They had no choice but to squeeze together in the large cart to spend the night.

The shop assistant was expressing gratitude when the solitary guest at the next table called out: "Waiter, the bill please"

"Ha, boss, how can this be?" Zhang Chuanxiu, upon seeing such a good opportunity, couldn't help but smile broadly. Each bed in the triple room is significantly more expensive than that in the six-person room.

No, the journey is lonely; I would like to buy a copy of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" or something to read.

Zhao Qianjie and the other two pretended to decline a few times, but in the end, they finally accepted the boss's "kindness"

Wang Tianyi took a handful of copper coins from his pocket and gave them to the shopkeeper

"Master Xu, they are just passersby and do not know your esteemed name. This humble establishment would like to treat you. In the past, when you visited, I served you well. Today, this young waiter has just started, and I did not explain things clearly, which has caused you to be upset..."

"Have you tried it? Are you not afraid of becoming obsessed?" Zhao Qianjie was a bit surprised

"Would you like to go for a walk with me?" Wang Tianyi asked

No credit? Nonsense. You should inquire about who I am; if you provoke me, I will break your dog leg! The person next door has a sharp face and a skinny body like a dried twig, dressed in a sea-blue silk robe, yet has a fierce expression. The shopkeeper was still arguing when, with a "slap," he knocked the shopkeeper to the ground

The shopkeeper. Wang Tianyi, having eaten his fill, called for the waiter