Chapter 8: The Academy of Detachment

This man, known as Qin Gouzi in his childhood, changed his name to Qin Feng upon reaching adulthood. He is the true core leader of this small group and also serves as their strategist

It is indeed strange that Zhuang Wudao possesses a beautiful appearance, resembling a girl in his youth. However, among a group of people, he is the most skilled in combat, serving as the foremost general in charge of charging into battle.

After speaking, he locked eyes with Zhuang Wudao, their gazes sharp as knives, neither willing to back down. In the end, it was Zhuang Wudao who, helplessly, averted his gaze first. Qin Feng then sighed and said, "Fine, I know you will secretly use your own money to subsidize her in the future. Who doesn't know that you, Zhuang Wudao, are ruthless and merciless, yet you have always been affectionate towards your own brothers? You cannot bear to see orphans and widows suffer. I will arrange a job for her, ensuring she will be free from worries about food and clothing in the future. Who doesn't know that you, Zhuang Wudao, are ruthless and merciless, yet you have always been affectionate towards your own brothers? You cannot bear to see orphans and widows suffer. I will arrange a job for her, ensuring she will be free from worries about food and clothing in the future. Are you satisfied now?"

Qin Feng's expression suddenly became dazed. Dragon roars and tiger howls? Does this mean that Zhuang Wudao has achieved the unity of dragon and tiger, reaching the first level of subduing dragons and tigers, a realm that can rival practitioners in the Qi Refinement stage?

Within fifty paces, throwing a flying knife at a person, there is no chance of missing

What is said by the Way is also true

No way, I think you've been reading too many tales of gods and strange phenomena, haven't you? What sword spirit? Stop trying to fool people!

Zhuang Wudao did not bother to respond and directly stepped through the main door. His ambitions lay elsewhere, and he had no interest in the names of any gangs; as long as they were not called the Cat Hall or the Dog Hall, it was sufficient.

Zhuang Wudao nodded slightly; these two brocade pouches, one was for him, and the other should be for another person

The Li Chen Academy covers an extensive area. When the city was established a century ago, the first headmaster, relying on the reputation of the Li Chen Sect, occupied a full six hundred acres in the city center, featuring seven courtyards and two martial arts arenas, each one hundred acres in size, creating a truly grand scale. This made all other academies in the city pale in comparison

He was hungry just now and wanted to eat something, needed to buy a sword sheath, and had to discuss matters with Qin Feng regarding the books, which took up some time

Both of these individuals were among the more than ten brothers waiting for him in the courtyard this morning. One is named Lin Han, who enjoys reading. He is skilled in swordsmanship; despite his quiet demeanor, he wields a fierce style of swordplay known as the Splashing Wind Sword, characterized by its intense momentum. The other is named Ma Yuan, whose agility is second to none among the crowd, and he is also proficient in hidden weapons, only slightly inferior to Qin Feng.

With a light snort to express his dissatisfaction, Zhuang Wudao continued to ramble: "I recently acquired a sword. Once I achieve unity with the sword and have the sword spirit to assist me, even ordinary practitioners in the Qi Refinement stage will not be my match"

one hundred taels ? condolence ?

It is not the dragon's roar, but the roar of both the dragon and the tiger

When Zhuang Wudao entered, he saw two individuals standing at the gate, both with their hands raised and assuming a horse stance.

However, after the passage of a day, there is not much regret left.

Qin Feng's appearance clearly resembles that of a burly and simple-minded man, yet he possesses a heart that is both clever and intricate. He unites his more than ten brothers, acting with cunning and resourcefulness, earning him the reputation of a fox. Even his skills lean towards the more delicate arts.

The legend was penned by a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, with characters resembling iron paintings and silver hooks, exuding a magnificent aura

However, he showed no intention of refusal, casually waved his hand, and stepped through the entrance of the academy

What are you all doing here? Do you not know that the grand ceremony is about to begin? Why are you not getting up to come in with me?

The few who remained were also filled with unease. Occasionally, their glances towards the two of them were tinged with both apprehension and a hint of suspicion

Zhuang Wudao, feeling helpless, knew that Qin Feng would not believe him, so he had no choice but to change his words: "In the past few days, I have been practicing martial arts outside the city, and suddenly had an epiphany. During yesterday's battle, my life was hanging by a thread, and for some reason, I suddenly grasped a bit of the true essence of the dragon's roar and the tiger's howl. If you want me to demonstrate it again today, I absolutely cannot do it."

A cold smile appeared in his heart as Zhuang Wudao made his way to the front of Lin Han and Ma Yuan.

The restaurant and gambling house opened by Zhuang Wudao and his associates, along with two alleyways, are also located on this street. The reason for the conflict between the two parties is that the Qingyi Hall wishes to increase their share of the profits. After failing to reach an agreement, they resorted to violence.

Qin Feng couldn't help but smile, and his expression revealed that he had already believed it. Then, he suddenly came to a halt, standing still in place.

If Shi Hu and Liu He do not appear for three to five days, these individuals will immediately sense that something is amiss, and at that moment, it will result in a scenario akin to a fallen tree scattering the monkeys

With a sneer, Qin Feng looked at Zhuang Wudao with the gaze of someone observing a fool

To his surprise, just as he returned to the academy, he saw his two brothers being punished by standing in a horse stance in front of the academy.

"I don't believe it! If you were concealing your true abilities, you wouldn't have been injured in that battle a month ago to the point of almost being unable to bear descendants."

Zhuang Wudao, upon first handling it, immediately recognized that it contained several elixir bottles and items such as silver notes, all of which were lightweight objects

Qin Feng said, his expression gradually becoming serious: "In the next few days, I will do my best to recruit soldiers and gather more brothers. As for this other matter, I will leave it to you. You now hold all our assets in your hands."

A few days ago, one was hiding like a stray dog, but now walking swaggeringly down the street indeed raises suspicions

You and I are brothers, what is there to be grateful for? However, I am most curious about your martial arts; when did you reach such a level? I have seen the corpse of Shi Hu. His entire skeleton was shattered inch by inch, and he was not Shi Bao! You, my friend, clearly have not yet reached the Qi Refinement stage, and with those gloves, it should be impossible. Could it be that the Twelve Styles of Dragon Subduing Strike have already reached the Dragon Roar stage? But that is also unlikely, as that is the authentic Golden Armor Profound Gang body!

Upon seeing his arrival, everyone's eyes lit up, and they exchanged knowing glances towards him

At this moment, walking on Yuhuan Street, one notices that most of the members of the Qingyi Hall, who used to walk with a distinctive gait, have largely disappeared without a trace

Potential explosion? A moment of enlightenment? This is not surprising; that guy Shi Hu truly deserves this. His luck is rather unfortunate

Qin Fengfei is not a disciple of the Li Chen Academy and can only proceed this far. However, he casually tossed over two precious brocade pouches, one large and one small.

At this moment, Zhuang Wudao was walking along the streets in the northern part of the city. Beside him was the imposing figure of the black-tower man.

As I gazed around, I immediately noticed several discerning glances emanating from the doors and windows.

Recently, Qin Feng has managed the gang exceptionally well, and has brought in several powerful figures, which has drawn the vigilance and suppression of the Qingyi Hall.

This was obtained yesterday from the lair of Shi Hu and his companions. The land deeds and property contracts have also been located. However, these four individuals likely have their own hidden possessions, which are probably impossible to find now

Can you really do such a despicable thing? Moreover, even if you silenced them, it wouldn't be long before the truth comes out

Zhuang Wudao paid no attention, looking around. Although the eastern part of Yuecheng was a place where the wealthy and powerful gathered, it was in the northern part of the city that the true essence of the entire city resided

Although the Jade Huan Street occupied by the Qingyi Hall is the most remote one, it still generates an income of nearly one thousand taels of silver each day

Zhuang Wudao's face turned red with anger, slightly embarrassed and furious. However, that battle was indeed perilous; his lower abdomen was slashed open with a bloodied wound an inch long by a large knife. Nevertheless, it had nothing to do with his descendants.

It is approximately impossible to complete in ten days, but at least it can be suppressed for three days. In fact, according to my view on https://m.hetushu.com, wouldn't it be simpler and easier to just eliminate all these mine slaves?

Qin Feng scoffed coldly: "The silver was earned by us brothers through hard work and sacrifice; we barely have enough for ourselves, so why should we give any to him? A person who sells out his friends for personal gain, I consider it fortunate that I haven't skinned him alive in front of the brothers! As for his wife and children, why should I care about their lives or deaths?"

Could you try to get in touch with his wife and children? According to the brotherhood's customs, would it be acceptable to offer one hundred taels of silver as compensation?

Qin Feng's gaze fell behind Zhuang Wudao. He recognized it as a decayed sword, newly fitted with a scabbard, yet the broken half of the hilt still appeared somewhat unsightly

The corpses have been properly dealt with, and the bone-dissolving liquid purchased for ten taels of silver ensures that no one will be able to find anything. Your neighbors in the west of the city have also been sent out of the city overnight, so there should be no omissions

If I were to say that I have always been concealing my abilities, would you believe it

These seventeen brothers each entered different academies to practice martial arts. Only Lin Han and Ma Yuan, like him, are disciples of the Li Chen Academy, thus considered fellow apprentices and brothers.

One wears a headscarf and possesses a demeanor reminiscent of a scholar. The other is short in stature, lean and agile like a monkey

Those who are struggling at the grassroots level may be oblivious to the current situation, yet they are also the most sensitive to it

This is one of the eight hundred academies under the jurisdiction of the Dustless Sect. Even though it ranks at the bottom, it still presents a respectable appearance. As for what lies within, the people of Yuecheng are well aware.

Zhuang Wudao chuckled lightly, precisely because Qin Feng is a person of loyalty, acts justly, and possesses a meticulousness and adaptability that others do not have. This is why he would acknowledge this fellow as the leader of many brothers

Is this the one?

Zhuang Wudao's "hehe" laugh; these fellows had already displayed their questions on their faces and in the books last night. To be able to hold off until now to ask is already quite composed.

Yesterday, I blamed the sword spirit named Yun'er, which was actually a way to shirk responsibility and somewhat hypocritical. However, the friendship built over these more than ten years made him feel a bit uncomfortable and unable to let go.

This is excellent! I am immensely grateful!

The image of the two individuals is completely reversed.

Not only the young scions and servants of the prominent families in the eastern part of the city enjoy coming to the northern part, but even the young miners, when they have money, also like to come here to broaden their horizons

At this moment, Qin Feng was speaking while casting a peculiar gaze up and down at Zhuang Wudao, as if there were a flower growing on Zhuang Wudao's body

However, by today, due to a lack of funds for maintenance, most of the courtyards have fallen into disrepair, only maintaining a superficial gloss.

Here, thousands of small miners and merchants reside, and the largest market in the city is also located here. Brothels are numerous, and taverns are plentiful

In fact, upon careful consideration, even if it were oneself in that situation, if faced with life and death, one would similarly strike ruthlessly at Wu Xiaosi without the slightest mercy

Zhuang Wudao furrowed his brows; whenever he thought of this former brother who had died at his hands, a sense of frustration welled up within him

In the midst of their conversation, the two had already arrived at the entrance of a large estate. The outer wall alone occupied a full third of Yuhuan Street. Prominently displayed on the main gate was a plaque inscribed with the four characters "Li Chen Academy"

Behind him, Qin Feng suddenly spoke again: "Speaking of which, as brothers, we should establish a name for ourselves. How about calling it the Sword Garment Hall? Among the more than ten of us, aside from you and me, most are sword users—"

Then Qin Feng smiled lightly, but soon his expression became serious: "There is also Wu Xiaosi; the body has been properly prepared. It will be buried in the finest coffin in a few days."