Chapter 134 - 132: Martial Technique Treasure Map
Many years ago, he stumbled upon a piece of beast hide treasure map, said to be split into three, with martial arts secrets hidden inside!
Song Changming obtained one piece.
Although he kept an eye on the remaining two pieces, he never found any clues until interest in the treasure map waned in Jianghu, leaving it unclaimed.
Later, he even hoped that those who held the other pieces would come and seize the map from him.
Though somewhat risky, at least this way, he had a chance to piece together the complete map and gain the martial technique.
Otherwise, the piece he held would be just a useless collectible.
By now, Song Changming had almost given up the notion of piecing together the treasure map, nearly forgetting its existence, letting the incomplete map gather dust in a secret compartment at home.
"Unexpectedly, the treasure seeker I once longed for has appeared only now..." Song Changming looked at the person, thinking to himself.
"Don’t recognize."
Yan Shu put away the map, lightly waved the short sword in his hand, its blade gleaming with a chilling light.
"My investigation led to the Dinghai Water Gang and then stalled; I’ve ruled out all possibilities. If the remaining piece is not with you,
then all my efforts have been in vain, and this map will likely never be complete..."
Yan Shu said, the twin swords in his hand deftly flipping and spinning at his fingertips, faster and faster.
"But now, I’m convinced you have the remaining piece of the map!"
Before he finished speaking, Yan Shu had already lunged at Song Changming, his twin swords attacking more fiercely than before.
Undoubtedly, he was now revealing his true prowess.
In the pouring rain, the two engaged in a life-and-death battle!
A showdown of equals!
"My intel told me ’Dragon Saber’ is only at Seventh Realm Body Refining Cultivation, but obviously this intel was inaccurate!" Yan Shu shouted amidst the fight.
Song Changming swung his saber, sending Yan Shu flying into the air.
"The intel was correct, just outdated!"
Song Changming replied, powering his legs to leap several yards high, the Dragon Pattern Saber trailing a long water line, slicing through the air!
Flying Swallow Technique, Flying Bell Elegy!
Ding!
Though Yan Shu, with his finely honed reflexes, managed to block Song Changming’s killing move with his twin swords,
the huge impact still made his swords uncontrollably slip from his hands.
Song Changming then executed a downward kick.\p>
Yan Shu also replied with a flying kick, and amidst the sword and saber clash, they exchanged their fist and foot skills.
Song Changming was no longer the same man from two years ago; he had learned his fist and foot skills from Heroic Thief Liu Dingsheng and now had reached minor achievement!
This Mountain Crushing Kick directly defeated Yan Shu, sending him crashing down, embedding him into the wet ground.
Taking Song Changming’s kick, he inevitably suffered severe internal injuries, his head buzzing.
He shouted inwardly that things were not looking good; he hadn’t expected to be unable to defeat Song Changming even at full strength.
This was the first time he was in such a miserable state in years.
In the past, he always looked down upon those he defeated; who could’ve thought today he would be in this position.
Seeing Song Changming coming at him again, he quickly raised his hand, releasing more than ten small darts.
Song Changming performed the Flying Swallow Technique, creating a blade wind that blocked all the incoming darts.
Meanwhile, Yan Shu had flipped himself over, dragging his injured body into the misty rain, trying to escape.
However, seeking the treasure today, Song Changming couldn’t let him escape so easily.
Today, Mist Gold, the treasure map, he wanted them all!
No matter the background or identity of the other party, a confrontation today meant killing first and talking later!
Song Changming employed the Flying Swallow Light Body Skill to pursue.
If at full strength, even though Song Changming’s Spiritual Monkey Skill had reached Sixth Realm, he might not be able to catch up with the opponent.
After all, washing marrow and changing tendons at eighth realm provided an immense speed advantage.
Luckily, the opponent misjudged Song Changming’s strength, leading to today’s injury, making his speed fall short of peak condition.
Thus, in the rain, in the wild fields, they pursued and fled over several kilometers.
Yan Shu not only failed to shake off Song Changming, but also got repeatedly caught and sustained more injuries, eventually unable to continue, falling to the ground.
Song Changming took the treasure map from him, unfolded two pieces of beast hide, confirmed they were likely genuine, and nodded approvingly.
"Convenient, both maps are here."
Treasure hunting inherently carries risks, being strong enough earns you the treasure, being weak leads to a tragic outcome.
Even if all precautions are taken, plans can’t keep up with changes.
Even the intel might be wrong, let alone other uncertainties.
"Keep the map, give me a chance, I want to live." Yan Shu pleaded, his eyes vacant.
He was very confident in his strength, in the past even against Extreme Realm Martial Artists, if the environment was favorable, he was quite confident of getting away unscathed.
No one would have thought that Song Changming, who made a name for himself in such a remote place like Donglai County, would possess such extraordinary strength.
According to the intelligence, ’Dragon Saber’ Song Changming’s martial arts cultivation was at most not exceeding the Seventh Realm.
Who would have expected Song Changming’s true situation to not only surpass that level but reach the Eighth Realm in martial arts cultivation, and in reality, his strength was even higher than the Eighth Realm.
When he previously executed tasks against Extreme Realm Martial Artists, he had never been so vulnerable.
This time, it wasn’t that he was careless, but Song Changming’s combat power was unreasonable.
"You start killing the moment you come up, how am I supposed to give you a chance? If you had started by negotiating calmly over the treasure map, maybe I could have spared your life. Now..."
Song Changming looked at the person beneath him, said nothing more, and beheaded him with a single stroke to prevent any more complications.
He threw the corpse into the river, and after the fish finished their feast, he took one last look in the direction of the distant port, picked up his oiled paper umbrella, and walked away.
Along the official road, patrol guards galloped on horses, searching everywhere for the criminal.
Song Changming rode his horse, holding the oiled paper umbrella, leisurely passing by the patrol guards and entering the County City.
Returning to the Song Residence.
Hearing the commotion, Song Ping’an immediately came out and took the reins of Song Changming’s horse.
"Brother Song, you got all wet." Song Ping’an was a bit surprised when he saw Song Changming under the oiled paper umbrella.
Having been together for many years, he knew that Song Changming disliked getting himself wet, especially when wearing clothes.
Even when bathing, he preferred to do it quickly without delay.
"Hmm, a little accident happened." Song Changming didn’t say much to Song Ping’an, entered the room, and changed out of his raincoat and wet clothes.
"Brother Song, do you want me to prepare a bucket of hot water for a wipe down?" Song Ping’an asked from outside the room.
"Okay." Song Changming agreed.
He indeed disliked water, even loathed it.
This was related to a childhood incident where he nearly drowned and also tied to the negative physical trait labeled ’Fear of Water’ on his status panel.
If it was just ordinary drinking or washing his face, it didn’t affect him much; he only disliked getting completely drenched as he did today.
However, when it came to soaking in a bath, or herbal baths needed for his training, he would feel a slight shortness of breath and discomfort.
If he jumped into a river, this discomfort would increase significantly.
Once, to test the severity of this water-fearing trait, he jumped into a river, only to nearly drown again before being rescued by Father Song and his third sister who were watching from the side.
After that experience, he understood the effect of this ’Fear of Water’ trait, which essentially meant he could never swim again and was completely unfit for aquatic activities.
Since then, he had never entered the water again.
After wiping himself down, Song Changming, with his upper body bare and his hair in disarray, began studying the three treasure maps at hand.
He spread out the three pieces of beast hide, all placed smoothly on the table.
One piece was the largest, while the other two hides were similar in size.
Song Changming tried to piece them together, which wasn’t difficult, as several corners matched up perfectly with ease.
The complete treasure map was about as large as half a table.
The intricate symbols and lines on it were all fully assembled and corresponded to each other.
"It looks like a scripture?" Song Changming muttered to himself as he scrutinized the map, somewhat uncertain.
For he couldn’t understand any of the symbols recorded above.
"They don’t seem to be ancient characters of the Da Han Dynasty..."
After studying it carefully, Song Changming still hadn’t gleaned any insights.
At times like these, he had no choice but to seek help from those who could assist.
The next day.
"Haha, I was just making an offhand remark, and I didn’t expect you to act so quickly. The patrol guards on Brother Zhuang’s side didn’t catch the person; instead, you intercepted them halfway."
Liu Dingsheng looked at the piece of mist gold on the table and thought that Song Changming was indeed efficient and executed his tasks well.
No wonder his old friend, General Director Zhuang Ren, still couldn’t stop thinking about Song Changming even after he resigned.
Just yesterday, he had leaked the information to Song Changming, and today the mist gold was already on his table.
"I have to thank Elder Liu for the information this time; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to get this piece of mist gold," Song Changming replied.
"Alright then, let’s skip the small talk. Is it the same as before? Exchange it for a top-grade mountain ginseng needed for your training?"
Before you answer, let me say that I only have two hundred-year-old flowing gold ginseng for you right now. If you want ginseng older than that, you’ll have to wait and see."
Song Changming thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Elder Liu, can you exchange this for a Level Nine body refining skill?"
Liu Dingsheng savored the new tea leaves Song Changming had brought him, finding them fragrant and quite satisfying, and said, "Of course I have it."
Song Changming was immediately energized upon hearing this, and subsequently asked, "I’ve heard that these body refining skills that can be practiced to the Extreme Realm are mostly monopolized by noble families and sects and gangs as their unique heritage, not to be spread outside."
"While that’s true, there are still people in the world who, having exhausted all options to survive, choose to sell their ancestral or sect legacy to eke out a living.
Over time, this has resulted in quite a few upper-vehicle and complete body refining skills being circulated. You won’t find them on the market, but that doesn’t mean they’re unattainable," Liu Dingsheng explained.
In his view, as long as there’s money, there’s little that can’t be bought.
...