48 The Blood-Burning Saber Technique
Back at Peace Town, Jiang Ming sold the herbs he had collected in the Wang family’s medicine shop, then walked to Old Jiang’s bar with the empty herb basket on his back.
“Ever since the war in the north started, prices have soared, and business has been difficult.” Jiang Ming put a few taels of silver into his pocket, but he did not look too excited.
“I have to make preparations. If I can break through to second-class, I will have enough power to protect myself. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.”
As soon as he walked into the bar, he heard a customer complaining, “Mr. Jiang, how did this beer rise to two copper coins a pint? We’re all regular customers!”
Old Jiang jogged out from behind the counter and said with a bitter smile, “I’m not earning as much as I did before. The prices of ingredients have sky-rocketed, and I’ve had no choice but to increase my prices. I don’t know when it’ll end. If the price of ingredients rises again, I won’t even be able to afford to brew wine.”
“What you said makes sense, Mr. Jiang. I believe you. Give me my usual!” Jiang Ming sat down and laughed.
The others instantly fell silent. If Jiang Ming, who had joined the Tiger Hunting Village, did not complain, how could they? They could only blame the war.
“If this war continues, we won’t be able to live.”
“In my opinion, the Green Mountain Army should just attack the capital and kill all the officials now. Maybe our lives will be better.”
“It doesn’t matter. We won’t be any better off if the emperor is replaced. Just focus on planting your crops.”
Jiang Ming listened to the discussion and sighed. When the war reached its peak, they would probably not even have wine to drink.
He bought another two bottles of wine and got some pork from the butcher. He took them home and called Zhou Wenxiu to cook for him. After their meal, he taught her how to practice martial arts.
* * *
Half a month later, Fang Lie rushed to Peace Town from the prefecture.
“Has the matter been settled?”
Jiang Ming and Fang Lie sat opposite each other in the former’s courtyard.
“It’s almost time.” After the meeting with Wei Yan, Fang Lie seemed to have calmed down a lot overnight. He nodded and said, “The village and the Flying Cloud Castle made some deals. The Flying Cloud Castle will provide us with prey, gold, silver, and jewelry. In return, the Tiger Hunting Village will provide them with weapons, salt, clothes, and other items. If the Green Mountain Army really attacks, the deal will be suspended.”
Jiang Ming nodded. After all, the Tiger Hunting Village had limited manpower. If the Flying Cloud Castle helped them, they would be able to earn a lot of silver. With their help, the Tiger Hunting Village would accrue wealth, grow rapidly, and strengthen its power faster.
“Weapons and salt, huh? I’m afraid it won’t be easy.” Jiang Ming frowned.
“The current situation is chaotic. Even the officials of Great Cloud City are thinking of a way out. The city’s blacksmiths are overwhelmed.” Fang Lie shook his head. “Some of the sabers we bought were even engraved with the symbol of the government. I don’t know which warehouse keeper is reselling them.”
Jiang Ming was dumbfounded. The country of Yan seemed to be in a dire situation.
“The following matter is related to the heads only, do not reveal it to the branch! There’s another route to the mountain,” Fang Lie started, “The fewer people who know about it, the better.”
Jiang Ming nodded. It was a full-fledged rebellion now. Naturally, he had to keep a low profile.
“By the way, the Flying Cloud Castle has given us a powerful technique. They said it was a show of sincerity!” As Fang Lie spoke, he took out a book from his bag, “I made a copy of it.”
“The branch leader has made a declaration. Anyone who can sense blood Qi can cultivate this technique.”
Jiang Ming took the book and saw the title.
It was the Blood-Burning Saber Technique.
“That sounds a little dangerous,” Jiang Ming said with a smile.
Fang Lie’s expression was strange, “Read it first. It’s not just dangerous, this group of rebels simply don’t care.”
Jiang Ming was suddenly curious and started to read the book page by page.
The more he read, the more shocked he became. When he closed the book, he let out a long breath. “I can’t believe there’s such a dangerous technique out there!”
The technique would allow martial artists to fight above their level. However, it had a catch. Every move they made would cost them at least a year of their life. In addition, a martial artist needed several months of rest after each use of the technique. If they used it continuously, they could die,
Fang Lie gulped.
“Do you still want to practice it?” Jiang Ming asked.
“Yes, of course!” Fang Lie’s eyes were burning. “I have a feeling that the Flying Cloud Castle might give me the chance to realize my dreams. This technique is the weapon that will help me defeat anyone in my way! What about you?” Fang Lie looked at Jiang Ming.
“I feel the same way!” Jiang Ming smiled and nodded.
He muttered to himself, “Even if you guys don’t want to practice it, I’ll practice it. This is the most precious thing I’ve obtained since I came to this world.”
If this could enable a martial artist to fight above their level, didn’t that mean that he could fight against a second-class martial artist now?
He was immortal, so the disadvantages were nothing to him.
When he became a second-class martial artist, no one would be able to stand against him.
Moreover, since this technique was passed down from the Flying Cloud Castle, there were probably a lot of people who practiced it. Even if he used it against an enemy, no one would be able to identify him as long as he did not reveal his true appearance.
After sending Fang Lie off, Jiang Ming went back to the mountain and immediately began to practice the Blood-Burning Saber Technique. He needed to master it as soon as possible.
* * *
Another year passed.
Snow covered his courtyard. Jiang Ming held a fine iron saber and practiced the Blood-Burning Saber Technique, causing the snowflakes to fly in all directions.
“That’s it!” he shouted, and a layer of red blood mist burst out of his body. He slashed out with his saber, and it struck a huge rock.
The huge rock suddenly split into two.
However, Jiang Ming’s momentum did not stop. He continued to strike several more times.
It was not until the ninth strike that his arms trembled, and he stopped. His saber fell to the ground.
“It still doesn’t work.” Jiang Ming frowned. “I can’t seem to activate its full potential yet. My blood Qi boils over too fast.”
Jiang Ming was naturally not afraid of losing his life. However, the boiling of his blood Qi was not something he could control.
Jiang Ming jumped into the cold river, washing off the blood mist on his body while thinking about how to cool down his blood Qi.
It finally dawned on him that he could consult Dr. Sun!
“It’s time to make a trip to the city!”