99 The Meridian Breaker
It was snowing heavily as the new year approached.
The wine that Jiang Ming had stored in the wooden house in the mountain was almost finished. He found a wooden stick and picked up the prey he had caught. He returned from the mountains and walked into Peace County. Under the envious gazes of the crowd, he walked home.
After years of development, Peace County had gradually become prosperous. It was extremely lively.
Jiang Ming was a little absent-minded, and he remembered the year when Uncle Ba was killed. Every household had celebrated.
However, the current situation was very different from before.
Although the country of Yan was caught in the flames of war, after the Flying Cloud Castle had taken over Great Cloud City, everything was in order under its jurisdiction. The army would purchase provisions, fodder, and ironware, but they would also pay everyone fairly, which was much better than the old Green Mountain Army’s way of doing things.
In addition, the Flying Cloud Castle had always had a good reputation among the people. When the Green Mountain Army was being ruthless, the Flying Cloud Castle appeared out of nowhere and saved countless people’s lives, so its reputation spread far and wide. Now that Great Cloud City had been taken over by the Flying Cloud Castle, many people were rejoicing and even took the initiative to send gifts to the Flying Cloud Castle to express their gratitude.
However, the Flying Cloud Castle had never prided themselves on being kind and righteous. Whenever they met who dared cross them, they would kill them without any hesitation. The few aristocratic families that had just risen in the city were strictly monitored. Those who were subservient would be roped in for cooperation. After a period of strict discipline, Great Cloud City became orderly again.
“The Flying Cloud Castle is full of talented people!” Jiang Ming chuckled internally. The Flying Cloud Castle now controlled the land of the three prefectures, and they were flourishing. Without talented people, it would be impossible to achieve this.
“He does have the bearing of a true dragon,” Jiang Ming mumbled and then coughed. He did not want Fang Lie and the others to be killed by him.
“Chief Jiang, you’re back!”
“Chief Jiang, Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year! You’re still in good health!”
Along the way, many people greeted him respectfully. Jiang Ming responded in turn.
As time went by, things remained the same, but people changed. It had been more than ten years since Jiang Ming had come to this world.
The strength of a “third-class martial artist at his peak” was considered unparalleled in Peace County. In the past few years, Jiang Ming had dealt with many ruffians and rogues and had also cut off a few heads. The county held him in high prestige.
When he arrived at a two-story restaurant, Jiang Ming did not go in. Instead, he stopped and looked inside. He found the boss who was dozing off behind the counter and shouted, “Ah Fei, remember to bring wine with you at night!”
The past few years were merciless, and they had experienced several storms and wars. Nowadays, there were fewer and fewer familiar faces in the bar. Jiang Ming rarely sat in the bar with the other customers. At most, after going down the mountain, he would drink with Ah Fei in the bar at night after it was closed.
Ah Fei was much calmer now. However, when he heard the shout outside, he widened his eyes and became excited.
“How could I forget? Just you wait, Ming, my alcohol tolerance has increased greatly this year, and I’ll make sure to outdrink you!”
“Don’t become a braggart like your father.”
Jiang Ming patted the head of a five or six-year-old child at the door and gave him a bag of snacks that he had just bought on the street. Then, he continued to walk forward.
On the street, a red-faced butcher who was busy selling meat saw Jiang Ming passing by. He quickly raised his head and shouted, “Ming! I’ve sent some lean meat and lard to your house!”
Wang Dong had completely given up on his dream of becoming a martial artist, but he was a skilled butcher, and his business was booming.
Jiang Ming nodded and slowly walked home.
“Ming, you’re back. Come and eat my mother’s food.” In the small courtyard next door, a slim and elegant girl was practicing martial arts. Her eyes lit up when she saw Jiang Ming.
“Tian Anan, how many times have I told you that you have to call me uncle!” Jiang Ming’s temples were throbbing. No matter how powerful he was, he would always fear Tian Anan.
“I don’t care!” Tian Anan put her hands on her waist, and Jiang Ming was rendered speechless.
Jiang Ming caught a glimpse of a figure from the corner of his eye. He went into his own house.
In the house, Zhou Wenxiu was cleaning the dust. Without turning her head, she said, “There’s no food, go make your own!”
Jiang Ming was speechless. As she grew older, her temper grew worse.
* * *
It was New Year’s Eve, and it was snowing heavily.
Jiang Ming and Zhou Wenxiu prepared some hot food and walked to the other side of the county. They came to a secluded small stone courtyard.
Ah Fei’s family, Li Qingqing, and Tian Anan were gathered there. Tian Anan was playing with Ah Fei’s son. Jiang Ming handed the food over and went inside.
As soon as he entered the room, Jiang Ming felt warm all over.
The fire in the furnace was burning bright red.
At the bed, a thin old man was lying under the quilt, staring at the vigorous fire in the furnace.
“Mr. Jiang, do you want a sip?” Jiang Ming said with a smile as he held a shiny wine bottle.
“Hm?” The old man looked up blankly. After seeing that it was Jiang Ming, he laughed slowly while saying, “Yes, I love your wine. It’s even richer than the wine I brewed myself!”
“Mr. Jiang, you’re too kind!” Jiang Ming sat cross-legged opposite Old Jiang and poured a small glass of wine for each of them at the small table.
Over the years, Old Jiang’s age had caught up to him. He could not even walk anymore. Jiang Ming wanted to extend his life with the old yellow wine soaked in mutated medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, no matter how good the medicinal herbs were, they could only slightly slow down the process of his death, but could not reverse it.
Old Jiang trembled as he took a sip of wine and let out a happy sigh. He seemed to have suddenly thought of something and slowly asked, “How’s the harvest this time? How much did Uncle Ba extort again?”
“It’s alright, I’ve earned some money!” Jiang Ming smiled and reassured Old Jiang.
“That’s good, that’s good,” Old Jiang nodded and murmured. His eyes could not help but wander to the fire in the middle of the room.
Tian Anan led Ah Fei’s son and came in to add some firewood. Then, they ran out to play in the snow.
The fire danced and became brighter, but the shadow at the corner of the bed became darker, as if it could not melt into the light of the flame no matter what.
Jiang Ming was drinking with Old Jiang in silence. From time to time, he would hear him talk about things that had happened years ago.
Old Jiang had lived through many storms and wars, and he was already much happier than many people.
Jiang Ming was immortal and had long lost the fear of death. Now, seeing Old Jiang like this, he was filled with emotion. Whether or not he could live forever, life was always the most beautiful thing in the world.
Unknowingly, he seemed to feel that he had improved his martial arts skills.
“Martial arts is also a kind of life. Only focusing on cultivation won’t make me strong.”
Jiang Ming clinked glasses with Old Jiang and drank the wine in his glass.
* * *
In spring, the flowers bloomed again, and the scene was full of vitality and prosperity.
In the end, Old Jiang could not survive the winter and died on the tenth day of the new year.
At the foot of the mountain, in front of a grave, Jiang Ming poured two cups of old wine, left the wine bottle in front of the grave, and turned around to leave.
The wind blew and his clothes fluttered. He gradually disappeared at the end of the mountain road.
“I’ve been collecting herbs for more than ten years and I’ve never left Great Cloud Prefecture. It’s finally time to go out and take a look.”
* * *
A month later, the long storm had ceased, and the weather was bright and sunny.
On the muddy road, a young man was walking with a large wooden box on his back.
The city wall loomed in front of him, its sign reading “Qinglin City.”
Jiang Ming stared at the sign and smiled, “I didn’t expect Miss Wang to be this competent. She developed the Nameless with the help of my information.”
When Jiang Ming left the letter that year, he had not thought much about it. After all, information was just information, not a cheat code. Miss Wang was just an ordinary person, but she was able to use this information to develop a force and deal with all the major forces. She did have some skills.
“She even said I was the master; the person who founded the Nameless.”
Jiang Ming could not help but shake his head.
However, he did not object. This was a way to keep things orderly. If there was no master behind the scenes, it was impossible to keep the members in line.
In the past seven years, the Nameless had fought two or three times. Every time they fought, they would kill first-class martial artists ruthlessly. Even a first-class martial artist at his peak had fallen under their sword. This allowed the Nameless to grow and expand. Now, they were renowned across the country of Yan.
Intelligence was wealth. With the development of a force, the Nameless had also gathered an amazing amount of wealth under his command. Countless natural treasures, rare and precious objects, cultivation methods, and martial arts techniques were all hidden in the vaults of the Nameless.
The list of these treasures would be compiled by Miss Wang every year for Jiang Ming to have a look.
He came here this time because of a secret technique listed—the Meridian Breaker.
At the cost of breaking one’s meridian, one could exponentially increase their speed.
“It’s another usable forbidden martial arts technique!” Jiang Ming exclaimed softly and walked into the city.
In the past few years, he had seen a few forbidden martial arts techniques, and Jiang Ming had also practiced some. Alas, most of them were of little value to him. However, the Meridian Breaker was something that Jiang Ming was interested in it.