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For he would find that his rigorous study for over a decade was considered less valuable in the Emperor’s eyes than those demons who only knew how to deceive and bewitch people’s minds.

At least those demons are exempt from tax, they can become honored guests of high officials, and are worshiped by countless people.

Yet he himself is impoverished, still burdened with corvee and taxes. A single word of ‘hardship’ hardly describes his plight.

Therefore, it is understandable that Sun Siwen is frustrated and disappointed at this moment. A few complaints are only human nature.

Although Lu Yuan feels that if he were to report Brother Sun to the government, he would definitely not escape a crime of banishment based on these words.

But who is he?

A novice seeker of longevity, the Arrow God of Dayu Mountain, one who shares the same lifespan as Heaven, how could he commit such an act of betraying a friend?

Therefore, this thought simply passed through his mind and was completely suppressed when he found that there was no benefit in doing this, and it would also damage his reputation.

An action with no benefits, I, Lu Yuan, will not take.

However, compared to Sun Siwen’s grumbling, the True Person sorcerer he mentioned earlier quickly caught his attention.

Walking on water, controlling flames…

Although Sun Siwen scoffed at these divine powers and perceived them as deceptive tricks employed by the demons to blindfold and manipulate the emperor’s judgment.

To Lu Yuan, his understanding of the whole matter instantly shifted to another level.

“Although my current exploration of this world has not found any mountain spirits, wild monsters, fox ghosts or fairies. But since inexplicable powers such as martial arts and internal strength that defy common sense exist in this world.

Then the appearance of some people who have mastered immortal techniques is not that incomprehensible and impossible.

These so-called True Person sorcerers who are able to walk on water and control fire, since they are so highly revered by the Emperor, might actually possess real abilities, wielding cryptic powers that are difficult for ordinary people to comprehend.”

Lu Yuan was deep in thought, then went along with Sun Siwen, criticizing the demons. From his words, he obtained some rumors about the demons.

For example, there was once a sorcerer who claimed to be impervious to water and fire. In a crowded market, he directly plunged his hand into a boiling oil pot, then pulled it out completely unscathed.

Another true person claimed he could read minds, randomly pulled a stranger on the street and was able to recount exactly what the person had done earlier, leaving people astonished.

And an even more remarkable one was a true person from the Celestial Master’s Mansion whose divine power was shocking and could control thunder to banish evil spirits. At the time, a high official’s house in the capital was said to be haunted and they asked this true person for help.

This true person from the Celestial Master’s Mansion came to the courtyard of the high official’s home, and after casting a spell, thunder seemed to sound around them, interspersed with the wailing of a woman.

After that, the true person said that the evil spirit had been obliterated by thunder. Since then, the high official’s house really hasn’t experienced any eerie incidents, which startled people at the time, and became widely spread.

Lu Yuan also heard this story from a merchant while having tea in the county town two months ago, but the version had varied so much that it was beyond recognition, sounding more and more bizarre.

At that time, he just took it as a myth, laughing it off, not really paying much attention to it.

Only after listening to Mr. Sun’s account did he realize the stories were actually about the real-life incidents of the true people of the current dynasty.

But after listening to these tales, he started to feel slightly uncertain.

Because they sounded too much like superstitions used by charlatans to deceive people, pretentious and deceptive.

For instance, putting one’s hand into boiling oil, Lu Yuan knew a scientific

method to easily achieve this.

As for the so-called mind-reading, setting up a few stooges in advance or collecting information with a bit of thoughtfulness wouldn’t be challenging.

As for banishing ghosts with the law of thunder, it’s even simpler. Naturally occurring evil spirits might not exist, but man-made ones, wouldn’t they be easy to create?

In a nutshell, the stories sounded too much like the tricks of charlatans he had encountered in his previous life, and it was hard not to make connections after hearing them from someone else.

“So perhaps this is truly just a world of martial arts, and there are no immortals?” Remembering the stories he just heard, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but hesitate.

However, this doubt only lasted for a moment before he pushed it to the back of his mind.

Regardless of whether these are scams, and whether those true person sorcerers can or cannot use immortal techniques, these things are way too distant from him.

The capital is a thousand miles away from Dayu County, and the events over there to this remote small county, really only exist in rumors.

“Instead of worrying about these elusive issues, it would be more pragmatic to concentrate on improving my Cloud Palm technique,” Lu Yuan mocked himself with a smile, raising his wine cup again to toast with Sun Siwen.

Since their wine-soaked discussion that day, both Lu Yuan and Sun Siwen had less time to interact.

It wasn’t because of disagreements or worsening relations between them. It was mostly because each was busy with his own pursuits.

Sun Siwen, who had been a student for over a decade, was now thoroughly immersed in his scholarly studies, even forgetting to sleep and eat.

This scholar, preparing for his twelfth attempt at the spring examination next February, once again aimed for the scholar’s degree.

Would he succeed this time?

Looking at the past, it seemed doubtful.

On the other hand, Lu Yuan was busy with martial arts practice.

His trip to Southsea not only brought financial gains but also provided him with a clear understanding of his own strength.

“The leader of the Qingzhu Gang, whom I killed, also possessed inner strength. Seeing him wielding the Iron Rod, he must have practiced some martial arts. In terms of overall strength, he should be equal to me,” Lu Yuan thought, recalling his previous encounter, allowing a nebulous concept to become clear in his mind.

“Yet, such a person, within the Qingzhu Gang, was merely a low-level leader, at best a middle manager, not even ranking amongst the top brass.

If we speculate based on this, then the high-rank members of the Qingzhu Gang, the gang leaders and elders, must at the very least be third-rate martial artists who have mastered two meridians and one martial arts technique.

Given that Dayu County is clearly wealthier than Southsea County, and the Black Wolf Gang control such a territory, their strength may exceed that of the Qingzhu Gang.

Perhaps, the leader of the Black Wolf Gang has achieved minor success in inner strength by mastering six meridians, making him a second-rate martial artist.” Upon reaching this conclusion, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but recall Ma Jiqing.

With Cloud Palm technique, Ma Jiqing was evidently stronger than Lu Yuan. Probably having mastered the second layer of the mental technique, unblocking three or four meridians, his strength was near the peak of third -rate.

Yet, such a good martial artist was severely wounded and forced to flee.

The person capable of such a feat must be a second-rate master who has achieved minor success in inner strength.

However, this thought soon led Lu Yuan to another concern: “It Ma Jiqing was severely injured, he must have fought with the high-ranks of the Black Wolf Gang. They must have someone who recognizes the Cloud Palm technique.

Even though I got Ma Jiqing’s martial arts by killing him and looting his body, the Black Wolf Gang don’t know that, do they?”

According to common logic, the gang might likely assume that Lu Yuan was Ma Jiqing’s disciple who inherited his technique, has been practicing fervently, and is out to avenge his master.

That’s the typical narrative in martial arts stories.

Even if he tried to argue he had nothing to do with Ma Jiqing, that he helped the Black Wolf Gang by killing their enemy.

Even if the gang members believed him, a second-rate martial arts secret book alone would be enough to incite greed and murderous thoughts.

Lu Yuan felt as if a massive accusation had been placed upon him out of nowhere, ready to drop down at any moment.

“Therefore, I must practice even harder. Without mastering the Cloud Palm technique and achieving minor success in inner strength, I should not risk mingling in the Jianghu.”

He silently cheered himself on.

He had already resolved to limit his trips to town, avoid the people from the Black Wolf Gang as much as possible, and never reveal his martial arts skills in front of them.

Otherwise, trouble would be inevitable.

The Jianghu was too dangerous, disturbing the peace with violence and killing at every turn. As a person of noble lineage dedicated to longevity, he had no reason to risk his life fighting these brutes.

He should use his advantages, outlive his opponents, and wear them out.

When they are old and their descendants are still not powerful enough, he can send the entire family to the cemetery.

Isn’t that a better plan?