Martial Saint with Passives

Chapter 157: Chapter 107: Jiang Che Obtains a True Skill

Worried there was a plot, he secretly followed.

Since Zhao Kang was a Martial Artist beyond the Force Integration realm, Jiang Che didn’t dare get too close, keeping a distance of several hundred meters.

When he reached the summit, he saw that Zhao Kang had already gravely wounded Li Hanchuan.

With no time to think, he immediately used his Transformation and charged forward. He channeled the Five Poison Technique, expelling all the poison he had stored to distract Zhao Kang.

At the same time, he scooped up Li Hanchuan and leaped off the cliff.

Of course, he wasn’t just jumping to his death.

During his time on Black Wind Mountain, Jiang Che had explored and familiarized himself with the entire area.

Naturally, that included the summit.

He had discovered a recessed stone chamber just below the cliff’s edge.

Furthermore, several thick steel spikes had been driven into the cliff face, with iron chains fastened to them.

He figured this might be a hiding spot that Tuoba Lie had left for himself.

Although the location looked perilous, an expert could easily use the chains to climb into the stone chamber.

That was where Jiang Che had taken Li Hanchuan, ducking into the stone chamber.

At the same time, he had dislodged a large boulder from the cliff face and sent it tumbling down.

Using his Omen Perception, he also evaded Zhao Kang’s parting shot.

And that was how he had finally managed to save Li Hanchuan.

"COUGH, COUGH... Thank you for saving me," Li Hanchuan said, his voice weak.

"Gang Leader, I’m still waiting for you to help me find my parents!" Jiang Che said with a smile, reverting from his Transformation.

"You... you’re Jiang Che?!" Li Hanchuan was stunned.

"Please keep this a secret for me, Gang Leader," Jiang Che said.

"Of course," Li Hanchuan nodded.

He was a man of wide experience. ’Jiang Che must have learned some kind of Iron Body Skill,’ he thought, ’one that causes his body to deform.’

"I never thought Zhao Kang would collude with the Horse Bandits to ambush me," Li Hanchuan continued with a sigh.

"To be honest, I received information earlier that the Zhao Family may be secretly maintaining a private army!" Jiang Che said gravely.

"I see... So the Zhao Family’s plan is to use the Black Wind Mountain Horse Bandits to deal a heavy blow to both the County Soldiers and my Seven Stars Gang. Then, they’ll sweep in, annihilate the bandits, and win the hearts of the people. After that, no one will be left to oppose them!" Li Hanchuan said with a frown.

"Exactly. And after that, the Zhao Family will surely launch a massive campaign to purge their enemies, even framing us for colluding with the Horse Bandits!" Jiang Che said grimly.

He had read plenty of history books in his past life. This kind of smear campaign was basically standard operating procedure after a power grab.

Li Hanchuan was a little surprised that Jiang Che, despite his youth, possessed such insight.

"You’re right. I’m afraid we can’t stay in Lin Yuan City any longer." He paused. "Fellow Jiang, would you do something for me?"

"Please ask, Gang Leader Li."

"Return to Lin Yuan City at once. Find any of our Elders and tell them to evacuate the city as quickly as possible!"

As he finished speaking, Li Hanchuan pulled a Silver Token from within his robes.

"Show them this Token. They will believe you."

"And you, Gang Leader?" Jiang Che asked, accepting the Token.

"Me? I’m afraid I’m not going to make it..."

Suddenly, Li Hanchuan was seized by a violent coughing fit, spitting up a large mouthful of blood.

"Gang Leader, are you okay?!" Jiang Che cried out in alarm.

Li Hanchuan shook his head. "My meridians are shattered, and I can no longer suppress the old injuries I’ve accumulated. My time is short."

"I’ll take you to Elder Zhang Jinghuai! He can definitely heal you!" Jiang Che said urgently.

"I know my own body. Even if we managed to keep me alive, it would only be for a few more days. Don’t waste your energy," Li Hanchuan said with a faint smile.

Jiang Che fell silent.

Although he hadn’t known Li Hanchuan for long, the Seven Stars Gang had treated him well.

Li Hanchuan lightly patted Jiang Che’s arm and said:

"Fellow Jiang, death isn’t a bad thing. Everyone dies in the end, just like you sleep when you’re tired and eat when you’re hungry. When a person gets old, sick, or injured, it’s natural that they die. Besides, I’ve met many interesting people in my life and done the things I wanted to do. I have no regrets."

"Gang Leader, you are truly a man of character," Jiang Che said softly.

"Oh, right, Fellow Jiang, take this." Li Hanchuan suddenly pulled a leather scroll from a hidden pocket.

Jiang Che took it and saw it was densely covered in text, with small figures drawn on it as well.

It was a Martial Arts Secret Manual!

"This is the Moon Shifting Flower Shadow Technique, a True Skill I came across by chance, but this is only the first volume."

’A True Skill!’ Jiang Che froze. A True Skill that was rumored to allow Cultivation beyond the Force Integration realm, and could even lead one to become a Cultivated True Master!

Li Hanchuan then went on to explain in detail the key points for the Cultivation of this True Skill, along with some of his own insights.

He also shared all the information he had regarding Force Integration and the subsequent Bone Forging Force.

Jiang Che had a sudden realization, feeling like a new world was opening up before his eyes.

So it turned out that the entire Qi Blood Third Realm—Bull Skin, Stone Skin, and Iron Skin—was all about Skin and Flesh Training.

When one’s Qi Blood was cultivated to an overflowing abundance, one could use a Fundamental Diagram to produce Qi Force.

After all the Qi Blood in the body has been converted into Qi Force, one can begin Bone Forging.

After Bone Forging came Refining Organ, and the pinnacle of Refining Organ was Refining Spirit.

Once Refining Spirit was achieved, the Primordial Spirit would strengthen, allowing one to perform a Divine Patrol. This was what it meant to be a True Master.

However, because this "Moon Shifting Flower Shadow Technique" was only the first volume, it could only be cultivated to the peak of Bone Forging.

Li Hanchuan also mentioned that while the Zhao Family’s True Skill was also incomplete, it could allow one to reach the Refining Organ realm. However, the aptitude requirements were so high that no one had ever managed to break through to that stage.

"By the way, Fellow Jiang, even if you achieve the Bone Forging realm in the future, do not attempt to challenge Zhao Kang. You don’t need to avenge me! That Zhao Kang mastered Bone Forging Force at such a young age. I fear he may have a chance to break through to the Refining Organ realm one day!" Li Hanchuan warned.

Jiang Che nodded.