Chapter 31

The meeting ended quickly, and including Su Peng, three squad leaders were assigned the investigation task.

After leaving the military camp, Su Peng met a few of his subordinates, who were Black Wolf Ear members dressed as ordinary people. They were not in military uniforms but appeared as small vendors or commoners... Under Su Peng's command, there were twenty ordinary squad members, but many were on missions in Jiangning County and did not come.

After confirming the identities, Su Peng passed down the task from above. These squad members confirmed the task and informed Su Peng of some contact locations before entering the city to gather information.

Su Peng, on the other hand, found the skills trainer of the Black Wolf Ear.

As a member of the Black Wolf Ear, one could learn special skills, similar to how one could learn cavalry combat techniques after becoming a reserve cavalryman.

The Black Wolf Ear skills trainer explained various methods to change one's appearance to Su Peng.

For example, using a common herb mixed with a grass juice could create a drug to change hair color. There were also techniques to alter face shape, eye size, and even height to some extent, creating the illusion of being taller or shorter.

Su Peng studied these methods very diligently because he believed these skills could be useful not just in the game but also in real life, complementing the modern disguise techniques he used as a private detective.

After upgrading his simple disguise skills with this trainer, Su Peng also learned a lot about disguise techniques and methods to detect disguises.

For instance, the method to change hair color would leave a smell similar to cheap alcohol, but using another agent could neutralize it... Of course, most people in the martial world did not know this.

After learning these skills, it was almost noon. Su Peng remembered that the Black Wolf Ear scouts had probably already passed on the information and should have some results. He applied for a fast horse from the military camp and rode towards Jiangning County.

This was Su Peng's first time entering Jiangning County during the day. The layout of Jiangning County was designed by a master, somewhat similar to the old city in Su Peng's real world, with a square shape and clearly defined functional areas. Su Peng rode his fast horse to a bustling commercial area in the eastern part of the city and dismounted in front of a restaurant called "Ke Lai Wine House."

A quick-witted waiter led Su Peng's horse away to feed it, much like a valet in the future. Su Peng entered the wine house and did not go upstairs, instead ordering some food at a seat by the window on the first floor.

Soon, a man who looked like a small vendor and was not very noticeable sat down next to him.

Su Peng subtly exchanged signals with the man, confirming he was a small leader of his group in Jiangning County. After showing him his badge discreetly, Su Peng asked in a low voice, "How is the investigation going?"

"There are some leads. From conversations among martial artists, it seems a major sect is recruiting disciples in this area. Many wandering martial artists are trying their luck, looking for the recruiters to see if they can join the major sect," the squad leader whispered to Su Peng.

Although they were part of the Black Water Army, they had other identities in Jiangning County, with some even married and having children. They were responsible for monitoring the hidden trends in Jiangning County and were quite cautious.

Su Peng nodded and said, "Continue the investigation in detail. Try to find out which sect, when, and where they are recruiting, and what kind of disciples they are looking for."

"It's not easy, but I'll do my best," the scout replied. Su Peng nodded, and the scout then shared other recent intelligence from Jiangning County.

"Really? There are such people at the North Gate of Jiangning County?" Su Peng suddenly heard a familiar name from the squad leader and asked.

"Absolutely, but this organization is usually neutral. We haven't disturbed them, and they might know of our existence. We have an unspoken understanding, not to interfere with each other... However, if you need to, you can contact them," the subordinate squad leader said.

"Alright, I understand. Have some food and leave quickly," Su Peng told him. The subordinate nodded, quickly ate a meal, and left the wine house.

"A major sect is recruiting disciples... Which sect is it?" Su Peng wondered, curious.

After spending some time in the game, Su Peng had a general understanding of the social hierarchy in this world. When he first wandered in Green Mountain Village, he was at the lowest social status. Next were the villagers, followed by craftsmen like Zhang the Butcher and Cao the Carpenter before his true identity was discovered. Above them were members of martial arts sects, such as the Pailang Gang, Sihaigang, and Qianbang in Jiangning County. Above them were the official members of the Black Water Army, followed by minor officials and officials. Since Jiangning County was under military control, military officers like Han Tuo were above the city officials. Then came the deputy commanders, commanders, and at the top, the city lord.

The major sects mentioned earlier were another transcendent system.

In this world, according to Su Peng's current knowledge, martial arts sects were not as accessible as in the martial arts novels he had read. Generally, ordinary martial artists either came from the military, martial arts schools, family traditions, or were from security agencies or the Six-Fan Gate. Most could not join martial arts sects.

Sects, in the death cycle game, were relatively high-end entities, not easy to join.

First, you needed martial arts aptitude, then connections, and then a large amount of money, and both you and your recommender had to have a clean record to meet the minimum requirements for joining a martial arts sect.

Each time a martial arts sect recruited disciples, it was a grand event with multiple layers of selection. Only those who passed and excelled had a chance to become sect disciples; otherwise, they would be relegated to menial tasks.

These martial arts sects were like universities in Su Peng's world but with much more advanced martial power. Being a sect disciple meant being significantly better in martial arts, character, and ability, making them stand out.

Only when a disciple reached a certain level of cultivation in the sect were they allowed to venture out into the world, known as "martial wanderers." Each of these disciples had the potential to become famous, and based on their experiences and martial arts, some might even establish security agencies, form martial arts sects, or become city lords.

For example, the city lord of Jiangning County was a disciple of the major sect "Qingcheng Sect." Although he had become a regional lord, he still respected his sect, and the Qingcheng Sect had a certain influence over Jiangning County...

In short, sect disciples were a transcendent existence, similar to the elite graduates of prestigious universities like Harvard or MIT in the real world. They were the cream of the crop in this martial arts world, and the sects themselves were equally transcendent. Any organization that dared to call itself a "sect" or "school" was a massive entity, none of which were easy to provoke.

The sudden influx of martial artists in Jiangning County due to a major sect recruiting disciples was somewhat unexpected for Su Peng.

"There are no famous martial arts sects near Jiangning County. Which one is recruiting disciples here? It doesn't seem to have any connection with the city lord; otherwise, the city lord would be happy to do a favor, even helping them screen disciples," Su Peng thought.

It was already noon, so Su Peng quickly logged out, ate a quick meal, and logged back in.

After logging in, Su Peng went to the North Gate of Jiangning County, as his subordinate had mentioned.

Not far from the North Gate was a large river, and there was a dock outside the city. The North Gate was bustling with people, many of whom were transporting goods. Su Peng looked around and found the person he was looking for at the gate.

"Hehehe... Sir, what can I do for you?"

The person Su Peng stopped was wearing strange ethnic clothing and had a Tengu mask on his face...

---

**End of Page**