Chapter 62

When Su Peng mentioned Dakuang Temple's Shidao Xin, Fu Yi couldn't help but frown slightly.

"If you encounter Shidao Xin... see if he uses his full strength. If he does, you probably won't even have the chance to draw your sword." Fu Yi deliberated for a moment before answering Su Peng's question.

Hearing this, Su Peng's heart sank a bit. Fu Yi's evaluation seemed very fair; did it mean that with his current martial arts skills, he wouldn't even have the chance to draw his sword against Shidao Xin?

"However, you shouldn't undervalue yourself. Shidao Xin is already over thirty, while you look to be just in your early twenties. By the time you're in your thirties, your martial arts might not be inferior to his. Your sword technique and lightness skills are rare in the martial world. You've only been practicing for a short time; if you continue to improve, you won't be far behind Shidao Xin."

Seeing that his words might have been a bit heavy, Fu Yi encouraged Su Peng, though he wasn't just saying it to be nice. Su Peng hadn't shown his internal energy today, but the sword technique and lightness skills he had demonstrated were indeed impressive.

Su Peng nodded. His half-form sword technique and the Divine Speed Transformation were both Dark Gold level, and his internal energy was also Dark Gold level. Shidao Xin couldn't possibly have a full set of Diamond-level skills, right? At most, he might have a set of Dark Gold-level techniques, or perhaps just highly advanced Gold-level techniques.

"Thank you, Mr. Fu, for helping me understand my own strength." Su Peng bowed again and thanked Fu Yi.

"Hehe, no problem. You'll get a sense of these things after spending some time in the martial world," Fu Yi smiled and said to Su Peng, then added, "We've been outside for quite a while, and it's getting late. We need to catch a boat tomorrow, so let's get back to the ship and rest early."

Su Peng nodded. He had gained a lot today. He put the Unsharpened Sword on his back and returned to the dock with Fu Yi, using his lightness skills to jump onto the ship and find his room to rest.

Fu Yi went to sleep, and Su Peng lost his motivation to practice internal energy, so he logged out of the game directly.

In the computer room, he checked the time; it was already past one in the morning. Su Peng returned to his room, watched a movie for a while, took a hot shower, and went to bed.

The next day.

Su Peng got up, washed up, and changed clothes. When he arrived at the dining hall, he saw Sun Shijia and Lei Ming already sitting at a table eating. Sun Shijia was laughing and talking to Lei Ming, who nodded slowly, indicating that they were getting along well.

"Sun Shijia has good social skills..." Su Peng thought to himself, not wanting to disturb them. He took some food and noticed that Ji Ming was eating alone at another table, so he walked over.

"It feels like it's been days since I last saw you." Su Peng put his food on the table and said to Ji Ming.

Ji Ming looked up, saw Su Peng, and nodded. "Actually, I see you every day in the computer room; you're just too focused and don't hear us talking."

"Right, I've been busy with quests and neglected other things." Su Peng nodded, took a sip of his century egg and lean meat congee, and asked Ji Ming, "How's your game progress?"

"I've run into a bit of trouble. The Blackwater Army's centurion, Bao Ze, likes me and wants to take me as his disciple to serve in the Blackwater Army's archer unit. I want to go, but Han Tuo won't let me leave." Ji Ming told Su Peng.

"Happy troubles." Su Peng chuckled. "Talented people are always talented."

"Hehe, when you say that, I feel like you're indirectly insulting me," Ji Ming, who had become closer to Su Peng recently, laughed.

After laughing, Ji Ming suddenly lowered his voice and said, "A few days ago, I heard a rumor that someone from the Huben Group mysteriously disappeared."

"Why are you all so well-informed?" Su Peng asked, realizing that besides Sun Shijia, Ji Ming was also gradually opening up information channels in the company, while he himself was the least informed.

"You're too focused on the game. Try to pay more attention to what's happening in the company. Real-life matters are always more important," Ji Ming said in a low voice, then added, "I'm done eating," and left with his tray.

Su Peng, while drinking his congee, thought about what Ji Ming had said. The person who mysteriously disappeared from the Huben Group might be the one he had witnessed being hit by a truck.

"One person died, and the police didn't even investigate the company. I wonder if it's because of the company's good confidentiality measures or..." Su Peng thought.

"However, no matter what, it's not my immediate concern. I need to focus on my game progress and aim to return to Jiangning County before the end-of-month evaluation," Su Peng thought to himself.

After breakfast, Su Peng went to the computer room and logged into the game.

In the game, Su Peng appeared in the cabin of the ship. The ship's cargo had already been unloaded, and it was about to set sail.

Looking out of the cabin, Su Peng saw someone who shouldn't be on the ship standing by the railing, watching as the ship slowly left the port.

"How did she get on the ship?" Su Peng wondered, seeing that the person didn't seem to want to enter the cabin. He walked out and approached her.

"Hello, miss." Su Peng walked to the railing and greeted her. The person turned around, and it was the young female constable in the light yellow dress.

This girl had a beautiful face, especially her eyebrows, which were quite unique. They weren't the usual willow-leaf eyebrows of a young woman but rather two fine, sword-like eyebrows. Although they were as straight as swords, they were much finer, adding a touch of heroism to her face without disrupting its harmony.

Seeing Su Peng, the young female constable nodded in greeting and said, "Hello, I'm Ling Xiaoyu. I apologize for my behavior yesterday."

"No problem," Su Peng nodded. Seeing that they were alone, he walked over and asked, "Miss Ling, aren't you a constable in the Poyang Lake area? Why are you on the ship with us?"

Ling Xiaoyu smiled and said, "Who said I'm from here? And who said that someone who helps catch bandits must be a constable?"

"Oh? So Miss Ling is also a martial artist..." Su Peng said, but then heard a chuckle from behind. A voice said, "Hahaha... Little Brother Su is still inexperienced. Didn't you recognize the daughter of the famous constable Ling Zhui?"

Su Peng and the young girl in the light yellow dress turned around to see Ouyang Qing, with his red hair, and Fu Yi approaching.

"Brother Ouyang." Su Peng greeted him, and Ling Xiaoyu's clear eyes also focused on Ouyang Qing. After observing him for a moment, she said, "Senior, do you know my father? And you called him Brother Ouyang, so are you the famous Red-Haired Mad Saber Ouyang Qing?"

"Hahaha, I didn't expect you to recognize me, little girl. Yes, that's me, but I'm not a Mad Saber; I'm known as the Red-Haired Evil Saber," Ouyang Qing laughed and said to Ling Xiaoyu.

Su Peng was embarrassed; he had known Ouyang Qing for a few days and still didn't know his nickname, but this girl recognized him on their first meeting.

Ouyang Qing also explained to Su Peng that Ling Xiaoyu's father, Ling Zhui, was a well-known figure in the martial world, known as the "Divine Constable." He was a highly respected person who lived in the Central Region and was famous throughout the martial world. Regardless of whether the criminals were from the righteous or the evil side, from major sects or black organizations, or even solitary martial artists, if they committed crimes in the Central Region, Ling Zhui would investigate and capture them, clearly listing their crimes. The captured criminals were always guilty of heinous crimes, and people felt that capturing and executing them was just and righteous.

Ling Zhui had been famous for over twenty years, and in those twenty years, he had captured hundreds of martial artists. Although he had many enemies, he always made the crimes of the captured criminals public, and their crimes were so despicable that they truly deserved death. Ling Zhui was fair and impartial, never showing favoritism based on the background of the criminals. His reputation in the martial world was excellent, so few people sought revenge on him.

Of course, some relatives of the criminals did try, but Ling Zhui's martial arts were extremely powerful. Those who tried to attack his home never came out again. Over time, rumors spread that Ling Zhui was a disciple of a hidden martial sect, and his martial arts had reached the pinnacle. His sect was also very powerful, so it was unwise to challenge him. In recent years, no one had dared to seek revenge on Ling Zhui, and his home had been safe.

Ling Zhui had become a benchmark in the Central Region's martial world and a god-like figure in the hearts of constables. Some constables even built shrines to honor him, praying for his protection.

Ling Zhui was also highly respected in the martial world, and even figures like Ouyang Qing admired him and planned to visit him in the Central Region.

Hearing this, Su Peng was enlightened. No wonder Ling Xiaoyu could command the constables in Poyang Lake; with a father known as the "Divine Constable" and a strong family background, she wouldn't stand by when she saw a crime. It was natural for her to get involved.

"So, where is Miss Ling heading this time?" Su Peng asked, having a better understanding of the situation.

"Hehe, I'm going to Jiangning County. In half a month, it will be my grandfather's birthday. My parents are too busy with official duties, so they sent me to wish him a happy birthday," Ling Xiaoyu smiled, revealing that she was a friendly and approachable young girl.

"Jiangning? That's the same place as Little Brother Su, right?" Fu Yi asked Su Peng.

"Really? You're also going to Jiangning?" Ling Xiaoyu blinked and looked at Su Peng.

"Yes... I'm originally from Jiangning County, but I left for some reasons and now want to return... Is your grandfather also a martial artist? I wonder if I know him," Su Peng asked Ling Xiaoyu.

"My grandfather is a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, but he hasn't been active in the martial world for a long time, so few people remember him. However, my uncle is the City Lord of Jiangning County, named Mo Tianqing," Ling Xiaoyu said without hesitation.

"City Lord of Jiangning County?" Su Peng was slightly stunned and looked at Ling Xiaoyu again. He never expected to meet a second-generation rich and beautiful girl...

Su Peng sighed but didn't have too many thoughts. He decided not to offend this young girl easily, as her uncle was his boss's boss's boss, the top figure in Jiangning County...

...

The ship continued to sail, and after two more days, they had traveled nearly a thousand miles, mostly at night and on the inner river, with favorable winds and currents.

Su Peng had nothing else to do, so he practiced his internal energy in the cabin and logged out at night. Occasionally, he would chat with Ouyang Qing, Fu Yi, and Ling Xiaoyu. Despite her strong family background, Ling Xiaoyu was a lively young girl, and Su Peng, who was not much older, found they had a lot in common. Over the past few days, they had become quite close.

On the second night, the ship stopped at a port. Fu Yi said goodbye to Su Peng, Ouyang Qing, and others, promising to meet again if they had the chance, and then left alone, boarding a carriage to Liangzhou.

"This person is not really named Fu Yi; his name has an extra character, making it Fu Ziyi," Ouyang Qing suddenly said as Fu Yi left the ship.

"Really? How do you know?" Su Peng turned to look at Ouyang Qing, who seemed to have figured out Fu Yi's background.

"In the martial world, there are ten minor swordsmen, ten major swordsmen, and the ten minor swordsmen are not worth mentioning, just a bunch of minor figures. The ten major swordsmen, while not necessarily of high moral character, are skilled enough to deserve their titles.

"However, above the ten major swordsmen, there are the Four Supreme Swordsmen and the Two Demon Swordsmen, known as the Falling Star Sword Liu Xing, the Hidden Sword Ning Wuri, the Water-Cutting Sword Du Qiu, and the Chess-Playing Swordsmen Fu Ziyi."

"Really? You mean... Mr. Fu is one of the Four Supreme Swordsmen, Fu Ziyi?" Su Peng asked Ouyang Qing.

"At first, I didn't recognize him because he wasn't carrying a sword. But after seeing your sword duel by the lake a few days ago, I was sure it was the Chess-Playing Swordsmen Fu Ziyi, one of the Four Supreme Swordsmen, a descendant of a former prime minister, and a current national Go master."

"National Go master? Descendant of a former prime minister?" Su Peng was surprised and looked at the direction Fu Yi... no, Fu Ziyi, had left.

After a while, Su Peng turned back to Ouyang Qing and said, "Brother Ouyang, did you see my sword duel with Mr. Fu that night?"

"I'm not stupid. When Fu Ziyi sent me away, I knew something was off and followed you... but Fu Ziyi must have noticed me later. Only you were still in the dark," Ouyang Qing said with a snort.

Su Peng was speechless, realizing he was the least informed.

"I need to be more cautious..." Su Peng thought, deciding to be more vigilant and let the matter go.

The ship continued to sail, and the next evening, Su Peng and the others arrived at a small riverside town.

"Hey, Little Brother Su, this is the last stop before Jiangning County. We'll stay here overnight. After this, it will take three more days and nights to reach Jiangning County. Don't you want to go ashore and explore?" Ouyang Qing asked Su Peng on the deck.

"I am a bit tired of the ship. How about you, Brother Ouyang? Aren't you going ashore?" Su Peng asked Ouyang Qing.

"I won't go ashore. Recently, watching the sunset on the river has given me some insights into martial arts. I want to seize this feeling and see if I can improve my saber skills to a higher level," Ouyang Qing shook his head and said to Su Peng.

"Then I wish you success in your breakthrough... I'll go ashore. I hope to hear that you've broken through by tomorrow!" Su Peng said to Ouyang Qing.

"Ha, thank you for your good wishes!" Ouyang Qing nodded and continued watching the sunset.

Su Peng got off the ship and walked into the town, looking for an inn to have some food and drinks.

As he walked, Su Peng suddenly saw a familiar figure standing in front of a vendor, looking at an animal.

"Miss Ling." Su Peng greeted her, and Ling Xiaoyu turned around, waving and saying, "Brother Su, come over and look at this."

Su Peng walked over and saw that Ling Xiaoyu was looking at an animal being sold by a hunter. At the hunter's feet, a wooden cage contained a white fox...