Chapter 43

Yang Ji ended his cultivation, stood up, and felt that his mental and physical strength had subtly increased.

Moreover, as the time spent contemplating the "Fist Intent Unity Diagram" grew longer, Yang Ji gradually discovered that the mental energy consumed during cultivation did not vanish into thin air but was dispersed into his blood.

Now, Yang Ji could use his will to make the blood in his body slightly agitated, though it was far from enough to drive the blood circulation. However, compared to the past when the sensation only lingered on the surface of his body, this was a significant improvement.

"Is this what blood qi is? Injecting mental energy and essence into the blood, merging with it, and then using willpower to drive the blood qi within the body."

Yang Ji pondered thoughtfully.

Martial artists at the Martial Dao realm could use "fist practice" to drive the internal circulation, generating immense power. Although Yang Ji was far from this level, being able to tangibly feel the existence of blood qi was already a significant advancement.

At the very least, Yang Ji now knew how to proceed.

"Hum!"

Yang Ji moved his arm, quickly creating a series of illusions, faintly transforming into a posture that seemed to form two arms.

"Indeed, performing the 'Cloud Hands' requires a powerful realm. The strength of the Breath Realm alone is insufficient to unleash its full power."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

Back then, when the Chief Steward Zhou performed the 'Cloud Hands' on the mountaintop, he once created the illusion of eight arms, which was the result of extreme speed.

Chief Steward Zhou was a high-level expert at the third level of the Martial Dao realm. Although Yang Ji did not have such a high cultivation, he could now faintly blur his palms, creating illusions to confuse the opponent's mind.

After staying in the room for over ten days, Yang Ji felt a bit stifled.

"Let's take a walk outside."

Yang Ji washed his face, then pushed the door open and walked out. He had put aside the 'Cloud Hands' for some time, but now, with some breakthroughs in his strength, he suddenly had new insights into this martial technique.

The streets were bustling with people, as April was the peak time for various commercial activities. While pondering the 'Cloud Hands,' Yang Ji walked toward the mountain's exit.

"Bang!"

Yang Ji was deep in thought when suddenly his vision darkened. He immediately felt that he had collided with something.

"Where are your eyes, you bastard?"

A voice of scolding came from his side. Yang Ji looked up and immediately saw a large man, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with a face full of scars and eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Not a good person."

A thought flashed through Yang Ji's mind as he saw the man's face.

"What are you looking at? I'll chop you to death!"

The large man, seeing Yang Ji staring at him, immediately started cursing.

"Sorry..."

Yang Ji instinctively wanted to apologize, as it was his distraction that caused the collision. However, before he could speak, a gust of wind suddenly came, and he saw two steel-like fingers silently stab toward his abdomen.

Yang Ji's face changed abruptly. His body tilted, and he dodged the attack with incredible speed. With a swift movement of his foot, he passed by the fierce man, putting some distance between them.

"Huh!"

A surprised exclamation came, but it was not from the large man in front of him. Yang Ji looked in the direction of the sound and saw six or seven more large men, dressed similarly, turning back to look at him in shock, clearly surprised that he could dodge the sneak attack.

"Kid, you..."

The large man's brows furrowed. After the initial surprise, he immediately became furious and was about to curse when a voice from the front shouted.

"Enough, Liu Qi, don't cause trouble!"

A man with a square face, who looked like the leader, sternly ordered. The man immediately lowered his head like a mouse seeing a cat, and the hand that was secretly reaching for his waist also dropped.

"Let's go!"

The leader-like man did not even glance at Yang Ji, turned around, and immediately led the group away, as if nothing had happened.

"These people... are suspicious..."

After these people disappeared from the street, Yang Ji did not leave immediately. His eyes narrowed, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

Most of the people in the market were merchants, who valued harmony. Even the guards of the major families were merely arrogant.

These people were strangers. They had only accidentally bumped into him, yet immediately tried to harm him. If Yang Ji had not practiced the "Fist Intent Unity Diagram" and dodged in time, those two fingers would have likely injured his internal organs.

Such injuries were not visible on the surface. At the time, it would only cause pain, but the effects would manifest later. The method was ruthless.

These people were clearly not good. Moreover, when Yang Ji passed by the large man, he lightly brushed against the chain on his waist.

At that moment, Yang Ji clearly felt that the chain contained a hard piece of metal... a knife!

Few people in Jin'an City used knives, and even fewer had such a strong aura of killing intent. According to Yang Ji's knowledge, only one group of people would be so fierce.

"Green Forest bandits!"

A thought flashed through Yang Ji's mind.

Ping County was far from the imperial capital, surrounded by rugged and steep mountains. The control of the "Han Dynasty" was far weaker here than in the heartland.

Many Green Forest bandits and robbers were hidden in the mountains and rugged terrain, robbing travelers and raiding homes. They were extremely fierce.

When the imperial army came, they would scatter like a flock of birds, hiding deep in the mountains, making it impossible for the imperial forces to catch them.

"These Green Forest bandits mainly operate on the major roads leading to the imperial capital, targeting mainly wealthy merchants. Why are they suddenly here?"

Yang Ji was secretly alarmed.

This area had rarely seen Green Forest bandits in the past. It wasn't because the defenses were particularly strong, but because the bandits looked down on such a small place.

Robbing a few copper coins was not worth the effort.

"Is something big about to happen?"

Yang Ji thought to himself:

"Nothing happens without a reason. These bandits disguised as ordinary people and heavily wrapped their knives, must have come for a reason."

Yang Ji kept a close eye on the direction they left and then left the area.

Foreigners could only stay in the inns and taverns in the market. Knowing the direction they left, Yang Ji could basically determine where they were staying.

After calming down, Yang Ji turned and left.

...

"Liu Qi, do you want to ruin everything? What did the Sixth Leader instruct us before we left?"

In a tavern in the market, the leader of the group sternly said.

"But, Leader, we usually..."

Liu Qi tried to defend himself, but before he could finish, a heavy slap landed on his face, immediately swelling half of it.

"Still trying to defend yourself! Were you planning to draw your knife on the street?"

The leader coldly said, his gaze sharp like a blade.

Liu Qi's eyes immediately dimmed. He dared not utter a word after the harsh blow. In the bandit camp, there was a strict hierarchy, and even if he were hit again, he would not dare to resist, as his status was lower.

The leader stared at him, and seeing that he did not argue, his expression softened.

"That kid is not ordinary. At such close range, an ordinary person could not have dodged your finger, but he did, even while distracted. If you really fought, despite your usual arrogance, you might not be his match. Also, you still don't know that when the kid passed by you, he brushed against the chain on your waist. We don't know if he discovered the knife we were hiding."

This statement immediately caused a commotion in the room. Even Liu Qi raised his head, his expression serious.

In the Green Forest, not everyone liked to carry knives, and not everyone could use them. However, due to the victims' widespread propaganda and the fact that they used them frequently, it became a well-known symbol of their identity in the surrounding counties.

These things were too conspicuous, and their identity would be obvious on the street. If not for the difficulty of the task, he would not have brought them.

"Leader, should we go back and take care of that kid?"

Liu Qi thought for a moment and said fiercely.

"No need. The task is more important. The kid may not have discovered our identity. Besides, we don't plan to stay here long. Once the task is completed, we will immediately withdraw. However, don't be careless. Leave someone outside to watch for any movements. Also, find out about the target's movements. I need to know when he will arrive and where he will stay. Understand?"

The leader said.

"Yes, Leader!"

Everyone responded.

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