As Guo Zhentong had said, he did not disturb Li Qing's standing meditation after arriving; instead, he sipped on strong liquor, his gaze somewhat melancholic as he looked at Master Gu's grave.
Li Qing had originally hoped to receive some guidance, but when he turned around, the Centurion had already vanished without a trace.
By this time, the sky had darkened, and the howling winds from beyond the frontier began to subside.
Li Qing finally added a handful of soil to Master Gu's grave and returned to the military camp outside the frontier.
However, the training grounds that night were anything but peaceful, as many soldiers gathered, fervently preparing to march!
Were they going to engage the horse bandits in the north?
This was the first thought that crossed Li Qing's mind as he squinted at the Centurion at the front of the formation—it was Yuan Xiao!
With a rousing speech, Yuan Xiao led nearly two thousand men, marching grandly towards the northern frontier.
Seeing this, Li Qing hurried back to his tent, not daring to look any longer.
Due to his role as a military blacksmith, Li Qing only needed to stay within the camp and did not have to accompany the expedition.
“Phew! It seems like a fight is really about to break out. I just wonder if the Liang Kingdom and the horse bandits are truly colluding.”
After returning to his tent, Li Qing silently contemplated the current situation.
If the Liang Kingdom and the horse bandits were indeed in cahoots, then this expedition could very well end in a disastrous defeat, potentially affecting the area where he was stationed.
“I wonder if the court has sent more troops to the frontier. The situation is so tense now; a larger scale upheaval could erupt at any moment.”
Li Qing sighed deeply. His sources of information were too limited; without sufficient intel, no matter how sharp his mind was, he could not analyze the current situation accurately.
“Can’t worry about that too much. The urgent matter is to step into the realm of external strength masters; only then can I have some self-preservation ability.”
Saying this, Li Qing subconsciously picked up two bowls to head to the kitchen for food.
But soon, he shook his head, putting down Master Gu's bowl and only taking his own to the kitchen.
The kitchen area, which was usually bustling with noise every night, was exceptionally quiet tonight. Even the soldiers passing by wore solemn expressions.
A battle was imminent.
War meant death, and it seemed that these soldiers were not oblivious to the current situation.
Tonight, it was still Wu Pangzi on duty in the kitchen, and even on his plump face, a rare hint of worry could be seen.
“I heard your master was ambushed by horse bandits while transporting grain?” Li Qing tentatively asked, as this matter was no longer a secret in the military. Yuan Xiao's excuse for the expedition was also based on this.
Wu Pangzi quickly filled Li Qing's bowl with food, even pressing it down and adding two extra scoops of preserved meat.
“Yeah, but the court is about to send another grain transport team. I just don’t know who will be receiving it this time. What if they take me along?” Wu Pangzi's tense face was already sweating.
Another grain transport team?
This indicated that the court was not entirely ignorant of the situation at the frontier, and that food supplies were still relatively sufficient, maintaining a stable supply line.
It seemed the situation was not as dire as he had imagined.
Thinking of this, Li Qing casually picked up a steamed bun, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled, “Don’t worry, this time receiving the grain shouldn’t be too dangerous. After the last lesson, this transport will definitely have heavy escort.”
“How do you know?” Wu Pangzi asked suspiciously.
Li Qing rolled his eyes and said nothing more, then carried his bowl back to his tent.
After finishing his meal, he waited until the night was deep and quiet before once again traversing into the Eternal Night World.
“Calculating the time, it should be about time for the delivery. Yan San should be coming over today, right?”
Li Qing donned a thick cotton coat and assumed his stance, continuing his standing meditation. Before long, the courtyard door was indeed knocked upon again.
Knock, knock, knock!
“Is Master Li here?” Yan San's voice followed.
Li Qing walked calmly to the courtyard door and welcomed Yan San in, who still wore a fawning smile, eager to please this skilled blacksmith in the city.
“I’ve finished forging the cutting blades you wanted. Where are the items I requested?” Li Qing pointed to a large pile of cutting blades in the corner of the yard.
“Ah! Master Li is indeed a man of his word! Rest assured, I’ve brought what you wanted from the Yan family!”
Saying this, Yan San took out a roll of animal skin and a set of blue bamboo slips, directly handing them to Li Qing.
Li Qing received the animal skin roll and the bamboo slips, both of which were quite ancient, clearly not fakes.
Unrolling the animal skin, it depicted a scene of a fierce tiger pouncing on its prey, full of artistic meaning!
Just one glance, and Li Qing was struck by the martial intent emanating from the animal skin roll.
Seeing this, Yan San thought Li Qing did not understand what was depicted, and said, “Young Master Li, the Yan family said this is a depiction of a very ferocious beast from the past. A martial arts master once created this technique after observing this beast hunting!”
“Although such a ferocious beast can no longer be found now, this martial art has been passed down!”
Li Qing pondered for a moment and replied, “Hmm, not bad.”
The other ancient blue bamboo slip contained something even more unexpected for Li Qing—it was a volume of internal martial arts, the Turtle Breathing Technique!
This time, Yan San did not elaborate further, as he saw the satisfaction in Li Qing's eyes.
“Master Li, can I take the cutting blades now?” Yan San asked tentatively.
“Sure, take them.” Li Qing nodded.
Bang!
After the courtyard door closed, a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown appeared at the corner of Li Qing's mouth.
“Hehe, the Yan family really overestimates themselves.”
In Obsidian City, within a grand and luxurious mansion at the center of the city.
“You're saying that blacksmith Li showed a satisfied expression after accepting the two martial arts you brought?”
A young nobleman dressed in luxurious garments, with delicate skin, asked with a strange expression.
Beside him, Yan San, who was keeping a low profile, nodded repeatedly, “Yes, indeed! I guarantee it, Young Master Yan, look, I’ve even exchanged for these cutting blades!”
“Hmm, well done. That blacksmith Li is indeed a man of little insight; there’s no need to pay him much attention in the future.” Young Master Yan waved his hand casually.
Behind him, a burly middle-aged man scoffed:
“That blacksmith Li is just an outsider, completely ignorant of martial arts.”
“The first technique, the Light Silk Leg, emphasizes subtlety; a blacksmith like him, who is all about brute strength, is absolutely unsuitable for such a technique. At most, he could practice it to a minor success, posing no threat whatsoever.”
“The later technique, the Black Tiger Pouncing on Prey, although the artistic conception on the animal skin is strong, without having seen a real fierce tiger, it is absolutely impossible to master. In this world, where can one find a ferocious tiger for him to observe?”
Yan Song chuckled as well and said, “As for the last Turtle Breathing Technique, it takes the longest to practice. Without ten or eight years, he probably won’t even get through the door.”
“Three useless items actually made that blacksmith Li so satisfied; it seems he truly is just an outsider.”
(End of Chapter)