To cause such a commotion in Shengtian, Li Qing naturally did not dare to underestimate the martial prowess of the Star-Picking Thief. Conservatively estimated, he must be at the level of an internal energy expert.
During their drinking session, Li Qing remained calm and vigilant at all times. After each sip of wine, he used his internal force to cleanse it, expelling the alcohol from his body to prevent it from affecting his reactions.
"Brother Li, did you just come from Shengtian? Can you tell me how things are there now?" Ning Yuan asked with a playful demeanor.
"The Nine Lotus Sect has withdrawn from the capital, and various martial experts have started competing with the three major Martial Halls for territory. To maintain order, the court has summoned the Wuli Army back to the capital," Li Qing replied truthfully.
Ning Yuan picked up the wine pot again, sipping the fine wine leisurely, his eyes narrowing in pleasure.
"That was within my expectations. The commander of the Wuli Army is no ordinary person; he is a martial arts grandmaster!"
Indeed!
Ning Yuan's words confirmed the suspicions of Li Qing and many in the martial world. That General Lü was indeed at the grandmaster level!
After answering Ning Yuan's question, Li Qing asked in return, "I want to know what exactly you did to the Prince's residence that made Prince Yu issue a bounty of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver."
Upon hearing this, Ning Yuan chuckled dryly, "Hahaha, there are many things I've done to earn the Prince's ire. For instance, that old ginseng from the Quanshan Herbal Studio and the luminous pearls hanging on the walls, all taken from the Prince's residence."
As he spoke, Ning Yuan showed no embarrassment; instead, he seemed quite proud.
"But to say why there's a bounty of hundreds of thousands of taels, there is indeed a special reason."
Ning Yuan's eyes narrowed, his smile growing more mischievous.
"I took advantage of Prince Yu's visit to Xiao Cuiling, stole a painter's seal, and sneaked into the Prince's residence, leaving a mark on the First Rank Princess Consort's fragrant backside."
"Bamboo Willow Hermit, hahahaha!"
After speaking, Ning Yuan laughed wildly, slapping his thigh repeatedly, tears of laughter streaming from his eyes.
Li Qing, on the other hand, widened his eyes, filled with disbelief.
To leave a painter's seal mark on the Princess Consort's body.
This person truly is audacious beyond measure! What kind of enmity is this!
Without needing to see it himself, Li Qing could imagine the scene: fair and delicate skin marked with a crimson seal, engraved with the name of that unfortunate painter.
No wonder the Prince's residence executed the elderly painter immediately after issuing the wanted notice.
At the time, Li Qing was puzzled, not understanding why a painter would be involved in the Star-Picking Thief's case.
After a long while, Li Qing slowly collected his astonished expression, shaking his head and drinking silently.
This Star-Picking Thief is indeed an unrestrained character, with a way of thinking so unconventional that even someone like Li Qing, who has been tempered by modern thought, finds it hard to keep up.
Such a person is best avoided in the future to prevent being implicated.
"The taste of the Princess Consort is quite something," Ning Yuan reminisced with narrowed eyes after laughing.
Li Qing: "..."
"Now it's my turn to ask you, why have you come to Xiao Cuiling at this time? Don't tell me it's for Lin Yi's martial arts inheritance." Ning Yuan asked, glancing at Li Qing.
"That inheritance is tempting, but I practice martial arts only as a hobby. I don't want to be hunted by the entire martial world."
"I heard there's a fierce tiger on the mountain, and I'm here to hunt it."
Ning Yuan glanced at the barbed iron armor Li Qing was wearing and the hunting broad-bladed knife hanging at his waist, believing Li Qing's words.
"You are wise, much more rational than those martial fools who believe every rumor," Ning Yuan remarked while drinking. "Although I obtained Lin Yi's martial arts inheritance, I did not practice it."
This piqued Li Qing's interest, and he asked, "Oh? Why is that? Does the martial art have significant limitations?"
He suddenly recalled a famous saying.
That is, to practice this skill, one must first become a eunuch!
Could it be that Lin Yi's martial arts inheritance is the same?
However, Ning Yuan's next words made Li Qing's heart skip a beat. Ning Yuan sneered, "Heh, it's more than just limitations. It's a demonic art that shortens one's life!"
"The martial art is called 'Fleeting Life Art,' an internal martial art. However, this internal martial art is very peculiar. Once practiced, one's lifespan rapidly diminishes. The higher the cultivation, the faster the lifespan decreases!"
"And to curb this decline, one must devour the internal energy of others to enhance one's martial prowess!"
"This is why, once practiced, martial prowess increases rapidly."
What a bizarre demonic art!
Li Qing's pupils suddenly contracted, shocked by this 'Fleeting Life Art.'
Yet, at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement, though he didn't show it outwardly.
"The so-called martial prodigy Lin Yi of the previous dynasty actually had poor innate talent. But he still broke through to the grandmaster realm in his later years. Knowing his end was near, he buried himself in Xiao Cuiling."
"Once this demonic art is practiced, there's no turning back. Lifespan continuously diminishes, and only by devouring others' internal energy can it be temporarily curbed."
"Once the time passes, due to the increase in cultivation, the rate of decline becomes even more exaggerated. One must continuously devour to increase one's martial prowess, ultimately having nothing left to devour and watching one's lifespan reach its end."
"Hu!" Li Qing exhaled deeply, downing the wine in his cup, and sighed, "It's like a wild horse running towards a cliff, with no turning back."
"Indeed, a wild horse..."
As he said this, Li Qing did not notice that in a dark corner of the tomb, Qi Kang's expression suddenly turned somber.
This trip to the tomb allowed Li Qing to learn many secrets of the martial world, benefiting greatly.
Though he was interested in the 'Fleeting Life Art,' he knew better than to ask Ning Yuan for it.
He did not want to expose his secret of longevity, which was a secret more significant than anything else.
Finally, he bid farewell to the Star-Picking Thief.
Li Qing clasped his fists, "Brother Ning, I should be leaving now, or the old hunter accompanying me will be worried."
"You can rest assured, I will not tell anyone about your presence in Xiao Cuiling."
Ning Yuan smiled confidently, "Even if you did, it wouldn't matter. My lightness skill, though not the best in the world, is at least in the top three!"
Subsequently, Qi Kang also got up and walked over, looking at Li Qing with reluctance, "Master... are you leaving already?"
Looking at the young man he brought to Shengtian, Li Qing didn't know what to say. He sighed:
"Sigh, I understand your desire to practice martial arts and roam the martial world."
"Everyone has their own aspirations, and I won't persuade you much. But if you ever grow tired and want to return to the blacksmith shop, you're always welcome."
After speaking, Li Qing solemnly patted Qi Kang's still thin and frail shoulder, then turned away.
"Master..."
Qi Kang watched as his master, who taught him the blacksmithing craft, left resolutely, tears welling up in his eyes.
But Li Qing did not see any of this. As he left, he couldn't help but mutter:
"Why insist on practicing martial arts and roaming the martial world? How nice it is to forge iron peacefully, relaxed and carefree."
"Young people just don't listen to advice!"
Please collect and recommend!
(End of Chapter)