Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar-Chapter 200 - 192 Dark currents surge! A foolish attempt to copy the admirable!

Chapter 200: 192 Dark currents surge! A foolish attempt to copy the admirable!

A week later, Zhang Yinghe awoke as scheduled.

The most noticeable change in his youthful, ordinary face was the radiance of his eyes, bright as a resplendent galaxy.

Beyond that, an air of vibrant vigor began to gather around him, like that of a hidden dragon in the abyss.

Watching these changes in Zhang Yinghe, Hong Yuan couldn’t help but marvel.

It seems that the art of physiognomy is indeed related to the path of fortune, or rather, a person’s fortune can reflect a thing or two on their face. It appears that those ancient books from my past lives are not all outdated dross after all.

Hong Yuan, through the Sword Sparrow Worm, took another glance at Zhang Yinghe and then began to pack up, preparing to board a ship to transport supplies to Daze Village.

The battles at Tiger Gate City and Tong Guan City had suddenly escalated, with the talented disciples of Phoenix Creek Sect and Qinglu Taoist Temple taking center stage, each leading the charge.

Pengcheng was also affected, with grain prices skyrocketing. Hong Yuan had lost count of how many times he had heard the old laborers sigh over the cost of firewood, rice, oil, and salt.

After packing, Hong Yuan took out a list to review.

Of the nine names on the list, three had already been crossed out, with six remaining.

Hong Yuan’s gaze lingered on the fourth and fifth names.

[Tang Size, Water Tao Martial Artist, third-level peak cultivation, current post: D-rank official grain transporter of Daze Village, Nanyang Government]

[Jin Tianchun, Power Tao Martial Artist, fourth-level beginner cultivation, current post: General of Daze Village, D-rank town, Nanyang Government]

Focusing on the two names, Hong Yuan fell into deep thought.

After a while, Hong Yuan calmly put the list away, waiting for visitors.

CREAK.

The wooden door groaned under the strain as the elderly laborer Zhang Xiaohua, carrying a small bundle, stood at the entrance, waving to Hong Yuan.

"Yezi, it’s time to go. This trip to Daze Village has twenty-three large ships in total. If we’re lucky, we might even make three taels of silver," Zhang Xiaohua said, visibly excited, his aged face brimming with joy.

"Three taels of silver, really, Uncle!?" Hong Yuan exclaimed, his eyes shining, his words muffled by the tough bun he was chewing.

In the chaotic Nanyang Government, three taels of silver was enough to sustain a family of five for a year, and they could even occasionally afford some fatty pork to feast on.

"Of course! After this trip, you could go to Shanle Square, or even to Zhihu Bookstore to get married and start a family," Zhang Xiaohua said, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

Shoulder to shoulder, the two headed toward the harbor.

As they walked, more and more men joined their group, all preparing to board the ships to earn their living.

In the Sanli District’s earthen square, Zhang Yinghe and his sister, along with Zhang Xiaohua’s child, waved goodbye to Zhang Xiaohua and Hong Yuan.

At that moment, Zhang Yingyu wore a coarse cloth robe, her weary, dust-covered aura completely gone. She gazed into the distance at Hong Yuan until his figure disappeared from sight.

Zhang Yinghe watched his sister, a contemplative look in his eyes.

Brother Yezi has never looked down on Sister like other men do. Besides, Brother Yezi is honest and steadfast, someone who truly knows how to live a good life. From this perspective, Brother Yezi is an excellent match. If Sister marries Brother Yezi, she would definitely not have to worry about him looking down on her; she could absolutely live a happy and fulfilling life.

The more Zhang Yinghe thought about it, the more excited he became, unconsciously clenching his fists.

When he sensed the mysterious substance continuously flowing from his heart, improving his physique and making him stronger, his confidence grew even more.

Hong Yuan (Niu Yezi): ?????

「Daze Village, Yunze Lake.」

Although named Yunze Lake, the area actually comprised multiple landforms, including mountains, hills, plains, and lakes.

Water bandits were rampant in Yunze Lake, with encounters occurring almost every ten miles.

Swift and elusive, the water bandits utilized the unique terrain, making life miserable for the Daze Village officials and soldiers.

However, what troubled the Daze Village officials most currently were not the water bandits of Yunze Lake, but the miscreants from Phoenix Creek Sect, particularly the ’scholar in white,’ Guan Lan.

"Damn it! That Guan Lan managed to escape again with his remarkable water and wind techniques, coming and going without a trace," Tang Size grumbled, clenching his teeth, wishing he could devour Guan Lan whole.

To think that he, a disciple of Qinglu Taoist Temple, was just one minor achievement away from being promoted to a True Disciple.

Yet, time and again, Guan Lan had thwarted his efforts to gain merit, which was utterly infuriating.

Now, that scoundrel Guan Lan had grown even bolder, daring to cross their defense lines and launch rash attacks, showing complete disregard for him!

Jin Tianchun shook his head with a light chuckle. He tapped his foot, and the warship, which had been wobbling on the great river, instantly steadied.

The armored soldiers on board looked at him with reverence, their eyes fixed on this General of Daze Village.

Standing on the deck, Jin Tianchun listened to the dull thud of the river wind striking his armor. He gazed out in all directions and said calmly, "Guan Lan was once the top contender in Phoenix Creek Sect’s annual competition, a truly exceptional individual for his time. It’s normal not to achieve immediate success in apprehending him." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Our efforts to encircle him these past few days have not been in vain; he is now trapped in Yunze Lake."

"Remember, even water droplets can pierce stone. As long as we are patient enough, he cannot escape our grasp!"

As he spoke, Jin Tianchun stretched out his right hand towards the azure sky, clenching it fiercely as if grasping everything. His fist and authority intertwined, presenting a truly majestic and extraordinary presence.

On a secluded island in Yunze Lake, Guan Lan, dressed in white, trudged across the sandy beach, carrying the female cultivator Jiang Keyi in a sorry state.

The soft sand easily revealed their tracks.

But at this moment, Guan Lan could not care less. The True Essence within his body was almost exhausted, and he needed to find a place to recover it quickly. Otherwise, all his efforts would be in vain.

"Senior Brother Guan, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. If it hadn’t been for my willfulness, insisting on emulating the ’Blood Sword Demon’ to make a name for myself, Senior Sister Ren and Senior Brother Niu wouldn’t have died. SOB SOB..." Jiang Keyi wept quietly.

Damn spoiled brat, Guan Lan cursed inwardly. Always pulling this stunt. It doesn’t matter if you die, but how am I supposed to face Master and my senior brothers? Wouldn’t it have been fine to just stay at the Sect? I’ve really had it.

Yet, despite his immense dissatisfaction, Guan Lan had to muster his spirits and force a smile to comfort Jiang Keyi. "It’s okay, it’s all going to be okay. I’ll get you back to the Sect safely."

Jiang Keyi gradually stopped crying. Her eyes red and swollen, she clung tightly to Guan Lan like an octopus.

Later, Guan Lan found a cave. After killing a Ferocious Beast inside, he settled down temporarily.

Leaning against the cave wall, Guan Lan pondered how to get himself and his junior sister Jiang Keyi out of this place and back to Phoenix Creek Sect.

The more he thought, the more his head ached; the situation felt incredibly tricky.

I’m finding it this difficult just being targeted by the forces of a single city. The ’Blood Demon Sword’ has evaded capture relying on his own strength and remains at large. Just how formidable must that person be?

Guan Lan couldn’t help but think of the ’Blood Demon Sword,’ a wave of demoralization washing over him.

Meanwhile, the ’Blood Demon Sword’ was on a rice boat, watching others roll dice and drink with courtesans.

"Eighty, eighty..."

"One hundred, one hundred..."

Observing the two flushed young laborers ahead, a smirk played on Hong Yuan’s lips.

He meticulously observed their actions, honing his ’Performance’ skills.

After all, life is like a play...

「Seven days later, the massive fleet successfully arrived at Daze Village.」

Hong Yuan, like many other laborers, worked tirelessly. He shouldered one bag of rice after another, walking back and forth on the deck, toiling hard.

"Uncle Hua, be careful!"

Hong Yuan, carrying three large bags of grain, reached out, ’struggling’ to steady the rice bag about to fall from old laborer Zhang Xiaohua’s shoulder, supporting the old man himself as well.

If Zhang Xiaohua had fallen, given his frail build, the consequences would have been dire—at the very least, a severe injury that would leave lasting health problems.

The old laborer’s face was flushed; it had taken all his strength just to complete this haul. As soon as he rested, Zhang Xiaohua gasped for breath, a wave of fear washing over him at the near miss.

He was the pillar of his family; he couldn’t bear to imagine how his children would survive if he were incapacitated.

The old laborer vigorously patted Hong Yuan on the shoulder. "Good lad, thanks a bunch."

"Hehe, you’re too kind, Uncle Hua," Hong Yuan said, a simple and honest smile appearing on his face.

A few laborers from Pengcheng watched Hong Yuan’s actions and silently nodded, giving him their initial approval.

The cargo-moving work lasted from dawn until dusk, with breaks only for meals.

During the lunch break, the men started chatting and gossiping again.

"Have you heard? There are Phoenix Creek Sect disciples at Yunze Lake. Anyone who provides a clue will be rewarded with a hundred taels of gold."

"HISS. A hundred taels of gold? That can’t be true."

"Why not? Both the General and the Grain Transport Officer of Daze Village have already gone to Yunmeng Lake."

"..."

Hearing their words, Hong Yuan lowered his gaze, his heart undisturbed.

He had already heard this news from the major families in Pengcheng.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have embarked on this journey, continuing to act as a common laborer.

Evening arrived, bringing the laborers’ free time.

Because he had helped the old laborer earlier that day, several labor foremen from Pengcheng specifically invited Hong Yuan to visit the brothels. However, Hong Yuan graciously declined all invitations, citing his need to save silver coins to marry as his reason.

While everyone else enjoyed their free time, Hong Yuan began his own activities.

To hunt down Tang Size and Jin Tianchun, to avenge his senior brother!