Through consuming large amounts of meat and blood qi powder supplements, Chen Qing's physical strength had improved remarkably, and the number of times he practiced through-arm boxing daily continued increasing.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed]
[Through-arm Stance Work: Minor Achievement (871/1000)]
[Through-arm Boxing: Minor Achievement (781/1000)]
[Swift Wind Blade Technique: Minor Achievement (66/1000)]
"At most another month and I'll be able to break through to hidden strength realm."
Chen Qing calculated silently. After a simple cleanup, he headed to Green River Dock.
With his recent diligent training, his consumption of blood qi powder had become especially enormous.
This blood qi powder not only increased qi and blood but also had the miraculous effect of relieving fatigue, allowing him to maintain high-intensity cultivation.
As soon as Chen Qing stepped through the River Office gates, Old Li hurried over, "Ah Qing, emergency assembly."Old Li and Chen Qing both served under Cheng Ming. He had worked at the River Office for more than twenty years, but due to his strength limitations, he had never been promoted to river official.
"Assembly!?"
Chen Qing was somewhat puzzled.
Old Li lowered his voice, "Don't ask, just follow me quickly."
Soon, all river patrol guards from the River Office were assembled, even nominal staff like Chen Qing were no exception.
A distinguished-looking middle-aged man approached, surrounded by Cheng Ming and other river officials. This person was none other than Chief River Official Ke Yunqi.
Ke Yunqi swept his lightning-like gaze over everyone and said sternly, "Colonel Pang will arrive at South River Dock at noon. Each squad must strictly guard their respective waterways. If any scoundrels cause trouble, arrest them on the spot..."
Hearing this, Chen Qing suddenly understood.
No wonder the entire River Office was making such a big move, it was to welcome Colonel Pang's return from mourning.
As orders were issued, the nine squads quickly dispersed to defensive positions at various key points along the South River.
Buildings lined both banks of the South River densely, forming a unique courtyard landscape.
Boats shuttled back and forth on the river surface, with glittering waves.
One side was the bustling clamor of the outer city, while the other side was the brilliant lights of the inner city, a prosperous scene that never ceased throughout the night.
"The inner city is truly a place of freedom and ease."
Cheng Ming sighed, "The wine houses, flower boats, and gambling dens here operate around the clock. As long as you have enough silver, this is paradise on earth. Countless people from the outer city would break their heads trying to move in, even if they could only settle at the very edge of the inner city."
Several veteran patrol guards showed longing expressions upon hearing this.
Cheng Ming looked at Old Li, "With your savings, you should be able to purchase two rooms in the inner city next year, right?"
Old Li smiled bitterly, "It'll have to be the year after. Inner city property prices have risen quite a bit again."
Chen Qing gazed at the nearby inner city, also pondering silently.
The outer city slums were overrun with gangs and had terrible conditions, while the inner city was a paradise everyone yearned for.
In this world, class divisions had long been deeply carved into everyone's bones.
It was truly too difficult for the poor to turn their lives around and cross class boundaries.
Because the paths to real wealth and prosperity had long been monopolized by aristocratic families.
Only through martial examinations could one break free from class constraints but cultivating a martial scholar was not something ordinary people could afford.
There was an old saying, "It's difficult for poor families to produce noble sons."
Actually, they didn't know what constituted a "poor family."
Declining aristocratic families were what counted as poor families.
Someone like Chen Qing, who had no house, no land, but two boats, could at most only be considered half a commoner.
If it was difficult for poor families to produce noble sons, then for commoners it was even harder than ascending to heaven.
At this moment, a patrol guard called out softly, "That person looks like Blood River Gang deputy leader 'Wind-Chasing Hand' Hou Huaiyu!?"
Following the pointing finger, there were four or five burly men wearing unified gang attire, with various patterns embroidered on their arms. These men were tall and sturdy, with the leader sitting indifferently in a corner drinking tea, clearly not someone to be trifled with.
Old Li squinted his eyes, "Iron Hand Gang people have come too."
Not far away, another group of imposing gang members was observing.
Blood River Gang and Iron Hand Gang were the two largest gangs in Gaolin County, with many experts within their ranks and their own industries, completely incomparable to small gangs like Golden River Gang or Black Water Gang.
Cheng Ming said slowly, "When the colonel was here, he struck these gangs particularly severely. The once-largest gang, Canal Gang, was completely uprooted by him. Now that the colonel has returned, Blood River Gang and Iron Hand Gang naturally want to test the waters."
Besides the two major gangs, forces like Far-Sight Escort Agency and weapon forging shops had also sent people.
More eye-catching were the disciples from Guangchang Martial Hall and Hongyun Martial Hall, each with abundant qi and blood, obviously all skilled fighters.
Cheng Ming reminded from the side, "You should all be familiar with Chief Escort Wu from Far-Sight Escort Agency and Manager Cao from the weapon forging shop... these forces absolutely cannot be offended."
Old Li hesitated for a moment beside them, "That Senior Brother Guo Ziao from Guangchang Martial Hall has transforming strength. If you encounter him in the future, you must be careful. This person has a very fierce temper..."
Several young patrol guards had obviously heard of Guo Ziao's fearsome reputation and all nodded solemnly.
Chen Qing's heart tightened as he memorized the faces of all the experts present.
This was his first time encountering so many forces and so many experts.
After all, the colonel might not remember who came, but he would definitely know clearly who didn't come.
Just then, commotion arose from the river surface.
"Zhu Qing! He's the Zhu family's transforming strength expert."
"He's not an easy person to deal with. The five major families sent him to welcome and feast the colonel, could it be that..."
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw an ornately decorated pleasure boat slowly approaching, with a distinguished middle-aged man standing at the bow.
Zhu Qing was not only a transforming strength expert, but also backed by the five major families.
His appearance immediately tensed the atmosphere at the scene.
"He's here! The colonel has returned!"
Suddenly an uproar erupted from the crowd, and the entire waterway instantly boiled over.
The various experts who had been leisurely observing all stood up, their gazes turning in unison toward the distant river surface.
A black-canopied boat slowly approached, with a middle-aged man in blue robes sitting upright at the bow.
This person had a calm expression, with traces of aloofness and indifference between his brows. This was Gaolin County's Colonel Pang Qinghai.
The moment Colonel Pang appeared, discussions around them rose and fell continuously, never ceasing.
"That's Colonel Pang!"
Cheng Ming couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "It's said he passed the martial scholar examination at fifteen, became a martial graduate at eighteen, and mastered the Golden Element Great Seal technique. The Canal Gang leader was killed by his palm strike."
"That Canal Gang leader was a transforming strength perfection expert!"
Chen Qing focused his gaze and saw that Zhu Qing, who had seemed so imposing earlier, was actually hurrying forward to greet them.
The two conversed pleasantly, with no sign of tension.
Everyone consciously cleared the way, watching this group head toward the inner city.
Even after Colonel Pang's figure disappeared around the street corner, the surrounding discussions continued for a long time.
Chen Qing's mind kept replaying the scene of heroes gathering, his heart unable to calm from the shock.
"Colonel Pang is truly worthy of being from Five Terraces Sect," Old Li sighed with emotion, "Even the five major families must show him respect."
A trace of confusion appeared in Chen Qing's eyes, "Five Terraces Sect!?"
Cheng Ming explained, "These sects can be called nations within the nation. Each year, taxes collected from various places are divided into two portions, one for the court, one for the sects."
"The sects' responsibility is to protect cities and people in various places, while also clearing out heretical cults and rebellions."
"Our Yunlin Prefecture has four major sects, Five Terraces Sect being one of them. It's said they possess profound and mysterious martial arts and secret techniques within their gates, and even..."
Cheng Ming lowered his voice, "There are experts above transforming strength stationed there, which is also the reason for Colonel Pang's transcendent status."
Above transforming strength!?
Hearing this, Chen Qing's heart was greatly shaken.
Obvious strength already surpassed ordinary people, so what about transforming strength?
Could there truly be immortal cultivators in this world!?
His current strength was too weak, and he had encountered too little.
"Boss, how can one join Five Terraces Sect?"
A young patrol guard's eyes ignited with the flame of desire.
Cheng Ming shook his head with a bitter smile, "First you must stand out in the martial examinations, then pass layer upon layer of selection in the prefecture city..."
"Passing the martial examinations..."
The young patrol guard clenched his fists.
Chen Qing remained silent, saying nothing.
"Still too young."
Old Li looked at these hot-blooded young men and shook his head silently.
"Don't think about so much. These things are all too distant from us."
Cheng Ming glanced at several people, "What's most important right now is to calm your