A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 199 156: Dragging Corpses, Searching Bodies (2)

"Grrr!"

The Big Flood Dragon soared into the sky, gathering water vapor, forming clusters of cloud that supported its immense body.

"Showing goodwill to me? Could it be, I truly have the protection of the Dragon King?"

Bai Qi was slightly startled. He had fished in the Black Water River for so many years and had rarely seen such storm-making spirit creatures and monsters.

He had thought it was Ninghai Zen sitting in meditation that kept the area peaceful.

Never could he have imagined, right under his nose, there was a secretly hidden Big Flood Dragon!

"Could it have something to do with my master?"

Bai Qi speculated.

If Ninghai Zen didn't turn a blind eye and secretly allow the Big Flood Dragon to stay in the Black Water River,

It would have long been beaten, steamed, boiled, braised, stir-fried, and cooked into a pot.

After all, if he counted himself as having the Innate Fishing Saint Body and Blacksmith Saint Body,

Then his own master should be the "Innate Demon-Slaying Saint Body."

Not to mention monsters, even man-eating spirits wouldn't be spared.

With the protection of the Big Flood Dragon, there were no more disturbances along the way.

The cypress wood ship didn't need anyone to steer it. The wind filled the sails, as if aiding, and in a moment arrived at Black River County.

After a night of overwhelming commotion, as daybreak approached, the entire inner and outer city knew that Master Bai Qi had gathered a large team, ostensibly to scourge and sweep the Red Eyebrow Bandits, but actually targeting the Broker Feng Family of the Thirteen Associations of Yihai Prefecture.

"I heard Feng Shao Ling fled overnight? How cowardly."

Song Qiying sat with his father Song Lin on a long bench outside the East Market Shop.

"With Zhu Shou Rang's precedent, would you dare bet Bai Qilang won't kill? Seek stability in all matters; credit with no error is the way of conduct."

Song Lin disapproved of what his son said and reprimanded him:

"What's the use of pride if your life is gone? Mixing in the Jianghu, sometimes it's not about who's more skilled, but who lives longer, who's more experienced, with more pupils."

Song Qiying humbly accepted and couldn't help but admire:

"Bai Qilang is truly imposing, having entered Tongwen Hall, even the Thirteen Associations of Yihai Prefecture must fear him somewhat. That He Family Young Master, such a proud person, also follows orders."

Song Lin shook his head again:

"You practice martial arts; first nurture your Qi blood until your body is sturdy, then refine power. Why? Because if your foundation isn't strong, rashly practicing punches and kicks can leave internal injuries.

The same principle applies; you think others rely on the Instructor Ning and Tongwen Hall for such achievements.

But have you considered why you, He Tai, Han Li... all want to apprentice, yet Instructor Ning hasn't accepted you?"

Song Qiying became silent, like the Young Masters of Chai Market, Fishery, Fire Kiln, and all the promising talents of various martial arts schools.

Their first choice before practicing martial arts was always Tongwen Hall.

But over the years, only the outsider Cheng Yuanlong truly crossed the threshold and stood under that black plaque of Yihai hidden dragon.

"Moreover, what kind of person is Instructor Ning? Is his judgment inferior to ours?

He chose Bai Qilang as a direct disciple of the school.

Yet you think Bai Qilang merely uses the Tiger Skin as a banner?"

Song Lin's eyes suddenly turned sharp, making Song Qiying's shoulders tremble:

"Dad, I didn't mean that. I greatly admire Brother Bai's skills; he can catch precious fish, and trained to defeat Yang Meng in one practice session. I'm just..."

"You're just not convinced. You're the son of the Master of Chai Market, eating and drinking well, never lacking in tonifying herbs, yet cannot surpass a fisherman who struggles for warmth and food.

So you blame everything on Tongwen Hall, thinking if you could be Instructor Ning's disciple, you wouldn't be inferior to Bai Qilang."

Song Lin's face twitched, eyes filled with anger:

"Foolish! Your father has dealt with those wolves like big bosses from County City for years; he knows one truth well.

People aren't dangerous if they're dumb, if they're brainless, they're dangerous if they think they're clever.

What you don't know is that before Bai Qilang joined Tongwen Hall, Mu Chun of Broken Blade Sect intended to take him as a direct disciple.

This person has extraordinary talent in martial arts comprehension, covering three to four years of your progress in less than half a year.

How did He Tai die? How did He Wenbing fall? It's because they looked down on others, thought themselves clever, underestimated Yang Meng, and in the end, were bitten hard by this vicious dog!"

Song Qiying hung his head, seeing his son like this, Song Lin softened his tone:

"Ying'er, you should correct your mindset, learn from that Seventh Young Master of the He Family, didn't he have higher social standing than you? He put aside his pride, yet you still consider yourself the so-called Young Master of Chai Market, how can you get along well in the future?"

Song Qiying assumed a solemn expression, truly taking it to heart.

"All night long. How's Brother Bai, anyway?"

He Jingfeng rubbed his eyes. He hadn't slept all night, guarding the dock connecting the Black Water River and Nu Yun River just to get firsthand news.

Feng Shao Ling fled quickly, which was actually a good thing, saving him from worrying. But couldn't have expected Brother Bai would chase after too.

Isn't this falling into a trap!

"Master, I think it's like fishing."

Uncle Yang saw through this, after all, he was an old hand from Celestial Water Prefecture, experienced:

"Since you already leaked the information to Bai Qilang, he surely considers it important. These days, he looked for Wang Ding, who evades cold arrows, and has met with several Martial Arts Masters, who knows what backup he has."

He Jingfeng furrowed his brow slightly:

"Brother Bai is that bold? But that's Hidden Pavilion Assassins, full of talents! Even the true successor of Meridian Sword Sect was killed, that assassin known as Old Knife Master still hasn't been found! It's said to have alerted the sect master titled Divine Martial Saint, who cast the Soul-locking Technique covering over three thousand miles to hunt the culprit."

Uncle Yang chuckled:

"A thousand taels of gold—we can't attract such lawless figures."

He Jingfeng rubbed his chin, still unsure: