He didn’t go into detail about the Flying Horse Thieves, not wanting to worry his cousin.
The cut of Exotic Beast at was stewed until it was extrely tender, lting in his mouth. It had a unique, gay sweetness and was the perfect thing to replenish his vitality.
Yang Jing’s appetite was whetted, and he quickly devoured every last bit of the at and broth. A pleasant warmth spread through his body as if he had a small furnace inside him. Much of his previous fatigue dissipated, and a surge of energy flowed through his limbs.
After the al, Yang An cleared the bowls and chopsticks from the table while Yang Jing went into the bedroom connected to the main room.
The bedroom wasn’t large. It contained only a wooden bed and a desk, with a black cloth curtain partitioning it from the outer area.
He closed the door and took out the one hundred thousand taels in silver notes and the eight martial arts manuals from his robes.
He carefully folded the silver notes and tucked them into a hidden compartnt beneath the bed boards.
The seven ordinary martial arts manuals went into the desk drawer, which he then locked.
Finally, his fingertips brushed against an old, simple-looking book with a blue-gray cover. Written on the cover in large script were three words—*Indestructible True Skill*.
Yang Jing sat at the desk and placed the book gently on its surface, his heart filled with anticipation.
His master, Sun Yong, had once briefly ntioned the different tiers of martial arts.
Most of the techniques circulating in the Jianghu were ordinary, such as *Iron Cloth Shirt*, *Raging Wave Kick*, and *Life-Chasing Fist*.
Superior martial arts were already rare, a cut above the ordinary in quality and naturally more powerful, like the *Mountain-Shattering Fist* that Yang Jing primarily cultivated.
Top-tier martial arts were as rare as a phoenix’s feather. The Li Family’s *Vajra Hand Seal* was one such example; it was said that even masters from the great sects in the Prefecture City had made special trips to seek pointers on it.
As for a True Skill, that was the stuff of legends. Even in the great sects of the Prefecture City, a True Skill would be considered a sect-defining treasure, sothing an ordinary disciple would never even get a chance to see.
The *Mountain-Shattering Fist* he currently practiced was a superior martial art, considered quite excellent in Yuhe County.
But ever since seeing Li ngchao fight during the training ground trials, he had co to understand the terrifying power of a top-tier martial art.
His opponent was also at the Peak of Dark Energy, and a standout one at that, yet before Li ngchao and his *Vajra Hand Seal*, he was as fragile as a child.
Even soone as strong as Qin Yu was swiftly defeated by Li ngchao. If he hadn’t conceded in ti, his life would have been in danger right then and there.
From that mont on, he had yearned for a top-tier martial art. He never imagined he would actually obtain a True Skill today!
Yang Jing took a deep breath and carefully opened the cover of the *Indestructible True Skill*.
The pages were yellowed and brittle. On them were written ancient-looking incantations in brush calligraphy, accompanied by several illustrations of the human ridians. The ink had faded sowhat but was still clear.
He read it word by word, his shock growing with every line.
’The circulation path of this Cultivation Technique is incredibly profound. It can actually draw upon the faint primordial qi between heaven and earth to temper the physical body, even at the strength level. It’s far beyond ordinary martial arts that only train vitality and Inner Strength. No wonder it’s called ’Indestructible’—it’s clearly an ultimate Body Refinent True Skill.’
Although *Iron Cloth Shirt* was also a Body Refinent art, it was worlds apart from the *Indestructible True Skill*.
According to the description, mastering the *Indestructible True Skill* would make one like a legendary Buddhist Vajra, with terrifyingly powerful offense and defense.
But as he reached the end, Yang Jing’s brow gradually furrowed.
The manual stopped abruptly at the Huajin Realm. There was no content after that.
"Only the first half?"
Yang Jing’s heart sank. He checked the book over and over, confirming there were no missing pages. It was clear the True Skill was incomplete; it could only be cultivated to the Huajin Realm. The second half was lost sowhere.
A wave of frustration washed over him, but Yang Jing quickly suppressed it.
’Forget it. Just having the first half is already a heaven-sent opportunity.’
He muttered to himself, his gaze firming with resolve once more. "Even if I can only cultivate it to the Huajin Realm, with the profoundness of this True Skill, ordinary Huajin Powerhouses will be no better than clay chickens and pottery dogs before !"
Yang Jing stopped dwelling on it. He banished all distracting thoughts, turned back to the first page, and began to study it word by word. His fingertip lightly traced the ridian paths in the illustrations, his eyes focused and bright.
...
「Night.」
The snow was falling heavily, but a spacious room in the rear courtyard of the County Yan was cozy and warm.
The County Magistrate, Zhou Wenbin, was sitting with his family around a charcoal brazier. On it, a copper pot bubbled away, its steaming hot broth roiling. Thinly sliced lamb cooked in a single swish, and when dipped in sesa sauce, the aroma was heavenly.
His wife was placing slices of at in their youngest son’s bowl, a concubine was warming wine at the side, and his children were chatting and laughing. It was a picture of warmth and harmony.
Zhou Wenbin raised his cup, took a sip of the warm yellow wine, and watched the snow fill the sky outside the window, feeling quite content.
’On a freezing day like this, there was nothing better than gathering around the brazier with family and temporarily forgetting the worries of official duties.’
Just then, the steward, Zhou Zhong, hurried in. He held a wax-sealed envelope in his hands, his expression sowhat grave.
Zhou Wenbin’s brow twitched, and he set down his wine cup.
He had a rule: after nightfall, he would not handle official business unless it was a matter of utmost urgency.
But from Zhou Zhong’s appearance, it was clear that urgent news had arrived.
"What is it?" His voice was calm but held an imperceptible, scrutinizing edge.
"My lord, an urgent letter just arrived. It’s from the scout captain at the outpost outside the city." Zhou Zhong presented the envelope with both hands.
Zhou Wenbin took the envelope, broke the wax seal with his fingertips, and pulled out the letter inside.
The letter was on rough straw paper, with several lines written on it in charcoal. The handwriting was scrawled but clear:
"Flying Horse Thieves’ lair breached. Leader Li Qianxiong slain by Yang Jing, a disciple from Sun’s Martial Arts Hall. Li Tieyun of the River Gang assisted with Dark Energy experts. All bandits eliminated except for the second-in-command, who escaped. Yang Jing’s strength is tyrannical; he is peerless below the Huajin Realm."
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