Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 76 - 70: Unparalleled Boxing and Stick Skills, Li Feiyu!

Chapter 76: Chapter 70: Unparalleled Boxing and Stick Skills, Li Feiyu!

"Brothers of the Demon Slayer Bureau, words cannot express my gratitude. On behalf of all brothers, I thank you sincerely. Your action today in slaying Zhou Tiande, the Flame Banner Master of the Black Mountain Army, is a great merit. I will surely report truthfully to the County Captain."

Shi Hong saw Su Mu about to turn and leave, and promptly spoke out to stop him. He clasped his fists respectfully towards Su Mu.

"As for Zhou Heng... his own unrighteous actions caused him to be caught in the crossfire of bandit firearms, leading to his unfortunate demise."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu nodded slightly. Although the task from the Demon Slayer Bureau was to repel the marauding bandits, whether Zhou Heng was dead or alive was actually irrelevant to him, as adding more matters is less desirable.

At that moment, Su Mu only nodded slightly to Shi Hong, maintaining a haughty posture.

"May I know your name?" Shi Hong was not at all annoyed, instead, he felt that Su Mu’s prideful demeanor was justified.

"Assassin for the Demon Slayer Bureau, Li Feiyu."

"Li Feiyu?!" Shi Hong mumbled again, his eyes full of awe. To cross beyond First Grade at the Bone Forging Realm and capture Zhou Tiande alone, such strength was undeniably impressive.

"After today, the name Li Feiyu will surely be renowned in Cyan Cloud... To cultivate such a strong individual as Li Feiyu, the foundation of Vajra Temple is indeed profound, and Director Li of the Demon Slayer Bureau truly has an eye for talent."

At first, Shi Hong, as one of the commanders of the Cyan Cloud Army, had little regard when the Demon Slayer Bureau sent someone to assist, thinking this assassin was here merely to go through the motions and gain some credentials.

After today’s battle, Shi Hong completely changed his view of the Demon Slayer Bureau.

Unbeknownst to him, Su Mu was not what Shi Hong believed him to be. He was not a martial prodigy cultivated by Vajra Temple from a young age. He was merely a sparrow from Qingshui Town that flew into Qingyun City, struggling against destiny, never having enjoyed cultivation by any major forces.

After sprinting ten miles at a stretch, Su Mu stopped his movement and let out a muffled groan.

He took out a Blood-Strengthening Pill and consumed it, carefully examining the injuries on his body, noticing several conspicuous dents on the scale black armor he wore outside.

"Muscle-Enhancing Martial Artists are indeed formidable!"

Despite his body tempered with Scale Iron Armor, Vajra Body, close-fitting Snow Silkworm Treasure Armor, and protection under the Huajin Fourth Layer, he experienced varying degrees of fractures in his arms, chest, and abdomen.

"However, it’s not entirely caused by Zhou Tiande... Some of it was also due to the backlash from the Double Tiger Overlap punch and the result of fighting with full force."

Su Mu began to apply injury balm to his wounds. In this battle, Su Mu fought as hard as he could, which led him to discover a notable risk.

"Nowadays, the bone strength of one bone forging cannot withstand my full-force fight."

When every Grade-Entering Martial Arts is cultivated to depth, it can give rise to Power. Today, Zhou Tiande, forged his bones three times, was undoubtedly the strongest enemy Su Mu has ever encountered.

But within him, he had cultivated only two Forces; one from years of refinement of his fist technique, and another just barely developing Force, belonging to that peculiar cross-training body tempering martial arts.

Yet now, Su Mu harbors four Forces, all from Perfect Martial Arts, and their merging is so overwhelming that exerting them to full capacity would harm his body.

The crux is that Su Mu’s current body strength cannot keep pace with the speed at which his Force increases.

"When I go back this time, strive to complete another reward as soon as possible to obtain the prescription... I must quickly complete the second bone forging, and I can’t neglect the Vajra Body."

Thinking of the Vajra Body, Su Mu’s eyes couldn’t help but brighten. This Eighth-Grade cross-training martial arts from Vajra Temple gave Su Mu quite a surprise today, its efficacy exceeded his expectations.

After this battle, Su Mu has higher expectations and a growing interest in cross-training martial arts.

"In the future, I can cultivate several cross-training martial arts."

While applying balm, Su Mu also repeatedly recalled the battle in his mind; between life and death there is great fortune, and sparring with stronger opponents to draw experience and lessons is especially important.

Combat experience, particularly in fighting, is something martial arts secret manuals won’t teach, but its importance is not inferior to martial arts secret manuals.

After reviewing the battle, Su Mu remembered Zhou Tiande’s display of Fiery Body and regretted not obtaining it.

"What a pity... That Fiery Body could complement Vajra Body well, acquiring it would significantly enhance my strength!"

Of course, Su Mu was just contemplating this. Clearing his mind, Su Mu carefully considered the three fist techniques he mastered.

Among the three fist techniques, in terms of quality, Vajra Temple’s "Tiger Subduing Fist" should be the highest. However, the effectiveness of any martial arts varies depending on the individual using it.

Indeed, martial arts differ person to person.

Normally, Tiger Subduing Fist is the most formidable, followed by Rock Shattering Fist, and lastly Gale Fist.

Yet now, under the mighty support of Force, it’s actually Rock Shattering Fist that has the strongest destructive power. Tiger Subduing Fist can only rival Rock Shattering Fist when Double Tiger Overlap is activated, and when facing unarmored or martial artists not trained in cross-training martial arts.

However, Tiger Subduing Fist has a unique advantage; when punching, Tiger Roar preempts the opponent, often allowing Su Mu easier access to perform punch techniques.

Although Rock Shattering Fist’s destructive power is strong, it also isn’t without flaws. Its drawback lies in needing to create opportunities for close combat; it’s difficult to execute against those who wield weapons or possess high-level body techniques.

Although Su Mu has yet to encounter an opponent whose body technique surpasses his own or an enemy he cannot approach, he knows he must not be complacent in sparring, and being prepared is always advantageous.

As for Gale Fist, its only distinct feature is its solidified Fist Force, capable of penetrating three feet into the air to harm opponents when perfected.

"If I could fuse Gale Fist and Rock Shattering Fist, combining their strengths... facing Zhou Tiande’s Red Fire Shield wouldn’t be as difficult."

Red Fire Shield can rebound the Force and strength of attackers, but it is mostly unable to reflect martial arts that attack from a distance.

Considering this, Su Mu’s desire to fuse the two martial arts grew increasingly strong. However, the difficulty of merging two martial arts is akin to creating a martial art from scratch, not something achievable overnight.

"This cannot be rushed... First, return to Qingyun City."

Although Zhou Heng died during the escort, Shi Hong must first reunite with the other squad. Su Mu naturally arrived at Qingyun City ahead of the two squads, traveling alone.

At noon, Su Mu smoothly reached Qingyun City.

"Take me to see Director Li!"

Su Mu raised the Assassin’s Order, and the young constable swiftly led him into a study room, turned to leave with sweat already beading on his forehead.

"That person is Li Feiyu, truly worthy of the attention of Director Li."

The young constable felt immense pressure from Su Mu, not even inferior to facing Director Li.

Before long, steady yet swift footsteps approached.

Li Zhihe, hearing the constable report of Li Feiyu’s return, felt puzzled. How could Li Feiyu return so soon after accepting the reward task, with the escort team yet to arrive in Qingyun City?

Could it be that Li Feiyu fled from battle?

Thinking of this, Li Zhihe’s heart ignited with anger.

The Assassin’s Order reward is no trifling matter; how could anyone flee in the middle of a battle!

Upon seeing Li Feiyu in the study with an angry face, before able to question, Su Mu, with one hand holding tea, casually tossed an item with the other.

The item tossed was entirely crimson, like a ball of flame, engraved with the words "Blazing Fire," it was a token.

Blazing Order?!

Li Zhihe’s pupils constricted, his eyes fixed on the item on the table. "How could Zhou Tiande’s Blazing Order appear in Li brother’s hands?"

"Naturally, I killed him and casually took it. Director Li, happy to not disappoint."

What?

Zhou Tiande died at Li Feiyu’s hands?

Li Zhihe’s first thought was disbelief, but the Blazing Order is the identity token representing the Flame Banner Master within the Black Mountain Army, a personal belonging of Zhou Tiande.

If he didn’t kill Zhou Tiande, how else could he easily obtain it? Moreover, the token still bore bloodstains with the smell of blood not yet dispersed.

Silence filled the study.

After several changes in expression, Li Zhihe ponderingly spoke, "Li brother, this Blazing Order is not false. The escort team will return to the city within three days. If it is verified that Zhou Tiande was indeed slain by Li brother, providing safety for the people will count as great merit..."

"This merit can offset five Level 3 rewards. Three days later, the balm and prescription will be offered by my hand."

Su Mu’s eyes flickered, feeling somewhat surprised in his heart. Originally, he intended to accept another reward task to obtain the prescription, but he didn’t expect Zhou Tiande’s life could exchange for five rewards.

This indeed saved Su Mu considerable effort, a serendipitous delight.

"Alright, let it be as Director Li said; three days later, I will come to retrieve the prescription."

After a few more casual conversations, Su Mu stood up and left. Li Zhihe stared at the token on the desk with bloodstains still fresh, his finger gently tapping the tabletop.

...