Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Toll Money

Gu Sheng looked up.

Leading the caravan was a middle-aged man dressed like an old farmer. Though the autumn wind carried a chill, he wore a short brown jacket.

He smiled at Gu Sheng and the others, carrying a kind of inexplicable warmth, leaving Gu Erniu and the rest flattered as they bowed repeatedly.

Beside him was a youth dressed in blue, with sharp, defined features and an air of arrogance. A faint resemblance between their facial features could just be made out.

The youth’s face was expressionless as he murmured softly to the middle-aged man.

Gu Sheng knew it in his heart.

This was Gu Dajiang, one of the three top experts of Gu’s Manor, and his son, Gu Xiaojiang.

Neither spoke a word as they mounted their horses and rode to the front of the caravan.

Following closely behind was a middle-aged steward in a cyan coat—Gu Renxu, the steward responsible for purchasing. Gu Renxu smiled at Gu Sheng, who returned the gesture; the two had met briefly a few days ago through Gu He’s introduction.

As Gu Renxu passed by Gu Sheng’s side, he whispered:

”You can find a donkey cart to sit on later. It’s dozens of miles ahead — still a long way to go.”

Gu Sheng hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Such treatment was not typically extended to ordinary folk.

The caravan slowly moved forward. Villagers from the manor who intended to enter the city quickly followed, while several sturdy and imposing youths flanked the caravan as guards.

”This is the first time I’ve seen so many Martial Artists...,”

Gu Sheng’s eyes lit up. The Martial Artists exuded an aura distinctly different from common folk, one that was far more ferocious.

He observed closely and could see calluses between the knuckles of their fists, likely from extensive fist-skill training. Moreover, the faint differences in the exposed skin from commoners were noticeable.

By this time,

Gu Sheng was no longer entirely ignorant of martial arts.

Martial Artists in the Refining Skin Realm were divided into three stages:

Stone Skin, Iron Skin, and Jade Skin.

As for the exact distinctions, Gu Sheng wasn’t entirely clear. However, he knew that simply reaching entry-level in the Stone Skin Stage rendered the skin as tough as stone, resilient against punches and kicks, and even capable of withstanding blades to some degree.

With so many Martial Artists accompanying the group, the villagers of Gu’s Manor appeared at ease, chatting in low voices about plans for their trip to the city.

Gu Erniu noticed Gu Sheng observing the Martial Artists. Smiling, he patted his shoulder and said:

”Come next spring, Asheng, you’ll be able to start learning martial arts. Work hard, and maybe one day you’ll become a Martial Artist too!”

Gu Sheng nodded with a smile.

Yet his focus wasn’t entirely on the conversation. He was carefully observing the mountains and forests along the way, silently committing their features to memory. Someday, if he had to journey to the city alone, this awareness would prove invaluable.

Though traveling with the manor’s purchasing team was safer, Gu Sheng didn’t enjoy relying on others. He preferred to have control over his circumstances.

The caravan pressed onward. Although they followed the official road, they occasionally had to navigate through forests and mountains.

The journey was stop-and-go.

The official road clearly hadn’t been maintained for a long time, making it difficult to traverse. At times, they even had to take detours. While the Martial Artists, with their abundant stamina, were unaffected, others needed frequent breaks.

Suddenly,

The entire caravan grew restless. Gu Sheng’s instincts sharpened, and his piercing gaze locked on the road ahead.

Gu Dajiang’s hearty laughter rang out.

”I wonder which esteemed heroes lie ahead. We are a caravan from Gu’s Manor. I am Gu Dajiang, and I may have shared a drink with your leader before!”

The villagers tensed up, their expressions worrisome — they had encountered mountain bandits.

Even with the Martial Artists present, an unease crept into their hearts.

Gu Sheng focused his eyes and noticed that the Martial Artists remained unshaken, and Gu Renxu’s expression seemed accustomed to such events.

Sure enough,

As soon as Gu Dajiang finished speaking,

there came a commotion from across the way. Evidently, Gu Dajiang’s reputation preceded him—a Blood Refining Realm expert was no minor figure, recognized by name throughout this region.

”So it’s ’Eastward Flow of the Great River’ himself! My apologies. We from Huangshan Village shall step aside and grant you passage.”

A voice called out from the woods ahead, followed by the rustle of retreating footsteps.

Gu Dajiang burst into hearty laughter:

”Many thanks to the heroes of Huangshan Village! I’ll treat you all to drinks someday!”

”We’ll hold you to that!”

The crisis averted, the villagers from Gu’s Manor were visibly relieved, their admiration for Gu Dajiang growing stronger.

Gu Xiaojiang, in particular, was especially respectful.

Gu Sheng exhaled a silent sigh of relief.

Gu Erniu’s eyes gleamed with yearning as he nudged Gu Sheng with his elbow and whispered:

”Did you see that? So imposing! Scaring the enemy off without even lifting a hand — now that’s a real man!”

Gu Sheng smiled faintly, his heart sharing a similar longing.

Gu Dajiang’s reputation and prestige weren’t mere words; they were earned through strength and ability.

Power was truly captivating.

At that moment,

Gu Renxu, at some point, had come over to Gu Sheng’s side. Smiling, he said:

”Don’t worry. We encounter these kinds of forest bandits every time we go to the city for supplies. Most groups won’t trouble us from Gu’s Manor. Even when we run into tougher bands, paying them some toll money usually resolves things without much bloodshed.”

”Especially with Master Gu Dajiang accompanying us, there won’t be any problems.”

He glanced around at the villagers and then at Gu Sheng, speaking reassuringly.

Having heard Gu He praise Gu Sheng on multiple occasions, and with Gu Sheng’s formidable archery skills gradually gaining fame within the manor, Gu Renxu held him in higher regard.

Gu Sheng nodded promptly.

That made sense.

Forest bandits weren’t fools. Those who resorted to banditry aimed for an easy life, not death. If they could make money without bloodshed, no one would opt for a fight to the death.

”Thank you for the advice, steward, but it’s always better to stay cautious,”

a slightly arrogant voice interjected.

”It’s just a routine trip to the city. With my father here, there’s nothing to worry about. Do you think the reputation of ’Eastward Flow of the Great River’ comes easily? I hear your archery skills are remarkable—why are you so timid?”

Gu Sheng followed the voice to its source.

He saw the blue-clad youth, roughly his own age, approaching on horseback, casting a condescending glance his way.

Gu Xiaojiang said this in passing, then turned his horse and addressed Gu Renxu:

”Uncle Renxu, my father requests your presence.”

With that, he turned his horse and rode off.

Gu Renxu glanced at Gu Sheng. Seeing his calm expression, Renxu was inwardly impressed; an ordinary youth, faced with such disdain, would usually be red-faced and argumentative. Yet Gu Sheng, having lived two lives, paid it no mind.

”Just stick with the caravan. If rations are distributed later, I’ll bring you two extra pieces.”

Ordinary folks had to provide their own food, but Gu Renxu extended special care to Gu Sheng and his companion.

After some arrangements, the caravan resumed its journey.

Soon after,

they encountered two more groups of mountain bandits. But just like the previous instance, after Gu Dajiang introduced himself, the bandits wisely retreated.

Average mountain bandits rarely had more than a few Martial Artists.

In the face of a Blood Refining Realm expert, they had no choice but to submit.

Before long,

they were nearly halfway through their journey.

The uneventful trip bolstered the villagers’ admiration for Gu Dajiang even further. In these chaotic times, he was a protector akin to a guardian deity.

After traveling some more,

a hill resembling a crouched Bull Mountain appeared ahead, its form gently rising.

Gu Erniu whispered to Gu Sheng:

”Once we cross Bull Mountain ahead, there’ll essentially be no more bandit trouble.”

Gu Sheng nodded.

However,

just as Gu Erniu finished speaking, a part of the forest in the distance suddenly shook. Gu Sheng squinted, faintly sensing bows aimed in this direction.

”Hand over your money or your lives!”

A rough voice bellowed from the forest as a burly man carrying a Wolf Fang Club strode out. Dozens of figures followed, their movements unified and disciplined, evoking an intimidating presence.

The expressions of the other villagers showed no signs of nervousness.

But Gu Dajiang’s face shifted slightly, his heart on guard. He clasped his hands and said with a smile:

”You look unfamiliar, good sir. I am Gu Dajiang from Gu’s Manor. Might I ask for passage? I’ll treat the esteemed heroes to drinks another day.”

Before he could finish, mocking laughter erupted from the other side.

”What nonsense about Gu’s Manor? Whether you’re Gu Dajiang or Gu Xiaojiang, I’ve never heard of you!”

”I’m saying this one more time — leave something for the toll!”

The burly man’s eyes widened suddenly, exuding a bloodthirsty and oppressive aura.

Clearly, these newcomers weren’t here for pleasantries!