Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Green Turtle

Inside the courtyard.

Gu Sheng was practicing his punches. Yesterday, he had gone into the mountains and hunted a muntjac, making for a fruitful outing. Today, he was training at home.

Hu hu hu!!

The sound of punching wind roared, occasionally producing sharp bursts in the courtyard.

Gu Sheng’s eyes were sharp, focused. His upper torso was bare, revealing extraordinarily well-built muscles. Beads of sweat would occasionally drip, tracing perfect arcs before splashing into the air.

To date.

Gu Sheng’s physique no longer showed the slightest hint of frailty. His muscles weren’t exaggerated in size, but with each punch and twist, they rippled like a dragon, exuding explosive power.

Thanks to the profound mastery of Iron Stone Fist.

Gu Sheng’s physique was far more refined than the average Martial Artist.

After a short while.

Gu Sheng stopped his punching practice. White mist billowed around his body, his skin tinged with a dark reddish hue, nearing the final stages of transformation. Continuous daily training and improvement brought a satisfying sense of progress.

From outside the courtyard came the voice of a young boy.

”Uncle Sheng, come out quickly! My dad says you should come to our house for a meal! Uncle Ze and the others are already there!”

It was Xiao Wan.

Gu Sheng’s lips curved into a faint smile.

The family of Gu Erniu appreciated Gu Sheng for taking care of them, so they would occasionally invite him to their house for meals. Women’s cooking was always better than what men could manage, and Gu Sheng was happy to oblige.

Social courtesy.

If there were only giving without reciprocating, over time it would become a burden for both parties.

”Coming, wait a bit.”

Gu Sheng replied aloud.

He then grabbed a bucket of well water and poured it over his head. It was already late autumn, and the well water was ice-cold. Even a strong man would hesitate to drench himself in cold water right after vigorous exercise for fear of catching a chill.

But now, with Gu Sheng’s robust physique, the cold water hitting his skin felt invigorating.

A Martial Artist’s body was beginning to show traits beyond ordinary human limits.

His Power surged, mist gradually rising as Gu Sheng casually wiped his body and hair before pulling on a black single-layer garment and heading toward the courtyard’s entrance.

”Xiao Wan, kept you waiting? Let’s go.”

Gu Sheng looked at the young boy in front of him, smiling.

In the past year, Xiao Wan had grown taller and more mature. With good nutrition since childhood, he was healthy, active, and nimble.

”Uncle Sheng, your muscles are so strong! I bet even if you gave my dad a handicap and fought him with one arm, he wouldn’t be able to beat you!”

He chuckled mischievously while poking at Gu Sheng’s muscular arm with a look full of admiration.

Every time Gu Sheng visited the black market, he would bring Xiao Wan small gifts. Coupled with hearing people around often talking about Gu Sheng with admiration, it was natural for the young boy to hold Gu Sheng in high regard.

Gu Sheng laughed heartily, rubbing the boy’s head.

”Don’t talk down about your dad like that. Be careful he doesn’t punish you with a stick.”

Kids say the wildest things.

Though, truth be told, given Gu Erniu’s physique, one punch from Gu Sheng would likely knock him out.

Xiao Wan giggled as he ran off, quickly arriving at Gu Erniu’s house.

Today was actually to celebrate Gu Erniu’s complete recovery. Last year, he had sustained a leg injury, but now it had finally healed fully without any lingering damage, allowing him to return to peak condition.

Several close hunters had also come over, and four or five men had set up a large pot in the courtyard, tending to the burning firewood beneath.

When they saw Gu Sheng approaching.

Those who were chatting excitedly all stood up to look at him, and Li Lian said with a laugh, ”Ah Sheng, you finally made it! Your brother Erniu was just saying you’d be on your way. I know your martial arts-obsessed nature—if Xiao Wan hadn’t called you, you might’ve taken forever to show.”

The crowd all echoed in agreement:

”That’s right, Ah Sheng, you’re way too diligent. You should also know that training requires a balance of work and rest.”

Gu Sheng nodded slightly to the crowd, smiling as he replied:

”I can’t help it—if my aptitude is lacking, I need to work extra hard. The clumsy bird flies early, after all. Otherwise, how else can I become a Martial Artist?”

The crowd laughed, saying Gu Sheng was too modest.

Gu Sheng’s transformation over the past year was clear for everyone to see—he was simply a different person entirely.

Gu Sheng sat down, joined by several other men.

Li Lian, meanwhile, took Xiao Wan inside the house.

Men’s conversations are always uninhibited—keeping children away was more considerate.

”Erniu, congratulations on your full recovery and return to peak health!”

Gu Sheng smiled and raised his cup.

Gu Erniu’s eyes were filled with gratitude as he nodded firmly. Only the two of them knew the danger of that leg injury back then. They drank their toast in silence, sharing a mutual understanding.

This hotpot recipe had undergone multiple improvements over the past year, with various substitute herbs added. What had initially been a somewhat bland dish was now flavorful and rich.

The group ate heartily.

Laughter and lively conversations filled the air, their topics always revolving around the usual themes.

With a flushed face, Three-Pockmarks glanced toward the tightly shut inner room, nudging Zhang Ze with his elbow as he chuckled:

”Ah Ze, earlier when Erniu’s wife was still here, what were you saying about a green turtle?”

At once, flames of gossip lit up in everyone’s eyes.

Gu Sheng also looked at Zhang Ze, intrigued. Earlier, he had overheard snippets about this ”green turtle” while Li Lian had been present, but as Gu Sheng arrived, the conversation had been cut off.

Seeing all eyes on him, Zhang Ze instantly got excited.

He set down his wine bowl, gesturing animatedly as his face lit up with expression:

”This is a juicy one—I just learned about it recently. You all know Du Jiangbo, right? The current head of the Li family fortress!”

Hearing this name.

Gu Sheng’s attention sharpened, stealthily exchanging a glance with Gu Erniu. The two concealed their thoughts and continued listening.

”The person I’m calling the green turtle is none other than him!”

The crowd erupted, and Three-Pockmarks exclaimed loudly:

”No way! Even though the Li family fortress has seen better days, Du Jiangbo’s still its head—who’d dare cuckold him? Aren’t they afraid of losing their head one day?”

Zhang Ze chuckled slyly.

”Well... what if the one doing the cuckolding is even more powerful than Du Jiangbo?”

Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing something disconcerting.

”The Black Sand Gang’s deputy leader, Han Lu!”

”Remember him? The one who came to the village to collect money earlier this year? Whether it’s he who fancied Du Jiangbo’s wife, or she who seduced him, the two have hooked up for sure.”

”I heard that when the Li family fortress caravan entered the city, Han Lu personally escorted them—and Du Jiangbo’s wife even rode in the same carriage as him...”

Zhang Ze flashed a suggestive smile.

The hunters immediately caught on, grinning knowingly.

After a round of laughter, a younger hunter sighed:

”Du Jiangbo really doesn’t deserve to be called a Martial Artist. He can’t even protect his own wife! If it were me, I’d risk my life to kill whoever touched her!”

Zhang Ze laughed heartily.

”And that’s why everyone calls Du Jiangbo a green turtle! I also heard that when Han Lu enjoys ’visiting’ his wife, Du Jiangbo stands guard outside the door. He tried very hard to hush this up, but how could he stop gossip from spreading far and wide...”

”The Li family fortress has had a tough time ever since the upheaval, and many people secretly resent Du Jiangbo. Rumor has it he offered his wife to Han Lu just to curry favor with the Black Sand Gang...”

The crowd’s expressions turned peculiar.

Gu Sheng’s face mirrored theirs, but inwardly, he was deeply unsettled.

”So that time I ran into the infamous Du Jiangbo’s wife in the city...”

He was well aware of the relationship between Li Yan and Li Yu. Initially, Du Jiangbo hadn’t wanted to intervene for his late brother-in-law, remaining inactive.

Now that Du Jiangbo’s wife was involved with Han Lu from the Black Sand Gang, the dynamics had completely shifted. If this matter were to be pursued again, things would become troublesome.

Although a year had passed and evidence was likely scarce, making it improbable for them to trace things back to him directly, vigilance was key.