Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 100: Chapter 90: Advancing to Jade Skin! Anticipating the Enemy’s Moves!_3

Gu Sheng chuckled and said:

”From now on, I’ll have to trouble you to look after me more.”

Gu Xiaojiang laughed slyly and said:

”Cut it out! Others may not know you, but I certainly do. You pretend to be humble, but deep down you’re quite proud. Silently breaking through to become a Martial Artist—your speed is impressive. Paired with your archery skills, if we were at a distance, I’d definitely be wary of you.”

Gu Sheng smiled faintly and raised his hand. A greenish-brown light flickered briefly across his palm.

Gu Xiaojiang earnestly smiled and said:

”Asheng, congratulations!”

The two exchanged smiles, took big gulps of wine, and occasionally discussed the surrounding situation. Although Gu Xiaojiang had been secluded at the main household, practicing martial arts, he was well aware of the dynamics in Canghe County.

The news that Liu Yuanhu had become acting magistrate also made it clear to him that time was not on his side. Breaking through to an Iron Skin Martial Artist was just the first step—he would need to work even harder in the future.

”Asheng, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Gu Xiaojiang hesitated for a moment, then met Gu Sheng’s gaze and spoke.

Gu Sheng’s heart stirred, and he immediately had a guess.

”Did the clan elders send you? Are they trying to arrange a marriage for me?”

Gu Xiaojiang was taken aback and exclaimed in admiration:

”Asheng, you’re as sharp as ever. That’s right, the clan elders suggested that if you were to marry a woman from the main branch and have descendants, they’d focus all resources on helping you break through to the next realm.”

He hesitated for a while but finally gritted his teeth and said:

”Asheng, I know your temperament. Though you’re reluctant in your heart, I must tell you this: on the martial path, speed is everything. If you miss one step, you’re behind in every step that follows. The bottleneck for Iron Skin Martial Artists is still manageable, but breaking through to Jade Skin Martial Artist or even the Blood Refining Realm can take three to five years—or even longer without sufficient resources. Some people spend their whole lives stuck without enough resources to push through.”

”You work hard, but only with ample resources can your hard work bear the most brilliant fruits.”

”I hope you’ll give it serious thought.”

After speaking, Gu Xiaojiang looked at Gu Sheng earnestly, his sincerity plain to see.

While his opinion differed from that of the clan elders, from his perspective, this was a good opportunity for Gu Sheng. Yet he also knew that Gu Sheng’s way of thinking was unconventional, and there was a high chance he wouldn’t agree.

Nonetheless, he felt compelled to offer this advice—it was what he believed he should do.

Looking at Gu Xiaojiang’s sincere gaze, Gu Sheng, as expected, could not agree.

Marriage was one thing, but to have children as well?

This would essentially tie him to Gu’s Manor. With aspirations set on the martial path, Gu Sheng would not willingly bind his feet.

What’s more,

what Gu Sheng needed now were Blood Refining Realm resources. Even if he agreed to the clan elders’ terms, the resources they’d offer wouldn’t match his current needs. Revealing his true realm would only invite even greater trouble.

Under Gu Xiaojiang’s faintly disappointed gaze, Gu Sheng slowly shook his head and smiled:

”Xiao Jiang, I appreciate your good intentions. Tell the clan elders that I have no plans to marry or have children for the time being. But rest assured, I grew up in Gu’s Manor and have no ill intentions toward it whatsoever.”

This was the truth. After all, it was where his ancestors had made their home. Gu Sheng had never considered overturning the main household of Gu’s Manor to take its place.

He merely saw Gu’s Manor as a place of shelter. One day, he would inevitably leave.

Gu Xiaojiang let out a long sigh.

”So be it. I knew you wouldn’t agree. I understand your character, and I hope you won’t hold a grudge against the clan elders. They have their own concerns.”

Gu Sheng smiled and shook his head.

Having lived two lives, he wouldn’t harbor resentment over such matters. People simply had different positions—this was normal.

”Here are the land deeds for a house and some fields. Take them—all the martial artists of Gu’s Manor receive them.”

Gu Xiaojiang pulled out several land deeds.

This was one of Gu’s Manor’s ways of retaining martial artists—through offering privileges and status. Over time, they would naturally integrate, eventually maintaining these privileges and, through marriages and alliances, fully becoming one of their own.

Gu Sheng smiled as he accepted them.

Refusing would indeed seem suspicious.

Of course, he understood that these deeds couldn’t be sold. At most, he could collect some rent each year. Still, it would make life a bit more comfortable, which was certainly welcome.

Seeing that Gu Sheng had accepted the deeds, Gu Xiaojiang’s face lit up. Laughing heartily, he said:

”Come, let’s have a sparring match. Let me show you the Iron Stone Fist of the Great Achievement Realm!”

Gu Sheng laughed as well:

”You think I’m afraid?”

His mood lightened a little. He truly didn’t want to sour relations with Gu’s Manor—maintaining this level of connection was ideal.

The two leapt into the courtyard. In an instant, the whistle of fists filled the air, and their figures blurred in quick exchanges.

...

Two more days passed.

During this time, Gu Sheng spent some moments gathering with Gu Erniu, Zhang Ze, and others, casually displaying the might of an Iron Skin Martial Artist. This drew countless words of awe and reverence, solidifying in their hearts the resolve to send their descendants to train in martial arts in the future—no matter the cost, they were determined to seize this slim chance.

In addition, members of the Black Sand Gang came to collect the annual tribute yesterday.

This time, however, it was not Han Lu leading the group but the Fire Hall Master, Ning Kang. This hall master appeared younger than Han Lu, in his prime, and his strength was not inferior to Han Lu’s in the slightest.

The only unsettling thing about him was his dead-fish eyes, which made people uncomfortable.

Since the incident at the Li Clan Fortress last year, the Black Sand Gang had kept a lower profile. Their arrogance had been noticeably restrained this time.

Even so, the annual tribute remained unchanged—three thousand taels, just like last year.

Under the cold stares of the people from Gu’s Manor, the martial artists of the Black Sand Gang mounted their horses and left.

”It seems Liu Yuanhu has managed to free up some bandwidth, putting pressure on the Black Sand Gang. But for Han Lu, that bastard, to not even come for such a cushy job like collecting tribute... it seems last year’s incident had quite an impact on him.”

Gu Sheng silently contemplated.

He stretched and exercised in the courtyard, sensing that his newfound strength was now fully under his control, allowing him to perform at his peak.

”It’s time to visit the black market!”