I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Inner Breath Second Level

Zhou Shoushan and Wu Hui, upon hearing the words, exchanged glances filled with amusement.

He’s just an apprentice escort master, with a monthly salary of only three silver coins, yet he’s trying to give them financial advice.

They may have fallen into hard times, but they’ve had their moments of glory—they’re not beggars.

Earlier, they were merely flattering Kong Bin with a few compliments; after all, he’s still young and loses his way after hearing a few pleasantries!

Though the two men were indifferent, Kong Bin continued speaking earnestly.

”There’s an apprentice escort master in my batch named Duan Rong.”

”He sells paintings on West Main Street, making a hundred silver coins a day. I’ve estimated slightly, this lad has at least a few thousand silver coins in hand!”

Zhou Shoushan was slightly astonished. A few thousand silver coins were no small sum for him; he turned his head and looked at Wu Hui, his gaze now inquiring.

Wu Hui hesitated for a moment and said, ”I remember hearing a while ago that there was a commotion on West Main Street... it seemed two women almost caused a fatal incident over painting!”

”Correct!” Kong Bin looked at Wu Hui and said, ”That’s the incident, and the painter I’m talking about is Duan Rong!”

”Does this person have any background?” Zhou Shoushan became interested, touching his chin and asked.

”His parents passed away; he’s an orphan! Like me, selected from the servant disciples!”

”Are you certain he has a few thousand silver coins?”

”Zhou Gang Leader, you don’t often walk on West Main Street. You wouldn’t know, his paintings cost ten silver coins a piece, and there’s a queue every day!”

Zhou Shoushan was slightly surprised, as he didn’t understand the matter of literature and art.

But he knew well that many famous artists lived in mansions with a circle of elegant patrons supporting them!

As for him not frequented West Main Street, isn’t that obvious?

The county government office is right on West Main Street, and he dares not wander near Shen Yanliu!

Avoiding that deity of misfortune, lest Shen Yanliu remembers him?

Zhou Shoushan looked at an already drunk Kong Bin, his thoughts swirling. ”Damn it, turns out it’s really a path to wealth!”

Living idly for three years, he too was short of money!

Zhou Shoushan leaned towards Wu Hui, who quickly understood. Leaning in, he listened as Zhou Shoushan whispered, ”Find a way to inquire...”

Duan Rong spent four days hiding in the dormitory during the day, acting like a mouse, taking advantage of the absence of others, to secretly practice and study the Cloud Serpent Step!

Over these days, Duan Rong had thoroughly mastered the Cloud Serpent Step!

Moreover, he integrated the step technique and body technique into some moves of the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber!

This was already the limit that Duan Rong could achieve at present. Some moves in the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber conflicted with the step and body techniques of the Cloud Serpent Step. To integrate these moves initially requires significant modification!

With Duan Rong’s martial arts realm at this time, he still fell short!

However, even partial integration of the moves had already greatly benefited Duan Rong!

His current step and body techniques were extraordinary; in this narrow room, no matter how he wielded, he would never hit anything.

And when he started running, he could evoke a wild-like feeling in this room...

Infinite world, free to roam!

After concluding his practice of the Cloud Serpent Step, Duan Rong no longer had to hide like a mouse in the dormitory during the day. Having not seen sunlight for days, he once again stood among the sunlit Martial Arts Arena, feeling his horizons expand.

Duan Rong let out a soft breath, sank his hips, and began his standing exercise.

Two hours later, Duan Rong suddenly opened his eyes, a bright light bursting forth. Tilting his head back, he let out a soft howl, exhaling a thick stream of white breath.

The white breath, thick as a baby’s arm, shot diagonally into the sky, snapping a slender twig from the parasol tree above Duan Rong with a crack.

The twig fell before Duan Rong, who exclaimed with joy: ”I’ve reached Inner Breath Second Level!”

At this moment, the inner breath in Duan Rong’s dantian was slightly thicker than his little finger and much more substantial than a few days ago.

Like a little snake, connected head to tail, the inner breath coiled in his dantian, spinning steadily...

That inner breath was connected to Duan Rong’s thoughts, and with a thought, the inner snake slithered through his meridians and organs, beginning to circulate!

Duan Rong slowly realized that with each circulation of the inner breath, his meridians and organs were nourished and strengthened!

As they say, internally cultivating a breath!

Duan Rong’s mind was clear and expansive, and after the inner breath completed one circulation, he suddenly drew his saber and began wielding the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber at the master level!

Master-level martial arts combined with Inner Breath Second Level of inner strength!

Duan Rong struck with such smoothness that the blade often emitted a clear melody!

This was the short explosive sound of friction between the blade and air, a tremor emitted!

This sound was different from the sound of breaking air at the First Level!

With inner breath at the Second Level now somewhat substantial, the energy began to restrain inwardly, making the moves appear slow but actually fast!

Duan Rong could clearly feel his combat power had once again noticeably improved!

Duan Rong practiced the routine of the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber several times, reveling in breakthrough happiness, light-hearted in mind and body...

Until after the fifth round, Duan Rong was satisfied to sheath the saber—when suddenly, a gatekeeper from Yuan Shun Escort Agency ran up to Duan Rong, panting, and said, ”Escort Master Duan, there’s a girl outside looking for you!”

”A girl?” Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat. ”Where’s this girl from? What does she look like?”

”She says she’s from Xia Mansion.”

”Xia Mansion?” Duan Rong breathed a sigh of relief, relieved it wasn’t Shen Mizi.

Duan Rong scrutinized the gatekeeper; this gatekeeper wasn’t just anyone but Ruan Fengshan’s father-in-law.

This fellow, relying on his daughter’s favor, strutted arrogantly, looking down on others.

If it weren’t for the generous reward given by the people outside, he wouldn’t have eagerly run to the inner courtyard Martial Arts Arena to find someone.

”That’s the mansion of Mr. Xia Zhongyang of Yunsui Banking House.” The gatekeeper, also in amazement, cast Duan Rong a glance.

Duan Rong was merely an apprentice escort master—yet not only did the county magistrate invite him for a meal, even Xia Mansion was in contact with him—could this person have some background?

Xia Zhongyang was the God of Wealth of Xianggu County; all taxes and major transactions in Xianggu County were allocated through Yunsui Banking House. This influx and outflow meant just living off interest could make one rich beyond measure.

Historically, the branch managers of Yunsui Banking House have always been a more coveted position than the county magistrate!

Duan Rong followed the gatekeeper out of the Martial Arts Arena, taking shortcuts through the front yard to the main entrance of Yuan Shun Escort Agency.

There, under bright sunlight, was a chestnut horse snorting, its mane decorated with scarlet reins—atop a carved silk-adorned carriage.

Not far behind the carriage, stood a lady of elegant laughter, seemingly brighter than the sunlight scattered across the ground.

This scene made Duan Rong’s heart slightly tremble, inevitably sighing, ”Fine horses, ornate carriages, beautiful women! The God of Wealth is truly the God of Wealth, resembles the demeanor of wealthy magnates of the past life!”