Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 97: Chapter 89: The Brave Beheading of the Tiger! Seeking a Marriage Alliance?_3

Everyone had different thoughts, knowing that Er Gou was provoked by Gu Sheng and decided to risk it all in a gamble.

Gu Sheng proceeded forward.

Occasionally, he drew shocked and envious gazes. Everyone speculated whether Gu Sheng had already become a Martial Artist. Gu Sheng only smiled without responding. After all, no one would force him to prove it. Once he breaks through to the Jade Skin Realm as a Martial Artist in a few days, he wouldn’t have to worry about revealing any flaws.

Anyway, in the eyes of the Gu’s Manor higher-ups, he was considered close to becoming a Martial Artist.

Gu Sheng understood the thoughts of the clan elders of the Gu family. As long as the strength he displayed remained within a controllable range, even if he wasn’t entirely devoted, the clan elders would accept it. At most, they would withhold resources to support his continued growth.

A Stone Skin Realm marksman was still more advantageous than disadvantageous to Gu’s Manor.

Gu Sheng avoided crowded places and quickly returned home.

He took out a short blade and began processing the corpse.

Tiger skin, tiger bones, tiger blood, tiger meat, tiger penis, tiger tail...

By the time Gu Sheng finished handling everything, it was already dark.

Looking at the haul piled high before him, Gu Sheng felt content. Hunting down a fierce tiger yielded almost as much as an entire year’s worth of harvest in normal times!

Gu Sheng hid the spoils, then adjusted his appearance to mimic injuries.

As expected.

Not long after, Gu Erniu came running over first, followed by Zhang Ze and the rest.

”Asheng! I heard you caught a big tiger?”

Seeing their expectant eyes, Gu Sheng only smiled, nodded, and modified the story a little before recounting the process to them. The tale left them breathless and repeatedly amazed.

Unable to hold back, Zhang Ze remarked:

”Even a lame tiger isn’t something ordinary people can handle. Asheng, you’ve silently become a Martial Artist and didn’t even share how it feels. What is being a Martial Artist like?”

Gu Erniu also smiled lightly at Gu Sheng, knowing his low-profile demeanor well.

Gu Sheng laughed heartily:

”Once my injuries heal, I’ll show you all. Killing that tiger wasn’t easy.”

Noticing Gu Sheng’s wounds and bandages, the group wisely refrained from pressing further. A young Martial Artist, especially a marksman, wasn’t someone they dared offend lightly unless they were asking for trouble.

The hunters’ respect for him deepened.

Gu Sheng’s status became something entirely different in their eyes—a Martial Artist and marksman was far more formidable than the average Martial Artist.

”Take care, Asheng. We’ll gather again another day.”

The group left one by one, with Gu Erniu staying behind a bit longer to offer a few more words of concern. In return, Gu Sheng handed him some tiger meat and tiger bones to bring back and strengthen Gu Wan’s health.

As the courtyard fell quiet again, Gu Sheng shook his head with a smile.

He pondered for a while before deciding to focus on breaking through to the Jade Skin Realm in the coming days.

The higher-ups of Gu’s Manor would likely have their responses ready upon learning that he had become a Martial Artist.

...

Gu’s Manor, main household courtyard.

Several esteemed clan elders and Gu Changming were in a discussion. With the new year beginning, all sorts of matters needed proper arrangements—customarily prepared every year.

One issue after another was brought up for deliberation, as the group brainstormed solutions. Occasionally, arguments broke out, but consensus was always reached in the end.

This was the fundamental reason Gu’s Manor had never declined.

Finally.

An elderly clan elder with a full white beard and hair turned to Gu Jingang.

”Jingang, how has Xiao Jiang’s progress been recently?”

Gu Jingang immediately stood up respectfully and replied:

”Great Clan Elder, at the end of last year, Xiao Jiang seemed to have an epiphany. He’s now at a critical stage, and I estimate another three to five days for him to fully grasp it and breakthrough to the Great Achievement Realm with Iron Stone Fist!”

He allowed a rare smile to show on his face.

”Xiao Jiang’s talent exceeds our expectations. If he’s given enough time, reaching the Bone Refining Realm will be no difficulty.”

The group’s spirits visibly lifted, their faces lighting up with smiles.

”Xiao Jiang is a promising young man, but time waits for no one. Let’s see how his progress unfolds. If necessary, let him consume the last Blood Strengthening Pill to ensure he quickly breaks through to the Blood Refining Realm!”

”Now that Liu Daren has taken office as acting county magistrate, it remains to be seen if he’ll coexist peacefully with the Black Sand Gang. If not, conflict is inevitable in the future. We must accelerate the growth of our strength.”

”I’ll reiterate: the matter of forging iron armor must not be leaked. It’s a crime punishable by death!”

The Great Clan Elder cast a stern glance around, prompting the group to nod gravely, understanding the weight of these matters.

”Now, onto the last issue. What are your thoughts on Gu Sheng becoming a Martial Artist?”

Several days had passed, and the news of Gu Sheng killing the tiger had naturally reached their ears.

Gu Changming and Gu Jingang exchanged a look. Then Gu Changming spoke:

”Clan Elders, we believe it’s worth allocating some resources to Gu Sheng in this critical period. The difference between a Stone Skin Martial Artist and an Iron Skin Martial Artist is substantial. If Gu Sheng breaks through to the Iron Skin Realm, combined with his archery skills, he’d be worth several Iron Skin Martial Artists!”

The clan elders collectively fell silent in thought.

In ordinary times, someone of Gu Sheng’s background would need to pass numerous tests.

But at this moment, they hesitated, turning their attention to the Great Clan Elder.

The elderly Great Clan Elder glanced at the group and said:

”The village has too many expenses right now. Every coin must be spent wisely. I understand Gu Sheng’s situation. He’s currently alone; Changming, select a suitable young woman from the main family to promise him in marriage. Let them bear offspring, and we can focus on nurturing him for greater responsibilities in the future.”

Gu Dajiang’s eyes sparkled with some delight. The clan elders had finally relented. When Gu Jingang reached this stage, he had faced countless challenges before marrying into the main family.

But Gu Jingang asked:

”What if he declines?”

The Great Clan Elder didn’t even raise his head.

”If he refuses, it indicates his lack of loyalty to Gu’s Manor. In that case, treat him like an ordinary Martial Artist: grant him a house and farmland. No matter how skilled a marksman he is, without mastery of Martial Arts, he’s powerless against an armored Martial Artist. We’ll give him the opportunity; whether he seizes it will be up to him.”

”I’ve heard Xiao Jiang gets along well with him. When Xiao Jiang completes his breakthrough, let him talk to Gu Sheng. Regardless of Gu Sheng’s decision, as long as he harbors no dishonorable intentions, Gu’s Manor will accommodate him.”

Currently, Gu Sheng’s demonstrated strength posed no threat to Gu’s Manor. A Stone Skin Realm marksman was manageable. Even if he turned against them, he couldn’t stir up much trouble.

However, if a Blood Refining Martial Artist remained outside Gu’s Manor’s core circle, the clan elders wouldn’t allow it. He’d have only two paths: to leave or to assimilate.