Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 122: Chapter 98: Granting You an Opportunity! The Auction Trip!

Gu’s Manor, main hall of the household.

At this moment, seated at the head position was not the original Great Clan Elder, but a tall, square-faced man with a commanding presence. He wore armor forged of cold iron, exuding a domineering aura, and his tiger-like eyes were intimidating.

This was none other than Liu Yuanhu, the acting county official.

Surrounding him were martial artists with powerful auras, all subordinates brought by Liu Yuanhu, starting from the Blood Refining Realm.

The elders of Gu’s Manor and the three members, Gu Jingang included, all wore expressions of utmost respect as they looked toward Liu Yuanhu. Gu Changming and Gu Dajiang seemed relatively composed, but Gu Jingang appeared slightly pale, as if suffering from a depletion of vitality and blood.

Liu Yuanhu turned to Gu Jingang, smiling as he praised:

”Indeed, you live up to your reputation as the Iron-Fist Jingang, renowned far and wide. Your strength is truly formidable; even an ordinary martial artist at the pinnacle of the Blood Refining Realm might not match your power. Train well, and Canghe County will surely have a place for you in the future!”

A flash of joy crossed Gu Jingang’s eyes, though he remained humble in his response:

”The county official flatters me. Jingang possesses nothing but brute strength and doesn’t compare to even a strand of your hair. If it weren’t for your leadership, we wouldn’t even have been able to touch the fur of that demon fox.”

Liu Yuanhu burst into hearty laughter and turned to the Great Clan Elder, saying:

”Your Gu’s Manor has truly shown great commitment this time. To be able to hunt down this demon fox is a tremendous achievement. Once I’ve had its blood refined into medicine, I will send some to your manor.”

The Great Clan Elder immediately stood up to express his gratitude.

”Many thanks for your benevolence, County Official!”

The people of Gu’s Manor were filled with delight.

When the demon fox’s traces were first discovered, they immediately reported it to Liu Yuanhu and even mobilized all three of their martial artists in the Blood Refining Realm to assist in the hunt. Though the contribution may not have amounted to much, their display of allegiance was unmistakably sincere.

This loyalty had now reaped rewards.

Liu Yuanhu’s act of gifting medicinal pills clearly signaled his acceptance of Gu’s Manor’s allegiance. From now on, the two parties were aligned.

Liu Yuanhu waved his hand lightly with a smile.

He was equally pleased. Not only had he hunted a demon fox with such concentrated demon blood, promising significant reinforcement to his forces after processing, but he had also secured Gu’s Manor’s allegiance. It was a double blessing.

Should a war break out with the Black Sand Gang in the future, his chances of success would undoubtedly increase.

”I’ve heard the Black Sand Gang demands annual tribute from you? Such negligence on my part!”

Liu Yuanhu feigned an expression of grief and indignation.

The Great Clan Elder immediately rose again, speaking with an attitude of fearful respect:

”How could we blame the county official? With all your official duties, it’s inevitable that the Black Sand Gang, these scoundrels, found an opening. But one day, the county official will cleanse Canghe County of these monsters, ensuring peace and prosperity for the townsfolk!”

Liu Yuanhu nodded slowly and sighed:

”The incompetence of the prior county official was truly unfortunate. I had often proposed purging the mountain bandits and outlaws, but my plans were rejected outright by Cao Shiduan. Now that I’m in charge of Canghe County, rest assured, I will not tolerate such lawlessness.”

”In the upcoming period, I intend to take gradual action. If you’re interested, you may join in.”

The Great Clan Elder quickly responded:

”Anything the county official requires of us, Gu’s Manor will obey without hesitation!”

His heart was shaken.

It wasn’t hard to deduce from Liu Yuanhu’s words that making a move against the Black Sand Gang was inevitable.

Liu Yuanhu nodded in approval.

He stood up slowly, glanced at the crowd, and said:

”With this matter resolved, I won’t linger here any longer. I still have state affairs to deal with upon my return. Should anything arise, you may connect with Guangqun.”

Beside him, a stern-looking man nodded at the Great Clan Elder, Gu Changming, and the others. The Great Clan Elder quickly bowed respectfully. This was Zhang Guangqun, Liu Yuanhu’s most trusted and capable lieutenant.

His strength was extraordinary; even if all three top martial artists of Gu’s Manor joined forces, they could not hope to defeat him.

Liu Yuanhu strode out of the hall.

The crowd immediately followed closely behind him.

In the courtyard, the massive corpse of a blood-colored demon fox lay displayed. Its tail alone measured over twenty feet in length. Even though it had been dead for some time, its menacing and sanguinary aura still pervaded the air, making it difficult for ordinary people to even look directly at it.

A young man dressed in blue hurried into the courtyard, his face filled with excitement and urgency. As he entered, he saw the group emerging, and his expression tensed instantly. Gu Xiaojiang swiftly bowed to Liu Yuanhu and withdrew into the crowd of Gu’s Manor.

Liu Yuanhu examined Gu Xiaojiang with a glance, smiling as he remarked:

”This must be the Xiaojiang you mentioned, the greatest talent of Gu’s Manor. Indeed, he is a promising young man with commendable strength.”

Earlier, Gu Xiaojiang’s hurried movements had revealed bursts of power, which Liu Yuanhu, with his acute perception, had easily recognized as evidence of Xiaojiang’s cultivation level.

Gu Xiaojiang’s lips curled slightly into a smile. Being praised by the most powerful figure in Canghe County felt far different from receiving compliments from ordinary people.

Gu Dajiang chuckled and said:

”My son’s aptitude is ordinary; he’s only managed to amuse the county official.”

Liu Yuanhu waved his hand lightly with a smile, paused to think, and said:

”I’ve never been fond of empty flattery. Here, let’s make a promise—if Xiaojiang reaches the Blood Refining Realm by the age of eighteen, I will grant him a rare opportunity.”

The Great Clan Elder and the others were instantly electrified with joy, their hearts swelling with excitement as they thanked in unison:

”Thank you, County Official, for your guidance!”

Anything Liu Yuanhu referred to as a rare opportunity was undoubtedly no ordinary reward.

Liu Yuanhu left the scene in high spirits.

One of his subordinates carried away the demon fox’s corpse, and the martial artists mounted their horses. Although the sun had already set, in Canghe County, no one dared to provoke Liu Yuanhu—his journey remained as smooth and unimpeded as it would be in broad daylight.

As they watched Liu Yuanhu’s departing figure, the smiles of the Great Clan Elder and the others began to fade gradually. Gu Dajiang, his heart full of emotion, asked: