The qi at this moment was condensed like a lake, very majestic.

This level of strength was already extraordinary. This qi circulated within the body, resisting external evil, increasing spirit, and bringing many benefits.

Li Xian was suddenly inspired and condensed his qi to punch, performing the Four Directions Fist. The more qi he used, the stronger the fist force, and the more powerful it became.

Qi condensed onto the fist's edge, and he punched a tree.

His bones were tenacious, his muscles and bones strong. With this punch, the tree trunk dented, bark cracked inch by inch, exposing the tree's core.

Snow on the tree scattered all over the ground.

"The martial arts have grown stronger again."

"Let's try this move!"

Li Xian rested for a moment, gathered his qi, and performed the fist technique again. Astonishingly, one punch transformed into multiple punches, layered fist shadows appeared as if several large hands had grown out of thin air, very mysterious.

Qi comes from martial arts.

Qi returns to martial arts.

Qi and martial arts complement each other, showing their strangeness naturally. The infinite changes of martial arts captivate people for a lifetime, indulging without boredom.

...

...

At the village entrance.

"Master, what brings you here?"

Last night, Black River Village had heavy snowfall.

There was much snow accumulated on the road. Uncle Fu, old and frail, used a cane, wearing a thick coat, was organizing the villagers to clear the snow and open up paths.

While busy, he saw Li Xian coming towards them.

Uncle Fu couldn't hide his surprise, as it had been some time since he last saw Li Xian. Now, seeing him again, he noticed Li Xian seemed to have grown taller.

A youthful appearance.

His skin was very fair, but not effeminate, clear and handsome.

The country folk really didn't know "good looking from bad," but felt this Nursing Home guy looked pleasantly familiar, instinctively wanting to look a few more times.

"Uncle Fu, clearing snow?" Li Xian said with a smile.

"Yes." Uncle Fu pointed to the side and said, "There's an old cow in the village. We cherish the memories and want it to live a bit longer. But… but this year's harvest is really not good, and there isn't much surplus grain."

"We really have no choice but to take it to town and sell it. Buy some rice and grains, to hold on a bit more."

"Come spring next year, then it'll be better."

Uncle Fu looked at the village's old cow sorrowfully.

The old farmer and the old cow, mutually sympathetic.

Li Xian said, "Coincidentally, I'm also on my way."

"Oh." Uncle Fu asked, "Master, are you also going to Black Water Port?"

"That's right." Li Xian nodded.

He hunted 'tiger', 'deer', 'leopard', and the meat had been eaten up. But the skins, bones, teeth, and claws could sell for a great price.

"That's great, with you along, we won't fear tigers." Uncle Fu was overjoyed, grateful, and continued:

"Master, I've never seen someone as good as you."

"You say, you hunted animal meat, and also think about sharing it with us… this… this…"

Li Xian shook his head and said, "No matter, I can't finish it alone, keeping it is useless."

It was a time of turmoil in the Dynasty, Black River Village was more impoverished, land without water, and often ravaged by Mountain Wind Stronghold.

Every household was enduring hunger and cold, pitifully so.

Li Xian questioned his capacity to save the world, but he had a compassionate heart. After eating his fill, he generously shared his surplus grain with the village folks.

A few sips of deer soup, some beast meat, saved several lives from hunger and cold deaths.

But it was still just a drop in the bucket, leaving Li Xian with a sigh, though his conscience was clear.

...

Black Water Port is upstream of Black River, within the Black Water Gang's territory.

The old cow walked slowly, each step leaving a hoof print.

The accompanying villagers couldn't bear to look at the old cow, occasionally there were sobs.

Cows can plow fields and are very human-like, spending ten to several decades together. Ordinary families would only painfully sell their cows in desperate situations.

"Old cow, oh old cow."

"Truly sorry."

Uncle Fu wiped his tears.

The old cow seemed to understand, mooing once, tears pooling at the corners of its eyes.

Li Xian packed the tiger, deer, leopard skins in a rough cloth sack, carrying it on his back.

The village head Uncle Fu led this journey, along with seven or eight young men. Though they were heading to the market, the journey was quite somber, without a hint of joy.

Li Xian did not know where Black Water Town was, so he followed the group, walking slowly.

He couldn't help thinking on the road:

"Black Water Port is Black Water Gang's territory. I must be extremely cautious."

"But thinking about it, they don't know my face, it should be alright."

...

Walking for over an hour.

The number of pedestrians gradually increased, a small market naturally formed on a patch of yellow mud, with vendors selling vegetables, clothes, and themselves…

Continuing along the road, there was a bluestone road, with houses and pavilions around… Several imposing buildings, comparable to those seen in past lives.

"Uncle Fu, let's part ways here."

Li Xian arrived at the bustling market and cupped his hands to bid farewell.

Black Water Port was built along the river, quite affluent, with thriving transportation, trade, and river goods.

The Black Water Gang seized the river as kings, profiting greatly, as can be imagined.

"Without the Black Water Gang, the people relying on Black River for a living would have a much better life around here."

"However… how could this be possible?"

"If the Black Water Gang is gone, there would be the Red Water Gang, Green Water Gang. This fertile piece of meat called Black River will always attract attention."

Li Xian messed up his hair, and smeared some wall ash on his face.

He wore simple clothes, and except for his height, he was not conspicuous.

Turning a corner, he saw a hall with its doors wide open, two black lions standing on either side, the plaque reading "Black Water Gang".

It's said these two black lions were originally from the riverbed, already in 'lion' shape when salvaged, and after craftsmen carved them, they looked alive, exuding power.

"Such striking stone lions!"

Li Xian nodded in silent praise, peering inside. The gang members guarding the door shouted, "What are you looking at? Look again, and we'll gouge your eyes out!"

"Get lost."

"Alright."

Li Xian quickly walked away. He found it amusing, Zheng Xuezhang had demanded him, was soundly defeated, and now he sent himself to the door, only to be loudly sent away.

The Great Wu Dynasty, crisscrossed with rivers.

The Black River was so wide that the opposite shore was out of sight, estimating the river to be several miles wide at least.

There were many ships on the river.

The Black Water Gang's ships were noticeable, black with sails embroidered with large black lotus flowers. Passing ships needed to pay a crossing fee, and those trading here had to pay an additional trade fee.

"So domineering, such behavior."

Li Xian watched for a moment, suddenly seeing a large ship.

It was very majestic, like a sea beast; his hearing was excellent, faintly hearing cries and shouts. He looked up and saw a sail made of human bodies.

The number of people was uncountable.

Their limbs were chopped off, inserted into black rods, fixed together like strung locusts.

"Brother, what did these people do to be treated like this?"

Li Xian casually asked a merchant at the port.

The merchant said, "Sigh, what else could they have done, opposed the Black Water Gang."

"Up there, it's estimated there are a thousand or so people. Some didn't pay taxes, some owed rent, some unable to repay loans, some disliked by the gang, some committed crimes, some betrayed the gang."

"Look, the one at the top, he is Yang Cheng, once one of the thirteen Banner Bearers, but betrayed the gang, and there he is, hung up."

Li Xian gazed from afar and instantly recognized him.

"What a ruthless Black Water Gang!"

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