As the heat spread through his body, the sliver of Qi became active as well. It flowed through his wounds and gave him a slightly itchy feeling.
Huang Binghu released a few agile hunters as scouts. The group of people hurried into the depths of the mountains around the ox cart.
They walked all the way until the sky darkened. They entered a large mountain, and there was no sign of human activity in the surroundings.
At the foot of the mountain, Li Qingshan saw the legendary Drawn Reins village.
Tall wooden walls surrounded the village, and there were watchtowers in the four corners. It did not seem like a village, but more like a military camp. He approached it and passed on the message. Just now, the gate opened. It was not as casual as it had been in Crouching Ox village.
As the only outsider, Li Qingshan attracted everyone's attention. He did not show it on the surface, but he became nervous inside. This was the legendary dragon's den that could make an army rein in their horses.
Although Huang Binghu did not seem to have any ill intentions, he still needed to deal with him carefully, just in case he lost his life carelessly. The thick steel blade had already been taken away. Even if it was still there, it had been damaged to the point where it could no longer be used after the battle.
Huang Binghu arranged for him to stay in an empty courtyard. Although he did not send anyone to watch over him, he told him not to wander around. Afterwards, he left in a hurry.
In the pavilion at the very centre of the village, the most prestigious hunters of the Drawn Reins village were currently discussing around a round table under the illumination of a few lanterns.
"For the sake of gathering ginseng, the Ginseng King village has had grievances with us for a very long time. People from the village often die mysteriously in the mountains, so it's probably their doing. They even set their sights on the spiritual ginseng this time, so it's a perfect opportunity to give them a stab in the back."
The two villages were only a few mountains away from each other. There was no clear boundary between them. The ginseng foragers made a living by gathering ginseng, while the hunters spent most of their time in the mountains, so they could still recognise ginseng. They obviously would not let it go if they came across it.
As a result, many disputes arose. The disputes between the villagers would often be settled with knives. Because they were far enough apart, large-scale fights had never happened.
Until a while ago, on the Bailao Peak, which was closer to the Drawn Reins Village, between the two villages, they once again met on a narrow path. They discovered a legendary spirit ginseng that already had the shape of a human and could even leave the ground and walk.
Such a rare treasure caused another massacre. After the massacre, the Spiritual Ginseng had already disappeared without a trace, but it should still be on Bailao Peak. The men from the two villages did not dare to act blindly without thinking. They searched the mountain on a large scale, but they were also making preparations.
"Hunting chief, this matter must not be leaked out. It's better to deal with that brat!"
"That brat's skills aren't bad, and his temper is also to my liking. It would be a pity to kill him. I want him to stay in the village and contribute to the village."
"But he is still an outsider."
"There's no need to say anymore. I will examine him carefully. If he doesn't have the qualifications, I will definitely not be lenient." Huang Binghu said resolutely. Then, he coughed.
In the pitch-black hut, Little Ann crawled out from the locust wood tablet and looked at Li Qingshan with concern. He reached out his hand and touched the scabs on his body.
Li Qingshan said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm fine for now!" Although he could tell that Huang Binghu appreciated him, the feeling of having his life in someone else's hands was really uncomfortable. And if he wanted to control his fate in his own hands, he could only become stronger.
He immediately followed Oxen's instructions and used the Ginseng Wine to soak the medicinal wine. Just Now, he stopped and looked at his results, feeling a wave of joy and gratification.
The next morning, Li Qingshan woke up early to practice Ox Demon's Fist of Great Strength. Suddenly, he felt a gust of wind behind him, as if a fierce tiger was pouncing at him.
Li Qingshan turned around and punched, but it landed on empty air. Huang Binghu brushed past his arm, his right hand forming a claw and grabbing at his throat.
"He wants to kill me to silence me?!" A thought flashed through Li Qingshan's mind. Instead of dodging, he met the attack head-on, as if he was delivering his vitals into someone else's hands. At the same time, he drew his arms together like an old bear hugging a tree, exerting all the strength in his body.
He cultivated in strength remarkable abilities, not mortal martial arts. Even though he had not cultivated the strength of an ox, the strength of a single hug was not something that flesh and blood could withstand.
Huang Binghu suddenly retracted his claw, shrinking his body and circling behind him.
"Not good," Li Qingshan said. Just as he was about to adjust his body, he felt that Huang Binghu had stopped attacking and was only looking at him approvingly.
If he had retreated from that claw attack just now, the full power of that attack would have easily torn his throat apart. But instead of retreating, he advanced, restraining the power of that move. At the same time, he used a move that put his life on the line. Not only was he able to adapt to the situation, he was also quite courageous.
"I've lost." Li Qingshan touched his neck. There were five bloody marks on it. Huang Binghu's skills were quite impressive. Even if he was not injured, he was definitely not his match.
"Where did you learn your martial arts?" Huang Binghu asked. Other than being courageous and adaptable, Li Qingshan's martial arts were also very unusual. Even if a normal person's reaction was fast enough, they would not be able to catch their breath. Furthermore, when his five fingers had touched Li Qingshan's neck, it felt as if he had pierced the tough hide of an ox instead of a soft vital point.
Li Qingshan naturally could not say that he had been taught by an ox, or else he would be treated as an idiot. He could only say that he had met an expert a few years ago. Seeing that he had a simple and honest personality, the expert had taught him a few moves, but had instructed him not to reveal his identity.
"A few years ago?!" Huang Binghu was flabbergasted. He was not too surprised that Li Qingshan was not willing to reveal his master. However, he had originally thought that Li Qingshan had practiced martial arts since he was young. If he wanted him to stay in Drawn Reins Village, the most important thing was to ask him about his master.
"What's wrong?" Li Qingshan did not understand.
"Haven't you been practicing martial arts since you were young?"
"In just a few years, he was able to teach you to such an extent. It is truly inconceivable. It seems like that expert is truly an expert."
Li Qingshan sweated in his heart. Luckily, he had casually said it was a few years ago and not a month ago. Otherwise, Huang Binghu would definitely be scared to death.
At the same time, he also understood that mystical abilities and mortal martial arts were on two completely different levels. He was currently not Huang Binghu's match because he had practiced for less than two months, while Huang Binghu had spent twenty to thirty years of hard work.
"May I know why the hunting chief has come this time?"
"Brat, do you have any intentions of settling down in Drawn Reins Village?" Although it was a question, it had a tone that could not be refused.
"Alright!" Li Qingshan readily agreed, but it was Huang Binghu who was stunned. "You don't have any nostalgia for your hometown?"
"If I don't agree, would the hunting chief let me leave safely?" Li Qingshan said calmly. "Furthermore, I once heard a saying."
"What saying?"
"Wherever I go is my hometown. Whether it's Crouching Ox village or Drawn Reins village, they're no different from me. Perhaps I can learn some archery here. Do you understand, hunting chief? My ambitions do not lie in these mountains and forests. "
"With your mediocre martial arts, making a living in the jianghu is just a path to death. Otherwise, you'll just be a small fry that serves as a stepping stone for the disciples of large sects and clans. How can it compare to the freedom in the mountains and forests?"
"Hmm? Is hunting chief's skill not enough? "Li Qingshan was rather surprised. Huang Binghu's reputation in the surrounding villages could be described as illustrious.
"I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. My archery is passable, and I've made a name for myself in the past. However, there are countless masters in the jianghu. You've been practising martial arts for several decades, but a child in his teens killed you like a dog. I suffered greatly. It's already fortunate that I managed to return alive."
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