Several days had passed since Wang Changbai’s incident.

After the incident, Wang Changbai stopped investigating the docks and instead helped Han Yuan look for information on Body Tempering Martial Arts.

The old veteran was as well-connected as expected and quickly found some leads for Han Yuan.

Inside a tavern.

"Han Yuan, someone on the Black Market is looking to sell a Body Tempering Martial Arts manual."

Wang Changbai said in a low voice, sipping his wine.

"The Black Market... Is it reliable?"

Han Yuan asked.

This so-called Black Market was a place for illicit transactions.

Generally, the Black market didn’t have a physical location. It relied on brokers to communicate in secret, spread information, and ultimately facilitate transactions.

"The broker is reliable, no problem," Wang Changbai assured him.

"What’s the name of the Body Tempering Martial Arts manual? What are its special features?" Han Yuan continued to ask.

While all Body Tempering Martial Arts were used to train the physical body, they each had different focuses.

Some greatly enhanced strength, some increased one’s ability to withstand blows, and others boosted explosive power.

"It’s called the Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt, a Second-Class Martial Art. Cultivation allows you to greatly enhance your body’s defense."

"Are you interested?"

Wang Changbai said.

"Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt... sounds pretty good."

Han Yuan sank into thought.

A Martial Artist at the Gathering Power Realm might have tough muscles, but they weren’t immune to blades.

If ambushed, they were still very much at risk.

The Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt sounded like a Hard Skill, capable of greatly strengthening one’s physique.

’Once I reach Perfection in its Cultivation, the proficiency panel will even form a Martial Arts Divine Power.’

’At that point, I might truly become invulnerable to blades and spears.’

"The broker wants one hundred taels of silver up front before he’ll pave the way and arrange the time and place for the transaction."

"What do you say?"

Wang Changbai asked in a low voice.

"One hundred taels of silver..."

Han Yuan’s brows furrowed.

He really couldn’t come up with one hundred taels of silver right now.

He had just taken stock of his finances; he only had sixty taels of silver left.

"Why don’t we collect the silver from Changfeng Street early?"

Wang Changbai, seeing Han Yuan’s predicament, suggested in a low voice.

"We agreed to collect at the end of the month... There are still over ten days to go."

"If we set that precedent, the merchants might lose their trust in us."

Han Yuan said, shaking his head.

"Then I’ll get Da Hu and the others."

"If we all pool our silver, it should be enough."

Wang Changbai added.

"No need... It’s just a few dozen taels of silver."

"Can’t I just find a fat sheep and get my hands on it?"

"Help me by going to the County Yamen and asking around."

Han Yuan gave a dark chuckle.

Wang Changbai understood immediately. After another sip of wine, he hurried away.

....

The sky gradually grew dark.

In a dark alley.

THUMP THUMP THUMP~~~

Several vicious thugs were savagely beating a man.

Every punch landed with a sickening thud, beating the man’s head to a bloody pulp.

A sinister-looking man leaned against the wall, yawning with boredom.

After a few dozen seconds, the thugs seemed to tire and finally stopped.

"Chen the Third... You have until tomorrow at the latest to repay the money you owe the White Bear Gang."

"Otherwise, I’ll send that wife and daughter of yours to a brothel to pay your debt for you."

The sinister man spoke lightly, then led his men out of the alley.

As he left, he stepped on the man’s hand, drawing a pained howl.

"Alright... you can all head back."

Wang Xiong said with a wave of his hand.

His subordinates quickly nodded and departed.

Wang Xiong headed home to rest, planning to go "have some fun" with Widow Li on the next street a little later.

「A short while later.」

A figure silently arrived in the alley behind Wang Xiong’s residence, information flashing through his mind.

’Wang Xiong, nicknamed "Grizzly," Vice Gang Leader of the White Bear Gang, a Gathering Power Martial Artist. Cruel and cunning. Responsible for multiple murders.’

After confirming he was in the right place, Han Yuan vaulted over the wall.

SNOOORE~~

As he entered the courtyard, he heard the sound of snoring.

Han Yuan kicked the door open.

BAM!

The noise instantly jolted the deeply sleeping Wang Xiong awake.

The moment he opened his eyes...

...he saw a massive fist smashing down like a sledgehammer.

The force of the punch was suffocating and brutal.

Wang Xiong was a ruthless man in his own right. Despite the sudden attack, he showed no panic, his right arm flying up to block his head.

POW!

The terrifyingly savage Fist Force snapped Wang Xiong’s arm.

Wang Xiong screamed.

The next moment.

Another Iron Fist smashed viciously into his face.

BOOM!!

The terrifying force instantly shattered the bed beneath Wang Xiong.

His face caved in, his nose, mouth, and eyes reduced to a bloody pulp as his body convulsed.

"He managed to block one of my punches... Not bad."

Han Yuan shook his head, first looting Wang Xiong’s corpse, then the room.

Soon.

He had found over fifty taels of silver and a gold ring.

’This guy was pretty loaded.’

’I thought I’d have to kill one more person to get enough.’

’This saved me some trouble.’

Han Yuan smiled faintly.

He pocketed the valuables, set the house on fire, and quickly departed.

......

「That night.」

Wang Changbai handed over the one hundred taels of silver.

He received a reply the next day.

"The person selling the Body Tempering Secret Manual wants to make the trade this afternoon at Great Tiger Mountain, outside of town."

"And you have to go alone. The price is five hundred taels of silver."

"If they spot more than one person, they won’t show up, and the deposit won’t be refunded."

Wang Changbai said in a hushed voice.

A price of five hundred taels of silver was actually quite fair for Body Tempering Martial Arts.

"I paid one hundred taels of silver. I should at least be able to confirm that they actually have the Body Tempering Martial Arts, right?"

Han Yuan asked.

"Relax, I’m not an idiot."

"This is the first page of the Body Tempering Martial Arts."

"Take a look."

Wang Changbai secretively took out a piece of paper.

Han Yuan read it over. The page was a transcription of the general principles of the Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt. It required one to circulate their qi and blood and supplement their Cultivation with various external stimuli to reach a state where the muscles of the entire body were like a suit of iron armor.

"Alright. I’ll go to Great Tiger Mountain alone this afternoon."

Han Yuan nodded.

"Be careful."

"Anyone capable of selling Body Tempering Martial Arts... is probably not someone to be trifled with."

Wang Changbai reminded him.

Brokers were only responsible for making the connection; they never guaranteed anyone’s safety.

Han Yuan smiled. "I’m hoping they’re not."

....

「Afternoon.」

A figure wearing a Conical Hat, a long saber at his waist, and a blue bundle on his back left Qingshui County Town and headed toward Great Tiger Mountain.

Great Tiger Mountain was located more than ten li from Qingshui County Town.

The vegetation there was dense and the terrain complex and rugged. Legend had it that a man-eating tiger roamed the area, keeping the nearby villagers from venturing close.

Han Yuan traveled at top speed, finally reaching Great Tiger Mountain around 3 p.m.

He had put on a black face covering, afraid of being recognized.

The sun was no longer so intense, and a hint of red sunset clouds had faintly appeared on the horizon.

At the foot of Great Tiger Mountain stood an abandoned tea stall.

When Han Yuan arrived, a man in coarse clothing was already waiting.

"Old Luo sent me."

Han Yuan said quietly.

Old Luo was the broker’s name.

The man eyed Han Yuan warily and said, "You understand the rules, right? Don’t let us find anyone following you."

"Don’t worry, it’s just me."

Han Yuan said coolly.