The web of interwoven muscle fibers, like layers of resilient, shock-absorbing springs, dissipated the vast majority of the punch’s terrifying power in an instant.
The small amount of Ming Jin that penetrated his body was effortlessly vaporized by his impregnable furnace of Qi and Blood before it could even reach his heart.
"So that’s it! This must be the Heart-Protecting Shield!"
Su Yu lowered his fist, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
’Now that I’ve broken through this acupoint, the most fatal weak spot over my heart is gone! Even if I get ambushed in the future, as long as a sword doesn’t run me clean through, the shock from an ordinary blow won’t be able to harm my heart in the slightest! That’s another powerful trump card for staying alive.’
...
After his breakthrough today, Su Yu didn’t stay at home. Instead, he went straight to the Public Security Bureau to review the latest military intelligence reports.
"Urgent Military Report: The northern Black Stone Army, the Qing State Army, and the Jian’an Army—the elites of three prefectural cities—have gathered at the Liangzhou border. The Silent Extinction Celestial King of the Black Lotus Sect has appeared, leading an army of one hundred thousand zealots massed at the border river. A bloody battle is imminent!"
"Internal Memo: Last night at midnight, a hidden Black Lotus Sect stronghold was discovered in the northern part of the city. The Silver Armor Guard, along with a heavily armed contingent of the Black Stone Guard, surrounded it. Three Black Lotus Sect Demons, seeing no hope of escape, disemboweled themselves in public, screaming, ’Mother of Non-Birth, Vacuum Home!’ before detonating the corrupt Qi and Blood in their bodies. The massive explosion engulfed half a city block, killing over twenty guards on the spot and injuring nearly a hundred more..."
"Civil Affairs Report: Banditry is rampant outside the city, with many of the perpetrators being disguised remnants of the Black Lotus Sect. In the last three days, four villages about ten miles south of the city have been completely slaughtered, with not even a chicken or dog left alive. With the arrival of early spring, the Corrupting Blood Plague, which had been barely contained, is now showing signs of a resurgence..."
Looking at the red-ink annotations on the files, Su Yu’s brow furrowed.
War had truly arrived.
’The lands outside the city have once again descended into misery. This world is just too cruel to ordinary people.’
’If I were still just the son of a fisherman, I’d probably have a hard time surviving in times like these.’
’Fortunately, things are still stable inside Black Stone City. As long as the Public Security Bureau is here, it won’t fall into major chaos.’
’Life in Qingxi Village, though... it’s probably even harder to get by now.’
Su Yu considered how he might be able to help his fellow villagers, since he now had some power of his own.
’Take the guards at my own residence, for instance. Most of them are apprentices who have studied martial arts. While they haven’t broken through to become Martial Artists, quite a few are skilled practitioners who have achieved the Three Times of Knocking.’
’Maybe I can have a few of them who are from Qingxi Village go back and check on things.’
As Su Yu was mulling this over, Song Mirror rushed in and reported, "Sir, there’s trouble in our jurisdiction. A fight broke out on Jin Yu Street."
"Who dares to cause trouble in my jurisdiction?" Su Yu’s gaze sharpened. ’To stabilize the home front, the Public Security Bureau’s enforcement of city order has been nothing short of iron-fisted. Anyone who dares to start a public brawl now must have a death wish.’
"Sir, this one’s a tough situation! The ones fighting are from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and the Divine Weapon Manor!"
Song Mirror swallowed, a troubled look on his face. "The combatants on both sides are all top-tier masters at Flesh Refining Realm Perfection! Apparently, it started when a merchant caravan brought in a piece of exceptionally rare, high-grade ore. Both the Divine Weapon Manor and the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect wanted to buy it, neither was willing to back down, and they just started fighting!"
"The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect? Divine Weapon Manor?"
Su Yu’s expression flickered. Both were major powers from Jian’an Prefecture with formidable backing. No wonder they dared to fight in the streets.
In the past, the Public Security Bureau might have simply tried to smooth things over when people with this kind of backing started a fight. But not anymore. That was unacceptable now!
"Assemble the men and follow me! Today, anyone who dares to defy the law will be executed on the spot!"