Chapter 005
Chapter 5: Innate Realm
Li Mu Sheng tucked the silver banknote safely into his robes, eyes sweeping the surroundings.
The situation in the courtyard had greatly changed. The Seven Thieves of Zha River lay subdued by acupoint sealing techniques, and the apprentices no longer feared for their lives.
Yet now, every gaze turned toward Li Mu Sheng, filled with shock, disbelief, and confusion, as if looking upon a stranger.
Li Mu Sheng ignored their stares. In the fifteen years spent at this martial hall, his talent had always been considered poor. Thus, he wasn’t welcomed and had never grown close to anyone here.
“Old man Yu, since you’ve been generous, I’ll help you once more.”
With a slight raise of his eyebrows, Li Mu Sheng suddenly reached out with his palm toward someone nearby.
Yu Zhen Tian didn’t know what Li Mu Sheng meant, but alarm surged through him as he shouted urgently, “Stop!”
Yet Li Mu Sheng did not pause, his palm continuing straight toward Yu Xian’s head. With the strength Li Mu Sheng had just demonstrated, this strike would surely mean Yu Xian’s death.
At that exact moment, Yu Xian, who lay seemingly helpless with broken limbs, abruptly opened his eyes wide. His feet erupted with sudden power, stomping hard enough to shatter the tiles beneath him. Sliding rapidly backward across the ground, he desperately tried to evade Li Mu Sheng’s palm.
But he had clearly underestimated his opponent. No matter how swift his reaction, escaping Li Mu Sheng’s grasp was impossible.
Before he could even slide halfway, Yu Xian felt his inner energy freeze. His body stiffened, collapsing limply to the ground, completely immobilized.
Panic filled Yu Xian’s eyes, for he had not even seen how Li Mu Sheng had sealed his acupoint.
“What is this?” Yu Zhen Tian rushed immediately to Yu Xian’s side.
Having witnessed Yu Xian’s sudden burst of strength, he realized instantly that something was terribly wrong with his eldest son.
Li Mu Sheng did not even glance at the figure on the ground. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“The Seven Thieves of Zha River should number seven. I suspect he is their final member.”
Hearing this, Yu Zhen Tian swiftly reached toward Yu Xian’s face and peeled off a thin human skin mask, revealing an unfamiliar middle-aged man of about fifty beneath.
Witnessing this, even Zha Old Three and the others felt a chill creep through their hearts.
“You… you’re Zha Old Boss, leader of the Seven Thieves?” Yu Zhen Tian’s back shivered with cold dread. Not only was this man extremely skilled, but his cunning ran deeper than imagined.
He had disguised himself as Yu Xian and fooled everyone. Without Li Mu Sheng’s timely intervention, Yu Zhen Tian would certainly have been ambushed, left dead or gravely wounded.
Fury surged through Yu Zhen Tian. Grabbing Zha Old Boss from the ground, he roared angrily, “Where is my son now?”
But Zha Old Boss only stared silently, unable to utter a sound.
Astonished, Yu Zhen Tian realized that Li Mu Sheng’s acupoint sealing skill was unparalleled. In mere moments, even the man’s mute acupoint was sealed completely!
Yu Zhen Tian immediately channeled his inner energy, attempting to break through the sealing.
Shockingly, Zha Old Boss’s mute acupoint was immovable, firm as stone. Yu Zhen Tian’s power could not budge the locked Qi within at all.
“Allow me,” Li Mu Sheng said lightly, flicking a finger gently. Instantly, Zha Old Boss’s throat loosened, and he gasped out in astonishment, eyes wide and fearful as he stared at Li Mu Sheng.
“Martial Qi… Innate Expert? Who exactly are you?”
Martial Dao encompassed three great realms: Acquired Stage, Innate Realm, and Heavenly Union Stage!
The Acquired Stage trained flesh and bone, circulating inner power through meridians. Only after fully connecting the Twelve Principal Meridians and clearing Ren and Du Meridians could one draw martial Qi into their body, stepping into the legendary Innate Realm.
In a small city like Shun’an, even Acquired Stage masters were rare. Innate Realm martial experts were almost unheard of.
As someone half a step into the Innate Realm himself, Zha Old Boss never imagined he would encounter a true Innate Expert here.
Li Mu Sheng briefly glanced at Zha Old Boss, held captive by Yu Zhen Tian, and said dismissively, “These men are wicked. Kill or spare them as you wish.”
Yu Zhen Tian’s expression rapidly shifted, finally nodding solemnly.
Without another word, Li Mu Sheng turned toward the martial hall’s backyard.
Midway, he turned and called to the stunned Zhang Da Zhuang, who stood frozen.
“Brother Zhang, there’s nothing more here for you. Are you not coming?”
Hearing this, Zhang Da Zhuang rubbed his face vigorously, glanced uneasily between Yu Zhen Tian and Zha Old Boss, and quickly hurried after Li Mu Sheng.
By now, Zhang Da Zhuang realized Li Mu Sheng had intentionally sent him away earlier to carry Yu’s second sister, thus unknowingly saving his life. Otherwise, falling into the hands of the disguised Zha Old Boss would have meant certain death.
Yet Zhang Da Zhuang misunderstood. Even if he had been captured, Li Mu Sheng would not have allowed him to die. In truth, Li Mu Sheng simply had never intended to flee in the first place.
…
Not long after, Li Mu Sheng reached a small, worn-down hut in the far corner of the backyard. He began gathering and bundling his belongings.
Zhang Da Zhuang hovered near the doorway, unsure how to speak. After some hesitation, he timidly asked, “Ah Sheng, how did you suddenly become so powerful? Even the infamous Seven Thieves of Zha River are no match for you.”
“Take a guess,” Li Mu Sheng replied lightly.
“Did you secretly apprentice under a great master? Or perhaps stumble upon a secret martial technique? Or maybe…”
Hoisting his bundle onto his shoulder, Li Mu Sheng laughed softly.
“None of those. It’s purely my exceptional natural talent. I taught myself!”
Hearing this, Zhang Da Zhuang nearly rolled his eyes.
Everyone knew that the worst martial talents in the Yu Family Martial Hall were him and Li Mu Sheng. Despite years of training, neither had improved, their status worse even than servants.
Yet, recalling Li Mu Sheng’s frightening power, Zhang Da Zhuang quickly restrained his expression, afraid of angering Li Mu Sheng and receiving a slap that might send him flying.
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me, but that’s just how it is.”
Li Mu Sheng shrugged, rummaged briefly, and finally pulled a creased bundle of rough grass paper from under the broken bed frame.
He handed it carelessly to Zhang Da Zhuang.
“I have nothing valuable to give you as farewell. This here is a martial art called the ‘Unbreakable Vajra Technique.’ It’s just right for you, so take it!”
Zhang Da Zhuang held the rough papers uncertainly, torn between excitement and doubt. Could such a precious technique truly be written on these shabby papers?
Soon, he sighed softly, shaking his head.
“Ah Sheng, I appreciate your kindness. But I know myself too well. My talent is so poor that I probably can’t master this skill.”
Li Mu Sheng gently patted his friend’s shoulder, smiling warmly.
“Don’t worry. This skill doesn’t require special talent or strong bones, just determination and heart. As long as you persist, you’ll surely have the strength to protect yourself in the Martial World someday.”
(End of Chapter)