Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

Chapter 58: Torment

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation

Chen Fei wiped the blood off his sword and proceeded into the back hall. Several individuals lay lifeless on the ground, including the two who had been tailing him and providing information to the Shallow Water Gang. Surprisingly, there were quite a few experts present, with four individuals in the Bone Tempering realm. It was considered generous for a shop like this to have even a few Bone Tempering realm cultivators in its ranks. However, their battle prowess proved lackluster against Chen Fei’s assault. Having fused multiple cultivation techniques, Chen Fei now possessed far greater power than rogue cultivators of the same level.

After a brief search for any hidden silver, Chen Fei turned his attention to gathering information about the Shallow Water Gang. He meticulously searched through the possessions and documents in the back hall, determined to uncover crucial details.

Chen Fei wasn’t entirely confident in the information he had obtained from the untrustworthy shopkeeper. As he searched through the back hall, he discovered a room with several shelves filled with information. Sorting through the materials, Chen Fei quickly located the relevant details concerning the Shallow Water Gang. Feeling pressed for time, he hesitated for a moment before deciding to take everything he deemed necessary.

Summoning the storage cabinet from his space grid, Chen Fei stuffed a thick stack of papers into it. Once he had collected what he needed, he departed from the premises. As he delved into the information, Chen Fei’s frown deepened. He came across details about a martial artist in the Marrow Tempering realm—a piece of information missing from the initial edition he had obtained. Although this Marrow Tempering realm martial artist was older and had suffered severe injuries in the past, leading to a decline in his current combat strength, he was still a formidable opponent. However, there remained a significant disparity between the Marrow Tempering realm and the Bone Tempering realm in terms of fundamental power.

Chen Fei strode out of a bustling market and raised his gaze toward the direction of Xu Zaichuan’s residence, the Sect Master of the Shallow Water Sect. After a moment of contemplation, he made his way towards the grand estate.

Inside Xu Zaichuan’s residence, Chi Defeng knelt on the ground, his hands bound tightly behind his back. Trembling with fear, he pleaded to the figures in the hall, “Please, 1’11 tell you everything I know as long as you spare me. Please, don’t hurt me.”

Xu Zaichuan, seated proudly on his throne, looked down upon Chi Defeng. “Where is that Alchemist?” he demanded.

Confusion clouded Chi Defeng’s face as he responded, “What alchemist?”

Without warning, Xu Zaichuan delivered a powerful kick to Chi Defeng’s chest. The impact sent Chi Defeng hurtling into a stone pillar within the hall, blood spraying from his mouth. Gasping for breath, he struggled to speak. “I’m not pretending… I don’t know!”

Mockery danced in Xu Zaichuan’s eyes as he waved his hand, ordering his subordinates, “Beat him until he reveals the truth.”

“Yes, sir!” Two members of the Shallow Water Sect, carrying out their leader’s command, launched themselves at Chi Defeng, raining down punches and kicks upon him mercilessly. Chi Defeng’s agonized screams filled the air as his body quickly became drenched in his own blood.

“Tell me,” Xu Zaichuan’s smile vanished from his face. “I don’t know that pill master. Every time he comes to me, he asks me to sell his pills. If I sell them, he pays me for my efforts,” Chi Defeng replied, fear evident in his voice as he whispered to Xu Zaichuan.

Xu Zaichuan’s expression darkened as he slowly approached Chi Defeng, each step purposeful. Without warning, he drew a long sword and plunged it into Chi Defeng’s thigh. Chi Defeng let out a piercing scream, unable to evade the attack.

“Do you think I’m easily deceived? Continue with your fabrications, and I will see how far you can go!” Xu Zaichuan forcefully twisted the sword lodged in Chi Defeng’s thigh. Within moments, Chi Defeng’s leg was a gory mess, causing him unimaginable agony. Chi Defeng could only gasp for breath, unable to produce coherent words.

“I’m telling the truth. You can verify it if you want,” Chi Defeng weakly pleaded, his face drained of color.

Xu Zaichuan turned to his subordinates and asked, “Have you discovered who he had close contact with in the past?”

“This old man is extremely cautious. Every time we tail him, he manages to shake us off. We don’t know where he resides or who he associates with,” one of the subordinates responded.

“How cautious indeed!” Xu Zaichuan leaned forward, fixing a piercing gaze upon Chi Defeng. He then withdrew the long sword from Chi Defeng’s thigh, only to press his foot onto the wound and grind it mercilessly. The already festering wound worsened, turning into a bloody pulp of flesh, causing Chi Defeng unbearable torment.

“It’s true! Everything I’ve said is true!” Chi Defeng shouted in a hoarse voice, his consciousness nearly slipping away.

“Inject him with the medicine and break his fingers, one by one!” Xu Zaichuan’s eyes narrowed as he reclined back into his high chair. Shallow Water Sect members lifted Chi Defeng, forcing him to drink a bowl of medicine. Chi Defeng, already in a dazed state, briefly regained consciousness, only to be consumed by the intensifying pain coursing through his body.

“I want to see just how tough your resolve is!” Xu Zaichuan pointed his finger, signaling someone to produce a massive pair of pliers. The pincers bore a dark brown crust, remnants of dried blood. A putrid odor wafted from them, indicating that they had already clamped onto flesh countless times before.

“After breaking all ten fingers, we still have ten toes to go. There’s plenty of time, and I’ll savor torturing you slowly,” Xu Zaichuan coldly remarked, his gaze fixed on Chi Defeng.

The fear in Chi Defeng’s eyes slowly faded, replaced by a defiant expression. Without warning, he spat a mouthful of blood directly at Xu Zaichuan. “Come, let’s attack together. Let’s see if you can make this old man feel a bit more satisfied!” Knowing his disguise was futile, he burst into laughter.

Enraged, Xu Zaichuan’s eyes narrowed, and he bellowed, “Punish him! I want to see him begging for death on his knees!”

“Yes, sir!” the Shallow Water Sect members responded, seizing Chi Defeng’s fingers and clamping them with the pliers. However, in that moment, an arrow shot through the air, piercing the body of one of the Shallow Water Gang members. The force of the arrow sent him crashing to the ground, and the pincers slipped from his grip with a crisp sound. Everyone stood in stunned silence.

Suddenly, two more arrows flew forth, finding their mark in the hearts of two individuals, killing them instantly.

“Enemy attack!” The realization dawned on everyone, and they sought cover to evade the onslaught of arrows. Some attempted to launch a counterattack by moving towards the corner of the hall, preparing to strike back.

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!” The sound of arrows resounded incessantly. Those who attempted to expose themselves were swiftly impaled by arrows through their heads, while those still seeking shelter found themselves pierced by additional arrows.

The remaining members of the Shallow Water Gang retaliated, unleashing their hidden weapons and shooting arrows. However, each person who struck back found themselves with a fatal hole appearing in their body moments later.

The arrows proved to be immensely powerful, easily penetrating the bodies of their targets. Within a short span of time, over a dozen people within the mansion’s hall had fallen to their demise. The remaining individuals no longer dared to expose themselves, seeking shelter from the deadly rain of arrows. However, some of the arrows, propelled by an incredible force, arched their trajectory, bypassing cover and impaling those who thought themselves protected.

This level of archery surpassed the capabilities of ordinary martial artists. A lone figure, wielding a bow, single-handedly suppressed dozens of people with astonishing precision and deadly accuracy.

“Who dares to come here and act so outrageously!” With a resounding shout, a figure swiftly approached from a distance, arriving in the sky above the mansion’s hall in the blink of an eye.

“It’s Old He! Old He is here!” The Shallow Water Gang members, who had been slain by the arrows, couldn’t help but exclaim with a mix of joy and relief upon recognizing the newcomer’s identity.

Chen Fei stood poised on the rooftop, his eyes fixed on He Yuanqiu as he soared overhead. Swiftly, Chen Fei repositioned his bow and released an arrow that struck a Shallow Water Gang member who had dared to expose himself.

“You dare!” He Yuanqiu seethed with anger as he witnessed Chen Fei claim yet another life before his eyes. He extended his right hand, resembling the talons of an eagle, and aimed to seize Chen Fei’s head.

“Tsk!” The sound of slicing air reverberated as He Yuanqiu’s claw-like hand swiped through, but it failed to connect with its intended target. Chen Fei gracefully retreated, his figure gliding backward, and he promptly released three more arrows. The arrows found their marks, ending the lives of the Shallow Water Gang members who had been hiding.

The Shallow Water Gang members, previously bolstered by He Yuanqiu’s arrival, fell into an eerie silence, their morale diminished by the swift and accurate strikes..