"So it's Hero Yu Jin."
Sheng Dayang hastily bowed again, his face soon clouded with bitterness as he replied tactfully, "To not hide the truth from you, Hero Yu, I harbor immense hatred for the Lishui Gang. But I truly lack the skills, and with my son Little Tian by my side, escaping and hiding is difficult enough as it is. I'm really powerless, and I fear dragging you down."
Sheng Xiaotian, though just nine years old, could already understand the conversation of adults. Hearing that his father had refused Hero Yu, he grew anxious at once. "Dad, I can do it. I have Immortal Techniques, and I can help both you and Hero Yu!"
A nine-year-old child.
At an age when emotions fluctuate easily.
After days of fear and dread, he'd initially been terrified of the Lishui Gang's men. However, after witnessing Chen Jichuan effortlessly dispatch six fierce and menacing thugs, he felt both a sense of exhilaration and a newfound admiration for Chen Jichuan.
He yearned to apprentice under him, to learn his skills, and to one day become as powerful.
Now, hearing his father Sheng Dayang describe him as a burden, his self-esteem was wounded. He felt anxious, angry, and embarrassed, believing he had lost face in front of 'Hero Yu.'
"Whether you go or not is up to you."
Chen Jichuan waved his hand.
His intention in saving the two of them this time was twofold.
First, to disrupt the Lishui Gang.
Second, to recruit Sheng Dayang and Little Tian as allies. The father-son duo were Abnormal People with extraordinary skills. With some martial training, they could quickly become capable fighters.
Little Tian was too young for the time being, not worth mentioning.
But Sheng Dayang was already a Third-Level Abnormal, and his abnormal skill "Blood Burning" was particularly effective for cultivation. With just a bit of effort, training him would likely result in someone no weaker than a fourth-grade master.
However, reality wasn't a game — completing a mission didn't automatically earn loyalty.
Sheng Dayang was a flesh-and-blood person.
He had his own thoughts.
Chen Jichuan didn't see himself as someone with an aura of authority, capable of compelling others to drop to their knees in submission upon meeting him. Nor did he believe in the notion of a so-called life-saving debt guaranteeing undying allegiance or servitude.
Just like in the Great Yann World.
While Chen Jichuan had benefited the Lul Family, if he demanded that they return White Jade City to him, such gratitude would quickly dissipate, likely replaced by animosity.
Today.
From Chen Jichuan's perspective, he was rescuing them. But if Sheng Dayang turned out to be someone with a heartless nature, he might just complain about Chen Jichuan meddling in his affairs.
It takes all kinds to make a world.
Chen Jichuan wasn't the type to grasp at straws. He had patience, preferring to carefully vet and assess the character of any "allies."
Ten days.
This timeframe was both an opportunity for Sheng Dayang to decide and a chance for Chen Jichuan to head to Yongfu County and gather information about Sheng Dayang's past.
Choices always work both ways.
Seeing Sheng Dayang decline.
Chen Jichuan didn't press further.
He wrapped up all the spoils of his activities and tied them securely to his back. Stepping forward, he suddenly embraced the Spiritual Jujube Tree.
"..."
Sheng Dayang originally thought Chen Jichuan might persist in persuading him or possibly even show anger. He had already prepared several potential responses.
He had even considered reluctantly agreeing now, only to skip out ten days later.
But to his surprise.
This 'Yu Jin' didn't follow the script at all; instead, he enveloped the Spiritual Jujube Tree in his arms.
This action was completely baffling.
"Is he trying to—"
Sheng Dayang froze for a moment.
Just as confusion filled his mind, he witnessed a scene that made his jaw drop—
"Ha!"
"Up!"
With a loud and clear shout from 'Yu Jin,' his arms suddenly swelled, tightening around the Spiritual Jujube Tree as he exerted himself to yank it upward.
Rustle!
At the first attempt, the Spiritual Jujube Tree trembled.
Rustle!
At the second attempt, the earth loosened.
By the third attempt.
Whoosh!
Branches swayed, leaves fluttered.
The Spiritual Jujube Tree, as thick as a grown man's embrace, was wrenched out of the ground, clumps of dirt flying everywhere as it came to rest in Chen Jichuan's arms.
"This—"
To uproot a tree this large, what kind of strength did that take? If this strength were turned against a human body, who could possibly withstand it?!
Sheng Dayang was stunned.
"Hero Yu is invincible!"
Little Tian, however, was utterly delighted on the side. He clapped his hands excitedly, jumping up and down, his palms reddened from slapping too hard, yet he felt no pain.
He had watched someone uproot the Immortal Jujube Tree with his own eyes.
Hero Yu was invincible!
"Ten days from now."
"If you've thought it through, meet me in the chaotic stone forest."
Chen Jichuan maintained a cool demeanor, not lingering.
He left this one statement.
Then hoisting the Spiritual Jujube Tree, he strode swiftly, disappearing into the forest in no time.
From beginning to end.
He didn't spare Sheng Dayang and his son another glance.
"..."
Sheng Dayang watched Chen Jichuan's figure recede into the forest. Turning back, he saw that where the Immortal Jujube Tree once stood, nothing remained but a deep pit.
He fell silent.
Little Tian, standing nearby, grew agitated. "Dad, Dad! The Lishui Gang killed Grandma. I want revenge! I want to learn martial arts from Hero Yu and kill all those Lishui Gang scumbags!"
"Stop shouting!"
Sheng Dayang, troubled and irritable, snapped coldly at Little Tian.
The boy immediately quieted down, his head drooping as he said nothing more.
Looking at him, Sheng Dayang felt a twinge of guilt in his heart, so he softened his tone slightly. "Do you think the Lishui Gang is so easy to kill? To them, killing us is like slaughtering pigs. If we go, it's just certain death. I think that so-called Hero Yu just wants to trick me into becoming a death warrior. But if I die, who's going to take care of you?"
Little Tian kept his head down and remained silent.
"Sigh."
Sheng Dayang let out a long sigh. Without saying anything else, he squatted down to fill in the Immortal Jujube Tree's pit, covering it with fallen leaves and branches gathered from around them, creating a rough camouflage.
He didn't say anything further.
Grasping his son's hand, he glanced around and thought for a while. In the end, he headed southeast.
To the south of Yongfu County lay Liding County, and to the east was Linhe County. The two were separated by rugged mountains and waterways, with no proper paths to follow. Once they ventured into the uncharted wilderness, the Lishui Gang would find it nearly impossible to track them down.
After the pair left.
From the western direction, Chen Jichuan stepped out from behind a tree, glanced at the pit that had been filled and camouflaged, and revealed a faint smile. "Still has a conscience."
As he murmured, his waist, legs, and shoulders continuously flexed, and his entire body grew taller by two inches as if out of thin air.
Previously, by using the "Soft Bone Skill," he had compressed his stance, making himself appear shorter, about 1.7 meters tall. Coupled with his bulky musculature, he seemed stockier during that time.
Now that he released the skill.
His true appearance was restored—
1.78 meters tall.
Lean and proportionate.
He looked much more striking now.
If Sheng Dayang were to see him again, he wouldn't recognize him as the "Yu Jin" from before.
"The Soft Bone Skill is a flexible art. It bends and twists the legs and waist, enabling dexterity and agility, smoothing out the stiffness and constraints of the body."
Soft Bone Skill.
A technique that made the legs and waist pliable.
It rendered the bones supple, the body agile, and minimized the stiffness from rigid physical movements. This allowed the muscles and bones to gain increased fluidity.
The martial arts Chen Jichuan practiced were mostly ferocious and overpowering hard styles. Though powerful, they carried the risk of excessive rigidity.
To compensate for this and to gain insight into soft force, thereby unlocking the mysteries of dark strength, Chen Jichuan had spent a fortune in the Great Yann World to acquire the "Soft Bone Skill."
After practicing for a time.
Not only had it made his body more limber, but it had also significantly enhanced his understanding of "soft force."
Having now released the Soft Bone Skill.
Chen Jichuan stretched his waist and legs, marveling inwardly. "This 'Soft Bone Skill' is truly remarkable. It's also perfect for altering appearances and concealing identities."
With the skill undone.
His stature restored.
Chen Jichuan didn't linger.
He jogged northward, first retrieving the sand clothes and sandbags he had previously set aside, as well as the weapons from Xu Lang, Zheng Biao, and the others.
Then he located the Spiritual Jujube Tree in the forest, lifted it, and deliberately twisted through all four directions, using seemingly random routes.
Only after most of the leaves had fallen did he adjust course and head straight for Haitang Mountain.
...