Grinding to the Martial Sage from the White Ape Fist

Black Water River, Black River Crossing Pier.

The morning river fog had yet to disperse. A medium-sized treasure ship, flying the Qian Family’s merchant flag, slowly cut through the dense mist like a sharp sword. It rode the rushing currents, sailing smoothly downstream.

Inside the luxurious cabin on the treasure ship’s top deck, a man and a woman sat opposite each other at a round pearwood table, quietly discussing the details of their journey. Beside them, the burly Qian Wenhao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a trace of unconcealed worry on his face.

This man and woman were, of course, Su Yu and Qian Qinghong.

Yesterday, after putting everything in order at the Su Mansion, Su Yu had contacted Qian Qinghong without delay.

This morning, the two of them had set out together for the border of Jian’an Prefecture to hunt the Black Dragon Fish.

"Miss, I reviewed the intelligence again yesterday."

Qian Wenhao could no longer contain his anxiety. In a heavy voice, he said, "That golden waterway where the Black Dragon Fish was spotted is the territory of a local power, the Gold Sand Water Stronghold. Their Village Chief, Yan Gulin, is a mid-stage Muscle Forging Realm expert. Are we sure about this trip? Will we really be okay?"

For the past few days, Qian Wenhao, as the fleet’s supervisor, had been busy preparing for the journey. But after learning about the Gold Sand Water Stronghold, he couldn’t help but have second thoughts.

The Miss had only just solidified her position as the Qian Family Patriarch. How could he not worry when she was risking it all by venturing into someone else’s territory?

Hearing this, Qian Qinghong’s slender brows arched, and she shot him an annoyed glare. "Wenhao, this isn’t like you! What’s this? We haven’t even left yet, and you’re already having second thoughts?"

"This trip to capture the Black Dragon Fish is crucial for Brother Su’s Martial Arts future, so we must go! As for the dangers, we’ll deal with them as they come. No need to overthink it!"

Su Yu, of course, knew what Qian Wenhao was worried about. He smiled and offered some reassurance. "Brother Wenhao, don’t worry. Our safety will be our top priority on this trip. If the Gold Sand Water Stronghold has truly laid an inescapable trap and the situation becomes impossible, we’ll just give up on the Black Dragon Fish. I, Su Yu, would never drag my friends to their deaths for my own selfish reasons."

Hearing Su Yu’s sincere words, the tight knot in Qian Wenhao’s brow finally loosened a bit. He scratched the back of his head and chuckled sheepishly. "Right, right, I get it. I’ll follow the orders of the Miss and Brother Su on this trip!"

After Su Yu and Qian Qinghong went over the plan in detail, they finally relaxed and started to chat.

"Qinghong, how are things with the Qian Family now? Do you still need any help?"

"It’s all thanks to Brother Su. Now that I’m the Qian Family Patriarch, everything is much easier to handle." A radiant smile bloomed on Qian Qinghong’s face as she peeled an orange and tossed it to Su Yu. "I’ve already dealt with that Tributor, Zhao Gaolang. As for Fourth Elder Qian Huliu’s faction, I’ve completely suppressed them. They’re no longer a threat."

Su Yu ate a segment of the orange. It was sweet and refreshing. He nodded slightly.

’Qinghong is so clean and efficient,’ Su Yu thought. ’It looks like she has the Qian Family completely under her control now. I finally have a staunch ally here in Black Stone City.’

"Oh, right. About the rest of the Bibo Fish Dragon Skill—the Great Elder is already in talks with the Flying Fish Martial Arts Hall. The exchange of Cultivation Techniques might be finalized soon. Once I have the new technique, I’ll have someone deliver it to you."

"Haha, thank you for going to the trouble, Qinghong. This Cultivation Technique will be a huge help for my underwater training," Su Yu said with sincere gratitude.

...

Outside the treasure ship, the river wind suddenly picked up.

The mighty Black Water River churned with turbulent waves, yet the treasure ship cut through the violent gales and swells, sailing on with unwavering stability.

Along the way, they stopped for a brief rest in the Ten Islands Region before continuing south.

「Several hours later.」

Su Yu and Qian Qinghong walked out of the cabin side by side and stood on the wide bow, gazing into the distance as they faced the wind.

As the treasure ship continued south, the scenery on both banks underwent a marvelous and visible transformation.

The once-bare black cliffs gradually gave way to dense, verdant jungles that seemed to drip with green. In the distance, mountain ranges rose and fell, an emerald green so pure they looked as if they’d been freshly washed. A thin layer of mist drifted over the water’s surface, like a veil of descended immortal energy.

"Brother Su, the climate in Jian’an Prefecture is much warmer and more humid than in Black Stone City. The scenery is so different—it has a unique charm all its own."

"Indeed. The Great Xia Dynasty spans nine provinces and a vast territory. The landscapes are all so different. It’s a shame there’s no time to visit them all."

Su Yu couldn’t help but sigh. ’Ever since I came to this world, I’ve been at the very bottom. To survive, my only option has been to constantly practice Martial Arts and get stronger. The enviable life of a wandering hero, roaming the world with a sword in hand... that life isn’t for me.’

’But maybe, once I’m strong enough, I can go see it all.’

"If Brother Su truly wants to go, then you should just go!" Qian Qinghong suddenly turned her head, a brilliant smile blooming on her spirited, lovely face.

"We only live once, like plants in autumn. Sometimes, you just have to follow your heart! I’ve also had the same dream of traveling across the Nine Provinces. If, in the future, Brother Su really decides to go see that wider world..."

Qian Qinghong paused, her gaze meeting Su Yu’s without hesitation. "Why don’t we go together?"

Facing the river wind, gazing at the peerless beauty before him, Su Yu was momentarily stunned.

"Hello? Brother Su..."

"Miss, there’s a situation up ahead!"

Just then, Qian Wenhao’s shout from the bow interrupted their conversation.

The expressions of the two instantly grew taut, and they both flashed to the bow of the ship.

Hundreds of yards ahead, dozens of small and medium-sized warships were moored domineeringly across the water, their hulls sitting deep in the river!

The warships were spread out across the river like a giant spider’s web, each separated by several dozen yards, completely blocking the channel.

Su Yu’s eyesight was extraordinary, and his gaze landed on the deck of a medium-sized, multi-decked ship at the very center of the formation.

A wide Grandmaster’s Chair was placed there, and in it sat a burly, one-eyed old man—his left eye was blind—sprawled imposingly.

The old man’s right arm was severed at the shoulder. In its place was a terrifying, vicious-looking steel prosthesis. Instead of fingers, the front of the hand was forged into a sharp iron spike that emanated a cold, sinister gleam. Thick, barbed iron chains were wrapped tightly in coil after coil around the spike.

With such a signature appearance, Su Yu recognized him at a glance. This was none other than Yan Gulin, the Village Chief of the Gold Sand Water Stronghold and an expert at the mid-stage Muscle Forging Realm!

Qian Qinghong quickly pulled out a sheepskin nautical chart. After a quick comparison, her elegant brows furrowed. "We have a problem. Brother Su, that stretch of water they’ve blockaded is the entrance to the golden waterway where the Black Dragon Fish was spotted!"

As she spoke, Qian Qinghong signaled the helmsman to stop the ship.

Su Yu’s expression was also grave. He hadn’t expected to run into a stalemate the moment they arrived.

’We only have one small treasure ship. Forcing our way through is impossible. Besides, Yan Gulin is powerful; a direct confrontation would be a huge problem.’

"Brother Su, the fact that the Gold Sand Water Stronghold has blockaded the area also means they haven’t caught the Black Dragon Fish yet," Qian Qinghong quickly made her assessment. "I suggest we wait."

Su Yu nodded immediately. "I was thinking the same thing, Qinghong. Since the Gold Sand Water Stronghold has sealed off the area, the news must have leaked. And if it’s leaked, we definitely won’t be the only faction to show up. There might be an opportunity in that. Let’s lay low and see how things unfold."

Having come to an agreement, they immediately had the treasure ship turn around and find a spot to wait from a safe distance.

...

「Meanwhile.」

Aboard the central treasure ship of the Gold Sand Water Stronghold.

A wiry-looking sub-chieftain from the stronghold hurried over to the Grandmaster’s Chair and reported to Yan Gulin, "Village Chief! Judging by that ship’s design and heading, it seems to have come from Black Stone City, upriver. Should I take a few fast boats and dispose of them?"

Yan Gulin slowly extended his Iron Hand, skewering a piece of sizzling, greasy roasted meat with its sharp spike. He tore off a large mouthful and sneered, "Some nobodies from a backwater town trying to get lucky? What are they worth? Ignore that insignificant trash. Just keep a tight watch on the south, toward Jian’an Prefecture! And tell the Fishing Team to get a move on. I want it done by tomorrow at the latest. If they can’t flush out that Black Dragon Fish by then, I’ll use them as a sacrifice to feed the river!"

"Yes, Village Chief!"

...

Time passed slowly. Within a few hours...

Just as Su Yu and Qian Qinghong had predicted, the warships of other factions began to appear on the river one after another. Judging by their determined courses, they were clearly all headed for the Black Dragon Fish!

Some of these factions, like Su Yu’s party, saw the Gold Sand Water Stronghold’s blockade and chose to anchor cautiously in the distant, misty waters, quietly waiting to see how the situation would develop.

Others, however, were confident in their own strength and drove their treasure ships straight forward, attempting to force their way through the blockade!

However, the Water Bandits of the Gold Sand Water Stronghold had spent years fighting for their lives on the treacherous Black Water River, living by the blade. Their coordination and ruthlessness in naval combat were terrifying.

Without Yan Gulin even making a move himself, they repelled dozens of treasure ships. Five or six of them even had their hulls breached by underwater raiders and sank to the riverbed in a hopeless inferno.

Su Yu stood quietly on the bow of the Qian Family’s treasure ship. He watched the tragic, burning wreckage of the other ships on the water, yet not a single ripple of emotion disturbed his deep eyes.

He turned, took another Treasure Medicine from his Storage Ring, quickly consumed it, and resumed his Martial Arts practice.

[Demon Ape Mountain-Shaking Fist Skill Level +25]

[Demon Ape Mountain-Shaking Fist Skill Level +25]

...

Beside them, Qian Wenhao was growing anxious. Seeing that Su Yu was still in the mood to practice his Martial Arts, he opened his mouth to speak several times but ultimately held his tongue, pacing restlessly on the deck instead.

Qian Qinghong, on the other hand, glanced at the darkening sky and changed into a tight-fitting, black, flood-dragon-skin diving suit.

The smooth, tight flood dragon skin left none of her perfect curves to the imagination: her long, powerful legs; her supple, slender waist; and a proud bust that looked as if it might burst from the suit at any moment...

Such a magnificent figure truly sparked the imagination.

As evening fell, the river wind began to subside.

Su Yu calmed his roiling Qi and Blood. His eyes lit up as he looked at the ink-and-wash style text that appeared before him.

[Demon Ape Mountain-Shaking Fist Skill Level +25]

[Martial Arts]: Demon Ape Mountain-Shaking Fist (Skill Level 3000/10000)

As his Skill Level reached 3,000, the Huagai Acupoint within Su Yu’s body began to solidify from an illusory state into reality, manifesting as a great vortex of death.

’I’m about to break through the Huagai Acupoint!’