Chapter 15: Raging Waves Blade Technique, Ape's Might

Chapter 15: Raging Waves Blade Technique, Ape’s Might

After reflecting on his actions, Su Chen steadied his resolve and entered Liu Tong’s room.

After rummaging through the space, he finally found what he was looking for hidden on a beam overhead—a bundle wrapped in cloth.

Inside were two secret manuals, several letters, some medicinal herbs, and seventy taels of silver. The manuals were titled Raging Waves Blade Technique and Ape’s Might.

Su Chen glanced at them before setting them aside. Like Liu Heishui’s account ledger, these manuals also contained coded messages. Without deciphering the hidden meanings, their secrets would remain inaccessible for now. He decided to store them safely and study them later.

He turned his attention to the other items. The herbs were unremarkable—just some ginseng root hairs, though their age was unclear. He tucked them into the manuals and picked up the letters.

As he read, his expression darkened. The correspondence revealed Liu Tong’s collaboration with Old Lin of the Lin Family Fortress. Most messages originated from Old Lin, warning Liu Tong about assassination contracts targeting him.

Su Chen now understood why he’d felt uneasy earlier. Despite his precautions, Liu Tong had discovered his plans. The man had even taken antidotes in advance to resist the effects of Dreamdust.

It seemed Liu Tong had survived multiple such attempts. This time, however, he’d underestimated Su Chen, who had combined Dreamdust with Softbone Powder. The result was Liu Tong’s downfall—a fate he’d brought upon himself.

The letters suggested Old Lin had repeatedly aided Liu Tong. Using his position at the Misty Rain Pavilion, Old Lin would alert Liu Tong to incoming contracts, then extract information about the hired assassins. If the targets lacked powerful connections, Liu Tong would eliminate them, and the two would split the profits. This system had allowed Old Lin to track Liu Tong’s whereabouts.

Su Chen shook his head. “I’d planned to disguise myself and visit the Lin Family Fortress, but there’s no need now. I’ll just collect the bounty on Liu Tong’s head.”

He calculated his funds: seventy taels from Liu Tong, plus over fifty taels already at home, would cover the cost to upgrade Iron Thread Fist. The county magistrate also offered a 50-tael gold bounty. Yet his gaze lingered on the manuals.

Had he not discovered the Crescent Blade Art manual, he’d have chosen Gold-Fueled Enhancement for Iron Thread Fist without hesitation. But after the recent battle, he now favored Raging Waves Blade Technique. At his current stage, weapon techniques held greater value.

“First, claim the reward. Decide later,” he muttered, packing the items and leaving Liu Tong’s corpse in the courtyard.

By dawn, he reached White Stone City. Golden sunlight bathed him, easing his weariness.

“The entry fee’s risen another coin,” he grumbled, paying the guards and heading home. After washing up, he made his way to the county courthouse.

“Halt! State your business!” an officer barked, blocking his path.

Su Chen wordlessly raised the wanted poster and his bundle. The officer’s eyes widened, and he hurried to announce him.

A portly man soon emerged. “Sir, have you slain Liu Tong?”

Su Chen nodded. The man bowed. “The county magistrate awaits you.”

Inside the grand hall, Magistrate Tao Wenxuan scrutinized the bundle. Su Chen tossed it onto the table, revealing Liu Tong’s severed head.

“Verified,” an officer confirmed.

Tao Wenxuan’s gaze shifted to Su Chen. “Brave one, you’ve done what many could not. May I ask your name?”

“Yang Guo,” Su Chen replied flatly.

“Champion Yang, here is your 50-tael gold reward,” Tao said, clapping his hands. A servant brought the bounty. Su Chen pocketed the coins and left without ceremony.

Afterward, Tao turned to his clerk. “Investigate this ‘Yang Guo.’”

The clerk shook his head. “No records, my lord. Shall I dig deeper?”

“No,” Tao mused. “He bested Liu Tong alone—no ordinary man. With tensions rising, better not provoke him. But if possible… recruit him for the court.”

“Understood.”

Later, Su Chen changed clothes in a secluded alley before returning home. He spent hours studying the manuals. Unlike Liu Heishui’s meticulous codes, Liu Tong’s were easily cracked. Yet when he practiced the techniques, the Progress Panel showed no new martial arts.

Re-reading the manuals five times, he noticed two reversed sections. Rearranging them, he tried again. This time, the panel updated:

Martial Arts: Iron Thread Fist (Perfected 2%) | Iron Sand Palm (Perfected 2%) | Ape’s Might (Initiate 1%) | Raging Waves Blade Technique (Initiate 1%)
Easy Mode: Iron Thread Fist (0 uses) (10 gold taels/session) | Iron Sand Palm (0 uses) (10 gold taels/session) | Ape’s Might (0 uses) (1 silver tael/session) | Raging Waves Blade Technique (0 uses) (1 silver tael/session)

He tallied his funds—about 170 taels total.

“Enough for one Easy Mode session with Iron Thread Fist or Iron Sand Palm,” he mused. “But Raging Waves Blade Technique and Ape’s Might remain cheap to train. If costs don’t spike later, I’ll prioritize them.”

Liu Tong’s notes warned that Raging Waves Blade Technique required Ape’s Might to prevent arm damage and medicinal aids for recovery. Yet Su Chen had the Progress Panel—surely it would negate those risks. Even if not, a few extra taels could cover Ape’s Might’s Gold-Fueled Enhancement.

“Decided. Raging Waves Blade Technique first.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end