Chapter 552: A Message

　　Translator: Iamgt Editor: Lucas

　　“Who do you think you are!? How dare you say that my daughter wasn’t taught well!” The loud, furious roar resounded. The eyes of all the cavalrymen widened as they watched what had just happened in disbelief.

　　The figure who had just dashed out actually flew back at an even faster speed.

　　Rumble~ The figure smashed onto the horse he had been riding. “Neigh~~” The horse neighed as the impact sent it flying to the sky and crashing on the group of cavalrymen in the surroundings. For some time, several cavalrymen were affected. The bald elder, who was struck back by the soundwaves, spat out a mouthful of blood. He then fell on the ground, causing his body to be covered with dirt and mud.

　　“Who!? Who is it?!” the bald elder shouted as fear filled his heart.

　　When the shapeless force hit his body, he couldn’t even see the opponent. If it weren’t for the fact that he had enveloped himself with the Innate True Origin, the impact would have killed him.

　　“Teacher! How was that possible?” The young general was stunned by what had just happened. He had asked his teacher, a Hollow Dan Innate Expert, to come along because he had been worried that Wei Jiang, the Internal Martial Arts cultivator who obliterated three gangs alone, would be too powerful. Wei Jiang had self-learned the cultivation of Tiger Form Fist Art and reached such a level. This showed that he had opened up almost all of the meridians in his body.

　　If Wei Jiang started practicing the inner strength cultivation method, he would be able to master other cultivation manuals easily. He would be able to display an explosive strength of over a hundred thousand Jin very easily..

　　Considering this, the sect ordered an Innate Expert to help capture Wei Jiang.

　　“This—” The young general stared at the white-cloaked figure who was standing straightly and thought to himself, “Who is he?”

　　“I lost even before I saw the opponent. Even a Golden Dan Innate Expert cannot do this… Could it be…” The heavily wounded bald elder, Hu Zhong, stared at the white-cloaked man nearby and suddenly realized something. “He’s an Emptiness Realm Expert!!!” Hu Zhong had ventured this land and cultivated for almost his entire life, but he had never encountered an Emptiness Realm Expert. And so he was used to doing whatever he wanted to do.

　　“Teacher.” The young general immediately dashed over and helped the bald elder get back on his feet.

　　On the official road, soft discussions sounded amidst the caravan of people and the troop of cavalrymen.

　　Teng Qingshan couldn’t bother looking at the bald elder. He turned and looked towards his daughter, Honglin, and said in a deep tone, “Come here.”

　　“Teacher!” Honglin stuck out her tongue and immediately ran over in an obedient manner.

　　Teng Qingshan’s current appearance had changed. However, Honglin had been around her father since young. She could even recognize Teng Qingshan’s back. Moreover, Teng Qingshan hadn’t changed his physique or voice. Xiao Xiao, the maid at the side, hurriedly ran over. She didn’t dare to look at Teng Qingshan at all. All she did was stay by Honglin’s side.

　　“Xiao Hong, thank you for helping.” Wei Jiang, who was at the side, cupped his hands and saluted Honglin. He then greeted Teng Qingshan, “Wei Jiang is pleased to meet Senior.”

　　Wei Jiang was well aware of this as he thought to himself, “The person before me is a truly powerful cultivator! Unfortunately, I have decided to cultivate Internal Martial Arts. I am going to join the Xing Yi Sect and learn Internal Martial Arts from the great senior Teng Qingshan.” If it weren’t for this ambition, Wei Jiang would have already tried all his best to be the disciple of the person before him.

　　“Hm.”

　　Teng Qingshan shot a glance at Wei Jiang and nodded to himself. He then smiled and said as he glanced at his daughter, “Xiao Hong?”

　　“Hehe.” Honglin winked. Xiao Hong was obviously a pseudonym Honglin had given herself.

　　“Naughty girl.” Suddenly, Li Jun appeared beside Honglin and patted Honglin’s shoulder. Honglin was shocked in the beginning and was then puzzled. She couldn’t recognize Li Jun, who had disguised herself with the human-skinned mask. However, when she saw the necklace on Li Jun’s neck, she immediately understood.

　　“Mother,” Honglin greeted obediently.

　　“Senior.” An elderly voice sounded.

　　Teng Qingshan turned and saw that it was the bald elder, who stood right beside the young general. The bald elder cupped his hands and said, “Senior, the young man beside you is a criminal wanted by Emperor Yu’s Hall. He has slaughtered a family of 13 members in Lianan City. Senior, please let Emperor Yu’s Hall arrest him and bring him to justice.”

　　“What is your name?” Teng Qingshan asked calmly.

　　The bald elder froze. He then answered respectfully, “Junior Hu Zhong.”

　　“Hu Zhong… Hu Zhong…” Teng Qingshan glanced at Hu Zhong with a smile. “Earlier, I heard you say who wasn’t taught well? Who misbehaved?”

　　The bald elder was obviously embarrassed. The young general at the side didn’t even dare to make a sound. He saw how his teacher, an Innate Expert, had been struck even before the opponent was seen. His teacher had to call the white-cloaked man “Senior.” The young general knew well that the person before them was not someone he could provoke.

　　“Senior, I was the one who misbehaved.” The bald elder hastily apologized.

　　“Hmph!”

　　Just a deep humph created fear in the bald elder’s heart.

　　Li Jun, who was at the side, sneered and said, “Old Man Hu Zhong, who are you to say that my daughter was not taught well? Tsk, tsk…”

　　Hu Zhong cupped his hands again and said, “I did wrong.” He then pointed at Wei Jiang and explained, “However, Wei Jiang is a criminal who killed a family of 13 members. Emperor Yu’s Hall has commanded me to lead this troop to arrest him. Please hand him over to Emperor Yu’s Hall. It’s not worth pitying such a deranged person.”

　　The young general besides the bald elder also cupped his hands and added, “Senior, Emperor Yu’s Hall has issued this command. My teacher and I were commanded to arrest Wei Jiang. I am sure you understand how important this is to Emperor Yu’s Hall.”

　　Hu Zhong and his disciple were obviously trying to pressure Teng Qingshan with the name of Emperor Yu’s Hall.

　　The name of Emperor Yu’s Hall was very useful in the Land of the Nine Prefectures. Even Emptiness Realm Experts wouldn’t provoke this most historic sect unless it was necessary.

　　…

　　“Who is this? Why is the general of Emperor Yu’s Hall showing him such respect?”

　　“Hu Zhong is a very famous person in the Land of the Nine Prefectures. I was told that he is already an Innate Expert. Yet he actually called this white-cloaked man ‘Senior.’ Maybe the white-cloaked man is a Golden Dan Innate Expert listed in the “Heavenly Ranking”?” Many people amidst the caravan and many cavalrymen were pondering and deducing.

　　However, no one was able to recognize Teng Qingshan.

　　…

　　“Kill?”

　　“Killed a family of 13 members in the city?” Teng Qingshan nodded slightly and replied, “It seems like he has indeed offended Emperor Yu’s Hall. It is reasonable for you all to capture him.”Wei Jiang could no longer endure. He glared at Hu Zhong and roared, “You members of Emperor Yu’s Hall are too shameless! I only refused to join Emperor Yu’s Hall. I did not expect you all to find me this quickly when I had crossed the mountain and joined this caravan half-way during my trip. How is it possible for me to kill that family when I have not even entered Lianan City?”

　　“How dare you argue!” The young general scorned.

　　“We have witnesses and proof. No matter how much you explain, things will not change.” The bald elder cupped his hands and saluted Teng Qingshan before he said, “I am certain that Senior is able to tell that Wei Jiang is a cunning and devious person.

　　Teng Qingshan smiled. He glanced at the bald elder and replied, “Yes, I am able to recognize a devious and cunning person.”

　　Hearing this, the bald elder grinned.

　　“You are the cunning and devious person.” Teng Qingshan continued saying with a smile. The bald elder froze. He then responded, “Senior, Emperor Yu’s Hall…” The bald elder continued attempting to use the name of Emperor Yu’s Hall to threaten Teng Qingshan.

　　Teng Qingshan’s face eventually darkened. He shouted out loud, “Hu Zhong, listen closely. Go back and tell the Supreme Elders of Emperor Yu’s Hall, Liu Xia and Huang Tianqin, that I will forget that Emperor Yu’s Hall has been luring Internal Martial Arts cultivators with various kinds of benefits. However, don’t make false charges against the Internal Martial Arts cultivators who refuse to join Emperor Yu’s Hall. Don’t capture them with such devious methods! If the world learns about this, it’ll be embarrassing! Not only will this ruin the reputation of Emperor Yu’s Hall, but it will also ruin the reputation of the founder, Emperor Yu!”

　　The bald elder instantly turned blue.

　　“You…” The bald elder was stupefied.

　　“Hmph, tell Liu Xia and Huang Tianqin what I said verbatim,” Teng Qingshan said with a cold sneer.

　　“Who…who are you? Are you part of the branch of Internal Martial Arts? Who are you?” the bald elder couldn’t help but ask.

　　All the people in the surroundings were also wondering.

　　Teng Qingshan then remembered that his appearance had changed. He touched his face softly and his appearance changed back to the original face.

　　“You are—Teng…” The bald elder was frightened.

　　“It’s Teng Qingshan!” the young general shouted out in astonishment.

　　Teng Qingshan had created the third branch of martial arts—the branch of Internal Martial Arts. This branch was different from the Daoist Sects and Buddhist Sects. Moreover, Teng Qingshan was the youngest Emptiness Realm Expert, attaining the Emptiness Realm at the age of 21.The stories about Teng Qingshan had spread throughout the Land of the Nine Prefectures. Teng Qingshan’s portrait had also been spread throughout the land.

　　Many villages had hung up Teng Qingshan’s portrait and made all the young boys who practiced the “Tiger Form Fist Art”pay their respects to the founder of the martial art.

　　“Teng Qingshan!”

　　“Teng Qingshan, the founder of the Xing Yi Sect?

　　“The one who created the branch of Internal Martial Arts?” An uproar sounded among the caravan of people and the troop of Emperor Yu’s Hall.

　　Oh my heavens!

　　Teng Qingshan had numerous admirers in the Land of the Nine Prefectures. These past 16 years, the influence of Internal Martial Arts had become so great that many sects like Emperor Yu’s Hall and Heavenly God Palace tried their very best to recruit Internal Martial Arts cultivators. In Emperor Yu’s Hall, there were many Internal Martial Arts cultivators. Many boys only practiced the cultivation methods of the Daoist Sects and Buddhist Sect because they were unable to cultivate Internal Martial Arts.

　　Those people naturally admired Teng Qingshan, the creator of Internal Martial Arts!

　　“Senior Teng.” The bald elder was slightly scared.

　　“Did you hear what I said?” Teng Qingshan looked at the bald elder indifferently as he said, “Tell Liu Xia and Huang Tianqin what I said, verbatim! Tell them to stop embarrassing Emperor Yu and the sect!”

　　The bald elder could feel cold drops of perspiration form on his forehead.

　　Teng Qingshan turned and said to Li Jun and Honglin, “Let’s go.” When he saw Wei Jiang, he smiled and said, “Wei Jiang, if you are willing to join the Xing Yi Sect, then come with us.”

　　“I am willing! I am willing!” Wei Jiang hastily replied in great excitement.

　　This was beyond his expectations.

　　Xiao Hong’s father… The white-cloaked man before him was actually the founder of the branch of Internal Martial Arts—Teng Qingshan!!!

　　“Senior Teng, I want to join the Xing Yi Sect as well.” A muscular and valiant-looking young man with a silver long spear on his back ran out from the caravan.

　　“Me too.” Another muscular but slightly younger boy rushed out with a long spear in his hands. Apparently, Wei Jiang was not the only one who was going to Yangzhou to join the Xing Yi Sect.

　　Teng Qingshan glanced at the two boys and smiled as he nodded and said, “Alright! Let’s go together.”

　　Immediately, a five-colored glow appeared around Teng Qingshan’s body. The light enwrapped the few people very quickly. As a “whew” sounded and as the five-colored glow flashed, Teng Qingshan and the others all disappeared. All that remained were the excited caravan of people and the great number of cavalrymen who admired Teng Qingshan.