Chapter Twelve: Establishing Merit and Recruiting Disciples

  "Haha, Junzi, you've done a great job! You've really made me proud in front of Dongling!!"

  "Alright, Iron Fist! A good father doesn't have a bad son, well done!"

  "Not bad, not bad, Old Iron has a good son, haha!"

  "You little brat, you're really a hidden talent! Your hands are truly ruthless. With one knife strike, the head falls to the ground. I think you'd be more than qualified to become an executioner. How about it? Want to change your ways and follow me, Old Butcher, for two years?"

  "Give up, old butcher! Be careful or Lao Tie will give you two knives!"

  "Xiao Jun, come visit your old uncle's home more often when you're free. It's been a long time since you last came, and your little sister Xiao Lian is really missing you!!"

  "Alright, alright, Old Lin! Your little lotus is only 9 years old, what are you thinking?!!"

  ……………

  ………

  These past few days, Tie Jian felt like his head was going to explode. After returning from the chaotic burial ground and beheading that evil cultivator, he felt that his life had suddenly changed, simply put, he had become important.

  Whenever he saw him, everyone would actively run over to greet him and chat with him for a while. The words were full of intimacy, and the threshold of his home was almost trampled by those who came to propose marriage. At least three or four times a day, even Iron Gallbladder felt annoyed and almost sealed his own door. In addition to those who came to propose marriage, there were also those who came to thank him. The families of several women in the county who had been poisoned by evil cultivators were grateful to this catcher who had killed the evil cultivator with his own hands. Especially the owner of Lu's mansion in the county, not only did he personally visit and send generous gifts of gold and silver, but also sent a set of houses, which almost scared Iron Gallbladder. However, Iron Gallbladder was also a worldly person and did not completely reject the good intentions of the Lu family. He accepted the gold and silver, but not the house. Instead, he kindly reminded Master Lu that although Iron Gallbladder had made great contributions this time, it was inseparable from the county magistrate's recommendation. Master Lu understood the hint and immediately went to visit the county government office. He was moved by the destruction of the Eastling County Government Office and the clarity of the Grand Master. He immediately approved and recruited workers on the second day. After several days of work, the entire county government office was renovated inside and out, completely different from its previous dilapidated state. The county magistrate was so happy that his mouth was crooked, and he would boast to everyone that Master Lu was a great benefactor of the county and Little Iron Gallbladder was a young hero.

  ※※※

  "Brother Jun, I really admire you! I didn't expect it, truly didn't expect it. This time, you're really going to make a fortune!!"

  On this day, after finishing his official duties at the county yamen, Tie Jian was dragged by Chen Sheng to a nearby tavern and forced to drink with him.

  As the wine warmed his ears, Chen Sheng's words began to flow more freely. Of course, when he spoke of Tie Jian, there was a hint of excitement and envy in his voice.

  I'm so speechless now.

  It's been nearly half a month since that day, and now there are many rumors flying around, some of which have become distorted. It is said that the evil cultivator was a major offender in the imperial court, and Iron Cauldron had made such a great contribution, he would definitely be heavily rewarded by the imperial court, and his future prospects would be boundless. The reason why the Iron family has been so lively these days is also related to this rumor.

  On that day, Tie Zhuan did not hide anything, and even the origin of the magic treasure that had been bewitched by evil cultivation was clearly explained. Anyway, that thing was only used once and has already been destroyed, so there's no need to worry about others having any ideas.

  This would only increase the weight of Tie Juan, and such a precious treasure was used up like this. In any case, the imperial court could not help but heavily compensate Tie Juan; otherwise, how could they convince others?

  Apart from the imperial court, there is also the Mingjian with six doors. Although it's said that one arm was lost, his life was saved by Tie Jian. With so many eyes watching at the scene, this lifesaving favor will have to be repaid someday.

  Ming Jian was a big shot at Liu Shan Men and would never be outdone by Tie Jian!

  So although the imperial court's reward has not come down yet, Tie Juan's future is consistently looked upon favorably by all in the county.

  Tie Jun was sixteen years old, but he had never received such treatment before. It was normal that he couldn't adapt for a while. Now seeing Chen Sheng bring it up again after drinking, he couldn't help but feel a headache.

  He downed a cup of wine, and the spicy flavor flowed straight down his throat. He let out a long sigh, "Brother Chen, don't say anything more. For these past few days, is there nothing else to talk about in the county besides this topic? Look at me, I'm still so young, even if I had great merits, it's impossible for me to be entrusted with important tasks like you said. What kind of person am I, how much do I weigh? I know myself clearly. Even if the imperial court really gave me an important task, I wouldn't have the guts to accept it, right?"

  "Well, at least I still have some self-awareness!!"

  Tie Jun and Chen Sheng turned their heads, hastily stood up, and bowed in unison.

  "Ah, Lord Mei!!"

  "Alright, alright, no need for formalities here, this isn't a government office!" The newcomer was Ming Jian, dragging an empty right sleeve, who strode into the tavern with a swagger. He sat down between the two of them, took a look at the wine and dishes on the table, furrowed his brow slightly, and slapped the table several times. "Waiter, bring us another two jugs of good wine and ten pounds of braised beef, quickly!!"

  "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

  The tavern was scarce, with only one partner, who was quite clever. Seeing the attitude of Tie Jian and Chen Sheng earlier, he knew who the visitor was, so he didn't dare to be slow. First, he quickly brought out a set of tableware, and then rushed to the kitchen like his butt was on fire to fetch wine and dishes.

  Ming Jian saw Tie Jun and Chen Sheng still standing there, raised his hand and smiled, "Sit down, sit down, I said, don't be too formal, this isn't a government office!"

  The two of them finally sat down, although they still reeked of alcohol with each breath, but were no longer as reckless as before.

  After the two sat down, Ming Jian slowly poured a cup of wine and handed it to Tie Jian.

  "Hey young man, I owe you one for saving my life! Can't thank you enough, let me offer you a drink first!"

  "I don't dare! I don't dare!"

  He clinked glasses with the others, not daring to refuse, and lightly touched his cup against the bright sword. He downed the wine in one gulp, perhaps having drunk too much, the pungent liquor stimulating his throat, his face turned red, he lowered his head, covered his mouth, and started coughing violently.

  "Hahaha!" Seeing this scene, Mingjian drained his cup and burst into loud laughter.

  "Here's to you, Master Ming! I'll have a cup too!"

  Chen Sheng also raised his wine cup, toasted once, and Ming Jian was also a generous person, did not wipe his face, poured another cup, and drank with him to the end. At this time, Tie Jian finally lifted his head, revealing an embarrassed smile, "Lord Ming, I'm really sorry, I...!"

  "It doesn't matter, looks like you've just learned how to drink recently too?!"

  Tie Jun's face turned red, Tie Dan was very strict with him, never allowing him to drink before the age of 16. It wasn't until he took over Tie Dan's position that he was finally allowed to drink. At first, he didn't dare drink much, but soon after starting to drink, he got drunk and choked.

  "You're sixteen this year, right?!"

  "In just another month and a half, I'll be sixteen!"

  "Good, good!" Ming Jian nodded and looked Iron Zheng up and down, "I see that your breathing is deep and far-reaching, and your inhalation and exhalation are measured. Your qigong practice should be from the Orthodox School of Mysticism, shouldn't it?"

  "This..." Iron Jian was slightly stunned, he couldn't think that Ming Jian would ask this question as soon as he came. He hesitated for a moment and honestly replied, "I cultivate the family's Shao Yang Qigong, my father said it is the foundation-building method of the Mystic Sect!!"

  "Shaoyang Qigong?!" Ming Jian was slightly startled, he saw that Tie Zheng's cultivation was the orthodox qigong of the Xuanmen sect, but he didn't expect it to be Shaoyang Qigong. His eyes couldn't help but reveal a hint of surprise and delight. "Tsk tsk, Shaoyang Qigong, not bad, not bad. It saves me some trouble. Young one, I'll ask you, are you willing to acknowledge me as your master?!"

  Bang!!

  The iron ladle holding the wine was about to be toasted, but the hand loosened and the wine cup fell to the table with a "pa" sound, then rolled to the ground and shattered into powder. Chen Sheng's face also showed an expression of extreme surprise, which immediately turned into endless admiration and jealousy.

  This world is essentially a world that respects strength, and the amount of strength you have determines your status. Therefore, everything that can enhance one's strength is extremely precious. If you want to learn martial arts, apart from family inheritance, it is to find a master to apprentice under.

  It's not easy to find a master who is worthy of worship, without a good reason, who would accept you as a disciple?

  Apart from those who are truly exceptionally talented and outstanding, only those who have encountered great opportunities will be accepted as disciples.

  Let's not mention anything else, Liu Shan Men recruits so many people every year, but how many can really make a name for themselves?

  Like them, ordinary catchers, even if they can enter the Six Panels Door, are only ordinary followers of a running leg. Even so, the quota for entering the Six Panels Door is extremely precious and sought after, because by entering the Six Panels Door, one can learn regular qigong and martial arts, rather than those rustic moves. This is the first reason. Secondly, after entering the Six Panels Door, if they perform well, there is a chance to be taken as a disciple by the big shots in the Six Panels Door, which is an opportunity to rise to heaven.

  Who is the big shot in Liu Meng's door?

  Bright sword is!

  A seventh-rank official with the title of Zhīguǒ Xiào Wèi, that is someone with an official position, a person with a rank in the imperial court. Only such a person can be called a big shot, has the qualifications to be called a gentleman, and can be called an official, only then does he truly have status.

  In the past, in Dongling County, there was only one big man, and that was the county magistrate.

  And the one in front of him, Ming Jian, was not only a seventh-grade Zhongshu Jiao Wei, but also a powerful swordsman.

  This is the most critical part.

  Although this is a world of high martial arts and high magic, even ordinary people know that gods and ghosts exist. But how many people can really touch the power of gods and ghosts?

  Everyone knows that practicing qigong can have the opportunity to become an immortal and ancestor, but how many people can actually practice this kind of qigong that can communicate with gods?

  Are you really able to find a famous teacher?

  Do you have the opportunity to learn?

  Qigong is also good, martial arts are scarce resources. People like Tie Kun who have one or two ancestral qigongs and martial arts are not many. Moreover, even for people like Tie Kun, the qigong and martial arts they understand are the most basic, used to build a foundation, which is a great choice for laying the foundation. However, if you want to really build a skyscraper, it's almost impossible.

  Even if you have the talent and wisdom to practice Shaoyang Qigong for decades, you will only be able to live a few decades longer than ordinary people, with the strength of a dozen or so galloping horses.

  What else can be done?

  Can thinking lead to becoming an immortal?

  Impossible!

  There are many practitioners in the world who, for a certain skill or martial art, are willing to spend all their wealth and even sell their wives and children, just for one opportunity.

  But always can't find the door and enter.

  Who would have thought that such an opportunity was right in front of Tie Jian?

  How can Tie Jun be unmoved, how can Chen Sheng not be shocked?