Chapter 129

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Chapter 129: The Origins of the Qiao Family

In the darkness, near the chaotic burial mound.

Qiao Mu looked at the person and cat standing in front of him.

Fang Yuan？

Has he been waiting nearby?

I think he found me with the help of that fat cat.

This thought crossed Qiao Mu’s mind.

Before being taken away by the jailer, he had entrusted his Fate to Hai Wuya. With Hai Wuya being imprisoned for thirty years, it is likely that he will be imprisoned for even longer, and it is uncertain if he will be executed suddenly like Qiao Mu.

And now, Fate has appeared by the side of Gaoler Fang Yuan, so it seems there has been a change of events.

The cat under Gaoler Fang Yuan’s feet meowed and lifted its big round face to sniff carefully, before approaching with some confusion, finally lying down by Qiao Mu’s feet, its eyes once again becoming unfocused.

Although the cat sniffed with its nose, Qiao Mu knew that it didn’t find him by relying on its nose.

It relied on death aura.

Qiao Mu kept dying and coming back to life, which turned out to be a great food source for this fat cat.

Qiao Mu lowered his eyelids and noticed that every time the fat cat breathed, its fur would stretch out, even emitting a faint glow under the moonlight, making it look quite extraordinary.

The current Grim Reaper was very different from the one Qiao Mu had first encountered in Heyang Prefecture prison.

Absorbing the lifeless essence was a great tonic for the Grim Reaper, and this demonic cat body was undergoing a transformation that Qiao Mu couldn’t understand.

Qiao Mu looked up at Fang Yuan.

"Indeed, my name is Qiao Shuanglin, and I am an elder of the Qiao family." He weighed the package in his hand.

"I am Fang Yuan, a prison guard from the heavenly prison. During this period of time, Senior Qiao Zhong has been teaching me martial arts in the prison. And these two hundred silver coins are a small amount of wealth I am giving to the Qiao family, according to the agreement with Senior Qiao Zhong."

Qiao Mu nodded.

This kid wasn’t lying or exaggerating; he was being honest.

It was a surprise that the two hundred taels had doubled compared to the original agreement.

"Elder Qiao Shuanglin, I’ve been waiting here because there is an important item I need to give you…"

Fang Yuan walked over and handed over a handwritten manual.

Qiao Mu glanced and realized that it was Hai Wuya’s "Xumi Mountain King Sutra"?

Back when Hai Wuya was teaching martial arts, this young prison guard had been listening attentively nearby. Little did he expect that he would actually transcribe and compile the techniques into a written manual.

"What do you mean by this? Qiao Zhong imparted his martial arts skills to you, and you repay me with these two hundred taels of silver. Our transaction with the Qiao family is settled, so why are you giving me this manual now?"

Fang Yuan briefly explained, emphasizing the exceptional nature of this manual and Hai Wuya’s greatness.

"Senior Qiao Zhong learned this technique too late and was beheaded shortly after. It’s quite regrettable. Therefore, I thought that if I could pass this manual to the Qiao family, it would help to fulfill Senior Qiao Zhong’s regret," Fang Yuan said with a smile.

"Of course, I sought the approval of the founder of this technique, Mr. Hai Wuya, before making any decisions. I wouldn’t dare take matters into my own hands otherwise."

Qiao Mu quickly looked through the handwritten copy of the book "Xumi Mountain King Sutra" he had on hand.

He didn’t need Fang Yuan to teach him this technique, because now Qiao Mu was the highest achiever of this technique, the only one at the fifth level.

With his understanding of the "Xumi Mountain King Sutra," he quickly confirmed a fact after browsing through it:

This "Xumi Mountain King Sutra" had not been tampered with or altered in any way, such as changing important words or intentionally omitting the second half; it was an original copy handed down by Hai Wuya.

Qiao Mu was a little surprised that Gaoler Fang Yuan was so capable and tactful, and he hadn’t intentionally deceived or tricked him when it came to the technique.

Previously, he had claimed to be from a wealthy merchant family in the Imperial Capital, and now it seemed like it might be true.

"I understand," Qiao Mu accepted the technique. According to common sense, he had no reason to refuse this inheritance from Qiao Zhong.

At this moment, the young Gaoler Fang Yuan sincerely bowed and said:

"I don’t seek to become your disciple; I only ask you to teach me a move or half a technique so that I can practice martial arts and stay healthy, and one day seek revenge."

Can I exchange an extra hundred pieces of silver and an extra copy of the "Xumi Mountain King Sutra" for the opportunity to be taught martial arts?

It must be said that Fang Yuan is young but quite clever, and the conditions he offered are indeed generous… Of course, Qiao Zhong is Qiao Shuanglin, so this extraordinary "Xumi Mountain King Sutra" doesn’t have any allure for Qiao Mu.

But after spending many days together in the heavenly prison, this young man has also sent him roasted chicken many times, and Qiao Mu appreciates this kindness.

Qiao Mu approached Fang Yuan, placed his palm on Fang Yuan’s chest, closed his eyes, and silently channeled internal strength. A burst of internal strength flowed directly into Fang Yuan’s body to investigate. After a while, Qiao Mu opened his eyes and was quite surprised.

Fang Yuan’s progress in practicing the "Xumi Mountain King Sutra" is not slow.

This Gaoler Fang Yuan, before Qiao Mu taught him martial arts, was already a 9th rank internal strength martial artist. But now his progress is faster than expected.

It has only been a little over a month since hearing Hai Wuya’s teachings in the heavenly prison, and he has already made progress. His body is full of vitality, and his qi and blood are stronger than an ordinary 9th rank.

"You have good talent, but what’s more important… is diligent practice," Qiao Mu exclaimed with excitement.

The "Xumi Mountain King Sutra" is very magical. It can take a different path and remain evergreen, while requiring very low requirements in martial arts aptitude.

So, in contrast, his requirements for martial artists’ perseverance are higher, and the training time needed is longer.

To master this technique, it requires years of hard training. By the time Qiao Mu reached the fifth level, he had to train tirelessly for thirty years, which is even higher than the requirements of ordinary martial arts.

Of course, as a "cheater", Qiao Mu has been practicing martial arts for thirty years. In addition to the "Xumi Mountain King Sutra," he has also trained in more than ten other martial arts techniques.

"With good talent and diligence, how can an ordinary person like me, who is not so gifted, live?" Qiao Mu felt a bit angry, but suddenly remembered something, and then felt relieved.

Upon careful consideration, Fang Yuan can reach the first level in a month, so Qiao Mu, in that same month, leaped directly to the fifth level.

……….

In the east of the Imperial Capital, there was an old residence with peeling walls.

Hai Wuya walked around in the courtyard, gently touching a tree that was planted there. His hands felt the rough bark, and heartfelt emotions arose.

After being imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison for a total of thirty years, the family home has become old, and even this tree in the courtyard has aged.

"The passing light is a pity, time is the most merciless thing."

Hai Wuya remained silent.

He was the pillar of the Hai family, but ever since he became a high-ranking member of the 2nd rank and a condemned prisoner in the heavenly prison, thirty years have passed, and the Hai family has fallen on hard times.

"I am already nearly eighty years old. How many more years will it take for me to deduce a complete ‘Human Path Sutra’ that meets my expectations… so that everyone can practice martial arts and triumph over the way of immortals?"

Without a doubt, this will require a considerable amount of time.

It could be several hundred years or even thousands of years.

This is an impossible task to accomplish overnight. Hai Wuya is also seen as a seed in the eyes of the Martial Saint, not meant to benefit the present but perhaps to grow into a towering tree centuries later.

Falling behind will result in getting beaten. Talented individuals and gifted geniuses can only accelerate this process, but they cannot surpass the accumulation of time in a single step.

"The Martial Saint’s martial path has become close to the path of demons. He is too stubborn and is no longer the first-ranked martial official who guided me in my martial arts training…"

Thinking of the deceased Martial Saint, Hai Wuya also sighed in his heart.

"But setting aside their conduct, the martial arts of Wuji Association indeed surpass ancient martial arts…"

In Hai Wuya’s eyes, Martial Saint was a prodigious talent that could accelerate the progress in martial arts, and he himself, Hai Wuya, was also one, though their martial arts differed.

Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered someone.

"Qiao Zhong…."

"Qiao Zhong has already passed away, but Qiao Zhong is not alone, behind him stands Qiao’s family. They are not alone."

After thirty years in the heavenly prison, almost all the civil and military officials who dared to sacrifice their lives during the reign of the previous emperor had perished, only a few like Hai Wuya survived.

And in his later years, being able to see someone like Qiao Zhong, who had the intention to inherit his martial arts and was not afraid of life or death, truly brought him great comfort in his heart.

"In my lifetime, I’m afraid I won’t live to see the day when humanity flourishes."

"As long as there are ten or a hundred more Qiao Zhongs in this world, continuing to pass on the flame, there will eventually be a day when the wildfire spreads."

Hai Wuya thought this in his heart.

"Sir… I found out about Qiao’s family matter that you wanted to know."

A old butler with gray temples walked in quickly, holding a document in his hands.

"The person who was appointed by the emperor himself to interrogate that Qiao Zhong was the number one Condor Wei En in the world. This was found out from the Wei family."

Hai Wuya took a look at it and was amazed.

It said on it that Qiao’s family is actually a secluded martial arts family living on a remote island overseas, with ancestors who were experts in martial arts.

That overseas island is called Taoyuan Island, also known as Taoyuan Land. Qiao’s family has been residing there until now.

Qiao’s family takes it upon themselves to support the weak and uphold justice, with strict family rules and self-discipline.

Generation after generation, the Qiao family has diligently practiced the martial arts passed down by their ancestors, and they continue to practice diligently till today.

Thus, this secluded Qiao family has inherited the chivalrous spirits of ancient times, aspiring to become the "heroes of Peach Blossom Village".

Therefore, this island is called Taoyuan Island by the Qiao family…

"Hero Island".

"What a great hero of Peach Blossom Village.." Hai Wuya muttered after reading.

"The Qiao family has close blood ties and is very protective. After a few members of the Qiao family died in Nan Province, their relatives quickly appeared, seeking revenge for their nephews and nieces."

"Now that Qiao Zhong has died in the Imperial Capital, perhaps the next generation of the Qiao family will soon emerge, right?"

Hai Wuya contemplated in his heart.

The "Human Path Sutra" is not something he alone can deduce. To treasure such a thing and not share it would be like the old martial arts world, stuck in old ways and closed-minded.

Qiao Zhong has passed away. If other members of the Qiao’s family, like the rumors say, are also righteous and strong-willed, then it would be possible for him to pass on the "Human Path Sutra" to them.

"Go and find out if there have been any new Qiao’s family members appearing in the Imperial Capital recently," Hai Wuya instructed the butler.