C24 peer recognition

After Yang Ming left the rattan garden, he headed towards the north alone.

There was a small forest not far ahead. Yang Ming knew that there were experts lurking and thought to himself, why would they not know of the strong men here.

The small forest only had a radius of a hundred meters. However, the dense forest was also a must. There was only a one-meter wide path in the forest that was feasible.

When the wind blew in the forest, the leaves would float in all directions. The branches would dance in the wind, giving the forest a dark feeling.

Yang Ming entered the forest and also felt a chill.

Yang Ming listened carefully, there seemed to be people holding their breath and lying in ambush, there must be some kind of ambush here.

After walking forward a while, they were already blocked by dense tree branches behind them, and the trees in front were also extremely dense, making it difficult to see the situation in front of them. Yang Ming knew in his heart that this section was naturally the most dangerous.

In the forest, there were only faint rays of light seeping through the gaps between the branches. Coupled with the fact that the branches were shaking continuously, he felt that there were shadows everywhere. A timid person would probably be scared to death if he cried out.

The sun had only just risen and the weather was still cold. Yang Ming could not help but shiver.

Suddenly, a large net appeared from the ground, locking Yang Ming inside. One person pulled on a rope tightly, because, they placed the rope on the ground first and tied him up from a concealed location on the tree, with a pull, they would be suspended in mid air.

Yang Ming did not move, only seeing that after they hung him up, they had all offered their lives.

The leader of the group was an extremely muscular man with a wide face, thick eyebrows and beard, and a very loud voice.

"Brothers, we found this person today. He looks quite healthy and he should be someone with some treasure. Kill him and throw him into the wilderness. Split his belongings so we can go drink and eat."

The crowd below burst into laughter.

Yang Ming continued to observe, this group of people only had seven people, their appearances were not particularly fierce, it was one thing to rob someone of their money, but to want to take the lives of a guest, that was a little unforgivable.

The group pulled on the rope tightly a few times, causing Yang Ming to feel that the rope had tightened around his body.

They put Yang Ming down and a few of them walked over with shining blades in their hands.

Someone walked in front of Yang Ming, "Little brother, it's not that I want to kill you, it's that Lord Yama let me come today to take your life, it's just your ancestor's fault that you weren't protected well.", after speaking, he raised the blade in his hand high up.

Yang Ming felt that these people were truly detestable, how could they treat human life as if it was nothing? He suppressed the anger in his heart, and a smile appeared on his lips, looking at the few people in front of him.

The few of them saw that Yang Ming's expression did not change, and were also surprised, "Master, there are at least a few hundred lives in your hands, but I have never seen someone like you, who is about to die, smiling at me!" One of them said.

Yang Ming did not bother to pay attention to them, and simply closed his eyes. Yang Ming's hearing was extremely sharp, and even with his eyes closed, he was unable to escape his control.

The man in the lead smiled and said, "Brothers, don't scare him. Take his belongings and knock him out. Throw him to the side of the road. Tomorrow, someone will save him."

Those people laughed out loud, "Big Bro is right, we just wanted to scare him. We wanted to scare him and see how courageous he is. But who would've thought that after scaring us, he would close his eyes and not dare to look at us."

Yang Ming's heart skipped a beat. Just now, these people should have just been scaring off the passing customers, such a savage act, it was not something that could be done immediately, it was just that they had the guts to do it.

Ever since Yang Ming became famous, no one had been able to get close to him, and these few people all wanted to take his treasures, how could Yang Ming let them succeed?

When those few people were close to Yang Ming, one of them raised his wooden stick and smashed it towards Yang Ming. After he knocked Yang Ming out, he took away the treasures on him.

When Yang Ming waited for the person to strike down the pole, he suddenly channeled his internal energy and the person was sent flying a few metres away.

Seeing that, the others were shocked, Yang Ming did not move, and looked around, feeling like he was a ghost. They could not help but feel a sense of fear.

The leader of the group said, "Which master is this? Please quickly give yourself up. My brother is one of the Seven Rats of Shazhou. He only does small things like stealing dogs. Experts want to obstruct my brother's path to wealth, why not show yourself?"

There was no sound but the sound of the wind and the rustling of the branches.

"Hit him again!" The man in the lead said.

One person stepped forward and smashed down with his staff. Just like the previous person, the person was sent flying a few meters back.

"Brothers, look around to see who is the culprit behind this." The leader said.

Everyone searched their surroundings, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. "This guy must be up to something!" they said.

The few of them arrived in front of Yang Ming and bowed, "Good man, please speak!"

Yang Ming did not want to tease them anymore, so he secretly circulated his Qi, and with a "creak" sound, the rope on Yang Ming's body was broken.

Yang Ming lightly leaped up as he looked at the people in front of him.

Seeing that Yang Ming was able to struggle free from the ropes on his body so easily, the seven mice were shocked. Today, they had finally met an expert, and the seven rats were feeling uneasy.

The leader of the men said, "I am the leader of the seven mice of Shazhou. "I wonder what the great name of this hero is!"

Yang Ming chuckled: "Why are the seven of you doing such a shameful thing here? Honestly speaking, I will spare your lives, otherwise, your little order cannot be kept!"

Why did Heaven's Fury say, "Although the martial arts of the seven of us are low, we are not people who are easily threatened!"

After he finished speaking, the other six people all picked up their weapons and looked at Yang Ming fiercely.

"I never thought you guys would still have some backbone left," Yang Ming said as his figure changed, and he shouted, "Be careful!"

Yang Ming's movements were fast, the onlookers only saw a blur before their eyes, and then Yang Ming tapped on all the acupuncture points on their bodies, and they stood there dumbfounded.

Yang Ming placed the rope that he had tied himself up with in his hand. With a light cut of his finger, he broke them into several pieces, and Yang Ming firmly tied these seven people up. After which, he threw out a few kicks, and the seven people laid on the ground in unison.

Yang Ming laughed: "The seven of you will be fine lying here. Tomorrow, someone will come to save you!"

With that, he laughed and left.

The seven of them looked at each other and felt that the person in front of them was very strange. Why didn't he take their lives and not teach them a lesson? He only tied up the seven of them and left them to fend for themselves.

Yang Ming only wanted to teach them a lesson, but in his heart, he didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble.

Yang Ming's heart was in a mess, everyday he would interact with all kinds of people in the martial arts world. Although his cultivation was powerful, but there were too many injustices in the world, he did not care too much, Master wanting him to revive the martial arts world was easier said than done!

From time to time, Zhao Ling’er's appearance appeared in Yang Ming's heart, that Zhao Ling’er was truly too lovable. If not for the fact that he had a senior sister in his heart, he might really fall in love with her.

These people were just a bunch of villains in the martial world. Even if he could change a few of them every day and spend a lifetime's effort, he wouldn't be able to end this shameless person in the martial arts world!

Yang Ming felt a little sad in his heart. He had always considered himself to be a chivalrous man, and always believed that being sensitive was the best form of martial arts. However, in this period of time, he had discovered that the world was full of people with an ugly and dirty nature.

It was not that he could change it all by himself. What could he do to not let his master down? He had taught a lot of people during this period of time, but there were too many people in this world that needed to be enlightened.

Yang Ming thought that when he did things sometimes, he was actually a bit merciful. He was also a little casual towards the seven just now. He turned around and left.

Reaching the forest, Yang Ming suddenly realized that the seven of them had disappeared, and it had only been a few minutes, who was able to save them so quickly, there must be other people in the darkness.

There was actually someone hiding at his side, and he hadn't discovered them yet. Yang Ming couldn't help but raise his spirits a little, because once he met an expert, his fighting spirit would naturally be roused.

Yang Ming looked around, he did not see anything wrong, but he felt that something was amiss.

There were fallen leaves all around the forest, and if someone were to pass through, it would be difficult to find any traces, even if Yang Ming was extremely meticulous, he would not be able to find any clues.

However, Yang Ming had his outstanding points, so no matter how much he despised the person, he would not leave behind any clues. If the person could save the seven people quickly, he must have been at the scene.

Yang Ming carefully looked at the fallen leaves on the ground and realised that the mark on the leaf was the most concealed as it was heading south. That person must have came over from the south just now.

Yang Ming raised his Innate Qi and quickly rushed in that direction.

After chasing after them for a few kilometers, Yang Ming was certain that they would discover some footprints along the way that were barely noticeable. That strong martial arts expert must have followed this route back.

Yang Ming followed the footprints, but somehow they led Yang Ming back to rattan garden.

Yang Ming could not help but be shocked, this expert was obviously someone from the rattan garden, and after staying in the rattan garden for a few days, he had become familiar with everyone's martial arts skills, of course, other than Zhao Zhouwu.

If there was nothing abnormal, then the expert must be Zhao Zhouwu.

What was the relationship between Zhao Zhouwu and the Seven Rats of Shazhou? Why save them? Yang Ming could not help but have a few questions in his heart.

Just as Yang Ming was deep in his thoughts, Zhao Zhouwu suddenly threw himself over.

"The Master Yang truly lives up to his reputation. He actually managed to find some clues that are impossible to find and return to the rattan garden. This old man is truly impressed!"

After that confession, the relationship between Yang Ming and Zhao Ling’er had grown much stronger, and Yang Ming naturally had more respect for Zhao Zhouwu.

"Sorry to bother you again, senior is an unworldly expert, I have long guessed it, but senior's martial arts far exceeded my expectations, in the forest, I did not realize anything, but it is truly shameful!" Yang Ming bowed to Zhao Zhouwu.

Zhao Zhouwu laughed: "What are you saying Master Yang, I was not in the forest at the time. With my martial arts skills, if I did not get noticed by the hero, there would not have been more than ten people in the world today. This old man thinks that I do not have that ability."

Yang Ming laughed: "If you could save them in an instant, if you weren't hiding in that place a long time ago, how would you have done so?"

Zhao Zhouwu said: "I was just passing by and noticed that those seven people were captured, so I decided to save them. I honestly do not dare to hide the truth."

Yang Ming said: "Senior truly thinks that I am a three year old child. These seven people must be related to you, I wonder if I can inform you a little!"

Zhao Zhouwu said: "Hero is indeed secretly checking on us, that being the case, this old man will speak the truth. After you leave, I knew that on your journey, these seven will definitely set up defenses there."

"So we hurried over in case something unexpected happened. I didn't expect that you would be a step too late, so you already captured all seven of them. That's why I rescued them and brought them back to rattan garden."

"These seven people are my disciples. Although this old man is living in seclusion here, there are still some matters in my heart that I cannot let go of. Thus, I ordered them to hide some things there.

Yang Ming said: "Senior's words are wrong, it is because you are not strict with your teachings, which is why your disciples do not respect themselves, snatching people's property is not good, if these seven people accidentally took the lives, wouldn't that be harming the martial arts world!"

Zhao Zhouwu said: "These seven are bandits, and were accepted by this old man to teach them some martial arts. However, they are difficult to change and would occasionally scare some guests, but they have already promised this old man to only rob those who have a bad reputation. For some reason, this old man has his doubts about taking action against Master Yang today."

"Then tell them to come out and fight, what do you think?" Yang Ming said.

Zhao Zhouwu chuckled: "That's fine, I'll call them out!"

After those seven came out, why would Tian Tian be so angry? "Master, it is this person who captured us.

Yang Ming laughed: "I also know that senior is a secretive person, but why are you hiding these few people, don't you know that you have sullied senior's reputation?"

Zhao Zhouwu laughed: "Although my disciples are a bit mischievous, all of them are loyal and heroic. This old man has often thought of them as his heroes, but it's just that there might be something fishy about the matter today.

Why would you say that? "My seven brothers heard that an evil person from the martial arts world was about to pass through that forest and had already taken several lives. My brother just wanted to capture this person and hand him over to Master.

"I didn't expect that this fellow's martial arts would be too high, I'm really ashamed. I didn't think he would come looking for my master now. It's all because his disciples are useless, causing my master to be ashamed!"

After he finished speaking, why did Tian look at Yang Ming fiercely? There was not even a hint of fear on his face.

The seven rats had already seen Yang Ming's martial arts, but after seeing Yang Ming, they did not have any fear at all, and did have some guts. It seems like the disciples that Zhao Zhouwu had taught were not useless people.

Yang Ming laughed: "So, capturing me was not a malicious intention, this matter was for Senior Zhao's sake, let's just forget about it."

Zhao Zhouwu laughed: "The seven rats of Shazhou, listen to me, this Master Yang has done a great favor for my rattan garden, from today onwards, you must be courteous when you see him, just like when you see your master. Today, you have offended him, and since Master Yang has said that he would not pursue the matter, don't bring it up anymore, and quickly come and pay your respects to my Master Yang!"

Although the seven of them were proud and unyielding, they did not dare disobey Zhao Zhouwu's orders, and one after another they went forward to apologize.

When Zhao Ling’er heard the noise outside, walked out of his room to take a look, and discovered Yang Ming's figure, he couldn't help but be overjoyed.

Yang Ming had only left for less than a day, yet he could already see him again. Was it really that useful to mutter his name in his heart everyday?

"Big brother Yang!", Zhao Ling’er ran towards Yang Ming.

"Ling'er," Yang Ming called out softly.

As the two of them looked at each other, Yang Ming realised that Zhao Ling’er had become more haggard, but it could not hide the beauty on her face.

"Why did Big Brother Yang come back again?" Zhao Ling’er looked at Yang Ming.

Yang Ming chuckled: "I met your senior brothers in one area, it was a misunderstanding. I followed some clues around, I didn't expect that I would actually follow you to rattan garden."

"En", Zhao Ling’er was not in the mood to care about these matters, he could only stare blankly at the person he missed everyday.

"Ling'er, you should go back to your room to rest first. Master Yang and I still have some things to discuss," Zhao Zhouwu said as he went back to his room.

Zhao Ling’er glanced at Yang Ming, "Since Big Brother Yang is back, let's eat first before leaving, okay? I'll send you off in a while! "

Yang Ming said: "Ling'er, you rest in peace. After I finish discussing some matters with your father, I will leave. I have already wasted some time, so I cannot stay here any longer."

Zhao Ling’er felt a little helpless. He looked at Zhao Ling’er and his heart also felt a little pampered.

He walked over lightly and whispered to Zhao Ling’er, "I will come back to take you to Qingcheng!"

Zhao Ling’er's face was immediately filled with a smile, he shyly nodded at Yang Ming, and the two's eyes had a kind of family-like trust and reliance on each other.

Yang Ming said to Zhao Zhouwu: "Senior, can the two of us say a few words in private?"

Zhao Zhouwu said: "Alright!", and ordered everyone to leave.

Yang Ming said: "This place is not very convenient, why not find a quiet place?"

Yang Ming's eyes revealed a trace of determination, and on Zhao Zhouwu's face, there was a look of self-confidence, "Alright!", after Zhao Zhouwu finished speaking, he leaped, and Yang Ming followed closely behind.

The two of them were very agile as they flew up and down the forest and roads. If one didn't look carefully, it was difficult to notice that they were two figures. They felt as if a white light had flashed past their eyes.

The two frantically ran, arriving at a secluded mountain peak from time to time.

The mountain was very quiet. There was not a single person in the surroundings, and only the occasional bird cry could be heard.

This mountain was quite steep and the path up the mountain was extremely treacherous. From time to time, mud and stone would slip down and fall into the deep valleys, and only after a long time would there be the sound of someone landing on the ground.

The two of them came to a halt at the peak of the mountain, each standing on a stone.

Yang Ming asked: "How do I address senior?"

Zhao Zhouwu laughed: You and I have known each other for several days, how could a hero suddenly say such words?

Yang Ming said: How about you two fight for a few moves?

Zhao Zhouwu laughed: "This old man has not moved for many years, it is fortunate that I was able to exchange a few blows with the hero today. I only hope that the hero will show mercy and not hurt the bones in this old man's body!"

"Then I'll leave it to you!" After Yang Ming said that, he flew towards Zhao Zhouwu and attacked him.

Yang Ming used the close-combat techniques of Qingcheng, mainly using the Little Fast Spirit technique.

Zhao Zhouwu's expression did not change, as he dissolved Yang Ming's attacks.

From Zhao Zhouwu's techniques, Yang Ming was temporarily unable to see which sect it was from. However, Yang Ming was confident that if he did not use fifty moves, he would definitely make his opponent use his own technique.

Yang Ming changed his style and used the "Twelve Swords of the Flying Sand" from the Green City Sword Art, which focused on the accuracy of the attack and the fatal points of the attack.

Facing Yang Ming's attack, Zhao Zhouwu gradually struggled.

Yang Ming was a profound practitioner who had inherited Zheng Cong's sword techniques, so although his speed was slightly faster than Zheng Cong's, it was still extremely rare.

Zhao Zhouwu was gradually at a disadvantage, but seeing that Yang Ming was attacking at the opposite side, Zhao Zhouwu's body flashed, the tip of his sword drew, forming a defensive stance.

Yang Ming chuckled: "This move is indeed familiar, how about a few more moves?"

With that, he attacked again. Seeing that it was impossible for Zhao Zhouwu to resolve the situation by defending, he changed his defense into an attack.

Zhao Zhouwu suddenly unleashed a fist technique, attacking from the bottom to the top.

Yang Ming shouted lightly, "Come at me!", neutralizing the attacks one by one and striking back from time to time, causing Zhao Zhouwu's body to reveal many flaws.

Yang Ming saw through the flaw and attacked with all his might.

Zhao Zhouwu could not help but use the "Azure Dragon Gazing Moon", which was one of Qingcheng's absolute arts. Within Qingcheng, only a few disciples could comprehend the essence of the technique, so how could Zhao Zhouwu use this move?

This move could defend against several major acupoints on his body. In a crucial moment, if the opponent was at a loss as to how to attack, he could instead deal with the opponent easily.

Yang Ming was not in a hurry to attack, he suddenly stopped, and revealed a smile at Zhao Zhouwu.

"May I know how to address you?" Yang Ming's smile contained a deeper meaning.

Zhao Zhouwu also laughed, "Are you forcing me to use my ultimate skill? I only wanted to spar with you, but to think that I would fall for your trap. You sure are courageous and knowledgeable, for a talent like you to be able to exist in our Qingcheng City can also be considered fortunate! "

Yang Ming laughed: "Fifty years ago, many experts of my Qingcheng also disappeared quietly, and my master did not mention much to me. I wonder who senior is under, and how you are going to address me?"

Zhao Zhouwu laughed: "Your master gave birth to Qing Yi, and that Qing Yi is the junior brother of the previous Sect Leader Ning Feizi. The two of them have always had a deep relationship, and it's only because of the events fifty years ago, Ning Feizi and the many experts under his Sect also went missing one by one, that Qing Yi took charge of the sect in place of Senior Brother."

Yang Ming did not know anything about what Zhao Zhouwu had said.

"Actually, I don't know much about the events of fifty years ago. However, it's said that all these matters have something to do with Ning Feizi. Furthermore, it might be related to the late emperor as well. It's so complicated and difficult to understand."

Zhao Zhouwu pondered for a moment, "As a disciple of Qingcheng, the reason why I am staying here is to secretly gather some clues and solve this mystery. As for my identity, no one knows.

"To be honest, I have also learned art from your esteemed master Qing Yi, if we are to calculate how long it has been since I've entered the sect, then it is only because my master saw that my talent was mediocre and he did not like fighting in the martial arts world, so he secretly let me live here, and only allowed me to become his nominal disciple."

When Yang Ming was sparring with Zhao Zhouwu just now, he had already noticed that the other party had many shadows of the sect's martial arts. It was just that, after being changed, it was difficult to detect them.

Yang Ming said: "So it's senior brother, greetings!" With that, Yang Ming bowed.

Zhao Zhouwu said: "Junior brother, quickly get up. Actually, senior brother has always wanted to recognize him, Master no longer cares about matters within the sect. Seeing that Qingcheng has such a talent like you, senior brother is indeed happy!"