Chapter 26: To Persist? or to Be Reckless!
When Qiao Mu suddenly punched the immortal statue, Wang Songhe, who was dumbfounded, finally reacted.
He extended his hand and pointed, shooting out a silver light that cut through the air like a floating sword.
However, the sword was slightly slow.
Just as Qiao Mu's fist was about to land on the face of the immortal statue, the sword finally arrived, but was sent flying backward by the punch, embedding itself directly into the face of the Immortal Qingmu statue, almost splitting the head of the immortal statue in half.
This scene seemed to suggest that Wang Songhe, rather than Qiao Mu, had attacked the immortal statue.
Qiao Mu withdrew his fist and looked at Wang Songhe with suspicion.
Since the other person mentioned so many disadvantages of being unhuman, why did he want to stop him?
As he withdrew his fist, he noticed that the Ouroboros Long Life Lock in his mind was faintly glowing, indicating that his actions just now had contributed to improving the Death Assessment.
That's enough.
Wang Songhe was stared at by Qiao Mu, first coughed heavily twice, coughing out a few mouthfuls of blood foam, and then the flying sword plugged in the face of the immortal-like flew up again with a flash of light.
"I only practice spell, not cultivating," Wang Songhe explained.
"Immortal cultivation is powerful, beyond the reach of martial artists. Therefore, it is necessary to master magic in order to control immortals."
"Then why are you excited? If you want to confront immortals, why stop me?" Qiao Mu said confidently.
For a moment, Wang Songhe was speechless.
It seemed as if he was in the wrong for trying to stop him from breaking the immortal-like figure.
"This immortal-like figure is indeed a nuisance. I wish there were no immortals in the world," he finally said after a long time:
"This Taoist temple has long been dilapidated and lost. It's just occasionally worshipped by bandits, just an ordinary clay idol. It wouldn't matter if it were destroyed. But other thriving Taoist temples may not be so simple."
"Brother Qiao is a man of integrity and fearlessness towards immortals. I admire you, but I believe that this matter should not be handled recklessly."
Wang Songhe looked at Qiao Mu with a strange and resentful gaze. When he saw Qiao Mu punch the statue just now, he was very worried.
Qiao Mu thought to himself, "This is exactly the effect I wanted. It would be even better if a bolt of lightning struck me right after I smashed the statue."
"I understand. It was my mistake, and I feel ashamed," sighed Qiao Mu.
The mistake was that he went to the wrong temple where the incense wasn't strong enough, so the matter didn't escalate.
Let's find a temple with strong incense next time we perform.
However, after what happened just now, he really started to regard Wang Songhe in a new light.
At first, he thought Wang Songhe was just a simple bandit, but it turns out that he aims to overthrow the mountain that weighs down the people and even confront immortals. He has even studied magic for this purpose!
In addition to this, Wang Songhe seems to know quite a lot of things.
Qiao Mu thought for a moment, then asked:
"Is martial arts really weaker than immortal cultivation?"
He now doubted whether he had chosen the wrong skill tree.
Of course, practicing the Iron Crotch Skill is definitely not wrong!
Wang Songhe said:
"Martial arts emphasizes physical strength, while immortal cultivation focuses on the soul. These are two different paths. However, martial arts cannot achieve immortality and has limited lifespan. No martial artist has been able to explore martial arts to the level comparable to immortals."
"After all, no matter how strong a martial artist is, the physical body always has limits and lifespan is limited. Ultimately, it is difficult to fight against immortals."
"Immortal cultivation leads directly to longevity. Cultivators have long lifespans, but cultivation progress is slow and requires long years of practice. High-level cultivators often spend tens or even hundreds of years in seclusion for cultivation."
"At the same time, immortal cultivation also places a greater emphasis on aptitude, and not everyone can cultivate it."
"In comparison, although martial arts don't require talent, they rely more on perseverance and resilience. It is a long and difficult process of enduring and cultivating one's physical strength and spirit, with no shortcuts available."
"Martial artists cannot live forever, their lifespan is limited. However, if they undergo rigorous training, their progress in cultivation can be much faster than those who often isolate themselves for decades."
"Brother Qiao is not even 30 years old, yet he has already reached the 8th rank in martial arts. What's even more admirable is his mastery of spear techniques, which must have been the result of ten years of daily hard practice."
Qiao Mu nodded repeatedly while listening to these words, feeling deeply moved.
"Mr. Wang, you have a keen eye. I have indeed been diligently training for eight years without missing a single day. It feels like it was only a few days ago when I first picked up the long spear. Time flies when you're practicing the spear."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Mu finally understood the difference between martial arts and immortal cultivation.
Qiao Mu himself possessed the ability of immortality, already being eternal. He could live until the end of time, so why would he need to cultivate immortality?
Moreover, every time Qiao Mu died and came back to life, he would gain martial arts prowess equivalent to his age.
If he were to switch to cultivating immortality, it would take him decades or even hundreds of years of cultivation just to make a small advance. It would be like trapping himself in a cocoon.
For Qiao Mu, cultivating immortality is a safer path, but the power of the Longevity Lock will weaken.
He has unlimited lifespan, so he can take his time and even hide deep in the mountains to practice for thousands of years before reemerging.
Immortality cultivation emphasizes the importance of spiritual essence, so Qiao Mu doesn't have to worry about growing old and weak. He can live like a thousand-year old turtle.
This is a path of survival at all costs.
On the other hand, martial arts is a path of reckless danger, which can maximize the power of the Longevity Lock.
As long as he keeps risking his life and dies to a higher level, his progress in martial arts will advance rapidly.
The only problem is aging and physical decline... and the solution to this problem lies in the complete "Long Life Fist Sutra" held by the Wuji Association.
This is a path of recklessness.
Two paths, two different directions.
And Qiao Mu had already made a choice.
He remembered the memory of fighting thousands of people and dying in the valley.
At that time, Qiao Mu's main goal was actually to score points, but he wasn't a heartless score machine after all.
He had many lives, while others only had one.
If he could trade his own life to save others, he would willingly do so.
So he charged forward alone, bravely embracing death.
Since he was born immortal, he should live his life freely and die in a spectacular way!
"Safety is not what I wish."
"I will just act recklessly to get it done."
Qiao Mu thought to himself and looked up at Mr. Wang Songhe, then asked:
"Mr. Wang, do you think I have the talent for cultivating immortality?"
Immortality can be pursued or not, but having more options is always a good thing.
Mr. Wang Songhe shook his head lightly.
"Without spiritual roots, one cannot cultivate immortality."
"I haven't shown it yet, how do you know I don't have spiritual roots...?" Qiao Mu was very dissatisfied and said,
"I have an iron spiritual root. Can I cultivate immortality?"
"Iron spiritual root? I've never heard of such a spiritual root." Mr. Wang Songhe frowned and patiently said,
"If Brother Qiao has no other questions, then please leave."
"Go? Where to?"
"Of course, it's to leave this mountain stronghold." Wang Songhe's eye twitched when he saw Qiao Mu angrily smashing the statue, he couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Leave? Wasn't Mr. Wang trying to recruit me as a bandit?" Qiao Mu asked again.
"My small temple can't accommodate such a big Buddha like you." Wang Songhe could only smile bitterly.
He had ambitious plans, which could shake the imperial court and even the immortals, so he had to calculate every step carefully and be cautious.
As for Qiao Mu... he was too reckless! He caused trouble too easily!
Wang Songhe really couldn't handle it!
They had only just met today, but this person already made his blood pressure soar. Can he handle it in the future?
If we really recruit him to be a bandit in Mount Dong, I'm afraid the immortals will come knocking on our door in less than two days.
However, despite his high blood pressure, Wang Songhe kindly answered all of Qiao Mu's questions, not wanting to offend this fierce star who dared to punch a statue, to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Are you really making me leave?" Qiao Mu was feeling a bit reluctant.
After talking for so long, Qiao Mu confirmed that Wang Songhe was definitely not an ordinary person, and that he was planning something big that could cost him his life.
It would be great if he could get involved in such a dangerous matter!
"If you let me go, aren't you afraid that I will reveal the location of this hideout?" Qiao Mu asked.
Although Qiao Mu wouldn't do such a thing, Wang Songhe was carrying the lives of many people and was someone who made big moves, so he wouldn't risk the lives of these bandits on whether Qiao Mu would betray them.
"Brother Qiao, with such deep feelings and character, doesn't seem like someone who would do such a thing," said Wang Songhe.
"Lately, things haven't been peaceful around Yan City, and we have attracted the attention of the officials. We were already planning to move away from here."
Now that things have come to this point, Qiao Mu couldn't possibly have the nerve to stay any longer.
The two of them said goodbye at the entrance of the village.
As soon as he turned around, Wang Songhe wiped his sweat forcefully, finally sending away this troublemaker.
He was clearly the bandit planning something big, but Qiao Mu's recklessness made him fearful and unable to resist.
Qiao Mu didn't think too much, he just decided to quickly return to Yan City.
He had seen Old Huang and the others carrying his own dead body back to Yan City before.
"I wonder how much compensation the centurion will give? If it's a lot, then I'll join the army a few more times and take advantage of the city lord."
"I need to hurry, maybe I can make it to my own funeral, and perhaps even have a taste of my own feast." Qiao Mu quickened his pace, walking along the mountain road.
.................
Yan City.
Inside the Lord's castle.
The City Lord's son trembled with excitement as he looked at a coffin placed in the courtyard.
Inside the coffin was the body of Qiao Mu.
Originally, it wasn't appropriate to bring the body into the Lord's castle. However, since he was forbidden by the Lord to leave, they had no choice but to bring Qiao Mu's body inside.
"His name is Qiao Mu, but his fate is like dust." Childe Guo clapped his hands and laughed.
"A good death! I should drink to celebrate it!"
He took a sip of strong alcohol and then ordered:
"Someone, open the coffin. I want to see how gruesome his death was."
The nearby servant hesitated for a moment before opening the coffin.
When the coffin lid was opened, a strong smell of blood came out. Childe Guo leaned over for a look, but quickly took two steps back with a pale face.
The body, killed by thousands of chaotic knives, didn't look pleasing.
He gagged a couple of times and almost vomited the drink he had just had.
After seeing such a horrifying state of death, he couldn't help but let out a gasp... How could it be that simple to finish?
"Is there any family member of Qiao Mu here in Yan City?" Childe Guo asked.
"There is only a twenty-year-old blind girl in the family," the servant replied.
For the Guo family, there weren't many secrets in this city that couldn't be uncovered.
"A blind girl? It's a pity she can't see the person's condition with her own eyes," Childe Guo sighed.
"Then she can only smell it," he said.
