A Great Surge in Strength! An Unintentional Act Leads to Unexpected Success

Su Yang slowly opened his eyes, feeling the finger-thick, semi-transparent internal energy slowly rotating in his dantian, and an unprecedented sense of power filled his whole body.

"Just feeling it isn't enough; we need to test the power of this internal energy enhancement... But there are too many people around here, so we can't be reckless."

After a moment's thought, he took out an ordinary dart he had bought from a blacksmith's shop from his personal bag.

The dart has a rough body and a dull blade; it is the cheapest kind used by people at the bottom of the martial arts world.

He aimed the dart at the thick adobe wall inside the room—it was away from the street, so even the slightest sound wouldn't be easily noticed by outsiders.

With a thought, inner strength is poured in!

The semi-transparent, condensed internal energy within his dantian flowed through the meridians of his arm, like a stream flowing into a dried-up riverbed, silently enveloping the entire dart.

The originally dull and rough black iron dart body seemed to be given a faint, lustrous sheen the moment internal energy was poured in, and even the tip of the dart faintly emitted a very faint white light—a sign that the internal energy was highly concentrated at one point.

Su Yang flicked his wrist slightly.

"laugh!"

A faint whooshing sound, almost inaudible to those outside the room.

The dart transformed into a blurry black line and instantly disappeared into the earthen wall!

There was no loud impact, only a dull, solid penetrating sound, like a hot knife cutting into solidified lard.

Su Yang stepped forward to check.

The most ordinary black iron dart was now completely embedded in the earthen wall, with only half an inch of its tail sticking out. He stretched out two fingers, focused his strength on his fingertips, and barely managed to slowly pull the dart out of the wall.

The dart was warm, and the blade was covered with finely ground wall dust, which had been shaken by internal force.

He looked down and examined the tip of the dart closely; there was no sign of it being dull or worn.

"good!"

A glint flashed in Su Yang's eyes as he murmured.

Through this experiment, he discovered that concentrating internal energy into a single point and unleashing it could increase the hardness and penetrating power of the dart tip.

.........

The next day.

After breakfast, Zhao Qian indeed came looking for him with a smile, holding a thick blue ledger in his hands.

"Captain Su, this is the detailed account of the cloth shop's income and expenditure for the past six months. Now that you've taken on the position of captain, you should be familiar with these mundane matters." He handed over the account book, his tone natural, as if it were just a routine matter.

Su Yang took it and casually flipped through it.

The accounts were clear and detailed, with each transaction meticulously recorded. The amount of money coming in and going out far exceeded the scale expected of an ordinary silk and cloth shop.

He understood immediately that the ledger itself was part of Huang Shiyun's demonstration of strength and trust.

"Manager Zhao manages things very well."

Su Yang closed the ledger and gave a compliment.

"It's just my duty."

Zhao Qian smiled and waved his hand: "Since you're new here, why don't you come with me for a walk around? Get familiar with the warehouse, the storehouse, and the front and back gates, so I can arrange guards for duty."

"That's exactly what I was thinking. Thank you, Manager Zhao."

The two walked slowly through the fabric shop, one in front of the other.

Zhao Qian explained the functions and manpower of each location with great familiarity, as well as some seemingly ordinary arrangements that subtly conformed to defensive principles. Su Yang listened attentively, while subtly extending his enhanced perception through the Tiger Form Fist, silently noting down every possible infiltration corner, suitable ambush positions, and the best emergency evacuation routes.

After passing through the bustling dyeing workshop and loom room, we finally arrived at a relatively quiet courtyard in the backyard.

This is where Zhao Qian lives and manages his core affairs.

"This is my study and resting place. It's a bit messy, please excuse me, Captain."

Zhao Qian pushed open a half-closed door and stepped aside to let Su Yang in.

The study is furnished with a desk, the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper), and a grand master's chair, making it exceptionally elegant.

One wall is a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, crammed with account books and ancient books, while the other wall is covered with calligraphy and paintings, all of them depicting fierce tigers!

There are paintings such as "Tiger Descending the Mountain", "Tiger Crouching Among Pines", and "Tiger Roaring in the Moonlight"... The brushstrokes are either vigorous or delicate, but without exception, they all vividly depict the might, alertness, laziness, and ferocity of the king of the mountains and forests.

"Shopkeeper Zhao actually has such a hobby?"

Upon seeing so many tiger paintings in the study, Su Yang's heart stirred.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Captain Su. My only hobby in life is painting tigers, and I also like to collect tiger roar paintings..." Zhao Qian said with a modest smile.

[Overlord Blade Proficiency +1!]

[Overlord Blade Proficiency +1!]

Su Yang, carrying a ring-pommel straight sword, examined the dozen or so tiger paintings. Suddenly, a panel flashed in his mind.

"Um?"

Seeing that the proficiency level of the Overlord Blade on the mental board had increased by several points, Su Yang was shocked.

To know.

He was preparing to go to Baozhilin Pharmacy to buy tiger bone liver to increase his Overlord Blade proficiency, but unexpectedly, he saw more than ten tiger pictures here with Zhao Qian, which could also increase his Overlord Blade proficiency. This was truly an unexpected stroke of luck!

Zhao Qian had been quietly observing Su Yang's reaction from the side.

Seeing his gaze fixed on the painting "Hungry Tiger Pouncing on Its Prey," the amiable smile on his face deepened, and a glimmer of light seemed to flash in his eyes, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, the ripples disappearing before returning to an unfathomable depth.

"It seems that Captain Su is... paying particular attention to this humble work?"

Zhao Qian's voice broke the silence in the study at just the right moment.

Su Yang slowly withdrew his gaze, suppressed the turbulent thoughts in his heart, and his face returned to calm.

He turned to Zhao Qian and said slowly and meaningfully, “Manager Zhao, you are too modest. This is by no means my work. The hungry tiger in the painting is focused and powerful, pouncing like a thunderbolt about to strike, its killing intent hidden, its strength and power penetrating the paper… If the painter is not a martial arts master, he must have personally witnessed a hungry tiger fighting for its life to capture the true meaning of this ‘last-ditch strike’ so accurately. I… have learned a lot.”

His words were half praise for the painting's artistry and half a hint at the martial arts spirit it contained, a clear test.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qian's eyes gleamed even brighter.

He stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Su Yang, and looked at the painting as well. He said in a low voice, "Captain Su, you have a good eye! This painting is indeed extraordinary. It was pawned here many years ago by a down-on-his-luck...江湖客 (jianghu ke, a term referring to people who travel the world in martial arts and chivalry). He said that the painting contained the secret of a 'life-or-death' technique, but unfortunately, I, Zhao, am just a merchant with dull bones. I have studied it for many years and have only felt its fierce power, but I have not been able to grasp the essence of it. Today, seeing you, Captain, standing here in deep thought, I realize that a pearl has finally found its appreciator. This painting should perhaps have been in the hands of someone like you, Captain, to truly shine."

These words were practically handing over the opportunity, explaining the origin of the painting and expressing a strong desire to make friends.

Su Yang's mind raced.

Zhao Qian's initiative and frankness were somewhat unexpected, but considering Huang Shiyun's arrangements and the special nature of the place, they seemed to make sense.

This may be part of the test in itself, to see how he handles this opportunity that has come to him uninvited.

"Manager Zhao's kindness is too much for me, I am unworthy of it."

Su Yang carefully considered his words and said, "Since this painting is the shopkeeper's cherished possession, how could I dare to covet it? However... I need to observe the spirit of a fierce tiger to aid my understanding of a rudimentary martial art I am practicing. I wonder if I could visit the shopkeeper's study often in the future and borrow this precious painting to view? I am willing to repay you in the small way by fulfilling my duty of protecting the cloth shop."

Without greed or theft, make a reasonable and mutually beneficial request.

Zhao Qian laughed heartily, appearing extremely pleased: "What are you saying, Captain! It's just a painting. It's a blessing that it can help you improve your martial arts. You can come anytime, Captain. I'll welcome you with open arms! The cloth shop's well-being is all thanks to you, Captain. How can I ask for anything in return?"

The two exchanged a smile, a tacit understanding quietly formed in their glances.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Su Yang took his leave under the pretext of conducting an inspection.

Zhao Qian personally escorted him to the study door, his attitude even more intimate and warmer than before.