The Nine Cauldrons
chapter-110

Early in the morning, Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu could be seen in a quiet place on the Tielian Mountain.

"Qingshan, what's up?" Recently, Teng Qinghu was flushed with success and felt very good about himself. He was the winner in the competition between the 50 sergeants, so he was naturally proud of himself.

Teng Qingshan wore a strict expression as he said, "Look at you! Have you forgotten that the recruitment is happening in June? By that time, the Black Armored Army will set up a competition to find the eight weakest centurions and have these eight centurions compete with the new First Rated Warriors for the position of Centurion."

Hearing this, Teng Qinghu froze. He rubbed his head and said with a grin, "Well, I will do what I can when that happens!"

"Catch." Teng Qingshan took out a book and threw it toward Qinghu.

"What is this?" Teng Qinghu caught the book and asked. He could tell that this book was made by binding several draft papers together. It wasn't printed. There were six large words on the white cover of this book—Five Techniques of the Ardent Flames!

Seeing this, Teng Qingshan was surprised and he hastily flipped through the book.

"Qingshan, this...this…" Teng Qinghu's eyes gleamed as he looked at Teng Qingshan joyously, "Qingshan, this is a spear art that coordinates with the inner strength? Where did you get this? If I can use my inner strength in coordination with the spear art, I will be able to display an even greater power. However, the cultivation of this spear art seems very complicated."

Suddenly, Teng Qingshan froze and stared at Teng Qingshan blankly. He then said, "Qingshan..is this Gui Yuan Sect's secret technique? The command of Gui Yuan Sect had stated you are not allowed to let others see the secret techniques that they gave to you! I can't learn this, Qingshan! If not, I would be breaking the sect rules!" With this, Qinghu threw the book back to Teng Qingshan.

"Rest assured. Do I look like the kind of person that doesn't know what I should and should not do?" Teng Qingshan smiled and threw the book back to Qinghu as he explained, "I am the creator of the >. Just learn. No harm will come to you."

"Qingshan, you created this?" Teng Qinghu asked with his eyes widened.

Teng Qingshan took out another book entitled > and said, "This > is the secret technique the sect had given to me. Actually, it would be better to learn this before you learn the >. However, I can't go against the sect rules. Moreover, with the recruitment happening so soon, there won't be enough time for you to learn both the > and the >."

Gui Yuan Sect has extremely strict rules.

If Gui Yuan Sect had given someone a secret technique and this person distributed the secret technique to the entire world, Gui Yuan Sect would lose all the secret techniques. Therefore, only the person who received the technique could learn. If that person taught the technique to an outsider, then he or she will suffer serious consequences.

If it was a small offense that doesn't harm the sect much, then the punishment would be 12-18 months in prison. It would be a time of repentance for the offender.

If the offense would harm the sect greatly, such as the act of distributing a very important secret technique of the sect, the punishment could be the obliteration of one's martial arts or a death sentence.

However, Teng Qingshan had created the >, therefore, Gui Yuan Sect couldn't prohibit him from teaching others these techniques. In fact, if Gui Yuan Sect knew, they would try to include this secret technique in their collection of secret techniques. They would even reward the creator of the secret technique based on the power of the new technique.

"It is harder to learn the > now! But it wouldn't be a problem if I taught and guided you." Teng Qingshan was very confident as he said, "Your ability to sense the force and inner strength is quite skillful. You might even achieve 'One with the Spear' in a few years."

Teng Qingshan was able to attain 'One with the Spear' with ease when he was still young.

But that was because Teng Qingshan was already a Grandmaster in his previous life.

As for Teng Qinghu, if he wanted to achieve 'One with the Spear,' he would have to practice his Large Foundation Spear for a long time.

"Yes, Qingshan. I will do whatever you say." Teng Qingshan said with anticipation.

"Starting from today, you will spend one hour during the morning and one hour during the evening to learn this spear art." Teng Qingshan said.

"Yes, Teacher!" Teng Qinghu teased.

Teng Qingshan was the one who taught him the > , the > , and the Tiger Fist. Although Teng Qinghu and Teng Qingshan were cousins, their relationship was like that of a mentor and student. Age does not matter in the cultivation of martial arts. The first to make achievements would be the teacher.

"Practice seriously. Don't be the weakest centurions. If that happened, it would affect my reputation too." Teng Qingshan said.

"Don't worry, Qingshan. I won't embarrass you." Teng Qinghu said.

...

In the following days, Teng Qingshan taught meticulously and caringly. Because he was well aware of his Qinghu's ability, he was able to teach in line with Qinghu's ability. And so, Teng Qinghu improved greatly, which was not surprising at all.

Teng Qinghu had made some achievements in the cultivation of 'Inflamed Passion' and the 'Flashing Fire.'

As the 'Silver Flower of the Flaming Tree' and the 'Wildfire Flames' were too difficult, Teng Qingshan could only understand the two techniques partially. As for the most powerful technique 'Legacy of the Ultimate Flame,' Teng Qinghu understood nothing. After all, Teng Qingshan had applied his knowledge of the concept of dejection and spent the most time on the creation of this technique.

He couldn't understand the feeling of being on the verge of death and fighting to survive.

It couldn't be helped…

Teng Qinghu needed to have a better understanding of the concepts.

"Of the five techniques, the 'Inflamed Passion' is the fiercest technique, while Flashing Fire is the most cunning technique. With these two techniques, cousin will be above average among the centurions." Teng Qingshan was very certain as he said to himself, "Now, I just need to wait for the competition among the Black Armored Army!"

...

Soon, three months passed and the Black Armored Soldiers were done guarding the mining site.

This evening.

"Brother Qingshan, Haha… My brother and I said that you have a boundless prospect. Look at you now! You became the Lieutenant within such a short time! If you don't mind, just see me as a brother!" Gui Qing, the City Lord of Huafeng City, said with a smile. Teng Qingshan really like the City Lord Gui Qing as the City Lord never showed any arrogance or pride.

Moreover, the City Lord Gui Qing was very good to him.

"Brother Gui, I was just lucky." Teng Qingshan said with a smile.

"The purple gold theft could be considered a miracle in disguise for you." Gui Qing said with a mysterious expression, "Did you find the identity of the person who crippled Bai Qi?"

"Eh, who?" Teng Qingshan asked dubiously. He never really investigated the identity of the murderer.

"He is a young and fierce bandit whose name is Dong Yan." Gui Qing sighed and said, "Among the commoners, Dong Yan isn't famous. However, he is well-known in the social circle of the wealthy merchants and gangs. He is a very vicious and merciless fellow. The people who fought against him and won still ended up being miserable.

Teng Qingshan could remember that young man very clearly.

When that young man's comrade was killed, that young man went after Bai Qi as though he had gone crazy. However, he suddenly unleashed a concealed weapon.

"I have only met him once." Teng Qingshan praised and said, "However, he is such a sinister person! He might seem crazy, but that's just his disguise. Moreover, there are quite a few Fist Rated Warrior under his command. His concealed weapon is also very cruel. It is not good to provoke someone like him."

"Indeed. He poisoned and killed a wealthy merchant and his entire family when he was 12. He didn't even spare the guards. He is very ruthless and cunning. I heard that he fled to Xuyang County and joined a gang in Xuyang County." Gui Qing said, "I have a feeling that… In ten years, he will be an influential figure in Yangzhou! Just wait and see!"

Teng Qingshan was shocked.

Poisoning and killing an entire family when he was twelve. Dong Yan was indeed very fierce.

"Lieutenant!" A Black Armored Soldier whose responsibility was to keep a lookout ran over and said, "The next battalion of soldiers, who will be guarding the mining site, is about to arrive at the bottom of the mountain."

"Let's go and welcome them." Teng Qingshan said hastily.

Immediately, Lieutenant Teng Qingshan and the City Lord of Huafeng City descended the mountain.

Early in the morning, the City Lord of Huafeng City and the soldiers from the other battalion watched as Teng Qingshan left Tielian Mountain on horseback with his five hundred subordinates. They advanced vigorously toward Jiangning County!

When this battalion arrived at the mining site, Teng Qingshan was a Centurion and Teng Qinghu was the Sergeant. When this battalion left the mining site, Teng Qingshan was the Lieutenant and Teng Qinghu was the Centurion. Life was just full of secrets and wonders.

...

The Black Armored Soldiers galloped on the official road.

As a cloud of dust flew, the merchants, commoners, and bandits on the official road all rushed to the side, weary that they might block the Black Armored Soldiers.

Clop! Clop! Clop! The warhorses galloped.

They departed during the early morning. When the sun shone with a dazzling brightness, Teng Qingshan and his battalion of men had left the region of Huafeng City and had entered the region of Yi City.

"Stop!" Teng Qingshan commanded.

"Neigh~~~"

The trained Black Armored Soldiers immediately stopped in a very organized manner. The other Centurions quickly rushed to Teng Qingshan's side.

"Lord Lieutenant…" Tian Dan and the others looked at Teng Qingshan.

"Brother Tian, let's just split up temporarily. Qinghu and I are going home first! As for you and the other men, go rest and eat to the fullest in Yi City. I am sure the Lord of Yi City has prepared food and wine. Qinghu and I will meet you all in Yi City in the afternoon. We will then go back to Jiangning County!" Teng Qingshan explained.

Tian Dan and the others nodded.

When Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu were on their way to the mining site, they weren't able to go home because of Lieutenant Bai Qi. However, Teng Qingshan was now the Lieutenant, the highest-ranking leader of this battalion. Therefore, he could do what he wished to do.

"I can finally go home!" Teng Qinghu exclaimed joyously.

"Old Du, Brother Tian, and the other two Centurions, please take care of the soldiers while I am gone." Teng Qingshan instructed.

"Lord Lieutenant, please don't worry." The four Centurions laughed.

Teng Qingshan nodded slightly and stared at Teng Qinghu. "Qinghu, let's go!" With so many soldiers present, Teng Qingshan had to maintain his authority. Therefore, he called his Qinghu by his name instead of calling him cousin.

"Giddyup!""Giddyup!"

Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu rode the warhorses and galloped away. They soon disappeared from the view of the Black Armored Soldiers.

"Let's go." Tian Dan said.

Du Hong nodded and immediately said loudly, "Set off!"

Immediately, the Black Armored Soldiers departed toward Yi City in a grandiose manner. After galloping for one hour, they finally arrived in Yi City.

...

On the main road of Yi City, the vigorous Black Armored Soldiers advanced. The merchants, stall-keeper, passers-by all stepped to the side. None of them dared to trifle with these terrifying soldiers. On the road with many restaurants, the Yang He, the Lord of Yi City and his subordinates had come to welcome the Black Armored Army.

"City Lord!" A scar-faced man donned in embroidered gown said with a smile, "The new Lieutenant Teng Qingshan is from Yi City and he is my friend."

The scar-faced man was the Master Liu San. As the Great Master of the White Horse Gang, Master Liu San displayed an aura of elegance.

Those who knew about the stories of Master Liu San were well aware that Master Liu San was extremely ruthless.

"Haha, did you befriend him because he was strong?" The middle-aged man in a white garment laughed and said, "However, you are lucky. Teng Qingshan rose to the position of lieutenant when he had only joined the Black Armored Army for a short time. Moreover, it was the Sovereign who appointed Teng Qingshan as the Lieutenant. It seems like he is favored by the Sovereign of Gui Yuan Sect… As a young man, he really has boundless prospects. You are wise to befriend someone like him."

Master Liu San responded with a grin.

"Oh, the Black Armored Army has arrived. Let's go meet your friend Teng Qingshan." The Lord of Yi City laughed and said. Immediately Master Liu San and the CIty Lord went to welcome the Black Armored Army.