Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

A wide river appeared before Wang Chen.

The cool mist from the water hit his face, and the distant mountains with their lush pines and cypresses were so refreshing that they lifted one's spirits.

But this river also blocked Wang Chen's path.

Fortunately, there were boats available for ferrying at the riverside.

The ferries varied in size, and because they served the main east-west thoroughfare, they did quite a bustling business.

Wang Chen did not join the others crowded onto the large ferry but instead hired a small boat to take him directly to the docks of Linjiang City.

Linjiang, as the name suggests, was a county town located right beside the river.

"Sir, are you visiting relatives or friends in Linjiang?"

Once both man and horse were aboard, the boatman pushed off with a long bamboo pole, curiously inquiring of Wang Chen.

Normally he was not so talkative, but seeing that Wang Chen was very young and extremely handsome, he couldn't help but say a bit more.

Wang Chen replied indifferently, "On business."

Seeing that Wang Chen was not one for small talk, the boatman dared not ask any further.

The small boat sailed downstream. After about ten li, they saw a county town nestled against the mountains and the water.

The boatman skillfully docked the small boat alongside the pier.

As Wang Chen paid the fare, the dark-skinned boatman couldn't help but caution, "Young man, things have been a bit chaotic in Linjiang recently. Be very careful and don't talk to strangers."

Wang Chen felt a mix of amusement and annoyance, but since the man obviously meant well, he gave him a few extra copper coins.

Then he led his Yellow Fatty Horse up onto the docks.

Linjiang County Town was a hub of water and land transportation, so there were many merchants and travelers coming from the north and the south; the pier was bustling with people hawking their services, porters, businessmen, and vendors of snacks and tea, a chaotic and boisterous mix with all sorts mingling together.

Among them were not a few idlers looking about.

Wang Chen, who had just arrived on the docks, immediately attracted the attention of some of these people.

Although he dressed in ordinary clothes, his height, build, and good looks, as well as the Yellow Fatty Horse he was leading, definitely made him stand out in this chaotic environment like a crane among chickens!

"Sir, is this your first visit to Linjiang?"

An idler with a playful smile approached, "Do you need to hire a guide? I, Huang Laoliu, know the town like the back of my hand. Just a few copper coins will do."

As he stopped Wang Chen, a few others approached from different directions, attempting to surround him.

This effectively isolated Wang Chen from the other people on the docks.

Many around them noticed the situation unfolding, some with schadenfreude, others with looks of sympathy.

Some hesitated, wondering whether or not to intervene, but ultimately, no one did anything.

Wang Chen, now encircled, frowned and said sternly, "No need, back off."

Huang Laoliu, the self-proclaimed idler, was unmoved and signaled to his companions.

One of them reached out to push Wang Chen's shoulder, "How do you talk to our Brother Six like that?"

At the same time, another one grabbed for the bag hanging on the side of the saddle.

These ruffians worked with frightening synergy, no doubt the result of many such previous encounters.

Crack!

The next moment, the right hand of the man who had pushed Wang Chen suddenly bent awkwardly downward, having been forcefully twisted and broken.

"Ah!"

A piercing scream erupted.

Not one but two.

Behind Wang Chen, a severed hand was gruesomely hanging from the saddlebag.

The idler, now missing a hand, staggered backward in disbelief and quickly fainted.

Nobody could see how his hand was severed!

Huang Laoliu, who was in front of Wang Chen, turned pale and involuntarily took steps back.

He had only seen Wang Chen move slightly, then a flash of silver, and then both his companions found themselves in grave misfortune.

A master!

Elder Huang Laoliu never expected that the little plump sheep he fancied today would actually be a ferocious tiger with deadly claws and fangs!

"Murder, someone's been murdered!"

Elder Huang Laoliu's companion didn't think too much, his mind muddled by the excruciating pain, and he began to wail heart-breakingly.

The onlookers nearby retreated one after another.

"What happened?"

It was only a moment later when several Patrol and Arrest Officers, full of menace, pushed through the crowd and rushed over.

Seeing the newcomers, Huang Laoliu was overjoyed as if he had grasped a lifesaving straw.

"Head Constable Li!"

He hurriedly shouted, "Quick, catch this fiend who's injured someone, he's just chopped off my brother's hand!"

In the Martial World of the riverbank docks, without the local Patrol and Arrest Officers' protection, it would be absolutely impossible to survive.

Huang Laoliu had a good relationship with them, never failing to present his respects on a regular basis.

Once trouble arose, this Head Constable Li could also help him smooth things over.

It was precisely for this reason that Huang Laoliu's courage had grown bolder, and his actions had become more arrogant!

"How daring!"

One of the newly arrived Patrol and Arrest Officers was burly, with an ugly appearance. Holding a chain lock in his hand, he bellowed at Wang Chen, "Kneel down!"

But the next moment, Head Constable Li's fierce expression turned to astonishment, and the chain lock he had just lifted fell limply down.

Before his eyes, there suddenly appeared a waist tablet with black background and red characters.

"Blood, Blood Cloak Guard..."

Beads of sweat as large as beans surfaced on Head Constable Li's forehead, and his lips trembled a few times, as he struggled to spit out a few words.

Blood Cloak Guard!

This word seemed like a curse, instantly rendering the surroundings deathly silent.

Everyone turned their eyes towards Wang Chen, each face revealing fear.

Who would have thought that such a handsome young man could be a member of the terribly vicious Blood Cloak Guard!

Huang Laoliu's eyes darkened, and he nearly fainted.

He had forgotten to read the almanac when he left home today!

"Head Constable Li, is it?"

Wang Chen, holding the waist tablet, said indifferently, "These people are robbing in public, how do you plan to punish them?"

"Arrest them!"

Head Constable Li squeezed out a word through his teeth, then crazily shouted at his constables, "What are you still standing around for, arrest these fellows for me, execute anyone who resists on the spot!"

The several constables snapped out of it like waking from a dream and immediately captured Huang Laoliu and his group like ferocious wolves.

Huang Laoliu didn't dare to resist.

If he was thrown into jail, there might still be a chance for life, resisting arrest now meant certain death, Head Constable Li would not regard their past relations.

Perhaps he would even use Huang Laoliu's head to ingratiate himself with the young Blood Cloak Guard!

But it was too late for regrets.

After the constables took Huang Laoliu and others away, Head Constable Li then bowed with fear and trepidation towards Wang Chen, "Sir, are you heading to the Defense Area now? Allow me to show you the way!"

Strictly speaking, Head Constable Li's address to Wang Chen was incorrect.

Wang Chen was a newly admitted member of the Blood Cloak Guard, without any rank, and did not qualify for the address of "Sir."

But compared to Head Constable Li, his status was still far higher.

In fact, even the officials of Linjiang County would not dare to casually show any disrespect to Wang Chen.

Yet, Head Constable Li was so quick to switch sides, and since Wang Chen had just arrived and was not one to hold grudges, he simply replied, "Thanks."

Head Constable Li bowed deeply, "You're too kind, Sir!"

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The second update is delivered.