System: I Can Open Martial Arts Chests

Chapter 307 - 185: Arrival

Iron Blood Hall main camp!

After days of travel, the group finally arrived here.

The Iron Blood Hall had built a fortress here, which was solely occupied by Iron Blood Hall disciples, with no common people residing within.

However, now engaged in war with the Blazing Hall, over ten thousand people had gathered, overcrowding the small fortress.

Although Chu Qing’s group was not large, it included two important figures from the Iron Blood Hall.

One was Vice Hall Master Cheng Tieshan, the other was the young lady Tie Chuming.

Therefore, even before they reached the entrance, Tie Lingyun had already led a crowd to greet them.

The Iron Blood Hall wielded vast power, with Grand Hall Master Tie Lingyun presiding over eighteen hall masters, thirty-six banner masters, and several elders responsible for transmitting skills and enforcing laws.

Except for those who couldn’t leave their posts, all had come out with Tie Lingyun to greet them.

At first glance, the crowd was densely packed and vast in number.

Tie Lingyun led the group and immediately recognized Tie Chuming among the crowd, his eyes turning red:

"Little Qing’Er!"

"Dad!!"

Tie Chuming’s eyes also reddened as she leaped out from the crowd into her father’s arms.

"Good, good, that’s all that matters."

Tie Lingyun patted his daughter’s shoulder, letting out a long sigh:

"Ever since I let you leave the camp, my heart has been uneasy. Hearing the news of your capture took away my peace and appetite...

"I feared that I would never see you again."

Tie Chuming sniffed and said:

"I was captured by Prince Mei... it was the Third Young Master who rescued me."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Chu Qing.

Only then did Tie Lingyun notice Chu Qing in the crowd. He quickly wiped his face with his hand:

"Third Young Master, forgive my manners.

"My daughter has been rescued by you twice now...

"Allow me, Tie Lingyun, to bow to you!!"

As he spoke, he prepared to kneel.

The crowd behind him, seeing this, looked at each other and also prepared to kneel.

Chu Qing quickly stepped forward to support Tie Lingyun’s arm:

"Grand Hall Master, there’s no need for this, I was merely passing by at the right time."

However, while he could support one person, he could not support everyone, and the group behind him ended up kneeling en masse.

Chu Qing could only say:

"Please have them stand up."

Tie Lingyun glanced back, waved his hand, and the crowd rose.

At that moment, Cheng Tieshan also stepped forward:

"Hall Master, I too have returned. If not for the Third Young Master, you might not see me today."

"..."

Tie Lingyun was momentarily speechless. The crowd also exchanged looks, unsure if they should kneel again.

The young lady and the Vice Hall Master both owed their lives to this person... this debt of gratitude is not insignificant.

Tie Lingyun took a deep breath:

"Third Young Master, regardless of the past, if you ever need the support of the Iron Blood Hall in the future, just ask, and I, Tie Lingyun, will not refuse!!"

"Grand Hall Master, you’re too kind... it was merely a coincidence.

Chu Qing smiled and said:

"Yet if there’s ever a time I truly need your assistance, I won’t hesitate to ask."

"Good, that’s how it should be!"

Tie Lingyun laughed heartily, but after just a couple of laughs, he was seized by a violent cough.

Tie Chuming’s expression changed:

"Dad, what’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing."

Tie Lingyun waved it off:

"I had a bout with the Blazing Hall a few days ago and was caught off-guard by Beitang Lie, suffering a strike from his Nine Fierce Burning Palm, that’s all.

"This injury can’t trouble me much."

"Oh?"

Chu Qing glanced at him, noticing the red tint in his eyes.

The Nine Fiery Burn Divine Skill ignites the heart, filling the meridians with Pure Yang Inner Breath, definitely not easy to endure.

He then offered:

"Grand Hall Master, if you would allow me to take a look."

Tie Lingyun hesitated but then extended his hand:

"I trouble you, Third Young Master."

Chu Qing didn’t speak; his fingertip gently rested on Tie Lingyun’s wrist, sending out the Inner Breath from the Mingyu Scripture, coursing through the meridians.

The Fire-Burning Qi entrenched in Tie Lingyun’s meridians was immediately extinguished by Chu Qing’s Inner Breath from the Mingyu Scripture.

As the Inner Breath completed its circuit, when Chu Qing released his grip, Tie Lingyun felt the irritation that had plagued him for two days suddenly vanish.

Though the superficial wounds remained, without the disruptive True Qi, those injuries were insignificant.

Tie Lingyun blinked at Chu Qing:

"This... is another debt of gratitude owed? Third Young Master, how should I possibly repay you?"

"It was just a minor gesture."

Chu Qing said helplessly:

"If I had to be repaid for such small efforts, I might fear dealing with Grand Hall Master in the future."

"Hahaha."

Tie Lingyun laughed heartily again:

"Good, good. The Third Young Master is straightforward and genuine. Let’s not mention such matters again.

"Everyone, this is not the place for conversation, follow me back, we can discuss further at the camp."

He grasped Chu Qing’s arm, leading him, clearly treating him as an honored guest.

The distance to the fortress was just a few steps away, and along the way, Tie Lingyun introduced Chu Qing to his lieutenants, including several elders of the sect.

Chu Qing nodded at each of them as he was introduced, but when it came to the Fourth Hall Master Zhong Beitang, Chu Qing couldn’t help but look at him a bit closer.

Falling Leaves City, Fourth Hall Master, Zhong Beitang.

The last time Chu Qing heard this name, it was mentioned by Shen Hongye.

This person was friendly with Guo Wang... Shen Hongye’s Red Tree Village was burned to the ground by Guo Wang, and Zhong Beitang labeled it a ’bandit attack’.

Thus, Shen Hongye dared not voice her grievances, ultimately becoming a killer for hire.

In this matter, it’s hard to determine Zhong Beitang’s exact role.

Did he knowingly cover Guo Wang’s actions with the ’bandit attack’ story?