Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman, a first-rate martial art.

In the eyes of Qin Yuesheng, who possesses immense Divine Skill and many first-rate martial arts, it is not considered high-grade, yet its effect is so unorthodox that even Divine Skill cannot compare.

People have Ren and Du Meridians, Eight Extraordinary Meridians, Yin and Yang Meridians.

Most martial arts follow the Yin and Yang Meridians to achieve the balanced effect of yin and yang harmony. Practicing only the Yin or Yang Meridian can easily lead to issues.

This "Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman" is a skill that specifically trains the Yin Meridian. The martial artist circulates their Inner Strength and then forces it out from the palm, producing a nail-sized thin ice shard that melts upon encountering water and penetrates upon touching a person.

Once it enters the body, it immediately flows through the meridians into the heart. If not relieved by the original owner within seven days, the icy energy will wrap around the heart, causing coldness in the chest and unbearable pain.

If relief is still not obtained within half a month, the victim will freeze to death as if falling into a deep icy cave.

Whether He Hua doesn’t recognize its worth or is driven by revenge, he is audacious enough to offer such a secret manual to Qin Yuesheng.

If we talk about Wang Tao of the Gold and Silver Pavilion, with his prowess, there are probably not many in the whole Jiangnan who could take on this task, yet Qin Yuesheng might try, so He Hua did find the right person.

"Good, excellent." Nodding in satisfaction, Qin Yuesheng directly agreed, "Wang Tao, I must kill him, and then I will take his head and give it to you."

He Hua quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Great Alliance Leader!"

He has been enduring for years, but unfortunately, his abilities are insufficient for revenge. Seeking revenge would amount to certain death.

As a bandit, he rarely encounters masters. The three Alliance Leaders of the Tai Sui Alliance were the strongest he had ever seen. Initially, he hesitated about offering the "Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman," but today’s sudden appearance of Qin Yuesheng fighting against three and displaying overwhelming prowess solidified his decision. It was a gamble, and he couldn’t hesitate to present this martial art to Qin Yuesheng, only hoping that he keeps his promise.

"You may leave." Qin Yuesheng said.

"Yes."

After He Hua withdrew, Qin Yuesheng directly disassembled the "Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman" manual in his hand.

"The higher the realm of this martial art, the more cold ice talismans one can generate."

Seeing the recently learned, beginner-level Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman, Qin Yuesheng immediately took out two jars of pills from the Celestial Demon pouch.

The All-Purpose Essence acquired was immediately used to enhance the Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman, elevating it directly to the Minor Success Realm.

Qin Yuesheng then mobilized the Inner Strength from his Dantian, coursing through several Yin Meridian acupoints, transforming into a cold force that expelled through his palm, forming into fifteen irregular cold ice shards.

This is the Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman.

The cold ice talismans looked completely translucent and crystal-clear, with an ice-blue hue tinged with some deep blue, resembling gemstones.

"Fang Haijiao." Qin Yuesheng called out.

Fang Haijiao immediately walked in from outside, "Young Master, I am here."

"Ask Jiang Su and the others to bring a few jars of wine. Once everyone has finished drinking, we can leave." Qin Yuesheng advised.

Shortly after, a large vat filled with wine was brought into the main hall. The wine was of poor quality, filled with impurities.

Qin Yuesheng poured a bowl, guzzling it down with a laugh, "Drink this wine, and from now on, we’ll be brothers, sharing fortune and adversity."

He casually tossed the empty earthen bowl to show it was completely consumed. However, away from everyone’s sight, Qin Yuesheng discreetly flicked a handful of cold ice talismans into the vat.

Following Qin Yuesheng’s lead, Jiang Su and the Tai Sui Alliance leaders quickly took a bowl of wine, creating a convivial atmosphere.

Unaware, they had been controlled by Qin Yuesheng’s cold ice talismans.

"From today, every seven days, you must report the local information to me in Cyan Yang City, regardless of size, without errors or slacking," Qin Yuesheng sternly ordered.

"Yes!" everyone replied in unison.

He Hua, among them, looked at Qin Yuesheng with realization. As someone who had studied the Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman manual, he knew that those who fell victim to the talismans would feel their heart chill and experience unbearable pain unless relieved every seven days.

It seemed Qin Yuesheng had acted, and the problem likely resided in the wine.

He Hua could not help but marvel at the Inner Strength master’s capability, learning the "Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talisman" in less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn after receiving it from him.

After handling these mundane tasks, Qin Yuesheng and Fang Haijiao left Meteor Mountain. Within a day, the tens of thousands of bandits of the Tai Sui Alliance dispersed in all directions, proactively heading to settle in the towns assigned by Qin Yuesheng.

The bandit problem on Meteor Mountain was completely resolved today.

...

If there is talk of rebellion everywhere under heaven, those most worried are not the imperial court, but the common people.

Although the Great Tang is secretly controlled by the Ten Constant Attendants, with floods, locusts, and famines happening constantly across the land, it is still a relatively peaceful time, and people do not have to worry about being conscripted into the army or being innocently implicated and killed.

Once the fire of war ignites, the court will conscript soldiers, and the various rebels will do the same. The common people caught between these two giants will undoubtedly suffer the most.

Merchants and noble families are also left in fear, for war is an operation that burns through silver and supplies. Once the rebels exhaust their strength and can’t hold out any longer, they will surely seize these wealthy lords and confiscate their assets to sustain their armies.

Xun Sheng sat at the table with a troubled face, looking anxiously out the window. The troops in Cyan Yang City numbered only three thousand, insufficient even for Jiangnan, let alone the entire nation.

As Liu Xian and the others devoured the strength within their territories, their next target would naturally be a city like Cyan Yang City.

Thinking of how Cyan Yang City is quite close to Yangzhou Prefecture, only a few days’ journey away, Xun Sheng couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

By that time, if the court doesn’t send troops to support him, Xun Sheng, the Governor of Cyan Yang City, will have only two options.

Either fight to the death relying on the city’s walls, or surrender and align himself with Liu Xian.

"How did the world suddenly become so chaotic?" Xun Sheng muttered to himself in resignation.

Bang, bang, bang!

At that moment, there was a sudden knock on the door from outside.

Xun Sheng said, "Come in."

Immediately, a government official pushed the door open and walked in, saying, "My Lord, a letter has come from Chang’an, and it must be delivered to Lord Qin personally."

"Then there’s no need to hand it to me. Just take it directly to the Qin Mansion for Lord Qin."

"Yes."

As the footsteps of this person gradually faded away, Xun Sheng couldn’t help but sigh, "At a time like this, even officials from the Seven Stars Bureau in Cyan Yang City are of no use."

...

Qin Yuesheng had just returned to the Qin Mansion from Meteor Mountain when he saw Cao Zhengchun walk in from outside with a letter: "Young Master, a letter has arrived from the yamen, addressed to you, requiring your personal attention."

Upon receiving the letter, Qin Yuesheng’s expression changed, and he couldn’t help but wonder inwardly, "At such a critical moment, why would a letter arrive from the Chang’an Seven Stars Bureau?"

Thinking further was futile; he immediately opened the letter to see its contents.

It turned out that a month ago, the Seven Stars Bureau had sent a team to investigate something near the Wujiang River in Jiangnan. This team was supposed to return five days ago, but now that their return is overdue, Chang’an has not seen them back.

The Seven Stars Bureau wanted Qin Yuesheng to go over and investigate what actually happened.

Ordinarily, such matters that do not involve dealing with evil spirits would not fall to Qin Yuesheng to handle. Prefect Liu Xian of Yangzhou was supposed to take care of it, but since Liu Xian has rebelled, it is impossible for him to follow the court’s orders now.

As a result, such tasks naturally fell upon Qin Yuesheng, a Wood Toad official.

The letter also clearly noted the purpose of the Seven Stars Bureau team at Wujiang River.

Previously, some commoners reported seeing a mythical tortoise carrying a serpent and a stone coffin floating on the river, as well as chains connected in a loop.

Such anomalies were reported by the common people to the officials, who then reported them to the Seven Stars Bureau, naturally attracting their attention, leading them to immediately send people to investigate.

Yet, it’s strange that the entire team mysteriously disappeared instead of uncovering anything substantial.

Everyone in the Seven Stars Bureau is elite, particularly those above the Wood Toad, who are experts in Inner Strength. The bureau naturally couldn’t easily abandon these personnel.

They originally intended to send another team to investigate, but the sudden upheaval in the world, with the court in a dangerous situation, required the Seven Stars Bureau’s experts to assist in resisting the rebels, leaving no additional manpower for this task, thus it fell to Qin Yuesheng.

"Wujiang River, what kind of trouble is brewing there again?" Qin Yuesheng wondered.

Jiangnan is most famous for its river, town, and stream.

The river is the Gusu River, the town is Jingci Town, and the stream is the Wujiang River.

The Wujiang River flows down from the north, with a rapid current, frequently causing floods, and there are rumors of water ghosts hiding within. These stories are often found in strange tales among the populace, with many parents using the water ghosts of Wujiang as a spooky story to keep their children well-behaved, and prevent them from playing in dangerous locations to avoid accidents.

"Neither the Twelve Linked Rings nor the Flood Dragon Gang, nor the Tai Sui Alliance need my concern right now, and the warfare in Jiangnan hasn’t fully erupted yet, so I do have some time to investigate this matter." Qin Yuesheng, with a surge of Inner Strength, pulverized the letter into dust particles.

It must be said, the utility of Inner Strength experts goes beyond mere combat.

After resting for a day in the mansion, chatting with his parents and having meals, Qin Feng and Duan Hongjin were reassured not to worry about the situation in Jiangnan, instead just to enjoy their days.

He also went to the Su Mansion to take the young lady, Su Lanyin, for a stroll and some shopping. Then, on the following day, Qin Yuesheng left Cyan Yang City with his various weapons.