Chapter 114: Very Promising!

Chapter 114: Full of Promise!

The broad concept of "martial way" does not encompass the Dao's essence. Or rather, the artistic conception. Only martial techniques can enter the Dao—fists, blades, swords, spears, and even the human body itself. Yet when artistic conception manifests, it shines like the prime of the Way of Books, bestowing upon martial practitioners the power of their techniques. But for techniques to enter the Dao is no easy feat. Especially for martial artists at the lower tiers of cultivation, their bodies, true energy, and techniques are all in foundational stages, utterly incapable of reaching the realm where "technique nears the Dao." Even those of extraordinary talent often don't achieve this until their cultivation reaches the middle and lower tiers.

Yet at this moment, Ning Yu was struck by a profound shock as he gazed upon the scene before him. His eyes fell upon Liu Si, whose injuries were clearly from a grazing bullet wound. "It's faint, but undeniably a 'bullet intent'—which means that person's bullet technique has entered the Dao. Yet their cultivation..."

For experienced martial artists, they could sense the fluctuations of celestial and terrestrial spiritual energy around them, using this to infer the cultivation level of whoever had just acted. Though not precise, it provided a general range, enough for Ning Yu to draw this conclusion. "Their cultivation is only at the lower three tiers!"

Upon reaching this conclusion, Ning Yu leapt onto a nearby rooftop, disregarding the startled civilians below, and gazed toward the distance. "Northward..." He thought for a moment, deciding against further pursuit, and turned to take the spear Chen Yi had wielded before heading off.

A martial artist with extraordinary talent in both martial and bullet techniques, even at the lower three tiers, was no match for him. And he needed to inform the young lord as soon as possible.

Not long after, several others arrived. Upon seeing Liu Si and his companions lying unconscious on the ground, a loud cry echoed through the alley: "They're here! Bring them quickly to the Medical Pavilion for treatment!"

...

About half a cycle later, Chen Yi returned safely to the Spring Lotus Garden. Only when he sat before the eight-table dining hall did he finally exhale a sigh of relief.

"Truly perilous today—nearly lost my life."

Had Chen Yunfan been even more cautious, even with a body adorned with immortal wine, it would have been of no avail. At that point, his identity, martial cultivation level, and such would have been exposed. The same applied to the legal department, city guards, and the family of Xiao Bao, whose cultivation was stronger than his, yet equally vulnerable. His safe return owed much to a bit of fortune.

As Chen Yi reflected on everything that had transpired that evening, he found himself puzzled. "When did Chen Yunfan study martial arts? How is he so powerful?"

After a moment of recollection, he found no relevant memories in his mind. Thus, he could only conclude that either Chen Yunfan had studied martial arts during the past five years while imprisoned in his original body, or he had been cultivating in secret since childhood, which might account for his current level.

Regardless, he could easily deduce that the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture was far more mysterious than he had previously understood. A mere glimpse or a peek into the general situation would suffice. After all, a family heir who had inherited martial arts for centuries could only have done so through family arrangements.

"The Chen family of Jiangnan, the Cui family of Qinghe..."

After muttering these names a few times, Chen Yi suddenly recalled the conversation he'd overheard in the tavern. Not only was Chen Yunfan shrouded in mystery, but his attendant, Xiao Chunying, also seemed no ordinary woman.

"White Robe Mountain Villa—some kind of person from the Jianghu?"

Chen Yi glanced out at the rain and wind, shaking his head to himself. For now, he knew so little, he could only temporarily suppress these questions, hoping to find enough clues later.

In that case, Chen Yi's spirit settled, and he rose, removing the rain-soaked black robe he wore, washing away his disguise, and went to wash up. At least his gains for the evening were decent.

The "Four Symbols Technique" had advanced to the Earth level, sufficient to support his cultivation up to the middle three tiers. Another fortunate turn of fate could elevate another layer to the Great Completion stage. Additionally, he had tracked down the traces of the Liu family of Jingzhou, the Liu family of Shu, and the Illusion Sound Sect—evil cults. As long as the Xiao family seized the opportunity, they could resolve the Medical Pavilion crisis using the clues Chen Yi had uncovered.

As for whether the Patriarch would intervene...

He could not know that yet.

After washing up, Chen Yi changed into a fresh set of clothes and went to the window to look outside. In the intervals of closing and opening the "Xuanwu Suppressing Secret," he knew the situation within the Spring Lotus Garden intimately.

No abnormality.

Chen Yi set his mind at ease, sat on the bed, and began cultivating the "Four Symbols Technique."

After his battle with Liu Si and his companions, he had a clear understanding of his own strength—he should be capable of matching a seventh-tier martial artist whose techniques had yet to enter the Dao.

Two months of such progress in cultivation was, of course, fast. But compared to the martial artists he had witnessed that night—Zhou Tingyun and Jia Lao the Demon—he still felt his martial arts were lacking.

"Cultivate, cultivate... cultivate!"

He was only a few steps away from the seventh tier, needing only to open the Ren and Du meridians. It was estimated that in a few more days, he would achieve it.

Once he elevated his bullet and fist techniques to the Great Completion stage, wielding the "Fallen Dragon Spear Technique" and "Shattered Peak Fist," he should be able to match a sixth-tier martial artist.

To say it not, he was indeed full of promise.

……The hour ofzi had just passed, and the dense, fine rain still fell.

Yet the Xiao family’s manor was once again ablaze with light.

News of the events at Bai Caotang had not only stirred the officials of Shuzhou Prefecture, the execution bureau, and the city garrison, but also rattled the Xiao household to its core.

Xiao Xuanhuang hurried back, racing straight to Qingding Residence.

Patriarch Xiao Wang and Young Master Xiao Shen arrived in quick succession, as though to confer through the night about this matter.

In the meantime, scholars from the Xiao household, along with officials from the Shuzhou city garrison and the execution bureau, came to pay their respects to the old patriarch.

Even Xiao Wulan, who had just fallen asleep, was jolted awake by the sudden arrival of Shen Huatan.

Without hesitating, Xiao Wulan smoothed her robes and asked, “Has someone from the Hall of Illusory Sounds been captured?”

Shen Huatan nodded, then shook her head. “Tonight, six people came from the Hall of Illusory Sounds. My elder sister slew four of them, and there was one more…”

She paused, then corrected herself. “No, actually, six escaped.”

Among those six, one was the sorcerer Jia Lao of the Hall of Illusory Sounds.

Yet Shen Huatan had not yet returned, presumably still in pursuit of him.

The second was the hooded man who had wounded Liu Si’er and the others.

The remaining four were several martial experts of considerable strength.

Shen Huatan regretted not following them more closely, for she might have captured at least one or two.

After reporting this, she continued, “Young Master Xiao took several of these martial experts, and now they are being held in the prison for interrogation.”

Xiao Wulan knew she spoke of Xiao Xuanhuang, and inquired, “Has their mastermind been uncovered?”

Shen Huatan shook her head. “Further waiting is required for the results of their interrogation.”

Xiao Wulan pondered this, then bowed lightly. “As long as Bai Caotang remains unharmed, that is all that matters.”

These days, the Xiao family’s apothecaries had begun to prosper, sparing her worry about the monthly allowance from the prefect’s office.

She most dreaded the day when trouble struck at Bai Caotang.

As long as their current situation held, and with the silver Wang Ji had sent, the Xiao family could last through the year—and perhaps even have surplus to send to her younger sister, to support the “Mutual Market.”

Xiao Wulan adjusted the heavy robe over her shoulders. “You’ve had a long day. Rest first, and we’ll discuss anything tomorrow.”

“Nothing urgent. Good night.”

Shen Huatan bowed and left the chamber.

Xiao Wulan watched her retire to the adjacent room, then gazed thoughtfully out the window at the falling rain.

Though the old patriarch had spoken vaguely, she knew the medicinal herbs had been stolen, and the shadow of some wealthy families in Shuzhou loomed over the incident.

Now that the Hall of Illusory Sounds had emerged, surely the interrogators would uncover the trail leading to their mastermind.

As she pondered these things, a faint smile touched Xiao Wulan’s lips. “At last, this matter has reached a conclusion.”

Tomorrow she would write a letter to her younger sister and relay this good news.

She wondered whether her previous letter, sent to her through her husband, had already reached her.

Counting the days, her reply should have arrived by now.

Xiao Wulan glanced out at the raindrops, then turned her gaze to the garden of spring herbs. Her smile faded slowly.

“Tomorrow, perhaps my husband should write a letter and send it as well…”

(End of chapter)