Chapter 121: Breakthrough!

Chapter 121: Breakthrough!

Sent by the esteemed Miss Xiao, Chen Yi had intended to remain within the confines of the mansion, yet found himself compelled to venture forth to the Western Market’s Bai Caotang.

At that hour, the mansion teemed with few scholars and even fewer carriages, all dispatched outward on errands.

Thus, Chen Yi dismissed his attendants, stepping beyond the Xiao estate under the blazing sun.

Three days of relentless rain had ceased, and the land of Shu resumed its sweltering summer heat.

Before the cock’s crow, the sunlight was already scorching, searing skin and fabric alike.

Passersby—especially the daughters of noble families and young lords—trod carefully, their parasols fluttering, while even wandering warriors donned headscarves against the glare.

Compared to them, Chen Yi, unadorned and unencumbered, stood apart like an oddity, his steps slow and unhurried.

Sweat glistened faintly upon his brow.

With the martial arts techniques at his side, he could feign normalcy, donning the Xuanwu Constriction Technique to endure winter’s chill and summer’s heat, cultivating tranquility.

Yet to better his disguise, he allowed a trace of perspiration to escape.

Half an hour later, Chen Yi arrived at Bai Caotang.

Gazing upon the lengthy queue outside, a smile tugged at his lips.

It seemed that, post-tribulations, the shop’s fortunes had not merely recovered but flourished anew.

Beyond the patrons purchasing herbs and tea, he observed the guards stationed at the entrance—dressed in black robes emblazoned with the shop’s name, blades at their waists, likely hired swords from the martial world by Wang Ji.

He cast another glance, then dismissed them.

They were but third- or fourth-rank warriors. Adequate for defense, yet when confronted by the malign forces of Huan Yin Sect, they’d prove no match.

Following the crowd, Chen Yi entered the shop.

There, in the rear of the counter, Yan Hai perspired profusely, tending to his duties.

Chen Yi’s heart lightened; he need not labor himself, lest he find no time to spare.

After greeting him, he proceeded inward.

From afar, the rhythmic clatter of counting beads reached his ears—a sharp, staccato sound like hailstones striking the earth.

Chen Yi surveyed the premises, finding Wang Ji bent over ledgers in the back room, undisturbed.

After a whiff of incense’s worth of time passed, Wang Ji noticed him and hastened over.

“Master Chen—Forgive my negligence! I was too engrossed to notice your arrival.”

Chen Yi gestured upward, and he was led to a secluded tea chamber.

The doors and windows were sealed tight, muffling sound perfectly.

Even Chen Yi, suppressing his technique, could only catch the faint murmur of patrons below.

Wang Ji had clearly invested much in its acoustics.

As Wang Ji prepared to offer another apology, Chen Yi waved him off.

“Bai Caotang’s prosperity is welcome. Sit—let us speak plainly.”

Wang Ji bowed deeply, settling opposite him with utmost propriety.

Since the Huan Yin Sect incident, his reverence for Chen Yi had only deepened.

Had it not been for Chen Yi’s prior counsel and guidance, he might have perished under Xiao’s punishment for the illicit funds from the charity pharmacy—or worse, fallen to the sect’s malevolent grasp.

How, then, could he now stand as Shu’s most prosperous Bai Caotang proprietor?

A man of stature knows gratitude; a man of worth cherishes it.

Wang Ji thought this, acted thus, yearning only to serve Chen Yi faithfully.

“Master, your intent today?”

“It is this: to inform you of arrangements forthcoming.”

Chen Yi poured tea, speaking casually.

“Miss Xiao wished to see you, so I came to report.”

“Ah?”

Wang Ji, quick-witted, leaned in.

“Miss Xiao desires an audience with the proprietor?”

“Indeed.”

Chen Yi lifted the cup, sipping slowly.

“Then we shall meet.”

On the path, he had already mused: if meeting was the aim, then when, where, and how—all would be settled.

He must devise a method, a face unblemished by suspicion.

“Find a practitioner skilled in disguise—hire one, if need be. Spend as much silver as necessary.”

Wang Ji grasped the meaning.

“The guards we hired were old hands—they likely know someone.”

Chen Yi nodded, finishing his tea.

“Tell me of the Huan Yin Sect’s assault.”

He had witnessed it from afar in the tavern, unaware of Bai Caotang’s internal affairs.

Wang Ji refilled the tea, recounting the night’s events in meticulous detail, interspersed with trembling asides.

Chen Yi listened, his focus shifting to the aftermath:

The magistrate’s men arrived, seeking to apprehend those Xiao’s tribunal had detained.

Xiao Huangqiao and kin refused, their forces nearly clashing.

Only when Minister Liu personally intervened, endorsing Xiao’s claim, did the tension ease.

Chen Yi mused, “Thus, the judicial bureau acted under coercion, seeking to erase all traces?”

Wang Ji frowned. “That was my thought. The magistrate’s men were fierce, their demeanor strange.”

“Without Lord Xiao and Mistress Shen’s presence, I fear I’d have been seized too.”

Chen Yi smiled. “A dire fate, yet fortune smiles upon the righteous.”

“By your grace, I speak truly.”

“You take me too seriously. Trust me not—burn incense at a temple instead.”

“I shall do so tomorrow.”

“—”

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head, "I think you'd be safer if you spent a fortune to summon two powerful martial artists."

Wang Ji naturally agreed, "After this incident, the younger brother has already sent someone to inquire about the tooth doctor; I imagine there will be results soon."

"That's best. These days, the Bai Caotang is thriving, and I still have you expanding the Bai Caotang across the entire Dai Wei dynasty."

"Um—"

Chen Yi asked with a faint smile, "Do you lack confidence, or lack ability?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Ji broke into sweat on the spot, hastily stood up and bowed:

"Your Excellency's command, the younger brother will surely risk life and limb without hesitation!"

Though he was anxious in his heart, he indeed lacked much confidence and felt his abilities were deficient. Yet, giving up such an opportunity, he was somewhat reluctant.

After stumbling through life, he had finally, after long waiting, been granted such a chance—he absolutely could not afford to miss it.

Seeing his nervousness, Chen Yi smiled and comforted him a few words, saying he should first manage the Bai Caotang well.

As for subsequent developments, they would eventually need time and wait for a suitable moment.

After a bit of idle chat,

Chen Yi let Wang Ji first go downstairs to attend to matters, and he himself remained alone in this quiet chamber, intending to return later.

To avoid being sent anywhere by the Xiao family.

This is one of the skills every mule possesses—busy while stealing leisure.

With nothing to do.

Chen Yi sat cross-legged in front of the tea table, practicing the Four Symbols Technique.

Today's arrangements had sent Xiao Diao and others out, and he himself had also harbored thoughts of practicing in the Spring Lotus Garden, hoping for breakthrough.

Of course, changing locations to the Bai Caotang could also work.

Soon, Chen Yi's spirit grew calm.

The true qi within the two great energy seas began to cautiously explore the Ren and Du meridians, attempting to unblock the channels.

Following the esoteric instructions of the martial body, once the Ren and Du meridians were unblocked, his cultivation would break through to the eighth level.

At that point, the Four Symbols Technique could also undergo minor adjustments, making his cultivation faster.

As the technique flowed,

Unwittingly, the last segment of the blocked meridian in the Ren and Du slowly opened, until the final layer of membrane.

Chen Yi sensed this, his heart subtly stirred, and he summoned all the true qi from the two great energy seas, exhaling a mighty breath and pushing forward.

Boom!

A sound like an explosion instantly echoed in his mind, plunging his spirit into chaos.

But only for a moment, he quickly regained clarity, and a line of characters floated before his eyes.

[Successfully cultivated the Four Symbols Technique, cultivation breakthrough achieved: Seventh Level—Lower]

Chen Yi felt a great relief in his heart, and continued operating the Four Symbols Technique, guiding the true qi along the new pathways.

After a while, he gradually concluded his practice, stood up, and stretched.

A series of popping sounds echoed from his body; he felt his body and mind light and buoyant, with the flow of true qi becoming much smoother.

He clenched his fists and smiled: "Congratulations, you've achieved the seventh level of martial arts."

He looked outside and saw the sky had darkened, realizing much time had passed.

He didn't linger any longer.

Chen Yi called for Wang Ji, preparing to return to the Xiao family.

Just then, Wang Ji smiled and said, "Sir, you know what's funny? When you asked me to find some martial arts masters this noon, they've already arrived this afternoon."

"Oh?

"Your convenience to pay them a visit?"

Chen Yi thought for a moment and nodded: "I'll take a look."

Who would have thought that upon arriving at the downstairs ledger room with Wang Ji, he saw the figure seated on a chair, and couldn't help but blinked in surprise.

Dao Liang, Liu Lang?

(Chapter Complete)