Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

”Since the Wu Family is sponsoring you, I’ll naturally be there for something so critical to your Martial Arts future,” Wu Ziyu said seriously.

”If you perform exceptionally well then, there’s a chance the Wu Family will increase its sponsorship.”

”That’s wonderful.”

A flicker of light shone in Xiao Yi’s eyes as he spoke, full of confidence.

”With the Treasure Fish, herbal decoctions, and silver taels your family is currently providing, I guarantee I’ll be able to form my third pillar of Blood Qi before the Middle Courtyard assessment next month!”

”Well then, we’ll be watching your performance.”

Wu Ziyu gave a faint smile. Besides anticipation, her eyes held an almost imperceptible, peculiar glint.

...

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

Chen Cheng’s life was once again stretched as taut as a bowstring.

He practiced Endless Moon Breath and Health Tai Chi in his room before dawn. In the afternoons, he would unfailingly go to the trading company to spar with Elder Wen, accumulating real combat experience. After dinner, he would practice Hidden Dragon Fist late into the night, only to practice Health Tai Chi again in the pre-dawn hours.

Fueled by a mountain of resources—Treasure Snake Dried Meat, Five Dragon Soup, water boiled with Blood-Nourishing Grass, and Deer Meat Medicinal Cuisine—he slept only about four hours a day. The rest of his time was spent in ceaseless activity.

Additionally, every day or two, he would find time to conduct some surveillance.

He had been to Zhang Gu’s home three times; the old man had dutifully started his job at the Fuchang Trading Company and showed no signs of unusual activity.

He had visited the Fuchang Trading Company nine times, getting a good grasp of the surrounding area. He now knew the names, appearances, duties, and residences of several key figures.

For half a month, he hadn’t slacked off for a single moment. The bowstring had been silently drawn taut.

On this day, the sky had not yet lightened.

Chen Cheng had been training in the courtyard for a long time, the occasional sound of a night-watchman’s clapper echoing in the distance.

[Hidden Dragon Fist]: Minor Achievement (666/1000), Trait (Penetrating Armor)

As he slowly completed his final set of Hidden Dragon Fist, the third pillar of Blood Qi formed within his Dantian!

This time, his body had no violent reaction.

The Blood Qi seemed to well up from an overflowing spring, condensing and materializing naturally. It was just as solid and powerful as the others, glowing like a stick of incense.

Chen Cheng focused his perception, feeling as though an unbreakable stone pillar had been wedged into his Dantian, silently propping something up from within.

”Hoooo—”

He slowly exhaled a long, hot breath, which condensed into a straight white plume in the early winter wind.

He then practiced Hidden Dragon Fist a while longer to solidify his new state.

He only stopped and returned to his room when the sky turned a hazy gray and more disciples began to fill the courtyard.

Inside his room, the Five Dragon Soup on the small brazier was bubbling away, though the decoction itself had grown quite thin.

Over the past half-month, Chen Cheng had repeatedly boiled each of the five doses of Five Dragon Soup from Shen Mi for three days straight, only discarding the dregs when the herbal decoction became as thin as water.

Once he drank this last bowl today, that particular resource would be completely exhausted.

Fortunately, he still had some Blood-Nourishing Grass and Treasure Snake Dried Meat left. Since he had barely touched his silver taels and Golden Blade Coins recently, he wouldn’t have to worry about cultivation resources for the time being.

What truly worried Chen Cheng were the rumors that had been circulating outside for the past few days.

First, men from the Southern Three Guards Patrol Office were tearing up Zhao Chuan’s neighborhood. He heard that every possible hiding spot had been pried open and searched; they had even dug up the alleyway floors.

Later, even the General’s Imperial Guard got involved, taking in anyone with the slightest connection to Zhao Chuan for questioning.

The strange part was, some people who were taken away were never seen again. As for those who did return, within two or three days they would either collapse in an alley or turn up dead in their homes. The Patrol Office ruled every case a sudden death from illness, but each rumor was more sinister than the last.

Second, many people buying old books and pamphlets had suddenly appeared in the South Outer City over the past few days. At first, they just called out their offers in the streets, and the prices were fairly reasonable.

But gradually, in every street and alley where these people had stopped to inquire, a household would inevitably be burglarized. It didn’t matter if it was a decent brick house or a drafty slum shack—the place would be turned completely upside down, not even a mouse hole spared.

Chen Cheng knew exactly what these people were after and had long been preparing for the day they would come for him.

The wooden box that held the Treasure Snake Dried Meat had long since been smashed and used as firewood. The Poisonous Thorn was hidden in a random corner of the slums, a place with no connection to him.

As for the most critical item, the Red Moon Original Vow Scripture, he hadn’t moved it yet.

He was waiting for the right moment, weighing the pros and cons...

’Should I have this damned thing appear at the Fuchang Trading Company Master’s home? Or under Xiao Yi’s pillow?’

’Or maybe...’

Watching the embers in the small brazier, which were about to die out but hadn’t yet, Chen Cheng smiled thoughtfully.

’Split it between them?’

”Senior Brother Chen, are you up? Let’s go get breakfast!”

Qian Baolu’s voice came from outside.

The guy had returned a few days ago. He was the one who had told Chen Cheng most of what was happening outside the Martial Arts Hall; as always, he was remarkably well-informed.

After finding out that Chen Cheng had already formed his second pillar of Blood Qi, he had naturally started addressing him as ”Senior Brother.”

”Let’s go.”

Chen Cheng called back as he came out. After locking his door, they headed to the dining hall together.

Before eating, Chen Cheng went to greet Shi Lei, as was his custom.

Shi Lei had been in the Middle Courtyard for ten days. After signing a Death Oath Contract, he had become a White Disciple and now had to do menial chores every day.

Chen Cheng had offered to lend him the money to nullify the Death Oath Contract, but Shi Lei had flatly refused.

His exact words were that there was an old saying: ”Help the desperate, not the destitute.” He wasn’t just short the ten taels of silver to nullify the Death Oath Contract; he was also short the five taels for the monthly gift. Even if Chen Cheng were willing to lend it, he wouldn’t feel right about it. To achieve a clear and unburdened mind, the only person he could rely on was himself!

When Shi Lei said this, Chen Cheng had deeply agreed and even asked who had taught him to pursue such mental clarity.

He only referred to the person as ”teacher” without revealing their identity. Chen Cheng figured the person probably didn’t want to be known, so he didn’t press the matter.

After breakfast.

Chen Cheng returned to his room, rested briefly, and then began to alternate his practice between Health Tai Chi and Endless Moon Breath.

[Endless Moon Breath]: Minor Achievement (0/1000), Trait (Hidden Mechanism), Limit-Breaking (No)

[Hidden Mechanism: Conceals a portion of your life force, preventing outsiders from easily discerning your strengths and weaknesses.]

”Success!”

As the information on the panel beneath the Vertical Eye Mark flashed and changed, Chen Cheng’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Now that this Evil Technique had reached Minor Achievement, its concealment effect would be even better.

’As for the newly unlocked trait...’

’Preventing outsiders from easily discerning your strengths and weaknesses... Does this mean that the next time someone tries to read my bones, they won’t be able to see right through me?’

After a moment of silent contemplation, Chen Cheng refocused his mind and began practicing Health Tai Chi again.

After he completed a set, the panel information silently updated.

[Health Tai Chi]: Great Success (0/3000), Traits (Nourishing Life, Harmony), Limit-Breaking (No)

——