Chapter 102: Chapter 93: Genius
Inside the grand hall of Medicine King Hall, people were coming and going, purchasing medicine, pills, and wound-healing drugs.
Jiang Shaoyou's announcement that he had reached the Inner Qi Realm captured everyone's attention, primarily because of the latter part of his statement.
Being under twenty years old and in the Inner Qi Realm was a selection criterion for the martial examination.
If one passed, they became a Martial Student, also considered a Military Scholar. From then on, they were no longer commoners but nobles with the status and merit of a Scholar.
Do not be fooled by the many wealthy and powerful families in the city; wealth does not equate to nobility.
No matter how rich, one must still bow when meeting the County Magistrate, the Assistant Magistrate, and the Magisterial Prefect.
But having merit is different.
Scholars who pass the civil examinations are exempt from taxes on a hundred acres of land and can speak to seventh-rank officials without kneeling.
For Martial Artists, becoming a Martial Student suffices.
More importantly, due to the principle that 'the poor excel in scholarship and the rich in martial arts,' Martial Artists had higher tax exemptions. A Military Scholar, for instance, was exempt from ten thousand taels of taxes each year.
Although Jiang Shaoyou had merely qualified to participate in the martial examination, this qualification alone made him one in ten thousand among the hundred thousand households and several hundred thousand people in Baojiao County.
Just as everyone was remarking that Tongwen House would continue to produce noble Scholars in this generation, Chen Ku's simple 'also,' voiced aloud by Jiang Shaoyou, seemed not so simple anymore.
"Junior Brother Chen? You said 'also'..." Jiang Shaoyou paused, his eyes filling with disbelief. "Don't tell me, you too... have reached Inner Qi?"
Chen Ku smiled and nodded, saying, "Coincidentally, I also had a Qi Sensation today, just stepping into..."
"No way!" Jiang Shaoyou felt a bit dizzy. "You just received the Qigong Cultivation Technique from the two grandmasters the day before yesterday, and now... you've had a Qi Sensation?"
What kind of genius and talent was this?
He himself had been stuck at the hurdle of Unity of Intent and Force, unable to generate Inner Qi due to a bottleneck. That was why his family had paid a significant price for him to come to Medicine King Hall to learn the Fundamental Diagram of the Five Beasts Great Strength Technique, the best foundation-building method in Baojiao County.
All of this, including his family's Qigong Cultivation Technique, had taken him at least half a year to finally achieve Inner Qi today.
And Chen Ku... had done it hundreds of times faster.
Instantly, everyone in Medicine King Hall was astounded.
「When the news reached the ears of several grandmasters in the back courtyards,」 Shang Yunfang's face was full of disbelief.
Yang Luochen burst into hearty laughter. "Truly deserving of being my disciple, Yang Luochen! Such a talent... damn impressive!"
Although Yang Shaoqi was also so shocked he dropped his cleaning rag, listening to his master's shameless words made him mutter to himself: What does it have to do with you? Wasn't I the one accompanying Junior Brother in his practice? You only transmitted an Incantation and didn't even teach for two days. Junior Brother has strong talent; he had a Qi Sensation without your teaching or guidance, and yet you're boasting.
「In several smaller courtyards further back,」 the expressions of the three Shopkeepers also varied; there was surprise, silence, and complexity.
Cao Shouxiong, in his own courtyard, looked at his thirty-year-old disciple and said, "You, Elder Nong's disciple Huo Xiaoxia, Second Shopkeeper's disciple Zhang Renfeng, and the Store Manager's heir Kou Ming, really just have a few more years of life, a few more years of practice, and a bit more experience than him. Give him time; in your generation, he will undoubtedly be the most revered."
Across from him, a thirty-year-old man with a mustache on his upper lip fell silent.
「Back in the grand hall,」 Jiang Shaoyou, after regaining his composure, said to Chen Ku, "I had no idea we martial brothers would break through on the same day! In that case, you absolutely must come. It's practically a rule in our circle: whoever has good news must host a banquet, taking the opportunity for everyone to gather. Today is a day for double celebration!"
Chen Ku, recalling his last visit to this circle, knew that although there had been some hiccups, it had eventually brought him many benefits.
The bait mice he had acquired were now hoarded, their price increasing daily.
Especially since the Peace Path incident of raiding the execution ground, after which they were labeled a cult, the black market bounty for bait mice had shot up to four hundred taels each.
"Alright. I'll go look at the courtyard first, and I'll definitely be there tonight. Since it's the rule, let's consider it as both of us, Senior Brother and I, co-hosting and treating the other young masters and ladies," Chen Ku said with a smile.
"Of course! Today, you're definitely one of the hosts for this great occasion! We're both the main characters on stage today," Jiang Shaoyou replied. He then added, "Well, Older Brother will go get things ready. See you tonight."
Chen Ku bowed in farewell.
"Congratulations, Store Manager!" Wu Gui finally got a chance to speak, his face full of excitement. "The Inner Qi Realm! In Baojiao County, that already puts you among the ranks of masters."
Force Transforming, in Baojiao County, isn't even considered a master's level.
It isn't even acknowledged as a true Realm for a Martial Practitioner.
Only by generating Inner Qi does one truly enter the Martial Realm and qualify as a master.
"When you go back today, hand out red envelopes to all the staff. You'll get one too," Chen Ku said, wanting to share the joy with his shop's employees. He then added, "But let's not talk about this for now. Take me to see the courtyard."
"Sure, right away!"
「Before long,」 Chen Ku and Wu Gui arrived at a courtyard on West Grand Street in the Inner City. It was close to both Medicine King Hall and his brother-in-law's home in Tongluo Lane.
Chen Ku went in to take a look. It was a two-entry quadrangle courtyard covering about three hundred-plus square meters. The courtyard had a well, a flower garden, and a screen wall. The rear courtyard housed the women's quarters, furnished with exquisite pieces, including dressing tables and screens. The outer courtyard was large, planted with flowers, grass, and trees, making it a convenient place for him to practice his martial arts.
He liked it.
Next was negotiating the price, which he left to Wu Gui. Wu Gui finally managed to reduce the price by Three Hundred Taels, closing the deal at two thousand two hundred taels of silver. The furniture was included, so it was ready for immediate move-in.
Chapter 103: Chapter 93: Genius_2
Chen Ku took the deeds to the house and land and said to Wu Gui, "Next, I'll need to trouble you once more. Please find me a cook, two maids—one to take care of the child and another for the elderly—as well as four Long-term Workers. Once they are hired, I can go to the countryside to bring my mother and the others here."
"Rest assured, Shopkeeper; I'll handle this matter."
Wu Gui agreed.
Chen Ku returned to Medicine King Hall. Today he visited Butcher Court, but there were no Demons to slaughter.
Shang Yunfang had prepared his exclamations for half the day. Achieving Inner Qi in just two or three days, such talent...
If it were not for the fact that he had no initiation technique, he'd almost wish to transfer all his Skill directly to Chen Ku.
Chen Ku accepted the compliments, then paid his respects to Shang Yunfang before he began practicing his knife techniques and footwork.
「Soon, evening arrived.」
...
Fragrance Pavilion was still adorned with familiar high-hanging lanterns, festooned with lights, resembling the festivities of New Year's celebration, with all visitors either wealthy or noble. But unlike last time, this time, Chen Ku, adorned in Medicine King Hall's embroidered satin robe, didn't need to announce his arrival. The protectors at the entrance of Fragrance Pavilion immediately bowed obsequiously, "Shopkeeper Chen has arrived, please come in! Quick, please!"
As Chen Ku entered, he asked, "Who has already arrived inside?"
"Young Master Jiang and Official Chai came early, also Scholar Zhang, Langui Fang's Young Master Zhou, the Registrar from the county government office's Miss Wang... You are the sixth to arrive."
Chen Ku nodded and casually tossed some Small Change of Silver to the man, saying, "Understood, I'll make my own way there."
Before he even reached the private room's entrance, the others inside heard his approach and came out to meet him.
Chai Tiangui was the first to surge forward, with a bright and friendly smile, promptly offering his congratulations, "Brother Chen, Brother Chen, what sort of Jiao Long are you that you have such good fortune every day? Just a few days ago, you were accepted as a Disciple by two grand masters, and moreover as a Direct Disciple of Master Yang... And now, in just two or three days, you've broken through to Inner Qi! It's also the same day as Brother Jiang's good news; truly, joy upon joy!"
Facing this major sponsor, Chen Ku stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting, "Official Chai, congratulations to us both."
Chai Tiangui asked kindly, "I heard you were finding a house for your family..."
Chen Ku quickly replied, "I've already purchased it."
He truly feared that the man would present him another mansion, and such favors, accumulating one after the other, would become overwhelmingly great.
Chai Tiangui revealed a hint of regret upon hearing this.
Ever since the news of Yang Luochen taking Chen Ku as his Disciple broke, he knew that any future association with Chen Ku, and any gold or Silver he spent, would be an investment that wouldn't incur a loss. Moreover, today another explosive chip had been added. Having attained Inner Qi just three to four days after receiving the Cultivation Technique, such a person was bound to become Baojiao County's figurehead; nothing could make him doubt that.
"Come, sit down, sit down, this meal is on me." Since today brings Chen Ku's good news, and his status is no longer what it once was, it's only right that I pay for this meal; I can't let others...
"Younger brother, I was just saying the same thing, but... Official Chai had already taken care of the bill for today," said Jiang Shaoyou with a laugh, signaling an inescapable generosity, "He didn't even give us a chance to spend a penny."
"What are you talking about? This is my, Chai Tiangui's, stronghold! Is there any chance for others to treat guests here?"
Laughter rang out among the seven individuals.
Soon, the last three guests arrived; they were the same three people from last time who held the highest status.
Leading them was Sui Qingfang, the daughter of a Counselor, followed by Qi Renwang, the son of County Magistrate Qi, and lastly, a Military Scholar from the previous year named Zhou Bing.
Scholar Zhang stood up, intending to let Sui Qingfang take the head seat again. But unexpectedly, Sui Qingfang, looking at Chen Ku with her clear voice and a gentle, courteous expression, said, "Last time, since I had broken through to Inner Qi, I took the main seat. This time, since it's the good fortune of Brother Chen and Brother Jiang, naturally, they should be the ones sitting there."
"That's correct." Chai Tiangui then rose and invited Chen Ku and Jiang Shaoyou to the center seats.
Chen Ku didn't decline, though he was somewhat dazed.
He remembered the last time he had sat at a separate table, merely listening to the conversations of these young masters and misses of nobility. He hadn't expected that, in such a short period, he would not only move to this table but also take a primary seat. Once seated, their conversations became his own.
Unlike last time, Chen Ku now had considerably more experience, particularly concerning the Demon People of Taiping Path, so he engaged in some of these discussions.
And unlike before, when he might sit for half a day without anyone speaking to him, this time, whenever he wanted to rest for a bit or have something to eat, someone would take the initiative to start a conversation with him.
It was Sui Qingfang.
"Brother Chen, how old are you this year?" Sui Qingfang asked curiously, blinking.
"I was born in the summer; after the New Year, I'll be eighteen by nominal age," Chen Ku replied. He was referring to the age of this body.
"Chen... you're only seventeen? So young."
Sui Qingfang's beautiful eyes widened slightly in surprise. "At seventeen, you already have the Root Bone of the Irresistible Power of Four Elephants and have achieved Inner Qi. It seems that at next spring's martial examination, Chen Ku, you are set to distinguish yourself greatly."
"Hm? 'Distinguish himself greatly'?" Chai Tiangui interjected. He wiped his mouth with a silk handkerchief and then boasted about Chen Ku, "A seventeen-year-old with Inner Qi and the innate Four Symbols Power! By then, he will absolutely dominate his peers, right? It's safe to say that among next year's Military Scholar spots, one is definitely reserved for Chen Ku, without a doubt."
However, Sui Qingfang then spoke seriously, "You don't realize, next spring's martial examination is going to be quite unusual. Many geniuses who are not from Baojiao County will be coming to participate."
Chen Ku was distinctly surprised. What does it mean that people not from Baojiao County are coming?
Jiang Shaoyou also looked towards Sui Qingfang with concern. His happiness from attaining Inner Qi was precisely for the purpose of becoming a Military Scholar...
Chapter 104: Chapter 93 Genius_3
How so? Now that Sui Qingfang mentioned it, it seemed that even those with the Root Bone and talent of Chen Ku merely... stood out?
"Miss Sui, is there any hidden story behind this?" Jiang Shaoyou asked, frowning.
Sui Qingfang took a deep breath, her exhale like a soft sigh, and said, "Actually, the principle is quite simple; you just need to think about it, and you'll understand. I do have some inside information, which is...
The Grandmaster Jin Chui we talked about during our last gathering is almost certain to come.
But it's precisely because of this, do you understand?"
Half of the people had puzzled expressions on their faces.
Chen Ku seemed to have realized something and said, "Last time, you mentioned that Grandmaster Jin Chui, Qin Yuxian, is the President of the thirty-six Martial Associations of Qiu Dragon Mansion and can be considered the leading figure of the Qiu Dragon White Path on the surface... So, if he is to oversee the examination, Miss Sui wants to gain his favor... But from this, it can also be concluded... that all the young people in Qiu Dragon Mansion are thinking the same, aren't they?"
"Exactly, Chen Ku, you are very smart."
Sui Qingfang said calmly, "The 'Qiu Dragon Martial Meeting,' founded by Master Qin Yu, has united various heroes from all walks of life for over thirty years. He is the indisputable foremost figure of the Qiu Dragon White Path. He is also admired by everyone in the Mansion who practices Martial Arts. He is revered for his high moral virtue. Beyond that, he himself possesses World-Surpassing Martial Arts skills and is known to greatly appreciate young talents... Whoever can receive a tip or two from him will benefit for a lifetime... Not to mention how many young people in Qiu Dragon Mansion dream of becoming his disciples."
"Just from what I know, next spring, young outstanding talents from the eighteen major forces of Baojiao County alone will come to participate in the 'Military Scholar' examination. That's not even counting the prodigies from the other various counties."
After hearing what Sui Qingfang had said, Jiang Shaoyou felt a bit dizzy. He asked, "If that's the case, won't next spring's martial examination essentially become the equivalent of a 'Prefectural Examination'? Countless geniuses from an entire Prefecture competing in a single county for just twenty Elementary Scholar positions?"
He suddenly felt as if the path ahead was turning dark.
For a while, the atmosphere around the table felt somewhat oppressive.
Chen Ku also looked grave.
Wasn't this just like a regular county-level college entrance exam, only for all the top students from the city's key high schools to suddenly decide to join in the fun?
If you're a top student in the county, a high-achiever, can you still expect to dominate everyone in the much larger city?
Talent emerges from the population base.
The larger the territory, the greater the potential pool of talent.
"Well, this is the information I wanted to provide for you both this time. I have a list here of the young outstanding individuals from the eighteen major powers, along with some basic Jianghu intelligence, which I can give to Chen Ku and Shaoyou."
Sui Qingfang took out two small booklets. This was, in essence, a way to study their opponents in advance.
Chen Ku randomly opened one and looked.
The top-ranked person was the foremost young expert of the Hongwu Meeting of Qiu Dragon Mansion, known as 'Red Stick' Pei Qingzhi. He was only sixteen years old yet capable of wielding two five-thousand-jin White Tiger Bright Silver Hammers. Despite his youth, he had already forced some of Qiu Dragon's older generation figures to kneel and beg for mercy, making them tremble at the mere mention of his name.
The second-ranked was a Sword Dao True Seedling named Dugu Wuer from Dugu Fort. Hailed as a savior born to the Dugu Family after three hundred years, he carried a Sword Box on his back, said to contain nine Divine Swords.
He looked further down the list.
...
There were eighteen names in total.
Every one of them seems like a protagonist archetype, don't they?
As Chen Ku reviewed the descriptions in these profiles, just a few words were enough to make him feel that each one fit the mold of a protagonist from a story about geniuses.
"This world truly has an endless supply of geniuses," Chen Ku sighed.
It wasn't just Chen Ku who felt a sense of awe; although the others had different emotions, their underlying thoughts were largely the same.
In the end, the banquet concluded in a somewhat somber atmosphere.
"Chen Ku, Jiang Shaoyou."
Before the feast disbanded and they headed home, Sui Qingfang said to the two of them at the door, "I hope that next spring, all three of us can secure good rankings. Even if we can't, we must give it our all and make our efforts worthwhile."
"Yes, thank you for your words, Miss Sui. We'll encourage each other."
"Farewell."
"Let's meet up again sometime."
Jiang Shaoyou had drunk a bit too much and was escorted home by his family's servants.
Chen Ku, however, didn't feel quite so overwhelmed. It was currently November, and the martial examinations wouldn't be held until next spring, likely in February or March.
This left him at least four months to continue refining his skills.
HAAH.
It was November, and the journey home was a bit cold; his breath plumed white in the air. No snow had fallen yet... it was just a dry, biting cold.
「The next day, Wu Gui notified him that the cook, maids, and long-term workers had all been hired.」
After informing his two masters, Chen Ku rode a horse out of the city. Less than half a day later, he returned to Dachen Village in Snake Fish Town.
From afar, the village women and children started shouting.
"Look! A rich young master on a big horse, wearing fancy clothes, has come to the village entrance!"
"He's so extravagant! Hurry, come and see!"
But when they reached the village entrance, they all exclaimed in surprise.
"Isn't that Brother Chen Ku?"
"What's he wearing? Good heavens! Silk and satin, with embroidery... Even Guo Xiangshen has never worn clothes this fine!"
Guo Xiangshen and the village chief, having heard the news, had rushed over.
"Chen Brothers! Chen Brothers! I heard you opened a mine and had Jiyang go manage it for you? And that you've opened a shop in the city! Is it true?" Guo Xiangshen approached, his tobacco pipe forgotten in his hand, his curiosity piqued as he eagerly awaited an answer.
Chen Ku dismounted and, smiling, said, "Yes, there's a little shop, and I'm planning to move my family into the city too."
Chapter 105: Chapter 93 Genius_4
"I'll lead Chen Brothers' horse. You just go on ahead." Zhang Xianmin, whose family ran a brick kiln, volunteered with a broad smile, reaching for the horse's reins.
"No need, no need. Be careful not to get kicked," Chen Ku said hastily.
"It's alright, it's alright! We have a mule at home; I know how to lead one. Don't worry, don't worry, you just go on..." Zhang Xianmin, his face flushed, insisted on taking the reins. He then struck up a conversation, "I heard from my son, when he went to town, that on your opening day, you were taken as a disciple by Old Master Yang Luochen from Baojiao County? And he gave you a robe—is this it?"
Chen Ku keenly felt the subtle pride and sheer pleasure of returning home prosperous.
Zhang Xianmin's behavior was quite common in the village; people did such things so they could later boast about having led the horse for some prominent figure.
Chen Ku was now considered one of the most important figures in Dachen Village.
To speak of his connection brought honor to everyone.
"Yes, yes, it is." Chen Ku felt somewhat overwhelmed. Fortunately, he spotted Zhao Bocai approaching, which allowed him to break away. He went up to him and asked, "Big Brother Zhao, my mother, my sister-in-law, and Hu Zi—are they all well in the village?"
"They're all fine, healthy and strong. When I left home, they were taking Hu Zi to the fields," Zhao Huaicai said cheerfully. "You know those two women in your household? They had leased out all their land, but then they asked for a plot of land back. Now they spend every day tending that vegetable plot. When I asked, they said that next year, all the vegetables, harvest after harvest, are to be sent to you and your sister in the city to eat."
Chen Ku's eyes reddened slightly.
He hurried ahead of the others and arrived home first. Seeing the three figures busy in the vegetable garden, he quietly approached.
His sister-in-law was still digging. Sensing a presence, she subconsciously turned around.
"Ah, brother, you're back!"
"Uncle!"
His mother also turned around in excitement. Seeing it was indeed her son, she exclaimed, "You're back?"
"Yes." Chen Ku nodded. "I'm back."
"It's good you're back, so good you're back." His elderly mother rushed forward, taking her son's hand. Then, she asked carefully, tentatively, "How long are you staying this time?"
His sister-in-law and Hu Zi also listened with bated breath.
Chen Ku gently touched the back of his mother's withered hand, took a deep breath, and announced, "I've bought a house in the city—a very large courtyard. I've come back this time to take you all to live there..."
As he spoke, he looked at Hu Zi, then at his sister-in-law, and finally at his mother. "Mother, our family has money now."
His mother and sister-in-law were stunned by this sudden, enormous change in their lives.
Although Chen Ku had mentioned when he left that he hoped to buy a house in the city someday, and that he wanted Hu Zi to study to become a Scholar, perhaps even the top scholar, it had all happened so quickly.
He had actually bought a large courtyard house in the city already.
His mother hesitated and said, "Son, I heard you started a mine, but your money wasn't easily earned. Buying a house so quickly... you still need to do business. Maybe you should sell that house... keep the money for your business. We're fine living in the countryside."
But Chen Ku shook his head. "There's no need to discuss this further. I am the head of the family, and what I say goes. This New Year, we are moving to the city. It's perfect timing, actually, as my sister and brother-in-law live close by. We can all be together."
Seeing her son so determined, the two women lowered their heads in silent agreement.
"Go home and pack your things. Just take the essentials; everything else is provided there," Chen Ku said when they reached the house.
Suddenly, he noticed his sister-in-law holding some Talisman Paper. His expression changed slightly, and he asked, "Where did these come from?"
"Hu Zi often has stomach problems. A while ago, a traveling Taoist came through the village, offering free medical consultations to every household. He gave us these few Talisman Papers. After Hu Zi drank the talisman water made from them, he improved significantly. We still have these few left and thought we'd continue using them in the city," his sister-in-law said. Sensing the change in Chen Ku's tone, she lowered her head and added, "Then... then we won't take them."
Chen Ku's heart grew heavy. He stepped forward, picked up the Talisman Papers, and sniffed them. He recalled what he had overheard that day...
Snake Fish Town was indeed one of Peace Path's rural strongholds.
However, he offered no explanation to his sister-in-law, merely saying, "You forgot, I'm with the Medicine King Hall. When someone is sick, they should take proper medicine. The origin of this talisman water is unknown. Let's go to Jiao County to get Hu Zi properly examined."
Following Chen Ku's advice, they left many things behind, thinking they could use them if they returned to the countryside for leisure in the future. By evening, he had moved his family into the new courtyard.
In the courtyard, his sister Chen Tian was already cooking with the newly hired chef.
When Chen Tian saw that her brother had brought their mother to the city, she rushed forward. They embraced and cried incessantly, with Chen Tian continuously praising him, "My brother has really made something of himself!"
Later that evening, Li Yuancheng returned.
"Now, only your brother is missing," his sister-in-law said, wiping her tears as she looked at the table laden with food. "I just don't know... if he'll ever return alive."
"Don't worry," Chen Ku assured her. "If Brother is alive, I will definitely find him someday."
And so, the family had a reunion dinner, even though it wasn't a festival or holiday.
Afterward, they settled in completely.
Chen Ku also moved out of the Medicine King Hall. He spent most of his time in the large courtyard practicing martial arts and cultivating, except when he had to attend to some secret matters at a small courtyard in the outer city.
「In the blink of an eye, fifteen days passed.」
He had ingested five Treasure Herbs, one every three days.
With the enhancement of his spiritual power from the Ling Transformation, the speed at which he circulated his vital energy and blood was astonishing. One day of his circulation was equivalent to three to five days for others, allowing him to digest the Treasure Herbs extremely quickly. Chen Ku's Qi Power achieved a minor breakthrough.
He could feel that the Qi Power within his blood vessels had connected to form a complete circuit, a continuous loop.
Simultaneously, Chen Ku's hair became even more lustrous.
Hair is the surplus of blood. A deficiency of blood leads to dry hair, while abundant blood ensures sufficient Qi. Sufficient Qi, in turn, nourishes the hair, making both hair and beard lustrous and beautiful...
Chen Ku exhaled, his breath strong and resonant. "My vital energy is abundant!" he declared. "I've reached the middle stage of Inner Qi!"
Chapter 106: Chapter 94 Ascending to Great Achievement
Inside Chen Ku's spacious courtyard, though winter had stripped the pine and cypress of their eternal verdure, a massive holly tree lent an abundance of vitality to the space.
Yet, the dry chill in the air served as a constant reminder that the year's end approached, and with it, the time when the cold could kill.
Chen Ku sat cross-legged on the large mahogany bed in his home, breathing out a puff of white air into the dry, cold atmosphere.
Inner Qi mid-stage.
Sensing the abundant Qi Power within his body, he knew there would no longer be the embarrassment of reverting to his original state after summoning even the slightest bit of it.
Sufficient Qi, Sufficient Qi, no wonder the mid-stage of Inner Qi is called 'Sufficient Qi.' It truly is a marvelous description. Now there's a foundation of Qi Power in my body that won't dissipate. Even if my Qi Power is lacking, that foundation will always be there.
Chen Ku finally understood the meaning of that phrase.
It was called 'a martial artist having a solid foundation.'
So this was the foundation they spoke of.
After 'Sufficient Qi' comes 'Robust Qi.' Just having a foundation isn't enough; it must be strengthened to turn Qi into formidable Qi Power, which is why the later stage is called 'Robust Qi.'
Chen Ku silently calculated in his mind.
Breaking through to the mid-stage of Inner Qi cost me five Treasure Herbs, but the later stage of 'Robust Qi' might require even more, as it is a process of qualitative improvement.
But let's not think about that for now.
Chen Ku walked out into his spacious courtyard and informed his long-term workers and maids that he was going to practice martial arts. They were to disperse and not come to the front courtyard.
Hu Zi and one of the maids had been playing hopscotch in a corner. Seeing Second Uncle retrieve weapons from the house, Hu Zi immediately shouted, "No more games, no more games! Hu Zi wants to watch Second Uncle wield the staff..."
Hearing the child's innocent words, Chen Ku smiled at his nephew. "Then Hu Zi can stay. Go fetch a small stool and sit a bit further away to watch."
Dismissing the maids and long-term workers was due to a lack of trust, but his own nephew, a child, was not included in this.
"Okay!" Hu Zi immediately went inside to fetch a small stool. He obediently sat on the door threshold twenty meters away, placing his little hands on his knees and sitting up straight, his big eyes looking with anticipation at his Second Uncle. "Second Uncle, Hu Zi is seated!"
"Mm, good boy. Watch closely."
Chen Ku smiled and stood firm in the center of the courtyard.
He wanted to attempt to execute the Mountain-Lifting Palm now that he had reached the mid-stage of Inner Qi.
He held the staff behind his back with his left hand.
He closed his eyes.
Slowly, he squatted, circulating his Inner Qi, guiding it along the Qi Pathway of the "Mountain Roar Tsunami Seal" towards his palms.
As he circulated his Qi, There's hope.
Chen Ku felt with extreme precision that, at the Sufficient Qi stage, executing this Palm Seal still presented some pressure, but it was far, far less. He could successfully perform it.
As the Inner Qi in his body traveled along the meridians in his arms, the Blood Qi inside Chen Ku suddenly surged with a tumultuous and overwhelming force!
Like ocean waves rising, a tsunami of Blood Qi converged between his palms.
The Mountain Roar Tsunami Palm Seal, here it comes...
Chen Ku suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance passing through them. Various transformations and moves of the Mountain Roar Tsunami Seal flickered through his mind, ultimately coalescing into one...
Holding the staff with both hands, he thrust it vigorously towards the sky. The tsunami-like Palm Force propelled the first move of the Furious Ape Mighty Staff: "Skyward Strike."
This single swing, merely sweeping halfway across the sky, formed a vortex at the tip of the staff, like the eye of a maelstrom!
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!
In an instant, it sucked dry all the air within a radius of over ten zhang in the courtyard, stirring up a small tornado that swirled around Chen Ku. He became the eye of the storm, the center of the vortex of dust and air...
Hu Zi squinted, barely able to keep his eyes open. He could only vaguely see his Second Uncle looking like an immortal. His face, already ruddy from the highland winter, was now even redder with excitement. Unable to open his eyes fully, his mouth filled with dirt, he clapped his little hands, exclaiming, "Second Uncle is amazing! Second Uncle... made my eyes squint..."
"Hahaha!"
Hearing Hu Zi's voice, Chen Ku abruptly stopped his staff and stood in the courtyard, bursting into hearty laughter, "Indeed, indeed... Originally, according to Master Yang, if one's talent in Stick Technique is insufficient, then one should use Qi Power to drive it. As long as the Qi Power increases, the level of the Furious Ape Mighty Staff will also rise... After reaching the mid-stage of Inner Qi, I feel like my Four Symbols Power has doubled. But that alone was still not enough to bring Skyward Strike to great achievement... However, with the power supplied to my palms by the Mountain Roar Tsunami Seal, it's different. It truly allowed my Skyward Strike to reach the 'great achievement' level!"
The levels of mastery for the Skyward Strike technique were divided as such:
At the entry-level, the staff's wind could only affect an area one foot around its tip, absorbing air and crashing down.
At the Minor Achievement Stage, the staff's wind had to reach one zhang, encompassing the air within that range and striking with the force of that one-zhang expanse of air.
At the Great Achievement Stage, the staff's wind had to be able to stir the air within a ten-zhang expanse, its power more than ten times that of Minor Achievement.
As for the Perfection Realm, it involved an unassuming stance, a return to the original. Only upon striking the enemy would it explode instantaneously, the staff's wind sweeping across a li, gathering and crushing everything in its path.
My assumption was correct. The Mountain-Lifting Palm is indeed a Hand Technique for enhancing arm strength. That's why the god-like man from my memories could stand atop the city gates and lift a kilometer-high peak with his bare hands. And he did this without any Internal Cultivation Methods—just the Hand Technique itself possessed such Divine Power! It's perfect for wielding heavy weapons.
Chen Ku thought to himself, internally musing, With my current mid-stage Inner Qi cultivation, Four Symbols Root Bone, and two Ultimate Skills—the Mountain-Lifting Palm and the greatly achieved Skyward Strike—I wonder if I could kill a master at the Peak of Inner Qi with a surprise attack?
He felt it was very likely.
"Second Uncle, Second Uncle, you were so awesome just now!" Hu Zi, after the small dust tornado in the courtyard had dissipated, hopped around excitedly, exclaiming, "Just like a forest immortal..."
Chen Ku, holding his staff, stepped forward and let out a soft "Oh?" "Hu Zi, why are you speaking with a lisp?"
"Eh?" Chen Yinhuhu lifted his reddened face and asked in confusion, "What lisp?"
Chen Ku looked at his nephew's missing front tooth, bent down to pick it up, and burst into laughter, saying, "So it's that upper front tooth of yours, wobbly for ten days, that finally fell out! It was about time. Otherwise, how would a new one grow? Here, take it. Throw it onto the roof. The higher you throw, the better the new tooth will grow."
"Second Uncle, you hold me and throw it! The roof is too high, I'm too small, I can't throw it up there..."
Chen Ku picked up his nephew and helped him toss the tooth onto a roof beam.
Then, he played with his nephew for a little while longer, patted his head, and said, "Go, tell Grandma that Second Uncle won't be back for dinner tonight. No need to save me any food or leave the door unlatched. I have some business to attend to. Run along now."
"Okay!"
Hu Zi, as if he had received a military order, trotted off towards the inner courtyard.
With a smile lingering on his face, Chen Ku watched the little fellow run off into the distance.
He picked up the Refined Iron Dragon Stick, turned, and left his courtyard. The moment he stepped out the main gate, a cold smirk of murderous intent appeared on his face.
The sun had set, and various parts of the street were cast in shadow.
In a certain alley, a Blade-Handler wearing a conical hat was eyeing Chen Ku as he left the courtyard with his staff, heading towards the outskirts of the city.
Ten thousand taels of bounty, a disciple of Yang Luochen, Qi Sensation Realm... he's indeed worth this price...
The Blade-Handler, Cheng Miao, lowered his conical hat.
He was about to turn and take a shortcut from another direction to set up an ambush on a necessary path outside the West Street gate when, unexpectedly, just as he turned around in the alley—
AWOOO!
He hadn't noticed something the size of a small white rat at his feet. It opened its massive maw and bit clean through his body below the waist!
The Blade-Handler, Cheng Miao, had no time to react. His one-meter seventy-eight frame was reduced to one meter, leaving only his upper half.
His vision went black. As if cleft at the waist, his torso fell into a pool of blood. He felt the indescribable agony from his vanished lower body and the searing pain at his waist.
Cheng Miao had seen criminals publicly executed by being cleft at the waist. He knew that when some criminals were executed this way, they died instantly without needing decapitation. However, he also knew that if the cut was only below the waist, the person wouldn't die immediately. Instead, they would feel an unbearable and terrifying pain, tormented for a quarter of an hour before bleeding out.
"AAAH..." He was about to let out a horrific, pain-filled scream.
The Flower Fox Mink darted forward and, with another bite, devoured his upper half as well, crushing his head.
...
[Diagram Master has killed the Blade-Handler Cheng Miao, who intended harm upon its master, obtaining a strand of Evil Qi from the Inner Qi Realm.]
「On a street leaving the city.」
Chen Ku received the notification from the Transformation Diagram, his expression calm and unchanged.
This Blade-Handler had been lurking near his courtyard for some time. He had received a prompt from the Transformation Diagram long ago. The reason he hadn't acted immediately was to allow the Flower Fox Mink to get closer and assess the man's strength.
He only made his move and left the house after determining the Blade-Handler was merely at the Sufficient Qi level.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that this person, having seen the bounty, had come for the ten thousand taels of silver, aiming to take his head.
A Blade-Handler at the mid-stage of Inner Qi, merely at the Sufficient Qi level, thinks he can kill me...
Chen Ku shook his head.
Even without the notification from the Transformation Diagram, Cheng Miao wouldn't have succeeded.
Besides, with the warnings from the Transformation Diagram, anyone attempting to harm him within a two- or three-li radius would trigger an alert.
Assassination! Ambush!
Only he could use such tactics against others; anyone trying them on him stood no chance whatsoever.
This was one of the reasons why Chen Ku, despite knowing there was a bounty on his head, still brought his family into the city. As for the second reason, that was Peace Path...
The bounty was originally placed by Peace Path. Their base of operations was in Snake Fish Town, a route that even passed by his home. It was a stroke of luck that the wandering Demon Person who had visited his home to attend to Hu Zi's upset stomach didn't realize that was the very Chen Ku family they had a bounty on. Otherwise...
So, knowing full well that neither the city nor the countryside was safe, he still opted to bring them into the city. At least under his watch, with constant alerts from the Transformation Diagram, it was the safest.
That Blade-Handler, Cheng Miao, was merely a pushover to be dealt with incidentally, not the primary reason for Chen Ku's trip out of the city.
After leaving the city, Chen Ku looked at the few Talisman Papers he had obtained from his sister-in-law. He sniffed their scent and then rushed towards Snake Fish Town.
With his Inner Qi breakthrough and the Skyward Strike achieving great achievement, it was, of course, time to test the results.
After all, the life of a Peak Demon of the First Realm was not only worth more than two thousand taels of silver, but could also provide him with a strand of peak First Realm Evil Qi.
Chapter 107: Chapter 95: Annihilating the Demon People
At night, in Snake Fish Town, Chen Ku, wearing a Conical Hat, returned to the town. He released the Flower Fox Mink, and they split up to search for the scent on the Talisman Paper.
Since the Talisman Paper was drawn by the Demon People of Peace Path, it was inevitably permeated with their scent.
Snake Fish Town wasn't very large. Its main street stretched for three or four miles, intersected by three shorter streets, each about a mile wide. A few more remote residences lay even farther out. In such a small town, there were over a thousand households.
Chen Ku wandered around for an hour, relying on the scent.
Finally, he picked up the scent of the Demon People.
「」
Inside a certain residential house in town.
"Who exactly killed Ling!"
The house wasn't large, consisting of just three rooms. In the courtyard, six people wearing common cloth robes were discussing the matter.
"I went to the scene. It was a bloodbath. Her peach wood talisman sword was split, and on the ground, there was a broken Blood Blade... and the paw prints of a huge wild beast."
This courtyard was a small outpost for Peace Path in Snake Fish Town, responsible for gathering intelligence in the town. The actual branch headquarters was situated in a cave within the Snake Fish Town area.
Otherwise, if their cover was blown in the slightest, soldiers could quickly arrive from the capital city and surround the place.
The two lower-level leaders in charge of this temporary outpost were both at the Peak of Internal Qi, one named Su Liu and the other Yang Xiaoshu.
Su Liu, recognizable by the yellow cloth wrapped around his head, was not very tall—just over 1.6 meters—and had a face marked by numerous acne scars. He was the one who brought back news of Ling's death:
"Besides what I've mentioned, there are no other clues."
Yang Xiaoshu listened to his trusted comrade's report, stroked his chin, and began his analysis:
"Grey Clothes Tower has a bounty on all our Peace Path brethren. Anyone could target us. The question is... how was Ling exposed? And the Blood Blade... isn't that the signature weapon exclusive to disciples of the Yuan Country's Blood Blade Sect?"
"Indeed, it seems other forces from Yuan Country are also infiltrating Ji Country."
"We'll send this intelligence to Incense Master Yao tomorrow. If the Blood Blade Sect from Yuan Country truly has come to Ji Country and entered Baojiao County, we must inform the Incense Master, and even the Helmsman and the leaders," Yang Xiaoshu said calmly and steadily.
"Alright, let's leave it at that. It's late; everyone get some sleep. Tomorrow, it's business as usual: the rest of you will secretly distribute talisman water in the villages, spread the teachings, and gather more followers..." Su Liu stood up, feeling a chill, and pulled his collar tighter.
Everyone also stood up, ready to sleep. Suddenly, a sonic boom tore through the night air, howling as it approached!
"What's that noise?"
As the two individuals with the highest Cultivation Realm in the courtyard, Su Liu and Yang Xiaoshu, possessing Ears Clear Eyes Bright, immediately sensed something was amiss.
They looked up instinctively. A giant stone, the size of a millstone, was whistling down from the night sky, hurtling towards their courtyard like a cannonball.
"Not good! Someone's throwing a huge stone! Quick! Dodge—"
However, before the word 'dodge' could even leave his lips, the millstone-sized rock had already become a rapidly growing dark shadow in their vision, crashing into their courtyard an instant later.
BOOM!!
Dust plumed, and bricks and stones flew in all directions as if an earthquake had struck.
Two ordinary Force Transforming cultists of Peace Path, with no time to react, were directly struck on their arms and legs. Bones snapped, and they screamed in agony, "ARGH...!"
However, before their screams could fully erupt, a series of WHOOSHES tore through the night air as more giant stones relentlessly smashed down on them.
"Quick! Leave the courtyard!"
"Get out fast!"
Although Su Liu and Yang Xiaoshu yelled warnings, the stones fell too quickly and frequently, like cannonballs. Upon impact, they shattered, sending sharp fragments flying in all directions like hidden weapons.
After just one barrage, even Su Liu's arm was gashed by stone shrapnel. As for the others, half of them were injured in an instant.
「」
Far away, atop a small hill three miles distant, Chen Ku observed the casualties below through his Golden Eyes Hundred Li, further enhanced by Night Vision. He shook his slightly sore arm.
He clicked his tongue and said, "Throwing big stones like cannonballs makes a grand spectacle, but the accuracy and power are somewhat lacking. If I'd used a bow and arrow, I could have sniped them one by one from this distance."
Still, there was no other way. If I had actually used a bow and arrow, killing them before they harbored malicious intent wouldn't have generated any Evil Qi. So, for now, the plan is to use large stones for long-range area damage, injuring half of them. Then... face-to-face reaping will be much easier.
The courtyard was now a ruin. Su Liu seized an opportunity, leaping onto the only section of the wall still standing. He looked in the direction the stones had come from and immediately spotted a vague figure on the small hill three miles away.
"The attacker is alone, over there! A few of you, with me! Let's go kill him!"
Impulsive by nature, Su Liu immediately charged!
Yang Xiaoshu cried out anxiously, "Careful, it's a trap!"
How could one person dare to attack us?
However, Su Liu had already dashed out. Seeing this, Yang Xiaoshu immediately instructed a few men to follow him, while he himself hurried into the house and began digging through the ruins.
This is a temporary outpost, holding many of the sect's valuable intelligence reports and the funds for developing it. These are more important than anything! They must be protected immediately. Even if we have to flee, these items must be well hidden.
「」
Meanwhile, on the distant hill, Chen Ku watched the figure, now covered in Talisman Paper and glowing with flames, charging towards him.