Chapter 219: Chapter 131: Thoughts Reach Far and Wide
Having cultivated the Wind Chasing Saber Technique to Perfection and mastered the Wind Chasing Saber Stance, Chen Cheng no longer needed to painstakingly practice new Saber Techniques move by move. He could now advance his Cultivation Progress simply through mental visualization.
This made sense. All Saber Techniques evolved from fundamental moves and shared many commonalities.
It was a case of "master one, master all." By drawing parallels, after bringing his Wind Chasing Saber Technique to the Perfect Level, Chen Cheng could achieve at least Great Success Level mastery in any new Saber Technique just by studying it carefully.
Moreover, having mastered the Wind Chasing Saber Stance, his study of new Saber Techniques allowed him to display power far beyond the Great Success Level.
Reaching Perfection would also be much faster. An ordinary Celestial Pride might take one or two years to perfect a Saber Technique, but Chen Cheng would need half a year at most with regular Cultivation.
And thanks to his panel, Chen Cheng’s Cultivation of the Deer Cutting Saber Technique was even faster.
Once he reached Perfection, developing the Horn-Cutting Saber Stance would be just a matter of filling a progress bar.
...
[Wind Chasing Saber Technique evolution progress has increased.]
...
As he studied the Deer Cutting Saber Technique, he surprisingly gained new insights into his Wind Chasing Saber Technique, and its evolution progress increased as well.
After some time, Chen Cheng abruptly closed the Secret Manual. His eyes glinted sharply as he picked up his Long Saber, left the main hall, and headed for the rear courtyard.
While studying the Saber Technique alone could bring insights, once he reached a certain level of understanding, he needed to put it into practice to digest and consolidate what he had learned.
Only when these new insights were fully digested and consolidated into muscle memory, allowing him to execute the moves naturally and skillfully, could he consider his skill truly improved.
Then, he would continue to gain new insights, digest them, and consolidate them. This repeated cycle would gradually lead to a more profound level of mastery.
In the rear courtyard, Chen Cheng’s figure flickered across the thin layer of ice and snow covering the bluestone pavers. His Long Saber moved at will, its shadow creating layers of intricate, sharp, and precise arcs.
[Deer Cutting Saber Technique Cultivation Progress has increased.]
...
Over an hour later, Chen Cheng sheathed his saber and stood still, a faint smile on his face.
He had fully digested the insights from studying the Deer Cutting Saber Technique, able to execute its moves with natural proficiency.
He summoned the panel to check his status.
[Name: Chen Cheng
Realm: Muscle Strengthening (Great Success)
Skills: Iron Armor Skill • Muscle Strengthening (Great Success 520/10000)
Dragon Eagle Muscle Strengthening Technique (Great Success 3266/10000)
Powerful Eagle Claw Skill (Perfection) (Powerful Eagle Claw Stance) (First Layer of the Great Power Realm 33750/200000)
Deer Cutting Saber Technique (Great Success 3481/10000)
Wind Chasing Saber Technique (Perfection, Wind Chasing Saber Stance) (Cultivation Technique evolution in progress, current progress (33/100), upon completion, the Cultivation Technique can be promoted to a Superior Technique.)]
In just over two days, his Cultivation Progress for the Deer Cutting Saber Technique had reached a third of the way. In a few more days, he should be able to reach Perfection and then begin cultivating the Horn-Cutting Saber Stance.
Once you developed a Stance for one Saber Technique, learning another was like starting from the Great Success Level. It was an incredibly satisfying feeling.
After lunch and a short rest, Chen Cheng went to the balcony of his loft. He gazed out at the quiet, cold expanse of Jishui Lake, his expression turning somber once more.
He hadn’t been able to buy any Black Gold, so he couldn’t increase his training weights. The Cultivation Progress for his Iron Armor Skill was slow, leaving him feeling constantly uneasy.
With his current strength, he should have no problem protecting himself at the Black Market. The damn thing was, the moment he stepped off Bailu Avenue, his every move was being watched.
It was only around Bailu Avenue that his stalkers weren’t so blatant, as most residents had connections to the Shen Family and many households employed their own guards.
’Have I been too conspicuous?’
Chen Cheng was filled with doubt. He carefully retraced his steps but found that he’d always kept his head down. He just quietly performed his duties and focused on Cultivating the Martial Dao without provoking anyone. He couldn’t have been more low-key.
If anyone was being conspicuous, it was that bastard Yan Jian. He was busy expanding the Yan Family’s businesses, hiring Hospital Martial Artists, and even marrying into the Shen Family.
Now *that* was high-profile! And the crucial part was, the bastard was thriving!
’Maybe it’s because I’m so low-key that everyone thinks I’m a pushover, someone they can easily control!
’As the saying goes, a good man is easily bullied, just as a tame horse is easily ridden. I’ve been too soft-hearted. I have to change!’
At this thought, Chen Cheng subconsciously reviewed the mental ledger he kept. He hadn’t realized it before, but looking at it now, he saw a clear pattern.
Since coming to the Lishui Sub-Department, the first name on that list was Yang Xingyao. A mere constable had actually dared to scheme against him, a Chief Constable!
’Who the hell did he think he was?’
’Wait, why am I feeling so much hostility? Right, it’s because I can’t go to the Black Market to buy Black Gold and increase my training weight, which is slowing down my Iron Armor Skill Cultivation Progress. That’s the root of the problem.
’All these troubles are just symptoms. The real goal is to stop me from getting stronger. These people are all my enemies.
’I must cut them all down! Only by eliminating all enemies can my Thoughts Reach Far and Wide!’
The image of the word "Slay," which he had seen at his master Mr. Zheng’s home, unconsciously surfaced in Chen Cheng’s mind.
Also from a Humble Family, Mr. Zheng had likely faced comparable, if not greater, resistance when he was young and Cultivating the Martial Dao.
’I can’t just keep lying low. That will only encourage my enemies to walk all over me. When it’s time to act, I must act. Slaying all enemies is the true path!’
His mind made up, Chen Cheng’s Thoughts Reached Far and Wide once more. Just as he was about to resume Cultivating the Martial Dao, Dong’Er hurried over to report.
"Sir, Miss Su is here. She’s waiting in the front hall."
"Mm, I know."
Miss Su was none other than Shen Qingshuang’s maid, Xiaoxing. Her proper name was Su Zhiqing.
The Su Family were retainers of the Shen Family and had been serving them since her grandfather’s generation. The Su Family had also produced quite a few Martial Artists, making them slightly more powerful than an ordinary gentry family.
This was especially true of Su Zhiqing, who had recently reached Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm. This caused the Shen Family to value the Su Family even more. They not only arranged for some businesses for Su Zhiqing’s family to manage but also provided them with a residence not far from the Chen Family’s—a three-courtyard estate, even larger than Chen Cheng’s own.
In the main hall, Su Zhiqing, dressed in her usual blue cotton clothes, was sipping tea from a guest’s seat. Seeing Chen Cheng arrive, she smiled faintly. "Chief Chen, this little maid of yours is very sensible and well-behaved. She’s quite a find."
She was referring to Xi’Er, who was waiting at the side.
The gatekeeper, Shi Fangdong, had difficulty walking, so when guests arrived, Xi’Er would serve tea while Dong’Er ran to inform Chen Cheng.
His only two young maids had a clear division of labor.
"Miss Su, your presence brings light to my humble home."
Chen Cheng offered the pleasantry before taking the host’s seat.
"You’re too kind, Chief Chen." Seeing that he didn’t ask, Su Zhiqing took the initiative. "I presume you’ve already received Chief Yan’s wedding invitation?"
Chen Cheng nodded slightly. "I have. But I’m busy with official duties and have to report to the City Guard Department later. I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it. I can only ask someone to drop off the gift money on my behalf.
"Since you’re here, Miss Su, perhaps you could do me this favor?"
Su Zhiqing blinked and smiled. "My lady anticipated you might not attend the wedding, which is why she specifically sent me. She asks that you please make time to go."
Chen Cheng truly didn’t want to go and answered honestly, "To tell you the truth, I’m not fond of crowded occasions. I’m afraid I’ll just be a wet blanket if I go."
"My lady said you only need to make an appearance and meet with the Shen Family elders."
As she spoke, a flicker of disappointment, almost imperceptible, crossed her face. "Many of the young ladies from the Shen Family will be attending the wedding," she continued. "Perhaps you’ll meet someone who catches your eye, Chief Chen."
’What’s bound to happen will happen,’ Chen Cheng thought. He gave a crisp reply, "Alright. I’ll head over after I’ve handled my duties."
"Mm." Su Zhiqing stood up, took two Whistling Arrows from her robes, and placed them on the table.
"My lady asked me to give you these. The Shen Family has many experts in the Lishui District. If you find yourself in danger, Chief Chen, just fire a Whistling Arrow.
"Also, if you see a Shen Family Whistling Arrow being fired, please rush to provide aid."
"Understood. Thank you, Miss Su. And please thank Senior Sister Shen for me," Chen Cheng replied.
"Then I won’t disturb you any longer." Su Zhiqing looked at Chen Cheng, seeming as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, she said nothing and took her leave.
Chen Cheng saw her to the door. Returning to the main hall, he picked up the Whistling Arrows and shook his head slightly.
Firing a Whistling Arrow when in danger seemed like a good idea, but for someone of Chen Cheng’s strength, it was of little use. He suspected it would be shot down before it could even sound the alarm.
