Chapter 350: Chapter 185: Ice Spirit Fish
Low Grade Bone Tempering Pills were extremely precious. Let alone the scions of minor families, even the direct descendants of the Inner City’s Four Great Clans had very limited access to them.
What Chen Cheng lacked most right now was precisely a Low Grade Bone Tempering Pill.
Even if he only obtained one, his Martial Arts Power would see a significant improvement.
But Chen Cheng knew well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. For Shen Zhaoyi to suddenly produce such a valuable gift, he must be after something.
And Shen Zhaoyi’s request was sure to be a difficult one. He might even demand that Chen Cheng marry into the Shen Family and become their obedient live-in son-in-law.
The two sisters, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang, possessed a peerless beauty that could topple nations. Their Martial Arts Talent was also outstanding, earning them the title of the "peerless twin beauties of Linji City."
Among the younger generation of Martial Artists in Linji City, who didn’t dream of winning their favor?
It was no exaggeration to say that Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang were the dream goddesses of countless young prodigies in Linji City—beings to be admired from afar but never defiled, placed high upon a pedestal.
Even Jiang Lang, the number one Martial Artist of Linji City’s younger generation, and Wang Xiongba, the Wang Family’s prodigy with Innate Copper Skin and Iron Bone, had long coveted them.
For the countless young prodigies of Linji City, the chance to marry one of the peerless twin beauties and become a live-in son-in-law of the Shen Family was a dream from which they would wake up laughing.
Chen Cheng, for his part, also admired them. ’If the conditions were right, marrying them wouldn’t be so bad!’
But becoming a live-in son-in-law for the Shen Family was something Chen Cheng had never considered.
This wasn’t because Chen Cheng held any prejudice against live-in sons-in-law. After all, being one had its advantages, especially for the Shen Family.
Not only would you get to marry one of Linji City’s peerless twin beauties, but you would also receive the Shen Family’s full support in your cultivation and gain access to countless Martial Arts Resources.
It would be a meteoric rise, like becoming a phoenix perched on a high branch!
Chen Cheng’s reluctance to become a live-in son-in-law was simply a matter of his personality.
He had worked so hard Cultivating Martial Dao for no other reason than to live life on his own terms. As a live-in son-in-law, he would inevitably face restrictions and might even have to bow his head from time to time.
’If I can’t stand tall and live with dignity, how can I call that living on my own terms?’
’You can’t bite the hand that feeds you. If I accept Shen Zhaoyi’s Low Grade Bone Tempering Pill, I’ll be indebted to him. It will be much harder to refuse to become the Shen Family’s son-in-law then.’
"Thank you, Elder Shen, but this gift is far too valuable. This junior cannot possibly accept it." Chen Cheng gave a solemn bow and politely refused.
This reaction was completely unexpected for Shen Zhaoyi. In truth, his haste in giving Chen Cheng a first-meeting gift was simply because of a rule he himself had established years ago.
Any Shen Family disciple who entered Ice Castle before the age of nineteen by their own strength was eligible for a reward.
This wasn’t just any ordinary reward, but the chance to select a great treasure from the Shen Family Treasure Vault.
Shen Zhaoyi had summoned Chen Cheng for two reasons. First, to assess his Martial Arts Talent and character, vetting him on behalf of the Shen Family’s peerless twin beauties.
After all, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang represented the future hope of the Shen Family. The matter of their marriages had to be handled with extreme caution.
Upon arriving at Ice Castle, Chen Cheng had immediately displayed immense Martial Arts Power. His Martial Arts Talent was absolutely monstrous, perhaps even on par with the True Disciples of the Major Sects in the State City.
As for his character, he was humble, courteous, eager to learn, and showed the potential of a hidden dragon.
In Shen Zhaoyi’s eyes, Chen Cheng was already the Shen Family’s son-in-law.
As such, he naturally counted as a Shen Family disciple. Therefore, Shen Zhaoyi had to abide by the rule he had set all those years ago and give Chen Cheng a reward.
A Low Grade Bone Tempering Pill was certainly precious, but compared to the few great treasures in the Shen Family Treasure Vault, it wasn’t nearly as significant.
Those few great treasures were far too valuable, and Shen Zhaoyi was truly reluctant to part with them.
Besides, Chen Cheng’s current Martial Arts Power was, after all, still insufficient; he wouldn’t be able to handle such a great treasure yet.
Therefore, upon learning that Chen Cheng actually wanted a Low Grade Bone Tempering Pill, Shen Zhaoyi was inwardly delighted.
He was even desperate for Chen Cheng to accept this Low Grade Bone Tempering Pill.
By doing so, Shen Zhaoyi would be considered to have abided by the rule he had set all those years ago.
There’s a saying: "With age comes cunning." Shen Zhaoyi was a master at reading people, and he faintly guessed at the reservations in Chen Cheng’s heart.
He waved his hand and continued, "Ah... young friend, just take it.
If you feel uneasy about it, you can simply find some treasure to give me in the future. Just consider it a simple exchange of gifts."
The more Shen Zhaoyi acted this way, the more suspicious Chen Cheng became. However, the temptation of the Low Grade Bone Tempering Pill was simply too great. ’If I can accept it openly and without obligation, that’s not too bad!’
At this thought, Chen Cheng smiled and said, "In that case, it would be disrespectful for this junior to refuse. As you said, Elder, if I find a treasure in the future, I will naturally bring it to you as a return gift."
"Well said, well said!" A weight was finally lifted from Shen Zhaoyi’s heart. Beaming, he spoke and, without another word, placed the White Jade Pill Box into Chen Cheng’s hands.
With the reward given out and the Shen Family’s great treasures secured, Shen Zhaoyi was in a wonderful mood. He laughed heartily and said:
"Since you’ve come to Ice Castle as a guest, young friend, I must fulfill my duties as a host.
As it happens, I’ve just stewed a Spirit Fish. How about you join me for a taste?"
Having received a Low Grade Bone Tempering Pill without any apparent strings attached, Chen Cheng readily agreed.
"Then I’ll be troubling you."
"No need to be so formal, young friend. Please, follow me." As Shen Zhaoyi spoke, he led the way toward a nearby shack from which faint smoke was rising.
This shack was Shen Zhaoyi’s kitchen. It was quite crude, without even a chimney, and the walls were stained pitch-black from smoke.
A few pieces of smoked meat hung from the roof beams.
Against one wall, a fire burned in a tripod stove. A pitch-black earthenware pot sat on the stove, steaming and giving off the rich, fresh aroma of fish.
Other than that, the room was completely empty. There wasn’t a single other object, not even a table or chairs to eat at.
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