Chapter 248: Chapter 246: Breakthrough Points Filled Up
Su Yu cupped his hands slightly. "You’re too kind, Commander Feng," he said politely. "We are colleagues. As we fight the Black Lotus Sect together in the days to come, I look forward to your guidance."
Hearing Su Yu’s words, Feng Ting gave a bright, spirited smile. She took a half step forward on her long, sturdy legs, closing the distance. "Since Commander Su agrees, why don’t we undertake a mission together next time? Our jurisdictions are right next to each other, so we should cooperate closely."
"I have no objection," Su Yu agreed with a composed expression.
"Excellent! It’s a deal, then. Next time there’s a mission, I’ll be sure to invite you, Commander Su!"
After his exchange with Feng Ting, Su Yu turned and strode toward the Public Security Bureau’s Merit Pavilion to collect his new purple-gold Waist Token and merit points, symbols of his rank as Vice Commander.
Inside the Merit Pavilion.
The keeper, Tian Mo, held a thick, heavy Gold Foil Merit Book in both hands, his expression several shades friendlier than usual.
"Commander Su, you now have 25,800 merit points."
Su Yu nodded. ’It looks like destroying that Black Lotus Sect stronghold netted me over fifteen thousand merit points. That’s a huge haul.’
’He recalled that even for his previous major accomplishments, the most he’d ever received at once was just over five thousand merit points. This time, he’d gotten triple that.’
’A Vice Commander’s monthly salary is just over a thousand merit points. This single reward is equivalent to more than a year’s stipend.’
’But he had no intention of spending them. He was now more than halfway to his goal of fifty thousand merit points. With a few more major achievements, he could finally exchange them for the Bone Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging Pill.’
’Improving his fundamental constitution then would be the most valuable long-term investment for his future.’
’Besides, he had his own power base now, a steady source of supplies. His Martial Arts resources were sufficient for the time being, so there was no need to spend these precious merit points.’
...
「Several more days passed, and a new month quietly arrived.」
Visitors began to arrive at the Su Mansion gate.
Yang Gang, leading a dozen brawny family servants, entered the Su Mansion with boundless enthusiasm.
"Brother-in-law! I’ve brought you some things!"
The moment Yang Gang stepped through the gate, he scurried over, fawning shamelessly. He directed the servants to carry a series of heavy, red-wood chests into the courtyard.
A full one thousand five hundred silver taels lay neatly stacked inside the chests, gleaming with a tempting light.
Behind them were several custom-made wooden tubs circulating fresh water and a few Jade Boxes. Inside were over a dozen lively, colorful treasure fish and seven or eight precious, well-aged treasure herbs!
"You’ve done well, kid," Su Yu said, rather surprised. "Treasure fish and herbs are hard to come by these days. How did you manage to get so many?"
At Su Yu’s praise, Yang Gang’s face flushed with excitement, and he couldn’t contain his smug grin. "Hehe, Brother-in-law, it’s all thanks to your glorious reputation! You crushed all challengers at the Dinglong Association, and now you’ve been promoted to Vice Commander of the Public Security Bureau. In the Outer City of Black Stone City, what power would dare refuse to give you face?"
"Hehe, I just borrowed a little of your fame, wined and dined a bunch of other young masters. They all have families and businesses backing them, so getting them to help procure some treasure fish and herbs was naturally much easier."
Su Yu listened and nodded slightly. ’This kid’s Martial Arts talent may be garbage, but when it comes to social skills, he’s a rare find.’
’Still, some ground rules need to be set.’
Su Yu’s expression grew stern. "But remember this: you can leverage my influence to get things done, but you are absolutely forbidden from using my name to extort, plunder, or bully the innocent. If you do, I will not spare you!"
"Whoa! Brother-in-law, you can rest completely assured! I would never dare do something like that. Your reputation is the most important thing, I get it. Besides, if I really did pull a stunt like that, you wouldn’t even have to lift a finger. My own sister would beat me to death for the family’s honor!"
"Good. Then keep up the great work. As for these treasure herbs and fish, get your hands on as many as you can. Oh, and one more thing—if you see any ancient curiosities on the market that don’t look like much, buy them all for me if the price is right."
"You got it! Whatever you need, Brother-in-law, I’ll get it done!"
After sending Yang Gang away, Su Yu summoned his ink-wash panel.
[Breakthrough Point]: 1 (Progress: 99%)
’With this batch of treasure fish and herbs, I wonder how high my Breakthrough Point progress will go!’
’But it’s definitely enough to reach two points. Time to apply a second Limit Break to the White Ape Fist!’
Su Yu personally scooped a fish from one of the tubs—a Snow Jade Emerald Perch, its body a crystalline white with three vibrant green stripes by its gills—and ordered Mu Ying in the kitchen to cook it at once.
Before long, Yang Zhen arrived at the stone table in the courtyard, carrying a plate of steaming, fragrant treasure fish and wearing a sweet, radiant smile.
Su Yu placed a piece of the fish in his mouth, and his eyes immediately lit up.
The flesh of the Snow Jade Emerald Perch was rich and thick. It melted in his mouth, boneless and utterly tender, as dense and smooth as the finest foie gras. He could also taste an exceptionally clean, fresh flavor on his tongue, carrying the faint fragrance of Spiritual Qi.
"Mu Ying’s cooking is becoming truly exquisite," Su Yu praised, unable to resist taking another piece.
"By the way, what’s her cultivation realm at now? It’s been a while. Has she broken through to the Martial Artist realm yet?"
Yang Zhen sat on the stone stool, cupping her cheeks in her hands and smiling as she watched Su Yu devour his meal. "It’s not that fast, Brother Su. There aren’t many people in this world like you, for whom cultivation is as simple as eating and drinking."
Hearing this, Su Yu’s hand, holding his bamboo chopsticks, paused. For a moment, a distant look came over his face.
’That’s right. It’s been less than two years.’
’For most ordinary Martial Artists in this world, it could take two years just to break through a single bottleneck. And yet, I’ve been blazing a trail, already reaching the Flesh Refining Realm.’
"I remember Mu Ying was scrimping and saving to gather Martial Arts resources. Go to the bookkeeper later, withdraw some silver taels, and give her a raise to her monthly stipend," Su Yu instructed.
"I’ve already raised it, Brother Su." Yang Zhen’s eyes curved into crescents. "Miss Mu is kind-hearted and a wonderful cook. I want to have her stay on as the Su Mansion’s chef for the long term, and she’s more than happy to do so."
"Good. I’ll leave these household matters to you."
Su Yu popped another piece of glistening fish into his mouth. ’With a capable wife like Yang Zhen managing the entire mansion so perfectly, I’m truly spared from countless distractions.’
’My older brother Su Hong, my third brother Su Can, our third uncle, and all our other relatives are now sheltered under the Su Mansion’s protection, and Yang Zhen has never once shown favoritism or neglected any of them.’
’Especially my third brother, Su Can. With the Su Mansion’s resources, his already good innate constitution, and his newly matured temperament, I’m very optimistic about him breaking through to the Martial Artist realm and becoming even stronger.’
’Then there’s my older brother’s leg. I should look for a suitable treasure herb or pill to treat it. I’m sure that as my own power grows, healing his leg won’t be difficult.’
Su Yu quickly finished the entire treasure fish. The refined energy released by the Snow Jade Emerald Perch in his stomach spread and merged completely into his limbs and torso.
[Breakthrough Point Progress +2%]
[Breakthrough Point Progress +2%]
[Breakthrough Point Progress +2%]
[Breakthrough Point]: 2 (Progress: 5%)
’I’ve finally saved up two points!’
Su Yu put down his bamboo chopsticks and immediately checked the panel to see which of his Martial Arts were now eligible for a Limit Break.
[Martial Art]: White Ape Long Arm Fist (Limit Broken: 1) (Trait: Ape Shadow Swift Wind)
[Martial Art]: White Ape Six Changes (Limit Broken: 3) (Trait: White Ape Saint Body)
[Martial Art]: Coin Toss (Limit Broken: 1) (Trait: Spiral Armor-Breaking)
[Skill]: Reading (Limit Broken: 2) (Traits: Five Senses Divine, Dispelling Illusion and Seeing Truth)
[Skill]: Casting Net (Limit Broken: 3) (Trait: Listening Wave Positioning)
’I have two options now: the White Ape Long Arm Fist and Coin Toss. I can apply a second Limit Break to either of them. The best choice is definitely the White Ape Long Arm Fist. The Trait I awakened from the first break, Ape Shadow Swift Wind, significantly boosted my combat strength. It’s clearly the more suitable option.’
’There’s another choice: I could keep saving Breakthrough Points. I’ve just gathered a huge amount of resources, so I might be able to save up three points quickly. Then I could apply a Limit Break to the Reading skill. Even though it’s a skill and not a martial art, the boost it gives to my mind is enormous and its effects are obvious. The third Limit Break is supposed to be another qualitative leap, so that might also be a good option.’
But after a moment’s thought, Su Yu dismissed the second option.
’The most important thing right now is to increase my combat power as quickly as possible. It’s better to just apply the second Limit Break to the White Ape Fist and boost my fighting strength!’
’After all, I’m currently powerless against a Muscle Forging Realm expert. Being forced to flee so pathetically has left me with a profound sense of danger.’
However, just as Su Yu was about to apply the Limit Break, the butler, Li Da, walked in through the courtyard gate with a report.
"Sir, Miss Cai Yun of the Cai Family is here to deliver this month’s treasure herbs. And... she specifically requested a personal meeting with you. She also declared that if she cannot see you today, she will not leave."
Yang Zhen, who was clearing the table, heard this, and her pretty face flushed with annoyance. A flicker of vigilance appeared in her large, shimmering eyes.
"Brother Su, you stay here and focus on your training. I’ll go to the gate and handle her!" Yang Zhen set down the dishes and, puffing her cheeks in frustration, turned to leave.
Seeing this, Su Yu shook his head with a helpless laugh. He reached out, grabbed her slender, soft wrist, and pulled her back.
"That’s enough. The Cai Family delivers treasure herbs every month, after all. It would be too ungracious of me to refuse to see them indefinitely."
Su Yu dismissed the panel, rose to his feet, and strode toward the front courtyard.
Behind him, Yang Zhen watched his retreating figure and stomped her foot in frustration. She let out a helpless sigh, her beautiful eyes filled with a complex, mournful resentment.
