Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Setting Off
[Great Success of Mixed Element Stance (999/1000)]
Liang Cheng calmed his mind. His feet were slightly apart, shoulder-width, with his toes curled inward like the roots of an old tree burrowing deep into the earth. The ankle, knee, and hip joints felt connected yet separate, locked yet loose, forming a single, integrated whole.
A warm current surged naturally from his tailbone up his spine, like a spring gushing from the earth. It passed the Jiaji, penetrated the Jade Pillow, and shot straight to the Baihui point at the crown of his head before pouring back down. The Qi Blood and vitality within him swelled, and his muscles and bones spontaneously adjusted into perfect harmony.
He raised an arm and spread his fingers. His Power was fluid and seamless, a perfect fusion of hardness and softness. His breathing synced with his Inner Breath; his stance had entered the Realm of Perfection.
[Perfection of Mixed Element Stance]
Liang Cheng opened his eyes, overjoyed.
Among the vast majority of Transformation Force experts in the world, very few ever achieved Perfection in their Pile Skill.
Anyone else would have already been able to break through to the Transformation Force level. Yet Liang Cheng remained a Dark Force Martial Artist. However, bolstered by his formidable foundation and Perfected Pile Skill, his true combat strength was already comparable to that of an ordinary expert who had just entered the Transformation Force realm.
’If a mayfly wishes to ascend to the heavens, every step must be perfect.’
Liang Cheng calmed himself and resumed his training. Now that his Pile Skill had reached Perfection, he could dedicate more time to the Cultivation of his Fierce Bull Force and Stone Armor Skill. His progress was bound to accelerate once again.
「Time flew by, and soon it was late March. The spring hunt was less than three days away.」
Liang Cheng’s life fell into a routine: practicing his fist techniques by day and his Hard Skills by night. He had wrung out ninety-nine percent of the Silver-headed Shark’s Medicinal Power. The last trace of warmth that had settled in his muscles, bones, and Qi Blood was completely absorbed during last night’s Cultivation of the Stone Bone Style.
[Great Perfection of Mixed Element Posture]
[Great Success of Fierce Bull Force (1803/2000)]
[Great Success of Stone Armor Skill (Fragment) (1920/2000)]
The Stone Armor Skill Fragment was on the verge of Perfection, just one final step away. His skin looked no different from an ordinary person’s, but when he channeled his Power, faint, grayish stone patterns would appear beneath it. Ordinary blades could hardly scratch him, his bones were harder than refined iron, and his punches had grown even heavier than a month ago.
An ordinary Transformation Force expert would likely be no match for him now.
The price, however, was that his silver coins flowed away like water. His net worth had shrunk by nearly half, leaving him with only a thousand taels in silver banknotes and some broken silver.
But the most significant factor was the two-chi-long Silver-headed Shark. It had saved him at least two months of arduous training, proving to be an invaluable asset.
"Wealth, companionship, method, location..."
He muttered these four words, rewrapped the silver banknotes, and tucked them into a hidden compartment behind a brick in the wall.
The sky outside the window was beginning to brighten. He changed into the blue uniform of the Martial Arts Hall and pushed open his door. Disciples were already in the courtyard for their morning practice. Seeing him emerge, they all stopped, saluting him with cupped fists. "Senior Brother Liang."
Liang Cheng nodded in return without breaking his stride and walked straight toward the front courtyard. Wherever he passed, the trainees respectfully made way for him, their eyes a mixture of awe and envy.
As soon as he reached the front courtyard, he saw Zhou Hu standing at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena with his hands behind his back. His face was still somewhat pale and his aura was much weaker, but his back was ramrod straight, like a spear that refused to bend.
"Junior Brother Liang." Zhou Hu turned and saw him, a slight smile touching his lips. "Master wants you to go to the Main Hall."
"Yes," Liang Cheng replied. He hesitated slightly. "Senior Brother, your injuries..."
"They’re fine." Zhou Hu waved a hand, his tone calm. "I failed to break through, but after resting, I’m mostly recovered. I’ll be ready for the spring hunt."
Liang Cheng nodded and said no more. Some things were better left unsaid, lest they seem disingenuous.
In the Main Hall, Yang Wei saw Liang Cheng enter and pointed to a chair to the side.
"Sit."
Liang Cheng sat down as instructed.
"The spring hunt begins in three days," Yang Wei said, getting straight to the point. "Lin Wu City will send a special envoy to observe the proceedings, and a Steward from the Martial Arts Academy will also be there to select promising candidates. This is an opportunity, but also a perilous trial."
He looked at Liang Cheng, his gaze like a torch. "Your comprehension and temperament are both superior. Although your Root Bone is average, if you can distinguish yourself during the spring hunt and be noticed by the Martial Arts Academy, your future will be limitless."
Then, his tone shifted and his voice grew heavy. "However, Wu Tianxiong of the Zhen Nan Martial Arts Hall and I have a deep-seated grudge. Although the spring hunt explicitly forbids crippling or killing, accidents are frequent in the deep mountains and old forests. You must be extremely careful."
"I understand," Liang Cheng said.
"For the next three days, you, Zhou Hu, and Zhao Yuan will all use the Seven Treasures Soup to aid your training. You must bring yourselves to your absolute peak condition."
"Thank you, Master." He accepted the Jade Box with both hands.
"No need to thank me," Yang Wei waved his hand. "The stronger you are, the more stable the Martial Arts Hall will be. For the next three days, focus on regulating your condition and reaching your peak. You may go."
Liang Cheng bowed and exited the Main Hall. He had only taken a few steps when Zhao Yuan emerged from behind a corridor pillar. His face was still pale, but the arrogance and impatience in his eyes were gone.
The two nodded to each other and went their separate ways.
...
In the afternoon, Liang Cheng took leave to go home. The spring hunt was to be held in Lie Mountain Valley, which was quite a long journey. He would be gone for a considerable time.
The streets were still peaceful. The Sea Snake Gang’s internal strife hadn’t spilled over into this neighborhood. A few women washing clothes by a well smiled brightly when they saw him pass.
He pushed open the door to his home. Lady Ning was at the stove, kneading dough. When she saw him return, her face bloomed into a smile. "Cheng’Er, you’re back! Are you hungry? Mom will make you a bowl of noodles."
"I’m not hungry, Mom." Liang Cheng sat down at the table, watching his mother’s busy figure. "In three days," he said suddenly, "I have to go on a long trip with the Martial Arts Hall."
Lady Ning’s hands paused their kneading for a moment, then resumed with force. "Where are you going? For how long?"
"To Lie Mountain Valley, which is under the jurisdiction of Lin Wu City. I’m participating in the spring hunt. It will be for half a month at the shortest, a month at the longest." Liang Cheng tried to keep his tone light. "It’s a good thing. If I perform well, I might have a chance to enter the Martial Arts Academy in the Commandery."
Lady Ning turned around, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked over to Liang Cheng. She looked up at her son, who was now a head taller than her, and reached out to straighten his collar.
"Mom doesn’t understand anything about Martial Arts Academies or spring hunts. All I know is that my son has grown up and become capable. When you’re away from home, be careful. Don’t try to be a hero. Just come back safe and sound."
As she spoke, she turned and retrieved a blue cloth bundle from a cabinet, pushing it in front of Liang Cheng. "Mom made you two new sets of undergarments and sewed several pairs of shoe inserts. And also, this—"
She took a small Peace Talisman from her bosom. It was tied with a red string, and the fabric was a bit worn. "This is a talisman I prayed for at the temple before your father went out to sea all those years ago. He never got to wear it. You wear it. It will keep you safe."
Liang Cheng took the Peace Talisman. It felt warm and smooth in his hand, polished by his mother’s touch over countless years. A lump formed in his throat. He nodded firmly. "Okay, I’ll wear it."
Mother and son said no more. Lady Ning went to cook the noodles, and Liang Cheng put the bundle away.
Before leaving, he wrapped fifty taels of broken silver in oil paper and tucked it into the ceramic jar by his mother’s bed.
The sun was setting just as he walked out of the alley.
San Ya was standing under the scholar tree across the alley, nervously wringing the corners of her clothes. When she saw him come out, she quickly lowered her head, but couldn’t resist sneaking a peek.
Liang Cheng walked over. "San Ya, what’s up?"
San Ya’s face flushed red. She brought a small blue cloth pouch out from behind her back and thrust it into his hands. "Brother Cheng, this... take it with you."
Liang Cheng opened it and found a brand-new pair of cloth shoes. The stitching was fine and tight, and the soles were thick and sturdy.
"My mom said... you’ll be doing a lot of walking when you’re away, so you need good shoes," San Ya’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and ran off like a frightened rabbit.
Liang Cheng looked at the cloth shoes in his hands, then at the girl’s retreating back, and sighed softly.
...
「Three days later, at 3:45 AM.」
Three carriages were ready in front of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall. Yang Wei rode in one alone, Zhou Hu, Liang Cheng, and Zhao Yuan shared another, and the third was loaded with luggage and supplies.
Besides the three of them, the Martial Arts Hall also brought four Servant Disciples to handle miscellaneous tasks along the way.
Surprisingly, people from the Sea Snake Gang had also come. The new Deputy Leader, a man called Smiling Tiger, was waiting at the street corner with a dozen or so men.
Seeing Yang Wei step down from his carriage, he hurried forward, cupped his fists, and said with a smile, "Martial Arts Hall Master Yang, we heard the young heroes of your hall are embarking on a journey today. We’ve come specially to see you off, hoping to share a cup of wine and bask in your good fortune."
His words were eloquent, but his eyes kept darting toward Liang Cheng.
Yang Wei’s expression was placid. He took the wine bowl and drank a mouthful. "A kind thought."
Smiling Tiger then personally offered a bowl of wine to Liang Cheng and the other two. His words were respectful and his posture was extremely humble. Liang Cheng took the wine and downed it in one go.
The caravan set off, slowly making its way out of Linhai Town. Sitting in the carriage, Liang Cheng lifted the curtain and looked back at the receding silhouette of the town.
Onward to Lie Mountain Valley!
