Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

”Rest assured, Master.”

Chen Cheng’s voice was calm, yet every word was distinct.

”When I lost that shipment, you didn’t give me a hard time. You even paid me enough to survive. After I started making a name for myself in martial arts, you were the one who trusted me enough to give me a position as a Tributor.”

”I have always remembered these kindnesses. As long as you still need me in this position, Master, I will not seek employment elsewhere.”

At these words, a smile instantly bloomed on Shen Mi’s face. It was as radiant as a spring blossom—captivating, yet still gentle and reserved.

Deep within her glistening eyes, an undeniable sense of admiration and relief surged forth at Chen Cheng’s loyal and trustworthy Heart Nature.

Chen Cheng was genuinely grateful for her kindness.

But what he valued even more was his intimate knowledge of the Yongsheng Trading Company and the excellent character of its Master, Shen Mi.

Staying here aligned perfectly with his long-held principle: ’Risks approaching zero, everything generally controllable.’

If he really wanted to chase quick money or climb the social ladder, Qian Baolu had plenty of connections.

’But what would be the cost?’

’Gang wars? Jianghu feuds? Acting as a hired blade to hunt down fugitives? Endless scheming? Tangled webs of profit and obligation...’

These were high-stakes gambles, full of unpredictable variables he couldn’t control. Unless absolutely necessary, Chen Cheng would never touch them.

”Tributor Chen.”

Shen Mi composed herself and spoke with great solemnity.

”Since you are a man who values loyalty and keeps his word, I will be direct with you. Although I am the Master, the final decision-making power in the Yongsheng Trading Company still rests in the hands of the family behind me.”

”Within the scope of my authority, I can raise your Monthly Allowance to seven taels of silver, second only to Elder Wen.”

She lowered her voice, which only made her words seem more confidential.

”Right now, I have very little say... But as long as your own prospects continue to rise, my standing within the clan will grow because of you. When that time comes, I will do everything in my power to secure better compensation for you.”

She paused, her tone growing even more serious.

”Furthermore, setting aside the family and the trading company, I will give you my personal promise. If you ever need my help in the future, as long as it is within my power, I will not hesitate to assist you!”

”I will remember your great kindness, Master, and I will not let you down!”

Chen Cheng gave a slight nod, his tone equally solemn.

Shen Mi nodded and walked briskly toward the warehouse. A short time later, she returned carrying two small parcels, carefully wrapped in oil paper, that exuded a faint, bitter medicinal scent.

”This is Blood-Nourishing Grass the caravan brought back from the north. It’s the main ingredient for refining Blood Nourishing Powder, and it’s also used in many high-quality medicinal cuisines...”

”Take it. Brew it into a tea to drink on normal days. It will help nourish your body and replenish your Blood Qi.”

Chen Cheng had heard Qian Baolu talk about this Blood-Nourishing Grass once before, back when he was eating the Deer Meat Medicinal Cuisine in the dining hall. Because it grew in remote areas and was difficult to harvest, it was quite expensive on the market.

A rough estimate put the value of the two packets in Shen Mi’s hands at no less than ten taels of silver.

”Since this is a generous gift from you, Master, I will humbly accept it.”

Chen Cheng didn’t bother with polite refusals and reached out to take them directly.

He understood that what Shen Mi wanted was to close the distance between them, even to the point of binding their interests together completely. And what he wanted was precisely that: more abundant resources and a more stable position.

Each was getting what they wanted, so he naturally accepted with a clear conscience.

...

After finishing his shift for the day, Chen Cheng set off for the Patrol Office to tail Zhao Chuan.

Long after he had gone, back in the warehouse, Shen Mi and her two companions were still buried in a mountain of account books.

They worked until the sun began to set in the west.

When it was time for Zhang Ping to get off work, he apologized, saying he had family matters to attend to, and left first.

In the vast warehouse, only Shen Mi and her confidante, Granny Ding, remained.

”Master...”

Granny Ding had been holding her tongue all afternoon and could finally get things off her chest.

”That old sly fox, Zhang Gu, he’s clearly doing this on purpose! He could have gotten sick any other time, but no, he picks the critical moment when the family is sending people to audit the books to call in sick! And he took his two apprentices with him...”

”Isn’t he blatantly blackmailing you? He’s banking on the fact that this whole operation can’t run without him, forcing you to agree to his demand for a raise!”

”...I know.”

Shen Mi’s brow had been furrowed since that afternoon. Her face was heavy with fatigue, revealing a clear sense of helplessness and frustration with the complex accounts.

”Zhang Gu has been the trading company’s bookkeeper since my father was still alive... There are some things that really can’t be done without him...”

Shen Mi sighed. When she said ”some things,” her voice grew noticeably heavier.

She had already vaguely sensed the hidden problems within the ledgers, but unfortunately, she was not an expert in this area. She couldn’t even sort out the public accounts before her, so how could she have the energy or ability to dig into the hidden roots of the issue?

The warehouse fell silent once more.

The last rays of the setting sun shone through the high window, illuminating her weary yet still beautiful profile.

”...Forget it.”

She closed the ledger in her hands, her voice filled with a helpless weariness and a sense of resignation.

”Aunt Ding, make a trip yourself tomorrow morning. Ask Mr. Zhang to come back. Tell him I agree... As for his salary, we’ll do it his way.”

”...Sigh.”

Granny Ding also let out a long sigh. After a pause, she couldn’t help but lament.

”If only the Young Mistress would have a change of heart, stop being at odds with the clan, and be willing to come back to the trading company to lend a hand...”

”With the Young Mistress’s current strength and status, how would old-timers like Zhang Gu and Zhao Hai dare to be so disrespectful and walk all over you?”

Shen Mi didn’t reply. Her gaze suddenly dimmed, like a candle flame flickering in a breeze stirred from the depths of her memory.

...

While tailing Zhao Chuan today, Chen Cheng didn’t find a good opportunity to strike, but he did obtain a crucial piece of intelligence.

In two days, the South Outer City Patrol Headquarters would be mobilizing Constables from the ten patrol divisions to raid Seven Miles Slope outside the city, intending to completely eradicate the Red Moon Nunnery.

When the time comes, Zhao Chuan will lead all the Constables and affiliated Martial Artists from the Southern Three Guards to the raid.

For this reason, Chen Cheng decided to wait two days before making his move on Zhao Chuan.

Chen Cheng had calculated everything perfectly.

’The worst-case scenario is that Zhao Chuan returns completely unscathed, but physically and mentally exhausted.’

’A slightly better outcome would be him dying in battle.’

’And the best possible result? He returns, severely wounded, but carrying spoils from the fight.’

No matter the final outcome, it would be beneficial to Chen Cheng. All he had to do was wait two more days. It was a worthwhile trade.

The night wind grew colder, a bone-chilling winter cold.

In the training yard of the Outer Hall, Chen Cheng continued to practice his Hidden Dragon Fist late into the night.

With a plentiful supply of Deer Meat Medicinal Cuisine, supplemented by the tea brewed from the Blood-Nourishing Grass Shen Mi had given him, he was able to extend his Hidden Dragon Fist training sessions significantly.

As the hour grew later, the other disciples who were also training late into the night gradually returned to their quarters.

In the end, only two people remained in the entire training yard: Chen Cheng, and in the distance, another youth, exhausted yet never pausing for a moment.

It was Lin Fengxiao.

Chen Cheng remembered that the last time Xiao Yi had injured Qian Baolu, Lin Fengxiao had stepped in to help and had also been wounded. Judging by his current movements, his injuries hadn’t fully healed at all.

Self-torturous training wasn’t uncommon at Dragon Mountain Hall, but this kind of suicidal self-immolation through practice was something Chen Cheng had never seen before.