Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

As Zhu Mingyuan spoke, the reek of alcohol rose in his throat again. He quickly forced it down and continued.

”Ever since then, Han Tianqi has been holding a grudge, taking every opportunity to knock our Dragon Mountain Middle Courtyard down a peg. He even declared that he would personally defeat Master Ye within ten years to avenge his father...”

”...I see.”

Chen Cheng nodded pensively, his guard rising even higher.

At the end of the year, Ye Yang and Han Chuo were scheduled for a match between the disciples of the two Middle Courtyards. With this old grudge between them, it likely wouldn’t be a simple sparring session.

He had to be wary of that as well.

Afterward, the two chatted for a while longer. Once Chen Cheng saw that Zhu Mingyuan was feeling a little better, he left the room to let him get some proper rest.

...

「A month passed in the blink of an eye.」

It was the twelfth lunar month, and heavy snow fell every few days.

Inner City, South Third District.

The Qingshui River, which wound through the district, hadn’t frozen solid. A thin sheet of ice floated on its surface, and delicate icicles formed at its edges, giving the water a silver border.

The willow branches on the bank drooped, heavy with frost and snow. A puff of wind sent it showering down, scattering into the river like shards of jade.

Here, the snow fell white and stayed white, even after several days on the ground.

Unlike in the slums, where the snow would turn into a gray-black, sodden slush, rank with the stench of filth, in less than half a day.

Students from Wanbai Academy hurried past, bundled in padded jackets and thick cloaks, their boots CRUNCHING on the snow.

Occasionally, a column of Patrol Office Constables would march past, their steps resounding and their bearing solemn. The peace in this district was largely owed to them.

Chen Mansion.

The snow in the front courtyard had been swept by Li Family, piled into a small snow mountain in a corner.

Icicles of all lengths hung from the eaves of the covered walkways. They glistened in the afternoon sun, crystal-clear and radiant with color.

The snow in the back courtyard was untouched, the ground covered with the remnants of Chen Cheng’s training... footprints, palm prints, long scuffs from his movements, and shallow, circular pits where his steaming Blood Qi had melted the snow.

Chen Cheng had specifically instructed Li Family not to enter the inner courtyard while he was training.

For the past month, aside from the two hours he spent sleeping each day, he spent every waking moment training.

As a result, the number of times Li Family had entered the inner courtyard could be counted on two hands.

Li Family was best about this. Whatever Chen Cheng said, she did without fail, never asking questions or attempting to interfere.

She wasn’t like other parents. She knew that her own limited knowledge couldn’t help her son have a better life, so she chose not to interfere at all. Simply listening to her son and doing as he said was the best thing she could do.

In the back courtyard, steam billowed from the side room next to the old locust tree.

Chen Cheng sat naked in a wooden tub that came up to his chest, the hot water reaching his shoulders. The tub, made of cypress wood, was dark with moisture. A coarse cloth towel was draped over its edge.

A layer of medicinal dregs floated on the water’s surface. The potent aroma of the herbs, mixed with the steam, filled the entire room.

Chen Cheng leaned against the side of the tub with his eyes closed. Fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead and trickled down his cheeks.

Over the past month, whether due to the nourishing resources or his persistence with the medicinal baths, his skin had improved significantly, becoming as fair and smooth as a newborn’s.

”Haaaah...”

After his Four Gods Profound Body completed a Grand Circulation, he slowly exhaled.

The breath was long and steady, forming a white line in the steamy air that lingered for a long moment before dispersing.

”So refreshing!”

A look of pure, refreshed bliss was on his face.

Yet a month ago, during his first few medicinal baths, it had been agony. His whole body had felt like it was being flayed by knives, pierced by needles, cooked in oil, and seared by fire. The pain had been so unbearable he could barely sit still; he had gotten through it by gritting his teeth and enduring.

Gradually, however, his skin and muscles began to change in subtle ways.

It was as if they were being coated in an invisible film.

As this ’film’ grew thicker, the excruciating pain gradually subsided. He went from getting used to it, to being completely immune, and finally, to finding the sensation soothing and even enjoyable.

Now, Chen Cheng could soak in the medicinal bath while simultaneously circulating his Blood Qi to temper his Four Gods Profound Body, his mind and body completely unaffected. He didn’t waste a single moment.

”Cheng! Your carriage is here!”

Just then, Li Family’s voice called out from beyond the moon gate in the side corridor.

”Please ask him to wait. I’ll be right out.”

Chen Cheng called back as he stood up and stepped out of the tub.

He had grown a little taller recently, but his muscles remained lean and dense, not bulging like Shi Lei’s. Otherwise, his newly made clothes would have been too small already.

He snatched the towel from the folding screen, dried himself off in a few quick wipes, threw on his clothes, and pushed open the door.

...

Outside the manor, a horse-drawn carriage was waiting.

Chen Cheng came out and boarded the carriage directly.

Li Family saw him to the door, standing on the steps. She watched as the coachman cracked his whip and the horse’s hooves trod through the snow, carrying the carriage away with a rumble of wheels. Just as she was about to turn back into the courtyard, she heard a familiar voice from next door.

”Aunt Li, do you have a moment? I’m so bored today, I was hoping we could chat for a bit.”

The speaker was none other than Lady Sun, who lived next door.

Her husband was a Clerk Officer at the Inner City South District Patrol Office. Their family was well-off, but the couple didn’t put on airs.

Lady Sun, in particular, would always greet Li Family with a warm smile whenever they ran into each other, so they had naturally grown familiar over time.

”I am. Please, Lady Sun, come in and have a seat.” Li Family said, stepping aside to make way.

”Why don’t you come over to my place? I bought some fresh pastries today. We can eat while we talk.”

Lady Sun chuckled and walked over, linking her arm with Li Family’s.

This was hardly the first time this had happened.

Li Family didn’t refuse. She closed her door and followed Lady Sun to her house.

...

「Some time later.」