Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

Of the two young men, the one running in the lead wore a long, blue cloth gown with a cotton-padded jacket over it. The jacket’s padding was thin and didn’t look very warm. His hair was tied back with a square blue kerchief.

Along the way, an occasional acquaintance would call out, ”Cao Xiucai.” He would nod and offer a reserved smile whenever he heard them, but he never broke his stride, heading straight for Chen Cheng.

The one following close behind wore a large, soy-colored jacket. The material had once been fine, and its subtle pattern was still visible, but the collar and cuffs were frayed and worn. The hem also had several tears that were impossible to hide. He had a broad frame but little flesh on his bones, making the large jacket seem to hang off him.

No one seemed willing to acknowledge him as he ran. He, however, paid them no mind; his eyes were only for Chen Cheng.

”Cheng, it’s been ages since we last met!”

The man, Cao Xiucai, came before Chen Cheng and performed a scholar’s bow.

He used to always go on about his scholarly achievements and a man of letters’ character.

But from the moment he saw Chen Cheng, he hadn’t stood up straight once. Scholarly achievements, a man of letters’ character—it was as if none of it had anything to do with him.

”Ever since we parted, my brother, I’ve been thinking of you every day! The good time we had drinking together that night... it feels like only yesterday...”

”Bado, long time no see.”

Chen Cheng’s expression was impassive, his tone just as mild.

Any discerning person present could see that Cao Xiucai was trying to elevate his own standing. Unfortunately for him, Lord Cheng had no intention of playing along, merely offering a dismissive reply.

”Lord Cheng! Lord Cheng!”

The young man from behind scurried forward, immediately bowing and scraping. He saluted repeatedly, his face plastered with a sickeningly fawning smile.

However, before he could say another word, Chen Cheng’s gaze suddenly turned cold.

It wasn’t an intentional glare, just a faint, sweeping glance in his direction.

Yet that one glance was enough to make him shudder violently.

He felt a formless, oppressive force instantly envelop him, like a tsunami crashing down or a ravenous beast bearing down to crush him from above.

He was pinned in place, his breathing hitched, and his lips felt too heavy to move.

GASP—

He suddenly gasped, the color draining from his face. His smile froze solid, and he bowed his head and back even lower. Though still a young man, he suddenly looked like a hunched-over elder, an image of utter desolation.

Everyone watching could see that Lord Cheng couldn’t be bothered with him, not deigning to waste a single word on the man.

How could he not realize it himself? But he didn’t dare get angry, much less hold a grudge.

He forced a smile onto his deathly pale face that was uglier than a grimace, gave Chen Cheng another quick bow, and slinked away dejectedly.

”Cheng... Lord Cheng!”

When Cao Bado spoke again, his form of address had quietly shifted.

He glanced at the young man who had just left, then turned his gaze back to Chen Cheng and asked tentatively in a low voice,

”Did you and Liang Guang have some sort of falling-out? We all grew up together. How did you two become so distant?”

”It’s nothing.”

Chen Cheng’s tone remained flat. His attitude toward Cao Bado was only marginally better than his attitude toward Liang Guang.

Chen Cheng had never thought much of either of their characters, not from the very beginning.

Especially Liang Guang. He’d been in close contact with Xiao Yi behind the scenes. Did he really think Chen Cheng didn’t know?

If he’d dared to pull anything back then, he wouldn’t be standing here alive today.

”Lord Cheng, when you have some free time...”

Cao Bado began, rubbing his hands together as if about to extend an invitation.

But Chen Cheng’s gaze shifted right past him, landing on several other people who were walking over.

”Brother Cheng!”

The young man in the lead wore a bright red wedding robe. A large flower made of red silk was pinned to his chest, with two tassels of cut gold foil dangling below it, swaying with every step.

A young woman walked beside him, dressed in a cotton-padded jacket with a red floral pattern. The collar was trimmed with a ring of white rabbit fur, which made her face look all the more fair and innocent.

”Xiaolong! Hu Niu!”

Chen Cheng immediately walked over to greet them, his face instantly breaking into a genuine, brilliant smile.

Cao Bado, left hanging, considered forcing his way into the group. After a moment’s hesitation, however, he took the hint and retreated.

Behind Xiaolong and Hu Niu followed a middle-aged couple—their parents.

Chen Cheng was no stranger to the couple and was just about to greet them.

But Father Zhou spoke first:

”Lord Cheng! I truly didn’t expect you to be able to take time out of your busy schedule to come! You are our family’s greatest benefactor. I’ve wanted to thank you in person for so long, but I was afraid of getting in the way of your important affairs...”

As he spoke, the rims of his eyes reddened. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his voice grew choked with emotion.

”Taking this opportunity today, Lord Cheng, please... accept a bow from our entire family...”

”Uncle Zhou, don’t! If you do that, I’ll turn right around and leave!”

Chen Cheng quickly steadied the man. How could he possibly let them bow to him?

”Lord Cheng, please stay! Please!”

Seeing that Chen Cheng was actually about to leave, the four members of the Zhou Family dropped the matter of bowing and quickly gathered around him again.

”Brother Cheng, no matter what, we owe you our deepest thanks.”

Zhou Long’s tone was earnest, and he spoke loud enough for all the surrounding friends and relatives to hear.

”It’s all thanks to you that Hu Niu went from being a simple embroiderer to a Steward at the embroidery Workshop, and then a Steward at the silk emporium.”

”After that, Hu Niu’s Master paid for my injuries to be treated and had his daughter bring me food every few days to take care of me... and then, well, and then I got a wife, heh...”

Zhou Long said, scratching his head bashfully before breaking into another silly grin.

”So you see, Brother Cheng, you’re not just our family’s benefactor—you’re my matchmaker! Without you, where would I ever have found such a wonderful wife?”

At his words, Hu Niu and the old couple all nodded in fervent agreement.

Even though Hu Niu had been promoted time and again, their family was, at the end of the day, among the poorest of Kuhuai Village’s common folk. To marry into a family with such prospects would have been impossible, unless Zhou Long were to marry into her family.