Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

”What Cheng means is that businesses registered under his name are exempt from commerce tax. If we use these six shops to start a business, it’ll definitely be better than just collecting rent.”

Li Shi said:

”Besides, Cheng is on good terms with the Wu Family and has connections in the Commerce Association and the Commerce Inspection Bureau, which will make doing business much more convenient.”

”Now that the shops have been cleared out, we need to think hard about what kind of business we should start.”

”You make the decision, Sister-in-law. We’ll do whatever you say!”

Bai Shi’s stance was clear; she would follow Li Shi’s lead in everything. Chen An, of course, had no objections and just stood by with a chuckle, nodding repeatedly.

...

「North Outer City.」

The new recruits heading north formed a long line, snaking out from the city gate and stretching to the end of the main road.

Those seeing them off weren’t allowed to leave the city and block the road, so they could only crowd the sides of the main street.

They stood on tiptoe, craning their necks, desperately searching the ranks for the familiar faces of their family.

Some waved and shouted their farewells, while others, red-eyed, offered last-minute words of caution. But the column would not stop for anyone.

In the end, all they could do was stand in place and watch as the long, dusty line receded into the distance, watching as their loved ones slowly shrank into blurry dots on the main road.

Zhuang Hui Xian secretly wiped away her tears, and Yu Feng, his heart aching for her, pulled her into a tight embrace.

Chen Cheng stood to the side, a mixture of emotions churning within him.

Zhuang Zhen was gone.

When they parted, she hadn’t said much, nor had she shown the same emotional turmoil as the others. It was as if this was just a brief separation, and they would see each other again soon.

Only after the column had completely disappeared from view did Chen Cheng, Yu Feng, and his wife return to the Inner City together.

”Lord Yu, has there been any recent news from Black Cloud Lake?” Chen Cheng asked casually.

’Originally, my plan was to take my family to the Prefecture City for a while after seeing Zhuang Zhen off.’

But over the past seven days, the Zhao City officials had apparently received news of the rebellion and launched a preemptive strike against Black Cloud Stronghold.

The Prefecture City had also dispatched an elite naval unit to launch a pincer attack from the other side.

The threat of rebellion seemed to have been contained.

”No new developments. It’s still a stalemate.”

Yu Feng said:

”Black Cloud Stronghold has been in operation for many years. The main fort and the dozen or so Liao Villages surrounding it have long been turned into aquatic fortresses. The official forces can’t break through any time soon.”

”But luckily, with the help of the elite troops from the Prefecture City, we’ve won two decisive battles. Black Cloud Stronghold has retreated completely into its shell, so they won’t be able to stir up much trouble for the time being.”

Chen Cheng listened in silence. ’In that case,’ he thought, ’there’s no need to rush to leave after all.’

...

Not long after entering the Inner City, Chen Cheng bid farewell to Yu Feng and his wife, heading off alone in a different direction.

As he walked, Chen Cheng pulled some Iron Bone Crocodile Eel Dried Meat from his robes and popped it into his mouth.

Over the past seven days, Inner Strength Tai Chi had been one of the main Skills Chen Cheng focused on practicing.

As his training progressed, Chen Cheng could clearly feel his appetite growing. He was not only eating more but also digesting it faster, forcing him to keep dried meat on hand at all times.

Correspondingly, the nourishment he gained was far greater and more profound than before.

The vast majority of this nourishment was thoroughly absorbed by his body. Beyond just replenishing the energy he expended from his intense Martial Arts training, it also markedly increased his physical strength.

Furthermore, a small portion of the nourishment was absorbed by his Tai Chi Qi.

The special properties behind this had yet to reveal themselves, but Chen Cheng wasn’t worried. ’I’ll just accumulate it slowly. Eventually, it will have its day to shine.’

But aside from Inner Strength Tai Chi, what Chen Cheng had spent the most time training over the past seven days was the secret art of the Cloud Peng Leg.

The greatest impression the Secret Martial Arts left on Chen Cheng was the speed of his progress. ’It’s incredibly fast!’

After seven days, aided by the Red Jade Blood-Nourishing Pills, Chen Cheng could feel his Blood Qi strengthening and multiplying at a rate far faster than ever before.

’At this rate, I can form the Eighth Pillar of Blood Qi within a month.’

Of course, the improvement of his Root Bone was certainly a factor behind this rapid progress.

With his Root Bone now more attuned to this particular Martial Art, his training efficiency had naturally increased.

In other words, as his Root Bone continued to improve, his rate of progress could increase even further.

If he could get his hands on even better supplementary medicines, it was possible that forming the Ninth Pillar of Blood Qi might be even faster than forming the Eighth.

If word of this got out, the entire Martial Arts Realm of Zhao City would likely be stunned.

Of course, over the past seven days, besides his training, Chen Cheng had also taken some time to return to his old trade.

The North Thirteenth District of the Inner City was a hotbed of opium dens, gambling halls, and brothels.

After dark, the area became a den of depravity, teeming with a mix of unsavory characters. Fights and brawls were common, giving it a feel not unlike the Outer City.

Chen Cheng stood in the corner of a dark alley he had scouted out earlier.

He wore a black cloak, its large hood concealing his entire face in shadow.

After the Martial Selection, nearly all the newly chosen Military Guards spent their days attending banquets and indulging in pleasure.

And among the red-light districts of this North Thirteenth District, there was one new Military Guard who was a daily visitor: Zhang Shan.

Chen Cheng had been watching him for several days and had already figured out his routine completely.

In the evening, he would first attend a banquet he’d been invited to. After eating and drinking his fill, he would come here for entertainment.

Sure enough, Chen Cheng had only waited a moment when familiar voices drifted over from a distant street corner.

”Brother Zhang! Brother Zhang, slow down! The ladies aren’t going anywhere, why are you in such a rush?”

”Brother Zhang! Yesterday we all proved to be men of our word. Are we playing the same game again today? Heh heh heh...”

”Senior Brother Zhang, what do you mean by ’men of our word’?”

In the distance, Zhang Shan came staggering in their direction, surrounded by a group of lavishly dressed young masters.