Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

Chapter 338: Chapter 167: New Medicine

“I’m not sure about the specifics either, but rest assured, Brother Cheng, I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything.”

As Lin Fengxiao spoke, he stood up again to refill Chen Cheng’s teacup.

Lin Fengxiao’s position in the Captain’s Mansion was no longer low, but in front of Chen Cheng, he still maintained an extremely humble posture. He leaned forward slightly as he spoke and used both hands to pour the tea.

It was clear that he had never forgotten the kindness Chen Cheng had shown him and still held it in his heart.

After that, the two chatted idly for a while.

Chen Cheng tried to rack his brain, searching for any information about the use of human heads from the novels and shows he had seen in his previous life.

During their small talk, Chen Cheng subtly tried to steer the conversation toward the topic of strange and evil specters.

However, Lin Fengxiao didn’t know much about such matters.

The Evil Extermination Bureau might have the answers Chen Cheng was looking for.

But with Zhuang Zhen gone, there was no one left in the Evil Extermination Bureau whom Chen Cheng could fully trust.

Inquiring about these things rashly would only bring trouble upon himself.

Still, it wasn’t as if Chen Cheng absolutely had to find out.

He had already decided to leave Zhao City as soon as possible.

…

After leaving Lin Fengxiao’s home, Chen Cheng headed directly for the Martial Guard Headquarters. He ate some Iron Bone Crocodile Eel Essence Dried Meat as he walked, which served as his lunch.

When he arrived, Chen Cheng registered as ‘Chucai,’ a reserve talent, indicating he would not be taking up an official post for the time being.

Immediately after, Chen Cheng went to see Wu Ziyu and Shen Mi, one after the other, to tell them about his plans.

Chen Cheng had originally planned to warn them about the risk of the rebel army, but in reality, the intelligence they possessed was no less than his own, and they both had their own plans.

In the end, Chen Cheng simply asked them to look after his third uncle and aunt, and politely declined their offers to see him off.

Chen Cheng just wanted to leave quietly with his mother and didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention because of the two women’s prominent statuses.

Of course, as he parted with them, Chen Cheng also told them that he would definitely be back within three years.

Finally, Chen Cheng met with Fatty Fang one last time, and they wished each other well.

…

「Seven days later.」

Two horse-drawn carriages traveled along the wide, flat official road and entered Yongzhou Prefecture City.

Chen Cheng and Madam Li sat in the front carriage. The one behind them carried three massive wooden chests, along with Madam Li’s personal effects and furniture.

The carriages and drivers had been arranged by Wu Ziyu; they were experienced, loyal, and reliable.

“Lord Chen, Old Madam, we’ve arrived at the Prefecture City.”

The driver’s voice called out.

Madam Li slowly lifted the curtain beside her. The moment her gaze fell upon the scene outside, her eyes widened, and her voice trembled slightly.

“This… This is the Prefecture City…”

At that moment, what filled her vision was a colossal city as magnificent as a mountain range.

The city walls soared so high one couldn’t see their top, and they stretched endlessly in either direction.

The city gate was immense, its iron-toothed portcullis hanging in midair, casting a deep, profound shadow that weighed heavily on one’s heart.

Below the gate stood rows of Armored Warriors, each with a hand on their sword hilt, their gazes as sharp as an eagle’s.

Everyone passing through, whether they were common merchants, ordinary folk, or nobles in fine clothes, had to undergo a strict inspection.

But Chen Cheng was different. He presented his Military Guard Waist Token and the relevant Document, and after just a moment, he was respectfully invited inside.

Four Armored Warriors even walked ahead of his carriage, leading the horses and clearing a path for him.

Their iron boots trod upon the stone slabs, their steps uniform, CLANGING loudly.

The pedestrians waiting to enter the city turned to look, whispering among themselves and wondering what great personage was seated inside the carriage.

After the carriage passed through the gate, the four Armored Warriors withdrew.

And the sight that greeted them next not only left Madam Li utterly stunned, but also made Chen Cheng sigh in amazement.

The main street was wide and flat, spacious enough for several large carriages to travel side-by-side.

Shops lined both sides in dense rows, their banners fluttering in the wind. The various pavilions and buildings rose one higher than the next, their overlapping, upturned eaves and carved beams painted with gold and silver, dazzling the eyes under the sun.

The street was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with pedestrians: nobles dressed in silks and satins, Nanyue merchants leading caravans of green donkeys, Martial Artists riding on lions and tigers, and even high officials in eight-man palanquins with gongs clearing their path.

“This… This is just the Outer City… I can’t even imagine what the Inner City must look like…”

Madam Li sighed, “Cheng, I… I feel a tightness in my chest, as if something is pressing down on me… Can I… not live here for too long…?”

Chen Cheng said, “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ve already spoken with Miss Wu. If the situation in Zhao City stabilizes, she will personally come to take you back.”

“That’s good…”

Madam Li breathed a small sigh of relief.

It wasn’t hard to see that she truly disliked the feeling of being uprooted from her home.

But she was the same as always. As long as it was Chen Cheng’s decision, she would follow it faithfully, without overthinking it or acting on her own whims.

「Some time later.」

The carriage arrived before the gate of a small courtyard house.

This courtyard house had also been arranged by Wu Ziyu. It wasn’t large, but its location was excellent.

The alley entrance opened up directly across from the Patrol Office, so its security was impeccable.

There was also a market nearby, making daily life convenient.

Coincidentally, the house wasn’t far from the Du’s Trading Company. Wang Peng had personally spoken with Du Wenshun, who would naturally help look after Madam Li.

Afterward, Chen Cheng carried the three large wooden chests into the courtyard himself.

The two drivers had wanted to help, but the moment they laid a hand on one, they knew the weight was far beyond what they could move.

In the end, Chen Cheng tipped the two men with some broken silver and sent them on their way.

Chen Cheng helped Madam Li get settled in, but he left his own belongings untouched in their chests.

This was because he would not be staying in the Prefecture City for long.

His true destination was the Mountain and Sea Sect, to the north.