Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

Half an hour later, after defeating more than a dozen Bone Forging Realm experts in a row, no one else dared to step forward.

”Does anyone still have objections?” asked Xu Jingwu calmly.

”No!” The crowd responded in unison.

”Very good. From now on, Lin Zheyu will be your leader. Zhen Bin, you’ll serve as Lin Zheyu’s deputy and handle daily affairs,” said Xu Jingwu, turning to the first burly man who had stepped forward earlier.

”Understood! Thank you, Leader!” replied Zhen Bin respectfully.

”Alright, the rest of you may leave and get back to your duties. Lin Zheyu, stay,” said Xu Jingwu with a wave of his hand.

Once the others had left, Xu Jingwu walked over to a seat and sat down.

”Sit,” he said, looking at Lin Zheyu.

”Yes, Leader.” Lin Zheyu nodded, put on his coat, and sat down beside him.

”Have you reached the peak of the Bone Forging Realm?” asked Xu Jingwu. He had wanted to ask earlier but refrained since the Feihong Gang members were present.

”Yes. I just broke through yesterday,” replied Lin Zheyu.

He intended to reveal a little more of his strength. He had already been at the mid-stage of the Bone Forging Realm over a month ago, so reaching the peak by now should seem reasonable... right?

”You reached the peak of the Bone Forging Realm in just half a year?” Xu Jingwu was slightly shocked.

”Can you show me?” Xu Jingwu asked, excitedly. ”Use your momentum as well. Let me see the extent of your current strength.”

”Alright!” replied Lin Zheyu with a nod.

He walked to the open space nearby, assumed the stance of the Barbaric Ox Fist, and a powerful surge of momentum qi erupted from his body.

Boom!

His right foot stomped forward and both fists blasted out, the force howling through the air as his sleeves snapped sharply. A moment later, crackling waves of tendon-bone resonance rang from his arms, it was the hallmark symphony of bones forged like iron at the Bone Forging Realm.

”Excellent!”

Sensing the powerful momentum surging from Lin Zheyu, Leader Xu’s eyes lit up.

Lin Zheyu had trained in martial arts for only half a year yet had already forged such a formidable momentum. With more refinement, he might comprehend intent within a decade or so. Once a martial artist grasped their own intent, their chances of stepping into the Force Transformation Realm greatly increased.

”What a monster you are! Your talent is truly monstrous!” Xu Jingwu sighed in admiration as he said, ”If you had started martial training from childhood, you might already have reached the Blood Qi Realm by now.”

”Leader Xu flatters me too much,” said Lin Zheyu, who stopped his practice and returned to his seat.

”No, with your aptitude, proper training would surely see you become a Marrow Refining Realm expert in the future. Perhaps you could even advance to the Force Transformation Realm! Would you be interested in joining the Xu Family? You wouldn’t have to marry into it.

”Of course, if you marry one of the Xu Family’s daughters, you could establish your own household and become an allied branch family. You could even start an esteemed family of your own here in Songyi City. Weren’t you seeking a higher-grade cultivation technique?

”With the Xu Family’s support, you would never have to worry about martial resources or techniques. We can supply them directly,” said Xu Jingwu seriously, looking at Lin Zheyu.

”I am grateful for your generous offer, but I do not plan to marry and have children so soon. The Xu Family has shown me great kindness, so if ever you require my help in the future, I will not hesitate to answer the call,” said Lin Zheyu with a respectful bow.

”Haha, I was being presumptuous. When the day comes that you tire of living alone and feel your strength is sufficient to start a family, come find me. The Xu Family is large and prosperous, with many excellent women. Surely one will catch your eye.” Leader Xu was not angered by his refusal; instead, he laughed heartily as he spoke.

”Thank you again for your kindness, Leader,” said Lin Zheyu gratefully.

”Alright, you may go for now. Focus on your cultivation,” said Xu Jingwu with a wave of his hand.

”Yes!”

As he watched Lin Zheyu’s departing figure, Xu Jingwu’s expression carried a hint of envy and deep emotion.

”What enviable talent! With such gusto, he will surely grow into a formidable martial artist if he does not perish young,” muttered Xu Jingwu with a sigh. It had been a long time since he had seen such an outstanding young man.

”I must speak with Yuxiang and tell her to be more proactive. If Yuxiang cannot manage it, then I’ll let Yuhua approach him. She’s only 12 right now, but she’s a beauty in the making. When she grows up, she’ll surely surpass Yuxiang in looks.

”She’s a bit young now, but that’s not a big problem. In two or three years, she’ll blossom beautifully,” muttered Xu Jingwu.

***

Jade Pill Teahouse.

After meeting with his subordinates, Lin Zheyu went to the teahouse with Jia Yanyong, Xie Jiang, and a few others. Zhen Bin was among them as well.

”Brother Zhen Bin, this cup is for you. I’m unfamiliar with the gang’s affairs, so I’ll be counting on you from now on,” said Lin Zheyu to the burly man.

Xu Jingwu had deliberately arranged this deputy for him so that he wouldn’t have to worry about gang matters and could devote more time to martial training. It was truly a considerate gesture.

”Lord Lin, you’re too polite. Just call me Zhen Bin,” he said with a smile.

”Brother Lin—no, we should call you Lord Lin from now on! Who would’ve thought that in just a few months, you’d rise to become our superior? We’ll be counting on you to look after us in the future,” said Xie Jiang with a laugh.

The three of them were already familiar with Lin Zheyu, so they were not overly formal.

”Haha! Come on, drink! Tonight, drinks are on me at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion,” said Lin Zheyu with a laugh, raising his wine bowl.

***

Dusk gradually fell.

At Xing Zhiyuan’s residence, Xing Zhicheng and Xing Penghai, two brothers, were present. Beside them, Xing Zhiyuan’s wife and concubines sat with tear-streaked faces, clearly having wept not long ago.

”Still no news?” Xing Zhicheng turned to the messenger and asked in a deep voice.

”No. We still can’t find the master or Young Master Jing’an,” replied the man.

”Did they say what they were planning to do yesterday?” asked Xing Zhicheng, turning to Xing Zhiyuan’s wife.

”No. The master stayed up late last night, discussing matters in the main hall with Yue Jiang and Jing’an. After Yue Jiang went out, the master and Jing’an stayed behind waiting. I went to bed soon after, and when I woke up the next morning, the master was gone, leaving no message.

”Wu, wu... Could the master and Jing’an have run into trouble...?” said the woman before breaking down in sobs.

”Father, didn’t Uncle Zhiyuan say that he would personally capture Lin Zheyu for interrogation, to see if he could uncover clues about Jinglong’s death? Could it be that when they went after Lin Zheyu last night, they fell into an ambush set by the Xu Family? I’ve heard that the Xu Family seems to value that boy quite highly,” said Xing Penghai after some thought.

”To make Zhiyuan, Jing’an, and Yue Jiang all vanish without a sound would require at least Blood Qi Realm strength. Would the Xu Family really value him so much as to assign someone of that level to guard him?”

Xing Zhicheng frowned and shook his head, saying, ”The Xu Family doesn’t have that many Blood Qi Realm experts to spare. Report this matter to the family elder. Jing’an is one of the most outstanding youths of our Xing Family. If even he has gone missing, I refuse to believe the family elder will continue to ignore this!”

”Father, do you think it could have been Lin Zheyu’s doing? If he’s proficient in poison arts, it’s possible that Jing’an and the others fell victim to his methods without realizing it,” Xing Penghai speculated.

”That is possible...”