Chapter 40: Master and Disciple (Cultivation)

Except for the soldier who had already fainted, the rest pretended to have passed out as well.

How humiliating—to have fifty men attack one and still be countered so thoroughly. Could they even call themselves fighters?

“If we truly wanted to kill you, we would’ve drawn our blades long ago. Otherwise, how could you still be alive now?” one of the soldiers spoke up, trying to salvage a shred of dignity.

Ling Chi lifted his head slightly, his eyelids drooping as he squinted at the man. “Most of my skill lies in this blade. If you wish to test it, prepare your coffins and come at me.”

His words were like tossing a red-hot stone into water, and the scene instantly boiled over.

Anyone can boast, after all.

“What’s he saying? He crippled us all with only twenty percent of his ability?”

“I’m not here to eat humble pie. Even if I die today, I won’t let you humiliate me like this!”

One of the soldiers struggled to his feet, drawing his saber and snatching up his spear, ready to charge.

Chaos erupted—blades drawn, curses shouted, blood spat. The cacophony merged into a dazzling symphony, rising and falling, stirring everyone’s spirits.

Ling Chi, arms folded around his blade, looked down upon them from above. Sunlight streamed behind him, casting him as a god of war descended to earth, impossible to meet his gaze.

As the situation threatened to spiral out of control, Lieutenant Li finally spoke. “No matter how glibly you talk, the fact remains you’ve injured so many of my brothers from the Yingzhou Guard. Your arguments are useless.”

“Oh? My apprentice was surrounded and attacked by your men—should he not defend himself? You certainly have a temper, Lieutenant Li. Draw your line; my master and I will accept whatever comes.” Zhao Qing spoke with bold authority; he’d been holding back for too long.

Ling Chi secretly rejoiced—he was no lone wolf.

Cao Hupao knew trouble was brewing. How could a master simply watch his disciple be bullied?

“Lieutenant Li, you brought men to surround the Jing’an Bureau. Do you understand the gravity of that? Jing’an answers only to the Emperor. Are you truly set on defying the heavens?”

Li Changyuan clenched his fists, staring at Zhao Qing. He hadn’t expected this youth to be Zhao Qing’s apprentice—a formidable pair.

“Captain Cao, you know exactly why I came for you. The cause of this matter lies with you; there’s no escaping it.” Li Changyuan relaxed his grip.

He dared not make a move here. Though he was at the peak of the eighth stage of Qihai, whether he could defeat Cao Hupao—who was half a step into the Lingzhu realm—was uncertain, and Zhao Qing was lurking nearby. Zhao Qing was anything but simple.

“Stop finding excuses. If Captain Sun hadn’t spoken up, I’d have bound you already. You wouldn’t have the chance to bluster here.” Cao Hupao’s aura flared, nearly erupting on the spot.

“Very well. I’ll remember today’s events. There’s a long road ahead,” Li Changyuan’s eyes flashed. He signaled his men, who began to carry and support the wounded as they departed.

He saw it at last—the sinister, venomous gaze so often described in novels. Ling Chi laughed heartily inside.

“You rascal, why didn’t you let me know you were coming to the prefecture?” Cao Bianjiao bounded over to Ling Chi.

Ling Chi punched him in the chest, and Cao Bianjiao returned the favor.

“Greetings, Captain Cao. Respectful salutations, Master,” Ling Chi offered his respects to Cao Hupao and Zhao Qing. The most important thing in life is recognizing who’s in charge at the right moment, lest you offend someone.

“Good lad, you’ve progressed rapidly. It seems fortune favors you,” Cao Hupao praised.

The last time he’d seen Ling Chi was a month ago, and in that short interval, Ling Chi’s cultivation and physique had advanced remarkably—truly astonishing.

Zhao Qing merely nodded to Ling Chi. Between master and apprentice, there was no need for formalities.

“Reporting to Captain, I’ve only been lucky enough to make some breakthroughs—not worthy of your praise.” Ling Chi tried to explain his progress with the word “luck.”

“Haha, no need to explain. Everyone has their secrets. Come, let’s go inside and talk.” Cao Hupao didn’t press further; even asking about martial techniques was taboo, let alone another’s fortune.

Ling Chi followed his colleagues away from the battered street, entering the Jing’an Bureau.

Along the way, Cao Bianjiao chattered continuously, introducing Ling Chi to his comrades. Ling Chi greeted each one, trying hard to remember their faces—lest he be embarrassed next time by forgetting names.

“Your cultivation technique is settled. It’ll arrive in a couple of days. This time, you must teach me the Eight Extremes Boxing.” Cao Bianjiao had been fixated on this technique.

“I can teach you anytime. Actually, I came to the prefecture to ask for your help,” Ling Chi stated directly.

“Oh? Tell me. I was just wondering what to trade for your boxing technique.” Cao Bianjiao wasn’t foolish; owing someone made him uneasy.

“I want to reforge my horse-slaying saber. I need some good materials. Recommend some, or take me shopping,” Ling Chi said earnestly.

“The Four Seas Trading House—they have everything. After lunch, I’ll take you. The Jing’an Bureau has master craftsmen; if you lack merit, you can pay directly.”

Cao Bianjiao waited for Ling Chi to ask for a loan. He didn’t know that Ling Chi had recently hustled as a business whiz—money was the last thing he lacked.

Ling Chi nodded, following Cao Bianjiao to the reception hall and exchanging a few pleasantries with Cao Hupao.

He signaled Zhao Qing with a glance, and the two slipped out together.

“Master, today I offended Li Changyuan. I’m worried he’ll cause trouble for the martial academy. Should we send word home, so they can be on guard?” Ling Chi voiced his concern; Li Changyuan’s gaze as he left had set him on alert.

“Vigilance is wise, but your mistress lives at Jing’an Bureau. Li isn’t that reckless. You needn’t worry.”

“Li Changyuan isn’t alone, but he won’t act rashly. His net is already cast. Don’t fret. I’ll return to He County this afternoon. Tend to your business, then come back,” Zhao Qing’s steady voice imparted a sense of security.

“You’ve already attained the Qihai stage, haven’t you? You’ve caught up with your senior apprentice,” Zhao Qing had discerned Ling Chi’s breakthrough during the earlier conflict.

“Master, you are perceptive. I broke through to Qihai a few days ago. My purpose here is to retrieve my things from Cao Bianjiao and reforge my saber,” Ling Chi admitted, now that he’d been seen through. Sadly, his concealed technique couldn’t hide his cultivation; if it could, he’d be able to lay low and develop in peace.

“Your fortune is your own, but remember: in cultivation, impatience is your greatest enemy. It will not advance your path and may lead you astray. Keep this warning close to your heart.”

Ling Chi remembered his master Zhao Qing as a quiet, stern man. In the three years since he’d entered the sect, they’d rarely spoken. Zhao Qing never questioned Ling Chi’s mysterious techniques. Such reminders were common, though. Ling Chi wondered if his master had a story of his own, but never asked—what he needed to know would be revealed in time.

“Master, is there any news of Qiu Zhang, that old demon, or Lin Xiao? I guarded Willow Town, fearing he might return.”

“Master Cao has been searching for him. Recently, there was word of a clue. Don’t worry—Yingzhou has seen major cases lately, and oversight is tighter than ever. If he dares to enter, he’ll never leave alive!”