Chapter 54: Life’s Crossroads, Seeking the Bone Tempering Technique, and the Magnificence of Master Duan Chenzhou
Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Life’s Crossroads, Seeking the Bone Tempering Technique, and the Magnificence of Master Duan Chenzhou
Ji Xiu left the Lin Residence with a heavy heart.
Lin Ruxue’s offer... was too much.
But he had only met Lin Ruyue once. To say there were any feelings between them was impossible.
An official wife.
That was someone to spend a lifetime with, not a choice to be made lightly.
Having embarked on the path of a Martial Artist, Ji Xiu’s final choice would have to be someone who amazed him, someone who could even become his Dao Companion.
But...
’A choice that could change my future.’
’How should I decide?’
He traveled with the wind, heading back toward the Fire Kiln, his gaze lowered.
In the end, he hadn’t given a definite answer.
He had no idea what kind of behemoth the Little Five Decline Sword Sect was.
But...
He did know about the ’household registration’ of the Prefecture City.
According to the rules of the Great Xuan, County Households were County Households, and Prefecture Households were Prefecture Households. Ordinary people didn’t even have the right to leave their local area.
Although Martial Artists were qualified to travel between prefectures and counties, unless one was a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster, they eventually had to put down roots somewhere.
Everyone knew that people from the prefecture looked down on those from the poor countryside. It was a harsh reality. The five-hundred-li Mountain Dao was considered the back of beyond.
Unless your attainments as a Martial Artist reached the Skin Refining realm, even if the industries in the prefecture looked down on ’stinking outsiders,’ they would still offer you decent treatment. After all, strength commanded respect.
But for an ordinary Bone Marrow Refining practitioner...
...the resources for daily training might not even be sufficient, let alone putting down roots and buying a residence.
Others might not see the whole picture, but Ji Xiu, with the Innate Wisdom of two lifetimes, understood this all too well.
However, as his gaze swept over a Void Daoist Talisman:
[Tutor: Ji Xiu]
[Current Cultivation: Bone Marrow Refining Realm (Golden Muscle and Jade Veins)]
[Martial Arts, Skill Dao: Great Success in Horse Riding, Celestial River Saber Technique, Turtle and Snake Grand Foundation Stake, Ninth Grade Alchemy Skill!]
[Traits: Waist and Horse Unity, Ten Steps One Kill, Calm Mind and Concentration, Profound Blood Flood Dragon Tendons!]
Pile Skill Perfection.
Golden Muscle and Jade Veins.
Finally, a small line of text gently appeared.
[Current Martial Arts/Skill Dao available for advance: 1.]
"Perfection of Tendons and Ligaments, and the next step... is Bone Tempering," he murmured under his breath.
He looked toward the residence where he had first defied fate and changed his destiny.
"Master Duan."
"Perhaps... you are the one who can guide me through this confusion."
...
「The Fire Kiln.」
Yang Yan, the only son of Yang Daohan, the ’Tomb Tiger’ and Dragon Head of the Tiger and Leopard Hall.
After finishing his business, he was sought out and assigned a task.
He then stormed into Lu Manor, leading Zhang Shiyao, the seventh seat of the Tiger and Leopard Hall, along with two experts from the Lion Hall and the Eagle Falcon Gang whose Force had penetrated their marrow.
His arrival immediately put many members of the Wind and Cloud Association on high alert, as if facing a great enemy.
Several of the Fire Kiln’s Great Tributors, who had originally reached Great Success in Bone Tempering and were now Stewards of the Wind and Cloud Association’s Fire Kiln operations, wore dark expressions.
But he just cleaned out his ear and said lazily,
"My father is Yang Daohan. He sent me to find someone."
"This is the County, not some lawless land."
"If you want to make a move on me..."
"You’d better think about the consequences."
He ignored the group of men whose faces were as black as the bottom of a pot and strode forward.
In a moment, he saw the Boss of the Fire Kiln, who was leaning on a cane, wearing a cotton-padded jacket, and sitting in a chair with a glacial expression.
His eldest disciple, Luo Xiao, had dark purple bruises around his eyes, and the pupils themselves were still bluish.
Seeing this, Yang Yan grinned.
"Your skills aren’t bad. You have a decent foundation."
"The Fire Kiln is finished. How about coming to my Tiger and Leopard Hall and taking a seat?"
"Brat, trying to poach my men right in front of me? Are you looking to die?"
Lu Chengfeng narrowed his eyes. With a flick of his hand, a pebble shot out on a gust of Force, grazing Yang Yan’s earlobe on the spot.
The latter reacted, touching his ear and feeling a trickle of warmth. He grinned, not annoyed in the slightest, and instead offered a bow.
"Boss Lu."
"You’ve been overseeing Anning for so many years. Naturally, your skills are profound."
"If you wanted to kill me, even with the major tendons and bones in your legs severed by my father, it would be as simple as nodding your head."
"But you have a family to consider..."
"You wouldn’t dare be so reckless, would you?"
His gaze swept around casually and landed on Lu Hongyu, her pretty face cold as ice. She was dressed in red martial attire, her hair in a ponytail, and her hand, which was pulling a Contract Paper from her robes, suddenly froze.
"Miss Lu is looking quite beautiful today."
"Free for tea sometime? It’s better to resolve animosity than to create it. The grudges of the older generation have nothing to do with us younger ones..."
As he spoke, he pulled out a Contract Paper. Seeing Lu Chengfeng’s back arch the moment the teasing words left his mouth, he felt a flicker of apprehension and simply tossed the paper over.
"Elder Lu, I came today for two reasons."
"First, my father feels guilty for striking too heavily and injuring you, Manor Master. He often says one must be polite when dealing with others and take responsibility for one’s mistakes."
"Therefore, fearing that your Fire Kiln business might run into trouble, he wishes to take over half of your shops for a few days. Once you’ve recovered, he’ll return them to you."
"Second, we heard that the Wind and Cloud Association’s Medicine Hall Master is staying at your esteemed manor. My father specifically instructed me to invite this young hero back to join our gang."
"I wonder... where might he be now?"
He scanned the room.
Seeing all the tense, stern faces in the main hall, he scratched his head.
"Well, this is tricky..."
"I’ll take you!"
"I know where he is!"
Suddenly, Luo Xiao, his lips pressed into a tight line, took a step forward.
Lu Chengfeng’s eyes narrowed.
Beside him, Lu Yu and Lu Hongyu also stared in astonishment.
"Senior Brother... Luo Xiao, you!"
Luo Xiao’s gaze shifted away evasively.
This, however, made Yang Yan’s eyes light up. He laughed heartily, strode forward, and slung an arm around Luo Xiao’s shoulder.
"Excellent, excellent! Let’s go, let’s go!"
"I didn’t realize you were so quick-witted."
"Don’t worry. After this is done, my Tiger and Leopard Hall will need someone to oversee the Fire Kiln. Whatever your status was, I’ll speak to my father and make sure you keep it!"
After saying this, he deliberately repeated it loudly for the surrounding, already dejected Fire Kiln experts to hear.
Then he dragged Luo Xiao away, striding out.
Leaving only Lu Yu with narrowed eyes.
"Father, Senior Brother... he..."
Lu Chengfeng frowned.
"Is he... is he going to the residence of the person who gave you the ’Silver Bone’ Tempering Technique?"
Lu Yu thought of Duan Chenzhou, his heart heavy.
"Yes, but... Elder Duan has lost an arm. He usually looks weak, his Qi and Blood depleted, as if he’s suffered a grievous injury."
"According to the legends, unless one has broken the ’Skin Refining Limit’ and donned the ’Purple Ribbon Immortal Robe,’ losing an arm means losing most of one’s skills."
"But that realm is even harder to achieve than a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster! In all five hundred li of Anning, there have barely been a few with Golden Muscle and Jade Veins, let alone someone who has passed the ’Third Great Limit’!"
"Even if I did stumble upon his ’Outer Gang’ secret back then, the way rain didn’t touch his clothes, still..."
"He can’t possibly stop the Tiger and Leopard Hall, can he?"
After hearing this, Lu Chengfeng let out a long sigh.
"The representative from the Wind and Cloud Association’s leader has not yet arrived. Aside from enduring, we have no other choice."
"We were forced onto the same boat as Old Xuu and Old Wei. Now, everyone is just sweeping the snow from their own doorstep. We’re like clay Bodhisattvas crossing the river—we can’t even save ourselves."
"Ji Xiu..."
"We can’t protect him."
"Sigh."
His gaze turned to Lu Hongyu, a trace of guilt in his eyes.
The young woman bit her red lip. After a long moment, she suddenly lifted her sword. Her ponytail swinging, she strode resolutely out of the Fire Kiln.
"Sis, where are you go—"
The woman, dressed in red today with a jade crane embroidered on her lapel, looked valiant and heroic. She didn’t turn back.
"If we can’t do anything, we just don’t do anything?"
"No matter what..."
"Even if he has to go to the Tiger and Leopard Hall."
"I... will see to it that he goes willingly!"
"And if he is unwilling, then I will help him escape this place of conflict!"
...
Hong Jiang drove the carriage to a stop at a residence tucked away in a remote alley.
Looking at the quiet and secluded residence, which had nothing but a plaque with the character ’Duan’ on it, he couldn’t help but ask:
"Hall Master, the owner of this place is...?"
"My Master."
"Wait for me out here."
Ji Xiu’s eyes were bright. After returning from the Lin Residence, he had gathered wine, meat, rice, and flour. He had also specially requested several packets of Medicinal Powder from Huang Xuan for invigorating flesh and blood and for Bone Marrow Tempering. His hands were so full he could barely knock on the door.
"CREAK..."
When the bolt was drawn.
The dozens of Plum Blossom Postures of varying heights, which had borne his sweat, and the weapons rack still stood there.
Only...
The scenery was the same, but the people were different.
And that figure still stood tall, his black clothes dancing in the wind.
Though he had only one arm, he was leaning on a saber. In the afterglow of the setting sun... he exuded an heroic aura that time had weathered but could not erase.
"Master Duan."
"The Hundred Days Foundation Establishment, the Turtle and Snake Grand Foundation Stake..."
"I’ve mastered it."
Ji Xiu put down the things in his hands and spoke with solemnity.
Duan Chenzhou sat on a stool and nodded slightly.
"I heard."
"The prototype of ’Golden Muscle and Jade Veins’."
"Without achieving Great Success in the ’Turtle and Snake Grand Foundation Stake’ and supplementing it with medicinal baths and forging, it is absolutely impossible to achieve."
"I told you before that ’Golden Muscle and Jade Veins’ was just a fancy name used by Prefecture City Martial Artists, because I never expected you to actually achieve it. But..."
His gaze held a strange light, along with an unutterably complex emotion.
"Ji Xiu."
"To be honest."
"I never thought you could make it this far."
"You..."
He took a deep breath, his gaze seeming to pierce through to the heart. A hint of worldly weariness crossed his features as he seemed to be on the verge of making a decision and saying something.
However, a clamor rose from outside, punctuated by Hong Jiang’s startled cries.
"What are you doing? You can’t—"
BANG!
CLATTER!
Yang Yan, a wide smile on his face, kicked the wooden door open, causing Duan Chenzhou’s brow to furrow. He then strode in with Luo Xiao.
"Brother Ji, you were hard to find."
"I am..."
"Yang Yan, the direct heir of the ’Tomb Tiger’ of the Tiger and Leopard Hall! I have come especially to invite you to join us!"
"My father has already prepared a great banquet. The Lion, Leopard, Eagle, and Falcon—all Three Great Dragons—think very highly of you and want to offer you a Heaven-Reaching Road..."
As he spoke, he moved to grab Ji Xiu.
However,
he was stopped by Duan Chenzhou, who lightly tapped the stone table.
"Don’t you know to knock before entering?"
Yang Yan’s eyes narrowed.
He turned and looked Duan Chenzhou up and down. Seeing his extraordinary aura, he couldn’t help but shrink back.
But on closer inspection, he saw the man had a missing arm and his Qi and Blood was locked and unclear. He breathed a sigh of relief, dismissing him as a half-crippled Martial Artist, and said with a smile,
"And you are...?"
"He is my disciple."
Disciple?
Yang Yan was taken aback, momentarily unsure of how to proceed.
"Then why not... you come along as well?"
Duan Chenzhou chuckled, glancing at him from the corner of his eye. He picked up a full-moon-shaped wine cup and toyed with it. The setting sun cast his silhouette, which, though appearing somewhat desolate, also...
...possessed an inexplicable, wicked air.
If one looked closely.
The corner of his mouth was slightly raised.
"Invite me?"
"Kid."
"Are you sure?"
"And you are, sir...?"
"Duan Chenzhou."
Duan Chenzhou?
Yang Yan scratched his head. The name sounded vaguely familiar.
But after thinking for a while, he couldn’t place it.
He then said nonchalantly,
"Whatever. My father wants to invite Brother Ji, and I have to bring him back, one way or another."
"Even if you are his Master, you can’t stop me. You might as well come with us and join our side..."
After these words were spoken, Duan Chenzhou rose to his feet, leaning on his saber, and took several steady steps forward.
Each step was firm and powerful. He dragged his saber, carving a shallow line in the packed yellow earth...
"Heh."
"I can’t stop you?"
His empty sleeve fluttered in the cold wind.
He suddenly chuckled.
"Kid, you’ve got guts."
With that, he looked at Ji Xiu.
"Disciple, do you want to go?"
At this moment.
Ji Xiu saw something ignite in Duan Chenzhou’s eyes that he had never seen before. His heart trembled, as if he had just pushed open a mysterious gate.
It seemed the veil was finally about to be lifted from this Mysterious Master!
But he still shook his head honestly.
"I am unwilling."
He had come here to find clarity for his confusion, to seek the path to Bone Tempering, and to strive for the peak of the Martial Dao.
This Tiger and Leopard Hall was purely using its power to suppress him, leaving him no choice but to comply.
If he had a choice...
...who would willingly pay them any mind?
Unwilling.
Duan Chenzhou savored the word for a moment, then smiled.
"That’s right. Unwilling."
"But what does that matter?"
"The world has never been a place where you get to choose."
He patted his disciple’s shoulder, sheathed his saber, and clasped his single hand behind his back. His tone was light.
"I haven’t taught you much before."
"But now..."
"Watch carefully and learn well."
"Today, I will teach you that when a situation is irreversible and you have no other choice..."
"...what ’reason’ truly is!"