After returning to Butcher Court with Chen Ku, Ke Yansheng thought, If Elder Yang really tries to snatch him, I’ll just sic Elder Shang on him! Good thing Chen Ku didn’t use his Stick Technique today. This really shows Elder Shang’s foresight. Otherwise, if we’d given him the Thousand-Jun Stick a month early and taught him the basics, what a mess that would have been. Anyway, it’s better if Chen Ku skips these pointless monthly exams in the future. A great student is like a prize cabbage; you’re reluctant to pick it yourself, terrified another school will come and snatch it.
「Within Jinshi Academy.」
A tall and sturdy old man, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, stood before a nine-foot-long, gilded staff, chuckling as he scolded, "Shang Yunfang, oh Shang Yunfang, you old fox, you shameless rascal! It’s just a move or two, isn’t it? Hiding it from me , are you afraid I’ll snatch that boy away? Am I really that despicable?!"
Shang Yunfang stood not far from this Elder Yang, drawing on his tobacco pipe, his eyes averted. "Hard to say."
This old buddy of his, known as ’North Yang’ throughout Baojiao County—a counterpart to ’South Li’ of the Fish and Dragon Association—was an anchor of his respective establishment. In terms of Cultivation, he had reached the threshold of "Muscle Transforming" long ago, a solid realm and a half higher than Shang’s own. He was also older and, furthermore, had cultivated the first nine stances of the "Furious Ape Mighty Staff" to the Perfection Realm. All these factors combined made him the undisputed face of Medicine King Hall.
Provided, of course...
If only he were a bit more honest in his dealings and not so shameless, it would be even better.
"Shorty... you truly underestimate me, Yang Luochen. Ever since I took on that sole disciple, our bond has deepened. Passing on my legacy to one person is enough; I won’t covet anyone else."
Yang Lin, courtesy name Luochen, was a native of Yanmen Fort village in Baojiao County. In his early years, he had "sold coal," "worked as a cook," and "run a grain stall." Eventually, by a twist of fate, he joined the Chen Family Town branch of Medicine King Hall. Coincidentally, a Grandmaster from the previous generation of Jinshi Academy was teaching in Chen Family Town at the time and took the old man on as an Apprentice. After numerous trials, even that Grandmaster hadn’t anticipated that he would forge for Medicine King Hall a "Heaven-reaching White Jade Pillar, and a beam that supports the sea."
Aside from his rather poor reputation, it could be said that in terms of Martial Arts, he was second to only one person in Baojiao County.
Yet, regarding Yang Lin’s chest-thumping guarantee, Shang Yunfang still had only two words: "Hard to say."
"Believe it or not, I’ve said I’m not taking any more disciples, and I mean it! You can set your mind at ease!"
"Then let’s discuss something else... A group has been poaching our business lately. Although they’re still operating in the countryside, they’ve already started to undermine the foundations of Medicine King Hall."
"That group is treating illnesses for free."
Upon returning to Butcher Court, Chen Ku began pondering the Fundamental Diagram.
Today’s exchange with Jiang Shaoyou gave me quite a few insights...
He mentally reviewed their sparring match.
First, there was Jiang Shaoyou’s ’Unity of Move and Force.’ Each move contained a special Force Power, jerking and pulling like a drill bit.
Chen Ku held the Bone-chopping Sharp blade, mimicking the movements.
Master Ke said that the Rolling Blade Force in the bone-chopping butcher blade is similar. The key is how to integrate this Force Power into the moves, or embed it into the body so it can be unleashed at any time.
Having been "fed" Force Power by Ke Yansheng long ago, Chen Ku already had an advantage over others in mastering the Rolling Blade Force.
The Skyward Strike also contains a Secretly Transmitted Force Power, a kind of ’Absorbing Force’ that can draw in air currents from the surroundings. There’s a method to unleash it, but mastering it requires painstaking practice.
Chen Ku closed his eyes, slowly contemplating.
But the prerequisite is that I need a suitable staff before I can use it.
When the workday ended, Chen Ku made a trip to the black market, selling the medicinal herbs, Tiger Bone, and the Ox Horn Shoot he had accumulated.
He received One Hundred and Sixty Taels.
「Late the next night, after work.」
Chen Ku planned to visit the Firewood Iron Shop. After all, every day without a weapon meant another day’s delay in his cultivation. Bleeding some money was acceptable, as it was an investment in himself.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out of Medicine King Hall’s main gate, he encountered Jiang Shaoyou.
"Junior Brother Chen? Heading out?" Jiang Shaoyou proactively approached with a smile. "How’s your leg? After taking that sneak kick from you, mine is still a bit sore, you know."
Chen Ku’s leg wasn’t sore. It wasn’t due to a superior Physique, but because he had Tiger’s Head Ginseng to aid his recovery. A minor bruise, combined with the medicinal effects and his Force Power, had healed in half a night.
However, he had to admit that after these two encounters with Jiang Shaoyou, his impression of the Junior Pavilion Master had improved considerably. Despite his prominent background, he wasn’t arrogant and possessed a generous spirit.
He returned a polite smile and said, "Yes, I’m planning to purchase a suitable weapon."
Jiang Shaoyou’s expression shifted to one of understanding, and he chuckled. "Indeed. With Junior Brother Chen’s Innate Divine Strength, ordinary sticks and weapons probably couldn’t withstand your usage."
Since the other party had raised the subject, Chen Ku decided to ask a few more questions. After all, Jiang Shaoyou belonged to a prominent family and faction in Baojiao County and was likely more knowledgeable in certain areas.
"Hmm, Senior Brother Jiang, do you happen to know which Firewood Iron Shop has better quality weapons?"
"Firewood Iron Shop, you say? It’s indeed a good place to buy weapons." Jiang Shaoyou paused mid-sentence, then suddenly smiled at Chen Ku. "However, if you truly desire a suitable weapon, I know another way, one that won’t cost you any money. Interested?"
"Won’t cost money?" Chen Ku immediately grew cautious.
Things that don’t cost money are often the most expensive.
Seeing Chen Ku’s expression, Jiang Shaoyou laughed. "Relax, you don’t have to do anything untoward. I have a friend hosting a gathering. He’s the descendant of a Martial Arts Scholar, and we respectfully call him ’Official Chai.’ He greatly enjoys making friends, especially with like-minded and capable young individuals. He gathers heroes from all over the county, often hosting thirty to fifty of them at his residence. If he admires someone, he gifts them weapons or gold. I myself received a treasured sword from him."
"Descendant of a Martial Arts Scholar?" Chen Ku was surprised.
A Military Scholar holds a Ninth Rank Official Title. A Martial Arts Scholar, however, holds a Seventh Rank Official Title. To be called ’Official Chai,’ he must be on par with the Baojiao County Magistrate!
"It’s due to his ancestors’ merits. But even so, that fortune has blessed three or four generations. In his generation, there are family members who have also become Military Scholars," Jiang Shaoyou explained with a smile. "So, what do you think? If you’re interested, the banquet is tonight. Shall I take you?"
Chen Ku pondered for a moment.
Could this be an opportunity to glimpse a higher social circle? Say what you will, the Junior Pavilion Master of Tongwen House and the descendant of a Martial Arts Scholar are definitely second-generation elites. In any world, social circles determine one’s level. Information casually exchanged within certain tiers, if leaked, could be enough to alter the lives and destinies of those outside. Perhaps... interacting with such a high-level circle could provide me with some information, leading to an easier way to earn money?
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Then I’ll have to trouble Senior Brother to take me to broaden my horizons."
"Excellent! Rest assured, no one there will look down on you. Capable people are respected everywhere," Jiang Shaoyou said. "We’ll meet at the ’Fragrance Pavilion’ in the county in two hours."
"Fragrance Pavilion?"
"A place for enjoying music and performances."