Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

If the eight manors could unite, they might be a match for one or two.

"Brother Chen, I mean no harm..."

Wu Ziyu’s smile vanished, and she said with a serious expression,

"I only wish to tell you that improving one’s Root Bone isn’t something that can be achieved in a day. The Treasure Medicines required are not always obtainable... I’m willing to do what little I can to lend you a hand."

"No, thank you."

Chen Cheng’s refusal was curt and decisive, but his tone remained polite.

After all, Wu Ziyu had heavily sponsored Xiao Yi in the past. Chen Cheng couldn’t be sure how deep their relationship went. ’Is she just pretending to recruit me, all while having some other plan up her sleeve?’

Chen Cheng had always been one to play it safe, so there was no way he would agree.

"Brother Chen, there is no bad blood between us. Now that Xiao Yi is dead, I truly need a genuine young genius to take his place..."

Before Wu Ziyu could finish, Chen Cheng cut in, his voice low.

"Has the cause of Xiao Yi’s death been determined?"

"There’s no conclusion yet, however..."

Wu Ziyu glanced around before lowering her voice.

"Su Ziyang and Guo Chun have locked onto a prime suspect: Lin Fengxiao."

Chen Cheng’s expression remained placid, as if he barely knew Lin Fengxiao.

Wu Ziyu continued, "A few days ago, I told them to drop the investigation... Do you have some thoughts on the matter, Brother Chen?"

Chen Cheng shook his head. "Just asking."

Wu Ziyu’s eyes flickered, and she said with a hint of a hidden meaning, "The Outer City is chaotic, after all. Have you ever considered moving into the Inner City, Brother Chen?"

"No need to trouble yourself. Farewell." Chen Cheng offered a cupped-fist salute and strode off.

Wu Ziyu’s brows knitted together. She watched his back as he walked away, looking like she wanted to say more but held her tongue.

"What were you talking to him about?"

Gu Lan’an walked over, her eyes cold as she glanced in the direction Chen Cheng had gone.

"Nothing, just some small talk."

Wu Ziyu gave a faint smile, not wishing to elaborate.

"Stop pretending. You were trying to recruit him, only to be rebuffed, weren’t you?"

Gu Lan’an’s expression was nonchalant, but her voice was kept extremely low.

"I’ve seen what that kid is like. He thinks he’s some kind of genius, putting on airs all day long. He acts so high and mighty, as if everyone is supposed to suck up to him and beg for his favor!"

Wu Ziyu glanced sideways at Gu Lan’an but didn’t respond.

Gu Lan’an, however, didn’t notice Wu Ziyu’s odd look and continued her rant.

"So what if he got lucky and had a breakthrough to the Blood Condensation stage? Acting so smug and conceited... he’s bound to pay for it sooner or later. If you don’t believe me, just you wait and see!"

...

In the afternoon, the guests began boarding their carriages to return to the city.

Wang Hengyu was staying at the Hunting Manor for a few more days with Wang Chuang, so Chen Cheng rode back in a carriage with Cao Zhao and Ji Hongshan.

Ji Hongshan was the same as always. He sat without a word, exuding a cold and arrogant aura.

Cao Zhao, on the other hand, was quite excited throughout the journey.

"Junior Brother, your performance today didn’t just restore Jiuan Hunting Manor’s reputation, it was a massive boost for our Dragon Mountain Middle Courtyard!"

"The very first thing I’m going to do when we get back is tell Master Ye and my old man every single detail about your performance and your progress today!"

Cao Zhao chuckled, his tone filled with eagerness.

"Master Ye is sure to be delighted when he hears. And those five servings of Blood Nourishing and Essence Building Soup he was planning to give you? He’ll definitely have to upgrade them to something better now!"

"And as for my old man, don’t you worry. I’ll make damn sure he gives you every single reward and benefit you’re owed for your Three A+ rating, down to the last coin!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Chen Cheng gave a slight nod. Just as he finished speaking, his ears twitched.

He reached out with one finger and lifted a corner of the window curtain.

Outside the window, the mountain forest was a desolate, gray landscape. Fallen leaves lay thick upon the ground, and the trees were nothing but bare branches clawing at the leaden sky.

Beneath a crooked old tree, a group of seven or eight people were hurrying across the mountain path. They were dressed in brown martial attire with white cranes embroidered on their sleeves, heading in the direction of Zhao City.

Cao Zhao, sitting on the same side as Chen Cheng, caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye and said casually,

"Don’t be alarmed. Those are just Manor Soldiers from Cangying Hunting Manor..."

"Senior Brother."

Chen Cheng hadn’t thought much of it at first. But just as he was about to pull his gaze away, he spotted a familiar figure. He couldn’t point it out directly, however.

"Take a closer look at the one in the lead. I have a feeling... something isn’t right."

"What’s not right?"

Cao Zhao focused his gaze, and in the next instant, his eyes widened in shock.

"Brother Ji! Come quick! Isn’t that fellow the Grass Head Mountain bandit from the wanted posters... Liu... Yes! It’s Liu the Crooked!"

Hearing this, Ji Hongshan’s back went ramrod straight. He immediately shuffled over to Chen Cheng’s side and stared out the window. His sharp, piercing gaze seemed ready to bore right through the group of eight, straight to their bones!

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