Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

Even the Evil Extermination Bureau, where Zhuang Zhen served, had sent a seconded Martial Artist to oversee the South Outer City. Though normally unseen, the moment a signal arrow sounded, the Evil-slaying Red Armor would appear.

The group advanced slowly.

As they reached the mouth of an alley, an Armored Warrior carrying a lantern paused and lowered his voice.

"Sir..."

He nudged his chin toward the alley.

"There’s some movement in there."

"I heard it too. Sounds like rats."

Lin Fengxiao’s ears twitched. He took the lantern from the Armored Warrior and gave an order.

"I’ll go take a look, and relieve myself while I’m at it... You all rest here for a moment. Archers, stay ready. If there’s anything unusual, immediately sound a warning with a signal arrow!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Armored Warriors accepted their orders.

In the past month, Lin Fengxiao had won the great esteem of Captain Xu Linyuan, who made a point of cultivating his talent. His own progress was rapid, and neither his peers nor his subordinates had anything but respect for him.

The key was his record: he had slain Song Diao and Song Zhuo. This was tangible Military Merit, enough to win over the masses.

The Armored Warriors under his command were completely loyal, obeying his orders without question.

With that, Lin Fengxiao headed into the alley alone.

The lantern swung in his hand, its glow casting a small, dim yellow patch upon the snow-covered ground.

He had once been stationed at the Fuchang Trading Company for a time, so he was very familiar with the surrounding environment.

Twenty or thirty paces into this alley, there was a fork. A right turn would lead around to the Fuchang Trading Company’s warehouse.

More importantly, at the far end of the alley was a corner perfect for keeping watch.

The spot was exceptionally clever. It offered an unobstructed view of the Fuchang Trading Company’s rear entrance and warehouse, yet allowed a person to remain hidden in the shadows, concealed from both the front and back. It was nearly impossible to be discovered there.

Even if someone from the Fuchang Trading Company happened to spot them, the terrain provided a quick escape route back to the main street, where they could disappear into the crowd.

Lin Fengxiao knew all this so clearly because he had once detected movement from that very spot during his previous posting.

He had immediately lunged for it, but by the time he arrived, the figure had vanished.

At the time, he hadn’t known who the person was.

The answer was only revealed later, on the very day he hunted down Song Zhuo and Song Diao.

"Senior Brother Chen, it really is you!"

Lin Fengxiao reached the end of the alley. The lantern’s light illuminated a familiar figure.

That silhouette was etched deep into his heart; he recognized it in an instant.

’There’s no mistaking it!’

As he strode closer, half of a fair-faced young man’s face emerged at the edge of the dim, yellow light.

It was none other than Chen Cheng.

However, he was currently dressed in old clothes.

He also carried a bundle on his back, tightly wrapped in tattered cloth.

This attire took Lin Fengxiao by surprise.

"Junior Brother Lin, do you have any idea why I’m here? Or why I deliberately made a sound to draw you over?"

Chen Cheng’s voice was low, and amid the wind and snow, it seemed faint and ephemeral.

"I don’t need to know."

Lin Fengxiao’s reply was crisp and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

"Just say the word, Senior Brother, and I’ll do anything you ask!"

"Alright, those are your words!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Chen Cheng’s eyes, but it was immediately replaced by that same unhesitating resolve.

This was neither the time nor the place for lengthy explanations.

There was no time to waste; the opportunity would be lost.

...

「Inside the trading company’s main hall.」

It seemed the negotiations were concluded.

Han Chuo’s hearty laughter rang out periodically.

"Then it’s settled!"

Han Chuo raised his teacup, making a toasting gesture.

"Before the Martial Selection next year, Brother Fu, please introduce Tianqi to the Nine Altars Sect first. If he’s fortunate enough to be accepted, I will reward you handsomely!"

"Even if that fails, as long as he achieves some success in next year’s Martial Selection, we will not forget your gracious support, Brother Fu!"

"Of course, of course!"

Fu Yunchen extended his teacup to clink against Han Chuo’s, then offered a compliment.

"Worthy nephew Tianqi’s aptitude and Comprehension are both Upper Grade. If he pushes himself a little harder and manages to condense the Seventh Pillar of Blood Qi, thereby producing Transforming Force, his chances of joining the Nine Altars Sect will be even greater!"

"Uncle Fu, rest assured, I will work twice as hard."

Han Tianqi lifted his teacup with both hands, offering a toast to Fu Yunchen.

He sat ramrod straight, his posture perfect, his expression utterly solemn.

"If I am truly so fortunate as to join the Nine Altars Sect, I wish to take Uncle Fu as my adoptive father and serve you filially for the rest of my life!"

"Excellent, excellent! A good child!"

Fu Yunchen laughed in agreement the moment he heard this.

Who could say how much of his laughter was genuine and how much was mere courtesy? But for the moment, at least, the hall was a picture of paternal affection and filial piety, filled with joyous laughter.

"SHREEEEE—!!!"

Just then, a piercing shriek suddenly tore through the night sky, slicing through the wind and snow, shattering the silence. It was like an incredibly sharp steel needle, stabbing violently into the darkness and into the ears of everyone present.

"What was that?"

Han Tianqi shot to his feet.

He strode over, flung the door open, and tilted his head to look up at the sky.

Wind and snow gusted in his face, rushing into his nose and mouth. He squinted, searching the night sky.

But all he could see were thick snowflakes falling from a pitch-black sky; nothing else was visible.

"That’s a signal arrow from the Captain’s Mansion!"

Fu Yunchen’s brow furrowed, and he shot to his feet as well.

"From the sound of it, it’s somewhere nearby... No, it’s right here, in the immediate vicinity of my company!"

"The Captain’s Mansion?"

Han Chuo’s expression turned grave in an instant as he considered it.

"If that really was a signal arrow from the Captain’s Mansion, then it can only mean one thing... The Red Moon Demon People are nearby!"

As he spoke the four words "Red Moon Demon People," his own face visibly stiffened.

Even Fu Yunchen and Han Tianqi reacted as if they had been jolted, their nerves stretched taut.

These days, the remnants of the Red Moon Nunnery were causing such havoc that the mere mention of them was enough to make people’s faces pale.

Even the slightest involvement meant you’d be skinned alive, if not killed outright.

"Guards! Guards!"

Fu Yunchen rose hastily, strode to the doorway, and shouted.

A guard quickly ran in from the front courtyard. He cupped his fist, bowed, and spoke in an anxious tone.

"Master, there’s trouble!"

"No shit! I’m not deaf!"

The smile was wiped clean from Fu Yunchen’s face, replaced by a furious glare as his ferocious demeanor came to the fore.

"Spit it out! What the hell happened!?"

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