Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

The people of the Hunting Manor were masters of this art.

Chen Cheng was all too familiar with these tricks.

They were all tricks he'd long since moved past.

However, he knew with crystal clarity that this matter couldn't be dragged out. He had to find a way to end it, and soon. Otherwise, trouble was inevitable.

As Chen Cheng was lost in thought, a sudden commotion erupted from the riverbank behind him.

There were low shouts and cries, mixed with the WHOOSH of snow kicked up by someone using a Martial Arts Step Technique with great speed.

Chen Cheng turned around.

He saw that the stalker had already been pinned to the ground.

A young Patrol Captain had a knee pressed into the man's back, forcing his hands behind him. The captain then stood up and pinned him with his foot. The slightest movement made the stalker grimace in pain.

And a short distance behind them,

A middle-aged man in a black cloak with a long saber at his waist was walking over slowly.

The man's face was cold, and his gaze swept over the stalker like a blade. Then, he lifted his eyes slightly, and his gaze met Chen Cheng's from a distance.

Chen Cheng recognized the man.

He immediately quickened his pace to meet him, cupping his fist in greeting.

"Greetings, Lord Yu."

That's right. This man was none other than Zhuang Zhen's uncle-in-law, Yu Feng, the Imperial Guard Official for the Inner City South District Patrol Office.

"Chen Cheng, so it is you."

Yu Feng walked closer and looked Chen Cheng up and down. His tone was flat when he spoke, yet carried a deep, steady weight.

"You're being followed right on your doorstep, and you didn't notice a thing?"

"...I honestly didn't notice."

Chen Cheng gave a slight nod.

Yu Feng's brow furrowed.

"I've had people look into you. Your diligent cultivation is your strength. But it's not necessarily a good thing if all you know is to bury your head in training, shutting yourself off from the world."

"When you have time, you should go out and experience the Jianghu. See the world, learn things you can't in a Martial Arts Hall. In this world, just having strong fists isn't enough to survive."

With a slight lowering of his gaze, Yu Feng glanced at the stalker pinned on the ground like a dead dog and continued.

"Never mind anything else, you can't guard against these kinds of dirty tricks and vicious schemes with just your fists. The more you understand, the better your chances of truly finding your footing in this world."

"...Thank you, Lord Yu, for your guidance."

Chen Cheng cupped his fist again, but inwardly he was a little surprised.

These words from Yu Feng were no casual, off-the-cuff remarks.

This was the concern and advice of an experienced elder for a junior's future.

They had only met once before. Chen Cheng didn't think Yu Feng was the type to speak so profoundly to a near-stranger.

'What's he after?'

"Turn your head."

Yu Feng's voice suddenly turned cold.

The stalker on the ground shuddered, strained to turn his face toward them, and forced a smile that was uglier than a crying face.

"Lord Yu, it's me, Bai Qian from the Bai Family's second branch... Do you remember me?"

"Cut the crap."

Yu Feng looked down at him and said in a frigid voice.

"Open your dog eyes and take a good look. The man you're following is my, Yu Feng's, nephew-in-law."

"This time, I'll give your second branch some face. But if there's a next time... you should know what I'm capable of."

"This... this is all a misunderstanding..."

Hearing this, the smile on Bai Qian's face instantly froze. He quickly adopted a serious expression and gave his assurance.

"Rest assured, sir. Since Young Master Chen has this connection to you, my Bai Family's second branch will absolutely not have any other ideas..."

"This matter had nothing to do with my second branch to begin with; I was just doing a favor for someone... I'll go back and explain the stakes to the second branch's Steward right away. We'll have nothing more to do with this! Absolutely nothing!"

"Get lost."

Yu Feng didn't even look at him again.

Only then did the young Imperial Guard release his foot.

Bai Qian scrambled to his feet, bowing repeatedly to Yu Feng. He then glanced at Chen Cheng again, forcing another apologetic grin, before turning tail and bolting.

"Lord Yu..."

Chen Cheng's brows knitted slightly as he asked in a low voice.

"Is there... some kind of misunderstanding between us?"

"Misunderstanding?"

Yu Feng shot Chen Cheng a sideways glance. His tone was no longer icy, but it wasn't warm either.

"The Zhuang Family estate has been empty for over ten years, and you're the first person to live there! And you're telling me this is a misunderstanding?"

His gaze sharpened, his tone carrying an unshakeable, hard edge.

"Tonight, you're coming to my home for dinner. My wife wants to meet you."

At these words, all of Chen Cheng's doubts were instantly resolved.

No wonder Yu Feng was giving him life advice on only their second meeting. It wasn't that he spoke too deeply for a stranger; it was because he truly saw Chen Cheng as one of his own juniors.

And no wonder Yu Feng had appeared here. It wasn't a coincidence. He had come specifically to personally invite Chen Cheng to dinner.

That Bai Qian was just plain unlucky... he had walked right into the line of fire.

At this thought, Chen Cheng couldn't help but recall something Zhuang Zhen had said before.

Her uncle-in-law was a devoted family man who doted on her aunt, never hesitating to do as she wished.

Seeing him here today, it must have been his aunt who gave the order. Even if Yu Feng wasn't happy about it, he still made the trip himself.

In a situation like this, how could Chen Cheng possibly refuse?

"Then it's settled. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you."

Without even waiting for Chen Cheng to reply, Yu Feng delivered his final word and turned to leave.

Chen Cheng stood there for a moment before turning and continuing north.

He had real business to attend to today; there was no point dwelling on the present situation.

Exiting the South Third District from its northern end led to the South District's main thoroughfare, Vermilion Bird Street.

The street was more than three times wider than a normal road. It was paved with bluestone, and the snow had been swept to the sides, revealing a clean, flat surface.

Shops lined both sides, all of them famous establishments in the South District. The road was bustling with carriages and pedestrians, a stark contrast to the quiet residential area of the South Third District.

Continuing north along Vermilion Bird Street and passing through two memorial archways, the surrounding clamor gradually faded.

And straight ahead, the gates of the Dragon Mountain Upper Courtyard were already visible in the distance.

From afar, the facade was extremely impressive.

Three wide, vermilion-lacquered gates stood under a lintel that was a cut above its surroundings. An ebony plaque hung from it.

On the plaque were the two large, gilded words "Dragon Mountain," written with powerful, calligraphic strokes that conveyed immense momentum.

"Junior Brother Chen?"

A voice called out from behind him, its tone rather strange.

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