Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

Given her background, she understood one thing very clearly.

In these chaotic times, favors were often more valuable than gold and silver, and connections were more effective than brute force.

In her eyes, the value of Chen Cheng's connections was no less than the value of his own future potential.

In fact, at this stage, those connections were even more useful than Chen Cheng's own developing strength.

After all, growth took time. Connections, on the other hand, were readily available.

She had thought she'd found a Supreme Treasure today!

But she never expected that this Supreme Treasure would come with such a wonderful surprise!

As this thought crossed her mind, the daze in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by an ever-clearer resolve.

'From now on, I must do everything I can to build a good relationship with Chen Cheng.'

'If I can bind him to my side completely, that would be more than I could ever ask for!'

Nearby.

Zhang Dun and Li Kuangyi had just recovered from their shock.

Yet the two of them remained rooted to the spot, not moving or making a sound.

The looks on their faces were priceless—as if they had just swallowed a live fly they could neither choke down nor spit out.

It was as if someone had just dumped a basin of boiling water over their heads, their cheeks burning fiercely.

They had originally thought Wu Ziyu was being far too generous to Chen Cheng—giving him a Treasure Fish, taking him into her confidence, and even offering to cede Ten-Mile Swamp for his sake.

Only now did the two of them realize that Chen Cheng absolutely deserved this preferential treatment.

No!

It wasn't just that he deserved it—he was more than worthy!

In contrast, one of them had feigned a leg injury to avoid taking action, while the other's legs had gone soft at the sight of the enemy, causing him to break his promise. They had been utterly useless to Wu Ziyu.

Chen Cheng, on the other hand, hadn't even lifted a finger. He just stood there, showed his face, and completely and cleanly resolved such a thorny issue for Wu Ziyu.

The stark, visible difference was a harsh slap in the face.

It was like an invisible hand, slapping them again, and again, and again.

The two of them lowered their eyes, neither daring to look toward Chen Cheng.

They truly wished they could find a crack to crawl into, to save themselves from standing there and being a disgrace.

All around them.

The way the workers looked at Chen Cheng changed completely.

This was especially true for the few young workers who had previously spoken ill of Chen Cheng behind his back.

Now, they truly understood why Chen Cheng was worth five hundred taels without even lifting a finger, while they could work themselves to death for a month and not be worth even one tael.

In that instant, their gazes were no longer filled with jealousy and resentment, but with a deep-seated awe and aspiration.

For quite a few of them, the desire to learn martial arts ignited in their hearts then and there.

On the wharf.

The workers had already begun to rapidly spread word of what had happened throughout the entire Fishing Village. Chen Cheng's name was being swiftly etched into everyone's memory.

On the high wall.

All the Manor Soldiers had lowered their bows and arrows.

In the past, they had only seen ever-victorious divine generals who could single-handedly face an army of thousands in picture books and operas.

But now, they had witnessed with their own eyes, in reality, a young prodigy more effective than a hail of arrows, a forest of spears, deep moats, or high ramparts.

Fantasy had become reality.

Awe rose from the marrow of their bones and was etched back into their very soul.

Perhaps decades later, when they were old and decrepit, they would still be able to remember this scene.

...

The Zhou Family's fast boat came quickly and left even faster.

Its sails filled with wind, the boat cut through the waves and sped away. Soon, it was just a few black dots disappearing over the iron-gray surface of the water.

「In the cabin.」

Zhou Yonglu sat there, his fat face pulled long, sulking as he stared at a spot on the cabin wall.

Fortunately, his anger dissipated quickly, and before long, his expression had returned to normal.

"An, I'm going to prepare a gift. I need you to deliver it to that Junior Brother Chen of yours."

Zhou Yonglu looked to the side at Zhou An, who was staring vacantly at the water's surface.

"An? Did you hear me?"

Zhou An nodded, pulling his gaze back from the water.

Zhou Yonglu thought for a moment, then added, "Just sending a gift isn't enough. From now on, you need to think of more ways to build a good relationship with him."

"You think I don't know that?"

Zhou An pursed his lips.

"My brother and I know what to do. You just focus on preparing the gift... Be thoughtful and generous. My Junior Brother Chen has seen the world; don't think you can fool him!"

"I know..."

Zhou Yonglu replied, frowning thoughtfully. As he considered what to give, a clear look of pained reluctance flashed in his eyes.

...

「In the afternoon.」

The convoy transporting the Treasure Fish returned to Zhao City without incident.

With that, Chen Cheng had officially completed the escort mission. His share was one Green-eyed Carp, a Treasure Fish worth two hundred taels of silver.

Added to that were the three Jade Bone Carp he had bought himself for one thousand taels, and the one Cyan Silver Dragon Wu Ziyu had given him.

All told, he was bringing home five Treasure Fish from this trip.

Wu Ziyu personally escorted a horse-drawn carriage, helping Chen Cheng deliver everything to his doorstep.

At that moment, several household servants were working together to move a large water vat into the courtyard.

The vat was already filled with water, and four Treasure Fish rested motionlessly at the bottom.

Only when the vat was set down securely in the center of the front courtyard did the four Treasure Fish begin to slowly and tentatively swim about.

"Green-eyed Carp and Jade Bone Carp have gentle temperaments, so they can be raised together, and they aren't likely to jump out. Also, they can live in plain well water, but remember to change it every day..."

Wu Ziyu glanced at the water vat, then her gaze shifted to a nearby wooden box stuffed with dry grass. The lid was ajar, revealing the Cyan Silver Dragon inside, which was still struggling faintly.

"You need to cook this Cyan Silver Dragon tonight. Find a pot that's big enough, fill it with water all at once, and let it simmer overnight. Starting tomorrow morning, eat one bowl at each of your three meals. Finish it within three days."

"Can't I just eat more at once?" Chen Cheng asked.

"I'm just telling you the standard method. How much you actually eat depends on how much your body can handle."

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