My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

After finishing his morning cultivation, Liang Cheng headed to the Back Mountain Alchemy Room.

"Elder Huang."

Elder Huang was drying herbs in the courtyard. Without looking up, he said, "What’s a brat like you doing here? Have you finally changed your mind about testing my elixirs for me?"

Liang Cheng shook his head and changed the subject. "I’d like to set up a long-term arrangement with you, Elder Huang. In three days, I’ll be stationed as the Town Guardian of Dongshan Mine. I’ll need a regular monthly supply of elixirs and Body Tempering herbs, and I’d like to purchase them from you. Here’s a list of my initial needs."

The herb sieve in Elder Huang’s hands paused. He finally looked up, took the list and glanced at it, clucking his tongue. "Brat, are you going to war or to a mine? I only have eight catties of Profound Gold Powder and five bottles of Earth Vein Stone Milk left. Are you sure you want it all?"

"I’ll take all of it."

Elder Huang rubbed his hands together. "Alright, same old rules. But since you’re being stationed elsewhere, I’ll give you a discount on the interest. I’ll only charge you ten percent."

Liang Cheng handed over his Identity Jade Token. The quality of the elixirs and resources from Elder Huang was better than those acquired elsewhere, which was why Liang Cheng sourced his supplies from him.

Elder Huang took it, completed the transaction, and tossed the Jade Token back to Liang Cheng. "The Contribution Points have been deducted. I’ll have someone deliver the herbs to your courtyard later. Remember, on the fifth of every month, I’ll have someone from the Martial Arts Academy deliver the goods. Make sure you have the Foreign Affairs Hall transfer the Contribution Points over."

"Thank you, Elder Huang."

Elder Huang waved his hand dismissively. "If you really want to thank me, then help me test my elixirs."

Liang Cheng gave a dry laugh but didn’t answer, taking his elixirs and leaving. Elder Huang then looked up and muttered to himself, "Dongshan Mine? How interesting."

...

Liang Cheng returned to Courtyard Three on True Inheritance Peak. Just as he reached the gate, a Steward Disciple hurried over. "Senior Brother Liang, Master Lü asks that you go see him immediately."

Liang Cheng put his things away and headed over at once.

When Liang Cheng saw Lü Bingchen, he cupped his fist in salute. "Master, you sent for me?"

"Relax, it’s nothing serious. The City Lord returned last night. He heard you’ve been assigned as the Town Guardian of Dongshan Mine and has arranged a farewell banquet in your honor, recognizing your contribution to wiping out the Black Tide. Today, you’ll accompany me to the City Lord’s Mansion."

’The City Lord of Lin Wu City?’

Liang Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained impassive. He nodded. "Master, do I need to make any preparations?"

"No need. Just come with me."

...

「City Lord’s Mansion, Guanlan Pavilion」

When Liang Cheng followed Lü Bingchen into the pavilion, several people were already seated. In the seat of honor was a middle-aged man in a green robe. His face was sharp and refined, his eyes gentle but containing a hidden authority. This was none other than the City Lord of Lin Wu City, Shen Jun.

To his left sat Vice City Lord Situ Lang, his expression calm. To his right was Headmaster Bai Hong of the academy, and also present were Shen Wenyuan, Wu Zhenshan, and a few others.

When Shen Wenyuan saw Liang Cheng, he immediately stood up and walked over to his side.

"City Lord, this is the young hero, Liang Cheng."

Liang Cheng pays his respects to the City Lord, the Vice City Lord, and Special Envoy Shen.

Shen Jun immediately made a gesture for him to rise, a gentle expression on his face.

"There is no need for such ceremony. Wenyuan has already told me in detail of how you wiped out the Black Tide and personally slayed the Flipping River Flood Dragon. A young hero indeed."

Situ Lang then chimed in, his tone warm. "Liang Zhenchuan, your reputation is thunderous. Seeing you today, I can tell it is well-deserved."

At this, Shen Jun laughed. "Since everyone is here, let the banquet begin."

The group proceeded to the banquet hall in the City Lord’s Mansion.

Other guests were already in the banquet hall: Qian Wanjing of the Treasure Pavilion, Lu Family Patriarch Lu Mingyuan, Xu Tianxing of the Xu Family...

They comprised nearly half of the most powerful figures in Lin Wu City.

Although Liang Cheng was seated at the farthest end of the hall, no one dared to underestimate him.

After three rounds of drinks, Situ Lang raised his cup with a smile. "Liang Zhenchuan is a true talent. As he takes up his post at East Mountain, the Martial Preparation Hall must also show its support. Wu the Treasurer—"

Wu Zhenshan rose, a sincere smile on his face. "This subordinate has already selected ten elite soldiers from the Martial Preparation Hall to accompany Liang Zhenchuan. They will prove to be of great use."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands.

A young commander with a stern face and a composed, heavy aura strode into the hall and cupped his fist. "Captain of the Imperial Guard Chen Ping of the Martial Preparation Hall, leading nine of my brethren, am ready to follow Town Guardian Liang to East Mountain!"

He was at Transformation Force Perfection, and his chilling killing intent marked him as a battlefield veteran—a true elite of the Martial Preparation Hall.

Liang Cheng’s interest was piqued. He stood and raised his cup. "Thank you for your support, City Lord, Vice City Lord, and Wu the Treasurer. And Captain Chen, I will be counting on you from now on."

Chen Ping cupped his fist. "It is my duty."

Wu Zhenshan raised his cup. Situ Lang and Shen Jun chatted with a laugh. Shen Wenyuan maintained his gentle smile, but his gaze swept over Chen Ping, taking note of him in secret.

The banquet continued in a lively fashion, with toasts and conversation flowing freely until it finally broke up late at night.

Lü Bingchen walked back to the Martial Arts Academy with Liang Cheng. Along the way, he suddenly lowered his voice to give a few words of advice.

"There has always been a subtle tension between the City Lord and Vice City Lord Situ. Shen Wenyuan and Yue Shan are the City Lord’s trusted men, while Wu Zhenshan belongs to Situ Lang’s faction."

"Wu Zhenshan’s sudden goodwill toward you today is likely an attempt to bury the hatchet and resolve all past grudges. You must handle him with care."

Liang Cheng nodded. "I understand."

"Understanding isn’t enough. Remember, you are a True Inheritor of the Martial Arts Academy. You are only accountable to the Academy. You don’t need to align with any faction, but you shouldn’t offend any of them either. You’ll have to find that balance yourself."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master."

"As for Chen Ping, he is useful, but he can’t be fully trusted. Men from the Martial Preparation Hall are loyal to Wu Zhenshan first, and the City Lord’s Mansion second."

"As for the murky waters of the Dongshan Mine, the Lin Family is just the big fish you can see on the surface. Who knows what else is lurking underneath."

Liang Cheng felt a deeper sense of gratitude. Lü Bingchen was speaking so frankly only because he truly had his best interests at heart.

Time flew by.

「Three days later, at the main gate of the Martial Arts Academy」

Fifty Steward Disciples from the Martial Arts Academy serving as Black Armor Personal Guards, forty elite guards from the City Lord’s Mansion, and ten elite soldiers from the Martial Preparation Hall, plus two other Martial Arts Academy disciples, Zhao Yuan and Li Mu—a total of one hundred and two people.

Dressed in light armor with a narrow saber at his waist, Chen Ping stood silently at the head of the group.

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