My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

Liang Cheng returned to his private courtyard and shut the door firmly.

He lit the oil lamp and took out the four fragments of cowhide paper from his robes, placing them on the table one by one.

The first piece was from Liu Biao, the second from Zhang Kui, the third from Wu Tianxiong, and the fourth was from today’s auction.

In the candlelight, he carefully aligned their edges and pieced them together.

Where the fragments met, the lines matched up perfectly!

A larger, though still incomplete, map slowly took shape.

The previously blurry lines now connected, vaguely revealing the contours of mountain ranges and rivers. At the center was a strange mark, resembling neither a tower nor a palace.

But several key gaps remained, leaving the whole picture fragmented.

’I’m still missing at least three pieces.’

Liang Cheng’s fingers traced over the missing sections, a glint in his eyes.

’What secret could this possibly hold?’

With no immediate answers, Liang Cheng put the fragments away securely against his body, then sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing and circulate his Qi Blood.

Xu Mansion.

Xu Zhang was having tea with Xu Feng.

"Second Uncle, I saw Liang Cheng today."

"Oh? And?"

"He didn’t accept my goodwill gesture. It seems winning him over with a gentle approach is no longer possible."

"It’s all because Zhi’Er was foolish and caused trouble."

"You jest, Second Uncle. Fifth Brother was also acting for the good of the Xu Family. We must still try our best to find the Qiao Family’s item."

"Mm."

"As for this Liang Cheng... I believe Wu the Treasurer approached you earlier, Second Uncle. I wonder what he had to say?"

Xu Zhang paused. Wu Zhenshan had met with him in secret; he hadn’t expected Xu Feng to know. His expression remained unchanged, however, as he just shook his head slightly.

"The time isn’t right. Wu the Treasurer wants to use us as his blade. If he’s not willing to pay a price, why should we be the first to charge ahead?"

"Second Uncle is wise."

Treasure House.

In a dark corner.

Qian Wanjing stood respectfully to one side.

"You’re saying the item was bought by a disciple from the Martial Arts Academy?"

"That’s right."

"Good. Keep an eye on him. Report any activity immediately."

"Yes, sir."

「The next day.」

Lu Qingzhou arrived in the afternoon. He wore a spotless Celestial Dormitory silver-edged white robe and his usual gentle smile.

"Senior Brother Lu," Liang Cheng said, sheathing his saber and returning the greeting. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong," Lu Qingzhou said, casually sitting down on a stone stool. "I was just thinking about yesterday’s auction. Xu Feng bought that last piece of Meteorite Iron. Do you feel it was a pity, Junior Brother?"

Liang Cheng sat down across from him. "It wasn’t my destiny. There’s nothing to feel pity over."

"*I* think it’s a pity," Lu Qingzhou said, shaking his head with a smile. "If I had lent you the money yesterday, Junior Brother, you might have actually won that Meteorite Iron. Fifteen pounds... that’s enough to forge an Upper Grade Long Saber."

Liang Cheng didn’t respond. Unfazed, Lu Qingzhou smiled and continued, "But then again, the Treasure Pavilion isn’t the only place with good things in Lin Wu City. I know that Wang’s Trading Company recently acquired a batch of Meteorite Iron. The quality might not be as good as the piece from the auction, but they have a large quantity and the price is fair. If you’re interested, Junior Brother, why not come with me to take a look?"

’Wang’s Trading Company?’

Liang Cheng recalled that it was one of the top trading firms in Lin Wu City. It had a profound background and intricate connections with several of the city’s prominent families.

"Are you familiar with the Wang Family, Senior Brother Lu?"

"My family’s elders have some dealings with the Wang Family," Lu Qingzhou said casually. "I just thought you might need it, Junior Brother, so I came to ask."

Liang Cheng considered it for a moment. "Then let’s go take a look."

The two left the Martial Arts Academy, crossed two long streets, and arrived at the South Market, where Wang’s Trading Company was located. The storefront was impressive—a three-story tower. The people coming and going were all dressed in fine clothes; they were either rich or noble.

They were led to a private room on the second floor. Shortly after, a middle-aged shopkeeper in his forties entered with a tea tray.

"Young Master Lu, and this is?" The Shopkeeper looked at Liang Cheng, his eyes sharp and shrewd.

"This is my junior brother from the Celestial Dormitory of the Martial Arts Academy, Liang Cheng," Lu Qingzhou introduced.

The Shopkeeper’s smile widened. "So it’s Young Master Liang. I’ve heard much about you. I am Wang Qini’an, and I have the humble position of the trading company’s third shopkeeper."

"Shopkeeper Wang."

Lu Qingzhou explained their purpose, and soon, a clerk brought in an iron chest. When opened, it revealed seven or eight dark iron chunks of varying sizes. The surfaces had faint, intricate star-like patterns. It was indeed Meteorite Iron.

"These all arrived recently from the northern trade routes. The quality may not be the purest, but the quantity is sufficient. It’s twenty-three pounds in total. After forging and removing impurities, it’s more than enough to craft a long saber."

Liang Cheng picked up a piece to test its weight, then set it down. "Shopkeeper Wang, what’s the price?"

Wang Qini’an chuckled. "This Meteorite Iron isn’t for sale; it’s a gift. Young Master Liang is a prodigy of the Celestial Dormitory. If you are willing, the trading company would like to present this Meteorite Iron to you, along with an annual stipend of five thousand taels and various Cultivation Elixirs and resources. All we ask is that you become an Honored Guest Elder of our Wang’s Trading Company."

He paused, then added, "Of course, if you already have an agreement as an Honored Guest Elder with another company, we can handle it for you. We’ve heard you have some dealings with Landlord Chen of the Three Towns. Our company is willing to offer him double compensation, ensuring that you won’t be put in a difficult position."

Liang Cheng ran his fingers over the rough surface of the Meteorite Iron without speaking. Lu Qingzhou sipped his tea leisurely at the side, as if it had nothing to do with him.

The private room fell silent, with only the fragrant aroma of tea wafting through the air.

After a moment, Liang Cheng looked up. "Shopkeeper Wang, I appreciate your generous offer. However, the matter of being an Honored Guest Elder involves many things. Please allow me a few days to consider it."

The smile on Wang Qini’an’s face didn’t waver. "Of course, of course. There’s no rush. Please take your time, Young Master. The company will reserve this batch of Meteorite Iron for you for ten days."

On the way back to the Martial Arts Academy after leaving Wang’s Trading Company, Lu Qingzhou suddenly spoke. "The Wang family has always been direct. They see your potential, Junior Brother. You don’t need to overthink it."

"Did you bring me here today to act as a go-between for the Wang Family, Senior Brother Lu?"

"I was just helping out where I could," Lu Qingzhou said with a gentle, unembarrassed smile. "If you feel it’s inappropriate, Junior Brother, just pretend you never met Shopkeeper Wang today. However—"

He paused, lowering his voice slightly. "Chen Bainian’s foundation is in the Three Towns, after all. The support he can offer you within Lin Wu City is limited. If you want to go further in the Martial Arts Academy, Junior Brother, it’s best to make plans early."

Liang Cheng didn’t reply.

Lu Qingzhou didn’t press the matter, and the two parted ways at the entrance of the Martial Arts Academy.

Back in his private courtyard, Liang Cheng sat with his eyes closed, replaying the events of the past two days in his mind. ’This was probably all to set up today’s recruitment attempt.’

’There’s no such thing as a free lunch. I can’t jump to conclusions.’

Two days later, Chen Bainian arrived at the Martial Arts Academy, covered in dust from his journey.

He brought a heavy wooden box. Inside were silver banknotes from the trading company’s profits for the last two months, totaling eight hundred taels, along with three bottles of Qi Blood Pills and two boxes of Body Tempering Ointment.

"I’ve made you wait, Liang Keqing!" Chen Bainian’s face was weary from travel, but his smile was sincere.

"Business at the Commerce Association is chaotic at year’s end. Also, this year’s final accounting for the company will probably be delayed until after the new year. The dividends will have to be delivered then as well."

"It’s no trouble," Liang Cheng said, accepting the wooden box. "You’ve worked hard, Landlord Chen."

"Also, here are the letters from your master and your mother."

Chen Bainian rubbed his hands together, seeming to want to say something more, but he swallowed his words. He only said, "Well, Liang Keqing, I’ll let you get back to it. There’s still a pile of things to deal with at the Commerce Association, so I won’t disturb you any longer."

He turned to leave. As Liang Cheng watched him go and was about to close the door, he saw Lu Qingzhou approaching from the other side.

"So Chen Bainian really did come looking for you?" Lu Qingzhou walked closer, his face devoid of expression.

"Is there something you need, Senior Brother Lu?"

"Did Chen Bainian mention the matter of the Commerce Association’s ’Three Trials’ at the end of the year?"

Liang Cheng’s gaze sharpened. "You know about that, Senior Brother Lu?"

"It’s no secret in Lin Wu City’s business circles," Lu Qingzhou said calmly. "Chen Bainian has long had the financial strength to be promoted to A Class in the Commerce Association, but he lacks a Martial Artist who can help him pass the Three Trials."

"These three trials are progressively more dangerous. An ordinary Transformation Force Perfection master would either die or be crippled. Even one of our Celestial Dormitory disciples could perish in there if they’re not careful."

His expression turned serious. "Junior Brother Liang, you have exceptional talent and a great future ahead of you. There’s no need to take such a risk for a bit of money and personal obligation. On the path of Cultivation, if you fall behind once, you fall behind forever. The terms offered by the Wang Family are enough for you to cultivate safely to the True Qi Realm. A wise bird chooses the right tree to roost in."

Liang Cheng was silent for a moment. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."

Lu Qingzhou glanced at him, as if he wanted to say a few more words of persuasion, but in the end, he just shook his head and left.

Liang Cheng closed the courtyard gate but didn’t go back inside. He stood in the yard for a moment, then his figure suddenly blurred. He executed the Wandering Dragon Step, flitting silently out of the courtyard. After a few leaps, he was near the main gate of the Martial Arts Academy.

Chen Bainian hadn’t gone far. He was speaking in a low voice with the steward waiting by the horse carriage.

"Master, are you really going to wait for Liang Keqing to break through to the True Qi Realm? Although Liang Keqing is a prodigy, that will take at least two or three years. At the Commerce Association, the other families are all watching us," the Steward said, his voice laced with anxiety.

Chen Bainian shook his head. "We wait. Liang Keqing is not someone who will remain in a small pond. It’s not worth having him risk the Three Trials. Our foundation is in the Three Towns. Whether our business in Lin Wu City takes off a year sooner or later doesn’t make a huge difference. But if Liang Keqing’s foundation is damaged because of this, that would be a true loss."

He patted the Steward’s shoulder. "Sincerity is exchanged for sincerity. We treat him well now, and in the future, when he reaches the True Qi Realm, everything will fall into place naturally."

The Steward sighed. "I’m just afraid the other families won’t give us that much time..."

"Then we’ll endure," Chen Bainian said calmly. "Sometimes, business is about who can hold out the longest."

After speaking, he turned to board the carriage. Liang Cheng stepped out from the shadows and suddenly called out, "Landlord Chen."

Chen Bainian, who was just lifting the carriage curtain, turned around in astonishment.

Liang Cheng walked up to the carriage and looked at him. "Count me in for the Commerce Association’s Three Trials at the end of the year. As for whether I’ll actually take action, that will depend on the situation."

Chen Bainian was stunned. His lips moved, and his eyes actually reddened. He took a deep breath and nodded heavily. "Good! Liang Keqing, I will remember this!"

The carriage slowly drove away.

Liang Cheng turned and returned to the Martial Arts Academy, unmoved by external matters, and continued his Cultivation.

’Strength is the foundation of everything.’

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