Promise!

Chapter 201, Ascension

Under a blue sky and white clouds, on a gently flowing river, the fleet of boats slowly approached.

Shi Jie led his men to intercept them, only to learn that Zhuang Jin and his group had secretly disembarked midway and switched to land travel, and were probably already close to the prefectural city.

This was Zhuang Jin's instinctive caution in considering the current situation. However, it wasn't out of fear of the Medicine King Gang, but rather because he knew that the Medicine King Gang leader, Shi Yong, was being closely watched by Shen Xianhong. If someone were to lead a sneak attack, it would most likely be Shi Jie. He felt it wasn't worth exposing his innate realm prematurely for such a small fry as a Nascent Soul martial artist.

"Zhuang Jin is indeed cautious, living up to his reputation!" Shi Jie sneered. "That kid's lucky to have escaped this time. Let's go!"

On the surface, he marveled at Zhuang Jin's good luck, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief that he had missed his target. He knew that Zhuang Jin was used to hiding his abilities and might have reached the eighth meridian now. It was not easy to deal with someone at the same level!

"It's better to watch them fail on their own than to fight to the death, just like Shen Xuhong, the eldest son of the Shen family!"

From Shi Jie's perspective, this idea is quite reasonable: even someone with the same qualifications as the eldest son of the Shen family failed to break through, and Zhuang Jin, who climbed up from the bottom of the martial arts world and was practicing the Black Fiend Technique, was unaware of all the secrets. Perhaps he had already taken pills to break through the bottleneck... Logically speaking, the probability of such a person breaking through to the Innate Realm is extremely low.

There was also something unspeakable in his heart: 'Compared to the small gang in the west of the city before, the Medicine King Gang now dominates the west, and can even hold its own against the Shen family, a century-old powerful clan. Isn't that enough, Brother? What's all this fuss about?'

On this point, Shi Jie did not see as clearly as his elder brother Shi Yong: The Medicine King Gang wanted to divide the prefecture with the Shen family, but would the Shen family agree? Even if the Shen family agreed, there would still be a primary and secondary power, a strong and weak one. It would be either the East Wind prevailing over the West Wind or the West Wind prevailing over the East Wind.

Even if we take a step back and assume the Medicine King Gang acknowledges the second-in-command, their Qingyuan Pot isn't a low-grade item, but rather a damaged mid-grade one. The truth will eventually come out, attracting the covetous eyes of the Shen family... In this situation, it's like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you retreat; if you fail... you die!

……

Zhuang Jin ordered the fleet that was ostensibly there to slow down and switch to land routes midway. By this time, he had indeed brought Chen Yun and the others back to the prefectural city.

Shen Xianhong kept a close eye on this, and upon Zhuang Jin and his party's return, he immediately summoned them to his private study.

Upon seeing Zhuang Jin, he subconsciously sensed it with his martial arts intuition and his expression immediately changed: Zhuang Jin appeared to be only an Eight Meridians Breathing martial artist, but a Xiantian martial artist who had opened the Xuan Guan acupoint would have slightly different aura fluctuations even if they concealed their realm, which could be detected by martial artists of the same realm at close range.

“Master Zhuang, you…”

"Not bad, I have already broken through to the Innate Realm." Zhuang Jin nodded slightly, circulated his Innate True Qi, and a silver ray of light appeared in his hand.

"Good! Good! Good! Great!"

Shen Xianhong said "good" three times in a row, his expression unreadable, only his slightly trembling white eyebrows revealed his inner turmoil.

At this moment, his feelings were indeed incredibly complex: shock, fear, joy...

'I was wrong! Zhuang Jin didn't even take that Profound Enlightenment Pill, yet he quickly broke through to the Fetal Breathing Realm and even passed through the Innate Realm! What incredible talent!'

'But it's all for the best. Under the current circumstances, Zhuang Jin's breakthrough to the Innate Realm is more beneficial than harmful to the Shen family.'

Shen Xianhong was deeply saddened by the failure and sudden death of his eldest son, Shen Xuhong, but he was also worried about the future of the Shen family. Seeing Zhuang Jin break through to the Innate Realm, he felt a sense of relief and hope.

"I also broke through not long ago... After perfecting the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, I saw information about the Three Innate Gates after the Black Fiend Technique. I originally planned to return to the city and prepare for a thorough breakthrough, but one day I had a feeling and awakened my innate spiritual light. The opportunity was rare, and I couldn't bear to give it up, so I gave it a try... The dangers involved are still frightening to think about now, but I was lucky to succeed in the end."

"Zhuangzi has long been known as a 'lucky general,' and now it seems that it is indeed true. However, opportunity and luck are also part of strength. The fact that Zhuangzi was able to break through shows that his character and temperament are also top-notch."

Shen Xianhong's mindset changed very quickly, as could be seen from his way of addressing Zhuang Jin, and he didn't bother to examine Zhuang Jin's explanation in detail.

On the one hand, Zhuang Jin's logic was self-consistent, and he believed that this was probably the case, with little deviation; on the other hand, Zhuang Jin had already reached the Innate Realm, and at this level, even if there were some opportunities or secrets, he could keep them safe.

"He is unworthy of the title 'Zhuang Sheng' (庄生) from the family."

“How could I not accept it? We martial artists are ranked by strength. We are both at the Xiantian level. I am a few years older than Zhuang Sheng. If Zhuang Sheng does not mind, you can just call me Brother Shen.”

Shen Xianhong earnestly said, "Since Zhuang Sheng has broken through to the Innate level, I will naturally fetch the Innate level Black Fiend Technique and Innate martial arts for him later. From now on, Zhuang Sheng's status in my Shen family will be above that of an honored guest, on par with mine. It would be a bit unfair if he did that."

"In this way, after we destroy the Medicine King Gang and obtain the broken mid-grade Qingyuan Pot from them, I will give the Shen family's low-grade Qingyuan Pot to Zhuang Sheng to help him establish a Xiantian family. My Shen family and Zhuang Sheng will share a prefecture in Yunnan. What do you think, Zhuang Sheng?"

This alone shows that things are different from before. Before, it was called a discussion, but as long as Shen Xianhong brought it up, Zhuang Jin had no room to refuse. Now, it is a real discussion.

Not only in terms of attitude, but also in terms of sincerity: the Black Fiend Palm innate level technique and innate martial arts are just extras. As long as Zhuang Jin agrees to join forces to kill Shi Yong, the leader of the Medicine King Gang, and destroy the Medicine King Gang, he can be rewarded with a low-grade Qingyuan Pot, support the establishment of an innate family, and share Yunnan.

Such favorable conditions also made Zhuang Jin's choice of an appropriate entry point appropriate. Under the current circumstances, the eldest son of the Shen family, Shen Xuhong, failed to break through and died suddenly, putting the Shen family in a passive situation. Zhuang Jin, however, was enough to serve as a bargaining chip to change the situation.

Faced with such a suggestion, Zhuang Jin shook his head slightly: "As the patriarch knows, I cultivate the Black Fiend Technique, which makes it difficult for me to have offspring. Now that I have reached the Innate Realm, it will probably be even more difficult... I have no intention of establishing a family. Yunnan is just a stop along the way."

This is only one aspect; more importantly, Shen Xianhong's proposal contained a hidden trap.

The prefectural city has a fourth innate martial artist, Prefect Mu Yuantu. If Shen Xianhong were willing to offer the low-grade Qingyuan Pot to support the innate families as a bargaining chip after the matter is accomplished, Mu Yuantu might be tempted. So why didn't Shen Xianhong do so?
As the prefect, Mu Yuantu was in a position of power and it was difficult for him to intervene. This was only the superficial reason. The real reason was that the risks and benefits were not matched.

With his innate vitality being extremely tenacious, even if Shen Xianhong and Mu Yuantu were to fight one against the other, Shi Yong might be able to take one of them down with him. Even if he couldn't do that, he could at least severely injure one of them. At that point, with one person remaining intact and the other severely injured, it would be difficult to guarantee that one side wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics.

"If I had agreed to the previous suggestion to join Shen Xianhong in killing Shi Yong, as the weakest of the three, Shi Yong's dying counterattack might have targeted me. Even if he couldn't take me with him, he could have severely injured me. In that situation, it would have been a huge test of Shen Xianhong's integrity, but human nature can never withstand such a test!"

Zhuang Jin sighed inwardly and suggested, "What do you think, Patriarch? Invite Prefect Mu... and ask Prefect Mu to invite Shi Yong, the leader of the Medicine King Gang, under the pretext of negotiation and mediation. Let them fight on the spot. With three against one, we won't be afraid of Shi Yong's last stand."

"Afterwards, the patriarch took the broken mid-grade Qingyuan Pot from the Medicine King Gang, and Prefect Mu took the low-grade Qingyuan Pot. I only asked the patriarch to provide me with ten years' worth of cultivation resources in the form of the broken mid-grade Qingyuan Pot."

As he said, he had no intention of establishing a family or power. The prefectural city was just a stopover. He did not necessarily want to possess the Qingyuan Pot. As long as he had cultivation resources, that would be enough.

'In this situation, introducing a third party greatly reduces my risk; after all, triangles are the most stable shape!'

"Furthermore, rights and obligations should be equal. If we follow Shen Xianhong's suggestion, and I want to obtain the Qingyuan Pot and establish a Xiantian family, I will inevitably have to risk my life in the battle against Shi Yong. But now, by bringing in Mu Yuantu, giving the Medicine King Gang's damaged mid-grade Qingyuan Pot to the Shen family, and giving the Shen family's low-grade Qingyuan Pot to Mu Yuantu, these two will take the lion's share and will inevitably bear the main offensive, while I will only be allocated the least and provide support." In short, this proposal is most advantageous to Zhuang Jin.

Shen Xianhong gave Zhuang Jin a deep look: "This plan is brilliant, let's do as Zhuang Sheng says!"

His previous suggestion was both a test and a way to prevent Zhuang Jin from being dissatisfied with promising his low-grade Qingyuan Pot to Mu Yuantu. Now that Zhuang Jin has taken the initiative to propose it, it is the best of all three.

"I will first give these two items to Zhuang Sheng: the Black Fiend Skill's Innate True Qi Realm cultivation method and the Innate Martial Technique."

Once the agreement was made, Shen Xianhong naturally had to pay a deposit. He went inside and came out not long after, holding two booklets in his hand: "This is the Black Fiend Technique, the innate true qi realm cultivation method. This is all that my Shen family has in its collection."

"This is the innate palm technique, 'Yin Yang Two Elements Palm.' My Shen family also has an innate sword technique, 'Wind and Thunder Quick Sword.' It's not that we're stingy or unwilling to give it away, but the 'Wind and Thunder Quick Sword' requires the 'Wind and Thunder Shocking Skill' true energy to unleash its power... This 'Yin Yang Two Elements Palm' has similarities to the Black Fiend Palm. Zhuang Sheng, use it for now. Afterwards, I will search for an innate weapon-type martial technique for you."

In the Innate Realm, Innate True Qi can be channeled into weapons, and the strengthening of Innate True Qi is also related to the materials themselves... Therefore, Innate Palm and Leg Techniques are naturally inferior to Innate Sword and Knife Techniques.

"Thank you, Patriarch. I'll have to trouble you then." Zhuang Jin nodded slightly.

Shen Xianhong paid the deposit and returned to the plan: "Zhuang Sheng has broken through to the Innate Realm, but Shi Yong, the leader of the Medicine King Gang, doesn't know yet. If the plan is delayed for too long, it may be exposed and cause more variables. Why don't we discuss it with Prefect Mu tonight and take action tomorrow? What do you think, Zhuang Sheng?"

"A long night can lead to many unforeseen events, so this is for the best."

"Then it's settled! I have a mutual understanding with Shi Yong, the leader of the Medicine King Gang, and I can't act rashly, lest it arouse his suspicion. So, at midnight tonight, I'll send someone to invite Prefect Mu, and the three of us will discuss the specific details further..."

In the martial arts intuition, innate martial artists have three states: one is a huge sense of existence that connects with heaven and earth, such as Shen Xianhong and Shi Yong, who keep an eye on each other and sense each other's positions;
One type, like Zhuang Jin at the beginning, concealed part of his realm. After opening the Xuan Guan acupoint, the fluctuations emitted were slightly different, which could be detected by a Xiantian martial artist in person.
Another method is to completely entrust one's presence to the world and become invisible through martial arts intuition. In this case, whether innate martial artists can discover each other depends on their level of cultivation and their understanding of merging with the world.

Prefect Mu Yuantu, for example, did not need to be watched by Shen Xianhong and Shi Yong, and was also a low-key person, so he was usually in the third state.

Therefore, under these circumstances, if Shen Xianhong goes to the government office, he might be discovered by Shi Yong, the leader of the Medicine King Gang, which would alert Shi Yong. It would be best to ask Mu Yuantu to come over.

"Furthermore, a banquet was originally held today to welcome Zhuang Sheng and celebrate his promotion to Purple Robe Attendant. However, we did not expect that Zhuang Jin has already reached the Innate Realm... In order to mislead the Medicine King Gang, the banquet may continue. I will announce to the public later that Zhuang Jin is now an Eight-Meridian Breathing Martial Artist, at the Purple Robe Attendant level... Zhuang Sheng, please bear with this for now..."

The banquet was arranged because the eldest son, Shen Xuhong, died suddenly after failing to break through, and Zhuang Jin was promoted to Purple Robe Attendant. In addition to welcoming him back, it was more about boosting morale and stabilizing people's hearts. Now that Zhuang Jin has reached the Innate Realm, this is no longer the main goal. It is more about confusing the Medicine King Gang, lowering Shi Yong's guard, and waiting for them to make full preparations so that they can kill the dragon tomorrow!
……

The banquet that evening, held to welcome guests and celebrate their promotion to Purple Robe Attendant, was naturally quite grand, and guests arrived one after another.

Du Shiyuan was the second martial arts student recruited by Zhuang Jin, and he has now reached the eighth level of cultivation. He has also come here today.

"Boss Du!"

"Boss!"

"Du, the garrison commander!"

……

Du Shiyuan was a garrison commander, and his subordinates would greet him as he passed by. Upon seeing the two men, he quickly stepped forward and greeted them, "Governor Lin! Governor Bi!"

"Is that Garrison Commander Du? You're here early!"

"Let's go in first!"

Lin Hong, Bi Kai, and Du Shiyuan knew each other, so they greeted each other, nodded slightly, and left.

Du Shiyuan watched Lin Hong and Bi Kai's retreating figures, his heart filled with complex emotions. Now, these two, one a tenth-year scholar and the other a nineth-year scholar, were both enjoying peace and tranquility in the north of the city.

Back then, he was the second person recruited as a martial arts student, and his family background was the best among all martial arts students recruited. But now, Zhuang Jin's figure is nowhere to be seen, and even Zhuang Jin's subordinates have surpassed him. His family background, which he was so proud of, is not as good as following the right person. How can anyone talk about this?
Du Shiyuan shook his head slightly, suppressing his complicated emotions, and stepped forward to hand over the invitation: "Master Yue, it's been a long time!"

Zhuang Jin's long-time follower, Yue Song, is now also at the Tenth Scripture Realm. Compared to his previous enthusiasm for Lin Hong and Bi Kai, he only nodded slightly when he saw Du Shiyuan, showing a significant difference in his attitude.

"Back in the day, this guy was just a deputy section chief; he didn't look like this when he saw me."

Du Shiyuan sighed inwardly and was about to leave when he saw Yue Song turn his head as if his face had changed, revealing a smile even more enthusiastic than he would to his own father. He quickly took two steps to greet someone: "Elder Ping, this way please!"

He looked in the direction he saw and saw a middle-aged martial artist wearing a white robe with six stripes on his shoulders. He was clearly a martial artist with twelve meridians.

Several martial artists behind witnessed this scene and whispered among themselves.

"That's a six-striped guard level, no wonder Yue Changsui is so enthusiastic!"

"Hey, if it were an ordinary martial artist with twelve meridians, Yue Changsui wouldn't be in such a state. You don't know, that's Ping Yongfeng, Master Ping, Lord Zhuang's teacher... Back then, Master Ping only had three meridians, but in just a few years, he has already reached the Great Perfection of all twelve meridians."

"I heard that when a Martial Master hits a bottleneck, they never run out of Meridian-Clearing Pills and Elixirs. If one isn't enough, they take two... The resources they have are enough to train two or three other martial artists at the same level. With those conditions, even a dog... cough cough, I could do it!"

……

Hearing these voices, Du Shiyuan was filled with mixed emotions. He was first Zhuang Jin's colleague, then became Zhuang Jin's subordinate, then was left behind by Zhuang Jin and gradually disappeared from sight. Then he was surpassed one by one by Zhuang Jin's teacher, attendant, and confidant...

'If I had been able to humble myself and swallow my pride back then, would I be one of the beneficiaries today?'

But how could this person have foresight? How could he have imagined that Zhuang Jin would end up like this!
Not only Du Shiyuan, but also Zou Qingfeng, Xing Yan, Luan Zhenyun, Qian Wende, Gan Ju and other old friends who had once crossed paths with Zhuang Jin, saw this scene from different corners and had different feelings. However, they all had the same thought in their hearts: When one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven!

……

(End of this chapter)