Promise!

Chapter 213, Slaying the Corpse

In the north of the city, there was a small tavern.

Xiang Qichen and Xiong Lei are drinking here.

There were eight people in the dormitory at the time. Jiao Kun paid the price for his laziness and lost an arm, becoming an ordinary person.

Lin Hong, Bi Kai, and Wu Hao, following Zhuang Jin, have risen through the ranks to achieve great success, but now the gap between them is too large. Even if Zhuang Jin doesn't deliberately distance himself, their relationship has gradually faded.

Qian Wende made a mistake in the east of the city, severing all ties with his friends. However, because of the benefits he had previously received, he was still a magistrate of the Sijing Street garrison and was not inclined to associate with them.

Xiang Qichen and Xiong Lei are both from the north of the city, and their status and strength are similar. They have a good relationship now and occasionally drink together.

"Dad, I want to eat roast chicken!" A three- or four-year-old child, holding a sugar figurine and wearing a red cloth bib, looked longingly at the roast chicken that the waiter brought over and placed on the table next to him. He snuggled into Xiang Qichen's arms and whispered in his ear.

“This…it’s not worth it here. When we get back, I’ll buy a chicken and we can have your mother cook it at home.” Xiang Qichen’s former arrogance had long been worn away by life, and he was now coaxing his son in a low voice.

"Oh, the kid's got a sweet tooth, let him have some! Here, let me order one for you."

Xiong Lei now looks much more mature and weathered, with a stubble beard. Since he is not yet married, he has more money in his pocket. He ordered a roast chicken and tore off a chicken leg for Xiang Qichen's son.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Xiong Lei. I have a large family of parents and children. We just moved to a new house last year, and another baby was born last month... so we're struggling to make ends meet."

Xiang Qichen, a martial artist of the third level, certainly couldn't afford a roast chicken. However, due to a series of important life events, he had borrowed some money and subconsciously wanted to be frugal.

"Being married isn't as carefree as being single. By the way, Brother Xiang, do you have any news from the north of the city?"

Two days ago, the Mu family occupied half of the north of the city, and they were also affected and driven out. In the past few years, the Shen family has also acquired plots in other places. Who knows what will happen in the future!
"No, even the street and town magistrates might not know about this. It would probably be someone higher up who would know something. The one who can really make the decision is someone as important as Brother Zhuang... We lower-level people can only listen."

Xiang Qichen shook his head, a worried look on his face: "I'm afraid we really won't be able to get half of the north of the city back. Then life will be even more difficult in the future."

"If they don't come back, it's fine, but I'm afraid that we'll end up fighting like we did with the Medicine King Gang before."

"Yes!"

Xiang Qichen and Xiong Lei sighed and lamented.

The power struggle between those at the top can cause even the slightest fluctuation to be transmitted to those below, turning into a huge storm that can bury people.

At this moment, news came from the tavern that the Shen and Mu families had reconciled, and the Mu family had returned half of the northern part of the city—with the Shen and Mu families deliberately stirring things up, the news spread extremely quickly.

The other patrons in the tavern were just there for the excitement, but Xiang Qichen and Xiong Lei exchanged a glance and became quite excited. They asked two or three times to confirm before finally returning to their seats.
In a large teahouse nearby, a storyteller was also recounting the same story, going into great detail about the events. Zhuang Jin was naturally the central figure, with details like the bet that he could destroy a mountain with a single palm strike…

The patrons over there, hearing this, were so pleased that they slapped the table and cheered.

Xiang Qichen and Xiong Lei were familiar with the characters in the 'story' and felt a strong sense of identification with them. Listening to the twists and turns of the plot, they were also quite excited. After listening to this part, they still felt a little unsatisfied.

"Now we're safe and sound. I never imagined Brother Zhuang would become so capable!" Xiang Qichen exclaimed, his expression complex.

"Yeah, I never thought I'd be able to benefit from Brother Zhuang's influence."

Xiong Lei sighed, then suddenly frowned as if he had thought of something.

"What's wrong? Is something upsetting you?"

"It's not that simple. Even if half of the northern part of the city is taken back, there will probably be considerable changes."

The loss and gain of this half of the northern city makes little difference to the Shen family, but this upheaval and reshuffling will lead to a redistribution of interests and the elimination of many people.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Qichen glanced at Xiong Lei in surprise. He hadn't expected his once muddle-headed roommate to have grown up to be so insightful and clear-headed, able to think of this point: "That's right, but this is the town garrison and street garrison. It has little to do with us. As long as we can be humble, willing to admit defeat, smile more, and say a few nice words, we can still make a living."

Just as Xiang Qichen was surprised by Xiong Lei's current insight, Xiong Lei also found it hard to believe that these words came from Xiang Qichen's mouth. Back then, Xiang Qichen was such an arrogant person!

He looked at him in shock: "Brother Xiang, what's this?"

"Having suffered so many losses, how could I not learn a lesson? Looking back now, I realize how ridiculous I was... To be honest, Xiong Lei, if I could go back in time, I'd slap my past self twice and make him kneel down and call Brother Zhuang 'Grandpa'!"

Xiang Qichen smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Too late! Too late! Now you don't even have a chance to kneel down!"

"Yes!" Xiong Lei thought of the past and felt that he was an idiot in the past. The more he thought about it, the more indescribable the feeling became. He picked up his wine bowl and gulped down the wine.

Xiang Qichen patted him on the shoulder: "It's all in the past. There's no use dwelling on it now. Just live in the present... Xiong Lei, listen to my advice, get married, start a family, and live a stable life. Stop thinking about all that nonsense!"

"I...sigh!" Xiong Lei poured himself another bowl of wine.

Half an hour later, the two men, half-drunk, helped each other out of the house. Xiang Qichen's son, at a carefree age, skipped and hopped along behind them.

Outside, the afternoon sun was dazzlingly bright, reflecting a white light off the rooftops and eaves. The willows at the street corner sprouted new buds, swallows flew by carrying mud, and the sunlight cast hazy shadows of the two people, rustling in the breeze.

Xiang Qichen and Xiong Lei walked forward, arm in arm, into the alley. Behind them, the storyteller was still recounting the story of "Zhuang Jin's palm strike that could destroy mountains and stop war." The story gradually faded away, just like the past, which was like a gust of wind or a dream, leaving no trace. Apart from a little regret when lying in bed late at night, nothing remained.

……

The inner courtyard of the Shen family residence.

At noon, after Shen Xianhong and Mu Yuantu reconciled and a farewell banquet was held for Zhuang Jin's family, Zhuang Jin returned with Shen Xujun that afternoon and visited the Shen family again.

"Thank you so much, Master Zhuang. I haven't yet repaid your life-saving grace at Fenggu's place... and now..."

In the Valley of Wind, Zhuang Jin saved Shen Xianhong from the claws of the Wind-Winged Thunder Tiger, a truly life-saving grace that goes without saying.

Today, after Mu Yuantu proposed the duel, it was Zhuang Jin who used the bet to attract Mu Yuantu's attention, cover up Shen Xianhong's injury, and showed much favoritism towards the Shen family in the bet... It can be said that if it weren't for Zhuang Jin, the Shen family wouldn't have gotten through this so easily!

"You flatter me, Patriarch."

Zhuang Jin looked into Shen Xianhong's eyes and said, "The patriarch once said that if I do not betray the Shen family, the Shen family will not betray me. Now I also have a statement: if the Shen family does not betray me, I will not betray the Shen family!"

With Shen Xianhong's experience, he could naturally see the sincerity in Zhuang Jin's words, and he was immediately filled with emotion. At his level, he had seen countless acts of deceit and treachery, and many friendships that were based on mutual benefit, where even lifelong acquaintances would remain estranged, and even fathers and sons, brothers, would face each other in life and death... Such sincerity was like a light in the darkness, extremely rare and precious.

"By the way, the trip to Fenggu didn't result in killing the Fenggu Thunder Ape or obtaining the beast core for the patriarch, so it doesn't count as fulfilling the agreement. Since you've already started practicing 'Free and Easy Wind Control,' I'll give this to the patriarch as compensation!" Zhuang Jin said, pushing a box over.

Zhuang Jin did not hide the fact that he had obtained two unripe Vermilion Fruits. Shen Xianhong assumed that this was one of them and waved his hand to push it away: "Zhuang Sheng, there is no need for this. Although I took Zhuang Sheng to Wind Valley to cultivate this fruit, Zhuang Sheng himself snatched the Vermilion Fruit from the mouth of that Wind-Winged Thunder Tiger. It has nothing to do with me. How can I get a share?"

He was a sensible man, knowing that one thing should be dealt with separately. As for Zhuang Jin not fulfilling the agreement, the life-saving grace was more than enough to repay the debt of "Free and Easy Wind Riding".

"No!" Zhuang Jin opened the box, inside which was the Thunder Essence Stone obtained from the Yin-Yang Flood Dragon.

Thunderstones are consumables. The Yin-Yang Flood Dragon used some, but the remaining amount was enough for Shen Xianhong to recover from his injuries.

As mentioned before, Shen Xianhong asked him to help him with his fist technique, "Free and Easy Wind Control," to hunt apes in Wind Valley. Now, the apes were not killed, but Shen Xianhong was seriously injured, while he himself obtained two unripe Vermilion Fruits.

Realistically speaking, Zhuang Jin had a clear conscience, but logically speaking, she had taken too much while the other party had suffered a significant loss; that wasn't the whole story.

This is like two people going into business together. One makes a lot of money, while the other loses everything. If this situation isn't handled well, it can easily lead to conflict.

'This Thunder Essence Stone is compensation and a repayment for the Shen family's kindness in learning martial arts,' Zhuang Jin thought to himself.

"This is... a Thunderstone?!"

Shen Xianhong looked over in surprise, naturally recognizing Lei Yuanshi.

Such a rare and precious material is truly valuable. During thunderstorms, it can draw upon lightning to transform the destructive and deadly intent within it into renewed vitality, thus restoring his injuries.

Moreover, the core cultivation technique of the Shen family is the "Wind and Thunder Shock Technique," which has the attribute of thunder and can refine thunder elemental stones to widen and strengthen the meridians. This has a great effect on the second of the three innate gates, the "Body Gate."

“I do need this item, so I will accept it without hesitation. But please wait a moment, Zhuang Sheng.”

Shen Xianhong hesitated for a moment, as if making a decision. After going inside for a short while, he took out a booklet: "With Zhuang Sheng's current cultivation level and the Dragon Pattern Golden Armor on his body, there is nothing in the Shen family's treasure vault that can help Zhuang Sheng."

"As for the 'Black Fiend Technique' after the Innate True Qi Realm, the Shen family does not have it. This is my Shen family's 'Wind and Thunder Shock Technique.' Zhuang Sheng has broken through to the Innate Realm and his foundation is already set, so it is not easy for him to switch to this technique. However, even if he does not switch, he can still take a look and refer to it."

"If Zhuang Sheng wants to cultivate, or if his relatives want to switch to cultivation, we can also provide him with Qingyuan Powder, a cultivation resource."

"Thank you very much, Master."

The "Wind and Thunder Shock Technique" is the foundational skill of the Shen family, which shows Shen Xianhong's sincerity. Zhuang Jin did not refuse. The other party owed her a great favor, and it would be wrong not to repay it. It is the way to get along if there is give and take.

However, after accepting the "Wind and Thunder Shock Technique," he solemnly promised: "The technique is not to be passed on lightly. Patriarch, please rest assured. Apart from my own observation and reference, only Yunniang and Jun'er will practice this technique. I will not pass it on to outsiders."

Shen Xianhong nodded, trusting Zhuang Jin's promise. Zhuang Jin treated him sincerely, and he was willing to reciprocate with the same sincerity, to create a beautiful story together, and to leave a legacy and opportunity for future generations of the Shen family.

……

"After the Innate True Qi Realm comes the Innate罡 Qi Realm, right?"

Zhuang Jin flipped through "The Thunderous Skill" and nodded slightly.

According to the "Wind and Thunder Shocking Skill", if the mark of the Innate True Qi Realm is to condense a three-foot-long Qi wall outside the body with Innate True Qi, then the mark of the Innate Gang Qi Realm is "Innate Gang Qi": it can form a spherical Gang Qi shield with a diameter of about ten feet outside the body. Under the Innate Gang Qi Realm, nothing can break it and no technique can harm it.

"The three-foot qi wall is the condensation of true qi into air, while the innate qi is the condensation of one's own qi into a spherical energy shield?"

"The Innate Qi Realm also has three levels, or three realms: Qi Protection, Attribute Condensation, and Qi Transformation."

This book, "Wind and Thunder Shocking Skill," only goes up to the Innate Qi Realm. The Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm, which comes after the Innate Qi Realm, is only briefly introduced: the Three Corpses are also known as the Three Insects. It is said that a new kind of divine phenomenon will appear every time a corpse is severed.

"Now it's clear. The first major realm of martial arts is the Qi Condensation Realm, which is divided into: Qi Condensation, Meridian Opening, and Fetal Breathing. The second major realm is the Innate Realm, which is divided into: True Qi,罡 Qi, and Corpse Severing."

"The path ahead in martial arts is far more exciting than I imagined!"

After reading it, Zhuang Jin put down the "Wind and Thunder Shock Technique." This technique did provide him with some reference, but he decided against practicing it.

As mentioned before, the Black Fiend Technique is the most suitable technique for him, and it is also the first version of the technique created by the immortal. It is relatively easy to obtain. For example, the Wind and Thunder Shock Technique, a technique after the Innate Qi Realm, is definitely many times more difficult to obtain than the Black Fiend Technique.

Afterwards, Zhuang Jin came out of the quiet room. Because she had mentioned leaving the prefectural city to continue her travels, Chen Yun, Mu Qing, Shen Xujun, and Yu Qingjun had all gone back to their parents' homes to say goodbye that afternoon. They had already returned and were packing their things.

He came over and handed the "Wind and Thunder Shock Technique" to Chen Yun: "Yunniang, Jun'er, you should switch to cultivating this 'Wind and Thunder Shock Technique' from now on. This is something I obtained from the head of the family. By switching to this technique, you can accumulate potential, and it will be much easier for you to break through realms in the future."

"I will listen to my husband." Chen Yun knew that Zhuang Jin would not harm her, and nodded slightly.

"Husband, this..."

As a member of the Shen family, Shen Xujun naturally knew about the Shen family's clan-protecting divine skill. Was it something she could learn?

'I'm probably the first woman in the entire Shen family to cultivate this technique.' Thinking of this, she was moved, and her eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Zhuang Jin.

"Alright, it's just a technique."

Zhuang Jin smiled and shook his head, looking at the women: "This time, besides the county town below, you can also visit some of the surrounding prefectures."

Previously, because he was only at the first level of the Innate True Qi Realm, he was worried about friction with other powerful families and did not cross over. Now that his cultivation has advanced further, a martial artist's strength is his voice, so he no longer needs to be too cautious.

The girls listened, and a hint of anticipation appeared on their faces.

The city was indeed bustling, but after seeing them dressed as men so often over the past few months, it had lost its novelty. Besides, given their status and position, returning to this place would mean dealing with all sorts of social obligations, which would be too much to bear. It would be better to find solace in nature and enjoy a carefree life.

……

That evening, Zhuang Jin and his party boarded a boat and departed from the prefectural city once again.

……

(End of this chapter)