The next morning.
Lin Zhao woke up early. After a day of soaking in medicinal baths, his injuries had largely stabilized. He felt a vigor he hadn't possessed before. He changed into the clothes prepared by Dongcang, which were simple: a regular shirt, an outer robe, and a pair of new cloth shoes. This entire ensemble instantly gave him a refreshed aura.
Dongcang stared, then smiled, "Young Master, wearing these new clothes… you've truly become entirely different."
Lin Zhao looked at his reflection. He had indeed changed greatly during this time. Since resuming his fist practice, his youthful frame had grown sturdier and stronger, his body gradually filling out. Especially his face; his high cheekbones were becoming fuller, and he exuded a subtle air of youthful spirit, completely unlike his former "skinny monkey" self.
...
The training room.
Chu Huaixi remained relentless. He only suppressed his fist energy to the level of the Second Realm, unleashing his full intent, principle, and momentum. The result showed little change. On the first day, Lin Zhao collapsed after receiving four of Chu Huaixi's punches. The second day saw a slight improvement, collapsing after five punches, only to be carried back to the small courtyard by Huang Tingyu and cared for by Dongcang.
Afternoon.
Lin Zhao awoke leisurely while soaking in his bath. This time, however, it wasn't Dongcang he saw, but Huang Tingyu, holding a chair and sitting before him. The old marshal rested his arms, squinted at Lin Zhao, and chuckled, "What, not seeing your little wife upon opening your eyes, a bit disappointed?"
"Not at all."
Lin Zhao was embarrassed. "Old Master Huang, please don't speak such nonsense."
"Hahaha~~~"
Huang Tingyu laughed. "I'm here today because there's something I need to tell you, concerning Su Qingjiu."
"Ah?!"
Lin Zhao started. "What happened to Xiao Jiu'er?"
"The Su family has run into trouble."
Huang Tingyu briefly recounted the events at the front lines.
After listening, Lin Zhao felt a heavy knot in his chest. "What does this mean? Is the Great Shang Dynasty deliberately making things difficult? Trading the ruin of the Su family for an excuse in their court?"
"Precisely, clever!"
Huang Tingyu nodded and smiled. "If the blame isn't shifted to the Tianchi Army and Su Liang, these defeated soldiers of the Great Shang Dynasty will likely be beheaded upon their return to court. Incompetent and useless, their two thousand cavalry were routed by five thousand demonic creatures. Tsk tsk, with such fighting strength, I truly wonder how the Great Shang Dynasty conquered the realm."
Lin Zhao frowned. "Actually, I've never been very clear about the relationship between the Great Shang Dynasty and our Great Chen Dynasty. The history books I can find in town rarely contain much detail."
"Since I have nothing else to do, I can tell you."
Huang Tingyu crossed his legs. "This dates back to the previous dynasty. At that time, the Great Xia Dynasty governed the realm, and our Great Chen Dynasty was merely one of Great Xia's vassal states. During the Battle of Mobei, the Great Shang Dynasty's cavalry shattered Xia Dynasty's supposedly fifty-thousand strong cavalry force. This single battle decided the fate of the realm. Afterward, the Great Xia Dynasty's territories were gradually encroached upon, and as a vassal state, the Great Chen Dynasty was not spared. Marshal Chu led his troops to resist the Great Shang Dynasty for a full seven years, but was ultimately defeated due to being outnumbered, and the nation fell."
Lin Zhao asked, "What happened after that? Why didn't the Great Shang Dynasty wipe out the last remnants of our Great Chen Dynasty's army?"
"That was their thinking."
Huang Tingyu let out a cold laugh. "Unfortunately, the Great Chen Dynasty was located in the northwest. Half the threat from the northern demonic and fiendish races was borne by the Great Chen Dynasty. The hundred thousand elites commanded by Marshal Chu were renowned as the most adept in fighting the northern four races in the entire realm. The Great Shang Dynasty, despite usurping the throne, lacked the capability to confront the demonic races. They only dared to hide far behind the Fusang Great Wall and the Six Great Passages. Therefore, there was a secret pact between the Great Shang Dynasty and Marshal Chu."
Lin Zhao sighed. "It's not hard to guess. It must have been an exchange where the Great Shang Dynasty abandoned its pursuit of annihilation against the Great Chen Dynasty, in return for Marshal Chu leading the descendants of the Great Chen Dynasty to Tianchi Ridge to organize the Tianchi Army and continue to fight the demonic races."
"Clever."
Huang Tingyu said, "The Great Shang Dynasty is a typical example of being skilled in internal conflicts but inept in external wars. They are adept at fighting humans, but truly incapable against demonic races. In fact, less than four years after the Great Shang Dynasty unified the realm, the ruler signed the legendary 'Lingnan Alliance' with the demonic races. The Lingnan Alliance stipulated that the Snow Range, where the Xueyu Tianchi is located, would serve as the boundary: the north belonging to the demonic and fiendish, and the south to humans. The price was that every year, the Great Shang Dynasty would relocate a hundred thousand people to the northern regions, becoming subordinate populations to the demonic, fiendish, and ghostly races."
Lin Zhao was stunned. "Relocating human populations into demonic territories, isn't that like sheep entering a tiger's den?"
"Exactly so."
Huang Tingyu continued, "This annual relocation of a hundred thousand people is like tearing flesh to feed eagles. These populations, upon reaching the north, largely become food for the demonic and ghostly races, or puppets for the fiendish. The Great Shang Dynasty lacks backbone, but we descendants of the Great Chen Dynasty have backbone! Marshal Chu built Tianchi Town on Xueyu Tianchi, organized the Tianchi Army, and has long fought against the northern demonic and fiendish. For this alone, the human nations should show our Tianchi Army respect."
Lin Zhao nodded. "So that's how it is… So that's how it is…"
Huang Tingyu smiled. "Kid, your origins are truly unfortunate. If you hadn't been born in Tianchi Ridge, you might be studying with a scholar every day, not having to train so hard with your fists."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao asked, "What about Xiao Jiu'er after that?"
"Xiao Jiu'er is fine."
Huang Tingyu shook his head and smiled. "She doesn't want to be adopted by strangers; she only wants to stay by your side. So I've come to ask you, do you want to adopt Xiao Jiu'er? After all… you're not doing too well yourself. Adding Xiao Jiu'er might make things even more difficult. Marshal Chu said, if you have difficulties, just say so. We can allocate some funds from the Tianchi Army's payroll, as we owe the Su family."
"No need."
Lin Zhao directly shook his head. "I can support myself, and I can support Xiao Jiu'er. It's just one more mouth to feed. However, I can't go home for now. Regarding my home… Old Master Huang, could you please look after it for me!"
"Stop calling me Old Master, it's too distant. Call me Old Huang from now on! Don't worry about your home."
"Thank you, Old Huang!"
...
The days passed one by one, and Lin Zhao's progress was rapid. On the third day, he endured one more punch, collapsing only after receiving six of Chu Huaixi's punches. Following this pattern, the fourth day was seven punches, the fifth day eight, the sixth day nine, the seventh day ten… until the tenth day, the final day. Lin Zhao achieved another breakthrough, enduring a full fifteen punches from Chu Huaixi before being knocked out.
In the training room.
Lin Zhao lay unconscious on the ground. Chu Huaixi was wiping his bloody fist with a towel.
"What's wrong?"
Huang Tingyu teased with a smile, "Did the last punch make this kid really angry? You actually used fist energy from the Third Realm. Marshal Chu, Marshal Chu, isn't this a bit too much?"
Chu Huaixi retorted, "That brat's progress is too fast. Just as you said, he really made me angry. If I hadn't used Third Realm fist energy for the last punch, he probably would have lasted until the twentieth punch before falling."
Huang Tingyu laughed heartily. "Actually, do you feel it, Marshal? In the last few days, it wasn't just you tempering his fist intent and principle. He was also tempering you. This kid is greedy!"
"Do I need you to tell me?"
Chu Huaixi smiled faintly. "Actually, starting from the fifth day, this kid has been suppressing his realm. If he hadn't suppressed it, he would have broken through that day. Otherwise, why do you think I had to use Third Realm fist energy to teach him what it means for fist techniques to be like the heavens, and for all beings to revere?"
Huang Tingyu pinched his nose and smiled. "In a few more years, this kid will probably be the best fist practitioner in Tianchi Town."
"It won't take long."
Chu Huaixi said, "Take him to rest. My teaching him fists ends here. From now on, it's up to him. I've already taught him all the principles and intent of fist techniques he needs to learn."
"Yes!"
...
On this day, Lin Zhao slept the longest. He finally stirred in the bath tub at dusk. He took a deep breath. Dongcang, standing nearby, was heating water. She smiled, "Young Master, you're finally awake? You slept so long this time. I thought you wouldn't wake up until dark! How do you feel now?"
"Much better."
Lin Zhao rubbed his somewhat bruised face and chuckled, "Marshal Chu went easy on me today."
"That's good. Do you want anything for dinner?"
Dongcang smiled. "Old Master Huang said your training at the Marshal's mansion is over today. You can go home anytime, but of course, if you wish, you can stay a few more days before leaving."
Lin Zhao's heart was filled with thoughts of Xiao Shititou and Xiao Jiu'er at home. He said, "In that case, Dongcang, please prepare some delicious food for me for dinner. I want some meat and fruit. I want to take them home, is that okay?"
Dongcang blinked in surprise and smiled, "You're leaving the Marshal's mansion today?"
"Yes, today."
"Alright, Young Master. I'll have the kitchen prepare them right away."
"Thank you!"
As night fell, Lin Zhao left the Marshal's mansion, carrying a heavy package, his steps light. The moment he stepped out of the mansion, he felt a lightness in his body. He released the suppressed realm that had been held within him, naturally breaking through. His internal energy became even more solidified and powerful, and he was now a Third Realm martial artist.
...
At this very moment.
Back street.
An old man, who had been wandering around town offering fortune-telling with his divination banner, stood at the entrance of Lin Zhao's courtyard. He watched the young boy practicing his fists in the yard and the little girl who had been watching him. The old man squinted at the little girl, his eyes filled with longing. Finally, unable to resist, he pushed open the courtyard gate with a "creak" and smiled, "Little girl, are you willing to take me as your master? I am an immortal master cultivating on Nanping Mountain, and I am now a venerable immortal of the Void-Returning Realm!"
In the courtyard, Xiao Shititou and Xiao Jiu'er stared at the old man who called himself a "venerable immortal," their faces blank.