Chapter 17: A Grand Design

Qian Bin slapped his forehead and laughed. "My apologies, I’m getting careless. I almost forgot about this.

In half a year, the Zheng Martial Arts Hall in the Inner City will be recruiting disciples.

This Zheng Martial Arts Hall is no ordinary place. Its Hall Master, Mr. Zheng Hun, is one of the most formidable experts in the Linji City Martial Arts Realm.

If you can become his disciple, your future achievements will be limitless."

’What kind of opportunity is this!’ Chen Cheng said irritably. "I’m just a lowly Prison Guard; I don’t have the money to join an Inner City Martial Arts Hall."

Qian Bin waved his hand. "Little Brother Chen, don’t be so hasty. When I say it’s an opportunity, it truly is one. Mr. Zheng isn’t charging any discipleship fees this time.

As long as you are under twenty and have cultivated a Mid-level Martial Arts Skill to Great Success, you can become his Registered Disciple and receive his personal instruction in Martial Arts Skills."

Becoming a disciple of one of Linji City’s top experts without paying a fee... Chen Cheng suddenly perked up.

’Whether I could learn any profound martial arts inheritance was a secondary concern. Just by becoming the disciple of a top expert and gaining his protection, I could lie low under his wing and cultivate the Martial Dao in peace.’

’This was an unbelievably good opportunity.’

"Is this true?"

Qian Bin patted his chest.

"Absolutely true!"

"What Martial Arts Realm is this Mr. Zheng at?" Chen Cheng asked enthusiastically.

Qian Bin said proudly, "Mr. Zheng is a Bone Forging Realm expert!"

Chen Cheng’s enthusiasm instantly deflated. Just a moment ago, Qian Bin had clearly stated that Lijing Prefecture City had Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artists, and even Organ Refining Realm Martial Artists.

’A Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist? How does that count as a top expert?’

As if he had expected Chen Cheng’s reaction, Qian Bin chuckled and continued, "What about a Bone Forging Realm expert who has comprehended a Realm? One who defeated three Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artists working together in a single battle, his might shaking all of Linji City. Would you call that a top expert?"

"A Martial Artist who has comprehended a Realm is that powerful?" Chen Cheng’s interest was piqued again.

Qian Bin said, "But of course. Every Martial Artist who has comprehended a Realm, not just in Linji City but across the entire Great Yu Dynasty, can be considered a peerless genius, a true prodigy among men."

Chen Cheng suddenly stared at Qian Bin. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this guy was overselling it.

Qian Bin felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze and averted his eyes slightly. "Little Brother Chen, you don’t think I’m trying to trick you, do you?"

"Of course Brother Qian wouldn’t trick me," Chen Cheng said with a small smile.

...

After leaving the Luo’s Shop, Chen Cheng was walking down the street when he suddenly felt something and turned his head to look up at the shop’s second floor.

On the second floor, by a window overlooking the street, a middle-aged man and a woman were looking down at the street.

The middle-aged man was about forty, dressed in a brocade robe, with a tall, straight posture and an extraordinary air. It was none other than the Luo Family Patriarch, Luo Mingyu.

The woman was around thirty, wore a green dress, and was quite beautiful. She was Luo Mingyu’s younger sister, Luo Yunzhi, the Shopkeeper of the Ruyi District branch of the Luo’s Shop.

Seeing Chen Cheng look up, Luo Mingyu gave a slight smile. Chen Cheng smiled back, then quickened his pace, blending into the crowd of pedestrians on the street and quickly disappearing from sight.

"It looks like that young man is worried our Luo’s Shop is after his one hundred taels of silver. He’s as slippery as an eel. How interesting!"

Luo Yunzhi covered her mouth with her hand and let out a light laugh.

Luo Mingyu had an indifferent expression. "Why would our Luo’s Shop covet his paltry sum of silver? That kid is dressed plainly, so he must come from a Humble Family. It’s inevitable that he’s a bit petty; being so cautious is normal for his kind."

"Big Brother, what kind of Cultivation Technique Manual did he sell you, anyway? You won’t even let me see it?"

Luo Yunzhi looked at the Secret Manual in Luo Mingyu’s hand with a resentful expression.

"Uhm..." Luo Mingyu’s face flushed slightly as he equivocated. "It’s just an Incomplete Inner Breath Technique Manual. Nothing special."

"Hmph! If you hadn’t happened to be here today, I would have been the one to inspect this Secret Manual!" Luo Yunzhi huffed. "The manual was acquired by my shop. I’ll see it sooner or later."

Luo Mingyu gave a wry smile. "Little Sister, it’s not that Big Brother won’t let you see it. This Secret Manual truly can only be cultivated by men. It’s not suitable for women to look at."

Just then, Qian Bin hurried into the room, holding a stack of Secret Manuals.

Before he could speak, Luo Yunzhi went forward, snatched a Secret Manual from the stack, and flipped it open. After just a glance, she blushed beet-red in embarrassment.

"To think it’s such a vulgar Cultivation Technique! It seems that stinking brat is no good either!" she said resentfully, then turned and left, leaving Luo Mingyu and Qian Bin to stare at each other in dismay.

Qian Bin reported, "Patriarch, the young man who sold the Secret Manual is named Chen Cheng. He’s a Prison Guard at the South City Prison. In my opinion, he likely obtained this manual from a prisoner.

Since Chen Cheng gave his real name, he probably hasn’t sold this Secret Manual elsewhere. Although this kind of manual is indecent, it’s popular with the masters of wealthy households and young noblemen. As long as we spread the word, it’s sure to sell well.

I believe a price of twenty taels of silver per copy would be appropriate. What are your thoughts, Patriarch?"

"You can handle these minor matters yourself," Luo Mingyu said with a wave of his hand. Then he suddenly asked, "By the way, did he buy that Wind Chasing Saber Technique Manual?"

"He did," Qian Bin answered truthfully.

"Oh?" Luo Mingyu was quite surprised. He pondered for a moment before saying, "A Little Prison Guard earns some silver coins, and instead of joining an Outer City Martial Arts Hall to find a master, he chooses to spend fifty taels of silver on a Saber Technique Manual... That’s truly unexpected."

Qian Bin would naturally receive a considerable reward for completing this transaction, all thanks to Chen Cheng. Moreover, he had a rather good impression of Chen Cheng, so he immediately said, "In my opinion, this Chen Cheng has a calm and steady temperament. He has great ambitions and hidden depths. He will certainly not be an ordinary person in the future.

Should I recruit him into our shop?"

"’Great ambitions and hidden depths’? Steward Qian, your evaluation of Chen Cheng is a bit too high, isn’t it!" Luo Mingyu said dismissively.

Qian Bin said with a serious expression, "I am merely speaking the truth."

"This Chen Cheng is cautious and meticulous, and he does have some cleverness," Luo Mingyu said, shaking his head. Then his tone shifted. "But in these chaotic times, strength is all that matters. He’s just a Little Prison Guard of lowly status. Even if he’s clever, what use is it?

I just observed him from afar. He’s thin and frail, sways when he walks, and his steps are unsteady. A single glance tells you his innate talent is mediocre at best. He wants to cultivate the Martial Dao not by seeking a famous master, but by foolishly hoping to become a Martial Artist with just a Saber Technique Manual. That’s no different from a fool’s dream.

In our Luo’s Shop—not just our Luo Family, but even the families of you stewards—there is no shortage of outstanding young disciples.

Why would we need to cast aside what’s near to seek what’s far, and cultivate a Little Prison Guard with no aptitude whatsoever?"

"The Patriarch is right," Qian Bin replied respectfully. Inwardly, however, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of regret. In his eyes, Chen Cheng had a calm temperament, acted decisively and cleanly without any hesitation, and possessed the bearing of a great figure. If he could mature, he would surely shock the world. That was why Qian Bin had deliberately tried to befriend him.

But subconsciously, he had to agree with Luo Mingyu’s words. A Prison Guard was, in the end, just a Prison Guard. Coming from such a humble background, how difficult would it be for him to grow and succeed?

Forget about growing and succeeding. In these chaotic times, with crisis lurking everywhere, it was uncertain if he could even survive.

’In any case, I’ve already shown Little Brother Chen a clear path. Whether he can make a name for himself will depend on whether he can cultivate the Wind Chasing Saber Technique to Great Success,’ Qian Bin consoled himself.