Free Web NovelChapter 36: Chapter 36: Transformation Force
The return journey after the spring hunt was unexpectedly calm.
Yang Wei, who had been on edge the entire way, only truly relaxed when the carriage passed through the gates of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall.
Surprisingly, Wu Tianxiong had restrained himself this time and hadn’t made a move on the road.
The next few days passed peacefully.
Liang Cheng’s life returned to a simple rhythm. He remained secluded, practicing his fists by day with patient, grinding effort, oblivious to the world outside.
Then, late one quiet night, the surging Qi Blood from the Perfection of his Mixed Element Stance and the Whole Force from his Fierce Bull Force reached a moment of perfect balance within his body.
HUMMM...
The sound of his sinews and bones ringing in unison was no longer a crisp, crackling sound like popping beans, but a low, continuous hum, like the vibration of a bowstring made of ox tendon.
The condensed Power within his body suddenly transformed. It no longer burst forth but was instead contained, moving at his will, a perfect fusion of hard and soft.
Fierce Bull Force: Perfection.
In less than two years of martial arts training, he had achieved Transformation Force.
Liang Cheng slowly relaxed his stance. The breath he exhaled formed a straight, white plume in the cold late-winter night, lingering for a long time before dispersing.
He clenched his fist, feeling the completely different sense of control over the power in his body. His gaze was tranquil. He didn’t disturb anyone, nor did he go to report it to Yang Wei.
Half a month later, a long cry came from the direction of the West Wing, the sound shaking the very roof tiles and filled with uninhibited joy.
Zhou Hu emerged from his seclusion, his aura profound and his gaze like lightning.
Zhou Hu had broken through to Transformation Force. The entire Martial Arts Hall celebrated, and Yang Wei threw a grand banquet to commemorate the hall finally having a second Transformation Force master.
During the banquet, Zhou Hu repeatedly toasted Liang Cheng, expressing his extreme gratitude. However, at twenty-six years old, he knew it would be difficult for him to advance any further.
But this was the way of the world. Geniuses like Yun Jinghong were the exception. ’One has to be content.’
Now that Zhou Hu had broken through to Transformation Force, Liang Cheng no longer delayed. He asked Yang Wei for leave to return to his village, needing to arrange his family’s affairs before May, when summer would begin.
...
「Dusk.」
This time, Liang Cheng returned without alerting any of his neighbors, slipping quietly back into the noodle shop.
Lady Ning was mending clothes by the light of an oil lamp. When she saw her son push the door open, she froze for a moment, then dropped her needle and thread as her eyes instantly reddened.
"Cheng’Er!"
"Mother, I’m back."
Lady Ning got up to cook him some noodles. After Liang Cheng finished eating, he explained his purpose for returning.
"Mother, I’ve bought a small courtyard home in town. We’ll move there tomorrow. Before May, I have to go to the Martial Arts Academy in Lin Wu City for an indefinite period. If you live in town, you’ll be closer to the Martial Arts Hall, and my Master and senior brothers can look after you."
Lady Ning was reluctant, but she didn’t want to hold her son back. Wiping her tears, she nodded. "My son has a bright future. I’ll do whatever you say."
The next day, Liang Cheng took his mother and some offerings to a cliff by the sea.
A simple cenotaph stood at the edge of the cliff. The gravestone was nameless, bearing only the two words "Liang Family." This was the memorial Lady Ning had erected when Father Liang never returned from the sea.
Liang Cheng placed down the wine and meat, lit three sticks of incense, and knelt to kowtow.
"Father, I will soon be departing on a long journey. I have made sure Mother is well settled. I will diligently cultivate the Martial Dao to protect her. If you can hear me from the great beyond, you can rest easy."
The sea wind howled. Lady Ning’s eyes were brimming with tears. Liang Cheng stepped aside, and she spoke softly to the grave for a long time before finally rising.
Liang Cheng added a handful of dirt to the top of the grave mound, then helped Lady Ning turn and leave.
Liang Cheng led Lady Ning away in silence. As they passed the old locust tree at the village entrance, he didn’t slow his pace. Behind the tree, San Ya clutched the corner of her clothes, watching his retreating figure. She buried her face in the tree trunk, her shoulders trembling slightly.
From then on, they would belong to two different worlds, with no telling when they might meet again.
...
「Back at the Martial Arts Hall.」
Yang Wei hosted a private dinner, attended by Zhou Hu, Zhao Yuan, and the other disciples from the rear courtyard. Lady Ning thanked Yang Wei profusely, saying that entrusting her son to Master Yang was the best decision she had ever made in her life.
After the banquet, Liang Cheng took Lady Ning back to the residence in town. It was a small, three-courtyard house. Lady Ning was a bit timid. "Cheng’Er, is this... is this where I’ll be living from now on?"
Liang Cheng gave Lady Ning a tour. Everything had already been prepared; they could move in right away. Lady Ning kept repeating, "It’s wonderful, wonderful," her eyes misty with tears.
For a time, Liang Cheng found himself completely at leisure.
His Mixed Element Stance, Fierce Bull Force, and Stone Armor Skill had all been cultivated to the Perfection Realm, with no further room for advancement. Every day, he simply nourished his Qi Blood and polished his Power. ’I need to start thinking about how to find the rest of the Stone Armor Skill cultivation technique.’
One afternoon, he was in the Martial Arts Hall reading through miscellaneous notes on Hard Skills when the disciple guarding the gate came to report that a man who looked like a fisherman was outside, insisting on seeing him.
Liang Cheng went to the entrance and saw that the visitor was none other than the thin, dark-skinned fisherman he had helped at the docks, the one who was being bullied by ruffians and for whom he had paid the thirty-cent dock fee.
"Master Liang!" The fisherman was so agitated to see him that he was flustered. He glanced around nervously and whispered, "This old man has something of utmost importance, and I only trust you, Master Liang!"
Hearing this, Liang Cheng dismissed those nearby and led him to a secluded room.
The fisherman then tremblingly took out a bundle wrapped in several layers of oilcloth from his robes. After unwrapping it, he revealed a leather pouch filled with clear seawater.
Inside the pouch was a strange fish, over a foot long, with a silver, fleshy growth on its head. It emitted a faint silver glow and a strange, fishy fragrance.
A Silver-headed Shark!
Liang Cheng’s pupils shrank.
"This old man got incredibly lucky a few days ago and accidentally caught this in a reef cave deep in the sea. I know it’s a treasure, but possessing a treasure invites disaster. I didn’t dare approach anyone in town."
The fisherman’s voice trembled. "I only dared to come find you, Master Liang. You are kind-hearted and powerful. This old man only asks that you give me a fair price!"
Liang Cheng pondered for a moment. "This item is precious. Its market price should be over five hundred taels. I’ll give you five hundred taels. How about it?"
But the fisherman waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, no. Master Liang, this old man doesn’t need that much!"
A pleading look appeared in his eyes. "This old man only asks for a hundred taels in silver coins, and for Master Liang to help my family find a small courtyard in town where we can live safely.
It doesn’t have to be big, just enough for us to live in. And then, if Master Liang could just say publicly that this old man is under your protection, that would be all. Would that be acceptable?"
Liang Cheng fell silent for a moment.
Seeing this, the fisherman was about to kneel. "In this world, we fishermen have no backing, no roots. We can’t hold on to money even if we get some. Only your name, Master Liang, can deter those wolves. I beg you, Master Liang, please grant my request!"
Liang Cheng quickly helped him up. He looked at the humble plea in the old man’s eyes, then back at the Silver-headed Shark in the pouch—a creature that would drive many a Martial Artist to madness.
"Alright." He nodded in agreement.
"I will give you one hundred taels in silver coins. Within three days, I will help you find a suitable courtyard and have the deed transferred to your name. From now on, when you are in town, you can say you are an old acquaintance of mine, Liang Cheng."
Tears streamed down the old fisherman’s face. He thanked Liang Cheng profusely. After seeing the fisherman off, Liang Cheng stared at the Silver-headed Shark in his hand, somewhat lost in thought.
A Silver-headed Shark worth five hundred taels, exchanged for a mere hundred taels and a promise. All the fisherman sought was a small measure of humble security in a chaotic world.
He calmed himself, then slowly swallowed it in a few bites. A warm energy spread through his body, settling into his Qi Blood.
Afterward, Liang Cheng put the word out. With his current status, he quickly found a place for the fisherman to live in town. Everything went smoothly.
Just then, Yang Wei sent someone to summon Liang Cheng.
"Liang Cheng, we have a lead on the Stone Armor Skill Fragment."
Liang Cheng shot to his feet, a sharp glint in his eyes.
