Thirty-Two Awls in the Bag, Their Tips Soon Revealed

Ye Chengxiao's hand had been damaged?

"Was it broken or fractured?"

Wood Fork tilted his little head up and hummed a few times.

"I'm not too sure about that, but I saw Chief Escort Zhang have someone send him medicine and tell him to rest properly for a few days. He said something about how a breakthrough wasn't urgent for the moment."

Li Cunxiao immediately had a better idea of the situation. He then changed his approach and asked from several other angles, barely managing to piece together the full story from his younger brother.

It turned out that yesterday, Shen He had invited a group of fellow disciples to a banquet at his home. Third Lady Zhang Yuelu had returned at dusk, but the others had remained until the first watch of the hour of the dog.

Ye Chengxiao had left in a carriage with Xiao Mei, yet he had not returned home at once. Instead, he had changed locations and drunk a few more cups.

Whether anything had happened between them was hard to say. But when Ye Chengxiao returned home alone during the second watch, several drunken gang gamblers had waylaid him. In the ensuing brawl, his arm had been fractured.

"A Blood Qi martial artist may be invincible against ordinary people, but he is still flesh and blood. He is unlike a second realm Muscle martial artist like Shen He, who possesses strength beyond the mortal world."

"No matter how exceptional one's talent, being besieged means injury is unavoidable."

"Still, this fracture will at most delay Ye Chengxiao's cultivation by four or five days. He can still attempt a Muscle breakthrough afterward."

"What a pity. Why wasn't it severed, or crippled? Then no one would be able to—"

At that thought, he inadvertently saw Wood Fork. Seeing that his elder brother was thinking, the boy made no sound to disturb him. He merely rested his chin in both hands, his gaze brimming with childish affection and worship.

Li Cunxiao's heart abruptly jolted.

When had he become like this?

He instinctively closed his eyes and sensed the Vajra Scepter within his mind.

Faint golden light curled around it. Upon the single-pronged Vajra Scepter, its jeweled throne and lotus blossoms shone brilliantly, as though it were a sacred artifact held in the hands of gods and Buddhas.

The Demon Subduing Pestle could eliminate demons from without, but not demons from within.

What kind of person one became and what one accomplished ultimately depended on oneself. Even a golden finger was merely an aid.

Li Cunxiao gained some insight, though for the moment he could not put it into words.

"No matter what, I should break through first."

"Only after becoming the Chief Escort's personal disciple, breaking through to Muscle, and gaining a foothold can I speak of the future."

With that in mind, Li Cunxiao told his younger brother to play in the courtyard for a while. He himself needed to practice in the room and told the boy to wait.

Wood Fork nodded like a little adult. Closing the door behind him, he took a broom in hand and strode about the courtyard with his head high and chest thrust out, looking east and west like a general.

I'll stand guard for Big Brother!

"You foolish boy."

Li Cunxiao chuckled softly, shut the window, spread his legs into a stance, and formed tiger claws with his hands. He looked every bit like someone practicing stance work.

Blood Qi Perfection meant the Major Circulation of Blood Qi: controlling one's Blood Qi as it traveled through the meridians of the entire body, finally passing over the crown of the head and descending again, forming a circular net of Blood Qi that enveloped the body.

Naturally, where there was free passage, there was no pain; where there was pain, there was no free passage. Qi was stored within the blood, and blood itself flowed throughout the body, including the brain.

In other words, Blood Qi already passed through the brain. But relying on that naturally occurring trace amount, one would not know whether it would take until the Year of the Monkey or the Month of the Horse to achieve the Major Circulation. Thus, the true difficulty of this stage lay in how much Blood Qi entered the brain.

Too little, and its intensity was insufficient to produce a protective effect.

Too much, and it was what people commonly called "getting to one's head." In mild cases, one became irritable and crazed; worse than that came concussion; worse still, injury to the brainstem.

Thus, for the sake of safety, even a genius like Ye Chengxiao could only proceed with the slow grinding effort of water wearing through stone. Those with superior innate physiques simply had greater endurance and could attempt it more times per day, so naturally they advanced faster.

Li Cunxiao, however, did not need to go through all that trouble.

"Vajra Scepter!"

With a low shout in his heart, light immediately scattered from the single-pronged Vajra Scepter, transforming into a nimble current of Qi that wrapped around his brain.

In an instant, the Blood Qi throughout his body resembled a river swelling with the summer tide, boiling and surging through his limbs and bones. Within the countless meridians, flesh, and blood of his entire body, Blood Qi naturally filled and suffused everything.

Li Cunxiao could clearly feel his muscles and fascia becoming tougher and more powerful, his bones growing sturdier and thicker. Even beneath his skin, it felt as though a new layer of "skin" was rapidly weaving itself together like a spiderweb.

And once everything below his neck had been completely filled, his Blood Qi naturally entered his head.

Huff—

There was no sensation of being struck, nor any illusion of his mind being violently shaken. Everything happened as naturally as water flowing into its channel, like the final missing piece fitting into a puzzle. His whole body felt open and at ease.

Wherever his Blood Qi flowed, all was natural, all was swift.

At a thought, his arms, thighs, and calves thickened. His trapezius muscles bulged. His thick fingers clenched into fists, which hammered against his chest.

In that instant, a subtle rebounding force came back to him, accompanied by a muffled drumbeat beside his ears.

A smile could not help appearing on Li Cunxiao's purplish-red, vein-ridged face. His mouth split open, and visible streams of heat poured from between his gleaming white teeth.

He had succeeded.

Those at the Minor Circulation of Blood Qi could only enter an explosive state for a short period, with strength nearing seven or eight hundred jin. Those at the Major Circulation made that explosive state their normal state, their control over force refined down to the smallest detail.

Not only would Blood Qi automatically protect them whenever any attack landed on their bodies, as if an additional net lay beneath their skin, but with that foundation, their physical bodies could also unleash greater strength and faster speed.

Their strength reached a thousand jin, their speed surpassed a galloping horse. Converted over, it was roughly close to the limits of human strength and speed in his previous life.

And this was merely the foundation of martial arts in this world.

With a creak, the room door opened. Wood Fork turned around, and before him stood Li Cunxiao, already restored to normal.

"Big Brother, why do I feel like you've gotten taller? Bigger?"

Li Cunxiao had always possessed a broad frame. Before entering the escort agency, he had already been nearly 1.7 meters tall.

Once his meals improved and he began practicing martial arts, he had shot up in height over the course of a month. After this breakthrough, he was now over 1.8 meters.

His body was so tall and robust that his old round-collared robe had become somewhat short. Fortunately, ancient garments were cut generously, so it had not become skintight clothing.

But perhaps the greatest change was his face. In the past, due to inadequate food and clothing, there had been no flesh on his cheeks. Li Cunxiao's bone structure had stood out sharply, making him look like a vicious character.

Now that his face had filled out somewhat, he looked less like Leopard Head and more like... a tiger?

"When you practice martial arts, your body naturally grows faster."

Li Cunxiao only gave a brief explanation before crouching in front of his younger brother, his expression turning solemn.

"Little Brother, Big Brother can't take you out to play today. But there is something important I need to ask of you."

Wood Fork was initially a little disappointed, but upon hearing that it was important, his little face immediately grew serious.

"Is it very important?"

"Very, very important. More important than the matter of us brothers entering the escort agency."

"If it succeeds, you'll be able to study with Que'er in the future, and you'll also be able to see Big Brother often."

"But aren't I already studying with Que'er?"

"It's different." Li Cunxiao's gaze deepened.

No longer as a pageboy, but as Li Cunxiao's younger brother.

It would be a voluntary act of drawing close and showing goodwill, not charity that could be withdrawn at any time.

Before today, Wood Fork could at most be considered a servant born into the Zhang Family, a slave in another sense.

He himself was called an escort, but in truth bore the enormous shackles of "the Chief Escort's kindness."

Until he repaid the Chief Escort's kindness, he would forever be that lucky tavern waiter. But if he became a sought-after genius, a Thousand-mile horse chosen one in ten thousand, all of this would undergo a fundamental change!

Wood Fork was only ten and had none of those twists and turns in his mind. Studying with Que'er was indeed fun, but if he had to choose, he would rather remain by his elder brother's side forever.

So long as it was something his elder brother told him to do, Wood Fork would not ask why. He would only carry it out exactly as instructed, without the slightest discount.

Li Cunxiao trusted Wood Fork just as Wood Fork trusted him. When he saw his younger brother's eyes, he no longer hesitated. Taking a letter from his robes, he solemnly instructed him.

"Hand this letter to Third Lady Zhang Yuelu personally. Do not let anyone know."

"Remember, anyone."

Wood Fork accepted the letter, tucked it close against his chest, and nodded vigorously.

"I understand. Even if Que'er comes, I won't tell her!"

Watching his younger brother vanish outside in a puff of dust, Li Cunxiao's heart rose with him.

When it involved something so personally vital, even someone as composed as he was could not help letting his thoughts scatter.

Having Wood Fork pass it to Zhang Yuelu, then having Zhang Yuelu inform Zhang Lishi, was the most reliable method he could think of.

The attack on Ye Chengxiao had sounded a warning bell for him—geniuses stood higher, but the dangers they faced were greater as well.

During these past days back at the escort agency, he had diligently inquired into and observed the potential competitors and Zhang Lishi's several disciples.

Though Ye Chengxiao's talent was outstanding, he was merely from a collateral branch of the Ye Family. Since ancient times, it had been a common sight for a strong minor branch to replace a weak main branch.

The Ye Family's eldest young master might enjoy a great reputation, but could he truly tolerate someone who might be either an ally or a threat?

Even if he could, could the Ye Family's legal wife? Could his wife's elder brother?

A chance attack by gang thugs?

Li Cunxiao would never believe it.

Ye Chengxiao at least had his parents to support him, yet he still could not avoid being knocked down a peg. Li Cunxiao had no family or backing in the escort agency—how could he not tread carefully at every step?

The more people who knew about his breakthrough to Blood Qi Perfection, the more danger there would be.

If not for the fact that his younger brother was only a pageboy of too low a status, the best course would actually have been to tell Zhang Lishi directly.

But Zhang Lishi held a position of great power and had too much on his plate. It would be difficult for him to take a child's words seriously, so that route was impassable.

In short, Li Cunxiao's plan was to let only the Zhang father and daughter know about his cultivation progress and to keep quiet after obtaining cultivation resources and the Demon Seduction Method.

This would ensure his safety without hindering his cultivation progress. Without shouldering the name of a genius, he could calmly deal with more matters.

And when Li Cunxiao once more stood beneath everyone's gaze, he would certainly already be a second realm Muscle martial artist, with powerful backing behind him.

When that time came, he would take everything a genius deserved into his arms without the slightest politeness.

Evening was approaching, and the great sun slumped westward.

Zhang Yuelu stood in her family courtyard, quietly studying clusters of autumn chrysanthemums.

"Chrysanthemums ring the house like Tao's abode; around the fence I wander as the sun tilts low. It is not that among flowers I favor chrysanthemums alone—when these blooms fade, no flowers remain."

The maid Qiuju did not think Third Lady was teasing her when she heard this.

"Who is Milady thinking of?"

"I'm wondering whether, after suffering this blow, Ye Chengxiao can still bloom proudly against the frost like these autumn chrysanthemums."

Zhang Yuelu casually plucked a golden-thread chrysanthemum, seemingly unconcerned.

Children of great clans certainly enjoyed many conveniences in martial training, but at most, those allowed them to start faster than ordinary people. To go farther, famous teachers, renowned medicines, and, more importantly, personal will were all indispensable.

Those who benefited from Lineage resources were inevitably also trapped by infighting within the Lineage. Many children of great clans achieved neither high nor low in martial arts. Instead, people like her senior brother Shi Tie, who came from humble origins and had neither much assistance nor many ties holding him back, often went further.

When Zhang Lishi taught martial arts, Shi Tie practiced with single-minded devotion. Grasping that rope leading upward, he climbed with all his might. Feng Sheng, whose family circumstances were ordinary, was much the same.

For someone at Blood Qi Perfection, a fracture was merely a minor injury. At the fastest, it would heal in three to five days.

More importantly were the identity of the attackers and Ye Chengxiao's response afterward.

The Ye Family's eldest young master? The Ye Family's legal wife? Or the Murong Family, the Xiao Family?

Would he become timid and cautious, his thoughts scattered, or would he remain unyielding despite being broken and rise to chase after them?

"Ugh, they're all dogs biting dogs."

Zhang Yuelu sighed, only to see Wood Fork running over from afar with a tray in his hands.

"Sister Yuelu, I brought you osmanthus cakes! Sister Qiuju, why are you here too?"

Seeing Wood Fork's eyes darting everywhere, Qiuju was both annoyed and amused.

"You little ingrate! If I'm not at Third Lady's side, where should I be?"

As she spoke, she crouched and vigorously kneaded the boy's handsome little cheeks, rubbing his already rosy skin even redder.

"I was wrong, Sister Qiuju. I was wrong."

Wood Fork wore a bitter melon face as he inwardly lamented his miscalculation.

He had finally traded for the chance to deliver the pastries from another little maid, using up his last small pouch of preserved fruit.

Sister Qiuju was truly a nuisance. How could he send her away?

"All right, Qiuju. Go see whether Que'er has finished today's lessons."

"Perfect. I'll go call Father for dinner. Wood Fork, why aren't you following?"

Qiuju gave Wood Fork's face one last hard rub before leaving with a smile.

Zhang Yuelu led Wood Fork several steps onward. Only once they reached an empty little path between the Zhang residence and the escort agency did she look at the boy beside her with a teasing smile.

"Do you have something to tell your sister?"

"Huh? How did you know?!"

Wood Fork was startled. Seeing the puzzled expression on his little face, Zhang Yuelu found it immensely amusing.

Yet she also felt a little wistful. If such an adorable, clever boy truly were her younger brother, that would be wonderful.

When he grew older, perhaps if he possessed talent for martial arts, she could ask Father to take Wood Fork as an adopted son?

Que'er was especially fond of the little fellow. Then Li Cunxiao could also benefit from being her family's younger brother's elder brother. Leaving aside martial training resources, he might even get a job in the accounts office or something similar, without needing to undertake Escort Missions and make a living with his head hanging from his belt.

The more Zhang Yuelu thought about it, the more suitable it seemed. Just as she was about to sound Wood Fork out, she saw him carefully take out a folded letter, glancing all around as he did so, furtive as a little ghost.

"What is this?"

Zhang Yuelu accepted the letter without opening it immediately, and the smile on her face faded somewhat.

Who had asked this child to give her a letter?

What did they want?

Could it be Shen He?

Or Li Cunxiao, who had recently gained no small reputation?

Did he want to claim credit through her, or had his head grown hot with thoughts he ought not to have?

Wood Fork was a clever child. The instant he saw that something was wrong with her expression, he immediately explained.

"My elder brother said only Third Lady and the Chief Escort may read this letter. No one else can know."

Only Father and me?

Zhang Yuelu's gaze softened by several degrees. From what she knew, Li Sanlang did not like to loiter about. He never missed a single martial training session or drill at the escort agency.

Since Wood Fork had entered the Zhang residence, Li Cunxiao had never used his younger brother to ask for anything.

Now he had sent a letter in such a roundabout manner. What important matter could it be?

Out of trust in Li Cunxiao's past reputation, she ultimately opened the letter beneath Wood Fork's anxious gaze. The first line that met her eyes—and the only line on the entire sheet—made even her heartbeat stop for a moment.

"To Third Lady: I have cultivated to Blood Qi Perfection and wish to serve under the Chief Escort. I beg you to convey this on my behalf. Forgive the disturbance, forgive the disturbance."

For a moment, Zhang Yuelu's expression shifted repeatedly. One instant she smiled, the next she frowned, making Wood Fork unconsciously retreat several steps. Before he could move much, however, she seized his little hand and strode away.

"Come! Go with me to see Father!"