White Ape's Back-Through

Chapter 2 · White Ape Passing Through the Body

'Lotus Incarnation? I've become Nezha?' Lin Le was stunned.

After killing those two brothers, Lin Le had felt a strange change within himself, but he hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise.

After all, those who could use the divine ability of Lotus Incarnation were all quite capable. Of those Lin Le knew, two had become Saints, and one was known as the foremost God of Slaughter in the Three Realms.

However, after carefully receiving some information, Lin Le pondered, 'It seems to be a low-tier, growth-oriented version.'

If it were the Lotus Incarnation from mythology, his current Bone Structure would be considered a naturally born Saintly Body. He would already be immortal, beyond the cycle of reincarnation, and becoming an immortal or a Saint would be as easy as flipping a hand.

Unfortunately, it wasn't. His Bone Structure was still the same as before; only his soul had been greatly enhanced by the divine ability.

But even though this was a low-tier version, it was still an opportunity for him to defy fate.

With merit, the lotus could bear lotus seeds, which, when consumed, could lead to comprehending the Way. With killing karma, the lotus whip could bear lotus roots, which, when eaten, could alter one's Bone Structure. With Spiritual Splendor, the lotus leaves could gather flowing sap, which, when consumed, could increase cultivation progress.

'But why is that lotus seed so familiar?' Lin Le suddenly recalled the lotus seed he saw at first glance. His spirit suddenly jolted as he remembered where he had seen it before.

In his previous life, he was frail and sickly as a child. He heard that the Nezha Temple in Macau was efficacious, so his mother specifically prayed to Crown Prince Nezha of the Thirty-Three Heavens for blessings to ward off disaster and illness.

It was quite miraculous; after obtaining the red lotus seed, his health indeed improved day by day. Thus, his entire family believed that Crown Prince Nezha had manifested his divine power. They had him wear it constantly, and he never took it off until the day he died.

He hadn't expected that after reincarnation, this single lotus seed would still protect him.

'When I have money, I'll build a temple for that deity. It'll be like fulfilling a vow,' Lin Le thought to himself.

After cleaning up the murder scene and finding a new spot, Lin Le fell asleep again, filled with anticipation for tomorrow.

Thump-thump-thump!

The sound of a drum startled Lin Le awake. He looked around vigilantly. What was happening? Had the cavalry of Great Yan attacked?

But as he looked around, Lin Le noticed some people were as alert as he was, while most were not too panicked.

Lin Le followed the sound of the drum and saw that the source of the drumming was actually the military camp.

As the drum sounded, he could vaguely see figures moving about.

Training soldiers.

Lin Le breathed a sigh of relief. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly. According to his original plan, he would rest for a day in this city and then continue westward. The demon calamity had not yet subsided, and who knew when yokai might appear. This place was not very safe.

However, after obtaining the divine ability, his thoughts had subtly shifted. He wanted to fight his way back.

Not only to gain killing karma and merit, but also to avenge his parents.

Even if he couldn't kill many now, he would kill one if he could!

But before that, he needed to obtain a key, a key to unlock the treasure trove of his divine ability.

After paying the ten wen city entry fee, Lin Le entered Baishan County.

Finding an inn, Lin Le reached into his backside and pulled out five silver notes.

These five silver notes, totaling fifty taels, were now his entire fortune and the seed money for his revenge.

Seeing Lin Le, dressed in coarse linen clothes still bearing bloodstains, the innkeeper immediately waved him away, ready to turn him out.

But Lin Le raised his hand, and the white paper was exceptionally clear in the light. The innkeeper's disdainful expression immediately bloomed into a smile:

"Guest, what do you need?"

"Book me a room, a clean one. I'll be staying for three days," Lin Le said, placing the silver notes on the table. "Also, ask a waiter to buy me two sets of clothes. They don't need to be fancy; linen will do."

"And prepare a basin of hot water and some food for me. One meat dish and one vegetable dish, two bowls of rice. Nothing too expensive."

"A clean room is three hundred wen a night. Is that acceptable, guest?" the innkeeper asked.

"Yes," Lin Le nodded. He didn't want anyone sneaking in in the middle of the night.

The innkeeper tapped his abacus, muttering the cost, "Three hundred wen for three nights... totaling two taels and five qian. Is that acceptable, guest?"

"No," Lin Le said with a fake smile. "Innkeeper, don't take me for an idiot who can't do arithmetic. This only adds up to one tael and five qian. Are you trying to take an extra tael from me? Isn't that a bit too greedy?"

Tsk, so he's not a lucky peasant, but a fallen noble.

The innkeeper thought to himself, What bad luck. He had thought he could swindle a bit, but it turned out to be a fallen noble.

He didn't dare harbor any further ill intentions. While these fallen nobles might be down on their luck, they had once been wealthy. Who knew what influential figures they might be connected to?

Seeing that he couldn't make a large profit, the innkeeper maintained his expression but recalculated. Then he said:

"My apologies, my apologies. My finger accidentally nudged an extra bead just now, so I miscalculated. Please don't be offended, guest, don't be offended."

"Give me my change," Lin Le said, not saying anything more, simply releasing his hand from the silver notes.

He had taken a walk around the city. There were only a few inns, and he was unfamiliar with the place and its background.

This one was near the County Office, so at least the public security would be better.

After the innkeeper gave him his change, he had a waiter lead Lin Le to his room.

After taking a bath and putting on his new clothes, Lin Le finally felt alive again.

Just then, the waiter brought in the food and drinks.

"Your meal, sir," the waiter said, placing the food down. Just as he was about to leave, Lin Le called out to him.

"Wait, let me ask you something," Lin Le said, placing a large coin worth ten wen on the table. "Which martial arts school here is the best?"

Seeing the money, the waiter thought for a moment and replied, "I'm not too sure which is the absolute best, but the White Ape Martial Arts School is known for being the strongest in fights. Everyone in the county agrees."

"Okay, thank you," Lin Le said, giving the large coin to the waiter before starting his meal.

The vegetarian dish was stir-fried Jimao vegetables, and the meat dish was soybean stewed pig trotters. Although the taste wasn't great, Lin Le ate with satisfaction.

It was better than fried rice, at least.

After taking a sip of tea, Lin Le went for his afternoon nap.

Following his nap, Lin Le set off for the White Ape Martial Arts School.

In this world, the Immortal Path was flourishing, and all beings yearned to cross over to the other shore. However, the vast majority of them couldn't even cross the threshold – the Qi Guiding Realm.

Only a select few with innate Spiritual Roots could draw in the energy of heaven and earth into their bodies and begin the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment.

After completing the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment and opening their Secret Realm, they would then officially enter the first stage of cultivation – the Qi Refining Realm.

But what about those without Spiritual Roots? There was still another path: martial arts.

By cultivating their physique to the extreme, they could generate powerful Blood Qi and break through the barrier between mortals and immortals.

Lin Le was tested at birth and found to have no Spiritual Roots, so if he wanted to cultivate, his only option was to practice martial arts.

His family had already arranged for him to study martial arts, but before he could officially start, the demon calamity had struck.

Therefore, Lin Le had to choose for himself now.

Standing before the grand entrance of the Yi Qi Sect, Lin Le approached a gatekeeper and said, "Hello, I want to learn martial arts. How much is the tuition?"

The gatekeeper glanced at Lin Le. Seeing his fair and clean skin, he knew Lin Le could afford the tuition. "It's five taels a month for basic training and cultivation. If you want to learn fighting techniques, each style costs an additional five taels per month. Secret medicines will cost extra."

"Add one fighting style," Lin Le said, producing a silver note.

The gatekeeper didn't take it. Instead, he shouted inside, "Senior Brother Hou, we have a new apprentice."

"Alright," someone responded.

Shortly after, a tall, bald man with a scar across his eye emerged.

"Who is it?"

"This one," the gatekeeper pointed at Lin Le.

The bald man looked at the short, fair-skinned Lin Le and asked, "What do you want to learn, and for how many months?"

Lin Le handed over the silver note. "Basic training, cultivation, and one fighting style – for one month."

Hou Guang took the money and asked, "What fighting style do you want to learn? Hammer, sword, or spear?"

"Spear," Lin Le replied without much hesitation.

"An inch longer, an inch stronger." In life-or-death combat, a spear was naturally a more reliable weapon.

"Alright, come with me," Hou Guang said, turning around. Lin Le quickly followed.