Breakthrough

"Young Master, yesterday, Zhao Wenbai, the head of the Zhao Family, gathered the Zhao clansmen and went to the Sun Family to demand an explanation over Renxin Hall."

"Oh? And what happened?"

Bi Changsheng was sitting in a chair in the courtyard, listening to the news Uncle Fu had gathered about the Zhao Family's subsequent reaction.

"The Zhao Family came seeking justice, so naturally the Sun Family refused to accept it."

"The Zhao Family produced the corpse of a Sun Family retainer, claiming it had been found at the scene of the crime and that the evidence was irrefutable. The Sun Family countered that the Zhao Family had not only murdered their retainer, but had also framed them for it."

"The two sides argued without resolution, and in the end, they came to blows."

"Both families suffered grievous losses in that battle. Even Zhao Wenbai, the head of the Zhao Family, and Sun Yongyan, the Sun Family's Second Elder—both Inner Strength Realm martial artists—were injured. It was a pity that Shi Kangshun, that dog of a county magistrate, rushed to the Sun Manor after hearing the news and forcefully made the two families stop. Otherwise, their conflict would certainly have been even more brutal."

"Even Zhao Wenbai and Sun Yongyan, those two Inner Strength Realm martial artists, were injured? Tell me the details."

Hearing that two Inner Strength Realm martial artists had been wounded in that clash, including Zhao Wenbai, an expert at the Late Inner Strength Realm, Bi Changsheng was immediately interested.

"When the Zhao Family and the Sun Family fought, it was naturally king against king, general against general. Zhao Wenbai faced Sun Chengde, who was also at the Late Inner Strength Realm, while Zhao Honglang faced Sun Yongyan, who was at the Early Inner Strength Realm."

"Zhao Honglang had always displayed an Early Inner Strength Realm Cultivation Level to the outside world, but who knew when he had broken through to the middle stage of the Inner Strength Realm? I imagine that was the confidence the Zhao Family relied on when they dared to strike at the Sun Family."

"At the beginning, Zhao Honglang concealed his true strength while fighting Sun Yongyan. Only when Sun Yongyan lowered his guard and revealed an opening did he unleash his real power and injure him in a single stroke."

"As for Zhao Wenbai and Sun Chengde, they had been locked in a stalemate from the start. Though Sun Chengde was somewhat stronger than Zhao Wenbai, he could not do anything to him in a short time."

"Their battle still alarmed Sun Yonghua, the Sun Family's First Elder, who had been in seclusion healing his injuries. Disregarding his wounds, Sun Yonghua emerged from seclusion to assist Sun Chengde. With Sun Yonghua restraining Zhao Wenbai from the side, Sun Chengde was able to strike decisively and grievously wound Zhao Wenbai."

"Unfortunately, just then, County Magistrate Shi Kangshun arrived at the Sun Manor with Constable Fan Shao. He forcefully intervened and stopped the conflict between the two families."

"Otherwise, an Inner Strength Realm martial artist from one of the two families might very well have fallen on the spot yesterday."

As he spoke, Uncle Fu's eyes filled with regret. His loyalty to the Bi Family was beyond question, and he naturally hated these chief culprits behind the Bi Family's destruction to the bone.

Everything Uncle Fu had just recounted was based on information he had gathered from many sources, combined with some of his own deductions. In truth, it was not far from what had actually happened.

"It's all right. The Bi Family's vengeance will be repaid sooner or later."

Seeing that Uncle Fu had once again been reminded of painful memories, Bi Changsheng hurriedly spoke to comfort him.

That was also what Bi Changsheng thought. Though he did not share Uncle Fu's deep feelings for the Bi Family, he had inherited the original owner's body after all. If he lacked the ability, that would be one thing. But since he had the ability, avenging the original owner as a matter of course was only right.

Moreover, Bi Changsheng had inherited not only the original owner's body, but also his identity. Even if Bi Changsheng wanted to let some grudges go, the other side might not be willing to do the same.

With Bi Changsheng's temperament, he would naturally strangle danger in the cradle.

"With you here, Young Master, I believe the Bi Family's vengeance will certainly be repaid. But there is no need to rush it for the moment."

In Uncle Fu's heart, Bi Changsheng's safety was more important than revenge. Afraid that Bi Changsheng would act impulsively, he hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

Bi Changsheng replied with a smile.

Uncle Fu said nothing more after that. After informing Bi Changsheng, he went to the kitchen to brew medicine for him.

Just then, Liu Zhengqing, who had been practicing his fist techniques nearby, seemed to enter a wondrous state. The fist technique that normally felt somewhat awkward in his hands suddenly became smooth and natural. Tirelessly, he performed it again and again, as though he might break through to the next realm at any moment.

Yet no matter how many times he practiced the fist technique, he always felt that something was missing. His cultivation method remained unable to break through to the next level.

As time passed and he remained unable to break through, a trace of irritation involuntarily rose in Liu Zhengqing's heart. That irritation nearly caused him to fall out of that wondrous state. Liu Zhengqing hastily gathered his mind and forcibly suppressed the restlessness within him, but that was ultimately not a lasting solution.

Suddenly, Bi Changsheng's voice entered his ears:

"Six Harmonies Fist emphasizes listening in all directions and watching the six paths. You must be able to account for above and below, left and right, front and back. Only when step and body are in harmony, hand and eye are in harmony, and strength and wisdom unite can you grasp its essence..."

Noticing that Liu Zhengqing was stuck just before the threshold and unable to break through, Bi Changsheng walked over and decided to lend him a hand.

Although Bi Changsheng had not cultivated Six Harmonies Fist, both the original owner and Bi Changsheng had studied it. With Bi Changsheng's comprehension, he had already understood Six Harmonies Fist thoroughly. Liu Zhengqing often sought his guidance in ordinary times.

Liu Zhengqing trusted Bi Changsheng completely, so Bi Changsheng's voice seemed to carry a wondrous power for him. The restlessness in his heart faded, and he calmed down.

After calming down, Liu Zhengqing began seriously listening to Bi Changsheng's explanations, pondering them and putting them into practice. He only felt that many thoughts and flashes of inspiration he had never had before surged forth one after another.

Boom!

After Liu Zhengqing performed the fist technique several more times, his body seemed to shatter an invisible barrier. His blood and qi began to boil, his skin and muscles rapidly strengthened, becoming tougher and more powerful, while a force quietly arose within him.

"Congratulations on breaking through to the Skin Refining Realm and becoming a true martial artist."

After Liu Zhengqing completed his breakthrough, Bi Changsheng spoke to congratulate him.

"It was all thanks to your guidance, Young Master. Without your teachings, I definitely could not have broken through so smoothly."

"And the secret medicine you prepared for me, Young Master, also helped me greatly. Otherwise, I would not have broken through so quickly."

Liu Zhengqing was overjoyed by his successful breakthrough, but he still suppressed the delight in his heart. He first solemnly bowed to Bi Changsheng in thanks. He understood that his present accomplishments were inseparably tied to Bi Changsheng's nurturing.

Especially after Bi Changsheng returned from Renxin Hall the night before last, he had not forgotten to bring back medicinal ingredients that could accelerate Liu Zhengqing's cultivation and prepare a dose of secret medicine for him. Liu Zhengqing had been deeply moved by it.

That was why he had been able to break through to the Skin Refining Realm now. Otherwise, at Liu Zhengqing's normal pace, it would have been delayed by several more days.

"Your talent and hard work were indispensable as well."

Bi Changsheng did not claim all the credit. Liu Zhengqing's rapid breakthrough to the Skin Refining Realm was certainly related to Bi Changsheng's careful instruction, but it also could not have happened without Liu Zhengqing's effort and outstanding talent.

As for the secret medicine he had given Liu Zhengqing, Bi Changsheng did not take it to heart at all. Those few medicinal ingredients were no more than a drop in the bucket to Bi Changsheng's current wealth.

"What talent do I have? Compared with you, Young Master, I'm far behind."

That was Liu Zhengqing's true thought. It could only be said that his experience was still too limited. Seeing Bi Changsheng's strength advance by leaps and bounds within a single month, while he himself had spent more than half a month merely breaking through to the Skin Refining Realm, he could not feel the slightest pride.

"Haha, don't compare yourself to me. You should believe in yourself."

Seeing Liu Zhengqing compare himself to him, Bi Changsheng smiled and encouraged him. Bi Changsheng's cultivation speed could not be measured by common sense in the first place; Liu Zhengqing was simply making trouble for himself by comparing himself to Bi Changsheng.

"Rest assured, Young Master. I will definitely work hard and strive to be able to help you as soon as possible."

Though the gap between them was immense, Liu Zhengqing did not lose heart. Instead, he resolved to work twice as hard.

"Keep it up. I have faith in you."

After chatting with Liu Zhengqing for a while, the two of them went together to report the good news to Uncle Fu.

Leaving the father and son to continue talking, Bi Changsheng carried the All-Inclusive Great Tonic Soup Uncle Fu had just brewed back to his room.

Next, it was time for Bi Changsheng to break through!