Reprisal (Revised)

The Qi Ingestion Method could only be performed after entering the Spiritual Transformation Realm.

Chu Zheng's cultivation was still far from sufficient. Though he had stirred the Qi within the herbal ingredients for an instant, it soon returned to normal.

The medicinal soup Song Lingxue had sent contained a mixed assortment of ingredients: deer antler, licorice, sheep spine, tiger bone powder—mostly materials meant to strengthen tendons and bones.

By conventional methods, it needed to be simmered in water for half an hour, one dose in the morning and one at night.

And this was merely to lay the foundation for the Dragon Tiger Body, not formal cultivation of the Dragon Tiger Body itself.

To enter the Dragon Tiger Body, one had to continually consume bone-strengthening medicinal soups, temper the body, and supplement it with medicinal baths. Even those with excellent innate talent needed several months to get started.

Chu Zheng's circumstances, however, were entirely different. Since beginning to refine Qi, his body had been continuously strengthened by the cleansing of Sun Moon Essence. His foundation had long surpassed that of ordinary people several times over.

Even those who had entered the Dragon Tiger Body could not compare to him in sheer physical strength.

The introductory portion of the Dragon Tiger Body Song Lingxue had given him could grant a thousand jin of strength when cultivated to completion. Yet Chu Zheng's strength had already exceeded a thousand jin.

Seeing that the Qi Ingestion Method would not work, Chu Zheng rubbed his brow and fell into thought.

A moment later, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he began trying again.

Put plainly, ingesting Qi was no different from eating. If the normal way would not go down, there had to be another method.

Chu Zheng opened both packets of medicinal soup ingredients and slowly kneaded them, crushing the motley herbs into a single mass. The Qi within the various ingredients gradually mingled together and began crashing about wildly.

He then held the medicinal lump before his mouth and nose. The Qi within his body began circulating on its own, and he inhaled sharply.

Scattered flecks of medicinal powder entered his body, followed by a dense surge of Qi of Plants.

The dust from the herbs temporarily built a bridge between the medicine and Chu Zheng's body. Relying on the pure Primordial Qi within him, he successfully drew forth the Essence of Plants.

There was not much Primordial Qi in the two packets of medicinal soup ingredients, and Chu Zheng soon absorbed it all.

This was the first time Chu Zheng had absorbed Qi other than Sun Moon Essence, and the sensation was vastly different.

The Essence of Plants carried a uniquely warm and gentle aura, far milder than Sun Moon Essence.

After savoring it for a moment, Chu Zheng suddenly realized something was wrong. The Primordial Qi of these plants was all yang in nature, and extremely domineering.

If the ingredients were brewed into medicinal soup, the water vapor would harmonize and buffer them, causing no harm. But directly absorbing their essence Qi made the medicinal effects far too fierce.

Young men were already brimming with blood and vigor. With the yang energy in his body rising, his blood and Qi surged in reverse. Chu Zheng's face immediately flushed red, his essence sank, and a pillar rose to the heavens.

Only after a long while did the violently surging yang energy gradually settle, flowing through his limbs, bones, and major acupoints, beginning to stimulate his fleshly body.

An hour later, Chu Zheng slowly opened his eyes. The medicinal lump in his hand had become a pile of black dust.

His clothes felt somewhat tight. Chu Zheng subconsciously tugged at them, then rolled off the bed and stepped out of the room.

He wore only a single thin layer, yet he could no longer feel the chill of the winter night. It only felt as though a hot spring were surging through his body. Unable to restrain himself, he stretched his tendons and bones and began practicing his punches.

Whoosh—

As his fists howled through the air, Chu Zheng felt his breathing grow ever smoother. Wisps of hot mist rose from the top of his head, and he could clearly hear the blood rushing through his body.

After a long while, not until midnight was about to pass did Chu Zheng slowly withdraw his hands. Brilliant light spilled from his eyes, sharp as a tiger's gaze.

Taking medicinal soup this way, the effect of two doses was stronger than ten. With two more doses, his Dragon Tiger Body could enter the gate.

Once the two stacked together, his strength would increase further. The more strength he gained, the fuller the sense of security in Chu Zheng's heart became.

Clenching his fists, Chu Zheng's gaze suddenly paused. His tendons and bones might now be as strong as a tiger's, but he could not rely on his bare hands to receive blades and weapons head-on. That was far too foolish.

The situation was unclear now. Song Manor might come under attack at any moment. Before fighting anyone, he needed to find a suitable weapon for self-defense, so he could meet ten thousand changes with one unchanging response.

Having made up his mind, Chu Zheng looked up at the sky, sat directly on the ground, and began circulating the Great Cycle to absorb Moonlight Essence.

At noon the next day, after a hearty lunch, Chu Zheng headed to the Storehouse.

As a Martial Dao family, aside from powerful crossbows and heavy armor, the Song Family's armory had every weapon one could desire.

The moment he stepped inside, rows upon rows of dazzling weapon racks filled his view.

Upon the wooden racks were sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, forks, heavy hammers, and long staves—no fewer than a hundred weapons at a glance.

There could be no better place to find a suitable weapon.

Chu Zheng had done much research into ancient weapons. At long range, bows and crossbows were naturally the first choice, without a second contender. But what he needed to consider now was close-quarters combat.

Besides, crossbow and bow accuracy was not something one could master in a day or two.

This world differed somewhat from the feudal dynasties of his Previous Life. True Martial Dao experts existed here, as did even those of the immortal path.

Their strength was by no means comparable to ordinary mortals. He had to be even more cautious in choosing a weapon.

Sabers and swords were too fragile. Long weapons such as spears, lances, halberds, and ge required years of practice before they could be used with any real effect.

Chu Zheng searched through the Storehouse for a long time before finally selecting a barely suitable weapon.

They were two short rods about three chi long. They felt rather heavy in his hands, each weighing at least twenty jin, and looked utterly unremarkable.

Cold Iron Twin Maces (Zero Order): Forged from thousand-fold refined cold iron. Slightly wasteful of materials.

Buzz—

Chu Zheng tried swinging them twice. Listening to the sound of them splitting the air beside his ears, he could not help nodding.

These iron maces were convenient to use, powerful and heavy. Especially since his strength was his forte, he held an absolute advantage against weapons like sabers and swords.

Most importantly, he did not need to practice any saber or sword techniques. He only needed to respond to each move as it came.

The Song Family guarded its weapons very strictly, but Chu Zheng's status was no longer what it had once been. After the Storehouse had been emptied, its defenses had also greatly weakened. He brought the Cold Iron Twin Maces back to his residence without difficulty.

Over the following days, Chu Zheng's life became remarkably regular. He refined Qi in the morning, repaired objects in the Storehouse during the day, and returned at night to read books from the Storehouse to pass the time.

Once the night grew quiet and still, he would take out the twin iron maces and practice with them for a while, becoming familiar with them.

Song Lingxue came to see him from time to time, bringing medicinal soup along the way.

Chu Zheng refused nothing and accepted it all. This was no time for pretension. Every additional bit of strength would make it easier to adapt to changes, and only then would he have a chance to repay Song Lingxue's kindness.

Bolstered by the medicinal soup, Chu Zheng's Dragon Tiger Body seemed to change with each passing day. His tendons and bones stretched and expanded, and he grew a little taller. His formerly well-proportioned body gradually became broad above and narrow below, taking on the air of tiger shoulders and a bear's waist.

Inside the Storehouse.

Chu Zheng bent over a table, carefully holding a jade pendant in his hands. Faint cracks were visible across it; it had once shattered into three pieces.

A moment later, a prompt sounded in Chu Zheng's mind.

You expended a small amount of mental effort to repair a shattered jade pendant. Your skill has improved slightly.

Azure Light Jade Pendant (Zero Order): Once served as a token of love. Later, the man broke his oath and betrayed the pact, and the woman smashed it with her own hand. It was entwined with a trace of resentment; wearing it for too long harmed one's blood and Qi.

The tension between Chu Zheng's brows eased slightly as he summoned the Panel.

Name: Chu Zheng

Cultivation: Zero Order

Cultivation Method: Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium (Sixth Order/Incomplete), Dragon Tiger Body (Fourth Order/Incomplete)...

Restorer: Zero Order (298/1000)

Daily Remaining Restoration Count: 0

Currently Repairable: Grand Cycle Qi Circulation Compendium Upper Chapter (0/1000), Dragon Tiger Body Upper Chapter (40/100)

Chu Zheng had used all the restoration attempts granted by the Panel on the Dragon Tiger Body. Through his efforts, his Restorer experience had risen considerably, but he was still some distance from the threshold of one thousand.

Still, dripping water formed a river. Give him a little more time, and advancement would be right before his eyes.

"Greetings, Eldest Young Lady."

Chu Zheng was preparing to repair the next object when a commotion came from outside.

Song Lingxue slowly stepped into the room. Seeing Chu Zheng still repairing things, she frowned.

"Did I not tell you that you need not come to the Storehouse these next few days? Focus on cultivation. Reaching Condensed Qi is the proper matter."

Naturally, Chu Zheng could not tell her the true reason, so he could only lower his head and respond.

"Chu Zheng has not forgotten the Eldest Young Lady's instructions. My Dragon Tiger Body has already entered the gate."

"Entered the gate?"

Song Lingxue froze. After examining him carefully, a gleam of surprise flashed through her eyes.

"It seems you possess quite extraordinary talent in the path of external martial arts."

Song Lingxue's gaze flickered as she looked at Chu Zheng's increasingly broad shoulders.

In only a few short days, the Dragon Tiger Body had already entered the gate. With such innate talent, if he were given a few more years, he might not be unable to enter the realm of a Grandmaster through external martial arts.

After recovering her senses, Song Lingxue remembered why she had come today and immediately said, "Do not leave the manor these next few days. Stay peacefully within the manor and go nowhere."

Chu Zheng's heart stirred. He said no more and nodded. "Chu Zheng will remember."

Song Lingxue would not have come to say such things for no reason. She had clearly received some news in secret. Whether it was good or bad could not yet be known.

The upheaval came far faster than Chu Zheng had anticipated.

At midnight the next day, just as Chu Zheng was about to begin circulating Qi and operating the Great Cycle, shouts of killing suddenly reached his ears.

Firelight reflected against the pitch-black sky. Shadows leaped high and darted low, and at a glance, it was impossible to tell how many people there were.

Chu Zheng immediately turned back into his room, drew the two iron maces, gripped them tightly, and began considering whether to advance or retreat.

The rear courtyard of Song Manor.

Inside a side room, Song Yun suddenly opened his eyes. Hearing the shouts of killing at his ear, his expression changed. He immediately forced his Qi into motion and flipped himself up from the couch.

Creak—

The door was pushed open, and Xiao Cai entered in panic. Seeing Song Yun standing barefoot on the ground, her face changed.

"You can't move yet. Go lie back down!"

She had been caring for Song Yun's daily needs these past few days. No one knew better than her how severe Song Yun's injuries were. One careless move, and if his heart meridian ruptured, it would cost him his life.

"How is the situation now?" Song Yun's expression remained calm, without the slightest panic.

"The Central Courtyard has been blocked off by several escort masters and their men. There will be no danger here for the time being, so rest easy."

With that, Xiao Cai hurried forward, intending to help Song Yun back to the bed.

"Where is the young lady?" Song Yun pushed Xiao Cai away and began dressing.

"The young lady is in the Central Courtyard too."

Xiao Cai helplessly withdrew her hand. "The family head is beside the young lady. The young lady's martial arts are even stronger than yours, so you needn't worry too much."

Song Yun pondered for a moment, then his gaze suddenly sharpened. "Has anyone gone to the Storehouse?"

"The Storehouse has already been emptied. Even if it is lost, it means nothing. Naturally, no one would stay there and defend it to the death."

Hearing Xiao Cai's words, Song Yun thought of Chu Zheng. His expression abruptly changed, and he shoved open the door, seized his sword, and strode away.

Chu Zheng leaned against the courtyard wall, staring at the Storehouse gates in the distance, somewhat conflicted.

Bang!

A muffled impact sounded from behind him. Chu Zheng turned and met Song Yun's gaze.

"Come with me. I'll protect you as we leave." Song Yun spoke in a low voice, then turned toward the Storehouse gates.

"You came to save me?" Chu Zheng was momentarily puzzled.

Song Yun's face was pale as snow, and his tone grew increasingly urgent. "Stop wasting words. I forced my Qi into motion. I cannot hold on long. Move!"

If Chu Zheng died, the Eldest Young Lady would surely be heartbroken.

Bang—

Before Song Yun finished speaking, the Storehouse gates crashed down, dust flying everywhere.

A figure slowly stepped into the courtyard. He wore night-black clothing, had a medium build, and revealed only a pair of narrow eyes. A long sword was in his hand, murderous light spilling from his gaze.

Visible gray Sword Light flickered along the blade.

Song Yun's face turned even paler, and he instinctively tightened his grip on his sword.

Internal Qi had taken form. This was already a Martial Dao expert at Condensed Qi Grand Completion. One step further, and he would reach Condensed Qi Perfection, able to attempt a breakthrough into the realm of a Grandmaster.

Even at his peak, Song Yun would only have been evenly matched against this man.

Now, with his body grievously wounded, even escaping alone would be difficult, much less taking Chu Zheng with him.

"Run!"

Song Yun suddenly spun around and roared, but behind him remained only the empty courtyard wall. Chu Zheng had already vanished.

For a moment, Song Yun stood dazed. He turned toward the Storehouse gates, and a familiar yet unfamiliar back came into view.

The instant the gates collapsed, Chu Zheng had shot out like a tiger or leopard bursting from its cage. Within a few breaths, he stood before the man in black.

His Dragon Tiger Body Introductory Chapter was now nearing Grand Completion. His back was broad as a mountain, and he stood more than a head taller than the other man. Looking down from above, his oppressive presence was terrifying.

"You..."

The man in black was clearly stunned and subconsciously retreated half a step.

Whoosh—

The next instant, a piercing sound of air splitting like thunder erupting from level ground exploded beside his ear. A vicious wind struck from his side.

In his haste, he could only raise his sword to block.

Clang!

The iron mace smashed against the spine of the sword. The Internal Qi enveloping the blade instantly scattered. Under that fierce and mighty force, the sword bent ninety degrees, and the strike did not slow in the slightest as it crashed heavily into his body.

Crack—

Accompanied by the crisp sound of shattering bones, the man in black was hurled high into the air. He smashed through half the courtyard wall and was buried in a cloud of dust, his life and death unknown.

Chu Zheng did not stop. He stepped forward in pursuit, swung the iron mace in his hand once more, and brought it crashing down at the man's head!

Splurt!

For a moment, it was as though a rotten watermelon had exploded, red and white matter mixed with bone fragments spraying everywhere.

Only after confirming that the man before him could never rise again did Chu Zheng withdraw his iron mace.

Though he had simulated it many times in his mind, Chu Zheng still felt slightly nauseated.

Fortunately, it was not a serious problem.

While studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and researching meridians and acupoints, he had come into contact with quite a few corpses of all kinds. He had long since built up some resistance to them.

"Chu Zheng... you... this..."

For a moment, Song Yun was completely stunned. He had killed a Qi Condensation Grand Completion expert in just two blows. Even a grandmaster was probably no more than this—perhaps even ordinary grandmasters did not possess such fierce, overbearing strength.

Moreover, when Chu Zheng struck, Song Yun had clearly sensed no fluctuations of Internal Qi. It was simply too inconceivable.

"When did you become a grandmaster?!"

At that, Chu Zheng wiped the bloodstains from the Iron Mace and answered casually, "I was born with Innate Divine Strength."