Going Home

Splash!

At high noon, the scorching sun hung in the sky.

Soaked to the bone, Jiang Chen arrived at the water vat and poured a bucket of water over his head, cooling himself down with a thorough physical dousing.

The reaction in my five viscera is growing increasingly intense.

On the Myriad Dao Chart, the data remained unchanged, but through internal observation, Jiang Chen could clearly perceive the changes occurring within his organs.

He had to admit, the medicinal potency of the Five Elements Pill was delightfully strong; every time he executed a fist technique, the medicine would precisely permeate his five viscera.

At this rate, he would certainly be able to step into the Second Qi and Blood Gate within ten days.

After several more hours of grueling training in the afternoon, Jiang Chen returned to his living quarters at dusk, shouldered his pack, and left the White Ape Martial Hall.

This scene was naturally spotted by Zheng Hao and his cohorts, who had been keeping him under surveillance.

"The opportunity has arrived."

Watching Jiang Chen disappear into the street, Zheng Hao and the others quickened their pace to follow.

Are the gangs still clashing?

After leaving the martial hall, Jiang Chen walked briskly toward his home.

The sun had not yet set, but the small vendors along the way had already packed up their stalls, and some shops had even shuttered their doors.

Half a year ago, the street-side shops wouldn't have closed until the Hour of the Bo.

Clearly, the turmoil in the East District had not yet ended; if anything, it was likely intensifying.

About three quarters of an hour later, Jiang Chen returned to his residence.

"Young Master."

Seeing Jiang Chen, the gatekeeper hurried forward to take his pack.

Stepping through the gate, he saw over a dozen sturdy men sparring with one another.

"Who are they?"

Jiang Chen looked toward the men.

Each of them possessed a robust physique and sharp eyes; they were clearly martial artists.

"These are the guards Master hired," the gatekeeper replied.

Has the family business been affected as well?

Thoughts surged through Jiang Chen's mind.

There was only one reason for gangs to clash in the Prefecture City: the struggle for territory and resources.

And the gangs capable of surviving in the Prefecture City all had the shadows of major powers behind them.

It seemed Luo Yang was right; with the City Lord stepping down, the Prefecture City was descending into chaos.

This filled him with a sense of urgency.

In this world where might made right, without sufficient strength, one was merely fish on a chopping block, waiting to be slaughtered.

His current cultivation at the First Qi and Blood Gate was truly far too weak.

"Chen'er, why have you become so tanned?"

At this moment, Lin Shuyun, having received the news, hurried over. Seeing Jiang Chen, who had grown noticeably darker after not seeing him for a mere ten days, she felt both heartache and gratification.

She didn't need to ask to know that Jiang Chen had not slacked off during his time at the White Ape Martial Hall; otherwise, the change wouldn't be so drastic.

"Mother, has anything happened at home?"

Jiang Chen asked about the situation at home instead.

"Don't worry, everything is fine."

Lin Shuyun felt increasingly gratified; Jiang Chen had truly grown up.

In the past, he would never have concerned himself with such trivial matters.

"By the way, why did you come home today?"

But immediately after, Lin Shuyun asked with suspicion.

Before he left for the martial hall, she had given him several dozen taels in banknotes.

Logically speaking, it should have lasted Jiang Chen at least a month.

Could it be that Jiang Chen had gone off to fool around with those people again?

"Mother, I have reached the perfection of the First Qi and Blood Gate."

Jiang Chen naturally sensed his mother's worry and revealed his progress in cultivation.

"The First Qi and Blood Gate is complete?!"

Lin Shuyun was stunned, then immediately ecstatic. "Is that true?!"

Although she was not a martial artist, she still had some understanding of martial arts cultivation.

In just over ten days, he had gone from initially condensing his qi and blood to completing the First Qi and Blood Gate?

This speed of cultivation could absolutely be described as advancing by leaps and bounds.

Could it be that Jiang Chen did not have ordinary talent?

"It is naturally true."

As Jiang Chen spoke, he threw a few punches into the air; the wind from his fists was deafening, and the force was extraordinary.

"Good, good, good!"

Lin Shuyun's joy deepened, and she hurriedly arranged for someone to inform Jiang Sihai.

Such wonderful news naturally called for a family celebration.

Jiang Chen had someone prepare hot water, took a comfortable bath, and then stood in a stance to rest and recover.

Tap, tap, tap.

After about half an hour, a series of hurried footsteps approached.

"Father."

Looking up, he saw Jiang Sihai arriving, panting for breath.

"Chen'er, have you truly completed the First Qi and Blood Gate?!"

Jiang Sihai stared intently at Jiang Chen, his eyes filled with hope.

"It is true."

Jiang Chen struck the ancient tree in the courtyard with several consecutive punches, leaving clear fist imprints on the trunk.

"Fist force penetrating wood!"

"Three hundred jin of force!"

Jiang Sihai stepped forward quickly to examine the imprints, becoming more excited the longer he looked.

There was no mistake.

Jiang Chen had indeed completed the First Qi and Blood Gate!

The ancestors must be blessing their family!

"Chen'er, how did you manage this?"

Amidst his excitement and joy, Jiang Sihai could not help but ask.

When his talent was first tested, he had people check it several times, and later even specifically invited others to examine him; they all said Jiang Chen had ordinary talent.

But the talent Jiang Chen was displaying now was far beyond what someone with ordinary talent could achieve.

What ordinary talent could possess such outstanding cultivation speed?

"Although my talent is ordinary, my comprehension and physique are excellent..."

Jiang Chen explained about his comprehension and the Blood Ginseng soup.

"Blood Ginseng soup? I have heard of that secret medicine. It is said that its medicinal properties are extremely fierce; only those with a very strong physique can consume it, and any carelessness could lead to Medicine Toxin."

"Chen'er, are you feeling any discomfort?"

Jiang Sihai looked worried.

He would rather Jiang Chen progress slowly than have him suffer any lasting side effects.

"Father, don't worry. The senior brothers at the Martial Arts Hall checked me; there won't be any issues."

Jiang Chen used the Martial Arts Hall as his backing.

"Come, let's go eat first. Your mother cooked personally today."

Sure enough, upon hearing that the Martial Arts Hall had checked him, Jiang Sihai finally set his mind at ease.

"Come and eat quickly."

When the father and son arrived at the side hall, Lin Shuyun had already prepared a large table of steaming hot food, almost all of which were dishes Jiang Chen loved.

"Go, bring the medicinal wine I've been saving."

After taking his seat, Jiang Sihai ordered.

"Yes!"

The steward went to the cellar and brought back a bottle of medicinal wine.

"Come, Chen'er, let us two have a drink."

On such a joyous day, they had to have a few drinks.

"Alright!"

Jiang Chen took the medicinal wine and poured two cups, the rich, herbal fragrance diffusing into the air.

The two men clinked glasses and drank heartily, the fiery strength of the liquor exploding within their bodies.

"Drink slowly, have some food."

Lin Shuyun served dishes to the father and son.

Jiang Sihai and Lin Shuyun both enjoyed this meal to the fullest.

Hoping for one's son to become a dragon and one's daughter a phoenix is the expectation of all parents.

Now that Jiang Chen had turned over a new leaf and was rising with vigor, they were naturally overjoyed.

"Master, Doctor Qi has arrived."

Not long after dinner, the steward came to report.

"Chen'er, come with me."

Jiang Sihai stood up and led Jiang Chen to the main hall.

"Old Qi, sorry to trouble you with a trip so late at night."

In the main hall, an old man with white hair and a white beard was already waiting.

"You are too polite, Shopkeeper Jiang."

This old man was the senior physician of Longevity Hall. His medical skills were quite remarkable, and he was well-known throughout Willow Catkin Ward; many martial artists would specifically invite him for treatments.

"This is my son. I must trouble you to take a look at him, Doctor Qi."

Doctor Qi stepped forward and began to diagnose Jiang Chen in an orderly fashion, starting with observation and pulse-taking, then kneading his muscles and bones, examining him with extreme meticulousness.

Jiang Sihai watched quietly from the side, his eyes filled with tension.

Although Jiang Chen had said there was no reaction in his body, he still could not rest easy, which was why he had specifically sent someone to fetch Doctor Qi.

The sentiment remained the same: regardless of whether Jiang Chen could practice martial arts, his health must not suffer.

"Follow this prescription and prepare a medicinal bath."

After a careful examination, Doctor Qi wrote out a prescription.

The steward took the prescription and led Jiang Chen away to prepare the bath.

"Doctor Qi, is there anything amiss?"

Jiang Sihai asked.

"Your son only has some minor strain in his muscles and bones; there is nothing serious."

Doctor Qi replied.

"Just muscle and bone strain? Are there no signs of him taking forbidden drugs?"

This was the very reason Jiang Sihai had specifically invited Doctor Qi over.

He had no choice.

Jiang Chen's cultivation speed was too fast. Even with the assistance of Blood Ginseng Powder, it should not be possible for someone with ordinary talent and bone structure to progress so quickly.

Therefore, he worried that Jiang Chen had secretly taken forbidden drugs to boost his cultivation.

"Rest assured, Shopkeeper Jiang, your son has not taken any forbidden drugs."

Doctor Qi said with a smile.

Once these words were spoken, Jiang Sihai was finally completely relieved and personally saw Doctor Qi to the door.

"Heaven be praised!"

Immediately, Jiang Sihai burst into hearty laughter.

The absence of forbidden drugs meant that Jiang Chen's cultivation was entirely the result of his own hard work.

With such astonishing talent, as long as he was nurtured properly, his future achievements would surely be significant.

How could he not be ecstatic?