Ti Cavalry

Late at night.

Since they were setting out on a mission early the next morning, the White Badge disciples who usually trained extra every night had all returned to their rooms to rest early.

Only Chen Cheng and Lin Fengxiao remained in the training yard.

Yet to Chen Cheng's surprise, Lin Fengxiao stopped his training before him tonight and walked straight over.

"Junior Brother Chen..."

Lin Fengxiao stopped several steps away. His lips, cracked with bloody fissures, moved a few times, but he hesitated to speak.

"If you have something to say, Senior Brother Lin, just say it."

Chen Cheng's fists did not stop, nor did his rhythm falter in the slightest. He answered softly, making it clear that he did not mind the interruption.

"Actually... I... I should have come to seek your guidance long ago..."

Lin Fengxiao's shoulders loosened slightly, though his voice was terribly hoarse.

"Not long ago, Junior Brother Qian Baolu mentioned that your forms were the most flawless he had ever seen, that they even carried Master Ye's shadow... but whenever he watched me practice, he always felt something was lacking."

"These past few days... I secretly paid attention myself, and it seems... that is indeed the case."

Lin Fengxiao took half a step forward and bowed with cupped fists. His tone carried the earnestness of someone staking everything on a single throw.

"I wish to ask Junior Brother Chen to take a look... Where, exactly, do my fists fall short? If you are willing to offer guidance without reservation... I will engrave this kindness upon my heart and never forget it, in life or death!"

Chen Cheng did not answer immediately. His fist wind continued to cut through the stagnant night.

He knew as clearly as a mirror that skills were not lightly passed on, and the Dao was not cheaply sold. Even offering guidance from the sidelines involved cause and effect; it was not some bargain one could obtain with a few casual words.

The more readily something was given, the less it was often cherished. It might even breed trouble instead.

His calm gaze swept over Lin Fengxiao's utterly haggard face, taut as stone, and the dark fire of near-obsession in his pitch-black eyes.

His fists never stopped.

A full hour later, Lin Fengxiao was still holding his original posture of cupped fists and bowed back. His hands, waist, and back were visibly trembling, and sweat had long soaked the bluestone before him.

Clearly, he understood and fully accepted the iron law that skills were not lightly passed on, and the Dao was not cheaply sold.

He had no tangible benefit to offer in exchange. All he could do was display his purest sincerity in the clumsiest way possible.

"Senior Brother Lin, raise your head... and watch carefully."

Chen Cheng finally spoke. As he greatly slowed his movements, he lowered his voice and broke down the form for him.

At his words, Lin Fengxiao abruptly raised his head. His clouded eyes locked onto Chen Cheng's stance, his ears perked up, unwilling to miss a single word.

"In this Dragon Scale Vest stance, when you reach this point, your head must feel as though it is suspended by a single thread. Draw in your chin slightly, as if holding a pearl of jade in your mouth... Relax your shoulders, like drooping willows shedding the wind..."

"And this Crouching Dragon Seal may appear simple and direct, but you must make the qi sink into the sea, while strength rises from the heels..."

Lin Fengxiao's comprehension had never been poor. Hearing the words and observing the movements, the two confirmed each other. In only a moment, his face lit up as though enlightenment had been poured over his head.

Within those deep-pool eyes, a flash of sudden realization burst forth, almost painfully bright.

It was as though the fog that had shrouded him for so long had been suddenly pierced by a blazing sun, leaving his entire being bathed in light.

Had it not been the dead of night, he would have wanted to tear open his throat and shout out his release.

"Junior Brother Chen, your kindness... I..."

"Senior Brother Lin."

Before Lin Fengxiao could finish his words of gratitude, Chen Cheng cut him off flatly.

"Today, I merely spouted a few casual remarks. I seek no repayment from you... Only..."

Chen Cheng paused briefly, his tone growing slightly heavier.

"If you become entangled in any disputes or stir up any trouble in the future... remember, do not mention me. Let it be as if there was never any connection between us tonight."

"...Junior Brother Chen."

Lin Fengxiao was briefly stunned, then nodded forcefully.

More than anyone, he knew what he carried on his back. It was hard enough to protect himself, much less repay Chen Cheng. The only thing he could do now was keep his distance and, no matter what, never drag Chen Cheng down with him.

He said nothing more. He merely cupped his fists and bowed deeply to Chen Cheng, then quietly retreated to his original spot.

At dawn the next day, the sky was bleak and dim.

At one end of the long street, the murderous aura of a dense mass of men and horses had already spread through the air.

They were the Martial Guard Ti Cavalry of the South Outer City Patrol Headquarters, a little over a hundred riders. All wore fitted black uniforms, half-body armor of dark-red cowhide studded with iron plates over them, and ferocious beast patterns embroidered in gold thread across their shoulders and chests.

Their warhorses were tall and magnificent, snorting as their iron-shod hooves struck the bluestone pavement with crisp clops that tightened the heart.

It was said that a single horse like this could be traded for a small brick-and-tile courtyard house in Annan Ward.

At the front of the formation, several great banners bearing the character "Patrol" in gold thread against black backgrounds snapped loudly in the morning wind.

Beneath the banners stood several people whose auras were especially deep and still. Though they did not deliberately radiate pressure, their bearing of long-held power over life and death, along with the formidable Blood Qi faintly stirring around them, was enough to make scalps prickle and breaths quicken even from far away.

These were all men with genuine authority and official Martial Guard rank.

Compared to them, the disciple groups following behind from the various Martial Halls immediately seemed dull and diminished, even somewhat constrained.

Dragon Mountain Hall, Clear Crane Hall, White Ape Hall... The banners of each hall were clear enough, and their disciples were likewise neatly dressed and brisk of step.

But no matter what, they could not be mentioned in the same breath as the Ti Cavalry of the Patrol General Office ahead—official instruments of violence who possessed Martial Guard titles and rank.

These Martial Hall disciples were more like hyenas clinging to the side of a giant beast. Though they bared their fangs as well, their presence was shorter by more than a head.

Even the leaders of each hall, the finest among their elites, had curbed the arrogance they displayed on their own turf. Their expressions were respectful, and when speaking with the Patrol Office officials leading the force, they did not dare straighten their backs completely.

To the common folk herded off to the sides, this scene showed that possessing a Martial Guard title was a vast chasm between clouds and mud, marking utterly different stations in life.

In the distance.

Chen Cheng stood in the shadows of a side alley, silently watching the scene.

The cold morning wind brushed over his face. Of course, he could clearly sense that gap as well—not merely one of strength, but a towering wall built from status, power, and position.

Those Martial Guards did not even need to speak. Their very existence had already drawn the boundaries of order.

Chen Cheng clenched his fist, solid strength filling his palm, but his eyes dimmed slightly.

Though the Second-Incense Blood Qi had already formed, it was not enough—not even close!

Chen Cheng had long thought it through. To truly live like a human in this world, he had to keep growing stronger, keep climbing and fighting his way upward.

He had to contend for a Martial Guard title. He had to seize it in his palm!

"?"

Just then, near the rear of the great procession, Chen Cheng caught sight of a familiar figure.

It was Chen Hao, who had long since joined White Ape Hall.

White Ape Hall was far smaller than Dragon Mountain Hall. Fewer than ten of them had come this time, and they were likely all proper Martial Artists.

It appeared that Chen Hao had already condensed his first One-Incense Blood Qi.

Chen Cheng's brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.

He had never forgotten the ten taels of reward silver his father had exchanged his life for.

The reason he had not gone to demand it all this time was, first, because he feared his mother would not be able to bear it if things blew up, and second, because he knew that family simply could not produce ten taels of cash silver.

But things were different now.

His mother's spirit and health were both much better than before.

Most importantly, Chen Hao had become a Martial Artist, meaning he now had a way to earn money.

Chen Cheng touched the little silver he had left in his clothes and silently made up his mind.

Once Chen Hao returned, he would go settle the score with him!

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