Gou Buyi's death left Liu Zhi with many feelings. Just as Jiang Che led men to capture Scarface, Zhu Sheng summoned Liu Zhi to the command tent and offered him some consoling words.
Yet, between the lines, Liu Zhi found the meaning somewhat hard to stomach.
He and Gou Buren had originally held no grudge against one another, but because of a single hint from Zhu Sheng, he had no choice but to act. Moreover, starting with Gou Buyi's death, they would fight until one side was dead.
That was why, when he summoned Jiang Che today, he could not help but say such a thing.
"My lord's meaning, this subordinate understands."
Jiang Che nodded.
"Seven days ago, I promised that so long as you mastered Savage Bull Strength within the allotted time, I would transfer you to serve at my side. Now, it is time to fulfill that promise.
"However, I will soon be transferred from Wind Camp. Will you leave with me, or remain in the military camp? Rest assured, even if you leave, I will secure you a fine future."
Liu Zhi continued speaking, yet he did not look at Jiang Che, wanting to hear his answer.
But such thoughts truly underestimated Jiang Che. The moment Liu Zhi finished speaking, Jiang Che immediately stated without hesitation:
"My lord rescued me from fire and water and helped me resolve my worries for the future. Such great kindness is beyond this subordinate's ability to repay. Only by following at my lord's side, holding your horse and stirrup, can I be at peace."
Seeing Jiang Che's solemn expression, without the slightest trace of pretense, Liu Zhi narrowed his eyes.
"You should think it through. Following me after my transfer may not necessarily lead to a fine future. Besides, I am not saying this to test you. I merely wish to forge a good bond."
"Wherever my lord goes, this subordinate will go."
Jiang Che said in a deep voice.
"If I recall correctly, you are from Yanggu County?"
After a moment of silence, Liu Zhi asked.
"That is correct. This subordinate was indeed born in Yanggu County. I was originally a fisherman who made his living fishing by the river. Only because I provoked the Cao Gang in the county did I end up exiled to the frontier."
"The place I am being transferred to this time is Yanggu County, where I will serve as a ninth-rank commander of the city gates." Liu Zhi spoke frankly.
"Congratulations, my lord."
Though he had only crossed over for a little more than a month, he had inherited all of the original owner's memories. Naturally, he understood the difference between a deputy commander of the prefectural troops and a ninth-rank commander of the city gates.
A city gate commander possessed official rank, while a deputy commander in the camp did not.
Furthermore, the authority held by the two differed like heaven and earth.
Wind Camp had only five hundred regular soldiers in total, under several commanders. With Liu Zhi's current authority, he could command only fifty men. As for guarding the Auxiliary Barracks, that was merely temporary.
A ninth-rank city gate commander, however, controlled a quarter of the county town.
With tens of thousands of commoners under his jurisdiction, he could truly be called a man above men.
"Since we have laid everything out in the open, I will speak plainly. If you follow me there, I will recommend you to Captain Zhu as deputy commander, to help me govern and suppress the area." Liu Zhi looked seriously at Jiang Che as he made his promise.
The same held true: mastering Savage Bull Strength in seven days made Jiang Che worthy of promotion.
Otherwise, for a mere auxiliary soldier to make a three-level leap was nothing more than a dream.
"This subordinate is willing to die for my lord!"
Jiang Che immediately moved to kneel, but Liu Zhi promptly held him up. Patting his shoulder, he encouraged him:
"You and I are not far apart in age. From now on, we may address each other as brothers. Yanggu County is your hometown; in the future, I will need you to assist me greatly."
"Yes."
"As for your transfer out of the Auxiliary Barracks, I have already sent someone to arrange it. A death-row prisoner will be transferred from elsewhere to fill your place and go to the frontier."
"Uh... My lord, this subordinate has a request."
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Che still spoke up.
"Speak."
"Could you... give me one more opening? I wish to transfer another helper out of the Auxiliary Barracks."
This was something Jiang Che had once promised Geng Dabiao. Whether it succeeded or not, he had to fight for it.
"I knew it would be so. Very well, I will give you two openings, but that is the limit. Any more, and the others will not be able to save face."
When helping someone, one should help them to the end. Liu Zhi now thought especially highly of Jiang Che's future and was willing to invest in him.
"Thank you, my lord."
Liu Zhi's bestowed favor had indeed worked. At least for now, Jiang Che truly felt grateful toward him.
As they chatted, Jiang Che raised some questions of his own.
"Since there are cultivation methods, are there also distinctions in realms?"
"Of course. I summoned you here today precisely to explain their mysteries to you. Since you asked first, I will tell you. Below the Innate Realm, there are four realms."
Liu Zhi nodded.
"What are these four realms?"
"Body Strengthening, Life Breath, Bone Tempering, and Meridian Opening."
"I beg my lord to explain them in detail."
Jiang Che put on an expression of sincere attentiveness.
"Body Strengthening is for mortals. Taking flesh and blood as the foundation, once one's strength exceeds a hundred jin, one is considered to have entered this realm. Life Breath is qi. When any Body Tempering Method is cultivated to great mastery, Flesh and Blood Manifestation arises and circulates throughout the body. One's strength can reach a thousand jin; this is Life Breath.
"Qi tempers the tendons and bones, hammering them a thousand times. Depending on the cultivation method, they may shine golden, turn black as ink, or assume other colors. With a casual punch, one can shatter stone and split the earth, possessing several thousand jin of strength. This is Bone Tempering.
"When the tendons and bones are indestructible and qi flows through the eight meridians, opening the entire body and bringing strength to every part of the flesh, one can fly over eaves and walk along walls, tread upon water without sinking, as though walking on level ground. It is as if aided by the gods; this is Meridian Opening."
Liu Zhi spoke at length, explaining the realms of cultivation in a single breath.
"A hundred jin of strength, a thousand jin of strength, splitting mountains and shattering stones, crossing rivers on foot..." Jiang Che murmured, a trace of yearning rising in his heart.
"Then what lies above Meridian Opening?"
He asked in turn.
"Above the four realms lies the Innate Realm. One draws in the mysterious qi of heaven and earth and merges it into one's own body. Legend says such people possess the power to sever rivers and cleave mountains. That is also what I yearn for." At this point, Liu Zhi's gaze changed as well.
"If one reached the end of cultivation, would one not be comparable to immortals and gods?"
Jiang Che followed up.
Liu Zhi shook his head. "Those are not things mortals like us can pry into. Cultivate properly first. These four realms and three passes are not easy to cross. Yet if you can improve, they will also bring you power and status."
"This subordinate understands."
After leaving the command tent, Jiang Che found a secluded spot. He immediately closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into his mind, preparing to set his sacrifice target as the great mastery of Savage Bull Strength.
Liu Zhi's explanation had filled Jiang Che with yearning. After all, possessing mighty power for oneself was the pursuit of every man who worshipped strength.
He was no exception.
However, he knew that roads had to be walked one step at a time, and meals eaten one bite at a time.
His first goal was still to bring Savage Bull Strength to great mastery and enter the Inner Breath Realm first.
Sacrifice target: Savage Bull Strength, great mastery.
The blood patterns on the Sacrifice Heavenly Stele flowed and gradually lit up. After several breaths, a line of small characters slowly emerged.
Sacrifice cost: one hundred jin of raw beef, one hundred jin of raw cow blood, one hundred jin of raw cow bones, ten Deer Blood Grass plants, one Bone Strengthening Flower, and one year of lifespan. Sacrifice?
The beef, cow blood, and such were manageable. Though extremely valuable, they were not impossible to obtain so long as he had silver. But this Deer Blood Grass and Bone Strengthening Flower... Jiang Che had never even heard of either of them.
Flesh and Blood Manifestation truly was not so easily attained.