Blood Moving Minor Accomplishment

By the time they returned to the Yam Herb Shop in the county town, night had already fallen.

The convoy entered the rear courtyard, and the guards, tense the entire way, finally let out a breath.

Several carts of medicinal herbs were pushed before the warehouse. Wang Shouyi had long been waiting there with the accountant and shop hands.

Seeing the carts packed full and unharmed, some of the tension finally left his face. He hurriedly ordered, "Quick! Get the medicinal herbs into storage first!"

The shop hands immediately stepped forward to carry the crates.

The guards each moved aside to rest. This escort job had finally been completed.

Though they had only run into a band of roving bandits from out of town and had ultimately scattered them, the sudden slaughter still left many of them shaken.

These were chaotic times. No one knew whether the next group they encountered would be formidable enemies.

And Liu Heng's death was like a basin of cold water poured over everyone's hearts.

Just the night before last, they had sat around the campfire drinking together, watching him vigorously spar with Lu Chen. Yet when they returned to town today, he had already been wrapped in oilcloth, reduced to a corpse.

Several guards looked at the body, their faces turning pale.

"The ways of the world are unpredictable..."

"Liu Heng was unlucky too. Everyone else made it back, but he was the only one who died."

Wang Zhong stood to one side, his expression grim, as he said to Wang Shouyi, "We ran into a band of roving bandits on the road. They weren't locals from Scarlet Cloud Mountain; they were likely fugitives who had fled in from another county. The herbs were undamaged, and the brothers suffered no serious injuries. Only Liu Heng died."

The smile on Wang Shouyi's face vanished at once.

He glanced at Liu Heng, who was being carried down, and fell silent for a moment before saying only, "Give him a proper burial. Pay the bereavement money according to the rules."

After speaking, he swept his gaze over the crowd and cupped his hands. "You have all worked hard on this trip. You rendered merit in today's escort, so each of you will be rewarded with one tael of silver."

At the mention of the reward, a trace of joy appeared on everyone's faces.

By the time Lu Chen returned to his guard quarters, the night was already deep.

The courtyard lamps glowed dimly.

Lu Chen pushed open the door and entered. He first dusted off the dirt on his body, then washed away the lingering smell of blood from his hands.

Clear water flowed between his fingers, carrying away faint streaks of red.

He stared at the basin of water, and his thoughts gradually settled.

The battle on the mountain road had come without warning. The bandits, the herb carts, the cries of killing, Liu Heng's hand reaching from behind him... scene after scene flashed through his mind.

Lu Chen felt not the slightest guilt over Liu Heng's death.

In the melee, Liu Heng had struck from behind in the dark. He had been after Lu Chen's life.

Since the other man had first harbored murderous intent, dying beneath a bandit's blade was no more than reaping what he had sown.

One must never let down one's guard. I need to be even more careful from now on.

I must never entrust my back to anyone else!

Lu Chen silently warned himself.

Afterward, he called for the maid Little Green and had her prepare a medicinal bath for him.

Before long, Little Green entered carrying packets of medicine. Seeing several tears in his sleeves and catching the faint scent of blood, her face turned slightly pale. "Brother Lu, I heard you encountered bandits on the road back..."

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

Lu Chen's tone was calm. "Prepare the medicinal bath. Make the water hotter."

Little Green hurriedly answered, "Yes."

Lu Chen did not sit in his room and wait.

He walked to the open space outside and slowly assumed a fighting stance, continuing his fist practice.

The night wind swept over the courtyard walls, bringing with it a touch of chill.

Yet Lu Chen's fists grew hotter and hotter. His qi and blood circulated through the paths of his punches, and the force through his shoulders and back, waist and hips, and arms linked together section by section.

In troubled times, human lives were as cheap as grass.

Only with fists hard enough and qi and blood strong enough could one stand firm amid wind and waves.

The scent of medicine gradually drifted out from the room.

Little Green called softly from the doorway, "Brother Lu, the medicinal bath is ready."

Lu Chen withdrew his fists and exhaled a mouthful of hot air.

A transparent screen silently appeared before his eyes:

[Azure Dragon Through-the-Arms Fist: Minor Accomplishment]

[Progress: 351/500]

Lu Chen glanced at it, and his heart settled somewhat.

Great Accomplishment in his fist art was not far away.

In the blink of an eye, Lu Chen had stayed at the Yam Herb Shop for a month.

Every day, he reported for duty, patrolled the courtyard, practiced his fists, soaked in medicinal baths, took Blood-Qi Powder, and supplemented himself with meat. His days were exceptionally full.

It happened to be a rest day, and Chen Chong had sent word early, inviting him to Little Prosperity Tower for a small gathering.

Lu Chen changed into a clean blue robe and left the Yam Herb Shop.

He had not wandered the streets much over the past month, and the bustle outside made him feel somewhat dazed instead. Hawkers' cries, the rumble of carriage wheels, and the laughter and curses drifting from restaurants intertwined, easing Lu Chen's mind considerably.

When he arrived at Little Prosperity Tower, Chen Chong was already waiting at the entrance.

The moment he saw Lu Chen, his eyes lit up. "It's only been a month, yet Junior Brother Lu, you've gotten much stronger."

He reached out and squeezed Lu Chen's arm. Beneath his fingers, the muscles and sinews felt taut and solid, like twisted ox tendons, making him click his tongue in amazement.

"Your qi and blood are much more vigorous too!"

Lu Chen smiled. "My post at the Yam Herb Shop is fairly leisurely, so I've had plenty of time to train this past month."

Over the past month, the qi and blood in his chest had grown from a single wisp to five wisps, increasing fourfold. With his Coiling Dragon Stance Art having reached Great Accomplishment, his muscles and sinews had been reforged throughout his body. Nourished by medicinal baths and Blood-Qi Powder, they had grown ever more compact and powerful.

Now, even standing still, he naturally carried the steady aura of a martial artist.

The two entered Little Prosperity Tower and found a window-side table in the first-floor hall.

Outside the window lay the main street, with pedestrians flowing endlessly past. Within the hall, the scent of wine and meat filled the air. In one corner, a storyteller smacked his wooden clapper, while several wanderers of the martial world listened with rapt attention.

Chen Chong ordered several signature dishes and a pot of wine.

Looking at Lu Chen, Chen Chong brought up a topic. "I heard that some days ago, you went to escort a shipment from the Scarlet Cloud Mountain herb garden and ran into bandits on the road? And one disciple of Mighty Far Hall died?"

Lu Chen nodded.

"Mighty Far Hall has risen greatly in the past two years, competing with Thousand Crane Martial Hall for the title of Scarlet Cloud County's foremost martial hall."

Chen Chong continued, "They have quite a few disciples under them, so losing a few won't have much impact."

When the food and wine arrived, Chen Chong placed some meat in Lu Chen's bowl, then said, "But our Hidden Dragon Martial Hall has also been getting better and better."

Lu Chen looked up. "Is there good news at the martial hall?"

"More or less."

Chen Chong smiled, his eyes and brows carrying a hint of excitement.

"Recently, a batch of newcomers has arrived one after another—more than ten of them. The martial hall has become much livelier than before."

"In the past, we might not even get ten new disciples in half a year."

The entry tuition for Hidden Dragon Martial Hall was ten taels of silver. More than ten new disciples meant over a hundred taels.

"And Shi Hao—did you hear?" Chen Chong added.

"Hear what?" Lu Chen raised a brow, his hand holding the chopsticks pausing slightly.

"That kid broke through to Blood Moving Minor Accomplishment."

Chen Chong took a sip of wine, his tone holding both admiration and a trace of pressure and helplessness he could not conceal. "Blood Moving Minor Accomplishment at fifteen."

"Among his peers in Scarlet Cloud County, he could be considered a crane standing among chickens."

As he spoke, he laughed at himself. "As for me, I've been surpassed by a junior brother ten years younger."

Lu Chen had not expected Shi Hao to take this step so quickly.

At the initial stage of Blood Moving, qi and blood were like wisps of thread; at Blood Moving Minor Accomplishment, qi and blood were like a stream.

Though it seemed like only one small stage apart, many people struggled for years, even their entire lives, without ever touching the threshold.

Shi Hao was only fifteen. His future was promising.

The thought passed through Lu Chen's mind, but little emotion showed on his face.

He patted Chen Chong on the shoulder and comforted him. "Senior Brother, your foundation is solid. With deep reserves built up, you will burst forth in time. Sooner or later, you too will break through to Minor Accomplishment."

"Haha, you really know how to talk, kid."

"Come, let's have a drink."

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Chen Chong took out a money pouch from his robe and pushed it before Lu Chen.

Lu Chen glanced at it. "This is?"

Chen Chong said, "The support our Chen Family is giving you this month."

Chen Chong opened the pouch. Inside lay four taels of silver, neatly arranged.

Lu Chen's expression grew serious. He did not refuse, instead accepting the silver and solemnly cupping his hands. "Thank you, Senior Brother Chen. Please convey my regards to your honored father."

Chen Chong nodded and looked at Lu Chen with a smile. "Train hard, Junior Brother Lu. I'll wait for news of your breakthrough to Minor Accomplishment!"