No Longer What He Once Was

Zhao Wei walked up to Cheng Heng and said in surprise, "I never expected Junior Brother Cheng to break through to Bright Force in just three months. Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao!"

Cheng Heng cupped his fists toward Zhao Wei.

He was deeply grateful for Zhao Wei's care over the past while, so his thanks were especially sincere.

Even Chen An came over to Cheng Heng, looking delighted as he said:

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Cheng, on breaking through to Bright Force today. We should guide each other from now on and advance even further!"

Chen An was actually two years younger than Cheng Heng, but because he had broken through to Bright Force first, calling him Junior Brother was only natural.

Cheng Heng was somewhat surprised by Chen An's congratulations. Chen An had outstanding talent and superior bone structure, was measured in his dealings with people and things, and worked extremely hard every day. There was practically nothing to fault about him.

"You flatter me, Senior Brother Chen. I'll have to rely on your guidance in the future!"

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Wu Zhong also emerged from the Inner Courtyard. When he saw that it was Cheng Heng who had broken through to Bright Force, a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes before he said:

"Not bad. With inferior bone structure, you relied on diligence and hard work to make up for it after the fact, yet you still broke through to Bright Force in three months. That truly was no easy feat!"

"This is a bottle of Blood-Qi Pills. Take it. In a few days, I will hold a disciple-taking ceremony and formally accept you as my disciple!"

Cheng Heng accepted the small bottle Wu Zhong handed him, his eyes lighting up as he hurriedly said with respect:

"Thank you, Master!"

Blood-Qi Pills were medicinal pills that helped Bright Force martial artists improve their cultivation. They had an extremely obvious effect in speeding up training, and their price was far from cheap. A single Blood-Qi Pill cost around one tael of silver, and one had to go to the Inner City to buy such pills!

Wu Zhong gave Cheng Heng a few more instructions before leaving with a relaxed expression.

Cheng Heng's breakthrough to Bright Force was a good thing for the Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall. He had recently accepted a disciple with superior bone structure, and in just two months, the martial hall had gained two Bright Force disciples. How could Wu Zhong not be pleased?

After everyone dispersed, Cheng Heng tidied up briefly and devoted his energy to practicing the Tiger-Subduing Fist Technique.

Now that he had advanced to Bright Force and achieved minor success in Stance Training, his next task was to catch up in his fist technique.

Otherwise, even if his qi and blood were abundant, his fist technique would be loose and sloppy, leaving a gap between him and other martial artists when they fought!

It was not until the sun was about to set that Cheng Heng finally stopped his movements and ran straight toward the Inner City.

This was Cheng Heng's first time going to the Inner City. His purpose was to make a grand shopping trip and buy household goods and food for home.

When he entered the Inner City, the two guards by the gate saw his upright bearing and slightly protruding temples. After asking only a few simple questions, they let him pass.

Now that Cheng Heng's strength had increased greatly, things that had once been difficult for him now seemed effortless.

If this had been three months ago, those two gate guards would have chased Cheng Heng off to who knew where long ago!

The moment he entered the Inner City, an entirely different scene came into view.

The bluestone streets were clean and straight, the roadways swept spotless, and the air carried none of the stench that drifted freely through the Outer City.

Rows of private residences stood on both sides of the street. They were not luxurious, but each was worth dozens of taels of silver. People from the Outer City probably could not afford one even in a lifetime!

Looking at the sight before him, Cheng Heng thought to himself, It won't be long before I can definitely move into the Inner City.

After walking several dozen more steps, the bustling flavor of the marketplace began to emerge along the street.

Money houses, pawnshops, rice stores, apothecaries, and restaurants stood side by side. Many shop assistants waited at the entrances to solicit customers, more and more residents filled the streets, and even carriages and horses passed by in an endless stream. It was exceedingly lively.

Cheng Heng found a tailor shop and carefully picked out two well-fitting sets of clothes for Li Qingwan. He then went on a buying spree at a rice store, purchasing plenty of grain. Only when dusk had fallen did he return home carrying large and small bundles on his back.

This trip was only possible because Cheng Heng had now formally become a Bright Force martial artist. If it had still been three months ago, he probably could not even have carried so many things!

He bought Li Qingwan two sets of clothes, ten jin of fine rice, ten jin of cornmeal, cut more than ten jin of meat, and even specially bought two boxes of rouge for her from a general store.

Altogether, these things cost more than two taels of silver.

In the past, Cheng Heng would never have dared to spend money so freely. But now that his strength had advanced, there was no need to be overly cautious.

Before long, Cheng Heng returned home.

In the small courtyard, Li Qingwan was still carefully sewing clothes.

When she saw Cheng Heng return, she hurriedly put down her work. Then, seeing the bundles of all sizes in his hands, she was utterly astonished.

"Brother Heng, what happened today? Where did you get the money to buy so many things?"

Li Qingwan asked in shock, her small mouth slightly open.

Cheng Heng set down the bundles in his hands and said with a smile:

"Today, I successfully advanced to Bright Force. I can now be considered a true martial artist."

"You won't need to work so hard anymore. Quit this job tomorrow. I can now take up some posts and provide for the family!"

Li Qingwan was stunned upon hearing this. Over the past few months, through what she had seen and heard, she had gradually learned that martial artists were divided into three major realms: Bright Force, Hidden Force, and Skill-Transforming Force.

Li Qingwan then carefully examined Cheng Heng before her again. He had grown noticeably taller than before, with an upright frame, powerful limbs, a resolute face, and even skin far fairer than it had once been.

His entire temperament was utterly different from three months ago!

She had never expected Cheng Heng to reach the Bright Force realm so quickly. She immediately clasped her hands together and muttered without pause, "May the Martial Star bless us. Brother Heng will surely take the martial examination in the future and become the martial top scholar!"

Looking at the astonished Li Qingwan, Cheng Heng took out the two sets of clothes and rouge he had specially bought for her from the bundles and placed them in her hands.

Li Qingwan's eyes widened round as saucers. One surprise after another had come crashing down on her today, and she was nearly dizzy from them all!

Receiving the rouge and clothes, Li Qingwan cherished them as though she had obtained priceless treasures. Tears unconsciously began to stream from her eyes.

Cheng Heng smiled and pulled Li Qingwan into his arms, then said softly:

"After a little while, once I've saved enough silver, we'll move to the Inner City. Our days will only get better and better from now on!"

Feeling Cheng Heng's burning-hot chest, Li Qingwan nodded lightly in happiness.

Then, as if recalling something, she hurriedly said:

"Ah! Brother Heng must be starving by now, right? I forgot to cook today. Rest for a moment first—I'll make you something right away!"

Hearing this, Cheng Heng still held Li Qingwan tightly and refused to let go. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered:

"We're not eating today. Today, I'm eating you!"

"Whoosh!"

Li Qingwan's face instantly turned as red as a fiery sunset cloud. She could no longer say a single word and only hugged Cheng Heng tightly, unwilling to let go.

Looking at his wife, lovely enough to feast one's eyes upon, Cheng Heng bent down and swept her into his arms. He then shut the door tightly and blew out the candle in the room.

They did what husband and wife ought to do!