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. What a cause for celebration!"
"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao!"
Cheng Heng cupped his fists toward Zhao Wei.
He was especially grateful for Zhao Wei's care over this period, so his gratitude was particularly sincere.
Even Chen An came over to Cheng Heng, his expression delighted, and said:
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Cheng, on breaking through to Bright Force today. We should guide one another in the future 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 Cheng Heng junior brother was only natural.
Cheng Heng was somewhat surprised by Chen An's congratulations. Chen An possessed outstanding talent and a Superior Bone Constitution, treated people and matters with great tact, and worked extremely hard every day. There was practically nothing to fault about him.
"You flatter me, Senior Brother Chen. I hope for much guidance from you in the future!"
After the two exchanged a few 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 a Low-Grade Root Bone, you managed to make up for your shortcomings through acquired diligence and hard work, breaking through to Bright Force in just three months. That is truly 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 respectfully:
"Thank you, Master!"
Blood-Qi Pills were medicinal pills that Bright Force martial artists used to improve their cultivation. They had an extremely obvious effect on accelerating one's training progress, and they were quite expensive as well. A single Blood-Qi Pill cost around one tael of silver, and one had to go to the Inner City to purchase such pills!
Wu Zhong gave Cheng Heng a few more instructions before finally 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 taken in a disciple with a Superior Bone Constitution, 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 on his fist technique.
Otherwise, no matter how abundant his qi and blood were, if his fist technique remained loose and sloppy, he would still fall short when sparring with other martial artists!
Only when the sun was about to set did Cheng Heng stop his movements and dash straight toward the Inner City.
This was Cheng Heng's first time going to the Inner City. His purpose was to make a large purchase and prepare some household items and food for home.
When he entered the Inner City, the two guards at the city gate saw his upright bearing and slightly bulging temples. After asking only a few simple questions, they let him in.
Now that Cheng Heng's strength had greatly increased, things that had once been difficult for him now seemed effortless.
Had it been three months ago, those two gate guards would have driven Cheng Heng off to who knew where long ago!
The moment he entered the Inner City, an entirely different sight came into view.
The bluestone roads were clean and straight, the streets swept spotless, and the air lacked the foul stench that drifted freely through the Outer City.
Rows of private residences lined both sides of the street. Though these homes were not extravagant, each was still worth dozens of taels of silver. People from the Outer City likely could not afford one even in a lifetime!
Looking at the scene before him, Cheng Heng secretly thought, It won't be long before I can move into the Inner City myself.
After walking several dozen more steps, the streets began to fill with the bustling flavor of everyday life.
Money houses, pawnshops, rice stores, medicine shops, and restaurants stood side by side. Quite a few shop assistants stood at the entrances calling out to customers. The number of residents gradually increased, and even carriages and horses came and went without end. It was exceedingly lively.
Cheng Heng found a tailor shop and carefully selected two sets of well-fitting clothes for Li Qingwan. He then bought a great deal of grain from a rice store. Seeing that dusk had fallen, he finally returned home with large and small bundles slung over his back.
This trip was only possible because Cheng Heng had now officially become a Bright Force martial artist. If it had been three months ago, he likely would not even have been able to carry so many things!
He had bought Li Qingwan two sets of clothes, ten jin of refined rice, ten jin of cornmeal, more than ten jin of meat, and even two boxes of rouge especially for her from a general store.
Altogether, these things cost more than two taels of silver.
Cheng Heng would never have dared to spend so lavishly in the past. But now that his strength had advanced, there was no need for him 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 surprise, 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 finally be considered a true martial artist."
"You won't need to work so hard in the future. Quit this job tomorrow. I can now take up certain positions and support the family!"
Li Qingwan was shocked upon hearing this. Over the past few months, through what she had seen and heard, she had gradually come to understand that martial artists were divided into the three great ranks of Bright Force, Hidden Force, and Skill-Transforming Force.
Li Qingwan then carefully sized up Cheng Heng before her once more. He had grown much taller than before, his posture was straight, his limbs powerful and robust, and his face resolute. Even his skin was much fairer than it had been before.
His entire bearing was utterly different from what it had been three months ago!
She had not expected Cheng Heng to reach the Bright Force level so quickly. At once, she clasped her hands together and kept murmuring, "May the Martial Star bless us. Brother Heng will surely take the Martial Examination in the future and become the top martial scholar!"
Looking at the astonished Li Qingwan, Cheng Heng took out the two sets of clothes and the rouge he had bought especially for her, then placed them in her hands.
Li Qingwan's eyes widened round. Today's surprises had come one after another, and she was nearly dizzy from them all!
Receiving the rouge and clothes, Li Qingwan treasured them as though she had obtained priceless gems. Tears unconsciously streamed from her eyes.
Cheng Heng smiled and pulled Li Qingwan into his arms, then softly said:
"After a while, once I have saved enough silver, we'll move into the Inner City. Our days will only get better and better from now on!"
Feeling Cheng Heng's scorching chest, Li Qingwan nodded softly in happiness.
Then, as though remembering something, she hurriedly said:
"Ah! Brother Heng must be starving by now. I forgot to make dinner today. Rest for a while first—I'll go make you something right away!"
Hearing this, Cheng Heng still held Li Qingwan tightly and refused to let go. He leaned close to her ear and said softly:
"We're not eating tonight. Tonight, I'm eating you!"
"Whoosh!"
Li Qingwan's face instantly flushed like burning sunset clouds. She could not say another word, only clung tightly to Cheng Heng and refused to let go.
Looking at the delectable beauty in his arms, Cheng Heng bent down and carried his wife in his arms, then shut the door tight and blew out the candle in the room.
They did what husband and wife ought to do!
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