Righteousness

Early the next morning, Cheng Heng arrived at the Inner City county yamen.

The moment he entered, he ran into Wang Ming, who was walking toward him.

"Cheng Heng, your Blood Qi has been growing more and more robust lately. How much longer until you break through to Hidden Force?"

Wang Ming asked with a smile.

He was a Hidden Force martial artist, exceptionally sensitive to Blood Qi. Seeing Cheng Heng's surging vitality, he reckoned the day of his breakthrough would come within the next few months.

Cheng Heng hurriedly clasped his hands. "Captain Wang, with another two months, I should be able to break through Bright Force!"

"However, my savings have been running dry lately. I'm afraid that time will have to be pushed back a little."

Having been through it himself, Wang Ming knew the dangers of breaking through. His brow furrowed slightly.

"Breaking through to Hidden Force is several times more perilous than Bright Force. One misstep, and you'll plunge into an abyss ten thousand fathoms deep!"

"You must build a solid foundation. That requires a great deal of meat and medicinal herbs for nourishment. 'The poor pursue letters, the rich pursue martial arts'—that saying is not just empty words!"

"At seventeen or eighteen, this is your best chance to break through. You absolutely must not miss it."

"Tell me, how much money are you still short of?"

Cheng Heng was slightly stunned. He had not expected Wang Ming to be so righteous. From the sound of it, Wang Ming intended to lend him another hand!

The longer Wang Ming spent with Cheng Heng, the more he discovered that Cheng Heng was steady in temperament, diligent in training, and upright in character. He was more than willing to invest in such a promising prospect.

"Brother Wang, the Wang Family has already supported me. I haven't contributed much in ordinary times. If I accept more of your aid, I truly would not deserve it!"

Wang Ming burst into laughter and lightly patted Cheng Heng on the shoulder.

"Cheng Heng, there's no need for that. I can see that you're good material. Helping you out is nothing!"

"Besides, I still need to go home and ask the family head about this. Wait for my news."

Cheng Heng clasped his hands and sincerely thanked him.

If Wang Ming could provide him with a few more Blood-Qi Pills, he would certainly be able to break through to Hidden Force within two months!

As for Wang Ming, his Lineage had always sought out promising martial arts talents. If they found someone suitable, they would offer support. It was a win-win situation for both sides!

Martial artists needed resources, while a Lineage like Wang Ming's could gain a favor in return.

After completing that day's patrol, Wang Ming returned home.

In the main hall of the Wang Residence, Wang Ming stood to one side. Seated in the place of honor was an old man of around sixty.

This man was the head of the Wang Family, Wang Ming's father, Wang Duchuan.

"Ming'er, what kind of root bone does this Cheng Heng you mentioned possess?"

Wang Duchuan looked at Wang Ming beside him and spoke slowly.

"F-Father, Cheng Heng's root bone is a Low-Grade Root Bone!"

Wang Ming froze for a moment, but he still told his father the truth.

"A Low-Grade Root Bone? Wouldn't that money simply be thrown into the water?"

"There are plenty of promising youngsters in the Inner City like him, on the verge of breaking through from Bright Force to Hidden Force. Their root bones are better than his. Why did you set your sights on him of all people?"

Wang Duchuan's expression darkened as he frowned.

"Father, Cheng Heng is different from the others. His root bone may be inferior, but his cultivation is truly impressive. He is upright as well, a promising talent worth investing in!"

Wang Ming was somewhat anxious, but he stood firm.

"Ming'er, the Wang Family's circumstances are not very good these days either. Since I took over the Wang Family, I have worked diligently in Gaoyang County for decades, finally earning enough capital for us to gain a foothold in the Inner City."

"Previously, our Wang Family held seventy percent of the Inner City's herb-gathering trade. But in recent years, the Yang Family in the west of the city has risen with tremendous momentum and has already seized thirty percent of our herb-gathering business."

"Now, every tael of silver our Wang Family spends must be carefully calculated. There can be no mistakes!"

"Ming'er, you will take over the Wang Family in the future. You need to understand these matters!"

After saying that, Wang Duchuan's figure seemed somewhat thinner. The high spirits he had once possessed were slowly being drained away.

Wang Ming was slightly dazed. He had not expected his father to bear such enormous pressure all this time.

Back then, his father had placed him in the county yamen as a constable precisely to pave the way for the Wang Family. He had never paid much attention to the family business in ordinary times. The Wang Family's position in Gaoyang County had already become so delicate!

Wang Ming sighed, his expression downcast.

"I understand, Father."

With that, Wang Ming silently turned around, preparing to leave the main hall.

Wang Duchuan watched his son's departing back with reluctance. In the end, he let out a deep sigh.

"Forget it. It's only twenty taels of silver. Go collect it from the steward!"

"Also, take two Superior Blood Qi Pills from the storeroom and bring them along!"

Wang Ming halted mid-step, his expression immediately turning joyous.

"Your greatest flaw is that you are too righteous. In total, it's only a little over twenty taels of silver. The family isn't short of such a small sum!"

Wang Duchuan looked at Wang Ming, who had turned back, with a complicated expression.

"Thank you, Father! Your son will not misjudge him. Cheng Heng will surely accomplish great things in the future. Just wait and see!"

With that, he sprinted toward the Wang Residence storeroom.

Only Wang Duchuan remained seated silently in the place of honor. A faint smile touched his lips before he shook his head again, lost in thought.

Early the next morning, Cheng Heng went to work as usual.

Just as he was about to count heads and head to the city wall for patrol, Wang Ming hurried over and stopped him.

Wang Ming looked at Cheng Heng with a smile.

"The matter of supporting you—I discussed it with the family last night, and they agreed. Take this. Train hard, and make sure you break through to Hidden Force!"

As he spoke, he handed a small bundle to Cheng Heng.

Cheng Heng accepted the heavy bundle with a stunned expression, then earnestly clasped his hands.

"Brother Wang, thank you!"

"In the future, even if I must brave boiling water and tread through fire, I will not refuse!"

Wang Ming's help had truly been immense!

"Go on, go on!"

Wang Ming patted Cheng Heng on the shoulder, looking relaxed.

That evening, Cheng Heng returned to his room and opened the bundle Wang Ming had given him during the day.

Inside were twenty taels of silver, along with two brightly colored Superior Blood Qi Pills.

Those two Superior Blood Qi Pills alone were probably worth seven or eight taels of silver!

Now was not the time for empty courtesies. He had to race against time and cultivate.

With this silver and the Blood-Qi Pills supporting him, Cheng Heng's cultivation progress would surely accelerate greatly!

In the days that followed, Cheng Heng began a tedious life of cultivation.

Apart from patrolling during the day, he devoted all his remaining energy to training.

Moreover, Cheng Heng discovered that ever since breaking through Bright Force, the charging speed of the [Martial Dao Space] in his mind had clearly changed.

[Destiny: Heaven Rewards Diligence]

[Persevere without cease, and achievement will surely come.]

[Martial Dao Space: Unlocked (Charge 48/100)]

The Martial Dao Space's charging progress was about to pass halfway. At this rate, by the day he reached Hidden Force Great Completion, the charge would be complete!

He wondered what miraculous changes the Martial Dao Space would bring him!