Chengwu Academy (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

The night was deep and all was still.

North Gate Avenue, Jishan Ward, Ironwood Hall.

A scrawny scout in a short blue jacket arrived before the hall, lowered his head, bowed, and cupped his fists. "Reporting to the Hall Master, there is major news."

Zhao Shuiliu lounged sideways in the grand master's chair in the main hall, his vicious triangular eyes hanging beneath half-lowered lids, a cold gleam in his pupils.

"Speak."

"Hall Master, we have just received word that Lu Li of Golden Gate Martial Academy thoroughly defeated Su Meiyi, the illegitimate son of the Su Family's third branch, and obtained a place in the Martial Lecture Hall."

The moment those words fell, the air in the hall turned icy.

The scout below trembled faintly, panic showing through.

He had been responsible for tracking Lu Li for nearly a month and had not found the slightest flaw. Yet today, Lu Li had suddenly made a name for himself, bursting forth out of nowhere.

"What?!"

Zhao Shuiliu's half-narrowed vicious eyes flew open.

"That Lu Li with the lowest-grade Root Bone?"

"Yes, Hall Master."

A cold glint flashed through Zhao Shuiliu's eyes. There was no roar, no furious outburst—only the chill of stagnant water.

Zhao Shuiliu's thoughts raced. His first reaction was not anger, but suspicion, calculation, and weighing the scales.

So Baldy Jiao and Zhang Biao had both been killed by that Lu Li?

Shen Gangfu, what a scheme...

Ironwood Hall had long run roughshod over the Outer City. Two of his Grass Shoes had been killed in succession, yet only now had the murderer been uncovered.

He had actually played a trick of deceiving the heavens and crossing the sea on him? Very good...

Soon, he decided that this likely had nothing to do with the Heji escort agency. So it was a personal grudge?

The scout raised his head and cautiously said:

"Hall Master, should we gather the brothers and demand an explanation from Golden Gate Martial Academy? Their disciple killed our Ironwood Hall Grass Shoes. We have justice on our side."

"Demand an explanation?"

Zhao Shuiliu let out a derisive laugh, his tone cold and heavy.

"Idiot."

At that moment, someone slowly rose from behind a low pearwood table at the side of the hall. It was Ironwood Hall's strategist, the White Paper Fan, Wen Chou.

Wen Chou stepped lightly into the center of the hall and continued:

"Under normal circumstances, we would not fear going to Golden Gate Martial Academy to seize someone without evidence. But now that Lu Li has secured a place in the Martial Lecture Hall—and even Su Meiyi, who wielded a secret art, was defeated—it is enough to prove that Lu Li's entry into the Martial Lecture Hall is set in stone. Shen Gangfu will protect Lu Li to the death, and we would also be openly offending a future Martial Student of the Martial Lecture Hall."

Seeing Zhao Shuiliu nod lightly, Wen Chou continued to wave the fan in his hand as he said:

"Furthermore, Lu Li silently killed two of Ironwood Hall's Grass Shoes, left no traces or evidence behind, and kept us in the dark for so long. That proves he is no reckless fool whose hot blood has gone to his head. This boy's temperament is as deep as an abyss, and he acts without the slightest drag or hesitation. With someone like him, we either turn weapons of war into jade and silk, or slowly plot against him until we win the chance for a single killing blow."

"Turn weapons of war into jade and silk?"

Zhao Shuiliu raised a brow, a trace of sinister malice flashing in his eyes.

"Report this to the gang leader immediately. Also, before noon tomorrow, I want every scrap of information on Lu Li. Big or small, investigate it all."

"This subordinate accepts the order." Wen Chou gave a slight bow, his paper fan swaying once more, cold calculation filling his eyes.

"Remember, every last scrap!"

Zhao Shuiliu's tone was calm, but surging currents lay hidden beneath it.

The next morning.

There were two days left until the Martial Lecture Hall martial examination.

Lu Li sat in his study.

As he looked at one packet of Vermilion Sand Powder and three portions of Tiger Hide Powder that Lin Lanyi had sent over early that morning, a clear gleam flashed in his eyes.

It was necessary to reveal his talent at the right time.

Take this Vermilion Sand Powder, for instance. It was indispensable for his sixth Skin Tempering, costing one thousand taels of silver per packet. The key was that Lu Li could not even find a way to buy it.

As for Tiger Hide Powder, it was indispensable for the seventh Skin Tempering.

Two thousand taels of silver per box, yet Lin Lanyi had sent three boxes at once. She truly had high hopes for him, didn't she?

Under normal circumstances, after seven Skin Temperings, one could begin the second Gate-Breaking and become a second-stage Flesh Refining martial artist.

Only disciples of aristocratic families and great sects would break through to an eighth Skin Tempering in order to solidify their foundations. One had to know that the difficulty of this eighth Skin Tempering was no less than the second Gate-Breaking.

As for the ninth Skin Tempering, only gifted disciples of certain great sects had a chance of succeeding.

And all three of those Skin Temperings required Tiger Hide Powder as support. Lin Lanyi had directly sent three portions—she was certain he would attempt nine Skin Temperings.

And she had not taken a single coin.

Lu Li's gaze shifted slightly. Lin Lanyi's tree was indeed thick enough; what she sought was likely no small matter.

That was a matter for later.

Casting aside his stray thoughts, Lu Li assumed his fist stance and practiced the Form-Intent Secret Stance, accumulating Primordial Unity Force as he began his sixth Skin Tempering.

At his current Skin Tempering progress, success would still require another month and a half. This was already fast enough. At the normal pace, with his current Root Bone, it would take at least a year. Under the illumination of the Celebratory Cloud Lamp, combined with the perfected Form-Intent Secret Stance and top-grade Vermilion Sand Powder, he could complete one Skin Tempering every two months—nearly catching up to Upper-Grade Bone Aptitude.

With a thought, Lu Li entered his Sea of Consciousness.

The lamp wick was nearly full. His next enlightenment was drawing close.

After finishing his training.

Lu Li raised his head and glanced at the sun.

After changing into the new clothes delivered by the Sun Family Cloth Shop, Lu Li went to the rear courtyard and had his young aunt measure everyone in the residence for new clothes, then send the measurements to the Sun Family Cloth Shop.

He did not forget Old Li's either.

Once the household matters were settled, Lu Li set off toward the Road Division office.

When he reached Eternal Peace Ward on Peaceful Prosperity Street and had just stepped into the Road Division office, Lu Li immediately sensed that something was off.

Today, the entire Road Division compound carried an eerie, murderous atmosphere.

Lu Li quickened his pace and rushed to the Archer Bureau, only to discover that the usually slack archers all stood with ramrod-straight backs and forward-facing eyes, packed together in neat ranks and solemn formation.

The entire staff had assembled. Something major was happening?

Lu Li felt as if an unusually heavy pressure hung over the office compound.

He hurried along at a jog, preparing to slip into the formation while searching for his archer squad.

Just then, he spotted Wang Boxing among the crowd.

"Boss, hurry to the inner courtyard. Captain Hu is giving instructions."

Wang Boxing turned to meet his gaze from within the ranks and spoke to him in a low voice.

Lu Li came to an abrupt stop, then jogged all the way to the office's inner courtyard.

Upon arriving there, he found Hu Wancheng standing atop the high platform at the northern end of the drill ground.

He was surveying the officers below with a stern expression.

Below the stage stood squad leaders, head armorers, banner commanders, and patrol guards, all impeccably dressed and belted, their sabers hanging straight at their sides as they held their breath in silence.

The vast drill ground was deathly quiet.

Once everyone was present.

Hu Wancheng swept his heavy gaze across the entire field again. His deep voice overpowered the howling morning wind.

"Today, the entire force has assembled for two major matters!"

"The first matter!"

Headmaster Gao of Chengwu Academy will arrive in Blackwater City tomorrow to preside over this year's Martial Lecture Hall martial examination. During this period, security patrols in the Inner City, street controls, investigations of brawls, gate restrictions, and curfews must all be strictly enforced!"

Hu Wancheng enunciated every word clearly, each one ringing like thunder in their ears.

Standing at the very front, Lu Li's eyes stirred slightly.

Chengwu Academy?

It seemed to be the upper academy of the Martial Lecture Hall?

Suppressing the questions in his heart, he pricked up his ears and continued listening intently.

"Our Road Division's three thousand five hundred positions are all filled. The River Division has three thousand five hundred men, the Gate Division has three thousand five hundred men, and the military office of the prefectural yamen will also cooperate with us!"

"In short, I have only one thing to say!"

"Peace!"

"Peace!"

"And fucking peace!"

The patrol guards, banner commanders, head armorers, and squad leaders of every unit answered in unison:

"Order received!"

Hu Wancheng shifted the topic, his tone growing heavier.

"Very good!"

"As for the second major matter, we will discuss it at the martial training ground shortly!"

"Go find your respective subordinates now. All of you, assemble at the Archer Bureau martial training ground!"

Everyone received their orders.

All the officers ran in unison toward the martial training ground in the front courtyard.