Bone Root Improvement

[Martial Dao Longevity Points: 39]

Xu Yang woke during the fifth watch. The first thing he did upon opening his eyes was look at the panel. It had awarded him thirty points yesterday.

That was because he had achieved Entry into the Turtle-Snake Great Stance yesterday and learned the Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist.

[Bone Root: 30]

Without any hesitation, Xu Yang spent all thirty points improving his bone root rather than advancing his Turtle-Snake Great Stance or Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist.

He achieved Entry into the Turtle-Snake Great Stance only one day later than Lu Ren, yet nobody thought he could become a martial artist. Aside from the issue of resources, the main reason was that his bone root was inferior to Lu Ren's.

In other words, at his current stage, bone root mattered more than comprehension.

Comprehension affected the speed at which he cultivated techniques, so spending points to advance his techniques would not help much with breaking through either.

In an instant, Xu Yang felt heat spread throughout his body, along with a tingling sensation in his muscles and bones.

His body grew hotter and hotter, and he began to sweat.

He had experienced this three times before.

The first was when his bone root rose to 5, the second when it rose to 10, and the third when it rose to 20.

This time, his bone root had risen to 30.

My bone root should be C-Grade Upper now, the same as Zhang Yong's.

After a while, his body gradually returned to normal. He was already drenched in sticky sweat that smelled sour and foul and was dark in color.

He felt that his muscles and bones were stronger, and even his strength had changed a little. His whole body felt considerably lighter.

Xu Yang left his remaining points untouched for now. Even if he wanted to advance his fist technique, he would have to take it slowly.

He had only learned the Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist yesterday. Any improvements would have to wait another couple of days. Ideally, he would add one point a day so it would not seem so abrupt.

Leaving his room, Xu Yang fetched several basins of water to wash the sweat off his body. His hunger was already unbearable.

In fact, hunger had woken him. Everything he had eaten at the Mighty Far Hall last night had been digested. Now that he had achieved Entry into the Turtle-Snake Great Stance, a little meat and rice could no longer sustain his cultivation.

Back in his room, Xu Yang ate two large bowls of coarse rice with the chicken Xu Qing had stewed last night, but he still wanted more.

If he ate to his heart's content, he could finish an entire chicken by himself, but he had to leave some for Xu Qing.

The little girl was still growing and needed nourishment too.

Xu Yang began practicing the Turtle-Snake Great Stance. With his bone root at C-Grade Upper, his cultivation had become considerably more effective.

By daybreak, he had nearly digested everything he had eaten, so he immediately hurried to the Mighty Far Hall.

He had not merely been trying to frighten Xu Lao'er last night. Along the way, he told everyone he met that he and his sister had severed ties with Xu Lao'er.

Xu Lao'er had been driven mad by his craving for money lately. What Xu Yang feared most was that, if he refused to submit, Li Hu would approach Xu Lao'er.

Given Xu Lao'er's character, he might actually sell Xu Qing to Yang Jun for his martial training. Yesterday's incident had given Xu Yang the perfect opportunity to sever their father-son relationship.

Before long, everyone in the White Stone Ward knew about it.

"That little brat is surprisingly shrewd!" A strange look crossed Li Hu's face.

He had come to the White Stone Ward today intending to buy Xu Qing through Xu Lao'er. Instead, he heard that they had already severed ties, and he believed Xu Yang had anticipated his scheme.

"Master Hu, what do we do? Now that they've severed ties, Xu Lao'er has no right to sell her," asked the subordinate beside him.

A vicious gleam flashed in Li Hu's eyes. "He spits on the face I've given him. Since he wants to die, I'll grant his wish. Doesn't that brat work at the Mine? Arrange for a few men to go in there and finish him off.

"I wanted to do things properly, but he's forcing me to kill. He can't blame me for that."

The Mighty Far Hall!

Zhang Yong still refused to speak to Xu Yang, but the hatred in his eyes was less obvious than yesterday.

"Do you know why Liu Guangfa isn't eating with us either?" Qian Jiaxing sidled over furtively.

"Why?" Xu Yang asked.

They both lived outside the city and went home together every day. Qian Jiaxing always used that time to ask Xu Yang for advice on the Turtle-Snake Great Stance.

Xu Yang was generous with his guidance, sharing whatever he understood.

They were all struggling in the same mire, and he did not mind helping when it took so little effort. Over time, if anyone among the ten of them could be called Xu Yang's closest friend, it was undoubtedly Qian Jiaxing.

While they were at the Mighty Far Hall, however, they tacitly agreed not to let the others notice.

Qian Jiaxing lowered his voice. "He sold his meat portions to Zhou Yang, so he doesn't dare eat with us."

Xu Yang paused, then shook his head. "Looks like he's given up."

He was not particularly surprised. Liu Guangfa had been out of the running for some time. Although he had eventually memorized the Turtle-Snake Great Stance with Lu Ren's help, his resolve to pursue the Dao had shattered. Such a choice was hardly unexpected.

Qian Jiaxing glanced around and, after making sure no one was nearby, lowered his voice further. "It's because of what happened to you yesterday. He's not the only one. Someone else is wavering too.

"He asked me to pass you a message. He also wants to sell his meat portions for money, but he doesn't want to sell them to Zhou Yang and those other dogs. If you're willing, he'll sell them to you."

Xu Yang was tempted. "Who?"

Three hundred copper coins a month meant he could get three extra bowls of beef each day for just ten coins. It was definitely a good deal. Otherwise, the brothers Zhou Yang and Zhou Yuan would not be eyeing them every day.

If he could eat three extra bowls of meat daily, he would build up his qi and blood that much faster.

Qian Jiaxing shook his head. "He actually came to me first, but I can't afford that much. He wants one tael of silver paid all at once. I said I'd ask you for him, and I promised not to reveal his name unless you agreed to buy."

Xu Yang considered it carefully, then shook his head. "I wouldn't dare."

He could afford one tael of silver, and it was a good deal.

But this sort of thing was effectively stealing money from the Huang Family, and the chances of being discovered were high.

The Huang Family had heard about both his and Lu Ren's breakthroughs immediately. Clearly, aside from their group, there were people here working for the Huang Family.

If he paid and the Huang Family discovered the illicit sale of meat, they would expel the seller from the martial hall. His money would go down the drain, and he might offend the Huang Family as well. The gains would not outweigh the losses.

Yesterday's events made it clear that the Huang Family only wanted to nurture Lu Ren. They had long wanted to kick the rest of them out, restrained only by concern for their reputation.

If they discovered this, they might use it as an excuse to stop supporting him. The potential reward did not justify the risk.

"Ask him whether he can wait a few days. If nothing happens to Liu Guangfa, we can discuss it again," Xu Yang finally added.

But before Qian Jiaxing found an opportunity to ask that person, Liu Guangfa's actions were exposed during lunch.

Huang Jin came in person, hauled Liu Guangfa out of the Dining Hall, announced that his sponsorship was terminated, and expelled him from the Mighty Far

Hall.

Huang Jin did not pursue the matter further with Liu Guangfa, but Zhou Yang, who had bought his beef, was out of luck.

Zhou Yang had paid Liu Guangfa one tael of silver in a lump sum. After being expelled from the Mighty Far Hall, Liu Guangfa vanished, leaving him unable to find the man and demand his money back.

"Damn it!"

Zhou Yang's face turned green. He had finally persuaded someone to sell, only to lose a tael of silver for nothing.

"Brainless fool!"

Xu Yang and the others found the sight immensely satisfying. Everyone in their group hated the two brothers, and seeing one of them suffer had them clapping in delight.

"They used to talk so confidently and order everyone around. I thought they were clever, but they didn't even consider that the Huang Family would find out." Zhang Hong nearly doubled over laughing.

"They're just idiots. If easy pickings were really that easy, those two brothers wouldn't be the only ones flocking over. Do they really think they're the only clever people around?"

Even Zhang Yong, who rarely spoke, broke his silence over this.

In fact, the others with D-Grade Upper bone roots had all considered selling their resources for money. They had held back for fear of being discovered and punished by the Huang Family. None of them had expected the Zhou brothers to overlook that possibility.

"Do any of you know where Liu Guangfa lives?" The Zhou brothers strode over aggressively.

Having suffered such a loss for nothing, they naturally refused to let the matter rest. They wanted to find Liu Guangfa and get their money back.

Nobody spoke. Unless they were willing to reveal where Liu Guangfa lived, answering at a time like this would only draw Zhou Yang's anger.

Zhou Yang's gaze swept over Lu Ren, whom he knew better than to provoke, then settled on Xu Yang, who stood beside him. Pointing at him, he ordered, "You, tell me!"

Xu Yang frowned, his eyes turning cold. "Who do you think you are? You expect me to answer just because you tell me to?"

With that high-handed attitude, even if he had known where Liu Guangfa lived, he would not have told him.

"Are you trying to cover for him? Or are you all in on it together? Did you mud-legged peasants join forces to swindle my money?"

Hearing Xu Yang's reply, Zhou Yang immediately assumed he was refusing to tell him. It never occurred to him that his imperious manner had angered Xu Yang.

"Zhou Yang, you've gone too far!"

At the words "mud-legged peasants," even Lu Ren could no longer hold back.

"If you're not a mud-legged peasant, why are you scrabbling for such petty bargains?"

"Fuck your mother! Say that again if you've got the guts!"

It was not just Lu Ren. Everyone was furious. If the Mighty Far Hall had not forbidden private fights between fellow disciples, they would already have attacked.

"Fine, fine! You mud-legged peasants practice stance training for a few days and think that makes you somebody. Swindling my money-just you wait!" Zhou Yang threatened.

"Zhou Yang, how impressive you are, throwing your weight around with junior brothers who joined after you!"

Suddenly, Sun Tao's voice rang out.

Zhou Yang's expression changed. Sun Tao had appeared behind him at some point. He hurriedly cupped his hands. "Senior Brother S-Sun..."

"You have no brains, yet you blame everyone else. Get over to the Plum Blossom Stance posts and stand there for two hours. You're not allowed down before your time is up. If you dare keep harassing them over this, you'll be expelled," Sun Tao said with a cold snort.

"Yes!" Zhou Yang hurriedly cupped his hands.

He threw his weight around in front of Xu Yang and the others, but before Sun Tao, who managed the Outer Court's affairs, he was more meek than an obedient grandson. He immediately hurried over to the Plum Blossom Stance posts.

Zhou Yuan lowered his head, inwardly relieved that he had kept his mouth shut.

"You get over there and stand for two hours too. Clear your head."

Sun Tao did not let him off either. After answering, "Yes," he hurried away as well.

"Xu Yang, Lu Ren, come with me."

With that, Sun Tao turned and headed toward the Inner Court.

Lu Ren and Xu Yang exchanged a glance and hurried after him. Upon entering the Inner Court, they saw Huang Jin sitting in a pavilion, drinking tea.