Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Sword Cry

“One must always see things through to the end. Liu Quan’s failure to keep his word is a disgrace to the Martial Arts world. I thought Tie Zhennan could help him get on the right path, but it seems he’s still the same old piece of work.”

Guo Wei remarked with a sigh after hearing Chu Lingguang’s explanation.

“Get up. I don’t blame you for this. However, the background of the Big Saber Gang’s leader, Gao Qingxiong, is unknown. From now on, you must avoid any further conflict with them.”

Guo Wei warned.

Although Chu Lingguang’s account was slightly different from what he had heard, it wasn’t far from the truth. The only real difference was the rumor circulating outside that he had sent Chu Lingguang to stand up for the shopkeepers on Wine Street.

He had initially thought Chu Lingguang was too competitive and had acted on his own, using his master’s reputation to throw his weight around on Wine Street. Now, he learned that Chu Lingguang had been tricked by Liu Quan and then mistaken for Hei Hu by the men from the Big Saber Gang. They had only targeted Chu Lingguang because they wanted to test his own strength.

As it turned out, Chu Lingguang hadn’t brought shame upon their school. Not only had he earned the respect of the Big Saber Gang, but he had also helped the Wine Street shopkeepers reduce their monthly stipend, winning everyone’s support.

The matter had been handled beautifully and impeccably. Guo Wei was very satisfied.

“I will take your teachings to heart, Master.”

Chu Lingguang said solemnly.

He then pointed to the cart at the entrance and said, “Master, where should we put all these things the shopkeepers sent over?”

“Have your senior sister pick out a few things to keep. You can take the rest back with you,”

Guo Wei said with a smile.

“Let’s keep the pig’s head. I’ll braise it later, and we can call Hei Hu over to eat with us.”

Guo Fang lifted the pig’s head, only to discover it was already cooked. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“I almost forgot.”

Chu Lingguang took the three silver taels that Butcher Hu had stuffed inside the pig’s mouth from his robes, presented them to Guo Wei, and said respectfully, “Master, Butcher Hu stuffed this silver inside the pig’s mouth. I only discovered it last night when I was cleaning the head.”

Guo Wei nodded slightly and said, “Butcher Hu came to see me earlier. These three silver taels were pooled together by the shopkeepers on Wine Street. They were hoping to buy a word from me, to get me to tell the Big Saber Gang not to be too excessive. I refused Butcher Hu, considering that some of the Big Saber Gang’s disciples used to make a living following Big Saber Hong.

“However, you handled the situation so appropriately last night that even the Big Saber Gang couldn’t find fault. Therefore, you should keep these three silver taels to supplement your family’s income.”

The more Guo Wei looked at Chu Lingguang, the more pleased he felt. He knew Butcher Hu was a sensible man and would surely give the silver taels to Chu Lingguang.

But when Chu Lingguang hadn’t mentioned it earlier, he had assumed he’d pocketed the silver for himself. Considering Chu Lingguang’s family circumstances, he hadn’t pointed it out. Only now did he realize he had wrongly accused Chu Lingguang once again.

He felt more certain than ever that this disciple of his, aside from a slight lack of natural aptitude, surpassed all his previous students in both character and his capacity for hard work.

“Master, I absolutely cannot accept this!”

Chu Lingguang didn’t dare to accept it.

Guo Wei thought for a moment, then tucked one of the silver taels into his robe. “Fang’Er,” he said, “has Hei Hu finished making the meal yet?”

“Master, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

Hei Hu said plaintively, standing at the door.

Because he lived nearby, Guo Fang had called him over to the Martial Arts Hall first thing in the morning. He had initially thought he was in trouble, only to find out it was about Chu Lingguang causing a stir on Wine Street. By the time he had finished making breakfast and came over to call Guo Wei for the meal, he had happened to overhear Chu Lingguang’s explanation.

Seeing Guo Wei’s satisfied expression, Hei Hu recalled how, two nights ago, he had only dared to practice his Spear Technique on Wine Street. In the end, he even had to get his father to ask Guo Wei for help just to intimidate the Big Saber Gang. A bitter feeling welled up inside him; it felt like Chu Lingguang was outshining him at every turn.

“Let’s eat.”

Guo Wei stood up and walked toward the dining hall.

“Yes, Master!”

Chu Lingguang was content. Although Guo Wei had only taken a single silver tael, it was a clear signal. It meant that if the Big Saber Gang came looking for trouble later, Guo Wei would have his back.

Guo Wei had realized this as well, which was why he had accepted the silver tael with a wry smile.

Otherwise, with his family’s wealth and the money Yang Shaorong had sent over the years, he wouldn’t have given such a small amount of silver a second thought. All he wanted was to see the right attitude.

And Chu Lingguang’s attitude was impeccable.

“Hah!”

After the meal, Chu Lingguang went to the back and used his Heavenward Force, once again lifting the 330-jin Stone Lock.

He had now cultivated his Heavenward Force to the Perfection realm.

Chu Lingguang could execute it flawlessly, allowing his Qi Power to have a multiplying effect on his strength, making the lift far more efficient.

As a result, when he lifted the 330-jin Stone Lock this time, it was with ease and stability, unlike the shaky attempts of the past few days.

THUD!

The Stone Lock thudded to the ground. Chu Lingguang thought to himself, ’Three hundred and fifty jin is enough to get an A Class grade. What I’m lacking now is Qi Blood Power. The next ten or so months should be enough time to boost my Qi Blood again. Getting an A Class in the Qiao Pass is practically a sure thing now.’

He was eager to display his Heavenward Force, partly in the hope of gaining more of Guo Wei’s favor. That way, if the Big Saber Gang came looking for trouble, Guo Wei would be quick to step in.

Guo Wei noticed the change in Chu Lingguang’s mastery of the Heavenward Force, and his eyes filled with pleasant surprise. For over a year now, it seemed Chu Lingguang had brought him nothing but pleasant surprises, never once letting him down.

“Junior Brother, your aptitude seems even better than Liu Quan’s.”

Hei Hu couldn’t help but tease.

“You’re joking, Senior Brother. Still, it would be great if I could surpass Liu Quan. That bastard almost got me killed at the hands of the Big Saber Gang last night.”

Chu Lingguang said angrily. He then resumed using his Heavenward Force to lift the 330-jin Stone Lock, repeating the motion again and again until his Qi Blood was completely spent, at which point he would replenish it with the Tidal Breathing Technique.

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed, leaving only nine months until the Daoist Examination.

The monthly stipend the Big Saber Gang collected from the Wine Street shops had not changed since the agreement was reached with Chu Lingguang that night. They also hadn’t caused any trouble for him. Aside from Big Saber Gang disciples patrolling the area daily, everything on Wine Street seemed to be back to normal.

Over the past month, Chu Lingguang had focused his efforts on the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques and the Tidal Breathing Technique.

As his Qi Blood grew stronger, he had finally lifted the 350-jin Stone Lock this morning. This meant he could now achieve an A Class grade in the Qiao Pass event. To celebrate, Guo Wei had Guo Fang prepare a special meal for him—a whole pot of stewed pork knuckle.

He was so indignant that he spent the entire evening in the Martial Arts Hall practicing his Saber Technique.

Around Midnight, the cry of a saber rang out from the backyard.

Guo Wei was startled awake. Throwing on a long robe, he went out to the backyard and saw Hei Hu, his blood pumping with excitement. He held a long saber, weaving between the wooden posts.

The Saber Cry was distinct and clear.

“Excellent!”

Guo Wei couldn’t help but exclaim in praise.

Hei Hu’s aptitude was greater than Chu Lingguang’s, and he had quickly reached Enlightenment in the Iron Mountain Saber Technique. Spurred on by Chu Lingguang’s progress, he had been training with renewed vigor and had finally, tonight, managed to produce a Saber Cry.

Just like Chu Lingguang, he now had a Kung Fu skill that could earn him an A Class grade.

The next day, Hei Hu was brimming with fighting spirit. He performed the Iron Mountain Saber Technique for Chu Lingguang several times, the Saber Cry ringing out clearly. Chu Lingguang was genuinely happy for him.

Chu Lingguang had also successfully produced a Saber Cry ever since his Iron Mountain Saber Technique reached the Perfection state. However, sensing Hei Hu’s recent discouragement and factoring in Guo Wei’s growing favor toward him, Chu Lingguang had kept it under wraps. Now that Hei Hu had achieved his breakthrough, he could finally show what he was capable of as well.

“Junior Brother, take a look at my Saber Technique! How does it compare to that expert from the Big Saber Gang who came after you?”

Hei Hu let out a cheerful laugh and slashed his saber toward Chu Lingguang.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep