Chapter 65: Chapter 63: Zheng Family
In the northwest direction of Wutong Grove District, a large section of the neighborhood belongs to the Zheng Family, featuring a variety of storefronts.
Behind these blocks lies the Zheng Family estate, which occupies a vast area consisting of multiple compounds; such an establishment was not built in one generation but developed gradually over several.
In one of the slightly lower courtyards, there is an arrangement of sandpits, cloth bags, and stone locks for martial arts training, where several men were practicing their skills. Some were from the Zheng Family, and many others were protectors and martial masters hired by the family.
In another quieter courtyard in the distance.
Zheng Hong sat behind a stone table, holding a smoking pipe; he took a puff and said, “A new officer has taken post, and the City Defense Division merely conducts daily drills. There’s no need to make a fuss. You may leave.”
In front of him was a house servant who had hurried over to report; hearing this, he quickly bowed his head in response and left.
Having been established in Wutong Grove District for many years, the Zheng Family naturally had informants spread throughout the area. Although they might not be aware of every trivial matter happening within the City Defense Division, they could quickly learn of any major movements; routine head constable drills were certainly not a minor matter.
However, Zheng Hong was not concerned about this.
Although the City Defense Division had a considerable number of officers, no matter how much they trained, could they really produce a group of elite soldiers adept at Skin Toughening and Body Refinement like the imperial guards? That would require a lot of money, and not just a small amount.
No matter how much the ordinary officer trained, they remained merely house servants. Among them, very few possessed real strength; perhaps only seven head constables and a few trusted followers were capable of fighting ten enemies each.
In his Zheng Family, the hired protectors and martial masters included numerous such skilled individuals.
Frankly speaking.
Even if there were a direct conflict with the City Defense Division, his Zheng Family would not fear anything.
Just then, a young man with a bare chest walked into the courtyard, saying from a distance, “Uncle, I heard you had some friction with the new prefecture chief? This dawn and dusk drill seems like a show of force.”
Zheng Hong looked at the approaching young man and exhaled a puff of smoke, saying, “This new prefecture chief and Xu Feng are cut from the same cloth; we were bound to clash eventually… Why have you come over? Have you perfected your skills?”
Zheng Yong, his muscles exposed and not feeling the cold in the dead of winter, walked up to Zheng Hong and shook his head, saying, “I have accumulated enough Qi-Blood, but I just can’t get past that barrier.”
Zheng Hong looked up at the sky and said solemnly, “The Tendon Changing step is ultimately not like Skin Toughening and Body Refinement. You mustn’t be impatient. Avoid arrogance and restlessness. In this generation of the Zheng Family, you have the best understanding and talent, so no matter how many resources it takes, we must help you reach the Tendon Changing Level. If you can step into that realm, the Zheng Family might have the chance to move to the Inner City and ascend to the next level.”
Although Skin Toughening and Body Refinement could be achieved through sheer resource accumulation, the Tendon Changing step represents a significant bottleneck. It’s not just the Zheng Family; even among the prominent families of the Inner City, like the Yu Family, it’s not something easily achievable.
Firstly, the resources are limited, and the shares of Tendon Changing Pills are fiercely contested among the Inner City families.
Secondly.
Obtaining a Tendon Changing Pill doesn’t necessarily mean one can break through the barrier and enter the Tendon Changing Realm. The pill only serves the crucial role of ‘guidance’, directing one’s Qi-Blood to flow throughout the body’s tendons. Whether or not one can truly transform depends on the martial artist themselves.
A single Tendon Changing Pill could usually only be used for about three months before turning completely to residue.
Moreover, under normal circumstances, the effectiveness and the likelihood of breaking through decrease with each subsequent pill. The third pill marks the last opportunity.
Most people in the Outer City don’t even get a single opportunity, and even for a power like the Zheng Family, obtaining a Tendon Changing Pill requires a significant sacrifice.
“Uncle, rest assured, I will do my best no matter what.”
Zheng Yong said.
He knew that the Zheng Family had also relied on years of accumulation, family wealth, and connections to obtain a Tendon Changing Pill, which was a hard-earned opportunity. However, human effort sometimes reached its limits. At the age of twenty, he had grasped the Blade Momentum, and by twenty-one, he had achieved Body Refinement Perfection. His journey in cultivation had been smooth sailing, and he was at his most proud, but the threshold of Tendon Changing had stubbornly remained out of reach.
Now, that Tendon Changing Pill had gradually turned into mere medicinal slag, and could only be processed a few more times, yet he still could not breakthrough the bottleneck.
Zheng Hong looked up at Zheng Yong and, after a long contemplation, finally said slowly, “Actually, there is something I didn’t want to tell you at this time, but since you have only a few days left for your first Tendon Changing attempt, I might as well tell you… The Tendon Changing Pill you used was left by the Zheng Family many years ago, in fact, there is still a new pill in the house.”
Upon hearing Zheng Hong’s words,
Zheng Yong was immediately stunned, then his eyes lit up.
“Another one?”
He had thought that this was his only chance. Seeing more than two months go by, the opportunity was gradually slipping away, and he had been somewhat discouraged, but upon suddenly hearing about a second Tendon Changing Pill, his spirit was invigorated in an instant.
“If I could have a second one, I would definitely be able to cross that threshold!”
Zheng Yong said to Zheng Hong excitedly.
Zheng Hong spoke indifferently, “I didn’t tell you earlier because I wanted you to be fully determined in your effort. Now I tell you to boost your morale. Although there is a second pill, it would be better if you could enter the Tendon Changing Level in these last few days.”
Saying this,
Zheng Hong tapped his pipe on the stone platform, saying, “Now go practice quickly; even I didn’t have this fortune back in my day!”
“Yes, Uncle Three.”
Zheng Yong turned away with a chuckle.
Zheng Hong watched Zheng Yong’s receding figure, his head shaking slightly.
It was true that there was a second Tendon Changing Pill, but his prior silence was not solely to spur Zheng Yong on with all his might. The main reason was that Tendon Changing Pills were exceedingly rare. He had also paid a great price to acquire it from Inner City, and for martial artists, the effects of the first pill were usually the most potent, the second pill would be significantly less effective in comparison.
Thus, even descendants of large families in Inner City might not have the chance to use two pills, especially since if the first pill didn’t lead to a breakthrough, the chances with a second pill weren’t much better.
Zheng Hong had considered that if Zheng Yong exhausted the medicinal power of the first pill and still failed to succeed, he would keep the second pill for other descendants of the Zheng Family.
However, unfortunately, this generation of the Zheng family was mostly incapable, with Zheng Yong being the only one of any talent and aptitude.
Waiting for the next generation would be too many years away.
“We’ll see.”
Zheng Hong sighed.
If Zheng Yong could advance to the Tendon Changing Level, the difference would be immense. Even in the eyes of the major families in Inner City, he would be a significant figure, and there would even be a chance to relocate the Zheng Family to Inner City.
Therefore, after much deliberation, he still decided to place his hopes on Zheng Yong, as there might not be a more promising candidate for many years to come. It was too far in the future, and unpredictable events could occur along the way.
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