Chapter 37: Walking Through This Cold and Callous World

There was a moment of silence from within the sedan chair before a voice spoke: "I wonder if you can catch this!"

The curtain was blown aside once more, and in an instant, a flash of blade-light erupted from within!

Accompanied by the shrill sound of tearing air, the blade-light unleashed a storm of lethal imagery, infused with staggering true essence. It streaked across two hundred paces, hurtling straight toward Chen Zhi'an with ferocious intent!

A long blade, hurled from such a distance, still carried terrifying power.

Chen Zhi'an furrowed his brows. He reached out a hand, his internal "White Jade Cicada Transformation" manual surging into motion. His true essence branched out like a miraculous tree, rushing forth from his vital gates and condensing into his right hand.

"Tiger's Embrace!"

Chen Zhi'an’s hand turned into a claw. The tendons in his arm seemed to stretch, his bones emitted a sharp cracking sound, and the surrounding air seemed to shatter under his grip with a thunderous pop.

*Bang!*

In an instant, Chen Zhi'an had caught the long blade.

"Tiger's Embrace Fist?"

Young Master Si parted the curtain, his expression deepening.

This Tiger's Embrace Fist was the creation of his family’s General Rongtian, Si Yuanjiong—the "Buddha-Slaying Marquis," his own second uncle whose name was inscribed upon the Whale-Riding Stele. How had this Chen Zhi'an come to learn it?

"The Tiger's Embrace breaks the air, the bones and tendons howling like a tiger! This is a refined version of the Tiger's Embrace, and Chen Zhi'an has clearly mastered it to perfection!"

"An ordinary youth, no matter how gifted, could never reach such a level of mastery in fewer than three or five years!"

Si Hougui became increasingly certain that Chen Zhi'an had been a practitioner all along, and that everything prior had been a charade to toy with him. He had toyed with him once at the Pear Blossom Courtyard on Qihuang Street, and again on the pleasure boat on the Qingshui River!

Frowning, he glanced toward the railing of a nearby tavern, where Chu Muye stood, looking down at him. With that, Si Hougui closed his eyes and let his guards carry the sedan away.

Chen Zhi'an stood holding the bronze-colored, narrow-backed blade. Beneath his moonlight-white sleeves, his right hand trembled uncontrollably, a sharp, searing pain radiating from his arm.

"Si Hougui threw this blade from over two hundred paces away. Catching it was even more difficult than defeating Zhou Xiujing."

Chen Zhi'an channeled the White Jade Cicada Transformation to steady the true essence within his body.

***

The scene was now in chaos. On the Wind-Wave Platform, government Iron-Tooth officers and common bailiffs had arrived to clear away Zhou Xiujing's corpse.

Chen Zhi'an turned to look, feeling no regret. Zhou Xiujing had staged the farce at the Imperial Art Academy with the sole intention of killing him. Regardless of who had directed him, they were his bitter enemies. If he could not settle such a grudge, what was the point of cultivation? Would it not be better to waste his life away on Qihuang Street as a lowly academy laborer?

As he adjusted his breathing, an Iron-Tooth officer approached, offering a few items.

"Young Master Chen, according to the terms of the life-and-death duel, these precious objects now belong to you."

The officer was robust and tall, a head taller than Chen Zhi'an. He presented a long sword, a jade pendant, and a treasure-blue long robe. Chen Zhi'an accepted them without reservation, then tossed the jade pendant back to the officer.

"The government officers have worked hard. This pendant from Young Master Zhou should be worth a fair amount; please take it to reward your brothers for their efforts."

The previously stern Iron-Tooth officer broke into a smile. He took the pendant and bowed, saying, "How could we dare let Young Master Chen address us as 'officers'? We are but lowly bailiffs who carry blades, but your kindness is well received, and I, Teng Sheng, thank you on behalf of my brothers."

Chen Zhi'an watched the officer depart. Shen Haohao and Xu Xiyue approached. Their expressions were strange, especially Xu Xiyue, whose deep gaze held a peculiar nuance. Behind her, Xintong was still shaken, peeking at Chen Zhi'an from behind her mistress.

Ever since the youth had caught the embroidered ball on Xiqing Street, Xintong had repeatedly wondered how such a plain, weak boy could ever be worthy of her mistress. Yet today, this very boy had drawn his blade and killed the detestable Zhou Xiujing. It left her feeling... as if in a dream.

As Zhou Xiujing’s body was carried away, Shen Haohao’s eyes turned suspicious.

"Chen Zhi'an, how can you be so composed when killing a man?" She could no longer suppress her curiosity. "I believe you now when you say you killed the three Imperial guards at the Academy."

Chen Zhi'an thought for a moment and replied, "I often have dreams where I am a petty man who holds grudges and seeks revenge with a ruthless streak. I have had those dreams for so long, they feel like a lifetime, and I suppose I have learned some of the habits from them."

***

Shen Haohao and Xu Xiyue exchanged a look, unsure whether to believe him.

"Miss Haohao," Chen Zhi'an asked, "do you know Li Fushu of the Li family in Xuantian Capital?"

Shen Haohao nodded. "He is the son of General Xuanzi. He was originally a disciple of Zhao Fanjing of the Heavenly Inspection Bureau, but after Zhao Fanjing defected and turned to banditry as the 'Iron Horse and Mud Snake' on West Penglai Mountain, Li Fushu was shunned by the capital's elites for two years. However, his talent is immense; he is now ranked three-hundred-and-first on the Fledgling Tiger Stele, placing him even higher than Si Hougui. He has become one of the most famous youths in our Great Yu Empire!"

Chen Zhi'an pondered this and asked, "What level of cultivation has this Li Fushu reached?"

Xu Xiyue spoke up suddenly, "I once traveled to Xuantian Capital with my master and saw this young master of the Li family. His true essence was like primordial energy, shrouded in profound mystery, his spirit and vitality almost flawless... I fear he has already reached the Innate Realm."

The Innate Realm—the sixth stage of martial arts. One more step and he would reach the Jade Palace, capable of manifesting a divine image!

"True Essence, Divine Essence, Raw Jade, Innate!"

Chen Zhi'an chewed on the names of these realms, as if measuring the gap between himself and this Li Fushu.

After a few moments, Chen Zhi'an looked up at Shen Haohao. "Miss Haohao, do you have friends in the capital? I wish to send a letter."

Shen Haohao agreed without hesitation. Chen Zhi'an immediately asked the government bailiffs for paper and ink, and it was the officer named Teng Sheng who brought them.

Chen Zhi'an thanked him and began to write. Upon seeing the contents of the letter, both Xu Xiyue and Shen Haohao’s expressions shifted.

"Chen Zhi'an, are you really going to send this?" Shen Haohao hesitated. "Li Fushu has a grudge against you. Just keep that in mind, but if you write this letter, won't you be unable to move a single step if you ever go to Xuantian Capital? The Li family is a truly powerful and prestigious house."

Chen Zhi'an’s eyes were clear and seemingly sober.

"Li Fushu is my relative," Chen Zhi'an smiled. "I write this letter to let him know that a single letter from him to Zhou Xiujing is not enough to take my life or break my path."

"It is also to instill a sense of urgency in myself, to spur me onward."

"His family is powerful and prestigious, yet they are cold and heartless. By writing this letter and thoroughly annoying him, I will have to work even harder in my cultivation."

"Otherwise... how could I possibly walk through this cold, indifferent world?"