Chapter 56: The Fox and the Swan

With the protection of the Nine Yang Divine Art, Ning Xiu’s recovery was far superior to that of ordinary people, and having taken ample healing elixirs, he managed to nurse his internal injuries back to health in just a single day. Once he was healed, his first act was to return to the headquarters of the Bamboo Grove Society.

What caught him off guard, however, was that Wei Junkun, the old man, had been waiting there for quite some time.

Wei Junkun was waiting for a victor; the identity mattered little to him. Yet when he saw Ning Xiu return, a hint of shock flickered across his face, despite his efforts to conceal it.

Wei Junkun regarded Ning Xiu, his attitude subtly shifting. Still within the Thousand Bamboo Pavilion, the two engaged in a private conversation.

"Since you’ve returned, if my guess is correct, Xiao Wanli must have perished by your hand," Wei Junkun said, pouring a cup of wine for Ning Xiu.

Seeing Ning Xiu neither confirm nor deny, Wei Junkun continued, "Now that Xiao Wanli is gone, it’s best that you take the position of leader of the Bamboo Grove Society. The seat cannot remain vacant, and with your strength, none would dare defy you. Moreover, to prevent the Society from being annexed by the other three major factions, this is the wisest course."

Ning Xiu remained silent.

Wei Junkun glanced up at him, his brows knitting slightly. "If you’re worried that the tedious affairs of leadership will distract you from cultivating, you need not concern yourself. I’ll assign people to handle the day-to-day matters; you only need to decide on significant issues."

To be master of one of the four great societies in Lingnan County meant power, wealth, status, women—everything would be within reach.

For most, this would be an irresistible temptation.

Wei Junkun watched Ning Xiu, awaiting his reply.

"I think you’d be better suited for the leader’s position," Ning Xiu said suddenly, a smile playing at his lips.

Ning Xiu understood Wei Junkun’s intentions perfectly.

In Wei’s eyes, if Ning Xiu took the helm, he would have no one to rely on but Wei himself. Besides, someone so devoted to the martial path would hardly have time or inclination to manage trivial affairs. Thus, whether Ning Xiu sat in the leader’s seat or not, he would still enjoy the privileges; taking the position might even be dangerous.

Honor tempts only the naive. A shrewd old fox like Wei Junkun would only eye the benefits behind the title.

But he underestimated Ning Xiu.

As the old saying goes, how can a sparrow comprehend the ambitions of a swan? Men like Wei Junkun, obsessed with petty gains, could never understand Ning Xiu.

Once a person knows what he truly desires, all outside temptations and distractions become irrelevant. The leader’s seat could not give Ning Xiu what he sought.

It would only bring endless trouble.

Ning Xiu gazed at Wei Junkun and said, "All I want are martial manuals and rare elixirs."

Wei Junkun scrutinized Ning Xiu, and seeing no pretense, finally nodded in agreement. At his age, his ability to judge character was well-honed.

The two then discussed the details of various matters.

Wei Junkun promised to have copies made of all the martial arts manuals on the third floor of the Library Pavilion and sent to Ning Xiu. All the medicinal herbs and elixirs in the Medicine Hall were also at his disposal.

Even though Ning Xiu hadn’t requested it, Wei Junkun ultimately granted him the title of Grand Elder, with authority equal to that of the leader.

Though internal resistance within the Bamboo Grove Society could be suppressed, external pressures remained.

Wei Junkun needed Ning Xiu, and Ning Xiu did not object, knowing that refusal would only unsettle the old man further. At Ning Xiu’s request, Yuan Hao was recalled from the Fengshui Stream sub-branch, becoming Ning Xiu’s direct subordinate.

No one anticipated that, in the internal strife of the Bamboo Grove Society, the old fox would be the final winner.

...

There were not many manuals on the third floor of the Library Pavilion—only seven in total. Subtracting the Blood Ignition Technique, which Ning Xiu had already mastered, left six.

Among them: one sword technique, one fist technique, two body-tempering arts, and two internal cultivation methods.

All six were rated two stars by the system. Aside from one body-tempering art classified as mid-tier second-rate, the rest were lower-tier second-rate.

To attempt too many things at once is to master none. Without the system’s forced infusion, training multiple arts simultaneously was impractical; time simply would not permit it. The system not only brought the arts to the beginner level, it also imparted comprehensive understanding, leaving Ning Xiu to merely hone proficiency.

This was quite different from learning a manual from scratch.

To put it simply: one was an open-book exam, the other a closed-book exam; the difficulty was worlds apart.

Of course, some arts remained challenging even with the system’s assistance. Here, the value of resources became clear.

"Name: Copper Skin, Iron Bones, Unyielding Body."

"Type: External cultivation technique."

"Rank: Two stars, mid-tier second-rate."

"Annotation: The martial world is a grand furnace. Within it, the process of falling and rising is repeated until one achieves copper skin and iron bones, immune to all poisons."

"Annotation 2: A body of steel and iron is no match for a heart of stone."

A vulgar name, Copper Skin, Iron Bones, Unyielding Body.

But it was practical; the name alone revealed its essence: strengthening the muscles, bones, and flesh.

With the foundation of the Golden Bell Shield, the difficulty of cultivating this technique was negligible; the challenge lay in the process itself. Like all external arts, it required constant tempering.

The most foolish method was to have someone strike your body directly—a notion Ning Xiu dismissed. Instead, he found a waterfall, harnessing the power of nature for his training.

Combined with specialized herbal baths, after more than half a month, Ning Xiu achieved minor mastery of the art: copper skin and iron bones began to take shape.

It was at this point that he received a letter.

A letter from home, delivered via the only pharmacy operated by the Ning family in Lingnan County.

Since arriving at Lingnan County, he had thrown all matters of the pharmacy out of his mind.

After his initial visit, he never returned, perfectly embodying the hands-off proprietor.

The letter stated only that something had happened at home, without specifying what.

After a moment’s thought, Ning Xiu decided to return, for there were still people he cared about there.

He also thought of other matters, instructing Yuan Hao to investigate intelligence regarding the Wang family of Lingnan County. Once all arrangements were made, Ning Xiu set out alone for Shouchun.