Chapter 326 - 163: Letter Paper

When you succeed, you discover that you’re surrounded by good people.

Before Chen Cheng had climbed his way onto the Silver List, Pang Wanhe had likely long forgotten who he was, and Pang Shixun would never have honored their three-month agreement.

But now, everything was different.

After a brief exchange, Pang Shixun placed a hand on the back of Chen Cheng’s neck. A moment later, he drew it back, his expression a mixture of complexities.

"Strange. Stranger than last time..."

Pang Shixun narrowed his eyes, and after a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke slowly.

"The four external pillars—sinews, skin, flesh, and bone—are all upper-mid grade. The improvement is remarkable... As for the internal pillar, the feedback from your lungs is the most prominent, but overall, it can only be considered lower-mid grade."

He paused for a moment before his tone shifted.

"However, while your four external pillars are upper-mid grade, the feedback I get from them is remarkably similar to that of a few Sect geniuses I’ve examined in the past... That is the strangest part."

"I’ve been consuming a lot of Treasure Fish Meat and Treasure Snake Medicinal Wine recently."

Chen Cheng said casually,

"But I don’t think we need to get into the specifics right now."

"...True."

Pang Shixun said,

"Let’s get back to the matter at hand. Your Root Bone has four upper-mid pillars and one lower-mid. Overall... it’s unlikely that you’ll be accepted by a Sect."

"However, your Comprehension and Heart Nature are both excellent, not to mention your exceptional combat skills and stamina... and most critically, your place on the Zhao City Silver List!"

Pang Shixun paused, a smile spreading across his face.

"In one month, an Elder from the Nine Altars Sect will be visiting Zhao City. When he arrives, I will introduce you. Whether or not you are accepted will depend on your own performance."

"One month? Thank you, Elder Pang."

Chen Cheng gave a fist-and-palm salute.

Although the longer wait introduced potential complications, it also had its advantages.

’With an extra month to temper my Inner Strength Tai Chi, plus the Treasure Fish and Golden Ring Treasure Snake Medicinal Wine, perhaps my internal pillar will have improved even more by then.’

"Little Brother Chen."

Pang Shixun’s smile suddenly vanished, his expression turning serious.

"Let’s say you aren’t accepted by the Nine Altars Sect. Would you consider entering imperial service directly?"

"The official appointments for your batch of new Military Guards will also take place in a month."

"Based on your rank, you should be appointed as an Imperial Guard Official in the Outer City Patrol Office."

"I haven’t given it much thought yet. We’ll see when the time comes."

Chen Cheng’s first choice was, without a doubt, joining a Sect. Still, there was no need to burn his bridges just yet.

"Fine. Take your time and think it over."

Pang Shixun said,

"If you decide to enter imperial service, the Pang Family can offer you much greater assistance. Perhaps what you ultimately gain will be far more than what you could by joining a Sect."

"Thank you, Elder Pang. I’ll give you my answer in one month."

Chen Cheng had no doubt the Pang Family had the power to make good on their promise. ’But what would be the price?’

’A marriage alliance with the Pang Family?’

’Or being tied to the Pang Family in some other fashion?’

To put it bluntly, this was the path of attaching oneself to a noble family—the worst of the three paths an ordinary Martial Artist could take to climb the social ladder.

But either way, having more options was always better than having fewer.

’I’ll just keep the possibility open for now and decide when the time comes.’

With that said, Chen Cheng was about to take his leave when Pang Shixun called out to stop him.

"Little Brother Chen."

Pang Shixun lowered his voice.

"A moment ago, did Qin Zhao also try to recruit you?"

Chen Cheng nodded, not bothering to deny it. It was the kind of thing that couldn’t be hidden, so it was better to be upfront.

"I didn’t accept."

"Excellent!"

A look of undisguised approval appeared in Pang Shixun’s eyes as he spoke in a low voice,

"That Qin Zhao is not someone you should get involved with! Remember my words. One day, you’ll thank me for it."

"...Alright. I’ll remember."

Chen Cheng nodded, then finally took his leave and exited the private room.

...

「On the training grounds.」

After exchanging pleasantries with the various major powers who had come to offer their congratulations—allies of the Qin Family and Cloud Platform Hall—Qin Zhao, Zhang Shan, and Liu Yikai gathered together once more.

"Pang Shixun took Chen Cheng aside privately. I’m afraid it was to recruit him as well," said Liu Yikai.

Zhang Shan said, "The kid is certainly talented, but if he won’t work for Senior Brother Qin, then there’s no need to let him live."

"He’s out!"

Liu Yikai’s gaze swept toward the long corridor at the edge of the training grounds, the one leading to the rear courtyard. He saw Chen Cheng emerge.

"He came out alone. He must not have accepted the Pang Family’s offer."

"He knows what’s good for him! Otherwise, I’d make him wish he were dead..."

Zhang Shan snorted, but just as he was about to say more, he snapped his mouth shut. Qin Zhao had spoken.

"Give him one month."

Qin Zhao said calmly,

"I have shown him the utmost benevolence. If he cannot give me the answer I want one month from now, then there will be no reason for him to continue living."

...

「Dragon Mountain Hall. Outside a room in Zhao Tianlai’s private courtyard.」

Wan Qianshan sat on a wooden chair, his back ramrod straight, as if he were desperately holding on by a single thread, refusing to let himself collapse before the door opened.

Cao Miao and Zhang Dong stood on either side of him. No one spoke, their gazes locked on the tightly shut door.

The courtyard was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The only sound came from the exotic flowers and plants beneath the eaves, rustling in the spring breeze. RUSTLE. RUSTLE. It sounded like something slowly shattering.

An unknown amount of time passed before the door finally creaked open.

A doctor with a white beard and hair walked out, his hands covered in blood. Beside him, a young apprentice held a copper basin with both hands. The basin was filled to the brim with blood-red water.

The old doctor walked into the courtyard and shook his head. Before he could speak, Wan Qianshan was already on his feet, using the back of the chair for support.

"How is he?"

Wan Qianshan’s voice was hoarse and desperate, as if the words were being forced from the depths of his throat.

"How is Tianlai?"

The old doctor glanced at him, then lowered his head, his voice barely a whisper.