Chapter 210 - 209: Digestion and Improvement

The main hall in the rear courtyard of the Su Mansion.

Su Yu sat at a large, round rosewood table. He took the plate of tender shrimp meat that Yang Zhen had personally peeled for him, dipped a piece in sauce, and began to eat heartily.

As he enjoyed the beautiful woman’s service, he mentally calculated his gains from the trip to the Black Water River.

’Six or seven thousand silver taels, just from this trip. What a windfall!’

’I’ll have the Yang Family exchange all this money for treasured herbs and treasured fish. It’s best used to increase my strength.’

Besides the cash, the rest of his spoils were also quite substantial.

The Martial Arts Secret Manual, Black Python Fist, was just an ordinary Martial Art, but the guards at the mansion could practice it.

As for the treasured herb, the Red Lotus Root, he’d have to ask the Jiang Family how to cultivate it. However, with Zhen’Er’s Wood Spirit Qi, growing this treasured herb shouldn’t be difficult.

Beyond that, all the miscellaneous medicinal pills could be given to his third brother, Su Can, to be distributed as rewards to the mansion guards.

’Speaking of my third brother, I’ve observed his Martial Arts path. Though he lost an arm, the ordeal has made his disposition all the more steady and tenacious. He shows faint signs of being tempered by adversity, so it’s not impossible for him to break through to the Martial Artist realm.’

Since that was the case, as the eldest brother, Su Yu didn’t mind giving him a hand. After all, Su Can was currently managing the dozens of guards at the Su Mansion. If he wasn’t even a Martial Artist, he wouldn’t be able to command their respect.

After Su Yu had methodically arranged all these matters, Yang Zhen poured him a cup of tea and said softly, "Brother Su, a lot has happened in the city these past few days while you were away. Song Mirror from the Public Security Bureau sent over a gazette, and I’ve picked out a few important items for you."

"Tell me," Su Yu said, picking up his teacup.

"The first is about the Public Security Bureau. Yesterday, Cui Wanhe led a team and destroyed a Black Lotus Sect stronghold outside the city. It’s said that he personally killed a late-stage Flesh Refining Realm Great Steward of the Black Lotus Sect on the front lines, performing a great service! Afterward, it was confirmed that he has broken through to the late-stage of the Flesh Refining Realm. He was personally summoned and rewarded by Mansion Master Pang Xuan and was exceptionally promoted to the new Vice Commander!"

Hearing this, Su Yu’s tea-drinking motion paused slightly, and he nodded thoughtfully.

’Cui Wanhe’s talent is truly outstanding. In Black Stone City right now, he’s the only one I need to take seriously.’

’Even though I’ve been closing the gap in our realms, he’s still ahead of me.’

"There’s a second thing. Many new factions have flooded into Black Stone City. Some are refugees still fleeing from Liangzhou, while others have come from Jian’an Prefecture and Qingzhou Prefecture! The Mansion Master has issued an order to suppress all of them!"

’Black Stone City has really become a nest of dragons and snakes!’

Su Yu sighed inwardly. Before, the arrival of a single Flying Fish Martial Arts Hall had nearly overturned all the martial arts halls in the Outer City.

Now, even factions from Qingzhou Prefecture had arrived!

One had to know that Qingzhou Prefecture was the true capital of Qing Province, and many of the factions there were even more powerful than those in Jian’an Prefecture.

However, as long as they weren’t official factions of the Great Xia, the Public Security Bureau would likely suppress them!

After all, the Black Lotus Sect was causing trouble everywhere. If their grand army were to attack and Black Stone City’s interior was still in chaos, the city would fall without a fight!

"Brother Su, Senior Sister Lin also sent a piece of intelligence with a reminder. She said that although the factions from Qingzhou Prefecture and Jian’an Prefecture aren’t top-tier, the Public Security Bureau’s strength is likely insufficient to suppress them. Their target might be Black Stone City’s Inner City!"

’Inner City?’

Su Yu’s brows furrowed. The factions of Black Stone City’s Inner City were used to being high and mighty, ignoring the life and death of the Outer City.

But with the Black Lotus Sect’s army approaching, for the factions from Qing Province’s capital to target the Inner City at this critical juncture... could they be planning to take the opportunity to consolidate the Inner City?

"Lastly, there’s news from the martial arts hall alliance," Yang Zhen continued reading from the gazette. "Dai Xing of the Chasing Wind Martial Arts Hall has announced that he has broken through to the Flesh Refining Realm! He is only twenty years old, the same age as you, Brother Su. His star is on the rise, and his reputation is already starting to overshadow yours..."

"Also, Liu Li of the Liu Family, twenty-three years old, has also broken through to the Flesh Refining Realm. Many people believe that you, Brother Su, have now been left behind by them."

Su Yu paid it no mind. This was all just empty fame. With the city in such a complex state, he preferred to keep a low profile.

From his perspective, a slightly diminished reputation was actually a good thing.

If he kept holding the title of number one, there was no telling how many factions would come looking for trouble.

Besides, in a few days, the martial arts hall alliance would be holding the Dinglong Association, and he probably wouldn’t be able to hide his strength then even if he wanted to.

...

「The next morning.」

Su Yu once again immersed himself completely in his martial arts training.

First came two hours of Demon Ape Shakes the Mountains Fist every day.

[Demon Ape Shakes the Mountains Fist Skill Level +20]

[Demon Ape Shakes the Mountains Fist Skill Level +20]

...

[Martial Art]: Demon Ape Shakes the Mountains Fist (entry-level 2400/5000)

’Only one hundred more points to go. By tomorrow, I’ll be halfway there. Then I can break through the Tianquan acupoint of the Four Extremities, and my strength will surge once again!’

Satisfied, Su Yu walked over to the well. He lifted a bucket of cool well water and poured it over his head, washing away his fatigue and instantly feeling refreshed and invigorated.

"Brother Su, the treasured fish is ready!"

Yang Zhen and Yaya, beaming, walked into the courtyard. One carried a pot of treasured fish soup, the other a plate of red-braised pork bone meat.

Su Yu was ravenous and immediately sat down to feast. In less than half an hour, he had devoured everything like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds.

He checked his panel.

[Breakthrough Point]: 1 point (Progress 10%)

’I’ve accumulated a full Breakthrough Point. By eating the rest of the treasured fish and herbs twice a day, I’ll accumulate a second one in less than ten days! Then I can consider Breaking the Limit again!’

Feeling the hot Qi and Blood surging through his body anew after the meal, Su Yu didn’t rest for a moment. He once again assumed a stance and began to cultivate the Black Stone Body Forging Skill.

This Profound Tier Cultivation Technique could boost his Qi and Blood and defense, so Su Yu had always prioritized it second only to the Demon Ape Fist.

[Black Stone Body Forging Skill Skill Level +40]

[Black Stone Body Forging Skill Skill Level +40]

...

An entire day flew by in a fulfilling torrent of sweat.

With his Trait, Martial Arts Mastery, his Skill Level gain was doubled. Combined with consuming treasured fish and herbs twice a day, his Martial Arts progress was advancing at lightning speed.

[Martial Art]: Black Stone Body Forging Skill (First Layer) (Minor Achievement 8800/10000)

’This feeling of rapid progress is amazing. The Black Stone Body Forging Skill will soon reach Major Achievement! My combat power will get another boost then!’

Another day began.

Su Yu was practicing his fist forms, bare-chested, in the Martial Arts Arena when a flurry of urgent footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard gate.

The visitor wore a practical, red martial uniform. With a valiant and heroic bearing, it was none other than Senior Sister Qin Yu.

Seeing her hurried appearance, Su Yu quickly dropped his stance and went to greet her. "Senior Sister, what brings you to my home today? Is there urgent business at the martial arts hall?"

Qin Yu took a step forward and smiled mysteriously. "Junior Brother, do you still remember Liu Yuan’Er from before?"

"I remember. What about her, Senior Sister?"

Qin Yu leaned in closer, lowered her voice, and spoke with unconcealed excitement. "Ever since you overpowered Sun Yan at the Yuan Lantern Festival and crushed Ding Mianyue from the Flying Fish Martial Arts Hall, Liu Yuan’Er has started to see you in a completely new light!

A few days ago, she even came to me personally. The long and short of it is, she wants me to play matchmaker for you two again and set you up."

"So? Why don’t you meet with her again?" Qin Yu bumped Su Yu’s shoulder with her own, laughing. "If you agree now, Liu Yuan’Er will throw herself right into your arms. You’re sure to win the beauty..."

"Besides, you’re destined to be the Great Senior Brother of our White Ape Martial Arts Hall. If you also become the esteemed son-in-law of the Liu Family, that would be a union of powerhouses! With both the martial arts hall and the Liu Family backing you, your future on the path of Martial Arts will be a straight climb to the top!"

Although Su Yu knew Qin Yu meant well, he couldn’t help but sigh in resignation.

"Senior Sister, I appreciate your good intentions. But I’m not interested in Liu Yuan’Er, so please just refuse on my behalf. Besides, I already have Yang Zhen. You don’t need to keep setting up these blind dates for me."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu’s elegant brows knitted together, her chest heaving with anger.

"You brat, you’re really making me angry! Liu Yuan’Er is beautiful, comes from a good family, and has decent Martial Arts talent. She’s a good match by any measure, yet you’re just rejecting her like this?"

"Is it that Yang Zhen? Is she not letting you take a wife?"

A murderous look appeared on Qin Yu’s face, and her tone turned cold. "Isn’t it normal for a man to have three or four wives? Besides, Yang Zhen just barely broke through to the Martial Artist realm. How can you let her control you?"

"I’ll go find her for you! You’re the number one genius of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall! How can you be controlled by a mere Skin Tempering Realm Martial Artist!"

"Hiss... Senior Sister, can’t you do something about that impatient temper of yours?"

Su Yu quickly grabbed her and pulled her back.

"I’m really not interested in Liu Yuan’Er, Senior Sister. Just turn her down. This has nothing to do with Zhen’Er."

"Really? Liu Yuan’Er does have a bit of a pampered young lady’s temper. Is that what you don’t like about her, Junior Brother?"

"Really, Senior Sister! Liu Yuan’Er and I are just not a good match."

"Then I’ll just introduce you to some other young ladies from noble families!" Qin Yu didn’t press the matter, immediately changing the subject.

"There’s a Miss Xu from Jian’an Prefecture. Her ancestors were sixth-rank military officials for three generations, and she’s proficient in the four arts. If you marry her, your future will be boundless."

HISS...

Su Yu sucked in a sharp breath and clutched his forehead. At this moment, he finally, profoundly understood the source of the helpless and bitter expression their Master always wore when facing Senior Sister Qin Yu.

This Senior Sister of his was truly stubborn. Once she set her mind on something, she wouldn’t listen to anyone’s advice.

In the end, through a combination of coaxing and persuading, Su Yu finally managed to convince her to abandon the idea.

After seeing her off, Su Yu once again assumed his stance and continued practicing his fist forms.

[Demon Ape Shakes the Mountains Fist Skill Level +20]

[Demon Ape Shakes the Mountains Fist Skill Level +20]

...

[Martial Art]: Demon Ape Shakes the Mountains Fist (entry-level 2500/5000)

As his progress passed the halfway mark, a roar echoed within Su Yu’s body, and the Tianquan acupoints in both his arms burst open!