My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 68 Homecoming

Seven days later, Liang Cheng returned to the Hundred Weapons Workshop as promised. He came once more in between, by which time the blade blank had been completed, and Liang Cheng infused it with his own blood essence.

Qin Huaiyu still personally entertained them. Old Zhang brought out a long strip of gray cloth from the inner room. He looked a little tired, but there was a light in his eyes.

"I have successfully completed my mission."

The cloth was lifted, revealing a long sword lying quietly inside.

The sword is three feet seven inches long, with a slender blade and a smooth curve like a goose feather. The blade is dark in color, with fine star patterns that are the true color of meteorite iron. Near the spine, a dark black line meanders, like a dragon diving into the abyss.

The hilt is simple and unadorned, and the handle is wrapped with dark blue dragon skin, which feels warm and solid to the touch.

When Liang Cheng picked up the knife, it was surprisingly lighter than he had expected. With a flick of his wrist, the blade vibrated slightly and emitted a deep, clear sound, like a dragon's roar on a shallow beach.

"A fine knife!"

"This sword is made with meteorite iron as its core, tempered with black gold, forged nine times, refined with a thousand times, and finally quenched with your own blood and qi, so it can be said to be connected with your blood and qi." Old Zhang stroked his beard, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. "This sword has not yet been named. Since you are its master, you should name it."

Liang Cheng stared at the dark patterns on the blade, and suddenly a feeling arose in his heart.

"Though the mayfly is tiny, it dances towards the light; this knife is called 'Striving for the First.'"

"The Vanguard Blade... Excellent!" Qin Huaiyu clapped his hands. "The blade's name reflects the man himself—ambitious and enterprising."

Liang Cheng clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Elder Zhang, and thank you, Senior Brother Qin and Senior Sister Qin."

Qin Hongyu smiled and said, "Junior Brother Liang, you're too kind. It's fate that this sword was made. If you need it again in the future, please feel free to come to Baibingfang."

After Liang Cheng paid off the remaining balance, he gave Zhang Lao an extra two hundred taels of red envelope before taking his leave.

……

The back mountain of the Martial Arts Academy.

Liang Cheng stood alone, holding the sword horizontally in front of him. He took a deep breath, and the Qi and blood of the Broken Wave Technique rose from his dantian, flowing down his arm and into the sword.

"Buzz—"

The blade trembled slightly, and the dark patterns on it revealed a very faint frost-white luster.

With a graceful step, he moved like a ghost, his blade following his movements. At first, he only made basic slashes, but the blade's wind cut through the air with a hissing sound.

Gradually, the sword strikes became faster, the Gale Sword Technique unfolded, and the sword light poured down like a waterfall. Due to the twists and turns of the Swimming Dragon Step, it became three times more unpredictable and elusive.

The blade flashed brighter and brighter, and Liang Cheng's mind stirred, urging his blood and qi to surge again.

The Blade of Struggle suddenly let out a long cry, and the Qi and blood of the Breaking Wave Technique manifested outwards, combining with the nature of the meteorite iron on the blade to reveal the rudimentary form of blade energy.

"cut!"

Liang Cheng shouted and slashed at the blue stone in front of him with his sword.

There was no clanging sound of metal striking metal.

The blade sliced ​​into the stone as silently as cutting hot oil. When the blade was pulled out, the stone surface was as smooth as a mirror, leaving only a hair-thin cut mark.

Liang Cheng sheathed his sword, gently stroking the blade, his eyes filled with barely suppressed joy.

With Zheng Xian Dao's help, his strength will increase by at least 20%.

Even with his ordinary, fully-fledged internal energy, he would likely be unable to withstand the sharpness of a single strike from him.

……

Twenty-odd days later, the bell at the Martial Arts Academy rang three times, signaling the start of the year-end holiday.

The disciples were eager to return home, and the Human and Earthly Abodes were bustling with activity, while the Heavenly Abode was much quieter. Most of the top ten disciples chose to stay at the academy for intensive cultivation or spend the New Year with their families in the city.

Liang Cheng packed a simple bag, carefully wrapped the Zhengxian knife in a gray cloth, and carried it on his back.

He didn't see Yun Jinghong watching him leave from the corner, then heading to the Foreign Affairs Hall with a determined look on her face. Now that the gap between them was widening, how could he be entitled to a day off?

As soon as Liang Cheng stepped out of the courtyard, he saw Chen Bainian's green-canopied carriage already waiting beside the stone lion.

"Guest Liang!" Chen Bainian, dressed in a smart outfit and beaming, said, "The boat is ready. We'll return to the three towns by water, a safe and fast journey."

Liang Cheng nodded and was about to get into the car when Lu Qingzhou walked over from the side.

"Junior Brother Liang, you're home already?"

"Isn't Senior Brother Lu going back?"

"There are some trivial matters at home that need to be dealt with in the city." Lu Qingzhou smiled and took out a jade talisman from his pocket. "This is a token of my Lu family. If you encounter trouble on the waterways within the jurisdiction of Linwu City, showing this talisman may save you some trouble."

Liang Cheng took it; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, and it was engraved with an ancient seal script character "陆" (Lu).

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother. Liang Cheng will remember it."

"Bon Voyage."

The carriage drove out of the Martial Arts Academy, through the long street, and headed straight for the South City Wharf. Chen Bainian led Liang Cheng onto the ship, and they set sail.

The journey was uneventful. The boat had sailed out of the jurisdiction of Linwu City and entered the waters of the three towns. Familiar mountain-shaped villages could be seen on both banks.

At dusk, the ship arrived at the Linhai Town dock.

At the dock, Chen's servants were already waiting. They brought a carriage, and Liang Cheng said goodbye to Chen Bainian, boarded the carriage, and headed into the town.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone road and through the bustling streets. Liang Cheng leaned back in the car, closing his eyes to rest.

Only when the carriage stopped in front of the courtyard gate, and Ning San Niang, wearing an apron, rushed out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on the apron, and calling out "Cheng'er" with slightly red eyes, did Liang Cheng feel a little relieved.

"I've lost weight, but I've also gotten stronger."

Ning Sanniang held Liang Cheng's hand, looked him up and down, and finally couldn't hold back her tears. Liang Cheng smiled and wiped away her tears: "Mother, I'm fine. The food and lodging at the martial arts academy are good."

The courtyard was clean and cozy, with fish soup simmering on the stove, its aroma filling the air. Ning San Niang now had a rosy complexion and was dressed neatly, no longer looking as haggard as before.

"Your master and senior brother have been talking about you for the past few days. Zhou Hu even sent two large bass the day before yesterday, saying he was waiting for you to come back and eat them."

Ning San Niang chattered on and on as she arranged the bowls and chopsticks.

After dinner, Liang Cheng carried the snacks and tea he had brought from Linwu City to Yangwei Martial Arts School.

Zhou Hu, the martial arts instructor, was instructing two new disciples on stance training in the courtyard when he saw Liang Cheng enter, and a smile appeared in his eyes.

"You're back?"

"Senior brother."

Zhou Hu led Liang Cheng directly to the backyard, and the other disciples' eyes lit up. This was the legendary Senior Brother Liang Cheng?

Upon seeing Yang Wei, Liang Cheng respectfully bowed and said, "Master."

"Let's go inside and talk."

Inside the study, the charcoal brazier was warm and cozy.

Zhou Hu rushed over upon hearing the news. His aura was deep and powerful, indicating that his foundation in Transformation Realm was already solid. Zhao Yuan was also there, his injuries fully recovered, but his eyes were not as sharp as before.

"Good lad!" Zhou Hu patted Liang Cheng's shoulder hard. "I heard at the Martial Academy that a disciple of the Heavenly Hall killed He Jiuyou in battle, bringing glory to our martial arts school!"

Yang Wei asked more detailed questions: "You had a feud with the Qiao family and the Xu family back then, and now you've killed He Jiuyou. Have they made any moves?"

Liang Cheng shook his head: "It seems calm on the surface, but I have a feeling it's not that simple."

"It's better to be cautious." Yang Wei pondered. "Xu Zhang is a vengeful man. The longer you endure, the more ruthless he will become. Although you are strong now, you haven't broken through to the True Qi Realm yet, so you still have to be careful."

"Disciple understands."

"Alright, we'll deal with whatever comes our way. Spend this time at home with your mother and don't neglect your cultivation."

"Yes."

At this moment, Zhou Hu couldn't help but pull Liang Cheng out to test his skills. He was defeated in one move and couldn't help but shake his head, realizing that he was getting further and further away from his junior brother.

Zhao Yuan remained silent in the shadows, his fist clenching tighter and tighter inside his sleeve.

That night, Liang Cheng listened to the faint sound of waves outside the window and relaxed for the first time in a long time. The Zhengxian knife was right next to the headboard and within easy reach, its blade slightly cool.

He closed his eyes.

Outside the window, the moonlight was cool and clear, and the town was peaceful.

The faint sound of a night watchman's clapper could be heard from the distant street; it was past midnight.

……

Three hundred miles away, in the secret chamber of the Xu family mansion in Linwu City.

Xu Zhang, Xu Feng, and Xu Zhi sat around a table with a detailed waterway map spread out on it. On the map, a red line meandered down from the south dock of Linwu City to Linhai Town.

"He's home." Xu Feng pointed to the location of Linhai Town.

"Did you really not do anything underhanded on the way?" Xu Zhi asked, somewhat unwilling.

"With the flag of a Class A Chamber of Commerce, the checkpoints along the way are clear, so it's inconvenient for our people to openly intercept it," Xu Feng said calmly. "Besides, taking action on the road would leave too many traces, making it difficult for the Martial Academy to investigate."

A cold glint flashed in Xu Zhang's eyes: "Let him have a good New Year."

"Around the Lunar New Year, pirates love to take advantage of the situation and plunder coastal villages and towns." Xu Zhang said calmly. "There have been several incidents in Linhai Town in previous years. This year, I heard that the Kuroshio people have their eyes on a batch of valuable New Year's goods that were just transported from the north."

Xu Zhi's eyes lit up: "Father means..."

Xu Zhang smirked coldly. "Chen Bainian has been promoted to Grade A, so the goods he purchases this year must be plentiful. In the chaos of pirate raids, it's perfectly normal for a martial arts academy disciple who's returning home to visit relatives to die."

Xu Feng added, "The leader of the Black Tide, Fan Jiangjiao, is a renowned True Qi Realm expert with hundreds of desperate followers. If they make a move, no one will suspect us."

"But Liang Cheng's strength..." Xu Zhi still had some concerns.

"No matter how strong Liang Cheng is, he is only at the Transformation Realm. Once a genius dies, he is nothing."

He looked at Xu Feng: "Is the person you contacted reliable?"

"The connection was made through the Dark Flower Pavilion. The servant who handled the matter has been dealt with, and no one can find any clues or implicate us."

"Alright." Xu Zhang downed the cold tea in his cup in one gulp. "Let them make their move when Liang Cheng is on his way back. The sea is rough and the winds are strong; it's the perfect time for a funeral."

……