Chapter 49: Metamorphosis and Breakthrough

“Master, Mistress, I’m back.” From a distance, Ling Chi heard Xiao Rui’er’s cheerful laughter echoing through the courtyard.

Xiao Rui’er turned her head and saw Ling Chi striding toward her.

“Brother Su Six!” The little girl let go of her father’s embrace and, stumbling, ran in tiny steps toward Ling Chi.

Ling Chi quickly took two steps forward, scooped her up, and placed her on his shoulder. The little girl laughed even more gleefully.

“Master, Mistress, I’m back,” Ling Chi greeted Zhao Qing and Yang Shu with a respectful bow.

“Master, I brought a little gift for you and Mistress.” Ling Chi handed over the prepared presents.

Yang Shu affectionately pinched Ling Chi’s cheek—this child was becoming more and more well-mannered.

Zhao Qing didn’t even glance at the tea Ling Chi offered him, handing it off to Yang Shu without a second thought. His eyes were fixed on the blade at Ling Chi’s waist, as if gazing at a peerless beauty.

Ling Chi noticed Zhao Qing’s gaze and took off the knife, offering it to him.

The knife was heavy in Zhao Qing’s hand; the sheath, a blend of black and gold, felt exceptionally comfortable. With a forceful push of his thumb, he popped the guard open. The blade was slender, silver-white tinged with pale gold, three fingers wide, three feet long, and grooved for blood—a weapon clearly meant for slashing and thrusting.

Zhao Qing nodded in satisfaction and, with quick steps, drew the blade from its sheath.

The gleam of the blade whirled with a gusty wind, dancing around him as something ineffable seemed to emanate from within.

Ling Chi had rarely seen his master display the Seven-Star Blade, and was instantly struck by how far he still had to go—the same simple techniques in his master’s hands wielded power worlds apart from his own.

Even Xiao Rui’er clapped her small hands atop Ling Chi’s head, and Mistress Yang Shu’s gaze was full of tender admiration.

“A fine blade. I’d wager it was forged by Master Tie himself from the Jing’an Bureau in the prefecture.”

“Master, you have a keen eye. It was indeed crafted under Master Tie’s supervision.”

“Master, what did you infuse into your blade technique just now?” Ling Chi asked, curiosity piqued.

“Good lad, you actually noticed?” Zhao Qing was taken aback—this young disciple’s perception was sharper than expected.

“I couldn’t quite see it, only sensed something fierce and mysterious within the moves,” Ling Chi admitted, awed though uncertain.

“That’s the blade’s aura—something that cannot be taught in words. You could think of it as a feeling. My blade’s aura is ‘breaking’—nothing can withstand it.” Zhao Qing’s pride shone through, a boast meant for fellow blade masters, not just his disciple.

“Remember that feeling. Some comprehend the blade’s aura in a single night, others can spend ten years and still not cross that threshold.”

“Master, how about you?”

“Me? Three days.” Zhao Qing’s lips curled in satisfaction; at last, he heard the question he’d been waiting for.

Ling Chi drew in a breath, raising a thumb in admiration. “Master, your insight is truly remarkable…”

Zhao Qing burst out laughing. Among martial artists, such praise was as good as a peer acknowledging your prowess—the highest compliment there was.

“You’re only at the threshold now, not even half a foot through the door. Keep pondering it yourself; this cannot be taught,” Zhao Qing said, reaching out to take Xiao Rui’er and handing the horse-chopping blade back to Ling Chi.

Blade aura, hmm!

“Master, I was ambushed on my way back; I came to Crane County mainly to warn you to stay vigilant.”

Ling Chi waited until Mistress had taken Xiao Rui’er off to sleep before revealing his true purpose.

“Oh? You weren’t hurt, were you? That crazy Li fellow must have lost his mind, so brazen—he’ll die by my hand sooner or later.” Zhao Qing’s brow furrowed, a murderous intent rising.

“On my return, a Captain Xu from Yingzhou Guard led over a hundred men to surround and kill me. Fortunately, your disciple was skilled enough to kill them all.” Ling Chi licked his lips, telling the truth.

He chose to keep the matter of attacking the camp—his transformation into Song Jiang—a secret.

After their recent conversations, Ling Chi felt closer to Zhao Qing, no longer as distant as before.

Zhao Qing was startled by Ling Chi’s words—a novice at the Qi Sea stage had slain opponents four stages higher.

This was no ordinary talent; since Ling Chi entered the sect, Zhao Qing had hardly had to worry about him.

Steady in his actions, diligent in cultivation, his aptitude and insight were exceptional. But neither of them were particularly warm-hearted, so their relationship had always been somewhat slow to develop.

“You brat, is there anything else you haven’t said? Now that your Mistress is away, you’d better tell me everything at once,” Zhao Qing sensed there was more.

“I dare not hide anything further, Master—the cases in Feng County and Guan County of Hezhou were my doing.” Ling Chi straightened his neck and confessed.

He had his reasons; if someday a powerful enemy came seeking revenge, at least Zhao Qing would know the truth and could guard against any unforeseen trouble.

Now Zhao Qing was thoroughly stunned. No wonder people kept tossing letters his way—the culprit was his own disciple? More than three hundred people killed!

“You little rascal, you know how to keep things under wraps, but then you turn around and push me into the fray. I hate trouble too, you know,” Zhao Qing said, rubbing his forehead helplessly.

“Your disciple was born in Lingjia Village outside the city. Three years ago, our village was slaughtered in a single night by the Lianshan bandits. I was buried alive in a coffin and barely survived. I was lucky enough to become your disciple. Since then, I’ve trained hard every day, all to avenge the six hundred souls of my hometown,” Ling Chi said, pouring out his heart.

Zhao Qing was silent for a long time after hearing this, until the sound of soft sobbing came from behind. Ling Chi turned and saw Mistress had returned after settling Xiao Rui’er.

Yang Shu, overflowing with maternal affection, drew Ling Chi into her embrace.

She hadn’t expected that her sunny, cheerful sixth disciple had such a tragic past—her eyes brimmed with tears.

She stroked Ling Chi’s callused hands. “You must have suffered so much, poor child.”

Ling Chi was deeply moved. Perhaps it was a moment of impulse, perhaps his master’s care had touched him; suddenly, he was willing to open a crack in his heart and try to let others in.

For him, except for the matter of crossing worlds, everything else was but a small secret.

“No, Master, Mistress, and my senior brothers and sisters have all treated me very well—I haven’t suffered much,” Ling Chi replied honestly.

Yang Shu sighed at his words—all children of fate.

Having confessed his secrets, Ling Chi exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of release, as if he had shed some invisible restraint. A feeling of boundless freedom welled up inside him.

He felt his soul leave his body, standing above the heavens, gazing down upon the land. Some unknown force gathered toward him, filling his soul. His spiritual sense expanded—fifty yards, a hundred, and finally stretching out to two hundred before slowly stopping.

He had advanced to the minor completion stage of Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation.

Within him, the Thunder Pearl spun, radiating dazzling light. Ling Chi’s feet slowly rose from the ground, floating upward.

Yang Shu watched the scene unfold—just moments ago, they had been sharing heartfelt sentiments, and suddenly the setting had transformed into a fantasy, complete with spectacular special effects.

“Old Six is about to break through—let’s step back!”

Zhao Qing pulled Yang Shu beneath the eaves.

Within Ling Chi, the sea of thunder expanded quickly and powerfully, drawing the spiritual energy from around the magistrate’s office toward him.

The martial artists of Crane County sensed it and looked in that direction.

“Looks like the head of Zhao’s martial hall is breaking through.”

“Most likely. He’s the strongest martial artist in the county, after all.”