Chapter 50: Explanations and Strategies

Ling Chi’s breakthrough had lasted for more than an hour. When he opened his eyes, he saw Yang Shu smiling at him, arm in arm with Zhao Qing. To his surprise, Second Senior Sister Xiao Yu and Fourth Senior Brother Zhao Lei were standing together, holding hands.

“Congratulations, Sixth Junior Brother! You’ve made great progress yet again.”

“Indeed, you’ve now surpassed me, your second senior sister, and even our eldest senior brother. You’re leading the way for all of us,” Zhao Lei and Xiao Yu congratulated him together.

“I was only lucky enough to make a breakthrough,” Ling Chi replied with a smile, then turned teasingly to Zhao Lei. “But when did you and Second Senior Sister get together? I only found out about it today.”

Xiao Yu, ever the free spirit, replied with an easy grin, “It’s only been a month or two. We’ll be sure to let you know in advance before the wedding.”

Xiao Yu was Xiao Zhan’s younger sister, exuding the breezy confidence of a martial artist. She’d grown up alongside Yang Shu, and the two families had deep ties. Yang Shu was very satisfied with her as a daughter-in-law.

“Since Sixth Junior Brother has just broken through, and you’re all here, let’s take the opportunity to have a good gathering,” Zhao Qing said, unusually cheerful. “I’ll send someone to call those two outside and your eldest senior brother, so we can all have a proper drink together.”

Yang Shu and Xiao Yu busied themselves with preparations, while Zhao Qing sent a few registered disciples to call the third and fifth brothers from Qianshan Town and Panshan Town.

The first to arrive was Eldest Senior Brother Xiao Zhan. He and his sister Xiao Yu had followed their master and mistress from another place to He County since childhood.

“Well, well, Sixth Brother! Without a word, you’ve overtaken me. Where’s the dignity of your eldest senior brother now?” Xiao Zhan’s hearty laughter rang out before he even entered.

“Eldest Brother, it was pure luck for me. I’m sure you’ll soon overtake me. You’ve built a strong foundation—your cultivation will only get faster,” Ling Chi replied with a chuckle, offering flattery.

“I’d rather see all of you surpass me, to help share Master’s burdens,” Xiao Zhan said. He was not overly competitive, especially not with his own junior brothers.

“Eldest Brother, do you know something?” Ling Chi’s expression grew more serious.

“Better to wait for Master to tell you himself. It’s something from before he and Mistress brought us to He County, when we were all too young to remember much. Don’t worry—when the time comes, Master will let us know,” Xiao Zhan replied, saying much but revealing little.

Ling Chi rolled his eyes—what a pointless answer.

In any case, improving one’s cultivation was never a bad thing.

“I heard that in the Southeast Circuit, the Ghost Sect slaughtered an entire city. Such audacity!” Xiao Zhan changed the subject.

“I heard the same while in the prefecture. The Ghost Sect is truly formidable. They say the mysterious sect leader’s cultivation surpasses even the Spirit Pearl Realm—terrifying indeed,” Ling Chi said, awed. The unknown was always the most frightening.

He resolved not to venture out again until he reached the Spirit Pearl Realm. The Divine Empire had thirteen circuits and a hundred and eighty prefectures—there were a hundred and eighty places like their own Northwest Circuit’s Ying Prefecture.

Beyond the borders, who knew what lay outside? He only knew that two years ago, there had been an invasion from the southern tribes, now halted. Whether some deal had been struck higher up, he could not say.

Ling Chi kept reassuring himself—he was young, and time was on his side.

“Sixth Brother! I just came back and heard you’ve broken through to the Qi Sea Realm? You must have been sneaking off to get ahead!” Third and Fifth Brother had met halfway and returned together.

“Third Brother, Fifth Brother, it was just luck,” Ling Chi said, his train of thought interrupted, as he handed them the gifts he’d brought.

“What’s this? Pills?” Zhao Shanhe asked curiously.

“Cultivation aids—Clarity Pills. Take one before a breakthrough, they help a little,” Ling Chi explained.

“Thanks, Sixth Brother! You always remember me when you have something good. I’m bored stiff in Qianshan Town. How are things in Willow Town?” Li Shui asked, casually. He was several years older than Ling Chi, and much more lively when not on official business.

“Last time, Willow Town was slaughtered clean—nothing much since then. But there’s a mountain behind that Big Yellow Village. I went in last time and some fox spirit tried to make a pact with me. I killed it on the spot—what rotten luck!” Ling Chi began to complain. Having just advanced to the second level of the Qi Sea Realm, he was planning to go back and see what else was hiding inside.

“You actually ran into something like that? Must have scared you out of your wits,” Zhao Shanhe said with a mischievous grin.

“You’re not wrong! I was just walking along, and suddenly this thing, looking almost human, put its claws on my shoulder. Scared me half to death!” Ling Chi reenacted the scene, raising the hairs on everyone’s arms.

“Sixth Brother, what you did was reckless. The deep mountains are full of monsters and spirits. If you’re so driven by curiosity, at least take your brothers with you. That way, if something happens, you’ll have someone to watch your back,” Xiao Zhan scolded, showing his role as eldest brother, worried Ling Chi’s youthful recklessness might get him killed by some unknown danger.

Looking back, Ling Chi did feel a lingering fear—he’d been too rash. The habits from his past life remained. Used to being alone, unbound, he craved excitement and adventure—the thrill that all assassins love.

“Eldest Brother is right. Next time, I’ll bring Third and Fifth Brother along,” Ling Chi said, grinning at the two.

Ling Chi relished this kind of camaraderie. After the age of ten in his previous life, he’d suddenly become an adult, wary of everyone, meeting his martial teacher only at twenty. Now, having lived half a life, he’d been given a chance to experience true youthful days—and he truly enjoyed it.

As the brothers chatted, Little Rui came out to call everyone to dinner.

Mistress and Xiao Yu had prepared a grand feast. In Ling Chi’s memory, such spreads only appeared at New Year.

Zhao Qing sat at the head of the table and called his disciples to sit. Little Rui even had her own small seat next to Mistress.

As the head of the household and their master, Zhao Qing would not let anyone touch their chopsticks—except Little Rui—until he spoke.

“Today, we gather mainly to celebrate Sixth’s breakthrough to the Qi Sea Realm. Under the name of Seven Stars Martial Hall, we now have three disciples who have reached this level. Those who’ve broken through, stay humble and diligent. Those who haven’t, relax and keep working hard. Let’s raise a glass to congratulate Sixth.”

With Zhao Qing’s opening words, the atmosphere turned lively. Glasses were raised, and even Mistress joined in for a couple of drinks.

Soon, the conversation turned to Xiao Yu and Zhao Lei’s wedding. As children of the martial world, they were free-spirited and unconstrained. Mistress would handle all the arrangements, as both families were hers.

They eventually settled on the fifteenth of December, a few months away. The brothers toasted Zhao Lei, with Xiao Yu taking two cups in his stead, causing everyone to cheer and tease.

Yang Shu looked at her spirited daughter-in-law with a satisfied smile—her son would surely be firmly under her thumb.

After several rounds of wine and courses of food, Zhao Qing tapped his glass, and everyone fell silent.

“A few days ago, Sixth went to the prefecture’s Office of Tranquility. He happened to encounter the Ying Prefecture Garrison surrounding the place. Seeing him alone, they tried to capture him alive. Fortunately, he fought valiantly, taking on fifty soldiers bare-handed and leaving them sprawled on the ground.”

“The deputy commander, Li Changyuan, lost face and was bent on revenge. Yesterday, he set an ambush for Sixth on his way back, but Sixth wiped them all out.”

“Lately, you must all be cautious—don’t let yourselves fall into anyone’s trap. I’ve already written to the prefecture, and Captain Cao will keep an eye on him.”

With this, Zhao Qing revealed the true reason for the gathering. The brothers glared at Ling Chi, both angry and impressed.

“Well done, lad! That Li fellow was getting far too arrogant.”

Even the usually mild Xiao Zhan was furious. To try to ambush someone just because a gang beating failed—clearly, Li was no good.

“Master, don’t worry. I’ll be on my guard and never give him another chance,” Li Shui echoed.

And thus the evening continued.