The day after returning to the academy, Cheng Zitong handled his morning affairs. As noon approached, he eagerly drove to the academy’s Lakefront Garden facility on the east side. The moment he walked in, he asked, "Where’s Senior Brother?"

The gatekeeper said, "Manager Cheng, the old master is teaching his student how to wield Force."

Cheng Zitong took off his sunglasses and glanced at the man. "Old Qian, you’re getting on in years. Doesn’t Senior Brother have any consideration for you? He still has you watching the gate?"

"It’s no trouble. The old master is just looking out for me," the gatekeeper said with a slight bow.

"All right, I’ll go find him myself."

Cheng Zitong had driven here in a hurry, but now his urgency seemed to evaporate. He strolled leisurely inside until he reached the edge of a lotus pond. From there, he watched Qiao Linhu instructing his student in the waterside pavilion, a faint smile on his face, making no move to approach.

Qiao Linhu saw him but paid him no mind, continuing to teach with focused intensity. The student was just as meticulous, perfectly mirroring his teacher’s instructions.

After a long while, Qiao Linhu beckoned to Cheng Zitong from across the pond and went into the sitting room. Cheng Zitong smiled and walked over.

As Cheng Zitong entered, Qiao Linhu asked, "What brings you here today? I’m surprised you have the time."

Cheng Zitong smiled. "Nothing in particular. Just came to see you, Senior Brother."

Qiao Linhu glanced at him. "There’s tea on the table. I just brewed it but haven’t had any yet. Help yourself."

"I won’t stand on ceremony, then," Cheng Zitong said. He gestured toward the pavilion outside. "How’s that student of yours? I never see him at the academy. With you personally guiding him, Senior Brother, he must be improving by the day. His skill must be quite high by now. Hmm, has he broken through the First Limit yet?"

Qiao Linhu frowned. "How could he be that fast?" he said, his voice deep. "No one breaks through the First Limit after only a year of training."

"No one?" Cheng Zitong pretended to think for a moment, then hummed and nodded in complete agreement. "You’re right, Senior Brother. There isn’t."

Qiao Linhu shot him a look, then mused, "Well, it’s not entirely unheard of. In the past, there were those Cults... they would forcibly unlock human potential, use harsh drugs, follow heretical texts, and cultivate demonic forms through unholy means. But that is a wicked path and must never be followed."

"Of course," Cheng Zitong said. "Those who walk that wicked path can’t even be considered human anymore. We’re talking about legitimate students."

Qiao Linhu straightened up, puffed out his chest, and looked toward his student. He spoke slowly, "Our old Master used to say that in cultivating the Primordial Truth Seed, the key is the concept of ’nurturing.’ ’A towering skyscraper rises from level ground.’ One must not be impatient for results. The bridges of sinew and the beams of bone must be properly aligned. If they are not, one’s qi will wane; if the qi wanes, the blood will not be vigorous, and the road ahead will be anything but smooth."

Cheng Zitong let out a sound of admiration and gave a thumbs-up. "Well said! I was just watching. Senior Brother, your student’s foundation must be exceptionally good! So stable. You have to admit, the old man’s methods were effective. Once your student finally breaks through, ninety percent of the academy’s students won’t be able to hold a candle to him."

Hearing this, Qiao Linhu stroked his beard and nodded, saying smugly, "Those young teachers at the academy have only studied for a few years themselves. How can they possibly guide anyone? Hmph. The nerve of them, daring to teach. In the old days, no one would dare take on an apprentice without twenty years of solid experience and a letter of certification from their own master. Aren’t they afraid they’ll lead their students astray?"

"Exactly."

Cheng Zitong sighed. "Look at me. I’m only teaching one student, and I’m constantly worried I’m not doing a good job, that I’ll lead him astray. For instance, I took him out for some practical training, thinking I could teach him a few things, but we were back in just a few days. It’s not that I don’t want to teach him; I just don’t know *how*. I feel like I need to rethink my approach, which is why I came to you for some pointers, Senior Brother."

Qiao Linhu had a moment of realization. ’So he’s here to pick my brain?’

He thought for a moment and said, "Junior Brother, it’s good that you’re thinking this way. But when it comes to teaching, the first thing you must do is establish rules. Without them, you can’t teach properly. Furthermore..."

He shook his head. "You also have to be selective about your students. If one has no talent, just let it go. You can’t teach someone who can’t learn. As long as he can go out and make a living for himself in the future, you’ve done your duty by him."

Cheng Zitong sighed. "I’m nothing compared to you, Senior Brother. I remember the old man always used you as an example to lecture me and the other junior brothers. He even said someone like me would just end up leading students astray, and that only you, Senior Brother, could truly pass on his teachings and produce a truly brilliant disciple."

Qiao Linhu said earnestly, "Junior Brother, you shouldn’t say that. You were still young back then. Master was just trying to motivate you. He always had high hopes for you.

"Besides, when teaching an apprentice, talent comes first, self-discipline second, and the master’s instruction third. My influence accounts for thirty percent at most. But if this student of mine can fully absorb that thirty percent... well, I can’t say how high he’ll reach, but his path will surely grow wider and brighter. The master’s art will be passed on, not buried and forgotten."

"That makes a lot of sense," Cheng Zitong said. "I’ll have to come and ask for your guidance more often, Senior Brother."

Qiao Linhu nodded without realizing it. ’This junior brother of mine always used to butt heads with Master. See? He finally understands our teacher’s painstaking efforts. There’s a reason the old rules have been passed down for so long!’

His mood instantly brightened. "Are you staying for a meal?"

"Of course! I’m starving."

Qiao Linhu immediately had his servants prepare the meal. Once the dishes were served, the two of them sat down at the table. However, Qiao Linhu was a stickler for the rule of not speaking during a meal. He chewed slowly and deliberately, not uttering a single word throughout.

Cheng Zitong had an excellent appetite today and ate until he was stuffed. After the meal, he rubbed his belly and commented, "Delicious! Truly delicious! Senior Brother, the people here are great, and the food is wonderful. How have I never noticed before?"

Qiao Linhu put down his chopsticks and looked at him. "If you like it, feel free to come more often. I don’t get many visitors anyway."

Cheng Zitong shook his head. "I’d better not. I wouldn’t want to disturb you while you’re teaching your apprentice. By the way, why didn’t you have him join us for the meal?"

Qiao Linhu said slowly, "Since when do master and apprentice eat at the same table? The apprentice may only come to the table after the master has finished his meal."

"The old rules again, I see," Cheng Zitong said. "I remember a time when the apprentice was only allowed to eat the master’s leftovers."

"That is the principle, but our old Master never treated his apprentices harshly."

This time, Cheng Zitong nodded with genuine sincerity. "The old man was good about that."

Qiao Linhu said, "I was abandoned in the wilderness as a child. Fighting with dogs for scraps was a daily occurrence. It was Master who took me in and taught me everything I know."

He took out a cloth napkin, wiped his mouth, and tossed it onto the table. "I don’t understand grand principles. All I know is that with martial prowess, you can build a life for yourself anywhere you go. But to develop real skill, you must first have rules." He pointed to his own chest. "These rules must be established in your heart and carved into your very bones. Only then can they be passed on.

"Junior Brother, it seems you’re quite invested in your student. Are you planning to take him on as a true apprentice? His lack of talent doesn’t matter. My previous offer still stands. As long as your student agrees to serve as my apprentice’s assistant for three years, I can give him my Sword Manual. Once the rules are established in him, a slight lack of talent is no issue. My apprentice can help him along in the future."

Cheng Zitong just smiled. "Senior Brother, your apprentice is always here with you instead of showing his face at the academy. That can’t be a long-term solution. What are your plans for him?"

Qiao Linhu said, "Master has already said that once my apprentice is well-taught and has passed his certifications, he will find a way to get him into Central City. If your student tags along, he’ll have an opportunity as well."

Cheng Zitong shook his head. "Oh, no comparison, no comparison at all." He stood up and put his sunglasses back on. "Well, Senior Brother, the meal was great, but I should be getting back. See you around." With a wave, he walked out.

Meanwhile, in a private training hall in South City, Chen Chuan was practicing his Pile Force over and over again. At the same time, he let out sharp Calls to stimulate and guide the growth of the Mutated Organization within his internal organs.

’If you’re going to put on an act, you have to see it through.’ He couldn’t just get his certification and then immediately drop the training regimen he had so carefully constructed for appearances. That would be too abrupt. So, after making a brief appearance at the academy, he had returned here.

Just as with the First Limit, upon reaching the Second Limit, he wasn’t strengthening just one part of his internal organs like other students. The Circulation Technique emphasized a holistic approach, encompassing every single organ.

Consequently, in the beginning, this stage of advancement showed little outward progress. In reality, he was broadening his foundation. Once that step was complete, he would grow stronger and stronger the further he went, with every small improvement representing a massive leap forward.

The drugs he was using now were ones only permitted for those at the Second Limit. However, to avoid exposing the true pace of his progress, all of them were provided privately by Cheng Zitong.

’This is just the beginning, so what I have is certainly enough for now. But I’m not truly naturally gifted, after all. I require a dosage several times that of a normal person. Based on past experience, the drugs will likely start to have a diminished effect on me in two or three months. I’ll have to find some kind of substitute.’

「A few days later, the rest day in early June arrived.」

He packed up in the morning and went back to his aunt’s house. The moment he walked in, he saw his two young cousins playing a clapping game. He had brought some toys back this time and immediately handed them over to the two little ones.

Cheng Zitong, knowing he had young children in his family, had bought them while out of town and had him bring them back. This way, there would be no holes in his cover story.

Nian Fuli was looking through a work ledger, cross-referencing it with another booklet and occasionally jotting things down. When he saw Chen Chuan return, he asked in surprise, "Xiaochuan, I thought you went on a training trip with your instructor. How are you back so soon?"

Chen Chuan smiled. "I guess I’m a fast learner, so I came back early."

Nian Fuli eyed him for a moment but didn’t press the issue, returning his attention to his notes.

Yu Wan said, "It’s good that you’re back early. No matter what it’s like out there, it’s never as good as being home."

"That’s for sure," Chen Chuan said. "The food out there is nowhere near as good as yours, Auntie. I’ve been craving your soup."

Yu Wan was delighted. "As long as you’re back, Auntie will make it for you."

Nian Fuli added, "Your aunt’s cooking is second to none. Though lately, I only get to eat her hot meals on my days off."

Chen Chuan looked at him. "Another big case, Uncle?"

Nian Fuli had never talked to him about work before, but ever since Chen Chuan had dealt with Fang Dawei and his crew, his uncle would occasionally mention things happening at the Patrol Bureau.

He shook his head. "The Blood Mark Gang has been stirring up constant trouble lately. They’ve already had several big fights with the Iron Chain Gang. Even though that part of South City isn’t our jurisdiction, they keep pulling guys from our district over to help."

"Is it because that Blood Mark Gang boss was killed?" Chen Chuan asked.

"You heard about that? Yeah, that’s the one. The Bureau sent people to investigate. The report says the real cause of death was a Skull Splitting Demon." He shook his head. "Those things are nasty business. It’s a dead-end case. They’re going after the Iron Chain Gang because they can’t find the real culprit, so they need to pin it on someone important enough to give the public an answer.

"To be honest, some of the Blood Mark Gang’s own leaders don’t want to fight to the death with the Iron Chain Gang. Most of the Iron Chain Gang’s business is outside the city, so fighting them only hurts the Blood Mark Gang more.

"The authorities have issued a warning, but Molan Company hasn’t said a word yet. Meanwhile, the Blood Mark Gang is still trying to force the Iron Chain Gang to hand over the ’culprit.’ I don’t see this ending anytime soon. It’s going to be a mess for a while, and who knows how many innocent people will get caught in the crossfire."

Chen Chuan grunted in acknowledgment.

"Chan’Er, with the holiday break coming up, will you be staying at home?" Yu Wan asked, concerned.

"I’ll be back, Auntie," Chen Chuan said. "But I have things to do for both the academy and the company, so I probably won’t be able to stay home for very long."

Nian Fuli said to Yu Wan, "Xiaochuan is a grown man now, you don’t need to baby him."

Yu Wan shot him a glare. "Who asked you?"

"Alright, alright, I’ll stay out of it," Nian Fuli said with a sigh of resignation.

Just then, the two little ones, Nian Mo and Nian Lu, raised their hands in unison. "We want to be grown-ups too!"

Nian Fuli chortled and straightened the ledger in his hands. "You two. If only you still feel that way when you’re actually grown up. I’d have a lot less to worry about."

Just then, the phone in the living room rang. Chen Chuan walked over and answered it. "Hello, Nian Residence."

"Expert Chen, it’s me, Ren Shu," Ren Shu’s voice came from the other end. "I was wondering if you have a moment?"

Chen Chuan asked, "What is it?"

Ren Shu lowered his voice. "The Blood Mark Gang... they’ve sent people to the company."

...

...