Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill-Chapter 35: Inconceivable

Night fell, and the snow grew heavier, falling like goose feathers and blanketing the world.

Chen Cheng stood under the eaves outside his house, listening quietly to the sound of the falling snow as he summoned his panel.

[Name: Chen Cheng

Realm: Skin Grinding Realm (Small Success)

Skills: Iron Armor Skill (Small Success 82/1000), Wind Chasing Saber Technique (Beginner Level 60/100)

]

In just a few short days, his Cultivation Progress for the Iron Armor Skill and the Wind Chasing Saber Technique had clearly improved.

This was especially true for the Wind Chasing Saber Technique. Although he spent far less time practicing it each day compared to the Iron Armor Skill, his progress had skyrocketed ever since he sparred with He Zhiling and witnessed his Great Success Level Six Harmonies Saber Technique.

’As my understanding of the Martial Dao deepens, my progress in cultivating External Skills has clearly sped up. At this rate, I’d probably be even faster if I had a master.’

’But where would I find a master? According to Liu Yunfeng, some important figure has taken an interest in me. I wonder if they’ll invest a little more, give me some silver coins to join a Martial Arts Hall. It would be good to regularly watch the Martial Artists in the hall practice their Saber Technique.’

’Forget it. I can’t think like that. Liu Yunfeng said before that the prominent families of the Inner City are too dangerous. It’s safer to just lie low and cultivate slowly on my own.’

’Qian Bin from Luo’s Shop did say I could join the Zheng Martial Arts Hall in the Inner City. Mr. Zheng is one of Linji City’s top experts, which would be great. But I’d have to cultivate one Mid-level Martial Arts Skill to the Great Success Level first. If I work hard, I should be able to do it.’

"Brother Cheng, the hot water is ready," Mu Xiaowan called from inside the house.

Chen Cheng called back in acknowledgment and walked inside. Mu Xiaowan came forward to close the door, keeping her back to him. Only after Chen Cheng had undressed and climbed into the wooden tub did she turn around.

"Brother Cheng, it looks like you don’t have a single bruise left."

Mu Xiaowan said in pleasant surprise, looking at how Chen Cheng’s shoulders had become more defined and solid, his skin tougher and tighter.

Chen Cheng smiled and said, "My Martial Arts Cultivation progresses every day. A weight of fifty jin is no longer a burden for me."

"That’s wonderful," Mu Xiaowan said with a sweet smile, scooping up hot water to carefully wash his back.

After his bath, Chen Cheng said softly, "Xiaowan, you don’t have to heat up so much water every day from now on. I can just give myself a quick wipe-down. You should take it easier too."

"Okay." ’Brother Cheng is just being considerate, trying to save me from working so hard,’ Mu Xiaowan thought, yet a wave of disappointment inexplicably washed over her.

Mu Xiaowan also took a hot bath and tucked herself into bed early.

Chen Cheng, however, sat at the table, the Bear Skin Grinding Technique in his hands, and began to study it seriously.

This Cultivation Technique Manual was recorded in great detail. It even contained numerous annotations, as if someone had deliberately added them.

The handwriting of the annotations was clear and elegant, seemingly that of a woman.

An idea suddenly struck Chen Cheng, and the image of a frosty figure surfaced in his mind.

’Could it be? Is the important figure Liu Yunfeng mentioned the Chief Constable, Shen Qingshuang?’

’I’m just a lowly Preparatory Constable. There’s no way I could catch the eye of such a person, let alone get to know them.’

’Of the powerful people I’ve come into contact with, there’s the Chief of the South City Guard. I’ve only seen him a few times from afar, and he doesn’t even know I exist. It can’t be him. Other than him, the most powerful person would be Shen Qingshuang.’

’But Shen Qingshuang seems unlikely too. That woman seems to have it out for Liu Yunfeng, and I was recommended by him. Why would she give me a Cultivation Technique Manual through him?’

’Ah, forget it. No point in worrying for nothing. Cultivating Martial Dao and increasing my strength is what really matters.’

After organizing his thoughts, Chen Cheng continued to study the Secret Manual.

Skin Grinding Realm Body Tempering Methods were all more or less the same. They used external forces to continuously grind the skin, then used an Herbal Decoction to treat the injuries, stimulating the body’s Qi Blood Power in the process.

Ordinary Body Tempering Methods, like the Iron Sand Body Tempering Method, caused more damage to the body and their cultivation effects were slightly worse.

The Bear Bear Body Tempering Method, on the other hand, simulated the Body Tempering of a Demon Beast called a Brown Bear. It caused very little damage to the skin, and its cultivation effects were extremely potent.

The Bear Bear Body Tempering Method was quite simple to practice. When first starting, one just had to find a pit full of sand and gravel, get inside, and continuously grind their skin by mimicking the movements of a Brown Bear.

After the grinding session, one would soak their entire body in the specific Herbal Decoction prescribed by the Cultivation Technique to recover from the injuries. By repeating this cycle, the skin would gradually become tougher. The medicinal properties of the Herbal Decoction would also enter the body through the skin, nourishing it and strengthening one’s Qi Blood.

As one’s Qi Blood grew stronger, their strength and speed would increase as well.

The most crucial part was the Herbal Decoction. Without it, this Cultivation Technique was impossible to practice.

’I need to find a chance to visit Luo’s Shop and see if I can buy the Medicinal Materials for the Herbal Decoction.’

Chen Cheng closed the Secret Manual, making a mental note.

The annotations mentioned that for Skin Grinding Realm Body Tempering Methods, the various Body Tempering Methods did not conflict with each other. As long as one’s skin could endure it, a person could cultivate several Skin Grinding Techniques simultaneously, and their effects would stack.

In the Martial Arts Realm, it was quite common for Martial Artists to master one Skin Grinding Technique to the Perfection Realm and then continue to cultivate others.

For the next few days, Chen Cheng continued his routine, clocking in and out of his duties on time.

Ever since giving Chen Cheng the Secret Manual, Liu Yunfeng had gone back to his old self, acting as if nothing had happened and never mentioning the manual.

As a result, Chen Cheng had wanted to ask him about Martial Arts Cultivation several times, but he never got the chance.

As for Shen Ruoshuang, Chen Cheng had run into her a few times as well. But this woman always wore an icy expression. Especially when she saw Chen Cheng, her almond-shaped eyes would fill with frost, and she would look at him as if he were an enemy, with a faint trace of anger.

Chen Cheng naturally avoided her. At the same time, he also confirmed one thing in his heart: the important figure who had given him the Bear Skin Grinding Technique Secret Manual was not the Chief Constable.

The days passed quickly, and more than ten days went by in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Chen Cheng was on leave. He practiced his Saber Technique at home all morning, and after lunch, he went to Luo’s Shop in the Ruyi District.

These past days, he had been eating lavishly with large portions of fish and meat every day. The expenses were huge. Combined with buying several dozen jin of Refined Iron to increase his training weight, Chen Cheng’s fifty taels of silver were already down to just over twenty.

This amount of money probably wouldn’t buy many Medicinal Materials. Chen Cheng had come mainly to inquire about the prices and, while he was at it, ask Qian Bin a few things about Martial Arts Cultivation.

"Lord Officer, how may I help you?"

It was the same attendant from last time. Seeing Chen Cheng in his constable’s uniform with a Long Saber at his waist, he became even more polite.

"I’m looking for Steward Qian Bin. Is he in?" Chen Cheng asked.

"He is. This way, Lord Officer." The attendant said with a servile smile, preparing to lead the way.

"I can go in by myself."

Chen Cheng waved his hand dismissively and walked straight into the main hall, heading for the counter in the back that sold Cultivation Technique Manuals.

There was no one at the counter, and business seemed slow. Qian Bin, however, appeared to be in a good mood. He stood behind the counter, humming a little tune with his eyes closed, resting.

Hearing footsteps, Qian Bin quickly stood up to greet the customer.

"Lord Officer... Chen... Little Brother Chen."

Qian Bin was clearly taken aback when he saw Chen Cheng in a constable’s uniform.

Chen Cheng gave a slight smile. "Brother Qian."

"Little Brother Chen, you’re a rare sight! Come, come, let’s talk in the back room."

Qian Bin called out as he slowly emerged from behind the counter.

The fellow was also walking with his legs wide apart, a round object visibly held within his trousers.

"Brother Qian, have you been practicing the Red Sun Root Technique too?" Chen Cheng asked, stunned.

Exposed so easily, Qian Bin’s face flushed red. He gave an embarrassed laugh and said, "I sell Cultivation Technique Manuals. Naturally, I have to verify them first."

Chen Cheng didn’t press the matter.

In the back room, Qian Bin personally brewed some hot tea and invited Chen Cheng to sit.

Chen Cheng stated his purpose and took out the list of Medicinal Materials required for the Bear Skin Grinding Technique’s Herbal Decoction formula.

Qian Bin clicked his tongue in amazement after looking it over.

"Little Brother Chen, these Medicinal Materials are not cheap. Especially this main ingredient, Pizzly Bear Blood. A single portion costs at least fifty taels of silver."

"Fifty taels of silver?" Chen Cheng thought he had misheard and asked again, "Brother Qian, you must be joking, right?"

After all, the amount of Medicinal Materials on the list was only enough for a single session of the Bear Skin Grinding Technique. For just the main ingredient to be so expensive was truly unbelievable.