Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint-Chapter 67 - 63: Cyan Scale

This scene caused many of the senior disciples to recall a memory.

The last time Qin Lie’s sister set foot in the Zhou Institute, it was to witness the supreme glory of Qin Lie being accepted by Zhou Liang as his Closed-door Disciple.

It felt as if that scene had happened only yesterday.

When Qin Lie heard they were taking him away, he flew into a rage. "I’m not leaving! I’m a Military Examination candidate! This is my..."

His face was contorted as he brandished a withered branch. "Who dares touch me? I’ll kill you!"

In the end, with the help of a few other disciples, Qin Lie’s sister exhausted her strength, practically half-carrying, half-dragging Qin Lie out of the Zhou Institute.

As they left, Chen Qing glimpsed Zhou Liang firmly pressing a purse into Qin Yue’s hand, leaving no room for refusal.

"Alright, everyone disperse! Get back to training!"

Zhou Yu clapped his hands, breaking the stagnant air in the courtyard.

Only then did the disciples snap out of their daze and go their separate ways.

Chen Qing’s gaze lingered on the courtyard, but his thoughts drifted back to a corner of the backyard from when he first entered the Zhou Institute, right next to the reeking latrine.

Back then, Qin Lie had been small, silent, and so shy he was almost timid.

Just like him, an entry-level apprentice who was immediately assigned the filthiest, most exhausting chores.

Later, his fortunes had changed dramatically.

The moment he gained power, Qin Lie shed his shyness with astonishing speed, becoming arrogant, haughty, and looking down on everyone.

And then, later still, he was crippled by Gao Sheng on the Martial Arts Examination stage.

Chen Qing had watched him soar to the heavens with his own eyes, and then watched helplessly as he plummeted into the abyss, shattered to pieces, his Divine Soul obliterated.

WHOOSH—!

Chen Qing let out a breath.

’The most urgent matter now is to increase my own strength. I absolutely cannot follow in Qin Lie’s footsteps.’

’Even if it’s slower, I must advance cautiously and build a solid foundation.’

’I have to keep my eyes wide open and always be on guard.’

"Brother Chen."

Song Yufeng walked over, head hanging low. "My dad said if I can’t break through to Manifest Force this month, he’s making me go back and study medicine with him..."

He had been at the Zhou Institute for several months, and between the high monthly tuition and the cost of meat and supplements, his family was already overwhelmed.

His father was merely an itinerant doctor who traveled from street to street, and his mother worked as a helper in a restaurant. Gritting their teeth to let him try one more time was already their absolute limit.

"Just give it your all."

Chen Qing said in a low voice, clapping him heavily on the shoulder.

That afternoon, Shen Zhenzhong, a master of the Seven-Star Palm, and Liu Ze, an expert in Mantis Fist, arrived together.

The disciples in the institute all knew that these two were their master’s closest friends. With the recent tragedy at the Zhou Institute, it was only natural for them to come and visit.

In the reception hall, the steam from the tea curled into the air.

"Brother Shen, Brother Liu..."

Zhou Liang forced a smile, his voice hoarse. "Please, sit."

The two men exchanged a look, each seeing the gravity in the other’s eyes.

Liu Ze sighed softly, lifted the hem of his robe, and sat down. "Brother Zhou, we’ve heard about what happened to Qin Lie. Life is unpredictable, and people’s hearts are hard to fathom. You have fulfilled your duty as a master. Don’t blame yourself too much, lest you damage your Heart and Spirit."

Zhou Liang shook his head with a bitter smile. He picked up the cup of cold tea, then set it down again. "Thank you both for your concern, but... in the end, I just can’t find peace with it."

Liu Ze nodded in understanding.

After all, a Closed-door Disciple was treated like one’s own son. The relationship was extraordinary.

The three chatted for a moment before Shen Zhenzhong changed the subject. "Aside from visiting you, we came here today because there are two important matters we need to discuss with you."

Hearing this, Zhou Liang’s spirits lifted slightly and he raised his head. "Please, speak."

Shen Zhenzhong stroked his long beard, his voice dropping a little. "First, there has been an Undercurrent Swell in the county recently. A disciple from my hall bought a pill of unknown origin from an apothecary. It’s called ’Blood Gathering Pill’."

As he spoke, he took a small white porcelain vial from his sleeve and handed it over. "Old Zhou, you’re knowledgeable and experienced. Take a look and see what this thing really is."

Zhou Liang took it and tipped one out. The Elixir was perfectly round with a dark red hue.

"The seller claims its effects are comparable to Blood and Qi Powder, but it costs only half the price," Shen Zhenzhong added.

Zhou Liang placed it in his palm to examine it closely, then brought it to his nose and sniffed.

Liu Ze asked, "What do you think?"

"Observing its shape and smelling its scent, I don’t see anything unusual for now. But without tasting it myself, it’s difficult to determine its effects."

Zhou Liang’s brow furrowed, and he said in a grave voice, "If I’m not mistaken, this is an ’unlicensed elixir’!"

"An unlicensed elixir?!" Both Shen and Liu were inwardly shocked.

The so-called unlicensed elixirs were just like contraband salt.

Major elixirs that replenished blood and qi, like Blood and Qi Powder and Blood Qi Pills, had always been monopolized by the Major Sects.

Merchant guilds and apothecaries needed a permit to purchase them in bulk from designated locations before they could be sold to martial artists.

Unlicensed elixirs, on the other hand, were those that were secretly refined, smuggled, and sold illicitly. Among them were many dangerously potent and forbidden drugs!

If someone privately refined elixirs and gifted or sold them on a small scale, the Sects would mostly turn a blind eye. As the saying goes, water that is too clear has no fish.

But to so brazenly sell blood-and-qi-replenishing pills on such a large scale... the audacity behind it was anything but ordinary!

Within Gaolin County, those with such nerve and power...

The gazes of Shen, Liu, and Zhou met. The answer was on the tips of their tongues: it had to be one of the Five Great Noble Families, or several of them working together.

They all understood without a word being said, and no one voiced the thought aloud.

The Five Great Noble Families had been unrivaled in Gaolin County lately. They were recruiting followers and building up their forces, and their influence was so great that they could faintly contend with Pang Sihai’s County Soldiers.

It wasn’t uncommon for powers like the Blood River Gang, the Iron Hand Gang, the Weapon Forging Shop, the Wangyuan Escort Agency, and even the Five Great Martial Arts Halls to curry favor with them.

Zhou Liang returned the pill to the vial and said slowly, "This pill may seem fine on the surface, but it’s an unlicensed product. There’s no guarantee the quality will remain consistent. Warn your disciples not to buy it just because it’s cheap."

Shen and Liu deeply agreed.

When it came to medicinal supplements, a tiny deviation could lead to a disastrous outcome. The slightest carelessness could destroy one’s foundation completely.

Liu Ze spoke up, "The second matter is the Cyan Scale Association."

Sometime ago in Gaolin County, a peculiar scale was found floating in the river, causing several fishermen to scramble to retrieve it.

When it was pulled from the water, a great uproar ensued, for the scale was as large as a water vat, leaving everyone astounded.

Just what kind of behemoth could have shed such a massive scale?

The scale was paraded through the streets that day, drawing out the entire city’s population and becoming a grand event.

Over time, this evolved into the Cyan Scale Association, a grand Martial Arts event held by the Five Great Martial Arts Halls once every three years.

It served as a venue for fellow martial artists to spar and exchange knowledge, as well as a way to build fame and recruit a wide range of disciples.

The Five Great Martial Arts Halls hold this so-called Cyan Scale Association every three years, on one hand for martial arts exchange and sparring, and on the other to promote their own reputations to better recruit students.

Shen Zhenzhong said with a solemn expression, "The Cyan Scale Association is officially starting! It’s just one month from now!"

Liu Ze shook his head. "The Five Great Martial Arts Halls are all gearing up, especially the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall. They took in ten new disciples last month..."

Hearing this, Zhou Liang couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile.

The Zhou Institute only had two new disciples last month.

If not for Chen Qing’s high placement in the Martial Arts Examination, which earned the Martial Arts Hall a shred of reputation, they probably wouldn’t have even been able to keep those two prospects.

Shen Zhenzhong hesitated for a moment before finally lowering his voice. "Old Zhou, I’ve heard some rumors... Someone wants to ’establish their dominance’ at the Cyan Scale Association this time."

Though no one was named, the three of them understood perfectly. To promote one’s own rising star, one always had to step on a few old cornerstones.

Liu Ze’s gaze was sharp as he looked directly at Zhou Liang, his tone heavy with meaning. "You... must be extremely careful. Don’t become a stepping stone for someone else’s fame."

Zhou Liang fell silent. He slowly lifted the teacup, which had long since gone cold, to his lips and took a sip.

A faint, bitter coolness slid down his throat. He lowered his gaze, staring at the dregs of tea leaves in his cup, and remained silent for a long time.