Volume One: Menial Duties in Changshui County Chapter Fifty-Two: Ninth Rank of Martial Arts

After an indeterminate amount of time, Lu Jiu Zhang slowly regained consciousness.

After swallowing the three fruits, he felt as if he’d made significant progress within the ninth rank of martial arts, as though he had spent years immersed in cultivation. These fruits were far superior to the spiritual herbs he had taken before. In comparison, the spiritual energy of this place seemed almost insignificant.

The path ahead was blocked, so Lu Jiu Zhang took a deep breath and began his return journey. He wondered how Zhou Cheng was faring, and whether he had found any clues. Lu Jiu Zhang decided to wait outside the cave. Or perhaps Zhou Cheng had already left.

Leaving this time was much easier than entering. Even though the air was still thin along the way, Lu Jiu Zhang no longer felt suffocated as he had upon first arriving. After waiting for about a quarter of an hour and just as he was about to leave and find a menial servant to stand watch, he heard heavy footsteps accompanied by labored breathing echoing from within the cave.

What was happening? Lu Jiu Zhang instantly went on alert, drawing the blade at his waist and fixing his gaze on the darkness within. Uncertain of what awaited him inside, he dared not relax for even a moment.

Having broken through to the ninth rank of martial arts, Lu Jiu Zhang’s abilities had undergone a qualitative transformation. Zhou Cheng had said the most obvious sign of a ninth-rank martial artist was the power to deliver a punch with the force of twenty stones. In the Great Zhou Dynasty’s measurements, one stone equaled ten bushels, and one bushel was about ten pounds. With the strength of twenty stones, one reached the standard of a ninth-rank warrior. Lu Jiu Zhang now possessed roughly twenty-five, perhaps even thirty stones of strength, though he would need to test to be sure. But with such power, he was no longer weak among ninth-rank warriors. As for speed and other aspects, he would need to measure them as well, though he doubted he would be lacking.

“Lend a hand, I’m exhausted!” came a familiar voice from within.

It was Zhou Cheng! Lu Jiu Zhang sheathed his blade and entered the cave.

He saw Zhou Cheng drenched in sweat, carrying a man on his back and panting heavily. This journey had clearly taxed Zhou Cheng greatly. The air in the cave was thin enough to wear anyone out, let alone someone carrying another person.

Lu Jiu Zhang took the man from Zhou Cheng’s back.

Who else could it be but Chen Xuan Feng? Blood still trickled from the corner of his mouth. If Chen Xuan Feng was indeed the mastermind, now would be the perfect opportunity—strike while he’s weak!

Unfortunately, many suspicions surrounding Chen Xuan Feng had already been dispelled. Even if some doubts lingered, Lu Jiu Zhang could not act rashly. Chen Xuan Feng was, after all, the Deputy Director of the Monster-Slaying Bureau, and Zhou Cheng was at his side. To deal with Chen Xuan Feng now would not be easy.

“Damn!” Lu Jiu Zhang cursed as he took Chen Xuan Feng onto his back. “He’s ridiculously heavy!”

Though Chen Xuan Feng didn’t appear overweight, his weight was astonishing.

“He’s an eighth-rank martial artist, after all. Their bone density is enormous. If he were too light, that would be strange,” Zhou Cheng replied. “I’ve heard that a peak martial artist can shatter a mountain with a mere stomp.”

The stronger a martial artist’s power, the heavier their body became. When conscious, they could control their own force. If not, just standing still would leave a deep pit beneath their feet.

“Ouch…” Lu Jiu Zhang felt the weight increase as he spoke, grimacing in discomfort. “Is it really necessary? He wasn’t this heavy when you carried him!”

Zhou Cheng was skeptical. “Want to try again?”

Lu Jiu Zhang snapped. “Why don’t you give it a go?”

The burden on his shoulders was immense, making it nearly impossible to straighten his back. “I can’t handle it, Zhou Cheng, help me out!”

It was only a dozen yards, yet Lu Jiu Zhang was completely worn out.

“It’s not that bad!” Zhou Cheng hurried over and supported Chen Xuan Feng’s back with one hand. A powerful force surged against him—Chen Xuan Feng was far heavier now than when Zhou Cheng had carried him.

Could it be…? Zhou Cheng had a flash of insight.

Director Chen must have regained consciousness, and was testing Lu Jiu Zhang’s strength by increasing his weight. Lu Jiu Zhang, newly initiated into cultivation, was unfamiliar with Chen Xuan Feng’s abilities. By adjusting his own strength, Chen Xuan Feng was probing to see how much Lu Jiu Zhang was hiding.

Lu Jiu Zhang had no inkling of Chen Xuan Feng’s intentions. If he had, he’d be cursing the old fox inwardly. The ability to manipulate one’s inner power so freely meant Chen Xuan Feng was awake—yet still feigning unconsciousness.

“Hold on just a bit longer!” Zhou Cheng dared not expose Chen Xuan Feng’s ploy and could only encourage him.

“If anyone’s holding on, it should be you—you’re a ninth-rank martial artist and much stronger than me!” Lu Jiu Zhang tried to shift the burden. Though he had broken through to ninth rank himself, Zhou Cheng did not know this. It was a good chance to let Zhou Cheng exert himself more.

“Better not,” Zhou Cheng quickly refused.

“Then I won’t carry him anymore, or at least let me rest!” Lu Jiu Zhang made to lay Chen Xuan Feng on the ground.

What intrigued Lu Jiu Zhang most was the strange tree he had encountered after splitting from Zhou Cheng earlier. What, then, was at the end of Zhou Cheng’s path?

Chen Xuan Feng, with his eighth-rank cultivation, was unmatched in Changshui County. On recent missions, he had easily crushed any monsters they encountered. What could have defeated Chen Xuan Feng, leaving him gravely injured and unconscious?

“Zhou Cheng, what was behind the path you took?” Lu Jiu Zhang asked.

“Honestly, nothing much. Just a small pool. When I found Director Chen, he was lying beside it, already unconscious,” Zhou Cheng replied. “After that, I brought him out. Crossing the middle of the cave took quite some time.”

From Zhou Cheng’s account, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

But what about Chen Xuan Feng? Lu Jiu Zhang glanced at the director lying on the ground. What had he encountered?

…

By now, night had fallen outside.

Under the pale moonlight, Lu Jiu Zhang and Zhou Cheng took turns carrying Chen Xuan Feng down the mountain, finally rejoining the Monster-Slaying Bureau’s team.

The moon hung over the treetops; it was not yet deep into the night.

Once Chen Xuan Feng was handed over to Zhou Cheng and the others for care, Lu Jiu Zhang went to rest—or rather, to find a place to adapt to his newfound strength.

Having just reached the ninth rank, Lu Jiu Zhang had yet to fully master his power. Compared to his previous strength as an ordinary man, his progress was remarkable.

It had been barely twenty days since his elder brother’s death.

If Lu Huai Gu were still alive, he would surely be pleased.

Alas, he would never witness this moment.