Chapter Thirty-Two: Cultivating Qi

“Second Son! Now is not the time to be stubborn!”

Hearing Tong Yi’s shout, Deng Zhongzhi’s face flashed with anger, and inwardly he wished he could slap the man’s mouth to pieces, so he would never speak again.

“Who’s being stubborn? When have I, Tong Yi, ever acted so childishly?”

Tong Yi forced his head to one side and turned his gaze to Chen Heng. “Let me go, and I won’t hold you responsible for severing my arm! The Daoist of Yang Mountain is dead, so be it—he was merely a lackey of the Tong family, a dog at our heels. Why should I sacrifice my own life for him?”

“I see you’ve also attained fetal breath, just like me—a seed for the path of cultivation. If you spare me, once I enter the Five Lights Sect, I’ll report to the elders of my sect and recommend you, so you too can study the Dao. How does that sound?”

Suppressing the murderous urge in his heart, Tong Yi began to coax gently:

“The Five Lights Sect is blessed with a True Immortal of Primordial Spirit. Inside, you may well soar to great heights, achieve the Purple Mansion and Profound Caverns, and become a renowned master craftsman. Wouldn’t that be glorious?”

“Hmph!”

Tu Shan Ge, standing behind Chen Heng, let out a cold laugh.

“So you know the Five Lights Sect is guarded by a True Immortal of Primordial Spirit? The Southern Region is a famous backwater in Eastern Mi Province; you’re nothing but a peasant from a poor land. How dare you boast that you’ll certainly be admitted to the Five Lights Sect? Do you truly believe your talent rivals that of Jun Yao from the Jade Heaven School?”

“You—” Tong Yi was furious.

Chen Heng, who had watched the spectacle from the sidelines, finally smiled once Tong Yi was rendered speechless.

“The Five Lights Sect may be fine, but I seek only immediate gain. The talismanic artifact suits me better.”

“Damn you!”

Stung by Chen Heng’s half-smile, Tong Yi felt a rush of blood surge to his head. Raised in a world of flattery and privilege, he had never suffered such contempt. His mind snapped.

“You damned pretty boy! Think your looks give you license to belittle me? If you dare harm me, I’ll have my father sell you to a brothel, make you a kept man, and have you entertain guests every day!”

Tong Yi’s eyes blazed red with rage, and he spat curses:

“With your appearance, I bet all those noble ladies in the capital would love you. Their children would be beautiful too! I’ll make your whole family serve as concubines for generations—”

Before he could finish, a long sword slashed a deep gash across his neck, threatening to drive deeper with just a bit more force.

“I—”

Tong Yi shuddered violently, his raging fury extinguished as if drenched in cold water.

Tu Shan Ge shrank his neck, convinced the man was truly finished.

“Alas, I truly wish not to oppose the Pillar General of the Nation. After all, I’m a mere commoner—how could I stand against the might of the whole state?”

Turning to Deng Zhongzhi, who looked ready to fight for his life, Chen Heng sighed gently.

“But I cannot bear to part with the talismanic artifact. Tell me, what should I do?”

“…What do you intend?”

“I’m skilled in martial arts as well. Why don’t we have a contest, and whoever wins takes the artifact? What do you say?”

Tu Shan Ge instantly sensed a trap in his words. Still, to support Chen Heng’s act, he feigned disbelief.

“This…”

Deng Zhongzhi hesitated.

But before he could think further, Chen Heng tugged the sword, causing Tong Yi to cry out in agony.

“Just a contest of martial arts—an agreement between gentlemen! I hope you’ll keep your word!”

Seeing Tong Yi’s miserable state, Deng Zhongzhi’s heart softened, and he abandoned the thought of fleeing. He agreed.

“Rest assured, I am a man of utmost integrity—a gentleman whose actions match his words.”

Chen Heng replied coolly, “Please.”

Tu Shan Ge hurried to take the long sword Chen Heng handed him, continuing to restrain Tong Yi. Meanwhile, Deng Zhongzhi gathered himself, spine arched, advancing toward Chen Heng like a great beast.

When the two were no more than thirty feet apart, Chen Heng wasted no words. With a sweep of his sleeve, a bolt of lightning crashed down upon Deng Zhongzhi!

“…Despicable!”

At this range, there was no chance to dodge. Shocked and terrified, Deng Zhongzhi expelled all his fetal breath from mouth and nose, forcing it together before him as a shield.

But after three bolts, his fetal breath was shattered. Deng Zhongzhi collapsed to the ground, his body scorched and flesh mangled—breaths shallow, death imminent.

“You deceived me…not a gentleman’s act…”

Deng Zhongzhi summoned his last strength and spat.

“Truth be told, I don’t have much fetal breath left myself… If you’d tried to flee, it would have been hard for me to keep you here. I had no choice but to resort to this, forgive me.”

Chen Heng leaned against a pillar in the hall, bowing slightly. Having used so much fetal breath in one go, even he felt dizzy and lightheaded.

“However, if you’re willing to tell me about Pillar General Tong Gaolu, perhaps I’ll spare your life.”

“Spare me?”

Deng Zhongzhi gave a bitter laugh, his gaze dropping to his belly—split open by lightning, revealing the writhing organs within.

With such wounds, unless a god intervened, no one could save him.

“I’m about to die, and you still try to trick me?”

He struggled and barked coldly.

Chen Heng smiled in silence.

“Second Son…”

Deng Zhongzhi mustered the last of his strength and looked at Tong Yi, seeing his dazed and pitiful state. He sighed inwardly.

The one who killed him acted decisively, caring nothing for appearance or reputation—a ruthless and merciless man.

Such a person, after killing him, would surely not spare Pillar General Tong Gaolu. Tong Yi, weak-minded and unable to withstand torment, might well betray the general’s secrets.

If so—

There was only one option…

Deng Zhongzhi shouted, suddenly grabbing a few fragments of stone and, with his final strength, hurled them at Tong Yi’s head.

But his life was at its end, and Chen Heng intercepted the stones with a sweep of his hand.

“Old Deng…you want to kill me?”

Tong Yi murmured.

Deng Zhongzhi gave no reply. He only cast one last deep look at Chen Heng, then his head slumped, and he was silent forever.

“You—”

Tong Yi’s curse hadn’t left his lips when Chen Heng struck him unconscious with a palm.

“Watch him carefully these days. Don’t let Pillar General Tong Gaolu notice anything amiss.”

“Wait, master!”

Tu Shan Ge blurted anxiously, “We’ve killed the general’s men—shouldn’t we flee now? Why stay at Yang Mountain?”

“Whether to fight or run, we’ll decide in a few days.”

Chen Heng stood with hands behind his back, silent for a while. “Once I break through in Qi refinement, then I’ll decide.”

“What?!”

…

…

Five days later, outside the cave mansion where Chen Heng was in seclusion.

Tu Shan Ge paced restlessly, trampling the few yellowed weeds left after the snow melted again and again, grinding them to dust.

Suddenly, a brilliant light burst forth from the cave. In moments, that radiance rose gently, as if thousands of stardust and fireflies had gathered together, shining in harmony.

“It’s done!”

Tu Shan Ge clapped his hands, joy lighting his face.