#41 - Chapter 41 Wang Tieshan's Shock

Immersed in Chen Min's gentle embrace for three days,

the panel remained the same.

There was no particular increase, nor any special decrease.

It didn't care whether it was the first time,

didn't care about status,

didn't care about feelings,

it just counted numbers rigidly.

This allowed Cheng Feng to verify the result.

Indeed, this was Cheng Feng's good fortune, without any other messy requirements.

With the effort of these three days,

he finally completed his goal.

At this time, there were still eleven days before the New Year.

Cheng Feng finally completed his goal ahead of schedule.

And looking at the deeply sleeping Chen Min,

this rare partner,

Cheng Feng was extremely satisfied with the unexpected surprise Chen Min gave him.

Cheng Feng even asked with some jealousy: "Where did you learn this from?"

Chen Min was prepared for this: "I learned it specifically to hook my ex-husband, but now it's only to hook you. My past self is gone. As long as you don't abandon me and Xiaozhu, you can do whatever you want with me."

Facing this somewhat humble woman, Cheng Feng promised: "That won't happen. I still hope you'll give me a son."

"Cai'er should have told you that as long as you bear a child for me, Cheng Feng, regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl, you will all be promoted to concubines. I can't guarantee great wealth, but I can absolutely ensure you have food and clothing."

Chen Min was somewhat moved. Regardless of whether these words were true or false,

Cheng Feng had already said this much, so she could only repay him.

After eating breakfast in House Number One, he practiced calligraphy again.

This could be considered Cheng Feng cultivating his moral character.

Not only was Chen Min tired these past few days, but Cheng Feng, the one actually putting in the effort, was also tired.

There were only four pills left from the second purchase at Yonghe Hall.

Cheng Feng was temporarily preparing to rest for a while and would no longer go to the old doctor to stock up.

He still had one or two taels of silver in his hand.

Cai'er had three taels of silver and some loose change.

Plus the forty taels of savings that had already been accumulated,

it was all enough for the time being.

With this one tael, he should bring some things home!

Cheng Feng was very clear in his heart about what he needed and what his goal was.

He told Xiaoqing to cook more food when she was cooking.

Although Xiaohua and Cui'er could also cook,

Cheng Feng generally paid attention to the safety of pregnant women, and if they didn't have to work, they shouldn't!

Xiaoqing didn't have any objections either.

Basically, only two people were working now, Chen Min and Xiaoqing.

Chen Min was already Cheng Feng's woman, constantly serving Cheng Feng.

Xiaoqing was not yet Cheng Feng's woman, only doing odd jobs, so what else could she say?

Even a small space would manifest the concept of class.

Fortunately, Xiaoqing didn't have so many thoughts. Xiaoqing had suffered a lot after fleeing the war.

Now she only had eating to worry about.

Just like Xiaohua in the beginning.

Cai'er saw all of this.

She didn't say much.

After all, as the first wife,

it wouldn't be good to say too much for a small matter.

Currently, the biggest thing in House Number One was to protect herself until the child was born safely.

These were Cheng Feng's original words.

Cheng Feng didn't want any idiotic things like miscarriages to happen from doing some work.

Otherwise, who would the reading and writing skills, needlework, and cloth be prepared for?

Could it be for Cheng Feng himself?

When lunch was served, Cheng Feng added points to the stance post in his room.

After adding all the points,

he just reached the proficient level.

Feeling the stance post that he had practiced many times in his mind,

the insights accumulated little by little lingered in Cheng Feng's heart.

Finally, in a certain practice, Cheng Feng felt that the knife and his body were breathing in unison, thinking in unison, and moving in the same direction.

Cheng Feng could control this breath, which came from his breathing, and circulate it throughout his body, not letting go of any part.

After surrounding his whole body, his skin slowly oozed blood, and the blood was mixed with wisps of gray substance.

The hunger that Cheng Feng had been waiting for came along with it.

This time, Cheng Feng had Xiaoqing prepare mostly meat dishes.

This allowed him to better replenish his energy.

It was more cost-effective than rice and steamed buns.

Of course, there would also be no shortage of staple foods.

Through the room, the beautiful women outside looked at the inside, their eyes flashing with worry.

Cheng Feng inside was oozing blood all over, and there was also a sour smell.

But even so, Cheng Feng at most wiped his hands on his clothes.

He continued to swallow the food.

The hunger was too intense.

Cheng Feng asked Xiaoqing to add food three times.

Only then did he recover.

He told Xiaoqing to prepare bathwater.

Cheng Feng quietly experienced the realm after the breakthrough.

His skin was more elastic and resilient than before, and even if he punched hard, his fist would not break.

Moreover, looking at the dander on his hands, it was as if he had shed his skin???

Cheng Feng didn't know much about how others made breakthroughs.

He started with the stance post entry and directly used the panel to add points to practice skin.

He hadn't been to the martial arts hall since the panel displayed it, but he was still paying the fees.

Wasn't it for the sake of being a registered disciple?

After becoming a registered disciple, he wouldn't have to pay tuition anymore.

If there were any problems with martial arts practice, he could directly ask the master.

Until he practiced blood and entered the inner sect.

The future was promising!

While taking a bath, he first washed away the dander and then soaked in a tub of water.

Cheng Feng also planned his explanation.

Since entering the martial arts hall in the autumn, Cheng Feng hadn't expected to reach the realms of practicing strength and practicing skin in about three months.

He had only worked a little harder, plus the panel's little bit of help,

and he had achieved such an achievement.

Unfortunately, he was afraid that the master would use his aptitude as an excuse.

The master had already touched his bones.

It was equivalent to the master knowing his details.

So what should he do?

Claim ignorance?

Or say that he accidentally ate an unknown herb?

The corners of Cheng Feng's mouth curled up slightly.

In any case, the fact that he had reached the early stage of practicing skin was already a fact. According to the rules, he should definitely be able to become a registered disciple!

He rested for a day in the afternoon, and Chen Min could also rest.

Cheng Feng was a vigorous young man.

In the long run, anyone would be afraid of not being able to handle it.

He should rest as much as possible.

Early the next morning,

Cheng Feng put on his martial arts hall disciple uniform and went straight to the martial arts hall.

Niu Laoshi and the others were not there, and there were new people in the corner.

He found Qian Ming and said in fear: "Senior Brother Qian, I have been practicing martial arts at home. Yesterday, I suddenly bled all over and even tore off a layer of dander. What's going on?"

Qian Ming exclaimed: "What? Tearing off skin?"

Cheng Feng nodded like a chicken pecking at rice: "Yes, yes, did I practice and develop a problem? I'm bleeding all over."

Qian Ming didn't dare to say for sure. He grabbed Cheng Feng's arm and drew his knife to slash.

Cheng Feng was startled: "What are you doing, Senior Brother Qian? Are you going to chop me?"

Qian Ming said helplessly: "Why would I chop you? I'm testing your skin. If it's elastic and flexible, and doesn't break when the knife passes over it, then you have broken through to practicing skin."

Cheng Feng pretended to stretch out his arm, rolled up his sleeves, and said boldly: "Then come on!"

Qian Ming smiled at Cheng Feng's appearance of regarding death as home, but the matter at hand was important. If he really practiced skin, and Cheng Feng had only been at the martial arts hall for a little more than three months,

wouldn't he be directly accepted into the inner sect by the master?

Qian Ming held the iron knife, and Cheng Feng stretched out his arm. This lively scene attracted the surrounding disciples.

They were noisy and clamoring.

Some questioned,

some disdained,

some focused their attention,

and some inquired about Cheng Feng's information.

All kinds of states emerged.

The iron knife passed over, without sparks.

But the skin had no marks.

Qian Ming knew the importance of the matter.

He pulled Cheng Feng straight to the inner sect.

There were nine inner sect disciples. Some had fallen or disappeared, but their rankings were still retained.

Recording the glory of the martial arts hall's previous disciples.

Wang Tieshan was practicing knife in the inner courtyard.

Hearing Qian Ming's report, he was also greatly surprised.

A little more than three months, less than four months,

breaking through practicing strength to reach practicing skin.

If this was true, then he could be considered a first-class genius in the prefecture city.

He stopped practicing and went straight to the main hall, not even having time to put on his outer clothes.

Cheng Feng looked at the muscular old man wearing only his underpants and no outer clothes,

walking over with heat radiating from his body.

His beard fluttered as if he were an angry lion.

He stood in front of Cheng Feng: "You are Cheng Feng."

Wang Tieshan had long forgotten about the insignificant person whose bones he had touched a few months ago.

Now he was just getting to know him again.

Cheng Feng nodded. Wang Tieshan grabbed Cheng Feng's arm, pinched it, and sensed it with his qi and blood.

He nodded in confirmation: "The stance post as the foundation, the stance post paving the way, pure qi and blood, no breakthrough with strong medicine, solid foundation, indeed a breakthrough only yesterday."

Seeing Wang Tieshan once again giving Cheng Feng a judgment,

Cheng Feng admired the old man in front of him.

Everything was right except for the panel.

Was this life experience or martial arts strength?

Or was it both?

In the path of martial arts, the accomplished are the first.

The master in front of him was the most powerful person Cheng Feng could touch.

Looking at Cheng Feng, Wang Tieshan pondered: "You'll be an adult after the New Year, right?"

Cheng Feng nodded in agreement.

Wang Tieshan was overjoyed. He was about to become an adult, and he had achieved success in cultivation after only coming into contact with martial arts. He was undoubtedly a genius.

"According to the rules of the martial arts hall, there are two paths after practicing skin. Which one do you choose?"

Cheng Feng said directly: "Disciple chooses the second path, to explore the scenery of martial arts."

Wang Tieshan then asked Cheng Feng about his recent situation. Hearing that Cheng Feng had been practicing martial arts at home all along, Wang Tieshan was even more satisfied: "Perhaps this is the seedling I was looking for."

As for the situation when he touched his bones at the beginning, what was that?

Touching bones actually depends on the experience of the bone-touching master.

It comes from years of getting along and touching bones.

But there are always strange bone structures and even pulse structures that ordinary people don't know.

For Wang Tieshan, being able to find a young, stable character, wholeheartedly pursuing martial arts, and a talented heir,

was what Wang Tieshan had been hoping for before his death.

Twenty years of anticipation, perhaps Cheng Feng could really realize it.

Heaven has opened its eyes!

Looking at Cheng Feng, Wang Tieshan had no expression on his face: "Then you will join my sect and become my tenth inner sect disciple!"

Ah?

Ah?

Two surprised exclamations made Wang Tielan's face darken: "What? You're unwilling?"

Cheng Feng quickly explained, "It's not that, Master. Didn't you say my aptitude wasn't good when you examined my bones before? I thought... I'd be content just being a nominal disciple."

He finished speaking with a chuckle.

Wang Tielan glanced past Cheng Feng and looked at Qian Ming: "Do you have a problem?"

Qian Ming hurriedly clasped his fist and bowed his head: "Disciple wouldn't dare. I was just surprised."

"Then what are you waiting for? Go prepare the tea and incense. Today, I will officially accept Cheng Feng as my disciple, and next year, we'll announce it widely," Wang Tielan said angrily.

Qian Ming looked at the somewhat impatient Master and hurriedly accepted the order and left.

Wang Tielan explained to Cheng Feng: "The New Year is almost here, and I expect you'll want to go home for the holidays. We'll go through a simple procedure first, and next year, we'll hold a grand ceremony for you."

Cheng Feng replied with a smile: "Everything will be as Master says."

Wang Tielan chatted with Cheng Feng about his background and family.

Naturally, Cheng Feng truthfully told him, except for the part about the silver.

He only said that the house in the county town was rented.

He even specifically mentioned it was Room Number Two, so if anyone wanted to verify this information, they could confirm the receipts and deposit.

Listening to Cheng Feng say that he had a serious illness in the middle of the year, brushed against death, and seemed to have gained some understanding after waking up,

Wang Tielan seemed to have found the answer to why Cheng Feng's aptitude was mediocre, yet his martial arts realm was so fast.

Some martial arts experts, when encountering a bottleneck and unable to advance, would seek the gap between life and death to temper themselves, hoping to break through.

For ordinary people like Cheng Feng, naturally undergoing the cycle of life and death,

If he truly had such an experience,

Then it would be a classic case of surviving a great disaster and being blessed with good fortune.

Cheng Feng chatted with Wang Tielan about his experiences, never expecting that his experiences would be so beneficial.

It truly was a case of intentionally planting flowers that don't bloom, but unintentionally inserting willows that create shade.

The Master's self-justification also broadened Cheng Feng's horizons.

So, there was such a saying.

Hmm, he would package himself like that in the future.

It would sound impressive.

Qian Ming prepared the tea, incense, and candles.

Wang Tielan sat upright in the main seat of the hall.

Cheng Feng knelt down and kowtowed three times, then offered tea to Wang Tielan.

He said, "Master, please have some tea."

Wang Tielan was satisfied in his heart but didn't show it on his face, only saying a faint "Mm."

Displaying the demeanor of an expert.

It seemed that Cheng Feng's talent only deserved this one "Mm."

Cheng Feng didn't have much experience or understanding.

But he was clear about his own situation.

Low profile, low profile, still low profile.

Just consider everything to be the best arrangement.

He then offered three incense sticks to the Ancestral Master.

The Master led the way in kneeling and bowing.

Wang Tielan said, "The path of martial arts is long, cultivate oneself, cultivate virtue, be diligent and persistent, and this should be the right path."

Cheng Feng acknowledged.

This concluded the simple procedure.

Qian Ming led Cheng Feng to Old Li to take measurements.

The inner disciple's clothing was custom-made.

It would take at least half a month to be ready.

Today was considered over.

From tomorrow onwards, Cheng Feng would be an inner disciple, and the inner sect senior brothers and sisters would teach him.

But Cheng Feng was very flustered.

It would be fine if he really had the talent of a genius.

But he didn't.

Now that his Blessing Points had been used up,

If he were taught new skills, just the basics would expose Cheng Feng's true nature.

But Cheng Feng couldn't resist.

Breaking through Skin Refinement in less than four months, breaking through Skin Refinement before adulthood.

Cheng Feng met both conditions.

If he wasn't a genius, then what were the others?

Cheng Feng felt that the situation was getting out of control.

But fortunately, the Master said that he would hold a grand ceremony next year and invite other fellow practitioners to witness it.

To hold an exchange for the younger generation of martial artists.

It was also a good opportunity for the older generation to gather.

Wang Tielan said a lot, and his reasons were sufficient.

But he didn't see Cheng Feng's somewhat pale face.

If, under Wang Tielan's martial arts arrangements,

His progress was very slow,

Would he die?

Be laughed to death by the younger generation?

Be beaten to death by fellow practitioners with high strength?

Suffer social death in front of the Master?

Cheng Feng's weakness lay in the basics. Practicing martial arts required the panel to record it before he could add points.

Cheng Feng was afraid that his mediocre aptitude would really drag him down.

Cheng Feng was a little flustered inside, but on the surface, he still had to agree to Wang Tielan's request to perform well,

To show those fellow practitioners what he was made of,

To promote the martial arts gym, and other seemingly reasonable requirements.

It wasn't until Wang Tielan released him from the inner hall that Cheng Feng woke up.

Could he return this inner disciple status?

If he couldn't,

He could only rely on the support of the women in his family.

Cheng Feng's kidneys were faintly aching.

His small treasury was faintly aching.

Cheng Feng wailed in his heart.

What else would he have to pay for this inner disciple status?

Wasn't he working so hard in the beginning to save money?

Why was he spending more money after becoming an inner disciple?

Cheng Feng didn't understand.

Cheng Feng was very uncomfortable.

But Cheng Feng still had to do it.

He had to do it successfully.

Cheng Feng was in trouble!