152: The Path of Martial Arts

Two more days passed, and the wooden door of the small courtyard in Yuqian Lane was knocked upon.

Shi Poyue opened the door to find a Disciple dressed in the dark red martial attire of the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall standing outside. His face was tense, and he held an ebony box in his hands.

"Is Young Hero Chen Linsheng here?" the Disciple asked, his voice dry and his expression complex.

Chen Linsheng walked out from inside the house. The gauze on his right palm had been removed, and the wound was mostly healed, leaving only a faint red mark. He looked at the visitor with a calm expression. "I am."

The Disciple took a deep breath and offered the ebony box with both hands. "My Young Hall Master ordered me to deliver this. He requests that Young Hero Chen open it personally."

Chen Linsheng took the box; it felt heavy in his hands. He did not open it on the spot, simply saying, "Thank you for your trouble."

The Disciple seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, yet he couldn't help but whisper, "Since returning to the hall that day, the Young Hall Master has kept himself behind closed doors. Three days ago, he was finally able to walk, and then he locked himself in a Quiet Room... Young Hero Chen, though my Young Hall Master has a fiery temper, he..." He gritted his teeth, but ultimately did not finish his sentence. He cupped his fists in a salute and turned to leave in a hurry.

Shi Poyue closed the door and leaned in. "Junior Brother Chen, what is that fellow Yan Chen up to now? It couldn't be a hidden weapon, could it?"

Chen Linsheng shook his head and carried the box back into the house. Su Wan was organizing medicinal herbs and looked up as she saw them enter.

The ebony box had no lock, only a scarlet gold fire-patterned clasp sealing it. Chen Linsheng pressed lightly with his thumb, and the spring-loaded clasp popped open.

There were no traps or hidden weapons inside the box. Instead, there was only a plain white challenge letter written in cinnabar. The brushstrokes were as sharp as a blade, yet they lacked his usual frantic aggression, instead exuding a steady, concentrated edge.

Chen Linsheng unfolded the challenge letter, and Su Wan and Shi Poyue leaned in to read it as well.

"To Chen Linsheng:

The Chaos at the Drill Ground meant our battle was left unfinished. In ten days, during the final match of the Martial Examination, we shall decide the victor upon the arena stage.

This is not out of personal grudge, nor is it a clash of egos. Golden Body against Hunyuan, Blazing Sun against Chaos—it seems our Cultivation Techniques share a common origin, yet also seem to counter one another. I have spent three days in secluded cultivation, and the more I ponder it, the deeper my doubts grow.

Regarding the ten-move agreement at the Hidden Dragon Banquet, I underestimated my enemy first. In our duel at the Drill Ground, I was restless and impulsive, forcibly triggering an incomplete technique and bringing about my own defeat. However, seeing you break through the formation to save the crowd amidst the Chaos, though I am unwilling, I must admit—your strength, Heart-Nature, and Foundation are indeed superior to mine.

Therefore, this challenge is not a fight to the death, but a questioning of our paths.

The winner shall catch a glimpse of a higher path; the loser shall also come to understand their own shortcomings.

If you agree, we shall meet at the arena during the hour of the Dragon in ten days. We shall discuss the Dao through martial arts and clarify our hearts through battle.

Respectfully, Yan Chen."

The challenge letter was not long, and every word was clear.

Shi Poyue's eyes widened. "This... Yan Chen wrote this? Has he changed his nature? He actually admitted he's not as good as Senior Brother Chen?"

Su Wan read it carefully and said softly, "Between the lines, his pride remains, but there is a newfound clarity. It seems he realized something from his severe injuries and overexertion that day, and he has doubts about his own technique... A Sheng, what do you think?"

Chen Linsheng's fingers brushed over the cinnabar writing on the paper; it felt slightly rough. He remained silent for a moment before folding the challenge letter and placing it back in the box.

"He is right," Chen Linsheng said slowly. "Golden Body and Hunyuan, Blazing Sun and Chaos... there is indeed a connection. When he activated the 'Blazing Sun Golden Body' that day, the Hunyuan Qi and Blood in my body reacted instinctively—it felt like they were repelling each other, yet also attracting each other. If this isn't cleared up, it will be a hidden danger for both him and me."

He looked out the window, his gaze deep. "In ten days, I will keep the appointment."

Shi Poyue scratched his head. "But Senior Brother Chen, your injuries haven't fully healed. How much will you have recovered in ten days? That fellow Yan Chen will surely be cultivating like his life depends on it..."

"Precisely because of that, I must go," Chen Linsheng said calmly. "On the path of a Martial Artist, if one does not advance, one retreats. If he can gain insight from defeat, I should also seek growth through battle."

Su Wan started to say something but stopped, eventually nodding gently. "I will prepare some medicinal soup to nourish your tendons and bones."

...Three more days passed, and it was now dusk.

Chen Linsheng was in the courtyard regulating his breath with the Jade Marrow Guiding Technique. The vitality in his bone marrow gurgled like a spring, and the Qi and Blood throughout his body had recovered by ninety percent. His Realm at the Initial Stage of the Flood Dragon Tendon Realm was completely stabilized, and there were faint signs of further progress.

Knocking sounds came from the door once again.

This time, the visitor was dressed in a moon-white scholar's robe with a jade pendant hanging from his waist and a jade-boned folding fan in his hand. It was Xu Wangshu from Tingtao Academy. He wore a smile and had a gentle temperament, quite different from the calm figure who had played the zither to repel enemies during the bloody battle at the Drill Ground.

"Brother Chen, sorry for the intrusion," Xu Wangshu said, cupping his fists with a gentle tone. "My master wishes to invite Brother Chen and Miss Su to the back garden of Tingyu Pavilion for a chat. I wonder if you would do us the honor?"

Chen Linsheng's eyes flickered... the Headmaster of Tingtao Academy, the one who had remained silent and reserved on the viewing platform during the Martial Examination. This person had a mysterious background and profound knowledge, holding an exalted status in Jiuqu Prefecture; even the Prefecture Governor had to show him great respect.

"Since Brother Xu has come personally to invite us, how could we decline?" Chen Linsheng returned the salute. "I only wonder why the Master has summoned us?"

Xu Wangshu smiled slightly. "My master only said it concerns the ancient Great Dao and the Hunyuan True Body that Brother Chen Cultivates. For the details... please come with me, and my master will explain everything."

He paused before adding, "My master specifically requested that Miss Su come along as well. He said, 'The Path of the Pure Heart also shares a destiny with an ancient Mind-Cultivation Technique, so she may listen in.'"

Chen Linsheng and Su Wan exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness and curiosity in each other's eyes.

"In that case, it would be rude to refuse."

...Tingyu Pavilion was located in the southeast of the prefecture city, built by the water with white walls and green tiles, shaded by bamboo forests. It felt like a world away from the city's hustle and bustle.

Xu Wangshu led the two through the front courtyard corridor to a secluded waterside pavilion in the back garden. The windows on all four sides of the pavilion were open, revealing a pond of emerald water where several koi swam leisurely. The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the water's surface, shimmering like crushed gold.

The Headmaster of Tingtao Academy was leaning against the railing, staring blankly at the pond water.

He looked to be about forty years old, with a lean face and a three-strand beard. He wore a simple green scholar's robe with an ancient bronze fragment hanging from his waist. His aura was as calm as water, as if he had merged with the pavilion, the bamboo forest, and the dusk.

"Master, Young Hero Chen and Miss Su have arrived," Xu Wangshu reported softly.

The Headmaster of Tingtao Academy turned around, looked at Chen Linsheng and Su Wan with a gentle gaze, and smiled slightly. "Little Friend Chen, Miss Su, please sit."

Inside the pavilion was only a stone table and four stone stools. Chen Linsheng and Su Wan took their seats as instructed, while Xu Wangshu stood attendance by Young Master Yu's side.

"Brother Xu, please sit as well," Chen Linsheng said.

The Headmaster of Tingtao Academy waved his hand. "Wangshu is my Disciple; there is no need for such formalities. I invited you both here today because I have a few words I wish to speak with Little Friend Chen in all honesty."

He personally poured tea for the two; the tea was clear and green, with a distant and faint fragrance.

"I am already fully aware of the events of the Martial Examination," Young Master Yu said, getting straight to the point. "Little Friend Chen broke through the formation amidst the Chaos; your Heart-Nature, courage, and Foundation are all top-tier. Even more rare is that the Hunyuan True Body you Cultivate has countless connections to a certain lost Great Dao of ancient times."

Chen Linsheng's heart jolted, but he remained outwardly composed. "I ask the Master for clarification."

The Headmaster of Tingtao Academy took a sip of tea and said slowly, "In ancient times, the path of martial arts flourished, and many sects emerged. Among them was a lineage that focused solely on cultivating the Physical Body, without relying on external objects or the world, seeking only to make one's own body perfect and flawless, unified as a Hunyuan. This lineage was known as 'Body Cultivators' or the 'Path of the Physical Body.' Those who reached its peak could achieve Sainthood through their physical bodies, be reborn from a single drop of blood, and shatter stars with a punch."

His gaze fell on Chen Linsheng. "The core philosophy of the 'Hunyuan True Body' you Cultivate—'Hunyuan as one, a solid Foundation'—happens to align with the Legacy of this lineage. It's just that the Legacy you obtained seems incomplete, or perhaps it was simplified and adapted by later generations, losing its true essence."

Chen Linsheng was silent for a moment before saying, "The Master is indeed knowledgeable. The 'Hunyuan True Body' this Junior obtained was indeed something I comprehended myself from basic Stance Training, and the subsequent techniques were also supplemented through my own deductions. I did not know of its ancient origins."

"Self-comprehended..." A look of surprise flashed in the Headmaster's eyes, quickly turning into admiration. "Remarkable. To be able to deduce an incomplete Legacy all the way to the Jiaojin Realm on your own, and with such a robust Foundation, your Comprehension Ability and Physique are truly extraordinary."

He paused, his tone becoming solemn. "Little Friend Chen, I invited you here today to remind you of one thing—Army Breaker Manor is not your only choice, nor is it necessarily the most suitable choice for you to unearth your potential."

Chen Linsheng's gaze sharpened.

The Headmaster continued, "Army Breaker Manor emphasizes slaughter, military formations, and efficiency. Its Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills mostly follow a fierce and overbearing path. While this doesn't conflict with your Hunyuan Foundation, it's also difficult for them to complement each other. Furthermore, Army Breaker Manor is a major sect with strict rules and many constraints on one's actions. You possess the secrets of the ancient Body Cultivators; if you enter Army Breaker Manor, I fear it will be hard to hide your brilliance, and it may easily stir up trouble."

"Then what is the Master's meaning?" Chen Linsheng asked.

The Headmaster of Tingtao Academy took out a yellowed parchment manual from his sleeve and placed it gently on the stone table.