https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-126-The-One-Breath-Staff-Technique/12619043/
Chapter 125: Another Relocation, Changes, and Taking on a Master
"Brother Lu Qing, you're back?" Ma Gu greeted Lu Qing with a relieved smile when he returned to Dajie.
He had been worried sick during Lu Qing's absence, which lasted over half a shift. Now, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Mhm," Lu Qing nodded. "Are Madam Wei and the others alright?"
"They're fine, just a little shaken up. Brother Lu Qing, what about that young man in white...?" Ma Gu asked.
"Taken care of," Lu Qing replied nonchalantly.
Ma Gu's heart skipped a beat. Although he had anticipated this outcome, hearing it confirmed by Lu Qing still shocked him.
That young man was an Inner Organ Realm cultivator. With his death, Lu Qing had now defeated two Inner Organ Realm experts, an astonishing feat.
While the mysterious creature likely played a significant role, it was clear that it was under Lu Qing's command, so this achievement could be attributed to his strength as well.
"Right, Uncle Ma, this place is no longer safe. We'll have to relocate Madam Wei and the others," Lu Qing said.
The Black Wolf Gang had not bothered to conceal their tracks this time. Once the county town noticed their disappearance, they would undoubtedly send people to investigate.
And that investigation would lead them straight to Dajie.
"But where can we move them to?" Ma Gu asked, troubled.
He knew that keeping Madam Wei and the others in the house was no longer a safe option, but he couldn't think of another place to hide them.
Lu Qing was equally perplexed. Madam Wei and her son were like hot potatoes now. Wherever they went, they might bring disaster to the locals.
Unless they found someone unafraid of a Precelestial Realm expert like Wang Cangyi, someone who would dare to shelter them.
After some thought, Lu Qing said, "It seems the only option we have left is to hide them in the mountains."
It would be easy to hide someone in the vast mountains. Now that Madam Wei's injuries had healed, as long as they prepared adequately, they should be able to stay in the mountains for a while without issue.
"I suppose that's our only choice," Ma Gu nodded. "Let's go ask for Madam Wei's opinion."
The two men entered the secret room.
"Young Master Lu (Young Doctor Lu)!"
Madam Wei and her son were overjoyed to see Lu Qing.
They had been surprised and worried when Ma Gu told them that Lu Qing had gone to pursue the enemy. Now, they were relieved to see him back safely.
"Madam, young master," Lu Qing acknowledged with a nod. "The villains outside have been dealt with for now, but it's clear that it's no longer safe for you and the young master to stay here..."
Lu Qing shared his idea of relocating them to a safer place.
Madam Wei pondered for a moment before agreeing.
Now that their tracks might be exposed, staying here was not only unsafe but could also bring disaster to the people nearby. Relocating was the best option.
With Madam Wei's consent, the rest was easy.
The group quickly packed the essential supplies, and Lu Qing and Ma Gu carried the bundles, leading Madam Wei and her son out through the secret underground passage from the room.
Before leaving, Ma Gu also instructed Xiao Tian and the others to temporarily close down Dajie and find places to lie low for a while.
Exiting the passage, Lu Qing and the others found themselves in the mountains behind Dajie.
Lu Qing handed the bundle he was carrying to Wei's son and picked up Madam Wei instead. The four of them then ventured deeper into the mountains.
After searching for a while, Lu Qing finally found a secluded cave, perched on a cliff over ten meters high in a valley.
They cleaned the cave, making it a temporary shelter for Madam Wei and her son.
Afterward, Lu Qing sprinkled a bag of powder at the cave entrance.
"Madam, I'm afraid you'll have to make do here for now. This powder repels insects, beasts, and snakes. With it, most wild creatures won't dare to come close," Lu Qing explained.
Once everything was settled, he added, "I'll bring you supplies every once in a while. Let me know if there's anything you need."
With Madam Wei and her son settled, Lu Qing prepared to leave. He wouldn't stay in the valley, but Ma Gu would remain with them.
Otherwise, with their lack of survival skills in the wilderness, it was unlikely that Madam Wei and her son would last more than a few days.
Chapter: "A Friend in Need"
"Brother Lu Qing, let me see you out."
Ma Gu suddenly spoke up as they reached the cave entrance.
"Alright," Lu Qing replied without objection.
The two leaped down from the cave entrance, landing gracefully at the bottom of the valley.
There was actually a soft ladder made of old vines at the entrance, but with their skills, they had no need for it.
"Uncle Ma, I noticed that your movements seem more agile and powerful. Have you almost reached the minor achievement of the Sinew Realm?" Lu Qing asked, appraising Ma Gu.
"You indeed have a sharp eye, Lu Qing. Indeed, after my encounter with that youth in the leather armor, I had a realization and comprehended some of the secrets of the Sinew Realm's minor achievement." Ma Gu smiled in response.
He also felt a sense of luck in this matter.
During his desperate escape from the youth in the leather armor, he had pushed his body to its limits, squeezing out every ounce of strength he possessed.
Unexpectedly, his near-death experience unlocked his potential, bringing him to the cusp of the Sinew Realm's minor achievement.
However, due to his injured shoulder, he had not been able to focus on cultivating lately, and thus, he had not fully entered that realm.
"That's wonderful news! I don't have anything valuable on hand, but please accept this bottle of pills as a token of my congratulations." Lu Qing retrieved a white porcelain bottle and tossed it to Ma Gu.
Ma Gu was caught off guard by Lu Qing's sudden gesture and fumbled to catch the bottle.
He asked in surprise, "Brother Lu Qing, what kind of pills are these?"
"These are the three Bone Forging Pills that Madam Wei gave me before. They are quite beneficial for Sinew Realm cultivators." Lu Qing explained.
Indeed, the pills Lu Qing gave Ma Gu were the very same ones Wei's family had given him as a token of their gratitude.
"Bone Forging Pills?" Ma Gu's eyes widened in shock as he heard the name of the renowned pills.
How could he not have heard of such precious pills that aided Sinew Realm cultivators in their training?
"Brother Lu Qing, these are too valuable," Ma Gu exclaimed, overwhelmed.
"It's no trouble. These pills are of no use to me now, and keeping them would be a waste. You should take them," Lu Qing insisted.
The primary effect of the Bone Forging Pills was to assist Sinew Realm cultivators in their training, helping them unlock their sinew potential.
However, Lu Qing had already consumed the Earth Vein Spirit Liquid, an extremely rare and potent elixir. On top of that, he had absorbed the white mist of primal energy that had condensed from the rules of heaven and earth during his master's breakthrough.
His talent and potential had already reached their limit due to these extraordinary experiences.
While the Bone Forging Pills were indeed valuable, they would have little effect on enhancing his potential any further. Even for supplementary training, he had better options, such as the Sinew and Muscle Transforming Pills.
Therefore, the Bone Forging Pills held little value for Lu Qing, and he would rather give them to Ma Gu.
Lu Qing held Ma Gu in high regard and considered him a worthwhile friend. He was more than happy to lend a helping hand to aid Ma Gu in his cultivation journey.
"Brother Lu Qing, then... I will gladly accept your generous gift." Ma Gu held the bottle tightly, deeply touched.
A precious pill like the Bone Forging Pill was something even their Ma family did not possess.
Only major sects and influential clans had the means to refine such pills.
Ordinary minor powers would have to pay a hefty price to acquire them.
Although Ma Gu held a respectable position in his clan, he was not of the main lineage, and thus, he could not justify asking his family to spend a fortune on such expensive cultivation resources for him.
Now, Lu Qing had offered him these invaluable pills without hesitation, and Ma Gu's heart was filled with gratitude.
"Enough, since we are friends, there's no need for excessive thanks. Also, Uncle Ma, remember that these Bone Forging Pills must only be consumed after you have officially entered the Sinew Realm's minor achievement and stabilized your foundation. Otherwise, the potent effects of the pills could do more harm than good," Lu Qing cautioned.
"I will keep that in mind," Ma Gu acknowledged, surprised to learn about this caveat regarding the pills.
"Then I'll take my leave. I'll visit again in a few days. You two should rest and recuperate here for now." With that, Lu Qing employed his agile movement technique and disappeared into the valley with a few swift leaps.
Ma Gu stood there for a moment, watching Lu Qing's retreating figure, before climbing back up the vine ladder to the cave.
"Ma Gu, has Lu Qing left?" Wei's son inquired.
"Yes, he said he'll visit us again in a few days," Ma Gu replied.
"What's that in your hand?" Wei's son noticed the bottle Ma Gu was holding.
"These are the Bone Forging Pills that Lu Qing gave me. He said they were a gift from your Wei family," Ma Gu explained without hesitation.
"Bone Forging Pills? Didn't Lu Qing take those pills?" Wei's wife asked, surprised.
She had personally selected those pills from their mansion's pharmacy, and she was astonished to learn that Lu Qing hadn't consumed them.
Chapter: "A Disciple's Request"
"Brother Ma Gu, those pills weren't of much use to Lu Qing anymore, so he gave them to me instead." Ma Gu explained.
Wei Furen remained silent for a moment.
Previously, in the secret room, she had heard Ma Gu mention that Lu Qing's martial arts cultivation had likely reached the Minor Achievement of the Sinew Realm.
She had been greatly surprised and wondered if the Bone Forging Pills she had given had played a significant role in Lu Qing's progress.
Unexpectedly, Lu Qing hadn't consumed those pills at all.
Now, their Wei family owed Lu Qing an even greater debt of gratitude.
Wei Furen was deep in thought, and beside her, Wei Xiaogongzi also wore a conflicted expression.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke up, "Uncle Ma, can you teach me how to practice martial arts?"
"Young Master, what did you say?" Ma Gu wondered if he had heard wrong.
"I said, can you teach me how to practice martial arts?" Wei Xiaogongzi repeated, his initial embarrassment fading as he continued, "After tomorrow, I don't know if my mother and I will be able to return to the Wei family safely. If evil people find us and try to take us away, what should I do? Should I just stand by and watch you fight them alone while I hide like a useless coward? I don't want to be like that anymore. I want to have the power to protect my mother myself. So, Uncle Ma, please teach me. I promise I can endure any hardship or exhaustion."
Ma Gu looked at Wei Xiaogongzi in surprise. Wei Furen, too, gazed at her son with wide, beautiful eyes, unable to believe what she was hearing.
She never expected her son to make such a request.
In the past, An'er had always hated practicing martial arts. He would complain about the slightest hardship and couldn't bear to persevere. He was always lazy and tried to skip out on training. Moreover, the martial arts teachers in the mansion didn't dare to force him, so they had no choice but to give in to him.
As a result, even with the resources of the Wei family, An'er had only managed to barely cultivate to the Qi and Blood Realm, learning some superficial moves. He had no real combat skills.
Now, hearing her son proactively asking to learn martial arts, Wei Furen's heart was filled with astonishment. Looking at the seriousness in her son's eyes and the stubble on his face, she realized that the trials of these past days had transformed him. His entire demeanor was different from before.
Feeling both gratified and moved, Wei Furen stood up and bowed deeply to Ma Gu as well. "Uncle Ma, since An'er has this intention, I, as his mother, also humbly request that you accept his plea. I can have him perform the disciple ceremony for you."
"Madam, please don't! I don't deserve such an honor!" Ma Gu exclaimed, flustered and waving his hands in refusal.
The disciple ceremony was not a casual ritual. It was a formal acknowledgment of a master-disciple relationship.
In other words, Wei Furen intended for her son to truly become Ma Gu's disciple.
The thought of becoming the teacher of the young master of the Wei family made Ma Gu break out in a cold sweat. He didn't dare even consider it.
"There's no harm in it. Your righteousness knows no bounds, Uncle Ma. You risked your life multiple times to save us, and such virtue is rarely seen in this world. It would be An'er's fortune to have you as his teacher," Wei Furen earnestly pleaded.
"Madam, please don't praise me so highly. I know my own capabilities," Ma Gu said, his face reddening as he smiled wryly. "But if the young master truly wants to learn martial arts, I can teach him without any problem, as long as you and the young master don't mind my mediocre skills."
"An'er, thank Uncle Ma quickly," Wei Furen urged.
"Thank you, Master!" Wei Xiaogongzi immediately knelt down and kowtowed deeply several times to Ma Gu, his voice loud and clear.
"This... This..." Ma Gu was taken aback as he hadn't expected Wei Xiaogongzi to kneel and kowtow so decisively.
By the time he wanted to stop him, the young master had already finished.
Ma Gu stood there, feeling dazed. He hadn't quite processed how he had suddenly become Wei Xiaogongzi's master.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
