Chapter 130: Bone Forging
Chapter 130: Bone Forging
Xu Hongyu's courtyard was where Chen Mu stayed for a long time.
It was past noon when he quietly left.
But before he could return to his own residence, just as he stepped out of the eastern main courtyard, an elderly figure who seemed to have been waiting for a long time approached him. It was the old steward of the Yu Clan, dressed in his servant's attire.
"Marquis Chen, I've been waiting for you for a long time. The master said the northern courtyard isn't suitable for you, so he arranged a new one in the east, slightly more spacious. It's been cleaned, and if you find it unsuitable, you can choose another."
The old steward's aged face wore a kind smile.
As a senior servant who had followed the previous generation's clan head, he had watched over the four generations and even the third generation of the eastern main courtyard's direct descendants. He felt relieved that Xu Hongyu had found a suitable husband.
The last time he saw Chen Mu, he thought that Chen Mu had a good temperament and demeanor, but his talent might not reach the pinnacle. He never expected Chen Mu to comprehend an intent, making him a very suitable match for Xu Hongyu.
"Thank you, Old Yu."
Chen Mu nodded slightly.
Although his marriage with Xu Hongyu wouldn't be finalized soon, it was indeed inappropriate to continue staying in the previous northern courtyard. He had considered moving out of the Yu Clan residence, but the environment in the inner city was unique.
Basically, all suitable residential areas were occupied by the four major families or other affiliated clans. Therefore, aside from the Yu Clan's residence, there was nowhere else to go in the vast inner city unless one moved to the outer city or built an estate outside the city, but those options were not under consideration.
Although staying in the Yu Clan's residence gave him a strange feeling of 'marrying into the family,' as Yu Zuyi had said, in the martial world, one shouldn't be too concerned about such things. Moreover, they were in a critical period, and it was unnecessary to worry about trivial matters. In the future, he would definitely not limit himself to just Yu City, and wherever he stayed would only be temporary.
As for whether he would become a lone swordsman roaming the world or a lord ruling over a region, Chen Mu didn't think about it because it was still too far away for him. Planning one or two steps ahead was being prepared, but planning dozens of steps ahead was merely idle speculation with no practical significance.
A moment later, Chen Mu followed the old steward to the new eastern courtyard, located behind East Main Street. It was a multi-layered, nested courtyard, far larger than the previous one, requiring at least a dozen servants to clean and maintain daily.
Moreover, this courtyard was not far from the eastern main residence, essentially within the Yu Clan's core area. Those living nearby were either direct descendants of the Yu Clan or more valued side branches.
"I've arranged some servants for the outer courtyard, but for the inner courtyard's maids, you can either purchase them yourself or ask Xiao He to select some. I'm sure you'll be satisfied with her choices."
The old steward led Chen Mu around the courtyard with a smile.
The outer courtyard had few servants, but the inner courtyard's maids and attendants were not suitable for casual arrangement due to their close proximity. Thus, Chen Mu would personally make the selection.
Chen Mu took a quick look at the inner courtyard and decided that there was no need for additional servants. The three maids, Ku'er, Le'er, and Xiao He, were sufficient, as he didn't have many places that required attendance, and more servants might even be a hassle.
Next was the move.
Since it was within the Yu Clan's residence, it wasn't considered a significant relocation, and there was no need to choose an auspicious date. Chen Mu didn't have many belongings to move, and they were quickly transferred to the new courtyard.
"So, your brother's marriage with Sister Hongyu is settled?"
Naturally, Chen Yue followed and moved to the new courtyard, which was multi-layered and nested, with several inner courtyards. She had her own private inner courtyard, and after settling in, she ran to Chen Mu's room, looking at him with blinking eyes.
"Hmm."
Chen Mu, who was organizing his room, smiled upon hearing Chen Yue's words, "You've always wanted to know who your future sister-in-law would be, and now you finally know?"
Chen Yue looked at Chen Mu and muttered softly, "Sister Hongyu is great, but... what about Sister Ru?"
She and Yu Ru were now like sisters, and she knew that initially, Yu Ru might not have had any feelings for Chen Mu. However, after Xu Hongyu asked her and made a trip to the southern district, she developed some affection for Chen Mu.
As a result, Xu Hongyu, who initially might have arranged for Yu Ru to marry Chen Mu, ended up marrying him herself, leaving Yu Ru in a difficult situation. Chen Yue didn't know how Yu Ru would feel when she found out.
Chen Mu heard Chen Yue's muttering.
Or perhaps, she muttered on purpose to speak for Yu Ru.
"She's still young."
Chen Mu paused for a moment before speaking.
He felt that initially, he treated Yu Ru more like a younger sister, and Xu Hongyu treated Yu Ru almost like a real sister. He would naturally protect Yu Ru in the future.
Thinking of this, Chen Mu couldn't help but smile. Anyway, he wouldn't help mediate; after all, Xu Hongyu didn't consider Yu Ru at the beginning and only wanted to arrange a Yu Clan girl for him.
Finally, after tidying up the room, Chen Mu turned to Chen Yue and said, "That's enough, stop looking. I'm going to cultivate now."
Chen Yue stuck out her tongue and left Chen Mu's room.
After sending Chen Yue away, Chen Mu went to the utility room next to the entrance of his courtyard. Inside, there was a burning stove, and Chen Mu took out various medicinal ingredients, placing them into the stove one by one according to the Bone Forging Pill recipe.
The Bone Forging Method, compared to the Sinew Transformation Method, has fewer variations, but it is slightly more complex. It requires not only the internal consumption of Bone Forging Pills and external application of Bone Forging Ointments but also the practice of a specific set of fist techniques to strengthen the bones and enhance the absorption of the medicine.
Tiger Demon Bone Forging Fist.
This is the method that Chen Mu carefully studied while tending to the furnace.
The entire Bone Forging Method is also known as the Tiger Demon Bone Forging Method, considered the best among its kind. It was created based on the 'Tiger Demon,' a high-tier demonic beast, and the medicinal powder used for bone forging includes a Tiger Demon Marrow, which is extremely expensive. Even with Chen Mu's current wealth, purchasing it would still be a bit of a financial strain.
After all, he couldn't possibly sell the large piece of Flame Jade, and the actual cash he had on hand was only a few tens of thousands of taels. A single portion of Tiger Demon Marrow was worth hundreds of taels of silver, and according to this medicinal recipe, the monthly expense would be close to a few hundred taels of silver.
It's true that the rich focus on martial arts while the poor focus on academics.
There are indeed cheaper and simpler Bone Forging Methods, but they are not as effective as the Tiger Demon Bone Forging Method. Chen Mu, at this point, would not choose an inferior training method.
"The Bone Forging Realm, similarly, has the stages of Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, and Perfection."
"And just like the Skin Tempering and Muscle Transformation, the Bone Forging Realm also has a limit. Although it is not described in detail in the Tiger Demon Bone Forging Method, I have seen it in the Grand Xuan Martial Arts Manual. It is said that if one cultivates the Bone Forging Realm to its limit, they can develop a 'Jade Bone' body. With bones as strong as jade, even if the corpse is left in the wild, exposed to the elements, it will remain uncorrupted for a thousand years!"
This is the correct version from the 1619 edition!
A faint light appeared in Chen Mu's eyes.
Ordinary people's corpses, if not properly handled and buried, will quickly decay and turn to dust. Only those who have reached the Bone Forging Realm can have their corpses remain intact for a long time after death.
However, to achieve the level of remaining uncorrupted for a thousand years, one must cultivate the Bone Forging Realm to its limit and develop Jade Bones.
However, it is extremely difficult for ordinary people to reach that stage. Among those who cultivate the Bone Forging Realm, only one in a million can achieve Jade Bones, and those who do will inevitably enter the Five Viscera Realm.
A martial artist's ability to enter the Five Viscera Realm is closely related to their blood and energy. Generally, the younger and more robust their blood and energy, the easier it is to break through to the Five Viscera Realm. Conversely, the older and weaker their blood and energy, the more challenging it becomes.
Typically, after the age of thirty-five, the likelihood of entering the Five Viscera Realm significantly decreases, and by the age of forty, it becomes nearly impossible.
But accumulating blood and energy takes time.
One can either hunt demons, consume their blood essence, and refine it to enhance their blood and energy, or follow Chen Mu's path, meticulously cultivating each realm to perfection and maximizing their blood and energy.
The vast majority of martial artists often choose the former path, as it is extremely challenging to cultivate each realm to perfection without special body constitutions. It can take years, sometimes three to five, or even seven to eight years, which may hinder the progress of Body Tempering Techniques and prevent them from even achieving Bone Forging. Not to mention entering the Five Viscera Realm or higher.
"In Yu City and its surrounding areas, there are still some born with Copper Skin in each generation, but those with Copper Skin and Thick Flesh, achieving a Vajra Body, are extremely rare. They are usually recruited by the Seven Mysteries Sect."
"Only those born with exceptional constitutions who can easily cultivate Skin Tempering and Muscle Transformation to perfection are qualified to immerse themselves in the Bone Forging Realm for an extended period."
Chen Mu pondered.
In Yu City and its surrounding areas, in the past for creating Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound or achieving the Jade Bone Realm.
However, for those from prestigious sects like Sky Sword Harmony and Blood Concealment Mystic, the outstanding individuals among them undoubtedly possess exceptional talent and stand above countless others. Their competition lies in the depth of their cultivation at each realm.
After all, as the Grand Xuan Martial Arts Manual states, the Skin Tempering, Muscle Transformation, Sinew Transformation, and Bone Forging Realms, whether cultivated to perfection or not, not only affect the difficulty of entering the Five Viscera Realm but also significantly influence the strength of martial artists after entering the Five Viscera Realm.
In Yu City, those who have entered the Five Viscera Realm are already considered top-notch figures. Such distinctions in strength are not of great importance.
But if we broaden our perspective to an entire province or multiple provinces, the true geniuses who can enter higher realms, the depth of their cultivation at each realm, becomes the focus.
"Alright."
Chen Mu put down the small booklet and turned his gaze towards the furnace. Inside the medicinal pot, a thick, silver-gray liquid resembling mercury had been simmering.
Chen Mu picked up the medicinal pot and entered the room on the west side of the yard, separated by partitions and devoid of windows, creating a dim, quiet chamber. This was the training room he had arranged, off-limits to others.
Quickly removing his clothes.
He took out a Bone Forging Pill and consumed it.
Then, he reached into the medicinal pot, and while it was still hot, he scooped out a handful of the silver-gray, viscous liquid. It felt extremely sticky, like glue, as he applied it to specific areas of his body according to the diagram in his memory.
Soon, his entire body was covered in the sticky, silver-gray ointment, resembling a gray statue, except for a few exposed areas, immobile and solidified.
Wherever the ointment was applied, white mist rose.
(End of Chapter)
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