Chapter 40: Returning Home
Chapter 40: Returning Home
"It seems your talent is indeed impressive, not an exaggeration as you claimed."
Chen Mu smiled.
Chen Yue shook her head and blinked her big eyes at Chen Mu, saying, "Brother is truly amazing. He was able to cultivate the Blade Aura on his own. I didn't realize it before, but now I understand how difficult it is..."
She didn't finish her sentence. Only after hearing the martial artists and her sisters in the academy talk about it did she realize that Chen Mu had an exceptionally high level of comprehension. Unfortunately, he started his Body Tempering Technique a few years later than most, and it would be challenging for him to enter the Sinew Transformation in the future.
If Chen Mu had started his cultivation at the age of fifteen or sixteen, like her, he would have not only cultivated the Blade Aura by now but also reached at least the Mastery level in Muscle Training. By the time he turned twenty-five, he would have undoubtedly perfected his Muscle Training, giving him a great chance to enter the Sinew Transformation.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
Back then, Chen Mu and Chen Yue were poor commoners who could only huddle together under a quilt to keep warm during the harsh winter. They lacked the financial means and ability to practice the Body Tempering Technique until now, when he finally made a name for himself through his blade skills. But he had already wasted the best years for cultivation.
Chen Yue's training at the martial arts academy was rigorous, perhaps the most diligent in the entire women's academy. She not only understood that the opportunity to learn martial arts at the Yu Family Martial Academy was hard-earned but also that it was made possible by Chen Mu's hard work and sacrifice.
Chen Mu had missed out on many years, but the timing was just right for her.
Perhaps Chen Mu also had regrets in his heart, she thought. That's why she wasn't just cultivating for herself but also carrying Chen Mu's regrets and expectations. Every moment of her training was precious, and she was unwilling to waste any of it.
Of course, she couldn't express these thoughts to Chen Mu.
"In your letter, you mentioned that your comprehension is excellent, and even the academy's teachers praised you. Don't you have the confidence to cultivate the Sword Aura?" Chen Mu asked, genuinely unaware of Chen Yue's thoughts. If he had known, he might have just laughed it off. It was good to give her some extra motivation. He smiled as he looked at Chen Yue.
Chen Yue straightened her small but slightly developed chest and said, "Of course I have confidence. Brother, don't underestimate me. In a few years, I might even surpass you!"
"Alright, I'll wait and see." Chen Mu smiled faintly and then took out a small cloth pouch filled with gold leaves from his pocket and handed it to Chen Yue.
As soon as Chen Yue held it in her hand, she knew what was inside. Hesitantly, she said, "I don't really need much silver here. The academy provides all the resources for cultivation, so you should keep it, brother..."
She tried to return the pouch to Chen Mu.
But Chen Mu shook his head slightly and said, "I'm not very familiar with the academy's affairs, but even if they provide cultivation resources, it's likely to be on a fixed schedule and in limited quantities. They won't offer additional supplements. This money is nothing to me right now. You keep it, and if you need more, just write to me."
The silver coins in his hand were sufficient for the time being, and with the assistance of the system interface for his cultivation, Chen Yue needed to focus on building a solid foundation. Even at the age of fifteen or sixteen, every additional nourishing meal for her Qi and blood would be beneficial.
"Really?" Chen Yue asked, her small hand tugging at the cloth pouch with hesitation.
She knew that Chen Mu had become a Senior Patrol Officer and was different from before. When she squeezed the pouch, she immediately felt the gold leaves inside, which were worth at least two hundred silver coins. Although she had seen plenty of gold leaves in the academy and others casually took them out, she had only recently escaped her impoverished life a few months ago.
"Why would I lie to you?" Chen Mu chuckled and patted Chen Yue's head twice. "Alright, go on now. I'll visit you again when I have time, or you can come find me once your skills have improved."
Generally, in the Outer City, reaching the Mastery level in Skin Tempering and Skill Mastery indicated a certain level of proficiency. Many Senior Patrol Officers in the City Guard were around this level. However, as a girl, Chen Yue would face more challenges in this world. She needed to cultivate to at least the Perfected level in Skin Tempering to have some self-protection abilities. Chen Mu wasn't worried about the martial arts academy, and Chen Yue was also sensible and wouldn't go running around recklessly.
Chen Yue hesitated for a moment, then put away the little pouch and reluctantly bid farewell to Chen Mu.
Chen Mu watched as Chen Yue returned to the Martial Academy, only turning away once the door closed behind her. He soon disappeared into the winding alleys.
On the other side, within the Martial Academy, a girl around Chen Yue's age with fair skin and delicate features, clearly born into a wealthy family, was peeking through the door crack. She whispered to Chen Yue, "Yueyue, that's your brother, right?"
"Yes," Chen Yue replied.
Chen Yue tugged at Yu Ru and started walking back.
Yu Ru allowed herself to be pulled along, tilting her head slightly as she spoke, "Did he really cultivate his Blade Aura on his own? In our academy and even next door, many disciples have been forced by the master to train, but they still can't cultivate it after several years. No wonder Xu Hongyu values him."
Unfortunately, Chen Mu hadn't been training in this academy since a young age; otherwise, he would undoubtedly be in the inner academy by now. In the future, he would be as influential as Xu Hongyu, capable of standing on his own. Moreover, when she had secretly glanced at Chen Yue earlier, she did bear a slight resemblance to him, and his brows exuded a hint of heroic spirit.
"Alright, let's go back to practice. Otherwise, the master will scold us later," Chen Yue said, pulling Yu Ru into the inner courtyard.
...
Chen Mu had sent some silver to Chen Yue and saw that she was indeed doing well at the Yu Family Martial Academy in the inner city, so he felt completely at ease and soon returned to the outer city without lingering in the inner city.
However, Yu City was vast, and by the time he made the round trip, the sky had already darkened.
But Chen Mu was fearless. Even in the late-night outer city, he had often wandered around wearing his night traveler's robe, and very few things could truly threaten him.
At his level of Muscle Cultivation, he was almost invincible against anyone.
Only someone like Xu Hongyu, who had stepped into the Sinew Transformation realm, could pose a threat to him.
But how many people were there like that? Xu Hongyu! The grand Southern City District Guard General Office Commander! In the entire Southern City, there was only one person like her.
As for the various mixed gangs and powers below, their leaders were mostly at the peak of Muscle Mastery with perfected techniques. To reach the Sinew Transformation realm was nearly impossible.
The reason was simple. Those who possessed the Sinew Transformation realm and perfected techniques could stand alone anywhere. They wouldn't stoop to being a gang leader; instead, they could proudly join the inner city's powers. Even if they couldn't become a commander, they could still become a deputy commander or hold other positions.
Walking through the dimly lit streets, Chen Mu strode with the grace of a tiger, his demeanor indifferent.
At this hour, the streets were mostly empty, and the occasional passerby was a night prowler like a thief or gang member. Seeing Chen Mu in his clean long robe with a knife at his waist, walking boldly through the alleys, they all showed signs of wariness and quickly made way for him.
Although it was difficult to judge one's strength with just a glance, the aura one exuded was very real. Chen Mu's current strength and confidence created an aura that naturally instilled fear in others.
Those who survived long in the underworld relied on their keen eyes, and they could instantly tell that Chen Mu was someone not to be provoked. Naturally, they had no extra thoughts and made way for him.
(End)
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