https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-55-The-Noble-of-the-City-Ma-Gu-s-Shock/13688194/
Chapter 56: Seeking to Acquire a War Blade
Feeling the faint but unmistakable surge of Qi energy emanating from Lu Qing’s body, Ma Gu felt his world tremble with shock.
The last time he had seen Lu Qing at the Big Market, the boy had been thin and pale, clearly untrained, with no trace of martial cultivation whatsoever. Now, standing before him, Lu Qing had already become a Qi Xue Jing martial cultivator.
How much time had passed? Less than a month, surely?
In under a month, a frail, untrained youth had transformed into a true martial adept?
This was impossible!
Ma Gu’s long-held beliefs about cultivation were shaken to their core. The sheer speed of Lu Qing’s progress left him stunned.
When Lu Qing had first come to the Big Market, there had been absolutely no sign of any martial training—something Ma Gu, a Jin Gu Jing cultivator, could confirm with certainty. And precisely because of that, the shock was even greater.
He couldn’t fathom how Lu Qing had managed to go from a sickly boy to a fully-fledged martial cultivator in less than a month.
Back then, he himself had begun training at thirteen. It had taken him five long years—until he was eighteen—before he barely achieved Qi Xue Jing status. And even then, it was only thanks to the support of his family.
Even so, he had been considered a promising cultivator within his clan. The elders had praised him for his diligence and steady progress. He had once felt proud of that.
After all, as a member of a collateral branch, he had never received the same level of cultivation resources as those from the main family. To achieve Qi Xue Jing by eighteen was already a sign of real talent.
But now, Ma Gu realized with a jolt, his once-proud cultivation pace was utterly obliterated in Lu Qing’s shadow.
A month—just one month—from being completely untrained to stepping into Qi Xue Jing.
Even the so-called “Zong Shi-grade” prodigies nurtured by the great families in the city, the ones hailed as geniuses, might struggle to match this rate.
Ma Gu stood there, stunned, his expression frozen in disbelief.
Lu Qing, noticing his dazed look, tilted his head slightly. “Ma Ye, are you alright?”
Ma Gu snapped back to reality, forcing himself to calm down before managing a faint smile. “I’m fine. It’s just… seeing how much you’ve changed since we last met—it’s a bit surprising.”
“Oh,” Lu Qing said modestly, “I’ve just been training hard with my master lately—focusing on body conditioning and self-cultivation. After some time, I finally made a little progress. Sorry to show such a small improvement.”
But Ma Gu was left speechless.
If this was just “a little progress,” then what did he, who had spent twenty years barely reaching Jin Gu Jing, qualify as?
Yet a thought struck him—Lu Qing’s master was none other than Chen Laodaifu, the mysterious figure whispered to be a master healer, even praised by the county magistrate himself.
Given such a teacher, perhaps Lu Qing’s astonishing cultivation speed wasn’t so hard to believe after all.
Still, Ma Gu kept his smile intact. “You’re too humble, Lu Xiao Langjun. To achieve Qi Xue Jing at such a young age—your talent is nothing short of extraordinary, even by the standards of the city.”
“Ma Ye seems quite familiar with city affairs,” Lu Qing said, curiosity lighting his eyes.
He wasn’t surprised that Ma Gu had sensed his cultivation level. A true martial cultivator naturally radiated Qi, their spirit sharp and vibrant. Unless one had mastered a special concealment combat technique—or reached an elite level of control over their spirit, qi, and body—most martial practitioners couldn’t hide their true identity.
“Not really familiar,” Ma Gu replied vaguely. “Just lived there for a few years.”
“Ah, I see.” Lu Qing nodded, not pressing further. He didn’t ask why someone who’d lived in the city would end up in this remote market town.
“Since you’ve lived in the city, you must be well-versed in many things. Actually, I’ve been troubled by something—Ma Ye, would you be so kind as to offer some guidance?”
Ma Gu’s spirit perked up instantly. Perfect—this is the chance I’ve been waiting for to get closer to him.
“Whatever trouble you’re facing, Lu Xiao Langjun, I’d be honored to help.”
“I’d like to purchase a War Blade,” Lu Qing said. “But I couldn’t find one here in the Big Market. Do you know where I might be able to get one?”
“You want to buy a War Blade?” Ma Gu blinked.
“Yes. I’ve recently taken an interest in sword techniques, but I don’t have a proper weapon. I thought I’d get one.”
Now that Ma Gu had confirmed his cultivation level, Lu Qing saw no point in beating around the bush.
Ma Gu didn’t think there was anything odd about that. To a martial cultivator, finding a suitable weapon was only natural.
“A War Blade…” Ma Gu paused, considering. “High-quality ones can only be found in the city. There are a few shops there with excellent reputations.”
“Only the city has War Blades for sale?” Lu Qing frowned slightly.
“Of course. Only skilled blacksmiths with real expertise gather in the city. Sure, there are blacksmiths in the countryside, but most only make crude farming tools. Weapons like War Blades—requiring such advanced forging techniques—would be beyond their skill.”
Seeing Lu Qing hesitate, Ma Gu’s mind raced.
“May I ask… have you never been to the city, Lu Xiao Langjun?”
Lu Qing exhaled slowly. “To be honest, I’ve never been there. And my master has always forbidden me from going—until I’m fully trained, I’m not to leave.”
The old doctor had never said such a thing—but Lu Qing didn’t mind using his name as a shield to keep things simple.
“Ah, the master’s orders are hard to break,” Ma Gu said, nodding sympathetically. He noticed the flicker of frustration on Lu Qing’s face and knew the moment had come.
After a brief pause, he added, “If you trust me, then perhaps I could help you obtain one from the city. What do you say?”
“Really?” Lu Qing’s eyes lit up—but then he hesitated. “But… wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?”
Ma Gu smiled inwardly. Such a young man—so easy to read.
He chuckled. “Not at all. I’d be happy to help. We’ve got a good connection, and it’s just a small favor. No trouble at all.”
Lu Qing’s face twisted in thought for a moment, then he finally nodded. “Then… thank you, Ma Ye.”
Got it! Ma Gu’s heart leapt with delight.
He kept his expression calm and concerned. “Now, tell me—what kind of War Blade are you looking for?”
(End of Chapter)
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