Chapter 63: The Zheng Family
Chapter 63: The Zheng Family
In the northwest of Willow Grove, a large area of the neighborhood belonged to the Zheng family, with various shops and establishments.
At the back of the neighborhood was the Zheng family's residence, occupying a vast area. It was a multi-story compound consisting of multiple three and four-court yards, a legacy built over generations, not achieved in a single generation.
In one of the slightly shorter courtyards, there were sandpits, bag and stone locks, and other martial arts training equipment. Several men were practicing their skills, some of them Zheng family members, and many were hired guards and martial artists employed by the Zheng family.
In a quieter courtyard in the distance, Zheng Hong sat behind a stone table, holding a tobacco pipe in his hand. He took a puff, exhaling clouds of smoke, and said, "The new magistrate's first day in office, and the City Guard's morning exercises are causing a stir. It's not worth making a fuss over. Go and tell them to carry on."
A servant hurriedly came to report the news, and upon hearing this, he quickly bowed and left.
The Zheng family had been entrenched in Willow Grove for many years, and their informants were naturally everywhere. Even within the City Guard, they might not be aware of minor matters, but any significant actions would quickly come to their attention. The morning and evening exercises of the Third Squad were not considered a small matter.
However, Zheng Hong didn't pay much attention to this.
Although the City Guard had many patrol officers, no matter how much they trained, could they produce a group of elite soldiers like the Imperial Guard, who had undergone skin and muscle conditioning? That required money, and not just a small amount.
No matter how much the patrol officers trained, they were still just servants. Among them, only a few had real strength, including the seven senior patrol officers and a handful of trusted subordinates, who were skilled enough to take on ten men.
Among the guards and martial artists hired by the Zheng family, there were also many such experts.
To be blunt.
Even if they were to clash directly with the City Guard, the Zheng family wouldn't fear anything.
Just then, a young man with his shirt off walked into the courtyard and said from a distance, "Uncle San, I heard you had a disagreement with the new patrol commander? This morning's exercises seem like a show of force."
Zheng Hong looked at the young man who had entered and blew out a puff of smoke. "This new patrol commander is from the same background as Xu Feng. Sooner or later, they'll be at odds... How did you get here? Have you finished your training?"
Zheng Yong stood before Zheng Hong, his muscles exposed, unfazed by the cold winter. He shook his head and said, "I've accumulated enough Qi and Blood, but I just can't get past that hurdle."
Zheng Hong looked up at the sky and said with a sigh, "The Sinew Transformation is ultimately not the same as skin and muscle conditioning. Don't be impatient, and guard against arrogance. You are the most talented in our generation, so we'll spare no resources to support you. As long as you can step into the Sinew Transformation realm, the Zheng family will have a chance to move into the Inner City and take another step up."
Skin and muscle conditioning could be achieved through the accumulation of resources, but the Sinew Transformation was a significant obstacle. Not only the Zheng family, but even the major families in the Inner City, like the Yu family, couldn't easily produce experts in this realm.
Firstly, resources were limited, and the Inner City families competed for the Sinew Transformation Pills.
Secondly, obtaining the Sinew Transformation Pill didn't guarantee breaking through the barrier and entering the Sinew Transformation realm. The pill primarily served as a 'guide,' directing the Qi and Blood to the major sinews, but whether it could truly open them depended on the martial artist.
Often, a Sinew Transformation Pill could only be used for about three months before it turned into useless residue.
Moreover, under normal circumstances, the first Sinew Transformation Pill had the best effect. If a second pill was used, the efficiency and probability of breaking through the realm would significantly decrease, and the third pill was the last chance.
"Most people, even those from influential families like the Zhengs, rarely get a chance. Obtaining a Sinew Transformation Pill often comes at a significant cost."
"Uncle San, rest assured, I'll give it my all no matter what."
Zheng Yong spoke with determination.
He understood that the Zheng family had acquired the pill through years of accumulation, leveraging their wealth and connections. It was a hard-earned opportunity, but resources have their limits. When he was twenty, he comprehended the Blade Technique, and at twenty-one, his Muscle Training Technique reached perfection. His cultivation journey had been smooth sailing, and he was at the peak of his arrogance. Yet, the threshold of the Sinew Transformation Technique stubbornly kept him at bay.
Now, the pill was gradually turning into powder, and after a few more brews, it would be useless. Despite his efforts, he couldn't overcome the bottleneck.
Zheng Hong gazed at Zheng Yong, deep in thought for a long while, before finally speaking, "There's something I've been holding back from telling you, but since your first Sinew Transformation is almost up, I might as well let you know... The pill you're using is one the Zheng family acquired many years ago. In fact, we have another new pill."
Zheng Yong's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing Zheng Hong's words.
"Another pill?"
He had thought this was his only chance, watching as two months passed by, and the opportunity slowly slipped away. Disheartened, he suddenly learned of a second Sinew Transformation Pill, instantly feeling invigorated.
"If I have a second pill, I'll surely overcome this hurdle!"
Zheng Yong's eyes lit up as he spoke to Zheng Hong.
Zheng Hong replied calmly, "I didn't tell you earlier to let you approach it with unwavering determination. Now, I'm telling you to lift your spirits, even though there's a second pill. But if you can enter the Sinew Transformation level in these last few days, that would be even better."
At this point, Zheng Hong tapped his pipe on the stone platform and said, "Alright, go and cultivate. Even I didn't have this luck back in my day!"
"Yes, Uncle San," Zheng Yong responded, turning away with a chuckle.
Zheng Hong watched Zheng Yong's departing figure, shaking his head slightly.
The second Sinew Transformation Pill did exist, but his initial silence wasn't solely to motivate Zheng Yong. The main reason was that the pill was incredibly difficult to obtain, and he had paid a hefty price to acquire it from an Inner City major family. Moreover, for martial artists, the first pill often yields the best results, and the second pill's effectiveness diminishes.
Consequently, even the Inner City's major families might not have the opportunity to use two pills, as the probability of breaking through with the second pill is not high if the first one fails to yield results.
Zheng Hong had considered this beforehand. If Zheng Yong couldn't achieve success with the first pill's power, he would keep the second pill for other Zheng family members to use.
However, this generation of the Zheng family was mostly unremarkable, and Zheng Yong was the only one with exceptional talent.
Waiting for the next generation would take many years.
Zheng Hong sighed.
If Zheng Yong could reach the Sinew Transformation level, the difference would be immense. Even in the eyes of the Inner City's major families, he would be a notable figure with a greater chance of elevating the Zheng family to the Inner City.
Thus, after careful consideration, Zheng Hong decided to place his hopes on Zheng Yong. After all, it might be years, even decades, before another outstanding talent emerged, and who knew what changes might occur in the meantime.
(End of Chapter)
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