Chapter 77: The Year of Calamity
Chapter 77: The Year of Calamity
Black Jade Sinew Transformation Technique (0%)
Experience: 11 points
Chen Mu was slightly surprised to find that the progress of the Sinew Transformation Technique was no longer displayed as Minor Proficiency and Great Mastery in the system panel but had changed to a more precise numerical value.
Chen Mu speculated that perhaps at this stage of Sinew Transformation, every minor improvement would be more noticeable, unlike during Muscle Cultivation, where only a leap from Minor Proficiency to Great Mastery would result in a significant increase in strength.
This was something he had learned from Xiao He.
Although Sinew Transformation was also roughly divided into three levels: Minor Proficiency, Great Mastery, and Completion, the entire process was actually a smoother and more stable progression without any abrupt, cliff-like stages.
As for determining one's progress, it was done through certain characteristics. For example, when the major sinews of the body were lightly struck, they would emit a distinct sound, indicating the entry into the Minor Proficiency of Sinew Transformation.
When the limbs were swung, creating a loud sound like a whip, it signified the achievement of Great Mastery in Sinew Transformation.
Chen Mu glanced at the system panel, pondered briefly, and with a thought, he attempted to improve.
Black Jade Sinew Transformation Technique (1%)
Experience: 1 point
After increasing the Black Jade Sinew Transformation Technique by one percent, he immediately consumed 10 experience points, but the effect was remarkably evident.
Chen Mu felt a scorching sensation emanating from within his major sinews, burning and tempering them. A tingling numbness spread throughout his body, leaving him momentarily unable to exert any strength, and his entire body went limp, leaning back into the wooden tub.
This state lasted for about a quarter of an hour, after which the scorching numbness gradually subsided, and his strength slowly returned.
When Chen Mu stood up again, he immediately felt a noticeable difference. It was as if the major sinews around his body had undergone some transformation, and when he extended his limbs, he sensed that the muscles all over his body were more tightly connected, like a membrane.
"Is this the beginning of Sinew Transformation?"
Chen Mu contemplated his transformation, his expression thoughtful.
Many had sought it desperately, yet even after exhausting the power of a Sinew Transformation Pill, they couldn't enter the realm, remaining forever at 0%.
Although 1% was just the initial step, the substantial impact was earth-shattering. It meant overcoming the most challenging hurdle, and from then on, even without relying on the system panel, Chen Mu could steadily progress, step by step, until he achieved Completion in Sinew Transformation.
This step was a clear watershed, a leap that countless martial artists in Yu City aspired to make.
Yet, in the system panel, it was just a simple click.
Chen Mu glanced at the dull grey water in the tub, then stepped out, wiped his body with a cloth, and walked out without calling for Wang Ni to heat more water. Instead, he broke the ice on the water barrel and used the cold water to wash himself, before returning inside and getting dressed.
Then, Chen Mu picked up the Black Jade Sinew Transformation Pill and held it in his hand, weighing it thoughtfully.
"If I can gain 11 experience points each time I practice Sinew Transformation, I might only need a month to reach Minor Proficiency. That's not too slow."
Chen Mu's thoughts turned inward.
At this stage of Sinew Transformation, the Body Tempering Art focused more on the digestion and absorption of the pill's power, regardless of the level. The fixed postures for Sinew Transformation were essentially designed to guide the major sinews, enabling them to better absorb the pill's power and accept the tempering process.
The Body Tempering Art emphasized the 'tempering' process, while martial arts techniques focused more on 'cultivation' and 'enlightenment.'
"I wonder how far Xu Hongyu has progressed in her cultivation now."
Chen Mu suddenly thought of Xu Hongyu. During the battle with the Black Crow Sect, Xu Hongyu had already reached Great Mastery in Sinew Transformation, though she was likely still some distance away from Completion.
When he first met Xu Hongyu, he hadn't even started practicing the Body Tempering Art, but now, he had entered the realm of Sinew Transformation, and although it had taken him nearly a year and a half, this progress could be described as astonishing.
With his current Body Tempering progress, it might not be long before he caught up in that aspect as well, and it was uncertain who would reach Completion in Sinew Transformation first.
At this thought, Chen Mu couldn't help but smile.
He bore no ill will towards Xu Hongyu. After all, she was the first woman he had encountered with the highest martial arts skill, and although he had long surpassed her in technique, now that he had caught up in Body Tempering, he couldn't help but feel a unique sensation. For a moment, he just wanted to see the expression on Xu Hongyu's cold, beautiful face.
In truth, Chen Mu didn't know much about Xu Hongyu, and their interactions had been limited. If anything, he was more familiar with Xiao He. In the past, he had no inappropriate thoughts about Xu Hongyu.
But now, as he thought about it, although her cold beauty was captivating, it lacked a certain vitality. If there were some contrasts, it would add a touch of charm.
Hmm.
Chen Mu snapped back to attention, chuckling at his wandering thoughts. He refocused, then walked into the courtyard and picked up a bamboo branch, practicing his martial arts.
Now that he had grasped the intention realm, he no longer needed to hold a sword to practice his sword techniques. Whether it was a dry branch or a bamboo stick, he could wield them as if they were blades, and as long as he immersed himself in the understanding of the intention realm, he would gain experience points.
The bamboo branches gently swept, silently stirring up the snow in the courtyard. The snowflakes scattered in the wind, swirling around Chen Mu, creating a private snowstorm that enveloped him alone.
After a while, the scattered snowflakes melted into countless raindrops, still carried by the invisible wind created by the bamboo branches as they flipped and turned.
Suddenly, Chen Mu thrust the bamboo branch forward.
A crisp snap! The fragile bamboo branch pierced into a large stone used for martial arts practice in the corner of the courtyard, penetrating a third of its depth!
...
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed.
The bitter cold of winter showed no signs of abating; instead, it became even harsher. This further worsened the situation in the Outer City.
The harsh winter itself wasn't the main issue. Most households had stored firewood for the winter, and during the coldest months, families would huddle around their stoves with closed doors. Those with limited firewood would still gather together for warmth, and as long as there was a place to shelter, freezing to death was unlikely.
The problem was the prolonged severe cold, coupled with heavy winds and snow, which caused many old and dilapidated houses to collapse under the pressure.
On the streets, thick snow blanketed the ground, and amidst the howling wind and snow, several figures trudged forward, each step sinking knee-deep into the snow.
Leading the group was a person wearing a hat and a dark green patrol uniform—Chen Mu, the Patrol Commander of the Willow Grove City Guard.
Beside him was Shang Qinglai, a senior patrol officer.
The group made their way through the alleys and arrived at a slightly more dilapidated area. Amidst the wind and snow, they could faintly hear cries of sorrow.
Looking ahead, they saw the dilapidated houses, some of which had collapsed, and in the corners where the remnants of bricks and tiles piled up, they could see people wrapped in cotton clothes and quilts, shivering in the cold.
Shang Qinglai quickly crossed the alley and leaped onto a wall, surveying the area from above before returning to report: "Sir, the snowstorm last night was too severe. Sanhuai Lane has suffered extensive damage, and at least a hundred households have been affected."
Chen Mu remained silent.
He walked further down the alley.
On the side of a collapsed house, a little girl, no older than six or seven, huddled in a corner. She wore a tattered cotton-padded jacket with patches and had messy, unkempt hair.
Apart from her, there were no other figures in sight. Under the rubble of the collapsed house, one could vaguely see a corner of tattered clothing.
Chen Mu approached the girl, feeling her chest and detecting a faint warmth. He picked her up and held her close, saying, "Bring some hot soup."
"Yes, sir," Shang Qinglai replied and quickly left the alley.
Chen Mu opened his patrol uniform and nestled the girl in his arms to keep her warm. After a while, Shang Qinglai returned with a bowl of steaming soup. Chen Mu pried open her mouth and poured some soup down, bringing a hint of life back to her pale, worn-out face.
"Sir, the initial count shows that over a hundred and twenty households in Sanhuai Lane have been affected. Last night, more than two to three hundred people froze to death or were buried, and there are still about three hundred survivors."
Zhang Tong approached and reported the investigation results.
Chen Mu pondered for a moment and asked, "What about the other areas?"
Zhang Tong replied, "The other areas are slightly better, but apart from the main street and the back street, almost everywhere has been affected. Combined, the number of affected people will likely increase by several times."
Over a thousand people—this was not a small number, considering that the entire Willow Grove had only two to three hundred thousand residents.
"How much space is left in the City Guard headquarters?" Chen Mu asked.
Half a month ago, as the disaster gradually worsened, Chen Mu had ordered the City Guard to vacate most of the back courtyards to temporarily accommodate the affected people.
Zhang Tong replied in a deep voice, "We can accommodate at most a few dozen more people."
Chen Mu said thoughtfully, "It seems we need to build some temporary shelters."
Zhang Tong's face showed a hint of difficulty. "Sir, we've been spending a lot from the public treasury to accommodate the affected people. Although we have the silver confiscated from Zheng's family, it might not last for half a month if we take in this batch of survivors."
"Don't worry about that," Chen Mu said calmly. "Go and contact the leaders of the Sandflow Gang, the Bandit Gang... the leaders of the six gangs. Tell them I have business with them and ask them to come to Tianlai Pavilion on the main street after noon."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Tong was taken aback. "Sir, do you intend to..."
"Go," Chen Mu said without elaborating further.
Zhang Tong immediately understood and left quietly.
At this moment, Shang Qinglai approached and whispered, "Sir, it might be difficult to get those gangs to help. Perhaps we could ask the Nan family for assistance instead."
Chen Mu gently caressed the girl's forehead in his arms, feeling the warmth returning to her. He glanced at Shang Qinglai and said, "The Nan family will offer help, and as for the six gangs... I ask you, if they are unwilling to contribute during times like this, what is the purpose of their existence?"
His tone was calm, but in the midst of the harsh winter, his words seemed to make the air even colder, causing Shang Qinglai to feel a chill in his heart and lower his head in silence.
(End of Chapter)
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