Disguise

He dashed forward two hundred meters, then halted. Shifting direction, he sprinted once more. After training for more than an hour, Lin Zheyu grew increasingly adept at straight-line sprinting, able to control his body with complete precision so that he never crashed into obstacles ahead. Dawn was just breaking; it was roughly five in the morning. Lin Zheyu came to a stop and looked at the stats in his mind. [Heaven Rewards Diligence] Name: Lin Zheyu Origin Power: 0 Skills: Golden Goose Skill (Ninth Layer 1%) Turtle Breathing Art (Third Layer 26%) That half-hour of training had pushed the ninth layer of the Golden Goose Skill up by one percent. *My guess was right. Advancing the Turtle Breathing Art significantly improves my control over my muscles, skin, and qi and blood.* *Though it didn't directly advance the Golden Goose Skill's ninth layer, my mastery over the techniques for bursting qi and blood has become much more refined.* Lin Zheyu ran through a few tests, thoroughly satisfied. The rapid progress of the Golden Goose Skill's ninth layer was thanks to the improved control over his essence, qi, and spirit brought about by the Turtle Breathing Art's advance. Using Origin Power to upgrade the Turtle Breathing Art last time had already heightened his mastery over his essence, qi, and spirit. Upgrading it once more now had directly yielded a one-percent increase in the Golden Goose Skill. *Not only that, but my control over the muscles, flesh, and skin of my body has improved as well,* Lin Zheyu thought to himself. Under his deliberate control, the surface muscles of his body began to squirm, expanding and contracting. Even the flesh on his face twitched, shifting as though trying to reshape itself into a square-jawed countenance. Before the transformation was complete, however, Lin Zheyu lost his hold on it, and his face reverted to normal. His control had not yet reached the point where he could freely manipulate the facial muscles and skin and sustain the change for an extended period. Still, Lin Zheyu was confident that as the Turtle Breathing Art advanced further, his control would grow by leaps and bounds until he could alter his appearance entirely at will. When that time came, he would be able to change his features and disguise himself as someone else entirely. Having tested his strength, Lin Zheyu tidied up and walked toward his courtyard. Today was the day of departure. He needed to go back, pack his things, and meet at the West Gate. After washing up briefly and finishing a hearty breakfast, it was nearly time to leave. Though he had stayed awake the entire night, Lin Zheyu did not feel the slightest trace of fatigue. With the strength of the Qi and Blood Four Transformations, going seven days and seven nights without sleep would pose no problem at all. Furthermore, after advancing with Origin Power, his physical state had returned to its peak; any bodily exhaustion had long since been dispelled under the influence of the mysterious energy. Only a trace of mental fatigue remained. On the road ahead, channeling the Turtle Breathing Art and entering a state of suspended animation would accelerate his mental recovery. Therefore, going without sleep had no negative effect on him whatsoever. Morning arrived. The first ray of sunlight spilled down. Songyi City was bathed in gold. The weather was fine today, clear skies stretching as far as the eye could see, without a single cloud. Lin Zheyu carried a small bundle as he arrived at the gathering point, standing in stark contrast to the others who were laden with bags and baggage. "Senior Brother, Sister-in-law, Uncle, Aunt..." Lin Zheyu greeted Senior Brother Han Mo, as well as his wife, children, and parents. "Junior Brother, I must trouble you to look after my parents, wife, and children on the road." "Once you reach Bafang City, Tianshu will take my token to join the City Guard there. From then on, you won't have to worry about them," Han Mo said solemnly. Han Tianshu was his eldest son, sixteen years old this year. Han Mo had five children in total; the eldest, Han Tianshu, was sixteen, and the youngest, Han Tianshun, was seven. In this era, sixteen was considered adulthood, old enough to marry and start a family. Han Mo had specifically sought out the deputy commander for a token of recommendation to enter his son, Han Tianshu, into Bafang City's City Guard. Even so, it was merely a recommendation. Once inside, he would have to start as an ordinary soldier and rely on his own strength to forge a path for himself. "Understood. I will ensure Sister-in-law and the others stay safe along the way," Lin Zheyu said. He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Senior Brother, I have here a Poison Canon containing knowledge regarding the path of poison. Would it be acceptable if I passed it on to Tianshu, Tianmin, or the others?" Zhao Guanbin, the enemy of old Master Chen Peijun, had already been slain by Lin Zheyu's hand. Lin Zheyu had also promised the old man that he would find a successor to carry on the Poison Canon. After turning it over in his mind, Lin Zheyu had been unable to find a suitable candidate. In the end, he decided not to let good fortune flow to outsiders, opting to pass it to Han Mo's children. However, studying the Poison Canon carried both benefits and drawbacks, so he had to seek his senior brother's consent first. "A Poison Canon?" "When did you learn poison methods?" Han Mo asked in surprise. "Through a stroke of fortune, I learned from a senior." "You can take a look. It records methods for crafting many types of poisons, techniques for administering and neutralizing toxins, training methods for identifying poisons, and more." "However, forget about the Poison King Body. Its side effects are severe; practicing it brings more harm than good." Lin Zheyu handed over a transcribed copy of the Poison Canon as he spoke. In the future, his primary focus would remain on martial arts. Researching the poison path on his own was meant only to enhance his ability to recognize and identify toxins, guarding against underhanded plots. As for establishing a sect or building a faction to pass on the canon, he had neither the time nor the inclination. Han Mo took the Poison Canon and began leafing through it. His eyes grew brighter and brighter, filled with astonishment, his heart deeply shaken. *A treasure!* This canon was extraordinarily precious. The knowledge recorded within was the culmination of at least ten-odd generations of painstaking effort, something that could not be bought for ten thousand gold. "Whew..." "This is too precious. Something of this value... how could I..." Han Mo let out a long breath, suppressing the desire in his chest, and moved to decline. He was an upright, honest man who had never harbored any thought of taking advantage of his junior brother. In the past, he had paid hard silver for both the Ten Thousand Armies Steps and the Blood Pill. "Don't refuse, Senior Brother." "I promised that senior to choose a successor to carry on the canon." "Since it must be passed down, it should naturally go to someone close and trustworthy. Why let good fortune flow to outsiders?" "Allowing Tianshu or Tianmin to study the canon is actually doing me a favor, sparing me the trouble of searching for someone else." "Otherwise, I would have to test their character, temperament, and aptitude, which is far too troublesome." Lin Zheyu smiled and said, "As long as you agree, Senior Brother, I will hand the Poison Canon over to your family." The parents shaped the children they raised. Han Mo's parents and wife were all kindhearted, upright, and honorable people, and their children took after them. That was why Lin Zheyu had chosen Han Mo's sons. "Very well, then." "However, Tianshu has a somewhat reckless temperament and tends to act on impulse, which is why I arranged for him to temper himself in the City Guard." "Tianmin's disposition is more like mine. Although his aptitude for martial arts is a bit lacking, he is honest, steady, and peaceable. You can pass the Poison Canon to him." Han Mo pondered for a moment and nodded. He knew his junior brother's temperament. Since Lin Zheyu had put it this way, continuing to refuse would seem distant and overly formal. "Junior Brother, this Poison Canon is exceedingly precious and can be passed down as an heirloom. For me to take it without offering anything in return..." Han Mo felt uneasy and wanted to offer some silver in compensation. "Saying that makes you seem like a stranger, Senior Brother." "You are helping me out. I promised that senior to pass down the Poison Canon, and your willingness to let Tianmin study it spares me a great deal of effort." Lin Zheyu smiled and added, "Don't fret over it any longer. Say your goodbyes to Sister-in-law and the rest. I'll be waiting for you in Bafang City!" "Senior Brother, don't try to be a hero in everything. Your parents, wife, and children are waiting for your safe return to reunite!" "Haha, I'm a grown man of my years—do I really need your lecturing? You'd best watch out for yourself!" Han Mo said with a laugh. A great many people were evacuating this time, including the families of all members willing to follow the Feihong Gang to Bafang City. The total reached nearly two thousand people, forming a grand, magnificent procession. Lin Zheyu swept his gaze across the crowd, spotting several familiar faces, and walked over toward Jia Yanyong and the others. "Master Qiu, how has your injury recovered?" Lin Zheyu asked Qiu Gaoxuan. This time, Qiu Gaoxuan, Jia Yanyong, and the others Lin Zheyu knew were all among the escort convoy. In fact, nearly four-fifths of the Feihong Gang's personnel were part of it, leaving behind only some top experts and a small number of members who either did not wish to leave or had volunteered to stay behind to defend Songyi City. Though they held little hope of holding the city, they still had to account for the possibility of victory. Those who remained would hold out until the very last moment, pulling out completely only after confirming that all hope was lost. "Almost fully recovered." "You don't need to call me Master Qiu. Just use my name," Qiu Gaoxuan said expressionlessly. The man had always been deadpan, so Lin Zheyu took no offense. "I think I'll still call you Brother Qiu!" "I'll be counting on Brother Qiu's support along the journey," Lin Zheyu said with a smile. "You're too modest. Months ago, you were already at the peak of the Bone Tempering Realm; by now, you might well have reached viscera refining." "With your talent, your combat capability is certainly greater than mine. It's I who should be asking for your support," Qiu Gaoxuan said flatly. Lin Zheyu chatted with him for a few moments, then said no more. Qiu Gaoxuan was a quiet, taciturn man who spoke without any expression. Although Lin Zheyu was used to it, talking with him had a way of quickly dampening one's desire for conversation. Lin Zheyu wandered around. Jia Yanyong and the others were busy helping haul luggage. Their families were leaving alongside them this time, so there was a great deal of baggage of every sort. Before long, the convoy was fully organized, everyone taking their designated places in preparation for departure. "Senior Brother, take care. We will see each other in Bafang City!" Lin Zheyu said solemnly. "Take care!" Han Mo nodded, looking toward his wife, children, and parents with a gaze overflowing with reluctance to part. Unfortunately, as a member of the City Guard, he could not leave with his family. Amidst Han Mo's reluctant gaze and the tearful farewells of his family, the convoy set out toward Bafang City. A procession of two thousand people was an imposing sight. Moreover, there were numerous experts along for the journey; in the Qi and Blood Realm alone, there were at least eight, two of whom had even attained the Qi and Blood Three Transformations. *Rumble, creak...* Wheels turned, grinding against the official highway and letting out groaning creaks. Lin Zheyu rode a horse beside the convoy, which was composed mainly of ox carts. In this era, horses were expensive. Only a handful of experts above the Bone Tempering Realm rode horses; the rest of the ordinary family members traveled in ox carts. "Uncle, Mother told me to bring you some water and pastries." Little Shun poked his head out of an ox cart, holding out a waterskin with a grin. Aside from an initial bout of sadness when parting, he had quickly been caught up in the novelty of the journey. Han Tianshun found everything new and fascinating. When travel grew dull during the day, he loved nothing more than sitting on Lin Zheyu's horse to take in the wilderness scenery. "Thank you, Sister-in-law," Lin Zheyu said with a smile toward the gentle woman who leaned out. Four days had passed since they left Songyi City. They had encountered no bandit ambushes along the road, and aside from the slight boredom, nothing untoward had occurred. With so many Qi and Blood Realm martial artists guarding such a formidable convoy, ordinary bandits would never dare make a move. As dusk settled, the entire procession halted at a level clearing. Night was ill-suited for travel, so they needed to stop and rest. "Lord Lin, come have some roast meat with us! It smells amazing!" Jia Yanyong shouted toward Lin Zheyu. It was a wild boar they had hunted earlier, quite large and more than enough to share among several people. Night watch patrol was dull. Before taking their watch, they would often wander the surroundings to see if they could hunt some game, then return to roast it and pass the tedious night. "No need, you go ahead and eat first." "Such a small one isn't enough for everyone. I'll head out for a walk in a bit and hunt a bigger one for you all," Lin Zheyu said with a smile. "All right, we'll leave it to Lord Lin, then!" Xie Jiang laughed. Several men sat around the campfire, roasting the meat as its rich aroma drifted through the air. Lin Zheyu, on the other hand, carried a saber and walked slowly into the mountain forest. The others were not surprised; they had long grown accustomed to it. Whenever it was Lin Zheyu's turn to keep watch, he would often slip away, always returning with a massive beast slung over his shoulders. Once deep within the dense woods, Lin Zheyu surveyed his surroundings carefully. Confirming no one was near, his qi and blood power surged abruptly, and his figure shot forward. In the darkness, a shadow flashed past in the blink of an eye. Lin Zheyu sprinted rapidly through the dense forest, expending the qi and blood power within his body. Soon, more than two hours had passed. Carrying a beast over two meters long, his clothes soaked through with sweat and his breath coming in heavy gasps, Lin Zheyu emerged slowly from the woods. "Impressive, Lord Lin!" Seeing him, Jia Yanyong and the others gave him thumbs-up. "Dress it and roast it, and save a portion for me. I'm going to train for a while before eating," Lin Zheyu told Jia Yanyong and the others. Four days had elapsed since their departure, and Lin Zheyu's essence, qi, and spirit had once again been nurtured to their peak. He had chosen tonight's watch specifically so he could train late into the night, pushing past his physical limits to acquire Origin Power. Going into the woods just now had not only completely depleted his qi and blood power, but he had also trained out in the forest for over two hours before returning. Now, all he needed to do was continue training to break through his physical limits. He had scouted the surrounding area earlier. It was safe, with no bandits active within several li, so there was no danger of nighttime ambushes. It was an ideal spot to break through his limits. So as not to disturb those resting, Lin Zheyu walked a short distance away and began practicing the Wild Bull Fist in an open clearing. Relying solely on the Wild Bull Fist meant breaking through his limits would take a bit longer. However, to avoid revealing his astonishing movement techniques, taking more time was a small price to pay. At any rate, the night watch lasted the whole night, and he had plenty of time.