I Cheated While Cultivating

Chapter 48: Plotting to Dominate the Gold Market

"Since the old hall owner has already arranged everything, I can rest easy,” Tian Chong nodded slightly and smiled,

“With this, the military’s support policy from the Martial Arts Division should be a sure thing for the old hall owner’s grandson.”

"Do we know who the appointed weapon smith is this time?” Huang Jingfu asked, his eyes filled with anticipation.

In reality, for someone like Huang Jingfu who didn’t lack money, the silver coin reward from the Martial Arts Division’s support policy wasn’t important. What he cared about was that one-time right to weapon forging.

The military’s designated weapon smith personally selected by the Martial Arts Division would take measurements for an individual to tailor and meticulously forge the most suitable weapon for them.

If the materials used were exquisite enough and the smith put in genuine effort, it was possible for the weapon’s grade to significantly surpass that of commonly refined weapons, nearing the level of a superior weapon.

In the era where martial arts prospered, the grades of weapons were also clearly differentiated: ordinary weapons, refined weapons, superior weapons, treasured weapons, divine weapons…

Although the right to forge a weapon was nominally worth only three hundred silver coins, this was the money allocated to the weapon smith by the Martial Arts Division and did not mean that the weapon created was worth only three hundred silver coins.

Weapons of the superior grade, even within major martial dao sects and significant families, were only equipped by a select few disciples with exceptional talent, powerful strength, and infinite potential.

Although the weapon smith designated by the Prefectural Martial Arts Division’s support policy could at most forge a weapon close to a superior grade, for martial artists from martial arts halls, this was the strongest weapon they could obtain.

It was a fine object that couldn’t be bought with money.

Priceless!

In the future, when traversing the martial world, having such a nearly superior grade weapon was undoubtedly akin to having an extra chance at preserving one’s life.

"Don’t worry, old hall owner, this time we have found Wang Ming,” Tian Chong said with a smile.

“This seasoned weapon smith is over sixty, with abundant experience, an eighth-rank cultivation level, and profound inner qi, ensuring the forging of a weapon close to superior grade.”

"Haha, I’ve heard of Wang Ming. Over the years, he has forged quite a few weapons close to the superior grade,” Huang Jingfu laughed heartily,

“On behalf of that unworthy grandson of mine, I’d like to thank the Head of the Division in advance.”

"Oh, old hall owner, you’re too polite,” Tian Chong said with a smile beaming across his face,

“We all have our needs, so let’s get rich and progress together, haha.”

"Exactly, exactly, haha!” Huang Jingfu’s laughter was even more hearty.

Longxing Martial Arts Hall.

Zhou Heng’s dedicated training room, where the force surged like wind.

He wasn’t wielding a weapon, but was practicing a set of hand techniques— alternating between palm techniques that were sharp like a blade or a sword, and then bending his fingers into claws, employing grappling skills.

It was evident that the techniques were exquisite, but Zhou Heng’s movements were somewhat stiff and slow, clearly indicating he was practicing a martial art he had not yet mastered.

"You are diligently practicing the Seventh-Rank martial art ‘Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand,’ proficiency +0.02.”

"Congratulations! With persistent practice of the Seventh-Rank martial art ‘Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand,’ the ‘Heaven Rewards the Diligent’ effect has been triggered, deepening your understanding of the martial art, proficiency +0.12.”

"Congratulations! The proficiency of the Seventh-Rank martial art ‘Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand’ has reached 1, and you have officially learned this martial art.”

"Congratulations! Since you have learned the Seventh-Rank martial art ‘Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand,’ your comprehension of related lower-grade martial arts and Taoist formulas has greatly improved.

"Martial art ‘Godly Power Eighteen Styles’ [Ninth Grade] proficiency +2000.

"Martial art ‘Five Elements Wheel Palm’ [Ninth Grade] proficiency +1200.

"Taoist formula ‘Palm Thunder’ [Eighth Rank] proficiency +200.”

"Congratulations! Martial art ‘Godly Power Eighteen Styles’ [Ninth Grade] proficiency has reached Perfection, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1.”

"Congratulations! Since you have a palm technique reach Perfection, your understanding of the related high-grade martial art ‘Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand’ [Seventh Rank] has deepened, proficiency +100.”

This series of rewards nearly overwhelmed Zhou Heng.

But really, it was exhilarating!

Zhou Heng’s eyes shone. The proficiency bonus from high-grade martial arts to lower-grade ones was truly terrifying.

Even Palm Thunder, a Taoist formula, received a boost!

Could it be because the attack method in Palm Thunder had a certain degree of relevance to palm techniques?

Of course, the biggest bonus was still from the ninth-grade martial arts.

The proficiency of Godly Power Eighteen Styles was initially close to great achievement.

Now, it had skyrocketed by 2000, not only reaching Perfection but also virtually reaching the maximum proficiency limit.

It also improved the proficiency of Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand!

Thus, Zhou Heng once again assumed the stance and practiced Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand.

This time, his movements were clearly much more practiced than before.

As he executed the techniques, his movements were unpredictable, and his handwork intricately complex.

Like an expert folding a plum blossom, the subtlety was profound.

All sorts of martial arts, originally belonging to swordsmanship or saber technique, were perfectly recreated by Zhou Heng using nothing but his bare palms.

In terms of power and ingenuity, they were not much weaker than when wielding weapons.

If it wasn’t for his still insubstantial inner qi, using only his bare hands, in terms of technique sophistication and power, could surpass that of wielding weapons!

This martial art encompassed everything. It seemed only to include three palm techniques and three grappling methods, but in reality, it could integrate numerous martial arts within it.

The deeper the inner qi and the more martial arts one was aware of, the more powerful the Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand would become!

This could definitely be considered one of the top martial arts at the Lower Third Rank.

Zhou Heng felt the power of the Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand and was overjoyed, thinking, “With my current level, I can fully execute the Sword- Breaking Move, Qi-Breaking Move, Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword, and other martial arts barehanded, and their might is in no way inferior to any Eighth-Rank fist or palm martial art!

"Even though my internal strength isn’t profound, with added agility and strength as base attributes, and the perceptive attribute to recognize an opponent’s weaknesses, using only my bare hands against an enemy, those below the Seventh Rank would hardly be my match.”

He felt a sense of eagerness to test his skills.

Having just learned a powerful new martial art, he was eager to find someone to spar with.

This is a common sentiment among people.

Still, he restrained himself.

"Hmm, the Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand can serve as my ace in the hole.

"It’s best if only I know.”

"You think my saber technique is profound? In fact, my swordsmanship is even stronger.”

"You think I’m best at swordsmanship? Actually, these hands of mine are stronger than both saber and sword techniques, hehe!”

Zhou Heng chuckled inwardly.

His mood could be described as extremely delightful.

So, he decided to open a Silver Luck Bag to boost his spirits, especially since he had just received a Copper Luck Bag. Opening a Silver Luck Bag seemed trivial in comparison.

Indeed, in Zhou Heng’s mind, he had already placed the Silver Luck Bag on a lower tier than the Copper Luck Bag.

"Fortune Bag [Silver]: It encompasses everything and lacks nothing. Upon opening, one may receive a reward that brings about a pleasant surprise.”

“Open!”

"Congratulations! You have obtained forging material: Meteoric Iron +1.”

"Meteoric Iron: An extraordinary ore that has absorbed starlight, much like a star that has fallen to earth. If used in forging a weapon, it can endow the weapon with the power of the stars, causing the enemy’s attacks to veer off their original trajectory.”

As expected, it wasn’t a

“ridiculously lucky” result.

As soon as the prompt ended,

Zhou Heng felt a slight weight in his hand upon taking a closer look, he discovered what seemed to be a chunk of ore. The pitch-black surface was glinting with a bright silvery luster, quite beautiful to behold.

It was about the size of an infant’s fist; even a normal ore should have some heft to it.

Yet, when Zhou Heng held this piece of Meteoric Iron in his hand, he only felt a slight weight, as if he were holding a slightly heavier paper ball.

Extremely light.

"It’s an excellent sword forging material,” Zhou Heng felt tempted but shook his head after thinking it over carefully, letting out a slight sigh, “To forge a sword with such material requires a high level of skill, and I don’t know any sword-forging masters.

"Moreover, the more adept casters in Huangtong Mansion are all in the military, and they are not accessible to ordinary folk like me. I’ll have to wait until I travel the pugilistic world to see if there are any opportunities.”

Clip-clop, clip-clop!

The sound of horse hooves echoed in the small mountain path within the canyon as the carriage moved slowly.

Kong Chengshun wasn’t inside the carriage but sat on the roof, still cradling his beloved longsword.

He glanced at the midday sun and frowned,

“Zhao Junior Brother, Song Junior Brother, do you think we could shoot down the sun in the sky?”

Zhao and Song exchanged a look, both saw the wry smile on the other’s face.

"Brother Kong, the sun is high above; how could we shoot it down?”

"Yes, shooting the sun is mythological.”

Both shook their heads.

They were Inner Sect Disciples from the Chang Xing Sect accompanying Kong Chengshun to Huangtong Mansion City. They were not highly skilled, merely ordinary Ninth Rank, and had no reputation to speak of within the pugilistic world.

Their task was to take care of Kong’s needs en route.

"It’s too stuffy inside the carriage. You two really are dull.”

Kong Chengshun shook his head, no longer coveting the sun above, and inquired,

“Have you received any news about Zhou Heng from Huangtong Mansion City?”

He had been busy during the trip; although he didn’t receive Huang Jingfu’s letter, it didn’t mean he was oblivious to the affairs within Huangtong Mansion City.

Kong Chengshun was quite interested in Zhou Heng, who had suddenly ascended to Ninth Rank.

Upon learning of this, he had sent the two junior brothers with him to send a message to some of the Outer Sect Disciples in Huangtong Mansion City to gather information about Zhou Heng.

– Outer Sect Disciples of a sect in the prefectural city weren’t necessarily only in martial halls. In reality, they might be found in various industries.

After all, a martial sect also needed to eat, hence the need for money, which meant they had to have businesses and people to run them.

These roles were usually filled by Outer Sect Disciples.

They had already received a reply.

The Zhao-named disciple handed a note to Kong Chengshun on the carriage’s roof, saying,

“Brother Kong, this is the summary report from the manager of Changxing Tower regarding Zhou Heng. It’s quite detailed.”

"Mhm.” Kong Chengshun nodded slightly, took the note, and read aloud in a low voice, “Zhou Heng, 17 years old, Martial Arts Student at Longxing Martial Arts Hall, trainer Lin Cang, practicing martial arts for two years, with astonishing talent in saber techniques.

"One month ago, he perfected the Cleaving Mountain Sword Technique, and with his exquisite Taoist moves, he forced the thirty-ninth ranked ‘Small Green Wood Sword’ Liu Changsheng to retreat more than three steps.

"He received a Tiger Bone Refining Pill from Liu Changsheng, and to save a fellow apprentice, he took the pill and broke through to Ninth Rank… Hey, he seems to be a person of loyalty and righteousness.”

At this point, he turned to the Zhao-named disciple and smiled,

“You must have read the letter from Huang Jingfu before. Does the emergence of this Zhou Heng make him panic?”

"This…” The Zhao-named disciple was silent. He was also from Huang Jingfu’s Tongchang Martial Arts Hall.

"Don’t be nervous; I don’t blame you. People think I am strict and impartial, but they don’t know that I understand human feelings and worldly affairs too,” Kong Chengshun chuckled, jumped down from the carriage roof, and said,

“You two continue to drive the carriage to Huangtong Mansion City. I’ll go ahead.”

Having said that, he engaged his Qinggong and leaped forward.

"Brother Kong!?”

Zhao and Song were stunned and wanted to ask.

But in the blink of an eye, Kong Chengshun had already disappeared.

Leaving the two staring at each other, at a loss.

Under the night sky, the stars shone brilliantly.

Pei Luoling had already listened to the story for the day and departed.

Now, Zhou Heng was sitting cross-legged on the bed, circulating his inner Qi, inhaling and exhaling gently and continuously.

He was practicing the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, looking towards the window.

His gaze was sharp like the light of a lamp in the dark, blazing and bright, as if the room were aglow with ethereal white.

"Who’s there!?”