Cultivating for Immorality: I Evolved Martial Arts into the Immortal Path – Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Apologize to Chu Liang?

“The path of martial arts is paved with silver taels, don’t be stingy…”

Liu Qiao mumbled as he walked.

The martial arts hall was huge.

It wasn’t until three o’clock in the afternoon that they finished walking through the entire martial arts hall and finished discussing the matters that needed attention.

They arrived at the martial arts hall’s accounting office and paid the monthly training fee to the accountant.

Tie Niu and another newcomer had never been exposed to martial arts before, so they needed to cultivate their inner strength techniques first to temper their Qi and Blood.

Only after they could sense their Qi and Blood, or had already condensed their first strand of Qi and Blood, could they start learning martial skills.

But Chu Liang was different.

He came specifically for martial skills.

“This is the signature martial skill of my Autumn Blade Martial Arts Hall, the 《Autumn Blade》.”

Steward Wang appeared and handed a thin booklet to Chu Liang.

The cover of the booklet was very simple, with only the three words “Autumn Blade” written on it.

Chu Liang looked at it carefully, and a prompt appeared in his mind.

【Autumn Blade（Unranked Martial Skill）: Evolvable】

【Offering seventeen jin of ordinary demon beast flesh and blood can evolve “Autumn Blade（Unranked Martial Skill）” into “Three Autumn Blades（Third-Rate Martial Skill）”】

Seeing this prompt, Chu Liang felt a slight joy in his heart.

His guess was correct. Martial skills could indeed be evolved.

Third-rate martial skills were probably not the end, and perhaps they could be evolved into second-rate or even first-rate martial skills.

It should be known that there were no publicly known third-rate martial skills in the entire county.

Steward Wang stroked his gray beard and said to Chu Liang, “Chu Liang, you’ve been exploring martial arts in the mountain village all this time, cultivating only the most common 《Blood Nourishing Technique》. I advise you to change to the martial arts hall’s cultivation technique as soon as possible. If you have a better cultivation technique, that’s fine too.”

“I understand.” Chu Liang nodded.

“Don’t be greedy with martial skills. Mastering one is enough.” Steward Wang said solemnly, “Since you have chosen 《Autumn Blade》, you should focus on it wholeheartedly and not waste your energy studying other martial skills.”

“Can I roughly learn other martial skills?” Chu Liang asked.

“You can.”

Steward Wang said that it was fine to learn them roughly.

Those more common martial skills, such as 《Iron Sand Palm》 and 《Serpent Leg》, were all recorded in the martial arts hall and could be learned simply to gain more fighting skills.

But one must not waste too much energy studying these ordinary martial skills.

“Chu Liang, the 《Autumn Blade》 you chose is extremely difficult to master, much more difficult than ordinary martial skills. If you get distracted by studying others, you may end up empty-handed, having learned nothing.” Steward Wang advised.

“I understand, thank you, Steward Wang.”

“You’re welcome. You are a disciple of my martial arts hall, so naturally, I hope you will achieve something soon. The greater your achievements, the greater the prestige of my martial arts hall.

Steward Wang also said that not only was 《Autumn Blade》 difficult to master, but the signature martial skills of the other two major martial arts halls, 《Sinking Water Sword》 and 《Mountain Fist》, were also very difficult to master.

In addition, there were several top-notch martial skills in the Martial Alliance, all close to third-rate, and they were also very difficult to master.

Newcomers often chose the easier ones.

“I originally wanted you to learn the simpler 《Blood Breaking Saber》 to get started and lay the foundation for your saber techniques. After a year or two, you could then learn the more difficult 《Autumn Blade》. But since you came specifically for 《Autumn Blade》, I won’t try to dissuade you.”

Steward Wang pointed out a way out for Chu Liang.

If Chu Liang really couldn’t learn 《Autumn Blade》, he could take a step back and learn the easier 《Blood Breaking Saber》.

This saber technique was also quite good, considered to be above average among the many unranked martial skills.

“If you can’t even learn 《Blood Breaking Saber》, it only means that you have no affinity with saber techniques. It would be meaningless to learn even simpler ones. You might as well try swordsmanship, staff techniques, spear techniques, etc.”

Steward Wang was doing his best to plan the future path for Chu Liang.

If ordinary weapons didn’t work, he would have to change direction and use his own body as a weapon.

He patiently said, “Within seven years, you must find a weapon that suits you. It can be a saber or a sword, or it can be your own fists and feet. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

Chu Liang answered solemnly.

Although he hadn’t officially started learning martial arts yet, he could already feel the benefits of joining a martial arts hall.

With such an experienced elder helping him plan his path, he could avoid many detours.

No wonder Master Hu ran to the martial arts hall whenever he had money.

“There are three martial arts instructors in the martial arts hall, namely ‘Saber Master’, ‘Fist Master’, and ‘Palm Master’. The martial skills they are proficient in are the same as their titles, as you can probably tell.”

Steward Wang introduced the instructors in the martial arts hall to Chu Liang.

Saber Master was proficient in many saber techniques, including the aforementioned 《Autumn Blade》 and 《Blood Breaking Saber》, as well as several others.

Fist Master and Palm Master were proficient in fist techniques and palm techniques, respectively.

All three of them were experts with four strands of Qi and Blood. They would appear every three days to answer the questions of the many apprentices in the martial arts hall.

If an apprentice wanted private instruction, they would have to pay extra.

The most apprentices sought instruction from Saber Master, after all, most apprentices were learning saber techniques, so the price for Saber Master was a bit higher.

“You don’t have to worry about money. The money from the tiger demon’s corpse is enough.”

After saying this to Chu Liang, Steward Wang went to the other three and planned their future directions for them.

After doing all this, he waved his hand.

Immediately, a martial arts hall disciple came forward with four sets of martial arts hall uniforms and weapons.

“My Autumn Blade Martial Arts Hall is famous for its saber techniques. As disciples of the martial arts hall, you will naturally receive a good saber.”

The martial arts hall uniforms were mainly black, not to show off any particular style, but mainly because they were resistant to dirt.

The sabers were horizontal sabers, with a narrow and straight body, a sharp blade, and a faint cold gleam.

Chu Liang looked carefully, and a prompt appeared in his mind.

【Ordinary Horizontal Saber: Evolvable】

【Offering eight jin of flesh and blood can evolve “Ordinary Horizontal Saber” into “High-Quality Horizontal Saber”】

Every martial arts hall disciple had such a saber.

The first one was issued for free.

If it was damaged later, they would have to buy it themselves.

Five taels of silver each.

The price was the same as the standard long swords of the disciples of the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall.

“From today onwards, the four of you are officially disciples of my martial arts hall!”

Steward Wang’s aged gaze swept over the four of them and said in a deep voice, “You must all remember that the cultivation techniques and martial skills of the martial arts hall must not be leaked. Once leaked, it is a betrayal of the martial arts hall!”

“Yes!”

After that, the four of them signed a confidentiality agreement.

Every martial arts hall disciple needed to sign one.

The agreement had the seals of three parties: the martial arts hall, the Martial Alliance, and the government office. If violated, they would be hunted down by these three parties.

By the time they finished signing the agreement, it was already dusk.

The dusk in the county town was different from that in the mountain village. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the blue tiles and white walls, leaving a unique and charming oblique shadow.

“It’s getting late. You should all go and rest. If you have any questions, you can come and ask me.”

“Yes.”

The martial arts hall had a place for apprentices to stay, but it required additional payment.

A separate small courtyard was the most expensive, costing thirty taels of silver per month.

The cheapest one only cost three taels, but it couldn’t be occupied alone and needed to be shared with seven other apprentices.

Chu Liang and the well-dressed young master Xu Hua each rented a separate courtyard, while Tie Niu and the other newcomer went home to stay.

“This courtyard is even smaller than my family’s courtyard, much smaller.”

Chu Liang led the donkey to his place of residence and looked around carefully.

“It’s okay if it’s smaller. It’s just for one person to live in, without any disturbance.”

After all, Chu Liang came to practice martial arts, not to enjoy himself.

He left the donkey in the courtyard, went to the Martial Skills Hall, and selected two relatively simple martial skills, namely 《Fierce Tiger Fist》 and 《Mountain Splitting Palm》.

One fist and one palm, to supplement his close combat needs.

He planned to spend a small amount of time roughly learning these two martial skills.

“These two martial skills can also be evolved.”

Chu Liang returned to the courtyard, placed the two booklets on the stone table, and a prompt appeared in his mind.

◈◈◈

【Fierce Tiger Fist（Unranked Martial Skill）: Evolvable】

【Offering twelve jin of ordinary demon beast flesh and blood can evolve “Fierce Tiger Fist（Unranked Martial Skill）” into “Tiger Roar Fist（Third-Rate Martial Skill）”】

【Mountain Splitting Palm（Unranked Martial Skill）: Evolvable】

【Offering ten jin of ordinary demon beast flesh and blood can evolve “Mountain Splitting Palm（Unranked Martial Skill）” into “Mountain Breaking Palm（Third-Rate Martial Skill）”】

They could actually both be evolved into third-rate martial skills!

Only the amount of demon beast flesh and blood required was different.

Among the three martial skills, 《Autumn Blade》 required the most demon beast flesh and blood to evolve.

“I need to go to the black market and get some demon beast flesh and blood. I also need to replenish my supply of Blood Nourishing Pills.”

Chu Liang got up, put away the several martial skill books, told the donkey to watch the courtyard, and planned to leave the martial arts hall.

But at this moment, his courtyard door was suddenly knocked.

Knock, knock, knock!

A young voice came from outside the door: “Excuse me, is Senior Martial Brother Chu here?”

“Yes, what is it?” Chu Liang responded.

In the martial arts hall, seniority was basically determined by strength.

Those with strong abilities were senior martial brothers, and those with weaker abilities were junior martial brothers.

Although Chu Liang had just entered, he had already condensed Qi and Blood, so the others who hadn’t condensed Qi and Blood had to call him Senior Martial Brother.

The voice outside sounded again: “Senior Martial Brother Chu, there is a guest visiting. He is from the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall and says his name is Qi Xiuliang.”

“Oh? Please invite him in… Forget it, I’ll go out.”

Chu Liang thought for a moment. After all, the two martial arts halls were in a competitive relationship, so it wasn’t appropriate to let Qi Xiuliang in directly.

He opened the courtyard door, casually tossed a few coins to the disciple who delivered the message, and hurried to the entrance of the martial arts hall.

Qi Xiuliang was waiting outside.

Seeing Chu Liang appear, a smile appeared on his face, and he cupped his hands in greeting: “Brother Chu!”

“Brother Qi, it’s so late, why have you suddenly come to visit?” Chu Liang asked in surprise.

“I came under the orders of the Hall Master.” Qi Xiuliang smiled.

“Oh?”

“Brother Chu, the Hall Master asked me to tell you…”

Qi Xiuliang looked around, lowered his voice, and said, “He wasn’t at the martial arts hall today, and you were wronged. He asked me to convey his apologies and said that as long as you are willing to go to the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall, he will personally teach you the 《Sinking Water Sword》 martial skill.”

“Why is that?” Chu Liang was even more surprised.

“It’s like this…”

Qi Xiuliang smiled and began to explain.

Half an hour ago.

The Hall Master of the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall finished his business at the Martial Alliance and returned to the martial arts hall.

Qi Xiuliang immediately went to see the Hall Master and told him what happened today.

“After hearing this, the Hall Master’s face suddenly sank. He immediately took me to find Young Miss Qi Yue, confronted her, and then gave her a good scolding!”

Qi Xiuliang smiled and told Chu Liang everything that had happened before.

The Hall Master of the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall had a very high opinion of Chu Liang.

He believed that Chu Liang’s talent was enough to rank in the top five among the young people in the entire county.

“Top five! This is what the Hall Master said himself!”

As he spoke, Qi Xiuliang himself became a little excited.

The Hall Master of the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall was himself a genius, not yet forty years old, and already an expert with five strands of Qi and Blood.

He was the person in the county most likely to become the next Skin Tempering Realm expert.

To be recognized by him, what an honor it was!

“I see.”

Chu Liang understood everything.

◈◈◈

Meanwhile, at the Black Sword Martial Arts Hall.

In a secret chamber.

Hall Master Qi Hong, with a sullen face, was scolding his daughter, Qi Yue.

He angrily said, “That Chu Liang, relying on an ordinary 《Blood Nourishing Technique》, was able to condense Qi and Blood in that barren place of Qing Shi Village. With such talent, he has a great chance of entering the Skin Tempering Realm in the future! But you, based on just a letter, rejected him?!”

“That was a letter sent by Master Qi Hai!”

Qi Yue’s pretty face flushed, still being stubborn.

She didn’t think she was wrong, and said loudly, “Father, Master Qi Hai said in the letter that Chu Liang is a selfish and greedy person! How can I let such a person into the martial arts hall? I did it for the good of the martial arts hall!”

“You’re muddled!”

Qi Hong glanced at the contents of the letter and was immediately furious.

Rip!

He directly tore the letter to pieces and angrily said, “That Chu Liang snatched the credit from Wu Neng and the others? Did you see this with your own eyes?”

“I… I didn’t.”

Qi Yue’s voice couldn’t help but lower.

Qi Hong became even angrier and shouted, “Based on just a few words, you drove him away? How did I teach you in the past?”

“But I really did it for the good of the martial arts hall!”

Qi Yue was righteous, always talking about the good of the martial arts hall.

She didn’t give an inch and said plausibly, “Even if I was really wrong, the martial arts hall didn’t suffer any losses!”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Qi Hong shouted angrily, “If Chu Liang becomes a Skin Tempering Realm expert in the future, our family will have a Skin Tempering Realm friend. Don’t you understand?”

“Father, putting this matter aside, that Chu Liang only has the hope of becoming a Skin Tempering Realm expert. There are many people in the county with hope. Our family doesn’t need him as a friend!”

“Enough! Go and apologize to Chu Liang!”

“I won’t go!”

“You…”

Qi Hong’s face was livid, and he was almost bursting with anger.

This argument seemed destined to have no result.

Unless he directly tied up his daughter and took her to the Autumn Blade Martial Arts Hall, but that would be a laughingstock.

◈◈◈

Back to the entrance of the Autumn Blade Martial Arts Hall.

Qi Xiuliang smiled and said, “Brother Chu, when I left, Hall Master Qi Hong told me that he would find a way to make Young Miss Qi Yue apologize to you. Do you think she will come?”

“Don’t count on it.” Chu Liang smiled. Although he hadn’t had much contact with that young miss, he roughly knew her personality.

For someone with that kind of personality, making her apologize was harder than killing her.

The two chatted for a while longer.

Qi Xiuliang once again mentioned the matter of 《Sinking Water Sword》 and asked, “Brother Chu, do you really plan to learn saber techniques now?”

“I’ll learn it first. Maybe I have a talent for saber techniques?”

“That’s true. Brother Chu, you are still young and have the opportunity to make mistakes, unlike me, who is already in my thirties.”

Qi Xiuliang sighed. He had already chosen the path of swordsmanship in this life and could only continue along this path.

But Chu Liang was only in his twenties, young and talented, with a future full of infinite possibilities.

“It’s a pity that there are no martial arts related to archery.” Qi Xiuliang said with some regret, “Actually, Brother Chu, your archery skills are extremely strong. You should have a very high talent in the way of archery.”

“Things can’t always be perfect. My current archery skills are enough, I don’t need to learn more.” Chu Liang said easily.

“Brother Chu, your mentality is really good, much better than mine…”

Qi Xiuliang sighed again. He always felt that Chu Liang didn’t seem like a young man in his twenties.

His mentality was too stable.

As if he had already lived several lifetimes.