“Do you have a Shape Cultivation Technique for sale?” Chen Mu suddenly asked.
“One thousand taels,” Jie Jia said indifferently.
“Does it include the Divine Intent Diagram?” Chen Mu exclaimed with joy. Although it was expensive, he would have to buy it even if it meant scrimping and saving or selling his cooking pots.
“No,” Jie Jia glanced at Chen Mu. With the Divine Intent Diagram, it couldn’t possibly be just a thousand taels.
Chen Mu was suddenly greatly disappointed.
“You can’t afford a legacy that comes with the Divine Intent Diagram,” Jie Jia stated calmly.
Chen Mu was half-doubtful. Were there times when silver couldn’t get things done?
“Is there a Ghost Market in Nanyang Prefecture City?” Chen Mu still wanted to go and see for himself.
Jie Jia glanced at Chen Mu and didn’t try to dissuade him, “There is.”
When you’re disappointed, you’ll naturally come back to buy.
“The Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique really doesn’t come with the Divine Intent Diagram?” Chen Mu asked reluctantly.
“The Divine Intent Diagram is the core and the source of the Shape Cultivation Technique,” Jie Jia explained.
“The original creator might have had it in their mind, but without full comprehension, it couldn’t be recorded, and if it couldn’t be recorded, then it doesn’t exist.”
“Most small legacies are in this state.”
“The Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique is only passed down within the territory of Nanyang Prefecture. As far as I know, there isn’t one,” Jie Jia said calmly.
Without the Divine Intent Diagram, Soul Strength can’t be trained.
Knowing the limitations of the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique, Chen Mu was very disappointed.
But it was not to the point of despair.
Ordinary people take ten years to practice Shape Cultivation, a hundred years to cultivate Soul Strength. He had only been practicing martial arts for a year and a half. If the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique wasn’t good enough, he could simply switch to another one.
“Where can I learn a Shape Cultivation Technique that includes the Divine Intent Diagram?” Chen Mu asked.
“The army, big clans, major gang forces, and some independent practitioners,” Jie Jia said lightly.
Chen Mu nodded and took note of it in his heart.
He might have to think of ways in these areas in the future.
Having transmigrated with the added cheat of proficiency, he naturally wanted to attempt climbing to the peak.
However, there was no hurry.
Ordinary people take ten years; he needed only a little over a year to complete Shape Cultivation. There was plenty of time, so he should be more stable.
The urgent task at hand was to settle down in Nanyang first and then inquire around after stabilizing.
…
The caravan continued on its way.
In a few days, heavy rain descended, and the caravan was forced to stop for repairs.
During this time, Chen Mu found a relatively secluded spot to test the changes from the Marrow Transformation.
In a grove of trees, Chen Mu’s figure vanished abruptly.
In the environment where grass and trees grew in disarray, he was like an agile falcon.
Changing direction freely, moving silently, he could stop on a dime and, once moving, was as swift as lightning.
Even though the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique was a small legacy without the Divine Intent Diagram, it was still a Shape Cultivation Technique that could transform one’s physique.
When he moved at full speed, ordinary people could only see a blur. If not looked at carefully, one might think him a swift bird passing by.
“My energy has also become more vigorous,” Chen Mu reflected on the changes of the past few days.
He only needed to sleep for three hours a day to feel refreshed and energetic.
If the situation was urgent, he could even go for two days without sleep and still not feel tired.
“And this is only a small legacy Shape Cultivation Technique.”
The Shape Cultivation Technique and the Five Ghosts Bag, amongst other wonders, made Chen Mu even more expectant about the future.
…
In the following days, the journey became easier.
Villages and vast fields began to appear around.
From time to time, they saw farmers working in the fields.
After another five days, they finally reached Nanyang Prefecture.
From afar, they saw a black line stretching east to west, winding and spreading. Only when they approached did they realize it was the long city wall. Compared to Nanyang Prefecture City, Qingshan County was practically a small courtyard.
In such a large place, it might take two to three days just to go from the south to the north of the city.
“Truly magnificent,” Chen Mu marveled.
This was only one of the thirteen prefectures of Da Liang. He could only imagine what the even more prosperous capital of Da Liang would look like.
While the troupe was admiring the prefecture city like country bumpkins, seven or eight fast horses dashed directly towards the caravan.
A handsome young master who was over two meters tall, dressed in white, with fair skin, and a face like a fine jade, dismounted in the middle of the caravan.
The newcomer was Zuo Sheng, the eldest son of the Zuo Family.
Noticing Chen Mu’s gaze, he turned his head to look over.
Upon seeing Chen Mu, he was momentarily startled before smiling and nodding in greeting.
Chen Mu returned the awkward yet polite smile.
As a murderer, encountering a witness made him feel somewhat uneasy.
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Zuo Sheng diverted his gaze and jumped onto the large carriage to greet his relatives.
Chen Mu, like the others, nonchalantly observed Zuo Sheng’s entourage.
Each one of them, dressed in tight-fitting vests with a fierce glint in their eyes and muscular arms exposed, clearly wasn’t to be trifled with.
“It’s the Startling Swan Gang,” Du Huai, the county magistrate who usually didn’t attract much attention, spoke up.
Upon reaching Nanyang Prefecture City, the former county commandant, who had been cautious all the way, finally relaxed, seeming to speak with a sense of ease, “Startling Swan Gang is the largest gang in Nanyang Prefecture, controlling the Jinshui River, with a vast influence.”
“Are they still recruiting?” Zhang Ye asked with enthusiasm.
Having been a gang leader himself, he found it hard to let go of the gang affairs he had been involved in for half his life, even after changing locations.
Chen Mu was all ears as well.
Jie Jia had mentioned that within some major forces and gangs, there was a transmission of the Divine Intent Diagram.
“Forget about it. They only recruit young children to train themselves. You’re too old; even if you really joined, you’d just be an outer member. There’s no great benefit, plus you’re merely exploited for nothing.”
Zhang Ye’s face turned sour; after all, he had been a gang leader. If he could become a core member and take orders willingly, he would have been content. But to merely be a peripheral lackey would mean he was just cannon fodder selling his life cheaply.
Chen Mu felt disappointed as well.
Without joining the core, he had no way of obtaining the transmission of the Divine Intent Diagram.
And as for accumulating great merits to receive a reward, how significant must the merit be to earn such a transmission?
Moreover, within such a gang, countless struggles for power and profit occurred. Chen Mu did not travel through time just to engage in cunning rivalries with others.
…
Nanyang City seemed close, but the walking distance proved it was not; by the time the caravan slowly reached the city gate, it was already the afternoon hour.
Upon reaching this spot, the companions who had traveled together began to go their separate ways.
The first to leave was Miss Bai.
The impressive maid Cui Cui caught up with her carriage, nodded to Jie Jia, and then drove off.
The second to leave was Du Huai.
He had just reached the gate when a man in his fifties, looking like a steward, came forward to welcome him.
Du Huai bid farewell to everyone with folded hands and, with his entourage, climbed onto a luxurious carriage.
Chen Mu observed thoughtfully— it seemed that County Commandant Du’s family was doing quite well in the city.
“Big Senior Brother! I’m here!” Cheng Ming, who had been peering out the window at the people, suddenly shouted.
A middle-aged man in a Daoist robe, steering a horse carriage, quickly approached.
“How did you get ahead of us?” Cheng Ming jumped onto the other’s carriage, excitedly hugging Cheng Yi’s neck as he asked.
“Because my martial arts practice is good and I run fast,” Cheng Yi said with a beaming smile.
“Cheng Yi, did the master also come?” the Daoist He, who was at the back, stepped forward to ask.
“Uncle He, go back first. I’ll talk after settling in,” Cheng Yi said.
He immediately hopped down from the carriage and, bowing to Jie Jia, expressed, “Thank you, old sir, for escorting us all the way.”
Jie Jia nodded calmly.
“Goodbye, Brother Chen!” Cheng Ming shouted toward Chen Mu.
Chen Mu waved with a smile, at the same time fishing out the last two packs of jerky from his parcel and tossing them over.
“Thanks, Brother Chen!” Cheng Ming couldn’t wait to take out a piece of jerky and began to chew with gusto.
“Oh right, Brother Chen, once I enter the city, where do I find you? I still want to treat you to a big meal!” Cheng Ming said, his large eyes twinkling cunningly.
“Cheng Ming, don’t be rude!” Cheng Yi gently chided.
Then turning his head to Daoist He, he asked, “Uncle He?”
Daoist He immediately stepped forward and briefly described the journey.
“Uncle He, get on the carriage first; I’ll make the arrangements,” Cheng Yi said with a nod, indicating he understood, and instructed Cheng Ming and Daoist He to get into the carriage.
Cheng Yi walked towards Chen Mu with steady steps, his demeanor calm, “Young Master Chen, here we meet again.”
Chen Mu returned the gesture with polite cupped hands. He always felt this Daoist didn’t seem to like him much.
“My little junior brother is young and ignorant; I appreciate Young Master Chen’s hospitality.” With those words, he pulled out a silver note from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Mu.
“We do not plan to stay in Nanyang for long, hence can’t repay your kindness. Please accept this small token of gratitude.”
“It’s only a bit of food, there’s no need for this,” said Chen Mu as his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
“It is better for Young Master Chen to accept it,” Cheng Yi said flatly, “I hope Young Master Chen will never appear before my junior brother again.”
Chen Mu stared at Cheng Yi.
Feeling the faint threat and strong rejection emanating from him, Chen Mu truly didn’t understand what he had done to offend the man.
Glancing at the silver note in the other’s hand, Chen Mu chuckled softly, reclined back into the carriage, and calmly watched ahead.
With a light kick of his toes, the carriage slowly passed in front of Cheng Yi.
Cheng Yi’s expression remained unchanged as he withdrew the silver note.
“Evil spirits and outsiders…”
“Hmph!”
Cheng Yi watched the receding carriage with indifference, “I hope you are sensible, otherwise…”
“Big Senior Brother, why did Brother Chen leave? He hasn’t told me how to find him yet,” Cheng Ming, poking his head out from the carriage, curiously asked.
Cheng Yi’s face brightened with a friendly smile as he looked at Cheng Ming, “Little Junior Brother, Young Master Chen is just passing through Nanyang, he will be leaving soon.”
“We shouldn’t delay others on their way.”
“Leaving? But Brother Chen said he was going to settle down here, didn’t he?” Cheng Ming asked, puzzled.
Cheng Yi mounted the carriage, driving the horses as he said with an unchanged expression, “Can you take seriously something an adult says just to amuse you?”
“Brother Chen wouldn’t tease me.”
“Alright, alright, he’s not teasing you; I’m teasing you,” Cheng Yi conceded.
“Big Senior Brother, don’t treat me like a child,” Cheng Ming protested.
“Okay, so I’ll treat you like a little adult then…”
“Big Senior Brother…”