Chapter 45: Passing Down the Art

“Enough, enough!” After sparring for who knows how long, Sun Wei and Mi Gui felt their muscles aching and their inner energy nearly depleted. More importantly, they could barely fend off Su Yi’s sword techniques. The two quickly leapt out of the circle and begged for mercy.

“Master Su, your swordsmanship is truly remarkable. The two of us are no match for you. We are deeply impressed.”

For old soldiers like Sun Wei and Mi Gui, the fastest way to earn their respect was to overpower them in strength.

Su Yi sheathed his sword across his back once more. What the two men didn’t know was that he had gained much from this exhilarating bout.

“Big Brother Su, you’re amazing!” Chi Pengjin clapped his small hands. Even with his sharp eyes, it was clear that in the latter half, Su Yi had completely dominated the fight.

“Pengjin, come here,” Su Yi called, leading Chi Pengjin into the cabin.

Once they were seated, Su Yi asked, “How far have you progressed in your cultivation?”

At the mention, Chi Pengjin’s face fell. “I’ve only reached the third level of the True Solution, and it’s not complete yet. My father says my progress is slow.”

As Su Yi questioned, Chi Pengjin explained in detail. The “Ultimate True Solution,” the crystallization of the lifelong martial wisdom of the Demon Lord Lu Sheng and his wife, consisted of eleven levels. Chi Lingshao, the talent of a generation, had only cultivated to the seventh level; the higher realms remained out of reach.

Chi Pengjin had only reached the third level, still at the stage of integrating his own strength—roughly the third-class realm. To reach the peak of this realm, he would need to perfect the fourth level.

Su Yi pondered. In truth, there was no essential difference between the third and fourth levels of the “Ultimate True Solution.” Both relied on painstaking effort to gradually strengthen and integrate one’s inner energy. Chi Pengjin’s slow progress was because this technique emphasized steady, gradual improvement—like water slowly wearing away stone.

A bold idea formed in Su Yi’s mind. While this “Ultimate True Solution” was the triumph of the Demon Lord Lu Sheng, at its root, it shared the same origin as the “Whale Devouring Method.” Perhaps it was worth an experiment.

“Pengjin, give me your hand.”

“Alright, Big Brother Su.” Without suspicion, Chi Pengjin placed his hand before Su Yi.

Su Yi gripped the pulse gate on Chi Pengjin’s right wrist—a spot that, if left undefended, put one’s life at another’s mercy, a grave taboo among martial artists. Though young, Chi Pengjin was a practitioner and certainly knew this custom; his willingness showed deep trust.

“Don’t move your inner energy unless I tell you.”

Su Yi activated his technique, sending a thread of Whale Devouring energy into Chi Pengjin’s system.

Success!

When this energy met Chi Pengjin’s, there was no rejection. Focusing his mind, Su Yi tried to merge the two streams. His cultivation far surpassed Chi Pengjin’s; his energy was much purer. Soon, the two energies fused, indistinguishable from one another. Su Yi relaxed his control.

“Big Brother Su, what did you do?” Chi Pengjin exclaimed in delight. He had heeded Su Yi’s warning and dared not move, but now, feeling Su Yi release his hand, he inwardly examined himself and found his inner strength clearly enhanced.

“A small trick to boost your power,” Su Yi replied with a smile, then grew serious. “We’re not finished. In a moment, as I channel my energy, no matter what pain you feel, don’t move or resist with your own energy. Keep your mind absolutely clear. Can you do that?”

“Don’t worry, Big Brother Su. I promise I won’t even frown,” Chi Pengjin assured, patting his chest. He knew a great opportunity was before him.

Once Chi Pengjin had calmed his breath and stilled his mind, Su Yi saw that he was as serene as a meditating monk, unaffected by the outside world, and was reassured.

Yet, it would still depend on how he withstood what was to come. If, during this forced advancement, Chi Pengjin lost control and his energy ran wild, Su Yi’s deep cultivation would protect him, but for Chi Pengjin, it could be disastrous—he might not even retain his current abilities.

Su Yi didn’t voice these dangers, lest fear cause a mishap. He gripped Chi Pengjin’s pulse gate again and sent his energy forth.

This time, it was no minor effort. Su Yi summoned his full strength; his pure, powerful energy surged through Chi Pengjin like a mighty river.

In that moment, Chi Pengjin truly understood the meaning of “blood boiling.” He felt as if a blazing furnace raged inside him. Fortunately, as a stubborn child of the military, once he endured the initial agony, the pain lessened, and he managed not to cry out.

He didn’t know how long this sensation lasted. When his body began to grow numb to the pain, he vaguely heard Su Yi say, “It’s done.”

Instantly, Chi Pengjin’s mind relaxed, and his strength failed him; he fell backward, eyelids heavy, and drifted into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, it was midday. Chi Pengjin opened his eyes to see the old steward Zhao Xing standing nearby, concern etched on his face.

“Young master, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Chi Pengjin replied, springing from the bed. “I feel great!” He could sense the strength coursing through his body; his inner energy was far thicker than before, as if he could now defeat two strong oxen with his bare hands.

“Big Brother Su!”

Su Yi, seated cross-legged on the other bed, opened his eyes and smiled. “How do you feel?”

“It’s amazing! Big Brother Su, did I break through? I feel overflowing with strength.”

“That’s right,” Su Yi nodded. “Your inner energy has now reached the perfected fourth level. With some further training to temper your body, you’ll solidify this realm.”

Gratitude shone on Chi Pengjin’s face. Without a word, he bent his knees and knocked his forehead to the floor three times.

“Big Brother Su, words cannot express my thanks. From now on, whatever you need, just ask.”

Having been startled earlier, Zhao Xing now understood what had happened and smiled in appreciation.

“I thank you on the young master’s behalf as well, Master Su.”

“Big Brother Su, forcibly advancing my cultivation like this must have cost you greatly, didn’t it?” After the excitement faded, Chi Pengjin asked with concern.

Though young, he was not ignorant. It was well known that methods with such effects demanded a great price from the practitioner.

He was right. From that effort, Su Yi found that, thanks to the unique nature of the Whale Devouring energy and its kinship with Chi Pengjin’s own, he had expended only about a tenth of his power—a cost he could well afford.