Chapter Forty-Two: Becoming Stronger

"Brother, from now on, you’re my brother. Incredible, you’re just too damn incredible!"

On the way back, Meng Xudong couldn’t help pounding the steering wheel with laughter. "Did you notice that look on President Zhang’s face? Like a scheming old fox! Hahaha, I’m dying! Earlier, when people said you’re a disciple of the Sage, I was skeptical, but now I’m completely convinced!"

"Brother Song, honestly, with your age, your courage, strategy, and eloquence, it’s a waste for you to be just a fighter. How about I talk to the old man at home and give you a share of Elite Martial Hall? The two of us could join forces and turn it into the most badass martial academy in the universe!"

Song Yue’s face was expressionless. "Just focus on driving, or you’ll end up with a speeding ticket in the mail."

"Today was just too satisfying. Pity there’s no one to share it with—ah, the loneliness!" Meng Xudong was still basking in the afterglow of that scene.

Especially when Song Yue received the three sticks of incense from the utterly dejected Zhang Zichen, solemnly offered them, and murmured words of farewell for Zhang Zixing. Meng Xudong couldn’t help but laugh.

After this, who would dare say that martial artists are all brainless brutes? Song Yue’s move was flawless! The feud with the Zhang family is now set in stone, but the truth is, whether Song Yue showed up today or not, the enmity already existed.

Had he not come, things would have looked very different. Zhang Jian would have put on a face of grief, recounting Zhang Zixing’s tragedy. In retrospect, he might even have dragged that group of grandmasters into it.

After all, who would believe Song Yue alone could take down both Zhang Zixing and Ou Ping?

But Song Yue came! Not only did he come, but he handled everything with respect, and the look of genuine sorrow on his handsome features was convincing. It didn’t matter what the Zhang family thought internally; what mattered was the impression left on the guests.

And then Song Yue revealed himself as the Sage’s disciple. That quietly raised his status—a highly effective bargaining chip! At least, after today, the Zhangs won’t dare to openly target Song Yue or his family.

No matter how powerful someone is, they still have to care about public opinion, right? Even those who control the narrative can fall.

Meng Xudong was no fool. He laughed hard, but his respect for Song Yue deepened. Previously, he’d wanted Song Yue to join the Elite Martial Hall as a golden signboard to attract young talents. Now, the desire was stronger—he was even pondering whether to ask for a share of the Hall’s stock for Song Yue. Talents like this, once missed, are gone forever.

He dropped Song Yue off at home, beaming, and took his leave.

Song Yue, however, wasn’t particularly excited.

Some things can be overlooked as the arrogance of youth, but being too precocious is unsettling. Still, there are matters one must be clear-eyed about.

Today’s visit to the Zhangs had made their attitude crystal clear. Zhang Zichen was brash, like a dog chained in the yard, but the hatred he bore for Song Yue spoke volumes about the Zhangs’ impression of him.

This kind of hatred would never fade with time. Zhang Jian would likely try to contact Ou Ping’s family to come after him together.

He had the Sage behind him, but the Sage wasn’t omnipotent. As the saying goes, an open attack is easy to avoid; it’s the hidden ones that kill. He couldn’t live the rest of his life on edge.

So the most important thing now was to strengthen himself!

Whether or not he was a warrior was, for Song Yue right now, not unimportant, but rather distant.

He took out his phone and called Xiao Qi.

The call took a while to connect. Just as Song Yue was about to hang up, someone picked up, and a hesitant voice came through.

"Who is this?"

"It’s me."

"Holy crap!" On the other end, Xiao Qi was immediately shocked. "Zhu…Song Yue? How is it you? You got out of the Kunlun secret realm? How is that possible? We waited until the gate closed that day before leaving—how did you get out? Did you find some special passage?"

"Yeah, VIP access. I paid up, so they let me out," Song Yue replied.

"Get lost!" Xiao Qi rolled his eyes, then grew serious. "Glad you’re out! I was just regretting losing a good brother—sixty years without seeing you, missing out on countless legendary tombs! Now we can go searching for tombs together and do some archaeology!"

"I need something from you," Song Yue cut to the chase, not wanting to banter further.

"The jade slips?" Xiao Qi grasped his meaning at once.

"Exactly!" Song Yue said. "They’re very useful to me. Honestly, they’re real treasures. You should cultivate with me."

"Forget it. That Taiyi Body Refining Scripture? As soon as I got home, I asked the old man—he said it’s an ancient martial artist technique. Valuable, but…" Xiao Qi got a bit carried away, his mouth running faster than his mind.

"It might not mean much to your family, but I need it. Name your price," Song Yue said, not wishing to rip him off. He’d already fleeced him of ten million before, earning the nickname Bandit Song. If he did it again, who knew what nickname he’d get.

"Pay back that ten million first!" Xiao Qi grumbled. He didn’t really need the money—it was just embarrassing.

He’d thought the jade slip would contain a top-tier immortal cultivation method, but it turned out to be a martial artist’s manual. This "blind box" had been a massive disappointment.

"No problem," Song Yue agreed easily. Money was useful, but if it meant getting the full Taiyi Body Refining Scripture, he’d part with ten million without a second thought.

"Plus fifty million more!" Xiao Qi demanded greedily.

"Brother! Your name’s Xiao Qi, not Stingy, right? Do I look like I have fifty million lying around?"

"You’re so handsome—just find a rich woman. Forget fifty million, she’d give you two hundred million," Xiao Qi scoffed. "Don’t give me the poor routine. No fifty million, no deal!"

Finally, a chance to get the upper hand on Bandit Song—what a great feeling!

"All right, forget it. Goodbye," Song Yue didn’t give him a chance to speak and hung up.

Within three seconds, Xiao Qi called back.

"Come on, Lao Song, don’t be like that. I was only joking—no need to take it seriously."

Song Yue replied bitterly, "Is it appropriate to joke like that with a poor kid?"

Xiao Qi was speechless for a long while.

A young grandmaster calling himself poor? Did he even know what poverty meant?

"How about this: you return the ten million and promise me one thing. I’ll convince the old man to let you study the jade slips, but you must return them afterward. Deal?"

"Let’s hear what you want first," Song Yue was cautious. Conditions can vary in weight, and dealing with someone as sly as Xiao Qi, it was rare to get the better of him.

"I haven’t fully decided, but it’ll probably be for you to accompany me into a tomb I don’t dare enter alone."

Song Yue considered. "Just don’t make it too crazy. Nothing like the First Emperor’s tomb, okay?"

Xiao Qi spat. "I haven’t lived enough yet!"

"Then I agree," Song Yue said.

"Wait for my news! I’ll head to Hang City in the next few days."

After hanging up, Song Yue breathed a sigh of relief—finally, he’d get the full Taiyi Body Refining Scripture!

Maybe the tomb-raiding clans like Xiao Qi’s didn’t realize that scripture was a top-tier martial arts manual. He’d have to remind him later—it was only right, since he’d benefited so much already.

…

Zhang family.

In a modest reception room, Zhang Jian sat with several elderly men. The room was thick with cigar smoke. The elders puffed away, while Zhang Jian sat lower, deferential.

One, with snow-white hair and brows, eyed him. "I warned you not to hold this funeral—you risked backfiring, but you wouldn’t listen. Now, a single condolence visit has made a mess of things. Hurts, doesn’t it?"

A bitter smile came to Zhang Jian’s face. "I admit I was careless. I didn’t expect him to return, and certainly not for someone so young to have such boldness…"

"His return proves the rumors aren’t false—some people can ignore the laws of secret realm portals and come and go at will." The elderly man spoke flatly. "And his appearance today—perhaps not his own idea. No matter how clever, a young man still lacks experience."

Zhang Jian frowned. "You mean…the Sage?"

The old man nodded. "Lu Shengfu is a mysterious man indeed." He took a draw on his cigar, narrowing his eyes. "To the world, he’s a renowned Confucian scholar. But a few know he’s also a martial grandmaster. Fewer still suspect his identity goes even deeper."

Zhang Jian looked incredulous. "Isn’t that a bit much?"

The old man’s snowy eyebrows quivered. He stubbed out his cigar, glanced at Zhang Jian. "What’s so exaggerated?"

"If he’s that powerful, why would he confine himself to Hang City? For years, aside from his academy, he rarely leaves his house, let alone the city."

The old man chuckled. "If that’s true, then how did Song Yue return?"

Zhang Jian paled. "You mean…the Sage helped him?"

"I can’t be sure," the old man replied. "But trust me, the Sage is not as simple as you think. If you want answers, ask your father."

This elder was Zhang Jian’s third uncle—his father wasn’t present.

Zhang Jian sat, brows knit. "But I can’t just let my son’s killer go because the Sage is mysterious, can I?"

The old man looked at him. "I never asked: how do you know that young man killed your son?"

Zhang Jian hesitated. "I sent an assassin into the secret realm to kill Song Yue. Now Song Yue’s back alive, but the assassin has vanished."

The elders froze. The third uncle exclaimed, "How could you be so foolish? Over such a small matter, you sent a killer after him?"

Zhang Jian sighed. "At Star Martial Hall, when Zixing had Chen He spar with Song Yue, he had Ou Ping—an alien—use mental powers to sabotage him. If Chen He hadn’t held back, Song Yue would have died or been crippled…"

The elders looked at one another, stunned by the hidden details.

"You see," Zhang Jian continued, "in anyone’s shoes, wouldn’t you harbor a grudge? To eliminate future risks, I decided to remove him."

"But today, when Song Yue came to the mourning hall, he praised Zixing and never mentioned the Star Martial incident or showed any sign of resentment."

Zhang Jian’s voice was bitter. "If I still held hope before, at that moment it died. Such magnanimity only comes when one side is already dead."

His third uncle frowned in thought, then looked at him. "I still find it hard to believe—a young man can’t be as monstrous as you say."

"Third Uncle, you and the seniors were always against targeting the Songs. But now the truth is clear—will you keep pretending ignorance?"

"Mind your words," said another elder sternly. "Using your son’s name to devour the Song business was always risky. You’re no longer young, normally steady—how could you be so reckless now?"

"Fourth Uncle, if we seize the Songs’ interstellar trade channels, our business will soar. Weren’t you always urging expansion? This is the perfect opportunity!"

The third uncle waved a hand. "The Songs aren’t as simple as you think—they have official backing. Don’t let greed blind you. Our Zhang family alone can’t shake them."

"What if we add the Ou family from Tianyue Star?"

"You’ve contacted them?"

Zhang Jian nodded. "I’ve told them what happened. Ou Ping wasn’t high in status, but he was a direct descendant of the current head. They won’t let his death go."

The elders exchanged looks. "So what’s your plan?"

"Unite with the Ou and our allies to launch a business assault on the Songs—seize their resources and clients, chip away at them. We’ll spread rumors that Song Yue killed our heir and dared to provoke us at home!"

"That’s a risky move," one elder warned. "You could be ruined if it fails."

"A son’s death must be avenged," Zhang Jian declared.

"Alas," sighed the third uncle. "Do as you will, but coordinate with the authorities."

"It’s not like only they have connections. The Imperial Merchants of the Zhangs can play the game too!"

…

Night.

Song Yue suddenly received a video call from his sister, Song Yu.

On screen, Song Yu—nearly thirty but looking barely twenty—was wearing a face mask and smiling at the camera.

"Little one, it’s been a while. How are you?"

"I’m good. What made you call, Sis?" Song Yue was surprised. His overachieving sister rarely contacted him without reason.

"I heard you had a mishap? Some say you got trapped in the secret realm and didn’t make it back."

"Who told you that?" Song Yue was puzzled.

The Sage hadn’t mentioned contacting his family.

"Doesn’t matter who. We’re all worried about you. Don’t act like your world only contains the Sage," Song Yu teased.

"I’m fine, see? Back safe and sound," Song Yue grinned.

"I also heard the Zhangs, the major shareholders in Hang City’s Star Martial Hall, have a conflict with you?"

"Come on, Sis—just say it. What else have you heard?"

Song Yu removed her mask, revealing flawless, delicate features. "It seems the Zhangs are preparing to suppress our family. People have been investigating us these past few days."

"Oh?" Song Yue frowned. He’d never paid attention to the family business, only knowing the basics—he wasn’t even sure how many companies they owned or what they did.

"I heard Zhang Zixing died in the secret realm. Was that anything to do with you?" Song Yu asked directly, then added, "Our call is secure—no one can eavesdrop."

"So what if it was? So what if it wasn’t?" Song Yue didn’t answer straight, even with her assurance.

No one had seen him kill Zhang Zixing and Ou Ping. It could be interpreted however he liked, but equally, there was no proof against him.

Secret revenge was one thing; openly, the Zhangs had no case. They wouldn’t even find Zhang Zixing’s remains.

"This affects how determined we’ll be in response," Song Yu explained. "If you weren’t involved, they just want an excuse to take some of our channels; if you were, it’s different."

She looked at him. "It’s a fight to the death."

"And what does that mean, exactly?" Song Yue asked.

This was an interstellar age of universal cultivation, but the law was still strong. In the secret realm, jungle law applied, but back in society, even top conglomerates kept their dirty work out of sight.

"All right, little one. I get it now. Leave it to us—you don’t know the business side. Just keep safe in Hang City. If things get dangerous, come back to the capital. No one can touch you here."

"Sorry for causing trouble," Song Yue murmured.

Song Yu, who was about to hang up, frowned. "What nonsense? The Zhangs have coveted our business for ages—this is just an excuse. Don’t worry, our family isn’t some pushover. It won’t be easy for them to take us down!"

Her tone softened. "So don’t blame yourself. If you’re bullied, of course you fight back! If I hadn’t been so busy and hadn’t heard so late, I’d have helped you settle this myself!"

Song Yue grinned. "Sis, you’re the best!"

She beamed. "Of course! Better than your brother, right?"

"Absolutely. Song Chao is a jerk!"

"Haha, you said it, not me!"

Brother and sister shared a laugh. When the call ended, Song Yue’s smile faded.

"A fight to the death, huh?" He drew a deep breath, began circulating the Taiyi Body Refining Scripture, and started practicing the mental techniques the Heavenly Lord had taught him.

He needed to grow stronger!

…

Two days later.

At the appointed time, Song Yue arrived at the Sage’s home early in the morning.

Without wasting words, the Sage led him straight to the study and opened a portal using the Tongtian Stele.

Song Yue was startled. "Aren’t we at your house?"

"I’m afraid your howling will bother the neighbors. Let’s go somewhere else," said the Sage.

Song Yue’s eyes widened. "Me? The future Martial Saint, howling over a small matter? You underestimate me!"

Two hours later.

In a remote part of the Kunlun secret realm—

"Aaaah!"

"It hurts! Damn, it hurts so much!"

"Sage, I feel like my organs are burning, about to explode!"

"Save me, Sage!"

In a pool of unknown ancient material, Song Yue was screaming.

At first, he was too embarrassed to yell, but when the Sage assured him that nobody could hear him here, he let loose.

Runes danced around the pool. Spiritual energy swirled overhead, funneling into the liquid.

The water was brown, bubbling as if boiling, though there was no heat source. Herbs, wrapped in runes, released their potent essences into the pool.

Song Yue looked like a boiled crab—bright red, his handsome face contorted with pain. He screamed, but it was just venting. If he’d truly been afraid of suffering, he’d have climbed out long ago.

The Sage stood by, ready to kick him back in or fish him out if he really couldn’t take it.

But despite his screams, Song Yue never tried to leave.

He stayed because he wanted to grow strong, to help his family instead of being a burden.

If it was enough to make Song Yu call him, it was no small matter.

The Zhangs wanted a fight to the death? So be it!

The medicine was incredibly strong. Song Yue felt like his organs were burning, his skin stabbed by a million needles.

He didn’t know what hell was like, but surely this was it.

All this just to guide and activate a strand of innate energy—why was it so difficult?

"Sage, in stories, a tumble off a cliff gives you a peerless manual, and a few days later you’re riding in fine cars, surrounded by beauties… Why is it so hard for me?"

He tried every trick to distract himself, but the pain was relentless.

The Sage spoke from the poolside, "If you can run your cultivation method now, the effects will be even better."

"Oh Sage, you expect too much of me… Like this… oww, you think I can cultivate?" Song Yue gritted his teeth, tears rolling uncontrollably. It wasn’t weeping—just a physiological reaction to the agony.

"You can try," the Sage said gently.

Song Yue suddenly felt the Sage was anything but lovable. Too ruthless!

Still, he clenched his jaw and forced himself to begin the Taiyi Body Refining Scripture.

The pain persisted. Cultivating in this state was immeasurably harder than usual.

But if the Sage said so, there must be a reason.

At first, he couldn’t calm his mind at all. But gradually…his screams faded. Though his face remained twisted, he sank into a deep, tranquil state.

Calmness returned.

Only then did the Sage’s eyes show a trace of tenderness.

What could kill most men with pain, Song Yue endured with just a bit of shouting—never even trying to flee.

This child’s will was stronger than he’d imagined.

If Heaven doesn’t favor such a person, whom would it favor—the lazy, cowardly, and incompetent?

A warrior, a chosen one, is no accident.

Still, the Sage didn’t dare relax—Song Yue could crash at any time. Even if he failed, the Sage would keep him alive.

But then he noticed something: Song Yue’s technique was different from before!

As Song Yue fully immersed himself, the redness faded from his skin, turning from red to white, and soon to nearly normal.

"Did he get this in the underground palace?" The Sage was surprised.

Though a martial grandmaster, he’d never devoted himself to martial arts, so he hadn’t noticed the difference at first.

Now, on closer inspection, his expression grew solemn.

This technique was extraordinary!

As Song Yue ran the Taiyi method, his skin began to turn faintly golden.

A sign of forging the Golden Body!

Though still far from true attainment, if he kept at it, he’d one day achieve the Invincible Golden Body.

"This kid…" the Sage’s face showed admiration.

Song Yue thought guiding and activating the Thunderforce inside him would take a few hours. Instead, three full days passed before it was over.

On the third morning, he finally felt a mysterious energy in his dantian—a coiling dragon swimming slowly.

Before, it had rampaged through his body like countless bolts of lightning, tearing up his insides.

Now it was calm at last.

Climbing out, Song Yue could feel he’d lost more than ten pounds. All that hard-won meat, burned away by the Thunderforce.

He tried guiding the energy into his arm and threw a punch at a nearby boulder.

A burst of force exploded—the rock shattered into pieces!

Song Yue stood stunned.

He hadn’t advanced to grandmaster level, but his combat power…

He looked at the Sage.

The Sage stood by, beaming with pride.

"Sage, did I succeed?" Song Yue’s eyes shone.

The Sage nodded with a smile. "Come, I’ll take you somewhere."

He took out a palm-sized paper crane, which instantly grew in size. The Sage stepped aboard and beckoned Song Yue.

Then he said, "Fly."

And the crane took off.

Song Yue nearly toppled, grabbing the Sage’s arm for balance.

As the crane soared steadily, Song Yue shouted against the wind, "Sage, is this a Confucian miracle? It’s amazing!"

"This is a Mohist secret art," the Sage replied.

Song Yue was stunned.

"I study the Hundred Schools—not just Confucianism," the Sage explained.

Song Yue, who’d just been feeling proud of his own strength, instantly grew humble.

The Sage was truly extraordinary!

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