Peaceful Sun Town still had two martial halls, and with the Water Baptism Sect coming fiercely, they ought to lend a hand.
After pondering for a while, everyone present exchanged glances.
"Let's just leave it. The fewer people who know, the better. Besides, the two hall masters combined couldn't defeat Senior Brother Xiang alone. They wouldn't be of much help. When we find the mountain spirit, we can have them come in to clean up," Xiang Changsong suggested.
Hu Qi frowned, "If the Water Baptism Sect truly wants to refine the Fetal Pearl Pill again, the quality of the fetus bearers would naturally need to be good and strong. With Master Yang not around, the martial hall might be their first target. Isn't it risky not to inform them?"
"If we inform them, there's no guarantee there aren't spies in the martial hall. It might prompt the Water Baptism Sect to act early, and we'd be caught off guard. For now, knowing their plans is our advantage."
Hu Qi and Xiang Changsong fell into deep thought.
It was truly a tricky situation.
Listening to his two senior brothers' discussion, Liang Qu felt the difficulty of the matter.
There were risks either way.
After a while, Hu Qi added, "According to our martial aunt, if the mountain spirit in Righteous Prosperity City was accidentally attracted by the River God ceremony, how do we explain the one from Dharma Lotus Temple? We still haven't caught that mountain spirit. Perhaps the Water Baptism Sect got rid of it first. I once thought Lu Shaohui's condition was caused by hatching a small mountain spirit. But now, I can't be sure if his state was genuinely caused by the Fetal Marrow Pill or if it was fabricated."
"Isn't there a possibility that the Water Baptism Sect's control over the mountain spirits isn't that strong? Perhaps they're also playing with fire? Or maybe the number of mountain spirits has grown so large that some slipped through."
"There's too little information."
"Yes, the most urgent thing is to inform Senior Brother Xu and Senior Brother Lu and see what they think."
Liang Qu stood up and suggested, "Then I'll go find Senior Brother Lu, and Senior Brother Xiang can find Senior Brother Xu?"
Hu Qi looked up at the sky, noticing it was late, and nodded, "I'll stay at the martial hall to hold the fort, but remember to keep it low-key and don't let anyone notice."
"Okay."
The two nodded.
Liang Qu was about to step through the round archway when Hu Qi suddenly called him back.
"Have you broken through yet, Junior Brother?"
"Yes, just the day before yesterday."
"Quicker than I expected. You truly are talented. You must have a fateful destiny."
Once again with the fateful destiny.
Liang Qu vaguely remembered something about gaining a destiny when he first fused with the Marsh Spirit.
It seemed like he indeed had such a fate.
"Since you've broken through, don't just stay behind closed doors in the future. It's dangerous outside these days. Stay at the martial hall and practice more. I'll teach you a martial technique."
Martial technique.
Liang Qu knew about this.
It was mentioned in the "Reflections on Life Cultivation," mainly divided into superior, medium, and lower levels, each with three grades.
Unlike cultivation methods, martial techniques are skills that demonstrate mastery of a craft.
By drawing qi, they can unleash a punch, palm strike, or arrow with several times the power.
Given his current level of qi and blood, he could barely perform lower-grade martial techniques.
Hu Qi likely thought he couldn't break through the Flesh Barrier in the short term, so he considered martial training to help increase his combat power as much as possible.
"This injury was a good reminder for me. When all this is over, you should also go to Evergreen Medical Hall to learn some medical skills. It doesn't have to be too profound, but you must understand basic herbal medicine and bone setting.
These are important when you're on the road. Everyone finds themselves at their wit's end sometimes. In tough moments, simple herbs become immensely valuable.
Besides, no matter how good a pill is, it can only assist recovery. It can't automatically set broken bones straight. If there's no one to help you and you recklessly take medicine, it might heal wrong and become deformed.
It'll be even harder to fix then."
Hu Qi spoke earnestly, fearing that his junior brother wouldn't take these words seriously.
So he gave two examples.
Liang Qu knew Hu Qi was right but felt the burden on him growing heavier.
He felt like a child who had just been signed up for several extracurricular activities by his parents.
The worst part was that it really was for his own good.
He had no choice but to learn.
Reading, practicing martial arts, learning medicine—after the incident with the Water Baptism Sect, Liang Qu even felt he should learn more about history and secrets.
Otherwise, he'd just be puzzled in his encounters.
This is the difference between someone self-taught and one with a lineage.
A disciple with a lineage isn’t necessarily better in a fight but is certainly more well-rounded, knows more, and has a better chance of surviving when in trouble.
"Alright, that's all. Just wanted to say it to you. Go quickly and return soon."
"Alright."
Liang Qu turned and stepped through the round doorway.
As he walked through the corridor and reached the martial hall entrance, he suddenly remembered something.
“Oh no, I haven’t taken leave from the academy yet.”
Today wasn't a rest day!
He had skipped the academy!
He had planned to return to class after the River God sacrifice ceremony, but with everything that happened, he had completely forgotten and hadn't even asked someone to take leave for him.
It was already dark.
The academy would probably be empty by now, so he'd have to find a chance to apologize tomorrow.
At Lu Gang's residence.
Liang Qu tiptoed in with the guidance of the gatekeeper.
He didn’t know why he was doing this, just that it was instinctive.
The sky was dark, but it was only just past the first quarter of the hour in Xu, around seven o'clock.
Winter just made it darker sooner.
Usually, there would be the clanging sound of metal being worked on at Senior Brother Lu's home, but today there was none.
Inside, several large furnaces were already out, leaving only the big red furnace used by Senior Brother Lu, guarded by two sturdy men while Senior Brother Lu rested his eyes nearby.
The moment Liang Qu entered, Lu Gang opened his eyes and looked to the door. “Junior Brother Liang?”
“Senior Brother Lu.” Liang Qu bowed.
Seeing the situation, he knew his senior brother had been working hard on his spear recently.
“Did you need something?”
Liang Qu looked around, “Can we talk somewhere private?”
“Let’s go to the quiet room.”
Inside the quiet room, Liang Qu shared everything he encountered today, including the exchanges between the Yang Manor and the martial hall, with Lu Gang.
Lu Gang frowned.
“The Water Baptism Sect... I know a bit about them. I thought they were extinct. Didn't expect there were still survivors. Fortunately, I’m quite free now. Come, let's head to the martial hall.”
Arriving at the martial hall.
Hu Qi greeted Lu Gang, and the three waited together for Xiang Changsong and Xu Zishuai.
They waited for almost three quarters of an hour before two figures hurriedly emerged from the corridor.
“Sorry, sorry, we’re late.” As soon as Xu Zishuai entered, he began offering apologies.
Liang Qu faintly smelled make-up.
“Where have you been messing around?”
Lu Gang frowned, posing the question while looking at Xiang Changsong.
Xu Zishuai gave a threatening look, and Xiang Changsong gave a helpless smile, "Senior Brother Lu probably already knows the answer, right?"
Lu Gang sighed: “Fine, I won’t say anything since all the juniors are here. Just handle yourself. If you weaken yourself by overindulging, don’t blame me.”
“Hey, Senior Brother Lu, don’t underestimate me.” Xu Zishuai squared his shoulders, patting his lap and preparing to boast.
“Alright, enough with the antics. Let’s get serious. Do you all understand the situation with the Water Baptism Sect?” Lu Gang, being the eldest and most talented disciple present, naturally took the lead.
Xu Zishuai put on a serious face, “Regarding the Water Baptism Sect, I have an idea.”
(End of Chapter)