Chapter 51: Escorting the Goods! To Jingguang Temple

"Mm. It is all thanks to Senior Brother's help."

Zhang Lingshan stood up from the bathtub and dressed himself.

He wasn't surprised that Xiao Ming could tell, because after the breakthrough, his entire aura and spirit had become completely different.

Xiao Ming was also an experienced Flesh Refiner; it wasn't strange for him to notice.

"Good, good! This is great news. Let's go see Master!"

With a face full of excitement, Xiao Ming pulled Zhang Lingshan toward Hong Zhengdao's main residence.

They found Hong Zhengdao no longer reclining on his bed, but sitting in the courtyard drinking tea. Upon seeing Zhang Lingshan, his eyes instantly lit up. "You broke through? Faster than I imagined."

"Yes. It is all thanks to Senior Brother Xiao's dedicated assistance."

"Then you must repay Xiao Ming well in the future," Hong Zhengdao nodded. "With Xiao Ming's talent, you might even break through the Tendon Transformation stage faster than him. He will be relying on you in the future."

Zhang Lingshan said, "We are all one family; helping each other is only right. Senior Brother Xiao Ming is a good person; I won't let him suffer a loss."

"Well said. What about that Pan Mingzhong? Hasn't he broken through yet?" Hong Zhengdao asked.

Xiao Ming shook his head. "He is somewhat lazy and cannot endure hardship; he isn't even a ten-thousandth of Junior Brother Shan."

Hong Zhengdao said, "Since he hasn't broken through yet, then the one who arrives first takes precedence. Xiao Shan, you are now the fifth."

"Yes, Master."

"Since you have already achieved Flesh Refining, Xiao Ming, pass the Red Cloud Saber Technique to him," Hong Zhengdao permitted.

To his surprise, Xiao Ming showed a look of shame and lowered his head slightly. "Master, your disciple's mastery of the Red Cloud Saber Technique is not yet proficient..."

"Sigh." Hong Zhengdao sighed upon hearing this. "If you weren't proficient, you should have come to ask me more often."

"Your disciple was afraid of disturbing you, Master."

"You are simply too honest, never competing or striving, which is why you haven't been able to advance. Forget it, I won't lecture you. Go call Xu Liang over and have him pass the Red Cloud Saber Technique to Xiao Shan."

"Yes."

Xiao Ming immediately set off.

A short while later, Xu Liang arrived, carrying two sabers. He handed one to Zhang Lingshan and said, "Practice following me."

"Yes."

Xu Liang swiftly assumed the Sun-Embracing Stance, holding the saber upright before his chest.

Then came upward slashes, downward chops, left sweeps, right cuts...

After following the movements once, Zhang Lingshan understood.

This was nothing more than the Hunyuan True Yang Stance with a saber added. The difference lay in avoiding self-injury while wielding the blade; many of the Hunyuan True Yang Stance postures required subtle modifications.

In truth, whether it was the Red Line Fist, the Blood Claw Hand, or the Red Cloud Saber Technique, they were all extensions based on the Hunyuan True Yang Stance.

Since his Hunyuan True Yang Stance was already perfected, learning these three martial arts was very easy.

It was a complete system.

The concept was: when the Yang energy is abundant, the Red Clouds rise.

When the blood qi is stimulated from the heart, forming a red line that eventually reaches the fingertips, and then erupts from the nail beds, merging with the saber strikes, the entire martial art is considered thoroughly mastered.

"Very good."

Seeing that Zhang Lingshan could perform a smooth set after only a few lessons from Xu Liang, Hong Zhengdao smiled. "Next, continue to familiarize yourself with this saber technique. Only after mastering the saber can you take up your post at the yamen."

"A post at the yamen?" Zhang Lingshan asked, puzzled.

Hong Zhengdao said, "You won't need to go as a herb-gathering guard for the Feng Clan Pharmacy; that's too low-level. I've found a new job for you. Originally, I planned to pass the Red Cloud Saber Technique to you at the end of the month once your Flesh Refining was successful, intending for you to start mid-next month. Now, it seems I must personally make a trip to tell them it will be earlier."

Zhang Lingshan was somewhat shocked by this.

For a civil service job like a post at the yamen, Master Hong could secure his appointment with just a single word.

As expected of a peak Tendon Transformation expert.

Even while injured, he still possessed significant influence.

Seeing Hong Zhengdao about to stand up to personally seek out the yamen officials, Zhang Lingshan hurriedly said, "Master, wait."

"What is it?"

"Your disciple has something he wishes to discuss with Master. I want to go out of the city to visit my father at Jinguang Temple, but I am unsure if it is appropriate given the current situation."

"It is appropriate. What is not? It is better to show filial piety early than late. Besides, you have already reached Flesh Refining and can now hold your own. But how do you plan to go? Let me hear your idea."

Hong Zhengdao spoke with a smile, his gaze toward Zhang Lingshan becoming even more gratified.

A child like Zhang Lingshan, who cared for his family and possessed filial piety, was a good child—one who would never betray him like Zhao Qing.

The reason he was training Zhang Lingshan without reservation was precisely because of this quality, so how could he stop him from visiting his father?

Not only would he not stop him, he would support him wholeheartedly!

Zhang Lingshan said, "Your disciple intends to find Junior Brother Lyu Feng's Zhenwei Escort Agency to take a job. They travel frequently and are familiar with the outskirts of the city; they should know the location of Jinguang Temple."

"Mm, that is a good method. However, I have also been out of the city and have never heard of a Jinguang Temple. How about this: first, tell me what your father is doing at Jinguang Temple," Hong Zhengdao asked.

Zhang Lingshan answered in detail, mentioning Old Lei and the Lei family, who had taken his father to the temple.

After listening, Hong Zhengdao spoke directly to Xu Liang: "Go to the Lei family and ask them where this Jinguang Temple is located."

"Yes."

Hong Zhengdao added, "I will write you a letter. Take it to the Zhenwei Escort Agency and have Lyu Feng give it to Lyu Sandao. He will look after you during the escort."

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhang Lingshan was overjoyed. Having a backer made things so much easier.

If he had tried to handle it himself, there would have been inevitable trouble, and he might not have succeeded.

But with a few simple words and a letter from his Master, it was settled.

Though he didn't know who Lyu Sandao was, anyone entrusted by his Master was bound to be reliable.

Thus, Zhang Lingshan immediately rushed to the Zhenwei Escort Agency and met Lyu Feng.

"Give it to my Third Grandfather?"

Lyu Feng looked shocked. "My Third Grandfather hasn't dealt with worldly affairs for a long time."

"Just go and give it to him. Say it is a letter from Master Hong."

"Mm, I understand."

Lyu Feng ran off immediately and returned a moment later, looking incredulous. "My Third Grandfather actually agreed. Master Hong's influence is truly great. The next long-distance escort is the day after tomorrow. Gather here on that morning."

"Alright."

Zhang Lingshan nodded heavily.

Now, it all depended on whether Senior Brother Xu Liang could get the location of Jinguang Temple from the Lei family.

The next day.

Xu Liang brought two people: a middle-aged man with a broad, muscular build, and a plain-looking young man.

The middle-aged man got straight to the point. "Greetings, Young Master Zhang. My name is Lei Bao, and this is the son of that Old Lei you mentioned, Lei Tao. I am not quite sure where Jinguang Temple is, but he knows a bit. He will lead the way for this trip, and I guarantee we will bring your father back safely!"

"Good, thank you both. Would you like to come in for a seat?"

"No need to trouble yourself. We must head back to prepare for the escort."

"We will gather at the entrance of the Zhenwei Escort Agency tomorrow morning."

"Understood."

Lei Bao was a man of decisive action. After speaking, he cupped his hands and departed immediately with Lei Tao.

Xu Liang said, "Then Junior Brother should also prepare your things for leaving the city. I won't disturb you further."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

After seeing Xu Liang off, Zhang Lingshan returned to the courtyard, took the heavy, wide-backed saber Master Hong had given him yesterday, and swung it once.

Tomorrow he would embark on a long-distance escort, involving a long journey and an overnight stay outside the city. It was his first time, so he had to be fully alert.

Without another word.

'Red Cloud Saber Technique, add points.'

With a thought from Zhang Lingshan, 20 points of energy instantly vanished, and a surge of sudden enlightenment flooded his mind.