Chapter 4: Kicking Down the Door
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On the continent of Tianwu, martial prowess has always been held in the highest regard. The legacy of ancient martial arts is not only a cherished heritage, but also the sole path for humanity to pursue the Dao and seek immortality.
A formidable martial artist will be courted by both kingdoms and powerful factions. And a master at the Realm of True Return possesses enough strength to reduce an entire city to ruins.
Those who practice martial arts are known as warriors, but to truly enter the ranks of the martial world, one must first step into the Bone-Cleansing Stage. The hierarchy of warriors proceeds as follows: Bone-Cleansing, Enlightenment of Points, True Return, and Formless Stages. Each stage is further divided into nine levels. The higher the stage, the greater the power—bodies become ever stronger, and lifespans lengthen accordingly.
Yet, to achieve the first threshold of a true warrior is no easy feat; most are halted at the gates of bone cleansing. Therefore, if a family can produce even a single warrior, it is as if their entire household ascends to glory.
“How did the master know?” Lin Si was utterly perplexed.
It is true that those at the Realm of True Return can conceal their cultivation, and the higher one's cultivation, the more they appear like an ordinary person—thus the saying, ‘returning to simplicity and truth.’ But that girl… she looks no more than six or seven years old. On the continent of Tianwu, even those who reach the Realm of True Return are likely more than a hundred years old! Could she be some ancient monster?
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If she truly is at the Realm of True Return, then killing him would be as easy as waving a hand!
Sikou Yan did not answer. He pressed his pale, thin lips together and continued reading the book in his hands. Yet his eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled the shattered blade… The power that broke it had clearly emanated from that child.
This child…
Remembering her greedy look when she eyed food, he suddenly smiled, realizing he had forgotten to ask her name.
“Master, we have arrived at the General’s Manor,” Su Qing announced, hopping down from the carriage. She stood respectfully to one side and reached out to help Ji Tianxin alight.
The two guards at the manor gate exchanged glances when they saw the carriage stop, assuming some distinguished guest had arrived.
Ji Tianxin was small, her height barely reaching the shoulder of thirteen-year-old Su Qing, but the moment she appeared, she seemed to draw all the light around her.
Ji Tianxin looked up. The three golden characters, ‘General’s Manor,’ hung high above the entrance. She said coolly, “Su Qing, go knock and say: Ji Tianxin, daughter of the Li branch in the General’s Manor, has returned.”
“Alright!” Su Qing strode straight toward the gates.
“Halt! Who goes there? Do you have a letter of introduction?” The guards drew their swords to block her way.
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With a forceful step, Su Qing seemed to tread on air and flew across, landing at the entrance before the guards could react.
She called out loudly, “Master! Should I knock with my hand or kick the door down?”
“Seize her!” The guards, coming to their senses, rushed at Su Qing.
Ji Tianxin gazed up at the ‘General’s Manor’ sign. “As you like.”
“Then I’ll use my foot!” Su Qing, thrilled, brushed off the approaching guards with a single palm and lifted her foot to kick at the gate.
“The daughter of the Li branch of the General’s Manor, Ji Tianxin, has returned! Why are you not hurrying out to greet my master?” Su Qing’s strength was considerable, yet the gate was sturdy and thick. Her kick did not break it, but thundered with a deafening roar.
Ji Tianxin merely curled her lips, her eyes cold as ice.
“Madam, what troubles you?” Granny Zhang noticed Chen’s uneasy state and inquired softly.
“I don’t know why, but I feel unsettled today,” Chen replied, her eyes unfocused. After forcing herself to take a sip of tea, she whispered, “About that matter all those years ago—surely the master won’t find anything out, will he?”