Chapter 97: Concealment

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“The realms from first to third Meridian form one tier, while the fourth to sixth constitute another, with the sixth Meridian being the pinnacle of this tier. The completion of the grand circuit through the Hand’s Three Yang and Three Yin Meridians marks the limit of progress for the hand meridians. The next step is to begin clearing the foot meridians, which corresponds to the seventh Meridian—a level reserved for the wardens of the districts.”

Zhuang Jin’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Breaking through the sixth Meridian requires even greater cultivation resources, consuming four doses of the low-grade Black Origin Powder daily. This is already the final stage for the lower-grade powder. Upon reaching the seventh Meridian, one must switch to the medium-grade Black Origin Powder.”

“Let’s put that aside for now.”

He began pondering a long-considered plan. “Given the current environment in the northern part of the city, I’m not in a hurry to reveal my breakthrough to the sixth Meridian.”

The main reason was that opponents at the fifth Meridian level would still face others of the same level. Revealing the sixth Meridian realm would change their stance entirely.

“Also, I am the first among the Shen family’s externally recruited warriors to break through the fifth Meridian. That already draws some attention. If I were to reveal the sixth Meridian so quickly... Although Duan Tao said it’s nothing special, it still feels too astonishing. It’s necessary to conceal it somewhat.”

Zhuang Jin considered the feasibility of this: “The most direct way to gauge a warrior’s strength is through their reflexes, speed, and power, which must be actively displayed. The ‘Glazed Realm Puppet’ test is the same.”

There was another approach: pulse-taking to sense inner breath. But the pulse is the warrior’s life gate; after becoming a formal warrior, few would dare do this—it risks offending them.

“This way, there’s no fear of exposure.”

In truth, others with bottlenecks and slower breakthroughs wouldn’t hide their strength; hiding it and lowering their rank would lead to gaps in status, monthly stipends, and welfare benefits, which accumulate significantly over time. So why bother hiding?

“But I’m different. Honestly, I wish someone like Du Shiyuan at the fourth Meridian would come along and steal my thunder again, so I wouldn’t attract attention... Most people complain about slow breakthroughs and leveling up too slowly. Who would have thought I’d deliberately hide my advancement because I’m progressing too fast? Ah, only a genius could understand this kind of trouble!”

Zhuang Jin sighed and made a decision: “It’s settled—I’ll hide my first Meridian strength as a trump card.”

Still feeling that one trump card wasn’t quite enough, he reflected further.

“Well, the situation in the northern city demands strength. Breaking through from the sixth to seventh Meridian won’t happen overnight. The fastest way to improve strength now is through martial techniques.”

At the sixth Meridian, the Hand’s Three Yin and Three Yang complete the great circuit. The inner breath is thick and refined enough to support the Black Sha Palm entering the realm of mastery, six inches away from the body.

Of course, this is similar to the fourth Meridian level’s small mastery of Black Sha Palm. The minimum requirement for mastery is the sixth Meridian, but not everyone at this level can master Black Sha Palm—those without excellent comprehension must wait until the seventh Meridian.

“I’m different from others. I have no bottleneck and can quickly work toward mastery.”

Zhuang Jin estimated that given enough exotic beast meat, he could break through in as little as ten days, or at most half a month.

—Consuming exotic beast meat invigorates blood and energizes inner breath, making martial technique training far more efficient.

“When Black Sha Palm is mastered, that will be my second trump card.”

“Then, even if a shameless sixth Meridian warrior attacks me, they’ll realize, ‘Hey, I’m also sixth Meridian...’ And if there are two shameless sixth Meridians attacking together, they’ll still find out, ‘Hey, my Black Sha Palm is mastered!’”

“A mastered Black Sha Palm can defeat two ordinary sixth Meridian warriors without fear, and maybe three... but more than that, I’d better run.”

As for greater numbers, Zhuang Jin didn’t underestimate the Medicine King Gang. Having two or three sixth Meridian warriors in one or two districts was already their limit; more than that was basically impossible.

Besides, he wasn’t alone. Backed by the Shen family, facing two or three sixth Meridian warriors was a black swan event, and more than that was almost negligible in probability.

“When that time comes, with two trump cards as a backstop, if the district wardens don’t intervene, the northern city will truly become my treasure trove for harvesting battle achievements,” Zhuang Jin thought to himself.

…

Since the fierce counterattack on the night of August 10th, the Shen family had pushed the Medicine King Gang back, compressing their street control to a smaller area before pausing to consolidate gains and prepare for counterattacks. The Medicine King Gang licked their wounds and regrouped. Both sides entered a brief calm.

In the following days, after breaking through the sixth Meridian, Zhuang Jin focused on practicing martial techniques, maintaining discipline and diligence.

However, having broken through to the sixth Meridian, he felt more confident and less tense, carrying a relaxed composure.

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This subtle change was noticed by Chen Yun, who let go of her worries and seemed much lighter in spirit these days.

…

On the evening of August 15th, after dinner, Chen Yun’s younger brother Chen Honggan came by to invite them to the Lantern Festival.

—In fact, since the couple’s wedding two months ago, Chen Honggan had been coming every five days, evidently worried about his sister. After seeing her doing well, he relaxed to coming every ten days.

Zhuang Jin could hardly refuse his brother-in-law’s invitation. Besides, having just broken through the sixth Meridian and no longer feeling anxious, coupled with strenuous martial training balanced by rest and Chen Yun’s company during these dull days, it was fitting to take a night off.

Originally, Chen Yun was to go together, but she hesitated and declined politely: “The lantern festival is crowded... and besides, it’s improper for a woman to show herself like that.”

“There’s a crowd, and I will protect you. As for a woman’s identity…”

Zhuang Jin recalled a story about “women disguised as men” and said, “Yun, why not dress as a man? You can wear my hat and clothes.”

Chen Yun’s mischievous and lively nature was sparked by this rebellious idea. She arched her brows, put on the hat, revealed a slight temple, changed into his clothes, which were a bit long, so she folded and stitched them at the waist. Over that, she wore a sleeveless jacket and donned butterfly shoes.

Dressed thus, she mimicked a man’s manner and took big strides forward.

Zhuang Jin and Chen Honggan exchanged looks and burst into laughter.

Their laughter was so unrestrained that Chen Yun, initially a bit shy and annoyed, couldn’t help but laugh when she saw her reflection in a copper mirror.

—It wasn’t that anything was wrong, just that the stark contrast with her usual appearance was amusing.

Just before leaving, Chen Yun hesitated again and changed her mind: “I won’t go. It would be troublesome if someone recognized me and caused trouble for my husband!”

Previously, it was said that this era was relatively conservative. Although women did not bind their feet or have other bad customs, and it was common for ordinary women to go out shopping or such, it was rare for more respectable families or young ladies to show themselves publicly, as it was considered improper.

“Yun knows I don’t care about idle gossip. We have no in-laws or elders above us, so there’s no need to heed these customs. Missing this would be a pity.”

“Shu Jie, my brother-in-law is right. When I used to attend the lantern festival and returned to tell you about it, you often felt regret. Now that you’ve met such an enlightened husband, why not go?”

Hearing this, Chen Yun recalled the pre-marriage talk of “a good man,” smiled gently, and stopped hesitating, agreeing to go.

When they went out, no one recognized Chen Yun as a woman, and anyone who greeted them received her respectful bows.

They enjoyed the lantern festival at Fujing Street, which Zhuang Jin guarded, near the street garrison in Cujun Alley.

The winding corridors featured many gardens and pavilions, hung with glazed lanterns, decorated with flower vases and small tables. The flowers were bright, shadows flickered, and the fragrance from the precious incense burner floated gently, dazzling like a dragon palace night feast.

There were actors performing, surrounded by crowds who often cheered; musicians playing the sheng and flute, singers, and merry-makers; others brewed tea and gathered to chat.

More people, like Zhuang Jin and the others, came to enjoy the spectacle, densely packed like flowing ants. Fortunately, railings were set under the eaves to keep the crowd from jostling the performers.

After some time, this was Chen Yun’s first visit to the lantern festival. Her eyes sparkled with delight. They stayed until nearly midnight before reluctantly returning.

As the crowd dispersed and they left Cujun Alley, Chen Honggan and the couple were separated by the pressing masses.

Seeing the crowd closing in with no way to avoid it, Zhuang Jin embraced Chen Yun and leapt onto the wall, running along the eaves. Behind them, a bright full moon served as a backdrop, the wind rushing past, disturbing the hanging glazed lanterns and scattering sparks.

This scene had a unique elegance and romance.

Such an unconventional escape naturally drew some displeasure below.

“Two rabbits…”

“That’s a warrior; you’re risking your life!” someone quickly warned.

The man, sweating cold sweat, immediately changed his tone, linking arms with his companion: “Rabbits? Me too, that’s quite refined…”

On the eaves, Zhuang Jin and Chen Yun laughed heartily.

“Tonight, we’ve become gentlemen of the beams!”

“Did Mr. Chen enjoy himself this evening?” Zhuang Jin joked.

Chen Yun recalled Zhuang Jin’s playful sayings about “a gentleman is broad and open, a petty man is always anxious” and “only women and petty men are hard to please.” Knowing it was teasing, she playfully glanced back with a smile full of affection.

At the alley entrance, the couple waited for Chen Honggan to regroup before heading home, fully content.

…

Back at their residence near the street garrison, the moonlight was cool and clear like flowing water. The flower glow and tree shadows shimmered on the walls, and the wind rustled softly.

“Wait, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stand by the wall. I’ll paint a small floral shadow for you,” said Chen Honggan, a skilled artist. Soon, a scroll took shape.

In the painting, Zhuang Jin and Chen Yun clasped hands, vivid and lifelike. Behind them on the wall, flowers, grass, and trees appeared in varying shades, sparse and flowing like water plants intertwined.

The couple admired it and praised it. Since then, Chen Yun treasured the painting as a heart’s gem, had it properly mounted by a painter, and carried it with her through many travels.

Later, once Chen Yun had gone inside, Zhuang Jin pulled Chen Honggan aside and quietly said, “Honggan, I noticed your expression; I know you came with a purpose today. Our relationship allows us to speak plainly. If you need help, I won’t refuse.”

Chen Honggan revealed that a friend connected to other prefectures had brought some goods, and he had been asked to take on selling them. “My friend is helping me make money. I don’t want to ask for capital anymore... I want to borrow thirty—no, fifty taels from brother-in-law.”

This was his savings. Two months ago, he had spent all on Chen Yun’s dowry, partly supported by friends. He didn’t want to borrow from friends again, so he approached Zhuang Jin.

“I thought it was something serious. This is easy.” Zhuang Jin went inside and soon returned with fifty taels of silver.

Since the time Chen Yun had pawned jewelry, he worried she might have to do so again. He reckoned that if the household silver ran below a hundred taels, he would exchange and replenish it.

“Use it with ease. If it’s not enough, come ask again.” Zhuang Jin knew his brother-in-law’s character and his sense of propriety well.

“Thank you, brother-in-law,” Chen Honggan was deeply grateful.

When Chen Yun heard this, she called Chen Honggan aside and said, “It’s different now. I’m married and have my own family. Finances must be clear. This money is a loan, and you must agree to repay it on time.”

“Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I’m careful with such matters and will never put you in a difficult position.” Later, after earning some money, Chen Honggan did repay the amount with interest.

…

Two days later, on August 17th,

The Shen family, having digested the results of their counterattack on the 10th, used the same tactic to strike again. However, this time, they encountered an unexpected situation.

…

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