CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: COOKING ON A SMALL STOVE

"bone-chopping butcher blade... entry-level?"

Sun Zhuang, standing beside Master Ke, also felt his body stiffen involuntarily.

Then, he watched as the sharp blade moved like a silver needle threading through the pangolin’s scales, penetrating the junction of bone and membrane. With a flick of the wrist, flesh separated from bone...

"This is it! He has Force Power! He’s truly reached entry-level!" Sun Zhuang exclaimed in surprise.

What did entry-level of the bone-chopping butcher blade mean? It meant turning dead strength into active Force Power, possessing flexible strength. That was why one could so easily dissect the shell and cut meat and tendons.

This was precisely the mark of ’Finger Whistle,’ an indication that strength had reached one of the Four Extremities. When the fingers became agile, the knife naturally became agile too, and thus the bladesmanship reached entry-level.

Upon hearing Sun Zhuang’s loud shout, Chen Ku also emerged from the wondrous state he had just been in. He felt strength reach his fingertips, as if all his body’s power was transferring there.

He turned his head, immediately set down the Bone-chopping Sharp Blade in his hand, bowed to Ke Yansheng, and said apologetically, "I was just a bit too engrossed and didn’t notice Master Ke’s arrival. Please forgive me."

"It’s nothing." Ke Yansheng tried to keep his expression calm, but his heart was already brimming with uncontainable emotions. Five days... just five days to reach entry-level in a Force Transformation Martial Art, what kind of talent is this?

He recalled that even Master Shang Yunfang, the greatest bladesmanship expert in Medicine King Hall, had shown similar talent in the Sword Dao back in her day.

Did I really find such a naturally gifted seedling for the Butcher Court this time? Ke Yansheng’s heart buzzed with excitement.

His expression grew even calmer as he said to Chen Ku, "Did you just suddenly enter that state, or has it been several days?"

He was anxious and wanted to ask again. Did he reach entry-level today? Or even earlier?

"It was indeed today, while I was dissecting those five or six pangolins, that I suddenly entered this state. I was just about to consult you, Master Ke. Is this... Force Transforming?"

Indeed, Chen Ku had just entered this state of having Force Power today. But he knew his own affairs best. The reason he could make strength reach his fingertips and transform it into Force Power in just a few days was entirely thanks to the influence of the Blood Blade Finger. It had allowed him to experience the sharpness and utility of his fingers, which subtly influenced how his body’s strength poured into his fingertips.

Today, huh... Ke Yansheng sighed inwardly with relief. He had genuinely feared Chen Ku’s talent was so unprecedented that he might not even have anything to teach him.

He cleared his throat and, with his hands behind his back, said, "Not bad. You’ve now reached the first level of Force Transforming. Next, you just need to allow your strength to reach the other three of the Four Extremities. That means turning all your body’s strength into Force Power. At that time, Force Power will follow your intent; wherever you want it to go, it will go. Once your strength reaches all Four Extremities, even if a mosquito lands on you, you’ll be able to spontaneously use the Force Power from beneath your skin to repel it."

"So, after my strength reaches the Four Extremities, is it then ’Unity of Move and Force’?" Chen Ku asked humbly. "I read in the Spirit Monkey Breathing Technique that it requires a ’Secret Fighting Technique’..."

"You’ve only made strength reach one extremity, why the rush?" Ke Yansheng frowned slightly. "Don’t set your sights too high."

Chen Ku nodded obediently. "Yes, I understand my error."

Seeing Chen Ku’s reaction, Ke Yansheng felt he might have been a bit too stern. He usually advised other apprentices not to aim too high. But on second thought... just five days for Chen Ku to reach entry-level in the bone-chopping butcher blade. If he keeps up this pace... HISS! Wouldn’t he manage to make his strength reach all Four Extremities within a month?

Ke Yansheng’s gaze towards Chen Ku shifted slightly. After a moment of silence, he said, "It’s working hours now. If you have questions, come to my room tonight, and I will answer them for you."

"Alright, I will come and trouble you after work, Master Ke." Chen Ku could sense the implication of special tutoring in those words.

"That’s settled then. Carry on." Hearing Chen Ku agree to seek his guidance tonight, Ke Yansheng felt an inexplicable wave of satisfaction.

After that, he walked away with his hands behind his back.

After Ke Yansheng left, Sun Zhuang and the usually reticent Gao Xiong, standing in the bloody and filthy Butchery Workshop, both cast envious gazes at Chen Ku.

Sun Zhuang, especially, was green with envy and blurted out, "Brother Chen, do you realize? The master giving you private instruction—that’s the treatment reserved for a true Disciple, one who has formally served tea and pledged loyalty! A true successor!"

They had been apprentices for a year, yet they couldn’t compare to Chen Ku, who had only been there for five days.

Is this the treatment a genius gets? Admired by everyone, Sun Zhuang thought, envious but not daring to be jealous. After all, he had approached Chen Ku to build a good relationship only after recognizing his own standing.

A successor? Hearing Sun Zhuang’s words, Chen Ku’s mind rippled slightly.

Half a day of work remained, but Chen Ku’s mind was already in his Sea of Consciousness.

[Second Transformation Diagram Cultivation Conditions: All Prerequisites Fulfilled 3/3]

One Hundred Taels of Silver.

One strand of Ferocious Beast Level Evil Qi.

Entry-level in a Force Transformation Martial Art.

All conditions were met.

Regrettably, as he was still on duty, Chen Ku couldn’t spare the time and could only wish for the workday to pass quickly.

Finally, the half-day’s work was done. Chen Ku had intended to go straight to his small courtyard in the outer city to activate the Second Transformation Diagram and study it. But then he remembered Ke Yansheng offering personal guidance that night. Better to receive that first, he decided.

「 」

In the early evening, under a grey-blue sky, the workers and apprentices of the Three Great Courtyards of Medicine King Hall were either training diligently, caught up in internal competition, or had left the premises to eat, drink, or seek other amusements.

Only Chen Ku made his way to Ke Yansheng’s house in the masters’ living quarters.

"Chen Ku? Come in," Ke Yansheng called from inside his house. It was lit by a shaded oil lamp, so it wasn’t too dim.

"Greetings, Master Ke," Chen Ku said, observing the proper etiquette.

"No need for such formalities," Ke Yansheng said to Chen Ku. "After I returned, I thought it over. You have talent, so I’ve decided to teach you the Secret Fighting Technique of the bone-chopping butcher blade, the ’Rolling Blade Force.’ Watch closely; I will demonstrate."

"Please guide me, Master Ke." Chen Ku immediately focused his gaze on Ke Yansheng, not blinking.

Ke Yansheng picked up a sharp knife from nearby. "I’ll use you for practice. Feel this..."

Chen Ku was shocked. Before he could react, he saw a gleam of Sword Light sweep past his left arm.

WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH!

The blade, like a slippery fish, skimmed along his wrist, spinning over a dozen times before reaching his shoulder and elbow. As the wind from the blade passed over his skin, Chen Ku’s arm broke out in goosebumps, as if even the fine hairs there had been sliced off.

Chen Ku could clearly feel a continuously undulating Force Power within the blade’s passage, controlling its trajectory as it rolled and drilled... Yet, it hadn’t even torn his clothes.

"This is the Rolling Blade Force. It focuses on rolling, the key is in the wrist, and it emphasizes Force Power coming full circle—one roll following another, penetrating all defenses!"

Ke Yansheng handed Chen Ku a diagram and said, "This contains the moves of this ’Secret Fighting Technique,’ called ’Lion Rolling Ball.’ Paired with the Rolling Blade Force, it is the essence of the bone-chopping butcher blade. I am passing it to you now. You must remember well the sensation of the ’sweeping Force Power’ and ’feeding Force Power’ I just demonstrated on you."

"Thank you for your dedicated instruction, Master Ke!" Chen Ku knew how precious this kind of guidance was, especially having the Force Power demonstrated on him directly, allowing him to experience it firsthand.

This move, Lion Rolling Ball, was undoubtedly a ’killing move,’ an ’ultimate technique’ like Yellow Dog Peeing—not to be used lightly, but lethal when deployed!

Seeing Chen Ku’s attitude, Ke Yansheng nodded in satisfaction; he was a respectful student. He then asked, "Any problems with your Breathing Technique practice?"

Chen Ku replied truthfully, "I was once led by my breathing into a state where I felt I could control all the strength in my body and direct it to one point. But I haven’t had that insight again for a long time."

Ke Yansheng sighed. "Some people progress quickly with Bladesmanship, while others progress slowly with their Cultivation Technique. It’s common. Don’t be discouraged."

A thought suddenly struck Chen Ku, and he asked, "I’ve heard that the Spirit Monkey Breathing Technique was created based on the Spirit Ape. If one could observe and feel the breathing of an actual ape during martial arts practice, would that be helpful?"

"Of course," Ke Yansheng affirmed. "Martial arts practice often involves learning from the myriad things in nature. Others have certainly tried the method you suggested, and it has proven effective."

Ke Yansheng then looked at Chen Ku and shook his head. "I know you come from a poor background, so I didn’t mention this. After all, as they say, ’it takes wealth to practice martial arts, while scholars can be poor.’ Buying an ape for practice... that’s an expense you likely can’t afford."

"So... it’s possible to buy one? Where?" Chen Ku asked. "To tell you the truth, Master, I do have some savings..."

"Hmm?" Ke Yansheng looked at Chen Ku in surprise, then a thought struck him. "Treasured Medicine? Don’t tell me you found more than one stalk?"

Chen Ku deliberately coughed twice but said nothing, implying he indeed had some money.

Ke Yansheng laughed. "Since you have the funds, go to Centennial Fang in the county town and ask at the Fish and Dragon Association. The various beasts for our Butcher Court are usually imported through them."

The Fish and Dragon Association...