Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

"...A marriage alliance?"

Chen Cheng now understood why Fatty Fang had been so envious.

Ninety-nine percent of the world’s Secret Techniques were monopolized by the Sects, the Court, and the noble families.

Obtaining a Secret Technique by marrying into a great noble family was indeed a huge shortcut.

However, receiving the technique was only the first step. The key was whether one could master the Entry Level.

It was just like Zhuang Zhen back then. She held the Four Gods Profound Body technique in her hands but couldn’t even achieve Entry Level, which was practically the same as not having it at all.

Of course, Cao Zhao’s situation was a bit different.

His marriage must have been approved by the Pang Family’s upper echelon to be finalized.

Before that, the Pang Family would have surely investigated his Root Bone, Comprehension, and Heart Nature.

Since they had acknowledged and accepted him, it proved there was a high chance he could master the Pang Family’s Secret Technique.

It was precisely because Fatty Fang had figured this out that he was so envious.

Afterward, the two chatted for a while longer. When the topic of matchmaking came up, Fatty Fang suddenly mentioned his cousin.

"Cheng, do you remember my cousin? Song Yingzhi. I tried to set you two up before..."

Fatty Fang hesitated for a moment before steeling himself and saying:

"She regretted not meeting you not long after she got back... My uncle, the Imperial Guard Official, has already come to me several times, hoping you two could meet again... What do you think...?"

"There’s no need."

Chen Cheng shook his head, not saying much more.

"I knew it."

Fatty Fang gave a wry smile.

"When I first tried to set you two up, you only had Three Pillars of Blood Qi. Now you’re at six. There’s no way you’d go back for someone who turned you down before...

I guess it’s my uncle’s and my cousin’s fault for being so short-sighted. No matter how much they regret it now, they only have themselves to blame."

As they were speaking, two more people walked out from the backyard.

Fatty Fang immediately stopped talking and cupped his fist in salute to the newcomers. "Senior Brother Gu, Senior Brother Zhao."

Chen Cheng followed his lead and also offered a salute.

Gu Kaishen gave a noncommittal "mm" in acknowledgment and continued walking toward the exit.

Beside him, a man who stood nearly two and a half meters tall by the standards of his previous life didn’t even grunt, striding past the two of them without a second glance.

Not only was this man tall, but he was also broad-shouldered with a wide back, his arms hanging past his knees. His neck was short and thick, with blue veins crawling up from his collar and coiling behind his ears like tangled serpents.

The muscles bulged beneath his clothes, stretching the fabric taut. Every inch of him looked like pig iron hammered a thousand times over—no sharp edges, just a heavy, solid weight.

He looked to be in his thirties or forties, with high cheekbones, gaunt cheeks, and sunken eyes that were astonishingly bright.

The light hit him from the front, casting an enormous shadow that, for a moment, completely enveloped Fatty Fang, making it hard for him to breathe.

Only after they were far away did Fatty Fang let out a breath of relief. He looked at Chen Cheng and said in a low voice:

"Never seen him before, have you? That’s Zhao Tianlai, Senior Brother Zhao! The Hall Master’s Direct Inheritance and Closed-door Disciple!"

"Don’t be fooled by how old he looks; he’s actually only in his early twenties. In the Hall Master’s words, this child is exceptionally gifted, with an extraordinary Root Bone and a unique constitution. His future is limitless!"

Chen Cheng listened silently, not interrupting, merely showing the appropriate amount of surprise at the right moments.

Fatty Fang continued,

"Direct Inheritance means the Hall Master teaches him personally, by word and example. Closed-door means he’s the Hall Master’s final direct disciple—the one he will pour all his effort into cultivating, his successor, like a son as much as a student."

"The future Hall Master?"

Chen Cheng’s heart stirred.

"You bet!"

Fatty Fang pursed his lips and reminded him in a low voice,

"When you see him in the future, remember to be extra respectful and stay on your toes. Don’t go and offend him without even realizing it."

Chen Cheng gave a noncommittal response and changed the subject. "Master Ye once mentioned to me that a disciple used brute force to break through the Celestial God Hidden Dragon Painting, squeezing Dark Force right out of his Blood Qi..."

"That’s him."

Fatty Fang nodded. "Not just Dark Force, either. When he was generating Transforming Force, he also relied on brute strength to smash through the bottleneck... He was born with a different set of bones. For people like you and me, all we can do is be envious..."

Chen Cheng didn’t reply. His gaze slowly shifted to the doorway where the two figures had disappeared, an almost imperceptible glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.

...

When Chen Cheng returned home, Zhuang Zhen had already been there for a while.

She was in the kitchen, helping Matron Li.

It was unclear what the two were discussing, but Matron Li wore a kind and enthusiastic smile the whole time. Zhuang Zhen was also smiling faintly, though her cheeks were slightly flushed and her lips were pursed as she occasionally added a word or two.

"Mother, I’m home. Senior Sister Zhuang, you’re here too."

Chen Cheng made a point of greeting them at the kitchen doorway.

"You’re back just in time."

Matron Li said quickly,

"Go to the room where I put the New Year’s goods and bring a brand-new set of bowls and chopsticks for Miss Zhuang. The same kind as yours."

"...Alright."

Chen Cheng acknowledged and walked toward the room.

When Matron Li had been shopping for the new year recently, she had bought some new bowls and chopsticks for the family.

She had bought three sets of two different kinds—the expensive ones for Chen Cheng to use, and the cheaper ones for herself.

Chen Cheng had advised her more than once that the family wasn’t short on money anymore, so there was no need to keep pinching pennies.

She would always agree verbally, but then go right back to her old ways. Chen Cheng could only let her be.

But now, she had specifically instructed Chen Cheng to get the expensive set of bowls and chopsticks.

Although they weren’t that much more expensive, it clearly showed that she was genuinely fond of Zhuang Zhen.

Matron Li had also prepared this lunch with great care.

Four meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, and a large pot of Treasure Fish soup—all of them looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful.

Zhuang Zhen was also very complimentary, praising the food with nearly every bite. She made Matron Li so happy that the smile never once left her face.

After the meal, Zhuang Zhen offered to wash the dishes, but Matron Li wouldn’t let her get her hands wet, pushing and coaxing her to stand far away.

Left with no choice, she exchanged a look with Chen Cheng, and they went to the inner courtyard together.