My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

"…Lin Chong is completely under control, the lives of his entire clan in our hands. We have already learned some of Liang Cheng's movements from him, along with the internal duty roster for the Dongshan Mine…"

'So that was it.'

'The information leak at the Dongshan Mine… it wasn't Chen Ping, nor was it any of the other Stewards.'

'The attack on the Dongshan Mine, Cheng Wen killed in action, Wang Teng grievously wounded, Zhao Yuan injured…'

'The answer was right here.'

'The Lin Family had been in operation for many years; how could they not have a few confidants left at the Dongshan Mine?'

"This matter…" Lü Bingchen began slowly, watching his expression change. "You can decide for yourself how to handle it."

After all, the Lin Family had once worked with Liang Cheng to foil a plot by the Fire Worship Sect. A bond had been formed then.

"I understand."

He folded the letter and tucked it away safely. "I will handle this matter personally after I return to the city."

Lü Bingchen nodded. "Very well."

…

Once the search was complete, all items related to the Fire Worship Sect, except for the letters and other evidence, were piled in the center of the ruined altar.

Shen Jun personally lit a torch and dropped it onto the pile.

WHOOSH!

Flames shot toward the sky, accompanied by the strange SIZZLE of the Blood Marrow Pills as they burned. Billowing black smoke carried a foul, acrid stench that assaulted the nostrils. It burned for a full hour before gradually dying out.

All the Martial Artists who had taken part in the battle watched in silence.

This cancer, the Fire Worship Sect, had to be burned away completely, leaving not even a single ember that might one day reignite.

…

The atmosphere on the return voyage by sea was much more relaxed than it had been on the way out.

Lü Bingchen called Yun Jinghong aside to speak with him privately.

He had broken through to the True Qi Realm in the midst of battle, and both his talent and his character were of the highest caliber. By the rules of the Martial Arts Academy, he was now qualified to be promoted to a True Disciple.

"When we get back to the city, we'll prepare for the True Inheritance ceremony."

Bai Hong told him with a smile, "The Martial Arts Academy needs young people like you."

Yun Jinghong acknowledged the order with his sword in hand. After leaving the room, however, his gaze was involuntarily drawn to the lone, black-clad figure standing at the bow of the ship.

'Liang Cheng…'

Even though he had broken through, the distance between himself and Liang Cheng hadn't closed in the slightest. This didn't discourage him; instead, it made the battle lust in his eyes burn even brighter.

Although Liang Cheng was invited to participate in the subsequent meetings, he tactfully declined, using his injuries as an excuse.

He stood at the bow, watching Black Stone Island recede into the distance. Turning his head, he saw Yun Jinghong, gave a nod of acknowledgment, and then returned to his cabin.

'Cultivation!'

…

At the Lin Wu City docks, the returning heroes were welcomed by the entire city.

To the sound of horns, the heroes returned in triumph!

Liang Cheng didn't linger. After a brief farewell to Bai Hong and Shen Jun, he went straight back to the Martial Arts Academy and ascended True Inheritance Peak.

Lady Ning breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him. She immediately took San Ya with her to start preparing a meal.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Liang Cheng sent for Zhao Yuan and Li Mu.

Zhao Yuan's face was still pale. The wound on his chest obviously hadn't healed yet, and his steps were somewhat unsteady as he walked.

Liang Cheng handed the letter he had tucked away to them. When they finished reading, they were in utter disbelief.

"Lin Chong? How is that possible?"

Li Mu was incredulous, but Zhao Yuan shook his head.

"The Lin Family was only forced to settle in Lin Wu City in the first place. To put it bluntly, they were basically under house arrest by the City Lord's Mansion."

"In that case, given Situ Lang's methods, it would be perfectly normal for him to control the Lin Family by threatening Lin Chong with the lives of his entire clan."

Liang Cheng nodded. That's what he had thought as well.

"Li Mu, Zhao Yuan is injured, so I'll have to trouble you to go to the Lin Mansion. See if the Lin Family is still there. My guess is we'll find the place deserted."

Li Mu left as ordered. A short while later, he returned with news that was both unexpected and perfectly logical.

"Senior Brother, the Lin father and son, Lin Yue and Lin Chong, as well as the core disciples of their branch—seventeen people in all—vanished on the night of the chaos in the city."

"They used the pre-arranged identities of a merchant caravan to slip out of the city. It seems they were heading north."

"North?"

Liang Cheng's fingers tapped lightly on the table.

"It seems they had an escape plan ready. They never intended to be controlled by anyone for long."

Li Mu lowered his voice. "Frankly, it's better that they're gone. Otherwise, we wouldn't have known what to do when facing Lin Yue."

Liang Cheng nodded.

Lin Yue was a clever man, and a decisive one.

"What was the reaction from the City Lord's Mansion?"

"After City Lord Shen learned of it, he only said that with the city in shambles and the Dongshan Mine in ruins, he has no time to worry about them for the moment."

"Understood. The Fire Worship Sect has been annihilated. Let's set aside the matter of the Lin Family for now. We'll see how things develop later."

"Yes, sir."

…

After settling these matters, Liang Cheng went to the Back Mountain Alchemy Room.

Elder Huang was fanning the flames under the Medicine Cauldron, his head down.

"Elder Huang."

Liang Cheng walked up to him and got straight to the point. "You never intended to go to Black Stone Island, but you had Master Lü lie and tell me you would."

The cattail fan in Elder Huang's hand paused. He shot Liang Cheng a sidelong glance, then pulled a Small Jade Bottle from his robes. Tossing it in his palm, he smirked. "Perfect timing. I've just mixed a new medicine. Just right for testing its effects."

Liang Cheng's eyelid twitched. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

"Where are you going?"

Elder Huang's leisurely voice drifted from behind him. "With your current Cultivation, it definitely won't kill you."

Liang Cheng's pace quickened.

Elder Huang didn't give chase. He simply picked up his fan again and began fanning the furnace fire at a leisurely pace.

In the dim yellow firelight, he began to hum a little tune, completely out of key.

The Alchemy Room filled with the thick aroma of medicinal herbs.

…

That night, Liang Cheng took out the pieces of cowhide paper he had obtained on Black Stone Island, but he discovered they couldn't be pieced together. It seemed at least a few sheets were still missing, so he could only place them back in the hidden compartment.

Perhaps when the time was right, he would be able to piece it all together and finally unlock the secrets of the cowhide paper.

Still, from a common bandit like Liu Biao to the Treasure Pavilion and the Fire Worship Sect, they all possessed pieces of cowhide paper. He had no idea what its secret could possibly be.