Chapter 56: Chapter 54: All Villains, Martial Arts Breakthrough

Let’s start with the contextual analysis:

**Literary genre**: This appears to be a Chinese cultivation/martial arts (wuxia or xianxia) web novel. It involves martial arts cultivation, different realms of power, and takes place in what seems to be a fantasy historical Chinese setting during a time of unrest.

**Language style**: The original has a fairly straightforward narrative style with some martial arts terminology and fantasy elements. It’s written in a third-person limited perspective following the character Wu Liangchen.

**Tone**: Practical, somewhat serious with occasional moments of lightheartedness. The protagonist appears pragmatic and focused on survival and advancement.

**Plot keywords**: Martial arts cultivation, realm breakthrough, civil unrest, refugees, protection duty, city divide, imminent chaos

**Characters**:

- Wu Liangchen (武良辰) - Male protagonist, a martial artist about to break through to the Second Realm, formerly worked as a carriage driver for Yang Lian’Er

- Yang Lian’Er (杨莲儿) - Female, appears to be a person of some importance who needs protection

- Aunt Fan (樊姨) - Female, seems to be Yang Lian’Er’s protector/guardian, also appears to be Wu Liangchen’s martial arts instructor

- Wu Liangchen’s sister (unnamed in this Chapter) - Female, briefly mentioned

Now I’ll translate the text, following the rules and guidelines provided:

Just two days ago, the Five Animals Fist had broken through from proficiency to mastery, bringing a considerable boost to his martial arts progression as well.

Now, the Primordial Stance was also on the verge of breakthrough, so barring any unexpected issues, tonight his martial arts should break through to the Second Realm.

This gave Wu Liangchen a small measure of reassurance.

Because every advancement in martial arts realms brought comprehensive improvements across the board.

For example, a Martial Artist who had mastered Skin Tempering and Muscle Conditioning would have a maximum strength of fifteen to sixteen hundred catties, but after mastering Tendon Stretching and Bone Transformation, their strength would skyrocket to over four thousand catties.

And that was just the average. Those with exceptional talent or those from prominent families who had received guidance from famous masters from a young age could achieve even higher levels.

This was the first watershed moment after entering the path of martial arts.

Cross this threshold, and one could genuinely be called a master.

Fail to cross it, and one would spend a lifetime doing nothing more than guarding homes and courtyards for others.

But what proved extremely difficult for others was as easy as turning over his palm for Wu Liangchen.

Because the greatest benefit of the Ten Thousand Laws Tripod’s deductions was the absence of bottlenecks.

This advantage might not be obvious in the early stages, but it would become increasingly terrifying later on.

Just consider how many people were trapped before the Third Realm, never able to advance for their entire lives, and you’d understand how against the heavens this ability truly was.

Of course.

It was still too early to speak of such things.

The most pressing matter was to break through the barrier right in front of him.

After finishing lunch, Wu Liangchen rested briefly, then instructed his sister to lock the doors and windows and wait at home. He left the tenement building and headed straight for North City.

All along the way, refugees were everywhere. Though things hadn’t deteriorated to the point of broad daylight robbery, the look in these people’s eyes had changed.

From initial hopeful anticipation, to later ashen despair, to now—after hearing about the major changes outside the city—pure malice. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

These refugees were rapidly transforming, just waiting for a trigger to set off a full-scale eruption.

The culprits behind all this were the ineffective Great Yan officials and those powerful families who were profiting from the disaster.

And of course, the Heartless Dao.

But regardless of which faction, none of them could be considered good people in Wu Liangchen’s eyes.

The first two went without saying, and as for the Heartless Dao, while they appeared to stand with the refugees, they were merely using these lives to shake the already tottering edifice of Great Yan.

How to put it... this was truly a case of villains all around.

Yes, perfectly fitting for this fucked up world.

But none of this had anything to do with Wu Liangchen. He neither had the responsibility nor the ability to stop any of it.

He only wanted to survive in this impending chaotic era, and to live with some dignity.

Although he encountered more than a dozen groups of refugees along the way, perhaps it was the murderous aura emanating from Wu Liangchen that made these people afraid. He left South City’s territory without encountering any obstacles.

When he arrived at the boundary between North and South City, Wu Liangchen discovered even more refugees gathered there.

Though these people didn’t yet dare to cross the dividing line, they hadn’t dispersed either. Instead, they congregated at a distance, eyeing the clean and orderly North City with predatory gazes.

In response, the street patrolmen of North City—who normally carried themselves with arrogant pride and never regarded refugees with any concern—now appeared tense.

Though they held whips in their hands, they no longer dared to swing them freely, merely shouting along the dividing line for people to stay back.

Even when Wu Liangchen entered North City territory, the patrolmen—who would typically question him and try to extract some benefit—now remained silent.

After entering North City, Wu Liangchen noticed the atmosphere had clearly changed here as well.

Many shops on the main street had closed, and pedestrians were few.

Those who were out hurried along, looking as if disaster was imminent.

When Wu Liangchen arrived at Mirror Alley, Aunt Fan was waiting on the steps. Seeing him, she nodded.

"You’ve come at the right time. Follow me."

She then led him into the backyard, where they met Yang Lian’Er.

Today, Yang Lian’Er had abandoned her usual leisurely demeanor and sat properly at the table, her expression very serious.

At her feet lay many items, both large and small packages.

"The West Garden Theater has closed down, so you won’t need to go there anymore," Aunt Fan said.

Wu Liangchen felt a twinge in his heart. "So I don’t need to come here either?"

He thought she was dismissing him.

After all, if he wasn’t needed to pull the carriage anymore, what use would they have for a carriage driver?

Aunt Fan smiled. "What? You learn skills from me, and when trouble comes, you want to leave?"

"Uh... that’s not it," Wu Liangchen hurriedly explained.

Aunt Fan waved her hand. "I’m just joking. While you won’t be working as a carriage driver during this period, you’ll have new responsibilities."

"The situation is deteriorating, and great chaos is coming. I alone am ultimately insufficient to protect the young miss, so I plan to have you help me."

Wu Liangchen had anticipated this, so without hesitation, he nodded.

"Alright! But this is..."

"I’m sure you saw on your way here that North City’s situation is now most tense, like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest spark. For safety’s sake, I’ve already rented a courtyard in South City, and we’re moving there now."

It had to be said, Aunt Fan had an accurate read on the situation.

While North City was normally safe, and living here spared many troubles, once major changes came, this area would be the first to descend into chaos.

That was why Aunt Fan had decided to relocate.

But they couldn’t leave yet. Since it wasn’t dark, traveling with so many packages would easily attract trouble.

Therefore, they waited until nightfall before the three of them began to move.

Aunt Fan had hired a carriage in advance and loaded their belongings onto it. Wu Liangchen led Yang Lian’Er, and the three quickly left North City, arriving at a corner of South City.

Upon arrival, Wu Liangchen discovered that this place wasn’t far from where he lived—a small courtyard.

Though not large, it was clean. More importantly, the courtyard walls were tall, and even the gate had been newly replaced, giving a strong sense of security.

"From now on, you and I will take turns keeping watch at night. Your wages will be doubled compared to before. How does that sound?" Aunt Fan asked.

"Great!" Wu Liangchen had no objections.

After all, sixty Eagle Yuan was already an astronomical salary.

Of course, Wu Liangchen felt he was worth the price. He was about to break through to the Second Realm, which would make his strength stand out even in Dinghai City.

After helping them settle in, Wu Liangchen finally left, but didn’t go home. Instead, he found a secluded spot for his final push.

"Huff!"

After completing the final form of the Primordial Stance, Wu Liangchen let out a long breath. Suddenly he felt his heart pounding like a drum, followed by a series of cracking sounds from his joints and an intense tearing sensation throughout his body.

But this feeling wasn’t painful—rather, it brought a sense of relief.

It was as if a cage that had confined his body for years had suddenly been opened.

[Primordial Stance level increased. Current level: Mastery]

[Martial Arts Realm advancement successful: Tendon Stretching and Bone Transformation (100%) → Qi Strengthening and Lung Expansion (1%)]