Chapter 84: Chapter 82: Jingzhe Saber Technique, Proficient Right From the Start

As his realm advanced, Wu Liangchen’s memory and control over his body had greatly improved.

Therefore, although this imitation had only captured the form and not the spirit of the technique, there wasn’t a single mistake in the moves. He had even replicated every last detail perfectly.

And so, after he executed the final move of the Jingzhe Saber Technique, a prompt appeared before his eyes.

[Cultivation Technique: Jingzhe Saber Technique]

[Technique Grade: Low-Tier, Superior-Grade]

[Estimated Cost: 35 Wisps of Life Fire] 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

[Consume Life Fire to derive the technique?]

Wu Liangchen had already accumulated forty wisps of Life Fire, so he chose "Yes" without hesitation.

In that instant, ten thousand rays of rosy light filled his sea of consciousness. The Ten Thousand Laws Tripod, long dormant, floated up and revealed countless, ever-shifting symbols.

He had never seen such a sight before, but Wu Liangchen had no time to pay it any attention.

At this moment, he felt countless saber technique experiences, including insights and reflections, rushing toward him.

Even with his resolute mind, he couldn’t help but be moved and become completely immersed in it.

An unknown amount of time passed. In Wu Liangchen’s perception, it felt like a very long time.

Then, he suddenly snapped back to awareness.

[Derivation successful. 35 wisps of Life Fire consumed.]

[Cultivation Technique Learned: Jingzhe Saber Technique]

[Jingzhe Saber Technique: Proficient (2/200)]

A look of surprise flashed across Wu Liangchen’s face.

After the derivation was successful, the Jingzhe Saber Technique had actually skipped the Initiate level and gone straight to Proficient.

This was a pleasant surprise.

Wu Liangchen then raised his saber, and the feeling was completely different from before.

Previously, he was just holding the saber in his hand, but now, Wu Liangchen felt as if the saber and his arm had become one.

The feeling of being connected by blood, of controlling it as easily as a limb, was profound.

With a light flick of his wrist, Wu Liangchen’s saber traced a beautiful flourish in the air.

He felt a surge of joy and immediately began to practice the Jingzhe Saber Technique again.

This time was completely different from his previous imitation. Last time, he only had the form; this time, he had grasped the essence of the saber technique.

Amidst the swirling light of the blade, Wu Liangchen’s figure leaped into the air and then came crashing down with a heavy chop.

The blade sliced through the air, emitting a sharp whistle that sounded just like the chirping of insects.

This was the final and most powerful move of the saber technique—Jingzhe!

SWISH! With a soft sound, a half-collapsed house in the abandoned residence was cleaved in two. The snow on the eaves exploded outwards.

The walls and roof then gave way, and the structure was completely razed to the ground.

Even Wu Liangchen was stunned by the power of this strike.

But what followed was a profound sense of joy and security.

Although this single strike had consumed at least a third of his stamina, its destructive power was astonishing.

At the very least, Wu Liangchen didn’t think any Martial Artist at his own realm could withstand this blow.

Now, all his preparations were complete. All that was left was to finalize the arrangements at the coal yard.

Wu Liangchen knew that with the fruitless search in South City, the situation in the city would not ease up. On the contrary, it would become even more severe.

He was running out of time. At most, he had two or three days to get his sister and Yang Lian’Er out of the city. Otherwise, they would surely be trapped in a tightening cordon.

Thinking of this, Wu Liangchen sighed softly and turned back to the West Garden Opera House.

By now, Yang Lian’Er and Wu Mengchan had already finished eating. When they came here, Wu Liangchen had prepared plenty of rice and flour. Plus, with the ready-made stove in the opera house, meals weren’t an issue.

Just then, Aunt Fan hurried over. "How did it go?"

"It went very smoothly. I’ll go rent a cart tomorrow. We should be able to leave the city the day after."

"Good!" Aunt Fan nodded, then said with a hint of worry.

"I was watching from a high place today. I saw that they’ve started searching East, West, and North Cities as well. For now, they’re only searching residences, but I’m sure it’ll be our turn soon."

"Why don’t we go back and hide in South City for a bit? After all, they just searched there last night..."

Before Aunt Fan could finish, Wu Liangchen shook his head. "No. This time, they’re searching East, West, and North Cities simultaneously, but South City is completely quiet. On the surface, it seems like it’s because they just searched it yesterday, but to me, it looks more like a bait."

"It’s meant to make people lower their guard. If we actually went back, and Xiao Rong decided to circle back for a surprise attack, wouldn’t we be walking right into a trap?"

Hearing Wu Liangchen’s explanation, Aunt Fan also realized something was wrong.

"Then what do we do now?"

"Don’t panic. We lie low for now. After all, East, West, and North Cities cover a huge area. It’s not like South City, which they can search so easily."

"Aunt Fan, keep a close watch on our surroundings for now. As long as we can last through tomorrow, we should be able to get out of the city."

"Alright!"

Without realizing it, Aunt Fan had begun to follow Wu Liangchen’s suggestions without question.

And facts proved that everything Wu Liangchen had done was the right call.

Wu Liangchen didn’t go anywhere that night, instead conserving his energy in the opera house. The next morning, he went to the East City Gate to wait, then left the city once again with Yuan Er.

The process was the same as before. The two of them handed over their work passes, and the officer on duty glanced at them before waving them through.

The two then arrived at the cart rental area in the coal yard.

The rules here were similar to the Five Blessings Hall cart rental. The rental fees were based on the size and grade of the cart.

For example, the one Yuan Er rented was a C-class cart.

This was already the best man-powered coal cart available.

The A-class and B-class carts above it were animal-drawn, with very expensive rental fees, but they could also haul a great deal more coal.

Wu Liangchen didn’t hesitate, directly renting a B-class animal-drawn cart. It was pulled by a dark-hided mule and could haul over fifteen hundred jin of coal in one trip.

Yuan Er was completely baffled, but he was too embarrassed to ask at the time. It wasn’t until they were outside that he lowered his voice and said,

"Xiaowu, isn’t this too risky? Renting such an expensive cart when you’re just starting out... what if you lose money?"

"Don’t worry, Brother Er. I already lined up a customer after I went back yesterday. That’s why I dared to rent such a big cart."

Hearing Wu Liangchen say this, Yuan Er finally relaxed.

When Wu Liangchen drove the cart to the coal loading spot, the few men he had eaten with the day before were all stunned.

"Brother, you’ve been hiding your true strength!"

Wu Liangchen smiled. "It just so happens that an old customer from my cart-pulling days needs coal, so I was bold enough to rent such an expensive cart."

"I’ll have to trouble you brothers to work hard. I’ll give you ten percent of the earnings from this load."

"You got it!"

Hearing this, the men were naturally energized. They swung their shovels so fast they were practically smoking, and soon the cart was filled to the brim with coal.

The compartments of these carts were custom-made, so there was no need to weigh the load. Wu Liangchen paid the cost of the coal directly based on the cart’s class and then headed back.

As he passed through the East City Gate, the patrolling officers and even the lookouts hiding in dark corners all turned a blind eye.

After all, so many coal carts came and went every day. It was a common sight for these people.

No one would give a second glance to a coal cart, whether it was entering or leaving the city.

Wu Liangchen smoothly pulled the cart of coal into the city. He first found a few businesses and sold the coal at a low price, then, under the cover of night, quietly drove the cart to an abandoned residence in West City, very close to the opera house.

Now, all the conditions were met. All that was left was to wait for tomorrow.

Wu Liangchen first returned to the opera house. After a brief stop, he came out again and headed straight for South City.