Chapter Sixty-Three: Winning the Beauty's Heart

He Zhi Xing had never feared anyone. If the wind comes, he’ll block it; if the water rises, he’ll dam it. Whether you’re a priest or not, if you come openly, what is there to dread? Only the underhanded schemes truly trouble him, but even so, this ship of yours cannot stir up a real storm.

He Zhi Xing’s mastery of the Eight Forms of Hanyang and the Thirty-Six Techniques, combined with the interplay of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, had advanced far beyond a simple breakthrough. His movements were now so refined that his body seemed to dart and wheel through the crowd like a shadow, tracing perfect arcs around the group of skilled assailants. Wherever his hands or feet passed, the force of his strikes cut through the air like blades.

Those too slow to evade were either slashed or struck down. His palm techniques shifted and mutated endlessly—sometimes slicing, sometimes striking, sometimes pushing, hooking, snatching, or chopping. Each movement subtly harnessed the power of the Five Elements and the flow of energy. Priest Liu Gong had gravely underestimated him, believing He Zhi Xing was still at the mid-stage of innate cultivation as he had been yesterday. He had no idea that He Zhi Xing, through a miraculous encounter and a thousand-year-old knotweed, had broken through to the perfection of the acquired stage and reached the Lesser Vehicle Realm.

A single flower is a world unto itself; a single blade of grass, a realm of heaven. Those who achieve the Lesser Vehicle Realm become, in themselves, an inexhaustible source of energy, drawing upon innate breath and their own circulation of energy in an endless cycle. Yin transforms into Yang, the small becomes the grand, and a natural field of energy forms within the dantian.

By consuming various foods, herbs, and spiritual medicines, one can absorb spiritual essence and naturally strengthen the body, evolving muscles and bones. Eventually, one breaks through the limits of the flesh and attains the state of a demigod.

At this moment, Liu Gong was in utter disarray, hastily calling his companions to close in and relieve the pressure he faced. He was at a loss for words, forced back step by step by He Zhi Xing’s relentless advance, his strength waning with every clash.

More than thirty men surged forward, hoping to crush He Zhi Xing in their midst, but he would never allow them their wish. He sprang lightly into the air, leaping above their heads, treading on their shoulders as he went. Suddenly, the situation near the broad-shouldered giant shifted dramatically.

The burly man had almost reached the riverbank, with only a dozen men desperately holding him back. Within ten minutes, he would surely reach the great stone sculpture by the river.

He Zhi Xing decided at once, soaring through the air with several powerful leaps, vaulting over the crowd, and landing beside the stone sculpture. He scooped it up and carried it to the altar, setting it down securely. Only then did he let out a slow breath, glancing toward the burly man and the Suqing family gate. Peeking through the crack in the door, Suqing’s eyes sparkled with a woman’s secret delight.

The big man gave up fighting altogether—there was no point, for He Zhi Xing had already completed the task ahead of him. As He Zhi Xing was about to leave the altar, the little wooden beauty in his pocket sent out a pulse of energy. Only then did he realize that the wooden carving’s powers had increased: now, without holding it and channeling energy through his hands, he could simply send a bit of energy from his thigh, and it would sense the presence of treasures or spiritual energy within several meters.

Overjoyed, He Zhi Xing looked toward the place radiating energy. Not far from the altar, beneath a large stone slab by the riverbank—most of it submerged, with only a sharp tip breaking the water’s surface—he sensed the aura coming from beneath the stone, under the water.

Could it be? Is there some hidden secret beneath that slab?

While he stood pondering by the river, Lai Madman appeared at his side, clapping him on the shoulder. “Brother, congratulations! You can finally claim the beauty as your own.”

Unexpectedly, Lai Madman leaned in to whisper wickedly, “Kid, now that you’ve married this beauty, what about my sister Lai Min?”

He Zhi Xing was struck dumb, letting out an awkward cry.

Lai Madman only laughed and added, “No matter what, I won’t blame you, brother. As long as my sister doesn’t mind you having other women, I support you. You rascal, don’t you dare let her down.”

He gave He Zhi Xing a playful kick. “Come on, don’t keep the girl waiting.”

He Zhi Xing returned to the crowd. With the fair contest arranged by the chief, the priest had no further objections. Before marrying Suqing, He Zhi Xing met her and confessed that she would not be his only woman. Suqing, understanding and without a trace of jealousy, accepted him. He couldn’t help but wonder if all women of these ethnic minorities were so accepting of a man having several wives.

With everyone’s blessings, they were married. He Zhi Xing was a lucky man, gaining such a beautiful wife. After staying three days, Suqing left with him.

They departed in the afternoon. He Zhi Xing took the girl to Aunt Zhang’s house, where they met Yufang and Lai Min. The two women were astonished to see Suqing. He Zhi Xing recounted all that had happened in the Miao village, and to his surprise, neither woman was upset. In fact, they welcomed the new member with remarkable harmony.

Seeing them get along so well, He Zhi Xing was delighted. He then spoke of discovering a treasure site near the altar and planned to retrieve it, asking the three women to remain at home. That night, he drove with Lai Madman back to the Miao village, their entry this time a secret—no one was to know.