Chapter 136 - 134: Secret Technique Side Path
Upon returning to the Song Residence, Song Changming immediately heard Father Song and Mother Song sighing deeply in the courtyard.
"Father, Mother, what’s the matter?" Song Changming couldn’t help but ask.
"The government is going door to door recruiting soldiers and collecting grain again. Alas, when will such days come to an end?" Father Song said, shaking his head.
"Just now those soldiers knocked on our door, asking for you and Ping’an to enlist as well..." Mother Song said worriedly from the side.
Mentioning enlisting, brought back unpleasant memories for the elderly couple.
Song Changming knew they were reminded of his two deceased older brothers, who never returned after enlisting years ago.
"Changming, you both must not go," Mother Song said, holding Song Changming’s hand.
Even for Song Ping’an, she had developed feelings and couldn’t bear to see the child go to war.
"Don’t worry, Mother, I will handle this matter," Song Changming comforted.
Though he no longer held an official position, his connections with the government were still intact. Even without seeking Liu Ding’s help, he had several ways to discreetly remove him and Song Ping’an from the conscription list.
At most, it would just be a matter of spending some money and silver.
Upon hearing Song Changming’s assurance, Father Song and Mother Song felt much more at ease.
"With the government recruiting so aggressively, it seems there’s going to be another war," Father Song sighed.
"It should be," Song Changming nodded.
These past two years, the Imperial Court’s main forces were busy quelling uprisings in the north and south, neglecting the four princes who had divided the land.
As a result, under the governance of the Fifth Prince, the Seven Prefectures have enjoyed relative peace these past few years, focusing on recuperating and restoring the vigor lost due to past wars.
Now, after more than two years, with no one dragging them down, the court finally demonstrated its formidable control.
Hundreds of thousands of troops marched from north to south, sweeping through and crushing these two newly emergent forces of rebellion, which lasted only two years.
If it weren’t for the four princes holding them back, the suppression of the rebellion could have been much faster, not needing two years.
Now, whether it’s the powerful Martial Alliance or the resounding Utopia, both are on the verge of disappearing, mostly annihilated by the court.
Only a few managed to disperse in time, escaping to unknown places.
The court ceased to pursue them, and after a brief reorganization, prepared to send troops once again to fight the four princes to the death.
Against the four princes, the court lacked cohesion, as who knows how many bureaucrats were secretly supporting one of the princes, cynically adhering to the new emperor.
Despite the new emperor’s dissatisfaction, there was nothing he could do.
Having just ascended the throne less than two years, his prestige and authority were far inferior to that of the old emperor.
When he can truly unify the realm and bring peace to the world, only then will he have firmly seated himself on the Dragon Throne, beginning an era belonging to him.
"Sigh, we just had two years of stability, and now it’s unrest again..." Father Song said helplessly.
He wanted a comfortable retirement, but it seemed out of reach.
With the chaos of war outside, restlessness painted a troubling picture.
He only hoped in his later years not to be displaced or be forced to wander.
As they talked, Song Ping’an, standing nearby, suddenly looked at the water tank with delight.
"Patriarch, it’s out! It’s out!"
Upon hearing these words, Father Song felt a thrill throughout his body.
He dropped the conversation and his worries, quickly heading to the water tank. Upon seeing one newly molted Bisho Silkworm with great joy.
This Bisho Silkworm had four clear, blue patterns along its body, indicating its uniqueness.
Four patterns. After many years, they finally raised a four-patterned Bisho Silkworm.
Seeing the four-patterned Bisho Silkworm, Father Song felt an unparalleled sense of fulfillment and joy.
"Great! Excellent!"
In the market, a four-patterned Bisho Silkworm is already considered a rare product.
Very few people can rear a four-patterned Bisho Silkworm.
Father Song accomplished something that only a very few could.
"Congratulations, Father," Song Changming said with a smile.
He was equally delighted.
On one hand, he was happy for his father’s success in silkworm raising; on the other hand, he was glad for his own wealth-enhancing plan.
The successful rearing of a four-patterned Bisho Silkworm signified the imminent birth of more three-patterned and four-patterned Bisho Silkworms, elevating his entire silkworm farming industry to a new level.
Previously, Bisho Silkworms brought in a monthly profit of about two to three hundred silver.
Now, with the four-patterned Bisho Silkworm, the profit is likely to multiply in the near future!
How could this not bring joy?
"Currently, in the silkworm market around Donglai Prefecture, four-patterned Bisho Silkworms are scarce, each priced at least fifty silver. Selling merely four or five four-patterned Bisho Silkworms a month would match our current total monthly income!"
Father Song was calculating the accounts, and the more he calculated, the happier he became.
Back when he was engaged in the blacksmith forging business, even in the most prosperous times, his monthly income was nowhere near the fraction of what it is now.
Unexpectedly, in his later years, he could reach a new peak in his career. Now, in the silkworm market, who wouldn’t call him Master Song, which was quite gratifying and gave him a sense of achievement.
No one would have thought that a breeding manual Song Changming obtained unintentionally years ago could bring such wealth to the Song Family.
Of course, this also benefitted from Father Song’s years of research and dedication, enabling such a return.
The breeding manual merely provided a direction for research; perseverance was another key to success.
"Ping’an, you must be very careful with this four-pattern Bisho Silkworm, be sure to avoid any mishaps," Father Song repeatedly instructed, feeling uneasy.
"Rest assured, Patriarch, I will keep a close watch on it!" Song Ping’an responded seriously.
"Especially watch out for Dahuang and White, don’t let them fiddle with this water tank again..."
The next day.
Song Changming, carrying a jar of Yu wine, found Liang Chuan Mountain.
The conscription matters on Houli Street were all under the responsibility of this city Director.
Over a drink, he discreetly removed his and Song Ping’an’s names from the conscription list.
After all, there were so many people to be conscripted; missing two wouldn’t attract any attention from above.
Ten days later, news came from Liu Dingsheng.
His Mist gold had been sold, and the acquired Han Gold had been exchanged, as per his request, for three sets of Extreme Realm Body Refining Skill and two Hundred years old Ginsengs.
After obtaining the eagerly desired three sets of Extreme Realm Body Refining Skill, Song Changming immediately studied them, not wanting to delay his body refinement progress.
Perhaps it was because he had previously practiced body refining skills with similar attributes, or because his Comprehension Spiritual Attribute had increased to eleven points, offering some help.
This time, he didn’t find it exhausting to study.
As if it were a natural progression, it took him only two days to incorporate these three sets of Extreme Realm Body Refining Skill into his panel, displaying the corresponding realm experience bars.
Since his overall body strength had already been tempered beyond the Sixth Realm previously, he began training in the new body refining skills from the experience value of the Sixth Mirror.
"Four Extreme Realm Body Refining Skills!" After adapting to the new body refining skills, Song Changming felt good about himself.
The path ahead was already laid out, achieving Great Perfection of the Extreme Realm. For him, it was just a matter of time, without any suspense.
Not long after mastering the new body refining skills, he was summoned again to the Liu Residence.
"About that Treasure Map, there’s good news and bad news," Liu Dingsheng said.
Without waiting for Song Changming to choose which to hear, he went on and said both.
"The good news is that the Treasure Map has been successfully deciphered and translated, as expected."
"And the bad news?" Song Changming vaguely guessed the outcome but still waited for Liu Dingsheng’s response.
"The bad news is that what the Treasure Map describes seems to be a special Secret Technique, not a Martial Technique," Liu Dingsheng replied directly.
"A Secret Technique?" Song Changming’s heart sank.
Although he was mentally prepared for bad news, confirming it wasn’t a Martial Technique still left him with a sense of disappointment.
From Liu Dingsheng’s tone, it was clear this Secret Technique wasn’t as valuable as a real Martial Technique.
Indeed, rumors in Jianghu cannot be fully trusted.
This Treasure Map was said to be a Martial Technique, leading to a frenzy among Jianghu Guests.
Now it seems those rumors were just false speculations, blown out of proportion.
"You need not be too disheartened. Some Secret Techniques, regarding their subtle power, can even surpass the real Martial Techniques and might save your life at a critical moment.
Changming, do not underestimate Secret Techniques..." Liu Dingsheng comforted him.
"Thank you, Senior. I will contemplate this Secret Technique after returning home," Song Changming quickly adjusted his mood and nodded.
A Secret Technique is still a Secret Technique. Since it was gained unexpectedly, not obtaining a Martial Technique this time means I will acquire it in the future.
Though Martial Techniques are rare and precious, there are other ways and methods to obtain them; as long as one’s strength is solid, opportunities will always present themselves.
Bringing home the translated and deciphered version of the Treasure Map, Song Changming began to study it.
Secret Techniques, unlike orthodox Martial Arts, belong to unorthodox paths, usually created by individuals and not meant for widespread dissemination.
In general perception, Secret Techniques often have sinister, fierce, aggressive, and extreme characteristics.
They often come with side effects of ’harming the enemy a thousand while damaging oneself eight hundred,’ hence most Martial Artists shun them, deeming it unworthy of time and effort to study such paths.
Song Changming’s understanding of Secret Techniques was limited to this, hardly different from other Martial Artists.
When pondering this Secret Technique, he carried a bias mingled with curiosity.
"Blood Burst Secret Technique..." Song Changming noticed the name of the Secret Technique.
Just from the name alone, it sounded aggressive...