Chapter Forty: Return to the Four Seas

In the small, cramped courtyard, Bai Li Feihong dragged a stool outside, lay down upon it, and gazed up at the night sky, studying the stars. His mind was muddled and unsettled.

Was Dongbin City truly doomed to destruction? He dismissed the prophecy as unreliable. Yet the era he now inhabited was rife with chaos. Steam-powered civilization, the budding of industry, and a feudal dynasty were all entangled together—nothing so unusual, if one imagined it as the end of the Qing era. But here, demons, martial arts, Western sorcery, foreign curses, and secret arts were woven together, making the world seem utterly bizarre.

He had thought he would witness the rise of an era, never suspecting that the true rulers of this world were the monsters lurking in the shadows.

"Gongyang Yan, that woman—her figure is quite something," he mused. "I'd like nothing more than to pin you beneath me and give you a thorough thrashing." A surge of ruthless determination arose in his heart. Such open, unabashed solicitation left Bai Li Feihong no room to resist, but he was not one to let his fate be dictated by others.

He turned his gaze to the Book of Skills.

Owner: Bai Li Feihong
Martial Realm: Blood Refinement (Mastered, fourfold tempering)
Skill Points: 1298 (skills can be upgraded, synthesized, or deduced)
Skill 1: Culinary Arts, Proficient (XP: 128/400)
Skill 2: Sea-Embracing Fist, Peak (upgrade available for five skill points)
Skill 3: Blood River Blade (four missing forms), Peak (can be completed, deduced, synthesized with skill points)
Skill 4: Blood Refinement Essence, Peak (can be upgraded, deduced, synthesized with skill points)
Skill 5: Six Paths of Demon Suppression Scripture (Not Yet Initiated)

Such a vast number of skill points was enough for Bai Li Feihong to ascend to new heights. The Blood Refinement Essence could still be cultivated, yet the skill had reached its current limit. In theory, he could no longer rely on the Book of Skills to refine his blood energy—unless he further deduced the Blood Refinement Essence.

Still, he could absorb external bioenergy, condense it into blood energy, and strengthen his blood essence. When his blood essence reached its limit, he could continue to temper it with his peak-level cultivation.

A fifth, sixth, or even seventh refinement.

Blood Essence Technique was merely a tool to convert external energy into blood essence. Blood Refinement Essence was far more formidable, dozens of times stronger in refining blood energy, blood essence, and blood itself. As long as Bai Li Feihong could absorb more energy to boost his blood, he could keep ascending in the realm of blood refinement.

To him, cultivation methods were technologies, skills, unique tools—reaching the "peak" did not mean being confined there. The Sea-Embracing Fist was nothing special when he was a mere martial disciple. But now, empowered by his blood energy, its might was extraordinary.

The stronger the foundation, the greater the skill.

A skill's limits were always determined by one’s own strength.

"Let’s just play it by ear," Bai Li Feihong sighed.

At dawn, he did not report to the Demon Suppression Bureau. Instead, he walked to the Sea-Embracing Martial Hall, carrying the Blood River Blade manual in his arms.

On his way, he passed by the Rolling Stone Martial Hall, which had already closed its doors. Bai Li Feihong smirked coldly. Yang Fei, the master who had lost an arm, was no longer a threat. No doubt, his old enemies would not hesitate to kick him while he was down. He certainly would not dare to trouble the Sea-Embracing Martial Hall again.

The Sea-Embracing Martial Hall was bustling.

The memory of the recent demon attacks was fading from people’s minds, and apprentices who had paid their dues were once again returning to train. Zheng Ada stood listlessly at the door, but his eyes lit up at the sight of Bai Li Feihong.

"Senior—brother Bai Li, are you here to see the master?"

"Ada, you’re doing well. Nearly at the blood-refining stage," Bai Li Feihong replied with a smile.

"All thanks to Sixth Senior Brother’s guidance," Zheng Ada grinned back.

Wu Sihai’s death, along with that of many disciples, had struck the martial hall hard. But since Zhang Qianshan had taken over, everything seemed to be on the upturn. Now, Zhang Qianshan was a four-blood martial artist, and with the Blood River Blade technique, he was a rising star among the martial artists on Prosperity Street. Few dared to provoke him.

"Senior brother Bai Li, have you really become a Demon Suppressor?" Zheng Ada finally blurted out.

"Yes, I was fortunate enough to be selected."

Bai Li Feihong was still wearing his old black robe with the python insignia—not yet the single-clawed python robe of a full Suppressor. Although he truly held the title, he had not yet reached the bone-refining stage; to don that robe too soon would make him a walking target. The clawless python robe suited him fine as a mere apprentice.

Zheng Ada looked at Bai Li Feihong with envy and cupped his hands. "Senior brother, you must look after the Sea-Embracing Martial Hall in the future."

"Rest assured. As long as I remain in Dongbin City, the martial hall will remain under my protection."

Bai Li Feihong understood well—without the training he’d received at the martial hall, he would never have entered the Demon Suppression Bureau. Moreover, he had promised Sixth Brother Zhang Qianshan to safeguard the hall’s legacy.

The Blood River Blade technique had helped him immensely. Without it, he might never have passed the examination, nor gained so many skill points, nor refined his blood to its current level.

Zheng Ada led him into the back courtyard. The Sea-Embracing Martial Hall had welcomed many new faces, likely due to the city’s instability—many people were learning martial arts for self-defense.

Zhang Qianshan remained as diligent as ever, personally instructing the newcomers. He taught each of the sixteen moves of the Sea-Embracing Fist, passing on his experience in every stance.

Bai Li Feihong watched quietly, an unusual serenity in his heart. He hadn’t spent long at the martial hall, but he was deeply attached to the place.

What a pity about Master Wu Sihai.

Ever since investigating the Night Demon case, Bai Li Feihong had been wracked with guilt. Everything was connected. If he hadn’t killed Huang Cuihua, the wife of Chief Zhang, perhaps Master Wu Sihai would still be alive.

The information from the Constabulary’s investigation chilled him further. He hadn’t even used the Sea-Embracing Fist in that killing, yet they’d found clues in the corpses that traced back to several martial halls. Upon reading the case file, Bai Li Feihong realized he had already been targeted. The only reason the Constabulary hadn’t zeroed in on him was that he hadn’t been at the Sea-Embracing Hall long, and they didn’t even know he existed.

"Never underestimate anyone," he thought.

Carrying this shame, Bai Li Feihong chose to return to the martial hall.

Zhang Qianshan wiped the sweat from his brow and looked up in surprise at Bai Li Feihong—his black python robe needed no explanation. He had taught Bai Li Feihong with his own hands, and for him to reach the Demon Suppression Bureau so quickly proved his talent surpassed even his own expectations. A natural martial prodigy—far more so than their eldest brother.

"Train diligently, everyone. Once you reach the blood-refining stage, the hall will fully support you. If you meet the requirements, you can join the Demon Suppression Bureau and have a bright future," Zhang Qianshan encouraged the disciples.

Many of them had noticed Bai Li Feihong by now. His black python robe was far too conspicuous.

"Sixth Brother, under your leadership, the Sea-Embracing Martial Hall shines once more. Master would be comforted to see this," Bai Li Feihong said, his tone tinged with sorrow.

I did not kill Boren, but he died because of me. The same was true for Master Wu Sihai.

"If Master knew one of his disciples had entered the Demon Suppression Bureau, he would be even more delighted," Zhang Qianshan said with a broad smile. Now that Bai Li Feihong was a member of the Bureau, no one would dare covet the Blood River Blade technique again.

"By chance, I thought you too would have joined the Bureau’s recruitment that day, but you didn’t appear. Had you participated, you’d surely be among the Demon Suppression trainees now."

"The Sea-Embracing Martial Hall is my home. My talents are limited; even if I joined, I’d end up as cannon fodder," Zhang Qianshan replied with a bitter smile. If Wu Sihai were still alive, he might have pursued a different future. But with Wu Sihai gone, if he died too, the hall’s legacy would truly end.

"What about our other brothers and sisters?"

"They’ve already left Dongbin City to pursue their own lives," Zhang Qianshan sighed. The six inner disciples of the hall—who knew when they would meet again?

"Everyone has their own path. It’s best this way. The hall is safest in your hands," Bai Li Feihong said gently. He knew Zhang Qianshan had even fallen out with his own family for the sake of the martial hall.

Suddenly, Bai Li Feihong produced a jade vial and a jade slip, handing them to Zhang Qianshan.

"Junior brother, what is this?"

"Ten Essence Blood Pills awarded by the Bureau. They’re potent—don’t take a whole one at once. Split each into ten doses. This vial is enough to support you to the peak of the martial artist realm."

Zhang Qianshan was startled and tried to refuse. "Junior brother, you’re at the start of your career in the Bureau. These pills are too precious to waste on me."

"They’re of little use to me now," Bai Li Feihong replied. While the pills still had value for him, a mere ten wouldn’t boost his strength by much.

He stood up to leave, turning at the door. "The Night Demon case at the hall is now my responsibility in the Bureau."

"Good, good, good," Zhang Qianshan said, tears streaming down his face in excitement. Now, at last, someone would avenge Wu Sihai.

Standing outside the martial hall, Bai Li Feihong lingered a long while.

The martial artists of Prosperity Street watched the young, handsome man before them. With each step of cultivation, the dark skin he’d acquired carrying cargo at the docks had faded. Now his complexion could be described as jade-like and luminous. Sunlight shimmered on him, making him dazzling to behold.

"Who is he?"

"Bai Li Feihong of the Demon Suppression Bureau."

"A disciple of the Sea-Embracing Martial Hall."

The story of the Rolling Stone master losing an arm could not be concealed. Only now did the martial artists of the halls learn of Bai Li Feihong. In their eyes, he was the seventh inner disciple of the Sea-Embracing Martial Hall. After joining the Bureau, he had soared to new heights.

It was no longer possible for him to keep a low profile. Too many eyes were watching the Bureau, and anyone with intent could easily uncover his past.