Unbeatable Martial Emperor

C13 – Let’s Go!

Upon seeing Min Zhenkang, Min Qi’s immediate concern was whether his son had encountered any mishaps. He hadn’t thought to assess Min Zhenkang’s level of cultivation until Xiao Yin prompted him, prompting Min Qi to realize the oversight.

Min Qi quickly placed his hand on Min Zhenkang’s shoulder, gently channeling Profound Qi into his son’s body. “You’ve reached the peak of Martial Cultivation. Zhenkang, you’re able to cultivate again?” Min Qi’s voice quivered with excitement.

“Yes,” Min Zhenkang confirmed earnestly.

“When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?” Min Qi embraced his son, his usual paternal poise giving way to the sheer joy of a father delighting in his son’s fortune.

“It was after my fall from Antigough Cliff. When I awoke, I discovered I could cultivate again, which is why I’ve healed so quickly from the injury.”

“What? That’s incredible! It seems the heavens truly favor you, my son! To think you survived the deadly fall from Antigough Cliff and your cultivation was restored as a stroke of luck. But Zhenkang, what’s with your current level of cultivation? And when I examined you earlier, I noticed your meridians are quite different from the norm,” Min Qi inquired further.

“Father, I achieved peak Martial Cultivation after my recovery. Initially, I noticed my Profound Qi was flowing differently, but I haven’t experienced any adverse effects from my cultivation,” Min Zhenkang explained.

“What? In less than a month since your recovery, you’ve gone from having no cultivation to reaching the peak of Martial Cultivation? That’s an astonishing rate of progress!” The astonishment Min Zhenkang brought to everyone at Min’s mansion today was truly immense.

“Big brother, it’s wonderful that Zhenkang has regained his cultivation and his innate talent seems even greater than in his youth. However, I must caution Zhenkang that such rapid advancement could lead to severe consequences. Without a solid foundation, he must refrain from further breakthroughs. Otherwise, future cultivation could prove exceedingly challenging and potentially squander his exceptional talent,” Xiao Yin interjected with a word of caution.

“Zhenkang, your third uncle is absolutely right. Always remember to lay a solid foundation before attempting any breakthroughs. Rushing to advance your cultivation without caution can only harm you,” Min Qi said, his voice finally settling into calmness.

“I understand, Dad.”

“Big brother, it’s getting late; we should set off,” Min Huiyu interjected, approaching them. The look he gave Min Zhenkang had changed entirely from before.

“Very well, let’s depart.” At Min Qi’s command, everyone filed out of the conference hall and headed outside the Min’s mansion.

“Congratulations,” Min Qigang said, coming up beside Min Zhenkang.

“You better keep pushing yourself. I don’t want you catching up to me,” Min Zhenkang replied with a laugh.

“Even with your exceptional talent, you’ll have to put in extra effort to reach my level,” Min Qigang teased.

Sharing a laugh, the two followed Min Qi out of the mansion.

At the entrance, Min Qi turned to Min Huiyu and another, “Second brother, third brother, this is where we part ways. The Min family is in your hands while I’m away.”

“Rest assured, big brother. The third brother and I will manage everything well. Just be careful on your journey,” Min Huiyu assured him.

“Good. I’m leaving the Min’s mansion in your capable hands. Let’s be on our way.” With those final words, Min Qi, Min Zhenkang, and Min Qigang boarded the carriage, accompanied by a retinue of the Min’s mansion’s finest.

Min Huiyu and the rest watched the carriage disappear into the distance before returning to their duties within the mansion.

As they approached the city gates, the coachman abruptly halted. “Master, Master Shangguan and Miss Chu Keke are ahead,” he informed those inside the carriage.

The three men quickly alighted.

“Hello, Uncle Min, Brother Qigang,” Chu Keke greeted them warmly, then turned to Min Zhenkang with a smile. “Zhenkang.”

“Hello,” Min Qi responded to Chu Keke, then greeted Chu Le with a nod. “Uncle Shangguan.”

“Yep, I came with Keke. In a few days, I’m planning to visit your father’s retreat to check on him, see if he’s holding up okay with his old bones.”

“Thanks a lot, Uncle Shangguan.”

“Zhenkang, how long will you be away this time?”

“I’m not sure, but I should be back pretty quickly. Just hang tight in Whalespell for me, okay?”

“Okay, but make sure you come back soon.”

They continued their conversation a bit longer, and Chu Le and Min Qi exchanged a few words as well before the trio set off again.

“Zhenkang, now that you can start cultivating again, you must be careful not to show off your talent recklessly, especially in Whalespell. I’m worried that…”

“You’re worried I might be targeted again, aren’t you, Dad?”

“That’s right. Such incidents have happened twice in the last few years,” Min Qi said, concern etched on his face.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve learned from those experiences. I know what to do now.”

“Good to hear. That puts my mind at ease.”

“I’ve noticed you haven’t been to the Martial Skill Hall much. Haven’t picked up any martial skills yet?”

“I still remember the ones I learned as a kid, so I haven’t felt the need to go recently.”

“That won’t do. The Shocking Palm is a mid-level Yellow Rank martial skill of our Min family. Start with that. When we return, I’ll personally select a martial skill for you.” Min Qi pulled a martial skill manual from his Bag of Heaven and Earth and handed it to Min Zhenkang, then turned to Min Qigang. “Qigang, what martial skill are you working on right now?”

“Uncle, I’ve been practicing the Entrapment Dragon Formation lately.”

“Good choice. The Dragon Trapping Formation is a high-level Yellow Rank formation. It’s the perfect fit for you to cultivate at the moment.”

“It was handpicked by my father.”

“Well, that shows you’ve really put in the effort. Your dad is frugal with others, even more so with family. I don’t have much to offer, but I’ll give you this Azure Dragon Blade.” Min Qi then took out a hefty blade from his Bag of Heaven and Earth.

“Uncle, that’s not necessary. Please, leave the Azure Dragon Blade for Zhenkang.”

“Qigang, there’s no need for formalities with me. Given your father’s temperament, he’s not one to hand out rewards unless you’ve made a significant contribution to the family. Plus, Zhenkang’s immediate priority should be building a strong foundation; he won’t need these items just yet. Go ahead, take it.”

“You heard him, Qigang, take it. We’re family, after all—no need for such politeness,” chimed in Zhenkang.

“Then I gratefully accept, Uncle.” With that, Qigang stowed the Azure Dragon Blade into his Bag of Heaven and Earth.

“Alright, we’ve still got a few days’ journey to Steelgrave. Use this time to get acquainted with the Azure Dragon Blade and the Shocking Palm technique.”

“Zhenkang, in particular, you should invest time in syncing with the Azure Dragon Blade. That way, when you’re in battle, it’ll respond to you as naturally as your own limbs, unleashing its full potential. If you have any questions about your training, I’m here to help.”

“Understood, Dad (Uncle).”

Zhenkang pulled out the Shocking Palm to give it a cursory glance. Truth be told, he didn’t need these techniques; there were few families on the entire continent of Suanikos with a collection of secret manuals to rival what he already knew. Nonetheless, Zhenkang played along and pretended to study it.

……

The journey proceeded without incident for several days.

“We’ll reach Steelgrave by tomorrow. You’ve both done well on this trip. Once we arrive, you two find an inn and rest up. I have some matters to attend to,” Min Qi announced.

“Okay.”

“Halt! This is a stick-up!” No sooner had Min Qi spoken than a gang sprang out in front of the carriage, brandishing an assortment of weapons, their faces menacing.

“Gentlemen, I hail from the Min family of Whalespell, merely passing through your esteemed territory. I hope you might afford us a little convenience,” Min Qi said, emerging from the carriage with a calm demeanor and casually retrieving a pouch of silver from his Bag of Heaven and Earth.

The bandit leader juggled the coins in his hand dismissively. “Master of Min’s Mansion? Never heard of him. What’s that supposed to be? And you think you can shoo us away with a pittance? You must take us for beggars. Hand over your Bags of Heaven and Earth, now.”

“Brave men, it’s always good to have more friends than enemies. We’re in a rush to get to Steelgrave and would appreciate your understanding,” Min Qi said, struggling to keep his anger in check as he pulled out several thousand Mysterious Stones from his Bag of Heaven and Earth.

“Enough talk. Your so-called ‘face’ means squat to us. Hand over the Bags of Heaven and Earth, or we’ll cut you down,” the bandit leader barked before shoving Min Qi with brute force.

But Min Qi stood his ground, unshaken. He had hoped to buy peace with some wealth, but these bandits were insatiable, now demanding his Bag of Heaven and Earth. And he couldn’t give it up; it contained the Thousand Year Blood Lingzhi, a Level Five Herb meant for the lord of Steelgrave.

“If you’re not inclined to make this easy, then I have no choice but to force my way through,” Min Qi declared, and with a single palm strike, he sent the bandit leader flying.

“Big brother!”

“Boss!”

His henchmen rushed to his side.

“Men, attack! Take down these ingrates. A hefty reward awaits the one who takes down this old fool,” the bandit leader commanded, rallying his men to attack Min Qi and his companions.

Min Qi was ready for the challenge, clashing fiercely with the bandit leader. Min Zhenkang and Min Qigang, alongside the guards of Min’s mansion, joined the fray.

The battle cries soared as martial skills and formations were unleashed in full force.

Min Zhenkang, facing off against three Ninth Level Martial Mortal experts, drove them back, wounding one so severely he could barely stand.

Min Zhenkang kept a vigilant eye on the battle, noting that aside from Min Qi’s one-on-one duel, no one dared approach their fight.

The others were outnumbered, and the tide of battle was grim. The Min family’s guards were already taking casualties.

Min Qigang’s battlefield was under siege by four experts of equal prowess. He wielded the Azure Dragon Saber with fierce determination, yet his body bore numerous wounds, both large and small.

Seeing Min Zhenkang’s ferocity, the bandits’ second-in-command rushed to provide backup, instantly tipping the scales. A fifth level Martial Spirit expert, along with two ninth level Martial Cultivator bandits, ganged up on Min Zhenkang, a ninth level Martial Cultivator himself. Anyone else would have fallen by now, but Min Zhenkang teetered on the brink of injury. A single hit from the second-in-command could mean severe injury, which, in his current state, was tantamount to a death sentence.

Min Zhenkang seethed with anger. Without such a vast disparity in their cultivation levels, he wouldn’t be in this dire situation.

The second-in-command was secretly astonished. How could a ninth level Martial Cultivator withstand such a prolonged assault without succumbing to injury? The combat strength and experience were extraordinary, especially for a child barely in his teens. It was incredibly abnormal.

“Star-shattering Fist!” Min Qi unleashed a high-level yellow martial skill, aiming to repel the bandit leader.

He was acutely aware that both Min Zhenkang and Min Qigang were on the verge of collapse.

The air around them erupted with a thunderous sonic boom as his fist struck.

Unwilling to be outdone, the bandit leader retaliated with the “Tyrant Saber Technique,” his blade sending a three-meter long wave of Qi hurtling towards Min Qi, gouging a deep scar in the earth.

Those near the fray were either deafened by the sonic boom or wounded by the scattered blade energy. One bandit, particularly unlucky, was cleaved in two.

As the two attacks met, the fist shadows and blade energy vanished, leaving behind a battlefield strewn with devastation.

With Min Zhenkang in peril and the bandit leader proving to be a formidable opponent, Min Qi’s urgency grew. His techniques and power surged as he abandoned all defense, opting for a relentless offensive.

The bandit leader had been barely holding his own against Min Qi in combat, but now, faced with Min Qi’s fury, he found himself increasingly unable to parry the onslaught.