My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 49 Qiao Mansion

Wutong Lane, west of Linwu City.

The alley was narrow, with high walls and large courtyards on both sides, and the gates were heavily guarded. When Liang Cheng found the Qiao residence according to the address on the letter, it was almost noon.

The black lacquered gate was tightly closed, and two faded lanterns hung under the eaves. The two characters "Qiao Mansion" on the plaque were mottled with gold paint.

There was a guard in blue robes on each side of the stone steps. Although he stood straight, his eyes lacked spirit.

Liang Cheng walked up the stone steps and bowed to the gatekeeper on the right: "Please inform him that I, Liang Cheng, have come to deliver a message on behalf of my master, Yang Wei."

The gatekeeper glanced at him, his gaze lingering on his gray-white martial arts robes for a moment, then said calmly, "Wait."

He turned around, pushed open the small side door, and went inside.

After about half a cup of tea's time, the gatekeeper returned, followed by an old servant in gray, who was none other than Uncle Wang, the steward of the Qiao family.

"Young master, please follow me." Uncle Wang said calmly, stepping aside to lead the way.

Liang Cheng followed him across the threshold and around the screen wall. It was a three-courtyard complex, but there were not many servants. The courtyard looked somewhat neglected, and the paint on the pillars was dark, giving it a sense of gloom as one walked through it.

Inside the main hall, a woman dressed in a dark blue brocade skirt sat in the main seat. She was about forty years old, and her face still showed traces of her youthful beauty, but her brows and eyes were filled with melancholy.

Standing beside her was a girl of about sixteen or seventeen, whose features bore a striking resemblance to the woman, though her chin was slightly raised and her eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.

Before Uncle Wang entered, he gave a brief introduction.

"Junior Liang Cheng greets Madam and Miss."

Liang Cheng bowed and handed over the envelope.

Madam Qiao took the letter, glanced at it casually, and said in a flat voice, "Yang Wei only sent you to deliver this letter?"

"Yes, Master asked me to deliver a message and instruct me to check on Madam and Miss to see if they are well."

"Are you alright?" Qiao Zhi suddenly sneered. "No matter how bad things get for my Qiao family, we don't need a live-in son-in-law like him to worry about us."

"Zhi'er," Madam Qiao said softly, but without much blame in her voice.

Qiao Zhi pursed her lips, her gaze falling on Liang Cheng: "You're his new apprentice? From that small place, Linhai Town?"

Liang Cheng nodded: "Yes."

"I heard you got into the martial arts academy?" Qiao Zhi raised an eyebrow. "How old are you? Are you in the Human or Earth academy? Have you reached the Transformation Realm yet?"

"Seventeen, Human Residence, just entered the Transformation Realm."

A hint of disdain flashed in Qiao Zhi's eyes: "At seventeen, you only reached the Transformation Realm, which means you're at the bottom of the martial arts academy. Yang Wei himself couldn't make it in the academy back then, so it's no wonder that the disciples he taught are just average."

Liang Cheng's expression remained unchanged: "I am of dull mind, Miss Qiao, please forgive my ignorance."

Madam Qiao then spoke, her voice still calm: "I have read the letter. Go back and tell Yang Wei that everything is normal at the Qiao family and there is no need to worry. Since he has already left Linwu City, he can stay in Linhai Town with peace of mind and there is no need to write again."

This is to completely sever ties with Yang Wei.

She stood up: "Uncle Wang, see the guest out."

The old servant stepped forward, raised his right hand in a gesture of guidance, and Liang Cheng said no more, bowed, and turned to follow Uncle Wang out.

Behind her came Qiao Zhi's low but clear voice: "Mother, look at his martial arts academy robe, it's gray and white, without even a silver trim. He's definitely a disciple from the lowest rung of the academy. Yang Wei himself has no ability, and the disciple he found is so shabby..."

Liang Cheng did not stop walking.

As they walked out of the Qiao residence, Uncle Wang suddenly whispered behind them, "Actually, Madam hasn't had it easy these past years either."

Liang Cheng paused, nodded, and then walked straight down the stone steps without turning around.

At the entrance of Wutong Lane, Liang Cheng turned back and glanced at the mottled lintel of the Qiao Mansion.

The master's wife was filled with resentment, and the junior sister was arrogant and shallow, not valued by the family. The courtyard was in ruins, but she still put on airs.

Master may have had his reasons for leaving back then, but he didn't want to get involved in this mess anymore. This was Master's family matter, and only Master could resolve it.

He shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and turned to walk towards the Martial Arts Academy.

But before they could even leave the alley, three figures suddenly darted out and blocked the road.

They were all young men around twenty years old. The young man in the purple robe was dressed smartly, with jade pendants at his waist, a folding fan in his hand, and a mocking smile on his face.

"Oh, isn't this the one who just came from the Qiao family?" The young man in purple robes waved his fan. "A distinguished guest from my cousin Qiao Zhi's family?"

The yellow-clad guard on the left sneered, "Young master, what distinguished guest? I heard it clearly at the alley entrance just now. He's just a disciple from a martial arts academy in a small place, trying to claim kinship."

The blue-clad guard on the right sized up Liang Cheng: "A human settlement? Just entered the Transformation Realm? The Qiao family has really fallen on hard times; even these Tom, Dick, and Harry can come knocking on their door."

Liang Cheng stopped in his tracks: "Is there something you need?"

The young master in purple robes, Xu Shao, closed his folding fan, his smile turning cold: "Qiao Zhi is the woman I have my eye on. How dare you come to visit me without permission, cutting off your own arm? I will spare you this time."

"Get out of the way."

"Insolence!" the yellow-clad guard shouted angrily. "Young Master Xu is the third young master of the Xu family in Linwu City. How dare you, a mere country bumpkin, spout such nonsense?"

Xu Shao raised his hand to stop him, his eyes flashing coldly: "Kid, you're asking for it. Since you won't listen to reason, then you'll have to suffer the consequences."

With that, he waved his hand, and the three of them acted simultaneously. Liang Cheng stepped forward and covered the distance in an instant, taking only three steps.

Xu Shao's expression changed. He swung his folding fan like a knife, creating a fierce gust of wind. He actually had the cultivation level of mid-stage Transformation Realm. However, Liang Cheng neither dodged nor avoided it. He grabbed the fan bone with his left hand and threw a punch with his right hand.

Raging Bull Force - Mountain Collapse!

"Bang!"

Xu Shao was punched in the chest and flew backward, crashing into the alley wall. He spat out blood and collapsed to the ground.

The yellow-clad and blue-clad guards were horrified and drew their swords to stab at each other. Liang Cheng dodged the swords by turning to the side, grabbed the yellow-clad youth's wrist with his left hand, and twisted it with force.

"Snap!"

The sound of bones cracking rang out, and the longsword fell to the ground.

Liang Cheng then kicked the young man in yellow in the stomach, sending him flying.

The young man in blue thrust his longsword again, but Liang Cheng brought his two right fingers together and precisely struck the side of the blade.

"clang!"

The longsword snapped in two, and Liang Cheng stepped forward, elbowing his opponent in the chest.

"puff!"

The young man in blue coughed up blood and staggered backward, crashing into piles of debris along the alleyway.

From the start to the end, it took no more than three breaths.

Liang Cheng glanced at the three people on the ground. Xu Shao struggled to get up, but coughed up blood incessantly. The young man in yellow clutched his severed wrist and howled in pain. The young man in blue curled up on the ground, his breath weak.

If it weren't for the fact that it was broad daylight, he would have already committed murder. Now he could only give him a minor punishment. He straightened his robes, stepped over Xu Shao, and left.

Several idlers who had been peeking around at the alley entrance quickly turned back.

Not long after, the side gate of the Qiao residence opened again.

The gray-clad old servant, Uncle Wang, strode out and, seeing the mess in the alley, his expression changed slightly. He helped Young Master Xu up, saying, "Young Master Xu, this is..."

Xu Shao gritted his teeth: "Who was that kid just now?"

Uncle Wang said in a low voice, "It was my oversight. That man is Liang Cheng, Yang Wei's disciple and a student of the Martial Academy. He came to deliver a message today."

"Yang Wei? That live-in son-in-law?" Xu Shao's eyes were filled with resentment. "Very well, this isn't over!"

Wang Bo remained silent, watching as Xu Shao was helped away by two servants and guards. He glanced in the direction of the Martial Academy and sighed softly.

He turned and went back into the mansion. When he reached the main hall, he whispered, "Madam, the third young master of the Xu family was beaten by Yang Wei's apprentice in the alley."

The hall was silent for a moment.

Mrs. Qiao's voice came through: "Understood."

"If the Xu family makes a scene..."

"Although the Qiao family has declined, it is not to the point of being afraid of the Xu family." Madam Qiao's voice turned cold. "As for Yang Wei's apprentice, he caused this mess himself, so he should bear the consequences."

Wang Bo bowed and withdrew.

Inside the hall, Qiao Zhi bit her lip: "Mother, Liang Cheng actually dared to hit Xu Zhi. The Xu family will not let this go."

Madam Qiao stared at Yang Wei's letter on the table for a long time before saying, "To be able to defeat three experts at the Transformation Realm, including Xu Zhi, who was carefully trained by the Xu family, your father has indeed taken on an extraordinary disciple."

Qiao Zhi was stunned for a moment upon hearing this; she hadn't thought of that before.

This kid does seem to have some skills.