56 – Seeking to Purchase a Sabre

Feeling the faint power of blood and energy within Lu Qing…

Ma Gu’s mind was in turmoil.

The last time he saw Lu Qing at the market, Lu Qing was just a skinny boy with a sallow face who knew nothing about cultivation.

How did he become a Blood and Energy Realm martial artist upon their next meeting?!

How much time had passed? Less than a month?

In less than a month, he went from an uncultivated boy to a martial artist in the Blood and Energy Realm?

How is this possible?!

Ma Gu felt his understanding of cultivation had been profoundly shaken.

He was astounded by Lu Qing’s cultivation speed.

The last time Lu Qing came to the market, he showed no signs of martial training.

As a Bone and Muscle Realm martial artist, Ma Gu was certain of this.

But it was precisely because of this that his shock was even more intense.

He couldn’t fathom how Lu Qing had gone from a weak boy to a true martial artist in less than a month.

Back then, Ma Gu had formally started practicing martial arts at the age of thirteen.

It took him a full five years to barely enter the Blood and Energy Realm at the age of eighteen.

And that was with the support of his family.

Even so, his cultivation speed was considered quite good within the family.

He had been praised by the elders for his diligent cultivation and rapid progress.

For this, Ma Gu had once felt proud.

After all, as somebody from a side branch of the family, the cultivation resources he could access were not as abundant as those of the main family.

To become a martial artist at eighteen was a testament to his decent talent in cultivation.

Yet now, Ma Gu found that his once-proud cultivation speed was utterly eclipsed by that of Lu Qing.

In less than a month, Lu Qing went from knowing nothing about cultivation to stepping into the Blood and Energy Realm.

Such a cultivation speed, even among the martial arts prodigies cultivated by the prominent families in the city, reputed to have the potential to become grandmasters, could hardly compare.

Stunned by Lu Qing’s transformation, Ma Gu was momentarily at a loss.

Seeing Ma Gu’s dumbfounded expression, Lu Qing couldn’t help but feel curious.

“Master Ma, are you alright?”

Ma Gu snapped back to his senses and forced a smile, trying to calm himself. “I’m fine. It’s just that your transformation in such a short time has amazed me.”

“Oh, recently, my master and I have been focusing on nurturing the body and mind. It’s taken quite some time to make a little progress. Please pardon my humble progress, Master Ma,” Lu Qing said modestly.

But his words left Ma Gu speechless.

If Lu Qing’s progress was considered little, then what about Ma Gu who took twenty years to barely step into the Bone and Muscle Realm?

However, a thought struck Ma Gu’s mind.

Ah, Lu Qing’s master was that Old Doctor Chen, who was reputed to have divine healing skills.

Even the County Magistrate himself spoke highly of this old doctor.

Such a mysterious person, perhaps it was with his help that Lu Qing managed to enter the Blood and Energy Realm so quickly.

With this thought, Ma Gu’s smile remained unchanged.

“Lu Qing, you are being too humble. To achieve the Blood and Energy Realm at such a young age, your talent in cultivation is exceptional, even in the city.”

“Master Ma seems to know a lot about the city?” Lu Qing asked curiously.

Lu Qing was not surprised that Ma Gu could see he had already entered the Blood Qi Realm.

Martial artists with successful cultivation have surging blood and exuberant spirit.

Unless they have cultivated special disguising techniques…

Or have reached an extremely high level of control over their essence, energy, and spirit, allowing them to completely conceal their aura.

Otherwise, it is difficult for average martial artists to hide their identity.

“I wouldn’t say I know it well, I just lived there for a few years.” Ma Gu replied ambiguously.

“I see.” Lu Qing nodded.

He didn’t ask why, if Ma Gu had lived in the city, he was now hiding in this small place like Da Ji.

“Since Master Ma has lived in the city, you must have seen a lot. I happen to be troubled by something and wonder if you could give me some guidance?”

Ma Gu’s spirit lifted. He was worried about not having a reason to get close to Lu Qing, but the opportunity came so quickly.

“What troubles you, Young Master Lu?”

“I want to buy a sabre, but there’s none in Da Ji. Master Ma, do you know where I can purchase one?”

“You want to buy a sabre?” Master Ma was stunned.

“Yes, I’ve been interested in swordsmanship lately but don’t have a suitable blade, so I want to buy one.”

Since Ma Gu had seen through his martial artist identity, Lu Qing decided not to beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

Ma Gu didn’t find Lu Qing’s idea unreasonable.

In his view, as a martial artist, it was only natural to choose a suitable weapon.

“As for sabres…” Ma Gu pondered, “Good sabres can only be found in the city. There are a few reputable shops there.”

“So, sabres are only sold in the city?” Lu Qing hesitated.

“Naturally. Most skilled blacksmiths are gathered in the city. While there are blacksmiths in rural areas, they mostly forge rough farming tools. Those like sabres, which require high forging skills, are beyond their capability.” Ma Gu explained.

Seeing Lu Qing’s hesitant expression, Ma Gu had a thought.

He asked, “Have you never been to the city, Young Master Lu?”

Lu Qing sighed, “To be honest with you, Master Ma, I have indeed never been to the city. Furthermore, my master has said that before I finish my training, I must not go to the city on my own.”

The Old Doctor had never said anything like that, but Lu Qing didn’t mind using his authority to deal with Ma Gu.

“Obeying your master’s orders is troublesome.” Ma Gu expressed his understanding.

He saw the unwilling expression on Lu Qing’s face and knew it was the right time.

After pretending to hesitate for a bit, he said, “Since that’s the case, if Young Master Lu trusts me, how about I help you purchase a sabre from the city?”

“Really?” Lu Qing’s eyes brightened, but then he hesitated, “But wouldn’t that trouble you too much, Master Ma?”

Looking at Lu Qing’s eager yet hesitant expression, Ma Gu found it amusing.

Youngsters really can’t hide their thoughts.

He laughed, “It’s not troublesome, we get along well, and it’s just a small favor. It won’t be an issue for me.”

Lu Qing’s expression showed struggle for a moment.

Finally, as if he had made a big decision, he said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Master Ma.”

Alright! It worked!

Ma Gu was delighted.

Suppressing his smile, he asked with concern, “What kind of sabre do you want, Young Master Lu?”