Zhang Yao was taken aback at the words.
He hadn't expected Zhou An to call him over to inquire about the origins of the Taiyi Pile Skill, with the intention of accepting him as an Inner Disciple.
Over the past two months, he hadn't shown any inclination in this regard, had he?
However, after a brief moment of bewilderment, Zhang Yao quickly realized: under the current circumstances, regardless of the reason, becoming the Hall Master's Inner Disciple is undoubtedly a good thing.
Thinking about this, he took a deep breath and stood up to offer a respectful gesture: "It's an honor for the disciple to be valued by the master."
"Hahaha… good."
Zhou An stroked his beard and laughed heartily, showing a look of joy.
Next to him, Zhang Yannian also stepped forward, laughing as he said, "Congratulations to Junior Brother Zhang, and congratulations to the master on accepting another excellent disciple."
"Mm."
Zhou An nodded with a smile and said, "Yannian, go ahead and prepare the apprenticeship ceremony for your junior brother."
"Okay, Master."
Zhang Yannian acknowledged, turned around, and left the main hall.
Zhou An looked at Zhang Yao again, signaling him to sit down before he asked, "Zhang Yao, do you have any relatives in Lotus Village? Or any prior mentorship?"
"No."
Zhang Yao shook his head and replied, "I was born an orphan. My parents died early, and I entered Qingping Palace at the age of nine."
"While at Qingping Palace, Lord Guanlu, who managed the Pill Furnace Hall, intended to accept me as a disciple, but a change occurred before I formally entered."
Upon hearing this, Zhou An revealed a look of understanding and warmly said, "Your life has been difficult and lonely, which is truly challenging."
"From today onwards, you can regard the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall as your home and move in to live with us."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao felt a warmth in his heart and gratefully said, "Thank you, Master."
"There's no need for such formality."
Zhou An waved his hand and said with a smile, "After you officially become an apprentice, we'll be like family."
...
On the same morning.
In the inner courtyard of the Golden Furnace Martial Arts Hall, the apprenticeship ceremony was held in the presence of dozens of apprentices.
Zhang Yao, after bowing three times and kowtowing nine times, offering a cup of tea, completed the ceremony and became the true Direct Disciple of Hall Master Zhou An.
"Congratulations, Brother Zhang, congratulations, Master!"
"Congratulations, Brother Zhang!"
Dozens of apprentices came forward to offer their congratulations, their eyes filled with envy and even jealousy.
Although Zhang Yao was young and joined late, once he became a Direct Disciple, he naturally became their senior.
Zhou An's status in Changping City was extraordinary, and being his Direct Disciple offered a far broader future than theirs.
"Zhang Yao, come over."
After the apprentices dispersed, Zhou An cheerfully called Zhang Yao over to introduce him.
There was Senior Brother Meng Zongwei, Second Senior Brother Xiao Yao, Third Senior Brother Zhang Yannian, and Zhou An's daughter, Zhou Hongxiu.
"Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, and Senior Sister Hongxiu."
Zhang Yao went forward and offered a salute, and the many senior brothers and sisters, aware of his background, were quite friendly.
Over the two months, Zhang Yao had actually become quite familiar with Meng Zongwei and Zhang Yannian, seeking their guidance multiple times.
Second Senior Brother Xiao Yao was the young master of the wealthy Xiao Family in Changping City. He often visited the martial arts hall, but irregularly and fleetingly; Zhang Yao had only seen him two or three times.
Zhou An also had a son, but he was reportedly out of town and rarely returned, so Zhang Yao hadn't met him.
After everyone had lunch together, Zhang Yao went back to pack his things, returned the rented small courtyard to the brokerage, and moved into the inner courtyard of the martial arts hall.
"Master."
When Zhang Yao visited Zhou An in the main hall again, the sun was already slanting in the west.
"Mm."
Zhou An nodded and said, "Zhang Yao, from today onwards, I will personally guide you."
"Once you practice the Golden Furnace Technique to Small Success, I will teach you some Secret Transmission Techniques, and the corresponding Great Vajra Fist."
"Secret Transmission Techniques? Great Vajra Fist?"
Zhang Yao's expression shifted slightly.
Zhou An smiled faintly and explained, "Every lineage has its passed-down secrets and spells that are not publicly disclosed. The Golden Furnace Technique is no exception."
"As the saying goes, a true phrase can be worth a thousand false texts. These seemingly insignificant tips are indeed the true foundation of a family or sect, and cannot be bought with money."
He paused briefly before continuing, "As for the Great Vajra Fist, it's the combat and killing technique paired with the Golden Furnace Technique."
"The Twenty-four Bear Pole Forms are only for nourishing and refining the Qi and blood, whereas the Great Vajra Fist is the true Ultimate Skill used for fighting and killing."
"I understand now."
Hearing this, Zhang Yao suddenly realized.
Neither the Secret Transmission Techniques nor the Great Vajra Fist associated with the Golden Furnace Technique are accessible to apprentices.
Only after bowing as an apprentice and becoming practically half a son to Zhou An does one qualify to learn the martial arts hall's guarded secrets.
...
At the same time.
In Lotus Village, Ten Mile Gully.
Outside a grand mansion with three entrances and exits, a young man wearing a long robe sat on the doorstep, his expression grim.
He was about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a handsome face, but a thin, long knife scar on his forehead that added a fierceness to his look.
The knife-scarred youth gazed at the distant mountain peaks, his eyes ice-cold and his heart chilling.
Under the setting sun's glow, one could vaguely see a vast palace complex atop the mountain—formerly Qingping Palace, now Qingping Stockade.
"I can't wait anymore!"
The knife-scarred youth suddenly stood up, his face stern, and hurriedly turned to walk into the mansion.
Moments later, a portly-faced elder in his fifties sighed and said, "Nephew Qingzhuo, I understand your thoughts, but we can't act rashly due to impatience."
"If we're not careful and the news gets out, you, I, and my entire family won't be able to preserve our lives…"
The knife-scarred youth remained silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Uncle's concerns are clear to me."
"Back when you took great risks to shelter me and Senior Brother Qinghe, we were already immensely grateful."
"But it's been over two months, and that group of rebellious troops is lawless, tormenting the common people, and no one is managing it!"
"If we keep waiting, even if we wait until who knows when, we'll never see a resolution…"
The knife-scarred youth was Qingzhuo, the Daoist child who escaped Qingping Palace.
On the night of the incident, as the central courtyard's battle turned unfavorable, he escaped Qingping Palace under the dying protection of a Shangqing Pavilion senior brother.
They dodged pursuers thanks to their familiarity with the terrain, and eventually drifted to Ten Mile Gully seeking refuge with an elder.
The elder was Daoist Guan Yuan, the previous Lord Dugu who had once returned to lay life.
Daoist Guan Yuan and the Old Palace Master were brothers, close in emotion, who sheltered them during this crisis. But sadly, his brother's injuries were too severe, and he died within two days.
Since then, harboring deep-seated hatred, he had hoped the Governor's Mansion in Changping City would dispatch government soldiers to clean out this rebellious group.
Yet day after day of waiting only brought repeated disappointment.
The fact is, unless the rebellious troops are too rampant or infringe upon the Governor's Mansion's interests, it is impossible for the mansion to send troops to raid them.
"Waiting is unavoidable!"
Daoist Guan Yuan scolded sternly, "Nephew Qingzhuo, you have a promising future, bearing the hope of Qingping Palace's revival, you must not act recklessly!"
"If you lose your patience and act rashly, we'll all be doomed!"