Chu Lingguang was puzzled. Why was a group of people with vigorous Qi Blood heading for Liu Lishi's house so early in the morning? Those people didn't seem ordinary.
'Could it be about Liu Quan?'
He thought it over carefully and couldn't help but quicken his pace, running toward the Martial Arts Hall.
Although Liu Lishi had some status, it was only within the village. He couldn't possibly attract a group of skilled martial artists. The only possibility was that the group was here for Liu Quan.
Liu Quan had developed Fist Force in just four months.
His talent was second only to Yang Shaorong.
He was a martial arts prodigy, the best in all the surrounding villages.
Perhaps word had gotten out, and he had been targeted by people from other Martial Arts Halls.
Chu Lingguang didn't know if he was right, but when he thought of how Guo Wei had become so full of fighting spirit and was always laughing and cheerful these past few days because of Liu Quan, he couldn't bear it. So, he rushed to the Martial Arts Hall as fast as he could.
"Quan."
Guo Wei was sitting in the backyard polishing the head of his Long Spear. Hearing the sound of someone approaching, he thought it was Liu Quan arriving early, just as they had agreed.
"Master, it's me."
Chu Lingguang said, panting. He saw a bottle of Qi Blood Pills next to Guo Wei—the very same bottle that Yang Shaorong had given him as a sign of respect.
"Why is it you? Where's Liu Quan?"
Guo Wei put the bottle of Qi Blood Pills away. He had told Liu Quan to come early today so he could use the pills to help him activate his Qi Blood. He hadn't expected Chu Lingguang to be the one to show up first.
"Master, a group of people just rushed toward Liu Quan's house. I was worried he might be in danger, so I hurried here to tell you."
Chu Lingguang explained.
He knew Guo Wei favored Liu Quan; the bottle of Qi Blood Pills was surely meant for him. But over the past six months, Guo Wei had also treated him well. He had taught him Martial Arts, provided him with three meals a day, and even spent money so he could soak in a medicinal bath for ten days. Chu Lingguang remembered all of this.
"What did you say?"
Guo Wei was startled.
"Master, could someone be jealous of Liu Quan's talent and want to harm him?"
Chu Lingguang said.
"How audacious."
Guo Wei didn't dare to think about it further. He grabbed his Long Spear and ran toward the stables.
"Master, where are you going?"
Hei Hu came in from outside, running right into Guo Wei.
"Come with me to get the horses. You and Lin Guang will follow me to Liu Quan's house."
Guo Wei said without turning his head.
"Yes."
Hei Hu hurried to follow.
"HYAH!"
Guo Wei galloped off, leaving a cloud of dust behind him as he raced toward Liu Family Gully with his Long Spear in hand.
"Junior Brother, hurry up."
Hei Hu had just recently learned some Riding Skill techniques and had Chu Lingguang sit behind him on the horse.
"Coming."
Chu Lingguang, carrying two long sabers, leaped onto the horse's back. Although Guo Wei hadn't taught him any Riding Skill techniques yet, Hei Hu often took him out for a few laps. Chu Lingguang sat steadily behind him.
"Why are you carrying sabers? What the hell is going on?"
"What? Someone dares to move against our junior brother?"
"I'd like to see them try!"
Furious, Hei Hu dug his heels into the horse's belly, and it shot off toward Liu Family Gully with Chu Lingguang.
No matter how fast they urged their horse, the two of them couldn't catch sight of Guo Wei.
About a quarter of an hour later, Hei Hu and Chu Lingguang finally arrived at Liu Family Gully. Sounds of cheerful laughter spilled out from Liu Quan's house. Guo Wei stood planted at the entrance, Long Spear in hand.
"Master."
Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu quickly dismounted. They then saw that an apprenticeship ceremony was taking place inside Liu Quan's house. A well-built middle-aged man with vigorous Qi Blood sat in a grand armchair. Liu Quan was kneeling before him, respectfully holding up a teacup with both hands. "Master, please drink this tea!"
"Good disciple."
The middle-aged man took the teacup and drained it in one gulp.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Liu Quan didn't hesitate. He kowtowed to the middle-aged man repeatedly, bowing a full twelve times with resounding thuds.
"From now on, you are my, Tie Zhennan's, Direct Disciple. As your master, I will teach you all my Martial Arts to ensure that, at the very least, you can pass the examination to become a Martial Arts Scholar in the future."
Tie Zhennan declared, his voice firm and resonant.
"I will also train diligently and never disappoint you, Master."
Liu Quan said excitedly.
"Hahaha, in a little while, you will return with me to the Martial Arts Hall. I will teach you my most profound Breathing Technique. From now on, I will give you one Qi Blood Pill every month to make your Qi Blood Power advance by leaps and bounds."
Tie Zhennan said.
"Master, I will forever remember your great kindness."
Liu Quan kowtowed again.
"Hahaha, rise."
Tie Zhennan helped Liu Quan to his feet. Bursts of hearty laughter, backed by powerful Qi Blood, echoed through the Liu Family's courtyard. The members of the Zhennan Martial Arts Hall all gathered around Liu Quan, and several of his new martial brothers presented him with gifts.
Liu Quan was overwhelmed by the favor, his face filled with emotion.
Outside the courtyard, Chu Lingguang looked cautiously at Guo Wei. Guo Wei gripped his Long Spear, his eyes closed. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, as if a low rumble of thunder was echoing within him.
He was steadying himself, holding back.
Of course, he might also have been gathering his strength.
The Liu father and son had simply gone too far. Guo Wei had already set the date to hold a grand apprenticeship ceremony for Liu Quan tomorrow, yet today, Liu Quan had pledged himself to another master.
'In fact, Chu Lingguang had considered that this group was here to poach a disciple. He just hadn't expected them to conduct the ceremony right in the Liu Family's courtyard, nor that Liu Quan would actually accept.'
'He had notified Guo Wei because he didn't want his master's efforts to end in nothing.'
'But he never imagined it would lead to Guo Wei witnessing this scene. The blow to Guo Wei was just like the day of his birthday celebration, when Yang Shaorong and the others had announced their departure.'
"Liu Quan, you son of a bitch!"
Hei Hu roared, unable to control himself.
He gripped his long saber, his entire body trembling with rage.
"Liu Quan! That day in my master's house, you agreed with him that you would officially become his disciple tomorrow! Why did you go back on your word?"
Chu Lingguang, his own fighting spirit roused by Hei Hu's roar, spoke up to question him.
Guo Wei had treated him well. It was only right for him to speak out for justice today.
'But if Guo Wei lost control and came to blows with the people from Zhennan Martial Arts Hall, what should he do?'
'Should he honor his master and the path of martial arts, charging in alongside Guo Wei in a flurry of blades? Or should he stay calm, bear the infamy, and hide to the side?'
Liu Quan knew he was in the wrong.
Seeing Chu Lingguang and the other two, he didn't dare to meet their gazes and hid behind Tie Zhennan.
"Master Guo, we can't take verbal agreements too seriously, can we?"
Liu Lishi said shamelessly.
He had been startled when he saw Guo Wei arrive with his spear, but now that his son had become a disciple of Tie Zhennan—and Tie Zhennan had promised to ensure the safety of their entire family—he had a bit of courage.
"Guo, long time no see."
Tie Zhennan, however, looked completely calm as he cupped his fist toward Guo Wei in greeting.
Guo Wei opened his eyes. The thunder in his chest vanished. There was no sharp glint in his eyes, only bitterness and sorrow. He planted his Iron Spear into the ground, raised his hands to cup his own fists, and offered his congratulations. "Congratulations, Master Tie, on gaining such a fine disciple."
"Thank you, Guo. In a year and a half, at the Daoist Examination, I hope the disciples of our two Martial Arts Halls will be able to compete on the same stage."
Tie Zhennan smiled.
"Fine."
Guo Wei nodded and turned back to his horse. As he pulled the Long Spear from the ground, its shaft flicked a stone. WHOOSH! The stone flew into the Liu Family's courtyard and shattered Liu Lishi's front teeth.
"AHH!"
Liu Lishi clutched his mouth as blood streamed out.
"HYAH!"
The fine steed, Red Boy, carried Guo Wei swiftly out of Liu Family Gully. Guo Wei's figure sped past the wheat fields. The morning sun was clearly just rising, but at that moment, both Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu felt that his silhouette looked utterly desolate.