Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall.
"You encountered a Secret Medicine Fighter?"
Liu Changfeng's expression grew solemn upon hearing Zhao Xuanqi's report. He couldn't help but size up Zhao Xuanqi for a moment, but then a sense of understanding dawned on him.
'With this kid's innate talent for fighting, plus Cai Mingliang's support, killing a Secret Medicine Fighter doesn't seem so incomprehensible after all.'
"Jingmao Trading Company... So those Jili Ghosts are getting personally involved again."
Liu Changfeng muttered to himself before turning to Zhao Xuanqi. "You did very well this time. If it weren't for you, the security bureau would have lost many good men. However, for safety's sake, I'll order this matter to be kept confidential. It's for your protection."
"Is it because of Jingmao Trading Company? What's their background?"
Zhao Xuanqi asked. In truth, his interest in the Jingmao Trading Company stemmed from the fact that the man in black had given the box of Blood Powder to the leader of the Cang Mountain Gang. This meant the Jingmao Trading Company likely controlled the supply channels for this Blood Powder.
That was what truly interested him.
"Jingmao Trading Company... I haven't heard of it. It must be a newly established firm. But since a Secret Medicine Fighter was involved, it means the ones backing them are most likely those Jili Ghosts."
"Those guys are not to be trifled with, not even by a Martial Arts Hall. They're the 'upper class,' and they even fund the major Warlords. If word of this gets out, you could be targeted for revenge."
"We'll leave this matter here. The Martial Arts Hall will handle the rest. You performed exceptionally well. In addition to the base reward of five portions of Secret Medicine for the mission, I'll personally add another five. Besides that, what else do you want? More Secret Medicine? Or silver coins?"
Liu Changfeng looked at Zhao Xuanqi, his appreciation for the young man growing by the second.
He even thought this kid should take Zhou Ze's place and represent the Martial Arts Hall in the Three-Hall Tournament.
"Senior Brother, I'd like to gain a deeper understanding of the Divine Land's Martial Arts Realm. I ran into a Secret Medicine Fighter completely unexpectedly this time. I had no prior knowledge of them and almost paid a heavy price."
Zhao Xuanqi said.
"You're right. That was indeed an oversight on my part."
Liu Changfeng mulled it over for a moment, then stood up, took a book from the shelf behind him, and handed it to Zhao Xuanqi.
The book wasn't old. Printed on its cover was the title:
New Edition of Martial History.
"After you finish your daily training, find some time to come here and read it in the side hall."
Liu Changfeng said.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Zhao Xuanqi said.
"Alright, you've worked hard today. Go get cleaned up and change your clothes at the Martial Arts Hall, then head home and rest. Come back tomorrow."
Liu Changfeng said.
"Okay."
Zhao Xuanqi nodded. He glanced at the book in his hand, eager to start reading immediately, but knew it was already late. It wasn't the right time. He set the book down and left the room.
Watching Zhao Xuanqi's back disappear, Liu Changfeng sat lost in thought for a moment. Then he stood up, walked out of the central courtyard, and entered the rear courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall. He arrived at the door to Weng Xiaolin's room, which was brightly lit from within.
Liu Changfeng knocked softly on the door and said, "Master, it's me."
"Come in."
Weng Xiaolin's powerful voice came from inside the room.
Liu Changfeng pushed the door open and walked in.
Weng Xiaolin's study was classically decorated. Behind his desk and chair hung a huge painting, "Fierce Tiger Howling in the Mountains." It was clearly the work of a master. Though rendered in just a few strokes, the domineering presence of the king of beasts—its neck arched, its proud roar echoing through the mountain forest—was fully captured.
In addition, the room was filled with calligraphy, porcelain, and antiques, each one looking priceless.
Though he was a Martial Artist, Weng Xiaolin's study had a certain scholarly elegance.
At that moment, Weng Xiaolin's large frame was seated before a red-lacquered Zitan wood desk. He held several black-and-white newspapers in his hands, which he set down upon seeing Liu Changfeng approach.
Liu Changfeng's vision was excellent, and he could clearly see the section Weng Xiaolin had been reading at a glance.
Chengtian Army Signs Defense Pact with Neon Empire; Thousands in Guangdong March in Protest.
An extremely conspicuous, bold black headline caught Liu Changfeng's eye. Beneath it was a large, clear black-and-white photograph.
The photograph showed a vast crowd of people holding up banners. Faintly visible on the banners were slogans like "Down with the traitor Fang, give us back the Northern Territory!" and "Expel the Wokou, restore our sovereignty!"
At the very front of the crowd was a group of young men and women in student uniforms, pumping their fists and shouting. Liu Changfeng's gaze fell upon the figure of a young female student in the center of the group.
"Master, has Qiuman gotten into trouble again?"
Liu Changfeng asked Weng Xiaolin with concern.
"She's a debt I owed from a past life, come to collect in this one. It's nothing major. Hongyun has already used his connections to resolve it."
Weng Xiaolin shook his head helplessly.
"If Eldest Brother had to get involved, it can't have been a small matter, can it? Why not take this chance, while she's home, and keep her from going back to Guangdong?"
Liu Changfeng said.
"If I don't let her go back to school in Guangdong, she'll tear the Martial Arts Hall upside down. Besides, these are turbulent times. It might actually be safer for her to be studying in Guangdong."
"Alright, enough about her. What did you seek me out for?"
Weng Xiaolin asked, looking at Liu Changfeng.
"How has Junior Brother Zhou Ze been doing lately?"
Liu Changfeng asked.
"Zhou Ze's performance has been somewhat beyond my expectations. He can endure hardship, has perseverance, and his foundation and comprehension are both top-notch. Moreover, this boy seems to be a perfect match for the Tiger Form Fist's Secret Medicine. His Training Method has already reached Nine Sounds, and he's now starting on Pile Skill to accumulate Qi and Blood. Barring any accidents, he should be able to reach the peak of Nine Sounds by the time of the Three-Hall Tournament. He reminds me of you and your Eldest Brother back in the day."
"But you didn't come to me just to ask about Zhou Ze's progress, did you."
Weng Xiaolin seemed very satisfied with Zhou Ze's recent performance.
"Indeed. It's like this..."
Liu Changfeng recounted the events of that evening with the Cang Mountain Gang.
"Jingmao Trading Company, opium, a Secret Medicine Fighter? Has it really been that long? Those ghosts from the Jili Empire are getting restless again."
Weng Xiaolin's eyes narrowed slightly. He then looked at Liu Changfeng. "You came to me because you want to recommend that Zhao Qi?"
He had a rather deep impression of Zhao Qi. The Nine Tiger Forms he'd demonstrated during the exhibition had caught his eye, and to think he was now capable of fighting a Secret Medicine Fighter head-on... it was truly another surprise.
"Correct. I believe the boy is a talent worth cultivating. Perhaps we could let him test his skills at the Three-Hall Tournament."
Liu Changfeng nodded and proceeded to tell Weng Xiaolin what Zhao Xuanqi had been doing recently, as well as his background.
"His Physical Ability has only reached Seven Sounds? But his talent for fighting is so exceptional he can defeat stronger opponents?"
Weng Xiaolin considered this, then shook his head slightly. "A ring match is different from a life-or-death battle. First, the ring is a limited space, making it difficult to evade. Second, no weapons are allowed, which makes it even harder for the weak to defeat the strong. In a bare-knuckle fight, the one with superior Physical Ability has every advantage. All things considered, Zhou Ze still has the upper hand."
"However, since he has this talent for fighting, he is indeed worth cultivating as a candidate. How about this: for the time being, the Martial Arts Hall will supply him with one portion of basic Secret Medicine daily. Before the Three-Hall Tournament, have him and Zhou Ze fight a match to determine who will ultimately represent the Hall."
"If either of them can win the champion's title for the Martial Arts Hall, he will become the fourth True Inheritance disciple of my Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall."