Chapter 33: Pingyang Town, Langyun Restaurant

Pingyang Town, Langyun Restaurant.

The surroundings were filled with the clamor of voices; the South Shiqiao was right at the entrance, and the water beneath the bridge arches gurgled as it flowed.

Every stall nearby had a lantern hanging from it, wrapping a warm, luxurious glow within red gauze.

A group of people walked out of the restaurant one after another; they were all half-drunk, with arms draped over each other's shoulders, their faces beaming with joy.

"I really envy Brother Hu for becoming a martial artist so quickly. I've only just broken through the three barriers, and I still have a long road ahead."

"Langyun Restaurant, Brother Hu is generous! That Drunken Immortal Brew is truly peerless."

Hu Qi, surrounded by the group, had a flushed face and looked extremely happy: "Haha, if Brother Xu likes it, I'll buy two more jars and have them sent over to you, and I'll bring a few jars for Master while I'm at it."

"What about us? We all heard that; Brother Hu can't just bring some for Brother Xu and Master and not for us, right?" Xiang Zhangsong, shedding his usual gentle image in front of the apprentices, was very lively.

"Ah haha, I'll bring some for everyone, alright?"

Hu Qi laughed heartily. Today was the day he broke through the four barriers and became a martial artist. Without the help of his master and senior brothers, he could never have achieved this, so naturally, he had to host a grand banquet to show his gratitude.

An elderly man, short and sturdy, who was also at the core of Hu Qi's circle, stroked his white beard: "There's no need for such extravagance. Your master has grown old in recent years and drinks much less."

This person was none other than the true owner of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall—Yang Dongxiong, who was also the master of everyone present.

A true master, not like the casual acquaintance or transactional relationship of the martial arts hall apprentices.

"Eh, Master, you don't need to save money for Brother Hu. He is now a proper martial artist. Once he goes to register tomorrow, he'll be someone eating the imperial grain!"

"Support the righteous Brother Zai!"

"With Liang Shidi's strength, it was only a matter of time; I've just lived a few years longer than him." Hu Qi said modestly while joking, "Now that you're 'slaughtering' me, don't blame me when I 'slaughter' back later."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, I wouldn't have it any other way! Hahaha."

Yang Dongxiong, in the crowd, looked at the rising moon. Calculating the time, he realized it was already the Xu hour. Seeing that everyone was in high spirits and showed signs of continuing their conversation, he spoke up to stop them.

"Alright, alright. Today was supposed to be the day for teaching at the martial arts hall, but because Hu Qi had to break through his barriers and host a celebratory banquet, it was moved to the evening. It wouldn't be appropriate to keep them waiting any longer. You all should hurry back, and Hu Qi can just accompany me to the martial arts hall."

Xu Zishuai looked left and right, then shook his head: "How about I go along and take a look too? There's nothing urgent anyway."

"That's right, we can listen to the lecture while we're at it."

Yang Dongxiong was surprised: "Why are you all so diligent today? Have you had a change of heart?"

Xiang Zhangsong smiled: "Master, just now at the restaurant, we were too busy drinking and being happy; we haven't even asked about Brother Hu's experience in successfully breaking through the barriers. If we wait until after a night's sleep, it might not be as clear in our memories as it is today."

Xu Zishuai shook his head: "I don't really care, but it's rare for everyone to gather like this and be so happy. Since everyone is here, we might as well go over and fool around."

"Then why don't we all go to the martial arts hall together? Master can instruct the apprentices, and we can spar with each other to verify what we've learned."

Yang Dongxiong naturally had no objections. Breaking through barriers was something that ultimately had subtle differences for everyone; being able to learn more was naturally good, and it would be helpful for himself and for teaching disciples in the future.

"Fine, then let's go together. There's no one guarding it today, and I don't know if there will be any problems."

Hu Qi said: "Before I went into seclusion, I asked Lu Zishuai to teach in my stead. Liang Shidi Lu is also a martial artist who has broken through two barriers, so there shouldn't be any problems."

"Lu Zishuai?" Yang Dongxiong frowned.

Not everyone was qualified to become his direct disciple. One had to look at talent, and two, at character. Even if some people had decent talent, he wouldn't take them in.

In Yang Dongxiong's memory, Lu Zishuai's image wasn't very good; he was a very cold person.

"Master, Lu Zishuai's temperament is a bit cold, but he's not a bad person. With him looking after things for a day, there shouldn't be any mishaps."

"Since that's the case, let's go!"

The group walked across the South Shiqiao, heading toward the martial arts hall.

The martial arts hall, which was bustling during the day, didn't have many people passing by at night.

Yang Dongxiong, accompanied by a group of direct disciples, walked quietly through the corridor, about to enter the martial arts arena.

"Shut up, you idiot!"

Yang Dongxiong's expression was one of surprise; he quickly raised his hand.

The group of disciples stopped in their tracks.

"I alone am enough! I alone will defeat all of you, all of you!"

The suppressed voice poured into their ears, and that violent emotion rushed toward them like a tide.

The least capable among those present were martial artists who had broken through two barriers; they were sharp-eared and keen-eyed, and they heard it clearly.

Hu Qi's whole body stiffened.

Something had happened!

Xiang Zhangsong pondered: "That sounds like Liang Shidi Liang's voice?"

"Liang Shidi Liang?" Some people hadn't met Liang Qu.

"An apprentice who came at the beginning of the month, a fisherman from Yixing City. He's a very handsome young man and polite too; every time he goes back, he sweeps the ground with his friends." Finally, Xiang Zhangsong added, "Oh, there are three people from Yixing City learning martial arts this month, and they have a good relationship."

After Xiang Zhangsong finished explaining, he turned his head and apologized: "I'm sorry, Master. I should have stayed at the martial arts hall today. I didn't expect there to be trouble; it's my fault."

Hu Qi stepped forward to take the blame: "If you want to blame someone, blame me. I was too carried away after breaking through the barriers and insisted on dragging everyone to celebrate. Otherwise, Liang Shidi Xiang wouldn't have neglected his duty."

"Alright, now is not the time to discuss who is right and who is wrong." Yang Dongxiong waved his hand, not caring about such a small matter as neglecting duty. "We'll go through the back door and find someone to ask clearly."

The group quickly retreated from the corridor.

Martial artists walked without sound; no one had discovered their arrival.

On the martial arts arena.

Everyone stared at Liang Qu in astonishment, as if looking at a boy who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.

Someone who had been in the martial arts hall for just a month wanting to fight seven big men who had been there for over four months alone—what else could it be if not not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth?

Lu Tingcai and the others were "held-back old students" who hadn't broken through the barriers in three months and had paid to stay.

No matter how poor their talent was, with a fourfold difference in time, their blood and energy were still stronger than a newcomer of one month!

If it weren't for Li Libo and Chen Jiechang's sneak attack, Lu Tingcai and Xue Dingyi wouldn't have even been injured, and Li Libo and Chen Jiechang would have been much worse off afterward.

If someone were to strip off the two men's clothes, they would find that their bodies were already covered in bruises, and it would be no easy feat for them to even stand up.

"Ashui, are you crazy?!"

Li Libo and Chen Jiechang, in the corner of the flower bed, heard this and, ignoring their pain, stumbled to the center of the martial arts arena, grabbing the hem of Liang Qu's clothes, wanting to drag him back.

Being scolded and despised like this, Lu Tingcai and the others were even more furious, sneering: "It's not impossible for the three of you to come together; I alone am enough!"

"No need, just me."

Liang Qu stared at Lu Tingcai, slowly stepped back, supported Li Libo and Chen Jiechang's shoulders, and sent them back.

The two held onto his clothes tightly: "Ashui, what exactly do you want to do? Don't worry about us! If you really don't have the money, the two of us will pay for you, don't go!"

"Don't worry, I'm not crazy." Liang Qu grabbed their hands in return, holding them tightly, "I just want to knock out their teeth, one by one!"