Chapter 34: The Sweeping Old Li

Tianyi Hall welcomed two new disciples, bringing its total personnel to its peak number.

Li Rui never expected Tianyi Hall would ever reach full capacity.

Of course, this was merely surface glory; beneath it, currents churned violently.

The two new disciples were named Han Peng and Yang San, both transferred from external posts—this was common within the Heaven and Earth Alliance, and all procedures were properly followed.

External disciples of the Heaven and Earth Alliance who performed exceptionally could qualify to return to the branch and become disciples of the Seven Halls.

Thus, they were often violent and wild by nature.

Zhou Shulin glanced resentfully at the opposite door: “Master Li, Han Peng and Yang San are utterly disrespectful—they ignored you and went straight to Deputy Hallmaster Ying.”

Li Rui looked at the indignant Zhou Shulin and smiled faintly: “If they’d come to pay respects to me, that’d be the real sign of poor judgment.”

Personnel movements in the Heaven and Earth Alliance are nearly frozen—approval from a vice-captain is required.

Han Peng and Yang San’s transfer from the external post to this branch clearly came from Zhao Wei’s hand; Ying Liu alone is too weak—these two were sent specifically to counter him.

Li Rui looked meaningfully at Zhou Shulin and Liang He: “From now on, show more restraint. If you must act, I don’t care what methods you use—but you must gather evidence and turn it into an ironclad case.”

“Yes.”

Zhou Shulin and Liang He nodded like chickens pecking rice.

Li Rui added a few words of reassurance: “Don’t worry—this is Tianyi Hall. Nothing will happen.”

Han Peng and Yang San spent a full hour chatting with Ying Liu.

Only then did they leave, satisfied.

They showed no intention of staying to work in Tianyi Hall.

This made Zhou Shulin even more resentful; he stared at their retreating backs and muttered: “Why do they get to do nothing while we’re stuck here guarding this place?”

But Liang He shook his head: “Brother Zhou, I thought you were smart—you still didn’t understand what the Hallmaster meant.”

At the mention of it, Zhou Shulin felt even more stifled: “The Hallmaster just told us to endure, didn’t he?”

“We’re both Tianyi Hall disciples—why are we the ones stuck with all the hardship?”

Liang He couldn’t help rolling his eyes: “The key part of the Hallmaster’s words was the second half—he wants us to gather enough dirt on them. Their refusal to work in Tianyi Hall? That’s the dirt.”

Zhou Shulin suddenly lifted his head.

“Ah He, you mean—”

Liang He nodded: “Yes. The Hallmaster is helping us take revenge—but we need a reason.”

Zhou Shulin’s spirits instantly lifted.

“The Hallmaster is brilliant!”

Both Ying Liu and Han Peng came from external posts to this branch.

External personnel are fierce and combative—that’s true.

But don’t forget—this is a branch. Rules here are strict, and rules are a thing that devours people without leaving bones; many have been crushed by them.

Evening came.

Only Liang He remained in Tianyi Hall.

Liang He swung his long sword, his figure gliding like a light swallow through the courtyard before Tianyi Hall.

“Your swordplay is good—but lacks killing intent.”

Suddenly, a voice offered commentary.

Liang He stopped his movements and turned to see Li Rui standing with his hands behind his back, watching him.

“Hallmaster.”

He lowered his sword and bowed to Li Rui.

Li Rui smiled and waved his hand: “Keep going—I’m just passing by.”

Seeing Li Rui about to leave, Liang He hurriedly asked: “Master Li, what did you mean just now?”

Li Rui: “Was this sword style taught to you by the Heaven and Earth Alliance?”

“Master, your eye is sharp—this sword style is ancestral.”

Li Rui nodded.

“Martial arts are killing techniques. If you only practice forms, you’ll lose in life-or-death combat.”

As he spoke, he casually snapped off a dry branch.

“I’ll demonstrate only once.”

Before his words ended, Li Rui turned the branch into a long knife, extended his arm, swung it wide in a sweeping arc, radiating lethal intent.

Liang He was stunned by the overwhelming blade aura and involuntarily stepped back several paces.

He nearly suffocated.

“So strong!”

Liang He stared fixedly at every move Li Rui made—just as Li Rui said, if they’d fought in reality, he’d already be dead.

It wasn’t that Li Rui’s cultivation base surpassed his.

It was that Li Rui’s killing intent was overwhelming—he didn’t cling to any single technique; everything was aimed solely at killing.

After a stick of incense burned out.

Li Rui sheathed his “blade.”

“A martial artist must carry three parts ferocity. You’ve always been in the branch—later, go to the external posts for training. It will greatly benefit your mindset.”

With that, he turned and walked away without looking back.

Only after Li Rui had gone far did Liang He snap out of his shock.

He solemnly bowed to Li Rui:

“Thank you, Hallmaster.”

Li Rui had already walked a full hundred meters, yet he still heard Liang He’s words—his lips curled slightly upward.

He’d also thought Liang He a promising talent, which was why he’d offered advice.

Tianyi Hall couldn’t remain propped up by him alone forever—he’d eventually collapse from exhaustion.

Cultivating his own faction was necessary.

It was better to nurture talent on-site than to recruit outsiders.

Liang He had good roots and a sound character; had he not offended someone earlier, he’d likely have already made a name for himself in the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

Days passed one by one.

Outside Tianyi Hall.

Liang He was sparring with Zhou Shulin; since receiving Li Rui’s guidance, Liang He no longer practiced in isolation—he now emphasized real combat.

He forced Zhou Shulin back with a single sword thrust.

He exuded confidence.

Zhou Shulin plopped onto the ground, waving his hands frantically:

“No more! No more! Ah He, when did your swordplay become so brutal, like you’re about to eat people?”

He’d sparred with Liang He before—but these past two days, Liang He had become a different person: his moves were ruthless, and he couldn’t defend himself at all.

Liang He stared in wonder at the sword in his hand.

In just ten moves, he’d defeated Zhou Shulin.

After these days of sparring, Liang He clearly felt the problems that had once plagued him had suddenly cleared.

“The Hallmaster is truly extraordinary!”

At this moment, Liang He held immense admiration for Li Rui.

He’d had instructors before—but none had seen his flaw at a glance and offered a practical solution like Li Rui.

“Brother Zhou, we underestimated the Hallmaster.”

Zhou Shulin rolled his eyes at Liang He’s cryptic remark.

Liang He didn’t explain.

He’d once thought Li Rui was just an old man with bad luck, exiled to Tianyi Hall—but now he realized Li Rui truly had skill.

Thinking of this, Liang He’s eyes lit up.

Didn’t countless martial tales always say: the one person you must never offend in any sect is the old man who sweeps the scripture hall?!

“Could Master Li be a hidden master?”

“No.”

Liang He laughed at his own thought.

Just then—

Zhou Shulin suddenly shook Liang He: “Ah He, it’s Han Peng and the others.”

He nodded toward the right side.

Liang He turned his head.

He saw Han Peng and Yang San walking toward them with hostile expressions.

“Two useless wastes, dare to block my way? Get lost!”

(End of Chapter)