Chapter 102: Why Didn't Jiang Shidi Show Up

Cooking is indeed more troublesome; even a simple meal takes more than half an hour.

Jiang Cheng ate quickly, didn't even have time to put away the bowl and chopsticks, and started practicing fists again.

Actually he felt a bit weary, after all he had sparred with Senior Brother Zeng all morning and spent the afternoon training alone.

But seeing the line‑by‑line prompts on the Panel, he felt energized.

And his heavily used arms, coated with Black Jade Paste, felt far less fatigued than the rest of his body.

But soon a slight issue arose.

Originally, after completing a Fist Technique, Experience Value could increase by 1 point.

Now it's only 0.9 points.

Jiang Cheng froze in place.

After thinking for a moment, he suddenly understood.

Although the effect of Black Jade Paste can last three days, frankly, Secret Medicine is still medicine; its effect gradually wanes over time.

When first applied, the effect is at its peak, boosting speed to ten times the rate without Secret Medicine, but after a few hours it drops to nine times, eight times, seven times… in the final hours it may be only a fraction of a tenth of the extra boost.

"This means we have to seize the time even more!"

Jiang Cheng made up his mind.

He decided not to sleep tonight; he must make use of the period when Secret Medicine works at its fullest.

He can skip the Martial Arts Hall tomorrow morning; after all, Secret Martial Arts has already been obtained, and for the next ten days or so there's no real need to go.

No matter how skilled one is with the Short Staff, when facing someone cultivating Secret Martial Arts, the gap in power and speed is evident, just like the Gym Master.

Focusing on cultivating Secret Martial Arts is the priority.

Only Grandma and Chen Sao, who still live in Senior Sister Bai's house, still need to be visited from time to time to keep in touch with the latter; once the Iron Fist Gang arrives and the Wild Wolf Gang members have completely left, they can be brought back.

Having them stay in the Outer City District is best, but constantly taking advantage of others isn't right either.

And in the afternoon…

Jiang Cheng felt a bit conflicted.

A bottle of Secret Medicine costs a thousand coins, and setting up a stall could earn back almost half.

But running a stall would waste half a day's Secret Medicine effect.

"Still, the money earned isn't enough."

Jiang Cheng shook his head.

If he could earn a thousand or several thousand a day, he wouldn't have to be this conflicted.

The night passed.

Jiang Cheng lay on the bed and suddenly opened his eyes.

He had intended to train through the night, but by 2 a. m. he couldn't push on, so after a quick wash he fell asleep.

He glanced at the wall clock; it was already past eight in the morning.

In an instant, his complexion changed.

He must seize the time and get up to practice fists! …

Feiying Martial Arts Hall.

Lin Quanliang arrived early, thinking to himself how he should greet Jiang Cheng when he shows up later.

Should I still call him Jiang Shidi? But yesterday Jiang Cheng went up to the third floor with Senior Brother Zeng.

Maybe it won't be long before he's taken as a disciple.

If I still call him Jiang Shidi, would that be a bit impolite?

But as time ticked by, Sun Xiaoli and the others arrived, and Jiang Cheng still hadn't shown up.

Not only him; the others also began to wonder.

In the past two weeks, even if Jiang Cheng wasn't the first member on the second floor, he was always among the top three; why is it almost nine o'clock today and he still hasn't appeared? Is he sick?

Or did an unexpected situation arise, preventing him from coming to the Martial Arts Hall for now?

Or perhaps he's already on the third floor, being taught genuine skills by the Gym Master?

Just thinking of it made the few of them feel like ants were crawling on their skin, unbearably itchy.

At that moment, the sound of footsteps rang out as Zhao Xiangyu came down from the third floor.

His gaze searched among them; not seeing Jiang Cheng's figure, he was also a bit disbelieving.

"Senior Brother Zhao!" "Senior Brother Zhao!"

The few immediately gathered around.

"Senior Brother Zhao, I have a question for you; please be sure to answer me," Sun Xiaoli asked with a smile.

Zhao Xiangyu chuckled and said, "If you have a question, just ask; as long as I know, I'll definitely tell you."

"That's what you said, Senior Brother Zhao."

Sun Xiaoli exchanged glances with the others, then lowered her voice and asked, "Jiang Cheng, Jiang Shidi, is the Gym Master about to accept him as a disciple?"

"What?"

Zhao Xiangyu was startled, then his face showed a strange expression.

"?"

The few exchanged a glance.

"Senior Brother Zhao, you don't know?" Lin Quanliang asked in surprise, "Just yesterday at noon, Senior Brother Zeng took Jiang Shidi up to the third floor."

"Yeah, yeah, we saw it with our own eyes; Jiang Shidi even greeted us."

"Senior Brother Zhao, Jiang Shidi— is he about to become our senior brother? He usually shows up early, but he hasn't appeared today; could he already be on the third floor?"

"What are you talking about?"

Zhao Xiangyu realized it, his face a mix of tears and laughter.

"I also have something to ask Jiang Shidi, and I want to ask you all whether he has come."

"Huh?"

The few of them stared at each other.

Jiang Shidi really didn't come?

"Senior Brother Zhao, the Gym Master also didn't accept Jiang Shidi as a disciple?" someone asked softly.

"Probably not, I haven't received any such news."

Zhao Xiangyu shook his head, "Yesterday Senior Brother Zeng indeed brought Jiang Shidi to see the Gym Master, but the Gym Master has no intention of taking him as a disciple; you all are overthinking it."

Moreover, yesterday afternoon Senior Brother Zeng even went to him and told him that starting next month, Jiang Shidi will not be allowed to renew his fee, so he will continue to retain his Senior Member status at the Martial Arts Hall.

He also asked why; Senior Brother Zeng just shook his head and said nothing.

So he is also conflicted about how to bring this up with Jiang Cheng.

"Is it really like that?"

"Are we overthinking it?"

"This, this..."

Lin Quanliang and the others, for a moment, all felt extremely complicated.

Shock, doubt, bewilderment, regret, relief, and so on.

"Alright, everyone go back and practice."

Zhao Xiangyu, seeing this, comforted, "The Gym Master has very high standards for taking disciples; Jiang Shidi's Staff Method is indeed excellent, but taking a disciple isn't just about the Staff Method—it also depends on physique, comprehension, temperament, and so on. Even if all those pass, the Gym Master still needs to observe for a while before reaching a conclusion."

The few of them, hearing this, couldn't help but feel a bit of hope.

"Then Senior Brother Zhao, are the few of us in the observation period?"

"This..."

Zhao Xiangyu gave a wry smile, "Then you have to go ask the Gym Master."

The few of them cringed; they'd better drop it.

They have seen his appearance; he is very imposing, making people not dare to approach casually.

"It seems Jiang Shidi was shaken by yesterday's incident, so he was late this morning? Or perhaps he won't come at all today?"

Zhao Xiangyu glanced at the stairwell and let out a light sigh.

We can only wait two more days; when Jiang Shidi comes to the Martial Arts Hall, we will tell him this news.

I don't know what his reaction will be upon learning this.

He thinks Jiang Shidi is a good person and might become a good friend after spending time together, but a master's command is hard to defy.

(End of chapter)