Chapter 89: Premonition

The next day.

According to the arrangement, Senior Brother Zeng came to the second floor, brought Jiang Cheng into a training room, and shortly after, they heard the sound of weapons clashing from inside the room.

The people outside, however, were not particularly surprised.

Because yesterday at the dinner table, Jiang Cheng had already mentioned his request for Senior Brother Zeng to give him private guidance.

In their view, Jiang Cheng's pretense of seeking guidance was really an attempt to get closer to Senior Brother Zeng, so he could meet the Gym Master and gain access to the Secret Martial Arts.

They had actually considered other methods too, and some even directly gave money to a few disciples; needless to say, the outcome was not only futile but also earned them a label of ill intent.

Jiang Shidi's approach is not exactly novel, but the difference is that the former possesses genuine skill, and precisely because of that, the usually aloof Senior Brother Zeng agreed.

And Jiang Cheng indeed thought the same.

However, he also had the goal of improving his staff technique.

A morning's time quickly passed; Jiang Cheng was already exhausted, glanced at the time, and it was almost twelve.

"Senior Brother Zeng, let's end today's training here; thank you for the trouble."

Jiang Cheng said with a smile.

"It's nothing."

Zeng Zhiten waved his hand and said, "It's you who shouldn't overdo it; martial arts isn't something you master overnight."

"Yes, Senior Brother Zeng."

Jiang Cheng sensed the other's goodwill and quickly replied.

"However," Zeng Zhiten shifted tone, "your progress is visibly apparent; it's quite good."

Jiang Cheng smiled.

After bidding farewell to Senior Brother Zeng and politely declining Lin Quanliang and the others' invitation to eat, Jiang Cheng left the Martial Arts Hall.

It was already late; he was utterly fatigued and didn't feel like going home to cook, so he found a roadside stall and ordered two servings of covered rice.

This morning alone, he spent six hundred.

But it was worth it! Previously, when sparring with Senior Sister Bai, his Double Staff experience value increased by about one point per minute.

Whereas sparring with Senior Brother Zeng this morning, he gained 1.5 experience points per minute.

Four hours passed; despite taking breaks along the way, his Double Staff experience value still rose by over three hundred.

In less than ten days, his Double Staff skill will reach Great Completion, at which point he'll be able to defeat Senior Brother Zeng and meet the Gym Master of the Martial Arts Hall.

Thinking of this, Jiang Cheng's fighting spirit rose.

Meanwhile, just as he left the Martial Arts Hall, Zeng Zhiten also arrived at the third floor.

Unlike the first and second floors, the third floor had many rooms and was quiet, as if no one was there.

Zeng Zhiten walked slowly down the corridor, and when he passed a room, he stopped.

Inside the room, it seemed someone was watching TV, with constant talking sounds.

He hesitated a moment, then reached out and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A voice came from inside the room.

Zeng Zhiten turned the doorknob, opened the door, and inside sat a fifty- or sixty-year-old old man lounging on the sofa, watching TV and occasionally letting out a burst of laughter.

Hearing the commotion, he didn't turn his head and asked, "What's the matter?"

Zeng Zhiten closed the door, approached the old man, first respectfully called him "Master," and then said, "Master, recently a promising member has joined the Martial Arts Hall, improving rapidly; I'd like to recommend him to you."

"Oh?"

The old man then turned his head, looking at him with some surprise.

He knows the temperaments and personalities of each of his disciples like the back of his hand.

Among them, aside from the eldest disciple in the city, the one he values most is this second disciple before him.

Not only is his speed in practicing the Secret Martial Arts superior to others, but his character is also excellent.

Anyone who can catch his eye is certainly no ordinary person.

"How exactly is he promising?"

The old man glanced again at the TV screen in front of him while asking.

"That member is just a street vendor under twenty, relying on his own practice; with a single pair of staffs he has reached proficiency, able to exchange blows with Junior Brother Zhao, and after a few days without seeing him, he's already attained mastery. Today we sparred for a morning, and I noticed his progress is rapid. If he keeps this up, in less than half a month, without using my true strength, I might not be his match." Zeng Zhiten said, his tone also tinged with astonishment.

"Oh? Is he really as formidable as you say?"

The old man's interest was instantly piqued.

"I dare not deceive my master, and moreover, Junior Sister Bai and Junior Brother Zhao can also attest to this."

"Good."

The old man readily agreed.

"Wait a few days, then bring him up here so I can take a look."

"Yes, Master. I've already told him that if he can defeat me using staff technique, I will bring him before you for your guidance."

"So it turns out you came to present a fait accompli."

The old man chuckled helplessly.

"Anything else?"

"No."

Zeng Zhiten shook his head.

"Then go on out; don't delay my TV watching."

The old man waved his hand, looking impatient.

Zeng Zhiten's face showed a faint smile as he turned and walked out, gently closing the door behind him.

Jiang Shidi, I've already secured the opportunity for you; whether you can gain the master's favor depends on your abilities.

He thought to himself.

Actually, the reason he agreed to let Jiang Cheng take half a day for special training wasn't lack of money, but because he saw potential in Jiang Cheng.

If it were someone else, like Lin Quanliang, he would definitely not agree.

……

In the afternoon, Jiang Cheng set up a stall on the street.

The few members of the Wild Wolf Gang were still there, still approaching anyone they saw to inspect them.

Jiang Cheng inwardly calculated whether he should strike first and take out those few as well.

First, finding out where they live is no easy task; second, since Wei Bao and his gang just died, the Wild Wolf Gang members will surely be even more on guard.

If exposed, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Moreover, he had a premonition that if he didn't go looking for trouble, they would likely come looking for him soon.

A few Wild Wolf Gang members are nothing to worry about, but if I killed them all at my doorstep, keeping it quiet would be fine; once leaked, it would surely draw the Wild Wolf Gang's attention, and anyone not a fool could guess that Wei Bao's death might be linked to me.

By then, the Martial Arts Hall certainly wouldn't side with me, since I was the one who provoked the trouble first.

But Jiang Cheng knows in his heart that, even if time were turned back, he would still do the same.

As evening approached, the street grew sparsely populated; as for those few Wild Wolf Gang members, they had already disappeared by around four or five in the afternoon.

Jiang Cheng packed up his stall, bought some raw sweet potatoes, and headed home.

As he drew nearer to his doorstep, he felt something odd, as if someone were watching him from the shadows.

But when he looked around, he couldn't see anything amiss.

"Could I be overthinking it?"

Jiang Cheng muttered to himself, and just as he was about to reach home, with a swish, seven or eight people sprang from the alleys ahead and behind, each wielding a watermelon knife.

"Kid, you've finally come back; I've been waiting here for you a long time."

The leader laughed coldly—it was Wu Tian.

Jiang Cheng silently reached behind him, pulled out two iron staffs, and said coldly, "What do you want? I'm from the Martial Arts Hall."

"I certainly know you're from the Martial Arts Hall, but you won't get a chance to tell that Bai-surnamed lass about this—come on!"

Wu Tian, too, was ruthless and sparing with words; he waved his hand, and the people on both sides immediately charged.

(End of chapter)