Chapter 94: Meeting the Gym Master

"How did you know the stall fee is going up again?" Jiang Cheng looked at him in surprise.

"Of course it's just a rumor."

Lu Zicheng forced a wry smile, "This morning many were saying that after the Iron Fist Gang arrives, the stall fee will rise to 2500, and some even say to 3000. Moreover, it's not just the stall fee; the management fee will rise as well."

"The management fee will also go up?" Jiang Cheng's expression changed.

He is a Senior Member of the Martial Arts Hall, so he is unaffected.

However, after Chen Sao returns, she must pay on time, not a single cent less.

"Yes, I heard that on top of last month's base, it will increase by thirty percent." Lu Zicheng's face also drooped.

Jiang Cheng's pupils widened a bit; wouldn't that be 2300 per month?

Based on the original 1,000 yuan per month, that's more than double? But last month was a special case; the Wild Wolf Gang harvested a wave of temporary price hikes before leaving, and the Iron Fist Gang would actually use that as a baseline?

Is this leaving no way to live?

Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, "Are the streets the Iron Fist Gang manages charged this high as well?"

"No, they're the same as before: stall fee 2,000, management fee 1,000. Actually I don't think it's that terrifyingly high; I suspect someone is deliberately spreading false news behind the scenes to scare everyone."

Lu Zicheng said in a low voice:

"Then when people actually arrive, they'll lower the price a bit, making everyone feel they've gotten a bargain. I remember clearly that before the Wild Wolf Gang came, they used the same trick; it's all a scheme."

"Hmm." Jiang Cheng nodded.

He also felt that the so‑called rumors were probably being spread by the Iron Fist Gang.

But one thing is certain: the money demanded later will never be less than what the Wild Wolf Gang asked for.

The news kept fermenting; that evening, as Jiang Cheng pushed his way along the three‑cycle path, he heard many people around sighing and groaning.

Who would have thought the Wild Wolf Gang was so cunning, collecting the management fee and then fleeing after only a few days?

After a few days, the Iron Fist Gang arrived and demanded another management fee, this time even larger than before! To scrape together the sum, many were cobbling money from everywhere; now it's back—what to do? Two days passed, and the Iron Fist Gang still hadn't shown up, and the tense atmosphere in the Poor District eased slightly.

Feiying Martial Arts Hall.

In the training room.

Jiang Cheng, wielding Double Staff, sparred continuously with Zeng Zhiten, who also held Double Staff.

After several days of special training, the Double Staff's Experience Bar was down to half, and his skill had also improved.

A few days ago, the odds were roughly eight to two; now they can even be four to six.

After a while, the two silhouettes separated.

Jiang Cheng glanced at the wall clock and laughed, "Senior Brother Zeng, let's stop here for today. Thanks for your guidance this morning, Senior Brother Zeng."

"You're welcome, Junior Brother Jiang."

Zeng Zhiten removed his headgear and suddenly said, "Junior Brother Jiang, are you free later?"

Jiang Cheng nodded, "Yes, what's up, Senior Brother Zeng?"

"Perfect timing, I'll take you to meet the Gym Master."

"!!!"

Jiang Cheng was caught off guard.

He was still calculating in his mind that at this rate, he might need another week to bring his Double Staff to Great Completion; then eight out of ten attempts should defeat the Senior Brother Zeng before him, and then he could meet the Gym Master.

Result: it can happen now? "Surprised?"

Zeng Zhiten finally showed a smile, "I told you that once you defeat me with Staff Method, I'd take you to see the Gym Master so the old man could guide you. But in these past few days, your progress has been huge; it may not be long before you can beat me. Since that's the case, why wait until that day?"

"Senior Brother Zeng..."

Jiang Cheng heard that and felt both joy and gratitude.

He hadn't expected the seemingly aloof Senior Brother Zeng to also know how to be flexible.

Indeed, seeing the Gym Master a day earlier means accessing Secret Martial Arts a day sooner.

"Junior Brother Jiang, don't get excited yet."

"Even if I can take you to see the Gym Master, whether the Gym Master chooses to guide you is another matter; it all depends on your own fate."

"Understood, thank you, Senior Brother Zeng."

Jiang Cheng said from the bottom of his heart, "Thank you."

"Alright, follow me; I've already spoken to the Gym Master." After a moment, the two removed their protective gear, set down their weapons, and walked out the door.

"Junior Brother Jiang!"

"Junior Brother Jiang, want to have a meal together?"

Lin Quanliang and a few others hadn't left yet; seeing this, they all started greeting each other.

"No, Senior Brother Lin, you all go ahead; I still have something to do."

Jiang Cheng gave an apologetic smile.

"Something else?"

The few were bewildered.

Until they saw Jiang Cheng follow Zeng Zhiten, stepping up the stairs to the third floor, everyone froze on the spot.

Only after Jiang Cheng's silhouette vanished did a few of them regain their senses.

"Junior Brother Jiang, he went up to the third floor?"

Lin Quanliang's eyes widened, as if muttering to himself, yet also asking the others nearby.

"He went up, right?"

Tan Lei stammered.

"And it was Senior Brother Zeng who took him up," Sun Xiaoli also opened her mouth wide.

Considering how close she is with Senior Sister Bai, and with the Martial Arts Hall's rules in place, she wouldn't dare go up.

In the end, Jiang Cheng went up.

"I understand; Senior Brother Zeng said that if someday Jiang Shidi's Staff Method surpasses his, he will take Jiang Shidi to see the Gym Master, so…"

At that moment, everyone understood.

Their hearts were both shocked and envious, the latter more so.

"Jiang Shidi, is this going to be a meteoric rise?" Lin Quanliang said with a complicated tone.

"Senior Brother Lin, I'm afraid we'll truly have to start calling him Jiang Senior Brother."

When the words fell, the surroundings fell silent at once.

Jiang Cheng honestly followed behind Zeng Zhiten, and his heart couldn't help but be uneasy.

Will everything truly be as smooth as imagined, with me being taken as a Core Disciple? That seems unlikely; such a thing surely still requires a period of observation, but attracting the Gym Master's attention does mean there is Hope.

The two arrived at a wooden door, and faint voices could be heard from inside.

"Master, I have brought Jiang Shidi over."

Zeng Zhiten raised his hand, knocked twice on the door, and said.

"Bring him in."

A resonant Old Man voice rang out.

Jiang Cheng's heart instantly lifted.

"Crack."

The door opened.

Jiang Cheng stepped in and immediately felt a sharp gaze fixed on him.

"Master."

Zeng Zhiten performed a bow.

"I have met the Gym Master," Jiang Cheng also clasped his fists and bowed.

"Hmm."

The Old Man nodded, withdrew his gaze from Jiang Cheng, and looked at Zeng Zhiten, "Is this the person you brought me?"

"Yes, Master."

Zeng Zhiten said, "Jiang Shidi is very talented; these past days I've been sparring with him in Staff Technique, and his progress is rapid. In a few more days, his level with Double Staff will probably surpass mine, and also his posture skill. I heard Senior Brother Zhao say that Jiang Shidi spent a little over two weeks, and his posture skill went from clueless to Proficient."

"Oh? Let me see."

The elder said, walked over, and reached out to grab Jiang Cheng's shoulder.

(End of Chapter)