Chapter 17: Enter the Inner City!

On the long street.

Everyone's gaze toward Qin Shuo changed.

As if looking at a monster.

"Martial artist, you are an entering-force martial artist."

Chen Qiang panicked.

He had just gotten up, preparing to join the fight, when he saw Wang Meng kicked flying, instantly terrified, trembling all over.

Hearing Chen Qiang's shout, Qian Biao, who had originally wanted to rush forward, abruptly stopped his steps, shivering.

"Martial artist, this kid actually became an entering-force martial artist."

Qian Biao felt a chill down his spine, his voice trembled, his legs felt uncooperative.

These ruffians, usually bullying unarmed civilians is fine.

If they encounter a trained martial artist, they can only be clueless.

Why does Zhang Xiong have such a lofty status in the West District?

Besides his family's meat shop that brings in daily profits, mainly it's his martial artist status.

Although unclear when Qin Shuo learned martial arts, being able to kick Wang Meng that far surely means he's an entering-force martial artist.

Qian Biao wanted to beg for mercy.

But he knows, given his grudge with Qin Shuo, the other side likely won't let him off easily.

Moreover he had a trump card; he didn't believe Qin Shuo would openly provoke the Flying Bear Gang, so he stuck out his neck and threatened:

"Qin kid, you wait, dare hit my Flying Bear Gang's people, the gang leader won't let you off."

After saying that, without waiting for Qin Shuo's reaction, together with Chen Qiang they supported Wang Meng and fled in panic.

"Don't chase after us! Don't chase after us! Absolutely don't chase after us!"

Qian Biao prayed in his heart.

Recalling the scene just now where Qin Shuo kicked Wang Meng flying, Qian Biao only felt his calves spinning.

"You damned peasant, wait for me. When I return to the gang, I'll definitely find someone to give you a hard time."

Qian Biao hardened his heart.

He swore to make Qin Shuo pay for today's actions.

Qin Shuo watched the three leave, not continuing to attack.

Now is not the time to completely break with the Flying Bear Gang; first entering the inner city to find a place to stay is urgent.

The group slowly moved forward.

Only until approaching noon did Qin Shuo and his sister successfully enter the inner city.

After entering the city, Qin Shuo, according to the address Zhang Xiong gave earlier, found their residence in the inner city.

"A-Shuo, A-Lan..."

Seeing the Qin Shuo siblings, Zhang Xiong warmly welcomed them.

When Qin Shuo stated his purpose, Zhang Xiong immediately patted his chest and said:

"A small matter, I'll take care of it; this afternoon I'll bring you to see the hall master."

After lunch.

Zhang Xiong led the siblings to the Six Harmony Martial Hall.

The Six Harmony Martial Hall is one of the four great martial halls of Blackwater City.

The hall master Wei Yuan is one of only two great experts in the Pulse Passing realm in Blackwater City.

Skilled in sword and blade arts, acclaimed as double peerless in blade and sword, his strength is second only to the city lord Xue Chengkong.

That's why the Six Harmony Martial Hall accepts disciples far more strictly than other martial halls, and tuition is more expensive.

Of course, the probability of success is also higher.

"Brother Xiong, does the hall master accept female disciples?"

On the way, Qin Shuo suddenly spoke, asking a question that had lingered in his mind.

"Do you want A-Lan to also learn martial arts?"

Zhang Xiong slightly startled, then understood Qin Shuo's thoughts.

"Hmm, the world is chaotic; I want A-Lan to also have self-defense capability."

Qin Shuo did not conceal, honestly spoke his thoughts.

Regarding letting Qin Lan learn martial arts, Qin Shuo has thought about it for a long time.

In this world, relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself.

Even if Qin Shuo misses Qin Lan, wanting to protect her everywhere, but ultimately there are times when ability falls short.

For example, Qian Biao's gang of ruffians, Qin Shuo could naturally shoot them dead with an arrow, eliminating future trouble.

But what about afterwards?

If one Qian Biao is killed, will another Zhao Hu come?

Qin Shuo cannot protect Qin Lan 24/7; she will ultimately have to face the world herself.

Then rather than exhausting effort to protect her, better let her become strong herself, protect herself.

And learning martial arts is the best choice to make her strong.

With martial arts at hand, when encountering ruffians like Qian Biao in the future, Qin Lan will have self-defense ability, not subject to bullying.

Qin Shuo knows he cannot stay in Blackwater City his whole life.

Therefore, before he leaves, he needs to plan a way out for Qin Lan.

"No way, brother, I'm not cut out for it; learning would just waste money."

Qin Lan, who had been dazed and lost in thought, suddenly heard Qin Shu say he wanted her to practice martial arts, and she immediately shook her head like a rattle drum.

"Are you afraid you can't endure the hardship of martial training, or afraid you'll achieve nothing and waste money?"

Qin Shu turned his head to look at the little girl and asked seriously.

Although he wanted Qin Lan to learn martial arts so she could defend herself.

But if the little girl herself is unwilling, he won't force her.

"I'm not afraid of hardship! I'm afraid... I'm afraid of wasting my brother's money."

The little girl lowered her head sensibly, rubbing the hem of her clothes, her expression torn.

As for martial arts, Qin Lan harbored fantasies about it.

Whenever she was alone at home, when Qian Biao and others came to harass her.

She would think, if she were a martial artist, how great that would be, then she wouldn't fear these ruffians.

Of course, back then she could only imagine it.

But now, the opportunity lay before her, yet she hesitated.

She wanted to learn martial arts, but she also worried she wouldn't succeed, wasting her brother's money in vain.

"Money, you don't need to worry; as long as you want to learn, your brother will support you."

Qin Shu rubbed Qin Lan's head, then turned to look at Zhang Xiong and asked again:

"Brother Xiong, does our martial arts hall accept female disciples?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Xiong's tone was firm.

"Then that's good."

Qin Shu grinned.

He had previously worried the martial arts hall wouldn't accept female disciples, but now it seemed he was overthinking.

"Our master is known as Unmatched in Sword and Blade; his Pine Wind White Crane Sword is especially suitable for female disciples to practice."

"Many ladies from wealthy families in the city come to learn this sword art from our master."

Zhang Xiong laughed as he explained.

"Alright, that's settled. I'll learn the saber, Ah Lan you learn the sword; let's see who masters it first." Qin Shu smiled broadly.

"Brother, you're so strong, you'll definitely master it first!"

Qin Lan spoke in a tone that seemed like a given.

"That's not necessarily true."

Qin Shu shook his head, but didn't continue arguing on that point.

The inner city is not small.

Zhang Xiong led the siblings, winding left and right through several streets, before arriving before a vast manor.

Just beyond the wall, Qin Shu could already hear the shouts of disciples training inside.

The three arrived at the main gate.

Qin Shu looked up and saw a few large characters written on the plaque at the manor gate——

Six Harmonies Martial Arts Hall!

The martial arts hall's gate consisted of two heavy wooden doors, now wide open.

Through the gate, Qin Shu could clearly see apprentices practicing stance and punches in the courtyard.

Entering the courtyard.

The rising and falling shouts immediately hit him in the face.

A group of men dressed in the martial arts hall's training jackets were scattered about the courtyard.

Some practiced stance and punches, some lifted stone locks to build strength, some practiced saber forms, and no one was idle.

Under the shade of trees on the right side of the courtyard.

A spirited old man in a black satin long robe slowly sipped a cup of tea.

He was calm and composed, his eyes like a golden eagle's, possessing a power to see into people's hearts, making one dare not meet his gaze, quite imposing.

"Master."

Zhang Xiong hurried forward and bowed to the tea-drinking black-clad old man.

The old man set down his tea cup and turned his head to look at Qin Shu and his sister.

In an instant, Qin Shu felt as if a tiger had locked onto him, his hairs standing on end.

"An expert, stronger than that white-clad official who questioned me before!"

At a glance, Qin Shu sensed this old man's terror.

The pressure he gave was far greater than that of the youthful constable who had interrogated him earlier.

The old man's aura came quickly and faded quickly.

But in that brief moment, it already made Qin Shu feel wary of the old man.

"No wonder he's the second strongest expert of Blackwater City! This aura is indeed terrifying."

Qin Shu was secretly shocked, but his face showed no change.

"What strong arms! Young man, do you hunt? You've trained those arms well."

Before Zhang Xiong could speak to explain his purpose, the black-robed old man rose and walked straight toward Qin Shu.