Chapter 136: Master's Favor

When Shen Sijing arrived at the martial arts hall, the few Apprentices saw him and subconsciously made way.

"Good morning, Shen Sijing."

"Good, good, good!"

Shen Sijing was in a great mood and smiled, nodding at the few Apprentices.

The Apprentices only had to look to know that this Senior Brother was in high spirits due to some happy event, his whole being overflowing with joy.

It was no wonder; with Zhou You's recent breakthrough, besides Zhou You himself, the happiest person was Senior Brother Shen Sijing.

Who in the martial arts hall didn't know that Zhou You was the little brother Shen Sijing valued most?

With Zhou You breaking through in Qi and blood, the number of Inner Court Disciples had increased by one, and the strength on Shen Sijing's side was even greater.

Where there is joy, there is sorrow; Zhong Shaoying had been in a very bad temper lately, to the point where he had no time to fawn over Wang Yan.

"Zhou You, your Qi and blood are more vigorous than the average person's; it has only been a few days since your breakthrough, and the Jade Tiger Art has already made such progress."

"Hmm, with a deep foundation, you will be able to go far in the future."

After Shen Sijing entered the Inner Courtyard, he heard an elderly voice.

The one guiding Zhou You in his martial arts training was no longer Big Senior Brother Lu Qiang, but the Hall Master, Wang Jianxiong.

According to the rules of the Inner Courtyard, the martial arts progress of all Disciples must be monitored and controlled by the Master himself.

Big Senior Brother Lu Qiang could only be responsible for the Instruction and supervision of the Outer Courtyard Apprentices.

After Zhou You became an Inner Court Disciple, he finally had the qualifications to listen to Wang Jianxiong's personal teachings.

Vigorous Qi and blood, different from the average person—this was a very high evaluation.

One must know that for a martial artist, Qi and blood are as important as provisions are to an army.

The stronger the Qi and blood, the greater the power of the fist techniques, and the more enduring the stamina; one's overall strength can be raised by a whole tier.

However, Qi and blood come from the bone marrow, and the only intuitive way to distinguish it is to break a bone and observe the fullness, but that is too bloody.

Therefore, one cannot tell what someone's potential is just by looking at their appearance!

Shen Sijing had not expected that Zhou You would actually have the astonishing talent of vigorous Qi and blood.

It could not be seen in the past, and it was only today, after the breakthrough in Qi and blood, that this talent was stimulated.

"Let it be enough that you and I know this secret; do not spread it. Shen Sijing, you also take care to keep it confidential."

Shen Sijing was startled and took a few quick steps to stand before Wang Jianxiong, "This Disciple will absolutely not speak of it."

When he looked up, Zhou You was standing before Wang Jianxiong, his posture that of someone who had just finished practicing fist techniques.

"Master, have some tea!"

A concubine stepped forward carrying a tea tray.

Wang Jianxiong picked up a cup, but instead of drinking it himself, he handed it to Zhou You quite naturally.

Seeing this scene, both the concubine and Shen Sijing were shocked.

Just how much did he value Zhou You!

Zhou You took the teacup with both hands, "This Disciple dares not trouble the Master."

"Between master and disciple, there is no need for such formalities. In the future, there will be many times when you will be serving me tea and water."

Ever since becoming an Inner Court Disciple, Zhou You felt that his interpersonal relationships had changed; the once high-and-mighty Hall Master had become a kind and amiable Master, personally teaching him to practice and even correcting him by hand.

This treatment was truly extraordinary! Besides this, his monthly silver had risen to 50 taels, and he was also gifted a Mountain Monarch Life-Changing Pill.

Zhou You's finances were suddenly comfortable, and he quickly handled the rental procedures, moving his parents to an area closer to the inner city, much nearer to the martial arts hall.

Although they hadn't entered the Inner City yet, it was not far off.

Wang Jianxiong watched Zhou You drink tea in large gulps, happily playing with a Grass Gourd in his hand.

"Zhou You, I know all about that dog's son Zhang Shiyu; betraying his master and ancestors, switching to another family—what kind of disgusting thing is that?"

"He thinks that by climbing up to the City Gate Guard, he can make me have misgivings! A few days ago, I borrowed a Military Cannon Machine from Captain Chen; now that it is finished, return it, and you and Shi Gaofei make the trip."

"Let Captain Ye see that I, Wang Laohu, am not without a foundation."

Captain Chen was a military officer of the martial arts hall stationed near Gongliang City, with 1,500 elite soldiers under his command; he was completely unafraid of the City Gate Guard.

He and Wang Jianxiong were close friends, and they had been in constant contact for many years.

Arranging for Zhou You to return the cannon machine now was intended to let him appear before Captain Chen, so that Captain Ye would have some misgivings.

Such painstaking effort! Zhou You suddenly felt that his Master was actually very pure; as long as you had potential, you were closer to him than his own son.

"Shen Sijing, it is rare for you to return to the martial arts hall; how are things at home?"

Wang Jianxiong finished with Zhou You before finally paying attention to Shen Sijing.

"Reporting to Master, the troubles have all come to an end."

"Recently, the caravan transported back a batch of fine furs; I selected two boxes of High-grade ones and sent them to the backyard."

Wang Jianxiong nodded, "You have a heart. Tell the womenfolk to make a few jackets; everyone gets a share."

The "everyone" mentioned here referred to Wang Jianxiong and his daughter, as well as the few Inner Court Disciples.

Even his few concubines were not included, let alone the Apprentices in the Outer Courtyard.

"Thank you, Master, for the reward."

Zhou You followed behind Shen Sijing and thanked him respectfully.

The old man was getting on in years and had limited energy; after half a day, the teaching ended.

Shen Sijing and Zhou You had a private conversation, choosing a quiet corner of the Inner Courtyard.

"Zhou You, you are now an Inner Court Disciple; your status is different from before."

"I have discussed it with my father; let your father hold the position of acting manager first to familiarize himself for a period of time, and we will make it official for him by the end of the year at the latest."

Becoming a high-level manager? Is my father that kind of material? Zhou You realized, this was a bribe; the Shen Family Trading Firm wanted to bind him even further.

A promotion and a raise, just like Xu Ying's father; when the critical moment comes, they will want you to risk your life.

It was the same for Shen Sijing here, and the same for Wang Jianxiong at the martial arts hall.

Connections are, at the root, about interests; if someone is willing to buy you off or use you, it means you still have value.

Those with absolutely no value are a dime a dozen on the streets, all becoming starved corpses and dead souls.

Zhou You did not need to think much, and cupping his hands, he said, "My father's affairs are entirely up to Senior Brother's arrangements; I ask for your kind care."

Fang Laodie's personality was one of being content with the status quo, possessing a bit of petty cleverness and small schemes, yet he was a soft-hearted person who could not bear to hurt others; such a personality is suited for living a stable life in peaceful times.

If not for his son Zhou You supporting him, in these perilous times, he would have long since been eaten until not even his bones remained.

"Zhou You, you and I are like brothers; your esteemed father is my own uncle!"

Shen Sijing looked at Zhou You, unable to discern anything from his expression.

He recalled a matter his younger sister Shen Siying had mentioned and suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

His younger sister Shen Siying had treated Zhou You as an ordinary Apprentice, tipping him according to her usual habits.

After he found out, he complained to his younger sister repeatedly, saying she should not have humiliated Zhou You like that; he was a little brother, not a servant.

Zhou You's response surprised him even more; there was no explanation, no anger, but rather a very peaceful acceptance of the tip, and he continued to work diligently afterward, showing not the slightest bit of dissatisfaction in front of him.

This breadth of mind and bearing did not fit someone from a humble family at all! Whenever Shen Sijing thought of this matter, he realized that binding Zhou You completely to the Shen family and making him a willing death soldier was likely an entirely impossible task.

"Could it be that the only way is to marry my younger sister to him?"

Sometimes, he had even entertained the thought of an alliance through marriage.

However, his younger sister appeared weak on the outside but was actually proud and arrogant; she had once sworn never to marry down, and her ideal husband had to be a top-tier figure in the world, with a matching family background being a basic requirement.

This thought had to be dismissed! (End of chapter)