Chapter 137: Martial Arts Trade

After Zhou You became an Inner Courtyard Disciple, all sorts of miscellaneous tasks came one after another.

A Blood-Qi expert is the pillar and face of a martial arts hall, and must shoulder heavy burdens.

Although he was still in his novice period, he had no choice but to take on some responsibilities.

For example...

When his master Wang Jianxiong went out for social engagements, he could not go alone; he always had to bring one or two Disciples along.

The other Senior Brothers each had their own duties and could not get away, so it was usually the Big Senior Brother who accompanied him.

Now that Zhou You had come up, he filled this vacancy, which finally allowed him to be relieved.

I have to say, this was quite boring—following the master to act as a backdrop, listening to a bunch of old men bragging.

Zhou You would often stand for a whole day, accompanying his master without being able to get anything done.

The only benefit was that he received so many red envelopes his hands went soft.

Those Wang Jianxiong associated with as peers were either rich or noble; hearing that he was a newly accepted Disciple, they would casually tip him dozens or even a hundred taels.

He received a pile of gold melon seeds and silver ingots.

He also knew that his master was introducing connections to him, helping him further integrate into the local martial arts circle.

Following behind Wang Jianxiong, he saw many experts from many local martial arts halls.

Mao Laoliu of the Jiba Martial Arts Hall, Wang Panshi of the Panshi Martial Arts Hall, and numerous big shots who practiced ancestral fist arts—each one had a name and reputation, and they were surrounded by a crowd of disciples and grand-disciples, looking very imposing.

The elite Disciples they brought with them were all at the Blood-Qi level, and none were below him.

Experts were like clouds; truly, experts were like clouds.

Zhou You got familiar with them, exchanged nicknames and names, and exchanged polite pleasantries about dining and visiting.

This was the painstaking effort of his master.

Socializing was not a useless endeavor; the goal was to increase experience, improve insight, and solidify one's circle of connections.

One day, when Zhou You had simmered enough, he would also be able to become a figure like those old men.

"Bao Tiefeng has opened another branch hall; hehe, business is booming!"

"With money, people, and trump cards, he really treats Gongliang City as his own home."

"Given time, won't he have branch halls all over the city? Where will there be room for you and me to eat?"

The martial arts master who was complaining bitterly was the head of the Chixin Martial Arts Hall, Liu Xingui.

Liu Xingui's specialty was the Two Hearts Fist, which excelled at multitasking; when fighting, he alone could produce the effect of a group brawl.

However, the name Two Hearts Fist did not sound good, as it always made people think of having two hearts and being disloyal, so he named his martial arts hall Chixin (Red Heart).

His martial arts hall was medium-sized, not comparable to Jian Xiong's or Jiba's, and it had been hit the hardest by the impact of the Tiefeng Martial Arts Hall.

The world was turning bad; the poor were becoming more numerous, and the rich were becoming richer, and the direct result was that business was becoming harder to do.

Running a martial arts hall was also a business, a competitive relationship of snatching food from each other.

The martial arts circle of Gongliang City, after years of struggle, was temporarily in a stable state of balance.

Bao Tiefeng had entered aggressively with his Mastiff Fist school, inevitably encroaching on the existing territory.

One martial arts hall had already closed down previously, and after they had eaten their fill, they were eyeing others.

"Wang Laohu, you are the Martial Arts Association President; can you not do something about this?"

Zhou You pricked up his ears. Ha, his master was the Martial Arts Association President.

The guild system was spread throughout the city, distributed from top to bottom.

Craftsmen had the Craftsman Guild, doctors and physicians had the Yiyao Hanghui, and even merchants had the Merchant Guild.

Naturally, those who practiced martial arts and opened halls for Instruction also had their own guild: the Martial Arts Association.

Zhou You had heard recently that the Martial Arts Association was for big shots to discuss matters, and it had nothing to do with small fry like them.

Yet he hadn't expected his own master to be so impressive as to be the president of the Martial Arts Association! Doesn't that mean all the martial arts halls in the city have to listen to his orders... as if! Just like this time when Liu Xingui came to the door to ask him to uphold justice, it was with ill intent, wanting to push Wang Jianxiong to the front to confront Bao Tiefeng.

Bao Tiefeng represented the martial power of the people from Su Cheng; he had money, he had people, and he had a pack of dogs to do his dirty work, so his momentum was at its peak. All the martial arts halls in the city were gnashing their teeth in hatred, yet none were willing to be the first bird to be shot, fearing the loss of their strength.

Wang Jianxiong, as the Martial Arts Association President, usually acted forcefully, and this time he had been targeted.

Many people were hoping for the two sides to clash, preferably to perish together, so that territory and market share would open up.

Master, you must not fall for it.

"Cough, cough, Old Liu, I know you are very anxious, but don't be anxious yet."

Wang Jianxiong smoked his pipe unhurriedly, "Our top priority is to pull him into the Martial Arts Association."

"What? You still want to accept him into the Martial Arts Association? On what grounds?"

Inside the Martial Arts Association were all martial arts masters native to Gongliang City, a closed internal circle.

Liu Xingui was one of them, and upon hearing this, he exploded on the spot.

He didn't understand; if they really accepted Bao Tiefeng into the Martial Arts Association, wouldn't he be even more rampant?

"Listen to me, once he enters the Martial Arts Association, he is one of our own; what can't be discussed behind closed doors?"

"Once you enter our Gongliang City, within three generations, who will remember where you came from? Su Cheng, hehe, can you point out this place on a map? It's long gone."

"Old Liu, the world is in chaos today, and the line between friend and foe is blurred. Is Bao Tiefeng really an enemy?"

Zhou You felt his heart tremble; Wang Laohu's schemes and calculations were definitely not those of an ordinary person.

He was using a soft knife to dismantle Bao Tiefeng's reputation and strength step by step.

Bao Tiefeng had support behind him because he represented the Su Cheng immigrants, and many wealthy families who had moved from Su Cheng supported him in secret.

The root of his rise was challenging local martial arts halls and taking root after kicking down their doors.

Although he had married his daughter to a local, everyone knew that he and the disciples around him were all people from Su Cheng.

If he joined the Martial Arts Association, he would be recognized by the local Martial Arts Association and thoroughly integrated into the Gongliang City martial arts circle.

Once his political stance was discarded, how could he still play the game with you?

A few words, light as clouds and soft as wind, yet carrying a cunning and ruthless scheme—brilliant!

Liu Xingui listened and seemed lost in thought, "Can it succeed?"

"It can succeed."

Wang Jianxiong said decisively, "Bao Tiefeng is dying for us to fall into chaos and find an excuse to clash, so he can seize the opportunity to annex our territory; we simply won't let him have his way."

"Old Liu, I know you came today to sound me out, and I'm not afraid to tell you directly: if you all trust me as your president, then unanimously agree to accept Bao Tiefeng into the association."

"Once he enters our martial arts circle and becomes one of our own, things will be much easier to handle!"

Liu Xingui pondered for a moment, felt it was feasible, stood up, and cupped his hands, "I will go handle it now, no need to see me out."

Even though he said that, Zhou You still dutifully saw Liu Xingui all the way to the main gate.

Before leaving, Liu Xingui introduced the Disciple he had brought with him, Zuo Shier, to Zhou You.

Zuo Shier and Zhou You lived only two streets apart, so they exchanged information and agreed to visit each other in the future.

Watching the back of Liu Xingui as he departed, Zhou You had a premonition that this matter was not simple.

Bao Tiefeng's conduct and methods were highly sophisticated; to be able to establish his current position in Gongliang City, he could be called a hero of the age.

The martial artists in the city were extremely wary of him, and no one was willing to openly make an enemy of him.

His master, Wang Jianxiong, took the tiger as his moniker and was the recognized local hegemon and mountain king, a top-tier formidable figure.

If the two were to clash, it would inevitably implicate countless others, with the impact spreading across the entire city.

As an Inner Courtyard Disciple, Zhou You would inevitably be dragged into it and would certainly be charging on the front lines.

Sigh, the beginner protection period won't last much longer.

(End of this chapter)