Chapter 161: Returning to the City, Pressing Urgency

Zhou You and his party were travel-worn; when they saw the outline of Gongliang City, a feeling of returning home welled up in their hearts.

This journey to deliver the artillery machine had been bizarre and tortuous, even resulting in the loss of several fellow disciples.

Only after the group returned to Gongliang City did they heave a sigh of relief, certain they were safe.

"Junior Brother Zhou, I will take them and head out first, you..."

Jiang Hua's gaze pointed toward a pavilion outside the city, where several people were waiting for Zhou You's return.

They were Shen Sijing, Xu Ying, and Li Hao.

Seeing this, Zhou You cupped his hands, "I have troubled you, Senior Brother Jiang."

After seeing off Jiang Hua and his group, he turned and walked to the pavilion, where his fellow disciples had been waiting for a long time.

After many days of absence, there was a bit more world-weariness in the noble-son temperament of Shen Sijing.

Clearly, helping with his family's business during this time had been a great tempering for him.

On the side, Xu Ying's face and hands had several faint scars, and his knuckles were much thicker; one look and it was clear they had grown back after being broken. Such a scarred appearance showed the toil and exhaustion of his running about outside.

Li Hao, on the other hand, had not changed much; he was still pondering his internal strength, sprinting toward the mastery of it.

"Junior Brother Zhou, I trust you have been well."

Shen Sijing glanced at the back of the departing Jiang Hua, "Junior Brother Jiang has a solitary and cold personality; it is rare that you can talk to him!"

Zhou You caught the implication in his words; it seemed Jiang Hua's relationship with the other Inner Court Disciples was not very close.

"Senior Brother Jiang has impressive strength, and his Blood Sand Palm is also extremely stunning."

Shen Sijing advised, "It is best not to get too close to him."

"Jiang Hua's father was once a Martial Master, killed by an enemy, and he entered our Master's school to learn boxing solely for revenge."

"He even went so far as to practice the Blood Sand Palm, turning himself into something neither human nor ghost."

"His enemy is a Martial Master with significant influence; the Master has long said that private grudges must be avenged by himself."

So that was it; no wonder Jiang Hua had such profound insight and could master a unique skill like the Blood Sand Palm.

Zhou You asked a prying question, "How did his father die?"

"He was skinned and de-tendoned, made into a pair of boxing gloves, which are still in the enemy's hands to this day."

After a few pleasantries, the group spread out wine and food to welcome Zhou You back and incidentally state their purpose.

"Zhou You, after you enter the city and return to the martial arts hall, don't get agitated no matter what you encounter."

As it turned out, a major event had occurred while Zhou You was away on his business trip.

The rising star Lu Jianqing, after consuming 10 Mountain Monarch Life-Changing Pills, had broken through the final barrier of his internal strength, which had already been at the threshold, and successfully broken through to the Qi and Blood realm.

Now, he was already an Inner Court Disciple at Qi and Blood Stage 1.

"So fast?"

Zhou You clicked his tongue in wonder; even with the aid of Secret Medicine, this speed was too fast.

He immediately realized that once Lu Jianqing made his breakthrough, the situation in the martial arts hall had changed.

Sure enough...

"The Master treats him like a treasure, and on the day he was accepted as a disciple, he imparted the full set of White Tiger Seven Kills techniques!"

The White Tiger Seven Kills was the core killing move of the Jade Tiger Art.

Unless one had performed a great service, an Inner Court Disciple would only be able to learn one or two moves.

Back when he fought a fierce battle with Yan Ping, Jiang Hua had used one move of the White Tiger Seven Kills, which had caused damage to his opponent at the time.

Even senior disciples only knew one or two moves; someone like Zhou You had not yet learned a single move or half-style.

Yet, Lu Jianqing had not performed a single merit and had just entered the Inner Courtyard, only to learn the full set of White Tiger Seven Kills.

"The Master has clearly designated his successor."

Upon hearing this, Zhou You was not angry, but instead began to think carefully.

The signpost was already very obvious! Lu Jianqing was a martial arts prodigy who had become a Qi and Blood warrior within a year; his future was promising.

Wang Jianxiong was getting old and was still only an Initial-stage Martial Master; let alone becoming a powerful martial artist, there was no hope for him to even become an Advanced Martial Master.

He must have pinned his hopes on the next generation. Lu Jianqing had proven his own value and was the best candidate for Wang Jianxiong to pass on his mantle.

But it was still missing one layer...

The master-disciple relationship was not very secure for Wang Jianxiong's personality; it was lacking something.

"... The Master has let slip that he wants to marry Wang Yan to Lu Jianqing."

That made sense; father-in-law and son-in-law added another layer to the master-disciple relationship—a double insurance.

He remembered Wang Yan was 5 years older than Lu Jianqing; could this matter be agreed upon? "Lu Jianqing did not refuse, but Wang Yan would not agree and has been making a scene at home."

Making a scene was useless; when it concerned the inheritance of the martial arts hall, her little temper did not count for much.

Usually, the old man was compliant with her in every way, but in major matters, he would never let her act willfully.

What about Zhong Shaoying?

Wasn't Zhong Shaoying a loyal lapdog to Wang Yan? His little brother had cuckolded him; could he agree to this? "Let's not mention Zhong Shaoying for now; Junior Brother Zhou, your situation is not looking good."

Zhou You was just finding it interesting when he suddenly noticed everyone's gaze was focused on him.

"You and Lu Jianqing entered the Inner Courtyard one after the other; previously, the Master also valued you highly, but now that Lu Jianqing is in favor, your situation is quite awkward."

Behind Zhou You and Lu Jianqing were Shen Sijing and Zhong Shaoying fighting a battle of wits.

As the new generation replaced the old, the struggle between the local faction and the city faction was now focused on them.

With Lu Jianqing in favor, correspondingly, in the eyes of outsiders, Zhou You had fallen out of favor.

Ha, why did I feel like I was never in favor, so how could I have fallen out of it? "Junior Brother Zhou, Lu Jianqing and Zhong Shaoying have colluded and have already set their sights on you."

"Your return this time is fraught with crises; I can divert Zhong Shaoying, but Lu Jianqing is currently in the limelight, acting recklessly by relying on the Master's favor, and no one can restrain him."

"Do you remember Zuo Shier? He was slapped in the face by him in public a few days ago."

Zuo Shier transferred over from the Two Hearts Fist and has always followed Zhou You, so he is seen as part of his faction.

This person is usually cautious and careful, being polite and courteous even to Strength Apprentices; he would never offend the popular Lu Jianqing.

There is only one possibility: the other party is killing the chicken to scare the monkey.

The city sent two Inner Court Disciples, but Shen Sijing is in a state of semi-retirement, and he has explicitly stated that he will withdraw from the martial arts hall within two years to return to his family's firm to manage business.

Now, only Zhou You remains to attract the fire.

"As for Master..."

Zhou You just started to speak but stopped.

The old man teaches his Disciples according to the law of the jungle, just like a tiger raising its cubs.

The little tigers fight, scratch, and bite each other; the winner gets more food, while those bitten, crippled, or even killed are naturally eliminated.

If Lu Jianqing can cripple Zhou You, not only will he not be punished, but his status will become even more secure.

"Zhou You, it was my fault for dragging you into this storm."

Shen Sijing held Zhou You's hands, "Why not find a day to request to leave the school and come help me at the firm?"

He pointed to Xu Ying beside him, "Your compensation will be no lower than Xu Ying's; I'll give you equity and dividends, and you will be a partner in my family's firm in the future."

"Zhou You, I've been finding it increasingly difficult lately, hurry up and come help me out."

Xu Ying also chimed in to help.

"Allow me to consider it."

Zhou You gently stroked his chin and did not agree on the spot.

Shen Sijing breathed a sigh of relief; as long as he was willing to consider it, that was good, so he raised his wine cup, "Drink!"

Zhou You noticed Li Hao's gaze was full of unwillingness and guessed the frustration in his heart.

"Li Hao, your punching target should be changed."

"I'll introduce one to you; perhaps it can help you break through sooner."

Li Hao was overjoyed to hear this and raised his cup in thanks, "Good brother, I knew you hadn't forgotten about me!"

(End of chapter)