Chapter 557: The Merit Tripod Guards the Hall

This grand event that took place in Fucheng had repercussions that lasted until the end of the year.

Zhou You's reputation and status skyrocketed, and there were even rumors that someone within the martial arts circle had proposed electing him as Vice President.

Although the Vice President of the martial arts circle is essentially there to assist the President, Yan Shan, there are very few people in Fucheng who can reach that position.

Hmm, was the opposition loud? Not really! The faction with the greatest influence in the Fucheng martial arts circle, and also the one most at odds with Zhou You, was naturally the Tiger Fist School.

Zhou You was a cast-off disciple of the Tiger Fist, and after he challenged the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, he had offended more than ninety percent of the Tiger Fist martial artists.

For a long time, the Daqian Martial Arts Hall and the Tiger Fist were two camps that kept to themselves, never interfering with one another.

However, the situation is different now.

After the news spread that the Tiger Ancestor had visited the Daqian Martial Arts Hall and imparted the Nine Oxen and Two Tigers Divine Strength, the numerous Tiger Fist martial arts halls were left speechless.

Even their ancestor had expressed approval of Zhou You, so what were they still fussing about! Within the Tiger Fist lineage, the "anti-Zhou You" sentiment plummeted.

After all, Zhou You not only had Gu Lao, but he also knew Yin Sanfen, who was at the Ninth Heaven of Qiangwu; setting aside how close his relationship was with this peak Qiangwu expert...

Now, even the ancestor from Dayin Mountain had imparted a profound Qiangwu technique to him, and it was said that their brief time together had been quite harmonious.

With the ancestor having stated his position, what standing did these disciples and grand-disciples have to continue opposing Zhou You? For a time, the environment at the Daqian Martial Arts Hall improved significantly; enemies decreased, and friends naturally increased.

The news of the Qiangwu gathering was too high-end and limited to only a small group of people; more people in Fucheng saw the fist-fighting between the Zhengming and Daqian martial arts halls, which ended in a complete victory for Zhou You.

Afterwards, Xue Zhengming lamented his old age and lack of successors; he asked for a few days of leave to sit and preside, dissolved the Zhengming Martial Arts Hall, and took a few disciples back to his hometown to retire.

Thus, a martial arts hall with quite a history closed its doors for good.

As the story spread, it turned into this martial arts hall being kicked down by Zhou You; the Zhengming Martial Arts Hall was not simple, as it had Qiangwu backing, yet it still couldn't withstand the pressure from the Daqian Martial Arts Hall!

The most direct result was that the number of Apprentices signing up to learn fist techniques surged, and even quite a few Qi-Blood Warriors joined.

Among them were many talented individuals in martial arts, rare gems that even Zhou You couldn't help but take in as disciples.

The number of people at the Daqian Martial Arts Hall finally broke the three-thousand mark, and in terms of scale, it had stepped into the first-class tier.

Before the end of the year, the Liu family added flowers to the brocade, joining many noble families to deliver the Merit Tripod to the entrance of the Daqian Martial Arts Hall.

"Whoa!"

Although Zhou You had expected it, he still couldn't help but be dazed for a moment when he saw the massive and solemn giant bronze tripod.

Dignity, solemnity, and grandeur—various words condensed into the lines and contours, outlining the details of this Merit Tripod.

No wonder it was said to be a huge expense; the Merit Tripod was not only large in volume, about the height of a house, but the details on its surface were also extremely intricate and subtle, with the finest lines being even thinner than a strand of hair.

Combining magnificence and refinement, the cost incurred was simply unimaginable.

Hmm? Zhou You noticed a detail: this Merit Tripod was slightly smaller than Yan Shan's. Hmm, it should be that the noble families considered Yan Shan's attitude; after all, he is a Qiangwu expert, and it wouldn't do to overshadow him.

Even so, once this giant tripod entered the Daqian Martial Arts Hall, the martial arts hall was already distinguished from other martial arts halls.

Publicly, it was claimed that this Merit Tripod was a reward for Zhou You's military merit, but those in the know were clear that this was the Liu family repaying a favor.

On the day the tripod was erected, Liu Fengji and Liu Jinguo also came; as people of the same generation, it was easier to talk.

"The ground has already been tamped down, using five thousand catties of glutinous rice and one hundred cubic feet of stone slabs." "Quickly dismantle the door frame and threshold; this is the rule. When erecting a tripod inside the gate, the entrance must be widened by a circle; this is for outsiders to see."

"Everyone, please make way, the tripod is about to enter the gate."

Zuo Shier and the others were busy running back and forth, sweat steaming from their foreheads, yet they were still stretched thin. Welcoming the Merit Tripod was too complicated, and since it was their first time doing it, even with sufficient preparation, they couldn't help but be a bit chaotic when the time came.

Fortunately, the people brought by the Liu family helped, and the situation became orderly and proceeded slowly.

The Merit Tripod was erected in the center of the Inner Courtyard square of the martial arts hall, located at the central axis of the entire building; this was a pre-selected location.

Hmm, for this, they had hired an expert to calculate it, paying a hefty carriage fee.

One hundred and eight strongmen grunted and groaned, carrying the huge Merit Tripod, moving it step by step to the designated location. Amidst a thunderous shout, the Merit Tripod descended inch by inch, finally stabilizing on the Inner Courtyard square.

Boom! Zhou You and the crowd from the martial arts hall saw the Merit Tripod land; the moment it touched the ground, it felt as if an invisible airflow poured out in all directions, like water rushing out from a dam that had been held back for a long time.

Although it was invisible and indescribable, after the Merit Tripod landed, the Daqian Martial Arts Hall underwent some kind of strange change.

This change was clearly developing for the better; the Apprentices and Disciples within it all felt refreshed, and their footing felt a bit more solid and steady. Perhaps this was the aura of a great hall? "The treasure that guards the hall, the treasure that guards our Daqian Martial Arts Hall, is this tripod."

Zuo Shier was overjoyed; looking back at the past, walking step by step to where they were today was truly rare.

He had followed Zhou You the earliest and was the recognized Executive Vice Hall Master of the martial arts hall; he had poured the most heart's blood into the development of the Daqian Martial Arts Hall to this day.

With the Merit Tripod entering the hall and the gates reopened, the Daqian Martial Arts Hall was no longer what it used to be and could be considered a name in Fucheng.

"Hall Master Zhou, the Jueguang Sect will have a Sword Discussion Assembly next. I have an Invitation, which I gift to you."

Liu Fengji handed Zhou You an Invitation; he didn't speak his mind fully, but the intention to be on good terms was very obvious.

The two also had the camaraderie of fighting side-by-side on the battlefield; although they were quite far apart, reminiscing was not a problem.

Liu Fengji also felt emotional; a former nobody could actually reach today's status. Although he was surprised, he didn't have any negative emotions.

There were actually quite a few similar lucky people; they often rise with the wind and fall just as quickly. Those who can truly rely on their own efforts to leverage the situation are few and far between.

He observed carefully to see if Zhou You could hold onto this wave of wealth.

After Liu Fengji left, Liu Jinguo met with Zhou You, and it was inevitably a bit awkward.

Zhou You knew the reason for Liu Jinguo's awkwardness; the last time they met, she had even explained to Zhou You the methods noble families used to marry off daughters to recruit talent.

This time they met, she, Liu Jinguo, had become the noble family daughter used for recruitment; the boomerang hit hard and painfully.

"Liu Shifu, you and I have fate; let our interactions be as they were before. People of the jianghu should ultimately be sincere."

Liu Jinguo cupped her fists and said, "Hall Master Zhou is magnanimous."

She returned the favor, kindly reminding Zhou You that it would be best to go to the Jueguang Sect's Sword Discussion Assembly. Although this sect was a noble school for noble families and was not friendly to Commoner martial artists, there were still many good things there.

Zhou You started from humble beginnings and was most worried about a lack of foundation; happening upon this event, if his luck was good, he could gain many benefits.

Zhou You did not give a conclusion on the spot; he cupped his hands in thanks and personally saw Liu Jinguo to the door to bid her farewell.

(End of chapter)