Joining (Part 1)

The group drank until after eight in the evening. Lin Zheyu left early because he had something to do.

Burp—

On the way to Master Liang's home, Lin Zheyu let out a drunken burp.

When he had tried to leave early just now, Jia Yanyong and the others had refused to let him go, insisting that he down several large bowls of strong liquor before releasing him.

Knock, knock.

He lightly knocked on Master Liang's door, and it quickly opened.

He entered.

Under the moonlight.

Several small dishes and a pot of wine sat on the stone table in the courtyard.

Liang Song had just been drinking alone in the courtyard.

"You reek of alcohol. Looks like you drank quite a bit."

"Drink this bowl and sober up." Liang Song said.

"Thank you, Master."

Lin Zheyu took the bowl and caught a strong medicinal scent.

"Master, I'm sorry. Something delayed me tonight, so I came rather late."

Lin Zheyu said with an apologetic expression.

"It's nothing."

"It's a good thing that you were able to join the Flying Rainbow Gang. You'll have some protection in Songyi City." Liang Song said with a smile.

After drinking the hangover remedy, Lin Zheyu felt much more alert.

He rested for a while, then walked into the courtyard and began practicing the Golden Goose Skill.

After practicing for around an hour and a half, he was drenched in sweat, and the last traces of drunkenness had completely dispersed.

"Rest for a bit. We'll exchange a few moves later."

Seeing that Lin Zheyu had sobered up for the most part, Liang Song told him to rest.

After resting for a while, the two walked into the courtyard and began exchanging blows.

With last night's experience, Lin Zheyu held on a little longer today.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sounds of fists and palms colliding rang out through the courtyard.

Liang Song had restrained his strength to Lin Zheyu's level, even slightly below it.

Yet even so, Lin Zheyu was still effortlessly crushed by Liang Song.

The enormous gap in combat experience and combat awareness made Lin Zheyu understand that martial strength did not equate to fighting ability.

A true martial arts expert could easily challenge opponents above their level and emerge victorious, even when facing someone stronger.

After lasting more than a dozen exchanges against Liang Song, Lin Zheyu was kicked flying.

"Not bad. You've improved a great deal compared to yesterday." Liang Song said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu rubbed his chest. The spot Liang Song had kicked burned with pain.

Liang Song had reached the Qi and Blood Realm, and the bones throughout his body were as hard as iron.

After being kicked by his Master, Lin Zheyu felt as though he had been struck by an iron tool.

"Again!"

Lin Zheyu's gaze was resolute. He pushed off hard with his feet and shot toward Liang Song.

Master Liang's primary cultivation method was the Golden Goose Skill, and Lin Zheyu learned many combat techniques for the cultivation method from him.

As the battle continued, Lin Zheyu's progress in the Golden Goose Skill rose rapidly. He began incorporating the Golden Goose Skill's footwork into combat.

Against the experienced Master Liang, Lin Zheyu began changing strategies, relying on the Golden Goose Skill's nimble footwork to circle around Liang Song.

"Hey!"

"I've already played this trick to death."

Facing Lin Zheyu as he rapidly shifted positions, Liang Song chuckled and kicked diagonally backward with his right foot, swift as lightning.

Bang—

Lin Zheyu, moving at high speed, was caught completely off guard. His shoulder was struck, and he was kicked flying once again.

Lin Zheyu: "..."

My heart is so tired.

He dearly missed the feeling of fighting Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang during the day.

The two sparred until deep into the night, and every time, it ended with Lin Zheyu being kicked flying.

Under Master Liang's tempering, Lin Zheyu's combat awareness began growing stronger, and he lasted longer and longer against Liang Song.

Later on, he was even able to launch several counterattacks.

Early morning.

After resting for the night, Lin Zheyu had mostly recovered.

The medicine Liang Song gave him was very effective. After applying it to the bruised areas, they had almost healed by the next morning.

He arrived at Liang Song's courtyard early.

Under Liang Song's guidance, Lin Zheyu practiced for over three hours, and the Golden Goose Skill finally entered the beginner stage.

Heaven Rewards Diligence

Name: Lin Zheyu

Source Power: 6

Skills:

Wild Bull Fist (Mastery 3%)

Golden Goose Skill (First Layer 2%)

It finally entered the beginner stage. The progress rose to 2% in a single morning. I should be able to enter the second layer in about a month. Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

With the foundation laid by the Wild Bull Fist, the Golden Goose Skill improved much faster in its early stages.

His muscles were now full and firm, while his tendons and fascia were tough and powerful. The first layer of the Golden Goose Skill mainly tempered the body's tendons, muscles, skin, and membranes. Once the tendons, muscles, skin, and membranes of his legs had been strengthened, he would be able to enter the second layer.

Once he reached the second layer, the Bone Forging Realm, his progress would slow down.

After bidding farewell to his Master, Lin Zheyu headed for the Flying Rainbow Building at around nine.

No. 28 Tongquan Street.

Lin Zheyu entered the Flying Rainbow Building, where it was somewhat deserted.

"Mister Lin, you've arrived. This way, please."

A man came out and led Lin Zheyu farther inside.

"The Gang Leader gave instructions that once you arrived, I was to bring you to the rear courtyard to meet him. He'll personally arrange your position." the man said.

Lin Zheyu followed the man through twisting, winding corridors. After passing a pond and pavilion with beautiful scenery, they arrived at a courtyard.

A stage had been set up in the courtyard, and Gang Leader Xu was leisurely listening to an opera.

The lives of the rich really are so Simple and Unadorned.

Lin Zheyu sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat envious.

He had to work himself to the bone just to earn a few taels of silver, while others could earn hundreds or thousands of taels simply by listening to little tunes, watching operas, and visiting Flower Pavilions.

"You're here. Sit."

"This opera is quite good. Sit down and listen to it as well."

Xu Jingwu said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu sat beside Xu Jingwu and idly sampled the delicacies on the table.

Xu Jingwu truly knew how to enjoy himself. The snacks alone for listening to opera probably cost several taels of silver per table.

Lin Zheyu ate the delicacies and occasionally listened to the opera.

He could not quite appreciate opera. The abundant entertainment of his previous life had left him uninterested in such a classical form of performance.

Yet as he listened, Lin Zheyu gradually began to understand the pleasure of listening to opera.

Only after the performance ended did Xu Jingwu begin discussing serious matters.

"There isn't much to do in the gang. The main task is to maintain order within the Flying Rainbow Gang's territory."

"On the surface, order in the city is controlled by the authorities. But because of manpower shortages, the authorities delegate the work downward, leaving the gangs and factions of all sizes responsible for it."

"If any disturbance occurs within our territory and stirs up public outrage, the authorities will hold us accountable at once."

Xu Jingwu explained the Flying Rainbow Gang's primary duties to Lin Zheyu.

From Xu Jingwu's words, Lin Zheyu finally understood how Songyi City operated.

The authorities kept the gangs in check, and the gangs managed order within the city.

There were three major gangs in Songyi City, and the Flying Rainbow Gang was the largest.

These gangs had all been jointly funded and established by aristocratic families and wealthy merchants. The city's aristocratic families and wealthy merchants were divided into three interest groups, competing and balancing one another.

Xu Jingwu came from the Xu Family and was the younger brother of the current Xu Family head.

The city's three major gangs kept one another in balance, managing order in the city while ensuring that gang members did not run wild and commit every kind of evil.

"From now on, you'll be with Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang. The three of you will form a team under Qiu Gaoxuan's lead, temporarily responsible for maintaining order in several streets near Hundred Tastes Street."

"After some time, you'll need to be sent out to guard important locations such as mines for a period, but everyone takes turns." Xu Jingwu said.

"Alright."

Lin Zheyu nodded.

Order in the streets around Hundred Tastes Street was quite good. There was hardly anyone causing trouble, so it was an easy assignment.

"I think very highly of you."

"I heard from Jia Yanyong that you haven't been practicing martial arts for long, yet you already possess your current strength. Your talent and comprehension are quite good."

"Work hard. Once you make more contributions, the benefits won't be lacking for you." Xu Jingwu said with a smile, patting Lin Zheyu on the shoulder.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Gang Leader Xu."