Dragon Gate Martial Hall

The next day, Su Ti slept until the sun was high in the sky before waking up.

He had not gotten home until three in the morning yesterday. After looking up more information, he had not gone to sleep until four, so it was perfectly normal for him to wake up late.

After pushing open his door and washing up, Su Ti knocked on every door in the house, but no one answered. Only then did he realize his family had gone out.

Since his phone had been lost during the kidnapping, his parents had also left him a note. It said that because Su Ti had returned, they had gone to work and would be back that evening.

They had prepared his meals for him. He only needed to heat them in the microwave before eating.

Besides that, they had left two thousand yuan in cash on the table for him to buy a new phone and cover his daily expenses.

Looking at the note, Su Ti sighed.

His parents were both middle school teachers. Although they did not have to work during summer vacation, they had each found two part-time jobs to help support the family. Su's Father worked as a kitchen assistant at a restaurant, while Su's Mother worked part-time as a cashier at a supermarket.

Although they had taken leave from work during the two days he had been missing, they had barely rested from worrying about him. The moment he returned, they had rushed back to work. They were truly working themselves too hard.

To put it bluntly, it was because they were poor. Middle school teachers earned little. Su Ti would be entering his sophomore year next semester, while Su Ling would be starting her senior year of high school. Both were at ages when they needed money. On top of that, Su Ti would need bride price when he got married in the future, so his parents did not dare take a break.

He had no idea where Su Ling had gone, but Su Ti did not care much anymore. The siblings had barely communicated for a long time and were essentially living without interfering in each other's lives.

After finishing the food alone at the dining table, Su Ti took the money and keys and headed out.

He was currently on summer break after his freshman year, with no schoolwork to worry about. Carrying the address Team Leader Liu had left him, he planned to visit Dragon Gate Martial Hall today.

Whether he could obtain protection was another matter. Su Ti was not someone who would hide with his head tucked in. More than being protected, he hoped to gain strength and take the initiative himself.

Dragon Gate Martial Hall, Dragon Gate Martial Hall... From the name alone, it had to be a place that taught martial arts. Su Ti hoped he could learn this world's martial arts here. It would be even better if it was "Ancient Martial Arts."

It was summer. Su Ti first bought a new phone at a service center near his home, replaced his SIM card, and downloaded a pile of apps before hailing a ride to Dragon Gate Martial Hall.

Dragon Gate Martial Hall was located on the commercial street in downtown Mingguang City.

Although Mingguang City was only a third-tier city, land in the city center was still worth a fortune, and property prices were high.

The commercial street bustled with pedestrians. Since it was summer vacation, many young people had come out to shop.

In the height of summer, pair after pair of snow-white legs gleamed dazzlingly.

Wearing a short-sleeved shirt and long pants, Su Ti held his phone as he searched the commercial street for Dragon Gate Martial Hall.

His gaze swept around, and after searching for a while, he finally found his destination in the center of the commercial street.

The Dragon Gate Martial Hall Signboard was very distinctive.

The plaque was three and a half meters long and made entirely of brass. It looked incredibly heavy as it hung high and slanted above the doorway, making people constantly worry whether it would crush someone to death if it fell.

The raised characters, written in bold, flowing strokes, spelled out Dragon Gate Martial Hall. Amid the modern commercial street filled with LED signs, it carried a trace of an ancient martial world atmosphere.

Su Ti entered the martial hall and found that it was quite large.

There was not only a combat area with all kinds of punching bags and fighting rings, but also a fitness area filled with dumbbells, treadmills, and fixed exercise machines.

Some urban men and women worked out and sculpted their bodies in the fitness area, while several shirtless fighters punched their bags with loud shouts.

The scene looked like a modern gym, leaving Su Ti somewhat disappointed.

Would a place like this have Ancient Martial Arts?

Or had Team Leader Liu merely sent him here to seek the protection of some highly influential businessman?

"Hello, is this your first time visiting our martial hall?"

Perhaps because Su Ti had stood there for too long, the receptionist approached with a professional smile and asked.

"Yeah, I'm looking for someone."

Su Ti waved his hand to indicate that he did not need assistance. He took out his phone and dialed the number on the note.

The call connected shortly afterward.

"Hello, who is this?"

A woman's robust voice rang out from the phone.

"Hello, Liu Xing referred me here. I'm at the entrance to your martial hall."

"Oh, all right. I'll be right over."

The call was hurriedly ended. Before long, a woman in a white martial arts uniform emerged from the room marked "Core Member Area." Her height and build were extraordinarily exaggerated.

Even Su Ti could not help swallowing when he saw her physique.

She was at least two meters tall. Standing before Su Ti, she was like a mountain, and the shadow she cast even covered his face!

"Hello, Hall Master."

Seeing her come out, the receptionist greeted her and glanced at Su Ti in surprise. She had not expected him to know the hall master of Dragon Gate's main branch.

This was a major figure who had taken first place in city-level martial arts competitions.

"Hello, my name is Yao Juan."

"Su Ti."

Su Ti extended his hand and shook the giant palm, which was twice the size of his own, his eyelid twitching slightly.

Her arm was thicker than his thigh!

That was not an exaggeration. It really was thicker than his leg!

With a physique like that, even if he used joint techniques, he might not be able to wrench her arm at all.

"You're the one Junior Brother Liu referred?"

Yao Juan flashed eight teeth in a hearty smile.

"Junior Brother?"

Su Ti had not expected there to be such a connection.

"That's right. Junior Brother Liu and I both learned boxing under Master in the past. Although he ultimately could not enter the school, he still counts as my junior brother."

"Since Junior Brother Liu referred you here, no matter what you need, I'll give him face. Come in first and we'll talk."

Like her powerful physique, Yao Juan had an exceedingly forthright personality.

Su Ti followed her through the tightly closed doors of the Core Member Area and into an office.

After a receptionist poured tea for the two of them, she withdrew and closed the door.

"Go ahead. What do you need?"

Yao Juan spoke bluntly, and Su Ti did not hide anything either. After considering it for a moment, he directly told her the full story of how he had ended up in the underground black boxing matches.

After listening, Yao Juan frowned. After a long while, she said,

"The underground black boxing circuit in Mingguang City has indeed recently forced many innocent passersby to compete. I never expected you to be one of the victims."

"However, underground black boxing is part of the inner world. I'm not one of them, so I don't know much."

At that point, Yao Juan's expression turned serious again.

"But I happen to know who the organizer is."

"Who?"

"Li Mingyuan. He's a second-generation gangster. His family has a lot of influence, and his father put him in charge of Mingguang City's underground black boxing matches."

"He has a twisted and violent temperament. In the past, there were never randomly selected passerby contestants in underground black boxing. That was something he came up with as a gimmick to rake in profits."

"If he's got his eye on you, then that really is troublesome. His family is powerful, and I can't help you."

Su Ti's heart sank at those words, but he still sharply memorized the name Li Mingyuan, along with the information that he was a second-generation gangster and that his family held considerable power.

"However... my master can resolve this matter."

Yao Juan took a sip of tea, then changed the subject and spoke slowly.

When she said this, Yao Juan's tone was extremely calm, yet it brimmed with powerful confidence.

Su Ti's heart stirred upon hearing that, and he asked,

"Your master?"

Yao Juan did not keep him guessing and spoke directly.

"That's right. The true hall master of Dragon Gate Martial Hall, my master, Long Yuanzheng."

After saying that, Yao Juan continued explaining to Su Ti.

"I'm merely a resident hall master, one of Master's disciples. This main branch of Dragon Gate Martial Hall, as well as the other two branch halls in Mingguang City, are all Master's properties."

"Master's reputation is widespread in Mingguang City. Both the legal and criminal worlds have to give him some respect. As long as Master speaks, a mere Li Mingyuan would never dare touch you."

Su Ti was somewhat surprised. If things were truly as Yao Juan said, then Long Yuanzheng was indeed an important figure.

"However."

Yao Juan sighed. Although she sympathized with Su Ti's experience and Liu Xing had asked her for help, she felt there was little hope in this matter.

"Master has stayed out of worldly affairs for a long time. Even the martial hall businesses are managed by us disciples. He is obsessed with Ancient Martial Arts, so it won't be easy for you to obtain his help."

"Over the years, many powerful officials and wealthy businessmen have sought Master's assistance, but he has refused them all. If you simply visit him as well, he definitely won't pay you any attention."

"Then what should I do?"

Yao Juan fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"If you have talent in martial arts and can become Master's disciple, he will definitely help you."

Even as she said it, Yao Juan felt it would be difficult.

If people with martial arts talent were so common, Master would not have accepted only three disciples in all these years. Even Liu Xing had ultimately failed to enter under Master's tutelage.

"Martial arts talent..."

Su Ti looked at his Crimson Martial Arts Modifier and felt that he probably had at least a little of it.

"Then please let me join Dragon Gate Martial Hall and learn martial arts first!"

Su Ti was someone who understood things immediately. The condition for becoming Long Yuanzheng's disciple was possessing martial arts talent. But trying to display that talent by directly running up to the man was obviously impossible; it would be far too abrupt. Yao Juan would not introduce him so readily either. Even if he claimed to be a genius, who would believe him?

Therefore, proving to Yao Juan first that he was a genius became especially important. That would undoubtedly earn him a chance to be introduced to Long Yuanzheng.

Since Dragon Gate Martial Hall was open for business, it naturally accepted students who paid tuition.

However, paying to become a student was fundamentally different from becoming a Direct Disciple like Yao Juan.

Now that Su Ti had spoken, Yao Juan nodded as well.

"All right. Wait here a moment."

After saying that, Yao Juan stood and walked out. Soon afterward, she returned with two contracts.

Su Ti looked them over and found that they were contracts for core students of Dragon Gate Martial Hall. Once signed, they meant he would become a core student of Dragon Gate Martial Hall for half a year.

And the registration fee was...

One hundred thousand!

Su Ti's heart jolted when he saw the price.

Was learning martial arts really this expensive? Although Su Ti had been prepared to sign up for martial arts lessons when he came, the terrifying amount still shocked him.

He had spent roughly twelve hundred yuan on the phone and SIM card, leaving him with the fifty thousand his uncle had given him. That was not enough for the tuition either.

"Um, can I pay in installments? Or could I study for just two months first...?"

Su Ti felt somewhat embarrassed. He had already realized that in this world, the threshold for martial arts was not talent, but financial strength!

If you're broke, don't learn martial arts. Go study instead!

Yao Juan shook her head and crossed out the amount on the contract with her pen.

"Consider this money my way of giving Junior Brother Liu an explanation. He sent you here, but I haven't been able to help you much. I'll waive your first term's tuition for you."

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

"Don't call me Senior Sister. You're only a core student now, not a Direct Disciple. You should call me Instructor."

"Yes, Instructor Yao."

"Mm, very good."

Yao Juan stood up and patted her leg.

"Have Xiao Fang at the front desk assign you a locker. Go change into a core student's uniform, then come to the inner area for class."

"Yes."

Su Ti changed into a white martial arts uniform. The two large characters for Dragon Gate on its back looked quite impressive.

He pushed open the doors to the core area. At that moment, Yao Juan and the other core students were already waiting for him.

Around a dozen students in white martial arts uniforms sat cross-legged on the floor. There were both men and women, all young, ranging from their teens to their twenties. Yet regardless of age, they all possessed a distinctive bearing that radiated an air of privilege, completely unlike ordinary people.

"Come in."

"Yes."

Su Ti walked before Yao Juan. She rested one hand on his shoulder. With her height of over two meters compared to Su Ti's one meter seventy-one, it was like an adult holding down a child.

"This is our newly joined student, Su Ti. From now on, he's one of us. Senior students should offer more help to new students, understand?"

"Yes!"

Everyone answered with great force. Yao Juan then patted Su Ti's shoulder, signaling for him to find a place to stand.

After Su Ti stood in place, Yao Juan did not waste words and got straight to the point.

"What is the most important thing in martial arts? Does anyone know? Su Ti, you joined last, so you answer."

Everyone looked at Su Ti. Each of them had answered this question when they first joined. Some had said it was to look cool, some said it was for self-defense, and others said it was to strengthen their bodies. Now, they were curious about Su Ti's answer as well.

Su Ti answered without hesitation.

"The most important things in martial arts are strength and technique. The two complement each other. With equal strength, the person with superior technique wins, and the reverse is true as well."

"Put simply, one's physical abilities and fighting methods determine one's ultimate combat power. I believe those are the two most important things in martial arts."

At those words, everyone looked at Su Ti with some surprise. They had not expected him to say something like that.

Yao Juan nodded in satisfaction. Unlike the others, Su Ti had come to study with prior skills. He had a foundation in martial arts and had even killed someone in the black boxing arena, so his understanding naturally differed from these pampered students.

He had not talked about why he wanted to learn martial arts, his ambitions, or other empty things. Instead, he had directly stated his understanding of martial arts, and what he had said happened to be the essence of martial arts.