The Fox Borrows the Tiger's Might

Looking at his three disciples.

Zheng Shan wore a rare gentle smile and said to Wang Yuan, "Now that you've joined my sect, you must abide by our rules."

"Respect your master and value the Way, train diligently and arduously, do not bully the weak with your strength, and do not tarnish the reputation of Panshi Fist Academy."

"Your senior brother will give you the specific sect rules later."

"Yes, teacher."

Wang Yuan replied respectfully.

Zheng Shan pointed to Shi Long and Zheng Ying beside him, "This is your senior brother Shi Long, and your second senior sister Zheng Ying. We are all family."

"If you have any questions during your future training, you can ask them."

Shi Long grinned widely, revealing a simple and somewhat excited smile, and gently patted Wang Yuan's shoulder:

"Little junior brother, you're amazing!"

"If you ever need help with rough or heavy work, or if some idiot dares to bully you, just tell your senior brother!"

He was straightforward by nature. Although he had been a bit dismissive earlier, after confirming Wang Yuan's astonishing talent, he was now purely happy for his master and the academy.

Zheng Ying also stepped forward, a faint smile appearing on her cold face. She nodded, "Little junior brother, welcome."

She didn't say much, but her eyes were gentle.

As they spoke, both of them took out the meeting gifts they had prepared.

Shi Long pulled out a delicate small jade bottle and stuffed it into Wang Yuan's hand, saying in a deep voice, "This is a 'Qi and Blood Pill'. It's a hundred times better than the medicinal powders on the market."

"You've just joined, and while your blood essence is strong, it needs to be guided and settled. You should use it when you officially start practicing Panshi Fist and feel your blood essence is depleted or when you're breaking through a bottleneck. It will be most effective then!"

Wang Yuan felt a slight weight in his hand and could sense the vigorous medicinal power contained within the jade bottle. It was definitely a precious item.

Zheng Ying, on the other hand, took out a piece of warm, clear, white jade. Simple patterns for calming the mind were carved on it. She personally tied it to Wang Yuan's waist and said softly, "This Pure Heart Pendant has the effect of calming the mind and spirit. Wearing it during cultivation can help you eliminate distracting thoughts and enter a state of meditation faster."

Wang Yuan looked at these two substantial gifts, feeling a warmth in his heart. He looked at Zheng Shan, who was seated upright.

Zheng Shan stroked his beard and smiled, nodding, "Accept them. This is from your senior brother and sister."

"Thank you, senior brother, thank you, second senior sister!"

Wang Yuan bowed respectfully again to express his gratitude.

After a few more instructions on cultivation, Zheng Shan looked at the sky. The sun was already setting, and dusk began to envelop Gaoye City.

He frowned and instructed Shi Long, "A'long, it's getting late, and the outer city has been rather restless lately. Escort your little junior brother home personally and ensure he arrives safely."

"You got it, Master!" Shi Long patted his chest in assurance.

Wang Yuan's heart stirred. He didn't refuse. After bidding farewell to his teacher and second senior sister again, he left Panshi Fist Academy with Shi Long.

The two walked quickly, and Shi Long intentionally slowed his pace to match Wang Yuan's.

Seeing Shi Long's large physique, some of the local gang members hid themselves.

However, as they approached the entrance of Bluestone Alley, Wang Yuan heard a commotion and cries coming from the direction of his home.

Interspersed were his father Wang Gui's angry rebukes and his sister Wang Yu's frightened whimpers.

Wang Yuan's expression darkened, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he immediately quickened his pace, rushing over.

Seeing this, Shi Long's bull-like eyes widened, and he strode to catch up.

Outside the dilapidated wooden door of the Wang family's house, five or six ruffians in black short jackets were gathered. They were from the Black Tiger Gang.

The leader was a scoundrel named Song San, who had a rat-like mustache and shifty eyes. He stood with his hands on his hips, spewing insults, "Wang Gui! Don't be ungrateful."

"What good is the money you gave us yesterday?"

"Our boss said, principal and interest, you must come up with five taels of silver today."

"If you can't pay, we'll take this broken house as collateral!"

Wang Gui trembled with anger, shielding his wife and daughter behind him, and said furiously, "What we gave you yesterday was all we had."

"Where would we get another five taels of silver! Are you trying to force our whole family to death!"

The rat-mustached scoundrel Song San's lewd gaze swept over Wang Yu's delicate face, and he chuckled sinisterly, "No silver? That can be arranged too!"

"Let your daughter come with us to the gang and do some light work. It can count as payment..."

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Wang Yu.

Wang Yu's face turned deathly pale with fear, and Madam Zhou cried out, blocking her daughter.

Just then, Wang Yuan's icy voice rang out, "Take your dirty hands off!"

The Black Tiger Gang members froze, turning to see Wang Yuan approaching rapidly.

As requested by the vast majority of readers, the VIP ad-free feature is now available.

Click to view.

The thug, Song San, saw it was him and, far from being afraid, scoffed, "I wondered who it was, turns out it's you, you sickly brat?"

"What, are you looking for another beating now that you're healed?"

"Scram, you have no right to speak here!"

He completely disregarded Wang Yuan, thinking what trouble could a poor kid they almost beat to death cause?

However, no sooner had he finished speaking.

A deep voice, like muffled thunder, exploded behind him:

"Junior Brother, it seems there are some blind flies buzzing around here."

Song San, the thug, was startled by the sudden voice.

He angrily turned around, about to curse whoever dared to meddle in the Black Tiger Gang's business, but as he looked up, he froze.

What met his eyes was a "wall"!

A wall of bronzed, sinewy muscle, like coiled rock, nearly two meters tall.

Shi Long's rough, fleshy face loomed over him, looking down with a half-smile, his eyes like he was looking at an ant.

The intense pressure made the rat-whiskered thug's hair stand on end, and cold sweat instantly drenched his back.

He had been mixing in this outer city for years and had a good eye.

The imposing man before him was definitely someone he couldn't afford to offend!

His legs turned to jelly from fear, and he quickly bowed, forcing a smile that was uglier than crying, his voice changing pitch:

"Th-this esteemed warrior... it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding."

"We... we are from the Black Tiger Gang. Our leader, Zhao Hu, sent us to handle some... some internal matters. We hope the warrior will be magnanimous and not... not interfere..."

"The Black Tiger Gang?"

Shi Long picked at his ear, impatiently interrupting him, his voice like a bell.

"Whether you're the Black Tiger Gang or the White Tiger Gang, all of you can get lost!"

"If you dare to harass my Junior Brother's family again, I'll have your leader come collect your corpses next time!"

Before his voice even fell.

Shi Long casually raised his hand, as large as a palm-leaf fan, and casually slapped a discarded, half-height bluestone table in the alley next to them.

"Bang!"

Everyone present heard a dull thud.

Stone chips flew!

On the surface of the hard bluestone table, a clear, complete palm print, a full inch deep, had appeared.

A martial artist!

And a martial artist of extreme strength!

Thug Song San and his subordinates' eyes widened as they saw the imprint on the stone table. They were terrified out of their wits, their faces turning as pale as paper.

They were used to bullying ordinary citizens, but they had never witnessed such a feat of splitting stone!

"M-Martial artist, please spare us! We're leaving! We're leaving right now."

"We'll never dare to come back!"

Song San, with a tearful voice, scrambled away like a stray dog, dragging his subordinates with him, not even daring to look back.

Silence instantly returned to the Wang family's doorstep.

Wang Gui, Madam Zhou, and Wang Yu watched this sudden turn of events.

Looking at the imposing Shi Long, then at the calm Wang Yuan, they were stunned for a moment, as if dreaming.

The Black Tiger Gang people just left in such disgrace?

Wang Yuan walked up to his family and said softly, "Dad, Mom, Sister, it's alright now."

"This is my Senior Brother from Panshi Fist Academy, Shi Long."

Shi Long retracted his fierce aura and cupped his hands respectfully towards Wang Gui and Madam Zhou, "Uncle, Aunt, it's good to meet you."

"I am Junior Brother's eldest Senior Brother. If you ever need anything, just come to the academy to find me!"

Wang Gui and Madam Zhou finally came back to their senses. Looking at their son, whose demeanor had changed, and at the powerful and friendly Shi Long, they were moved to tears and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

Wang Yuan looked at his family's shaken but relieved expressions and then towards the direction the Black Tiger Gang thugs had fled, his eyes cold.

"A bunch of persistent pests."

Afterward, Shi Long repeatedly declined the invitations of Wang Yuan's parents to stay. He quickly found an excuse and said to Wang Yuan, "Little junior brother, I have some matters at home. I'll be leaving now. Remember to come to the Fist Academy to practice tomorrow morning!"

"Alright, senior brother. Take care. I'll walk you out."

Wang Yuan knew his senior brother was worried about eating them out of house and home. He then went out to see Shi Long off.

It was already late, and Gaoye City was quite dangerous. However, with Shi Long's physique and martial arts cultivation, no one in the vicinity dared to lay a hand on him.