Senior Disciple Brother Saves the Day

Song Hezheng rushed over with a group of disciples.

Every one of them was a core disciple at the Body Tempering Second Layer, looking ready to throw down at any moment.

Wang Yu was mixed in with the group and immediately spotted the people from the other two martial halls.

There was nothing much to say about Jifeng Hall. They had been at odds with Shadowless Fist Gym for some time now.

Friction between their disciples had never ceased, and after Sun Chengshan secured the mining rights to the vein, it had only grown more intense by the day.

As for Feiyingmen Hall, Wang Yu knew it was likewise an old-established martial hall in Island Town.

They had not had any particular grudge against Shadowless Fist Gym before, but they had been no friendlier toward the newly founded gym. They regarded Sun Chengshan as an outsider and carried more than a little exclusionary sentiment.

Today, they had even come together with Jifeng Hall to suppress them, making their stance clear.

The reason was not difficult to guess. It was nothing more than jealousy over the enormous value of the mineral vein.

Naturally, Jifeng Hall had also egged them on, stirring up the conflict.

"Song Hezheng, since you're here too, let me experience your Shadowless Fist. If you're still at that fellow's level, then you'll truly disappoint me."

When Zhang Yucheng saw Song Hezheng arrive, he immediately called out loudly, without the slightest politeness in his words.

He nearly angered the already injured Ji Fei into coughing up another mouthful of blood.

"That bastard!" Ji Fei, who had always considered himself exceptionally gifted, looked livid. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

Song Hezheng quickly learned the whole story from the other disciples and immediately said to Sun Chengshan, "Master, let me handle this."

"Mm. Be careful in all things," Sun Chengshan said with a nod and a quiet reminder.

He knew this battle between the public faces of their martial halls was unavoidable. He also hoped Song Hezheng could win back a round for them and vent the gym's anger.

"Yes." Song Hezheng remained calm as he quickly stepped forward.

Wei Yiming smiled and knowingly retreated, yielding the arena to Zhang Yucheng.

"Shadowless Fist, Song Hezheng. Body Tempering Third Layer."

"Flying Eagle Fist, Zhang Yucheng. Body Tempering Third Layer."

Compared with the previous match between Ji Fei and Wei Yiming, the two of them were much more formal this time.

As the Senior Disciple Brothers of their respective martial halls, this was the true battle for the halls' honor.

Neither had anything more to say. After announcing their names, they began to fight.

Song Hezheng had been among the earliest disciples to join Sun Chengshan, even predating Sun Chengshan's founding of Shadowless Fist Gym. His Shadowless Fist flowed in smooth, effortless circles, and his mastery far surpassed that of the later-arriving Ji Fei.

He was now only one final opportunity away from breaking through to the fourth level of the fist art. In terms of combat power, he was stronger than Ji Fei.

Even Wei Yiming's originally disdainful expression changed as he watched, turning grave.

He could defeat Ji Fei, but he did not believe he would necessarily be Song Hezheng's match.

Zhang Yucheng's Flying Eagle Fist was likewise known for its speed, but its fist forms carried a domineering force that descended from above.

Several claw techniques were mixed into his punches, making them impossible to guard against.

Zhang Yucheng was very strong!

Yet Song Hezheng, who was usually mild and amiable, proved unexpectedly powerful as well.

Layer upon layer of fist shadows spread across a vast area, pressing forward openly and uprightly, gradually suppressing Zhang Yucheng's fierce offensive.

Experts watched the techniques, and everyone present was a martial artist of some ability. Naturally, they could see the situation in the arena.

Zhang Yucheng was at a disadvantage!

The smile on Gu Hongming's face vanished along with the changes in the arena.

Sun Chengshan, on the other hand, revealed a satisfied expression.

Ji Fei was shaken as well.

Song Hezheng rarely went all out against others in daily life, so Ji Fei had actually been somewhat unconvinced by this Senior Disciple Brother of his.

They were both at the third level of Body Tempering, and he had believed he might not necessarily be weaker than Song Hezheng.

Only at this moment did he see the gap between them.

Not only were there always greater people beyond people and higher mountains beyond mountains, but even Song Hezheng, whom he saw day and night, had never been seen through by his own lofty eyes.

"I never expected Senior Disciple Brother to be this strong. Usually, he never shows the mountain or reveals the water."

"Senior Disciple Brother is mighty! That was so satisfying!"

"Let's see who still dares look down on Shadowless Fist Gym!"

The disciples loudly cheered for Song Hezheng. Those who had originally been guarding the mineral vein felt especially satisfied.

Looking back at the disciples of Jifeng Hall and Feiyingmen Hall, they were already holding their tongues.

Zhang Yucheng roared hoarsely, veins bulging at his temples as he drew upon all his strength in an attempt to turn defeat into victory.

But that very impatience was seized upon by Song Hezheng. He anticipated Zhang Yucheng's attack patterns, evaded, and countered in one seamless motion.

Several punches knocked Zhang Yucheng to the ground. Before Zhang Yucheng could struggle back to his feet, Song Hezheng's fist was already pressed against his forehead.

The victor had been decided, and the difference between them was plain to see!

"You let me win." Song Hezheng's expression remained calm as he withdrew his fist and stepped back, carrying himself with remarkable bearing.

Zhang Yucheng lay on the ground in a daze for a moment, seemingly unable to accept the result of his defeat.

"He Zheng, well done." Sun Chengshan praised him, his mood improving greatly.

Song Hezheng returned to Sun Chengshan's side and nodded. Then he suddenly said, "Master, during the match just now, my fist art seemed to have made a breakthrough. After returning, I'll need to enter seclusion for a few days. There are still some points I do not understand and will need Master's guidance."

At that, Sun Chengshan showed a hint of delight. "Could it be that the bottleneck at the third level of your fist art has loosened?"

"Yes." Song Hezheng also looked somewhat pleased.

After so long, he had finally pried loose this bottleneck.

That meant he had a chance to advance his fist art further. It was something he had dreamed of and yearned for over a long time.

"You've raised quite a good disciple." Gu Hongming's mouth twitched slightly. He apparently had not expected his own eldest disciple to lose.

"Are you satisfied now, Master Gu?" Sun Chengshan looked at Gu Hongming's group with a faint, mocking smile.

"Hmph, let's go." Gu Hongming snorted. "Master Sun, I look forward to tomorrow's contest."

With that, he flicked his sleeve, turned, and led his disciples away.

He Xuyang followed close behind.

No greater conflict broke out, and the matter ended just like that.

"Zhang Yi, take Ji Fei to the Medical Hall. The treatment costs can be reimbursed by the gym when you return."

After saying that, Sun Chengshan had Song Hezheng take part of the disciples back as well.

Song Hezheng was eager to practice his fists and break through, having long been unable to wait. He immediately agreed and led the disciples back in high spirits.

"Master Sun, how are things?" Meng Lao Er walked over at this point, asking with a worried expression.

He wore only a sleeveless shirt and shorts. Over the past two months, he had not been able to sit idle either and had joined the mining work.

He was mainly responsible for managing and urging along the hired mining crews, though he sometimes personally pitched in as well.

Seeing the two martial halls arrive so aggressively had naturally frightened him. Fortunately, Sun Chengshan had sent them away in the end.

"It's fine, Old Meng. With me here, what are you afraid of?" Sun Chengshan said with a light laugh, calm as drifting clouds and gentle winds.

After a few words of reassurance, Meng Lao Er finally returned to the mining site at ease.

Seeing this, Wang Yu stepped forward and approached Sun Chengshan alone.

"Master, I always feel things aren't that simple."

The smile on Sun Chengshan's face faded, and he turned serious. "They've been colluding with each other. They clearly came today with plans already laid out. Those two old bastards, hmph, of course it can't be that simple.

"They've likely set their sights on our mineral vein too. If not for that concern, I would have made a move just now. Why would I indulge them?"

Sun Chengshan had traveled far and wide in his early years, and he possessed both scheming instincts and sharp eyes.

It was not difficult for him to see through the other side's intentions.

"They came at this juncture because they've calculated that the ore in our warehouse has already piled up sufficiently. I'm afraid that after Gu Hongming ties me down tomorrow under the pretext of challenging the gym, another group will rush straight for the ore warehouse here!"

Wang Yu nodded. It seemed there was no need for him to say much at all; Sun Chengshan understood perfectly well.

Earlier, he had observed several of their core disciples. Their gazes would occasionally drift toward the warehouse behind them.

Even when cheering for Zhang Yucheng and Wei Yiming to bolster their morale, they had not put in much effort. It was clear their true aim was not the matches.

Or perhaps the matches were merely a test of Shadowless Fist Gym's overall strength. Though Song Hezheng's performance had exceeded their expectations, it ultimately would not affect their arrangements.

"Since Master understands, there is no need for this disciple to say more. I imagine Master has already made plans." Wang Yu said calmly.

"Xiao Yu, your observations are meticulous, and your mind is sharp." Sun Chengshan nodded, praising him.

"All right, you needn't concern yourself with this matter. Practice your fists well at the gym. Once this first batch of ore is sold, you'll receive your first dividend. You can buy some items to assist your body tempering cultivation and speed up your progress.

"When it comes to cultivation, once you have money, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort. You'll understand when the time comes."

At the end, Sun Chengshan did not forget to offer Wang Yu a few pointers.

Wang Yu smiled and replied, "Then I also wish Master that once you have money, you'll soon achieve great mastery in your fist art and rise to an even higher level in cultivation."

"You brat."