Provocation!

"Yes."

The disciples departed.

Pan Mingzhong cast Zhang Lingshan a complicated look.

"Have they gone far enough?" Hong Zhengdao asked.

"They have."

"Close the door."

Once the room door was tightly shut, Hong Zhengdao had Zhang Lingshan sit before him and asked, "I heard Hongying Martial Hall approached you. Not everyone gets such treatment. Why did you refuse them?"

Zhang Lingshan could not help feeling surprised. He had not expected Hong Zhengdao to know even this. Clearly, though the man never left home, he had his own channels for news.

No wonder he had said Zhao Qing had already found himself a way out.

But since he knew everything, why had he still suggested that Zhao Qing marry Hong Wenjuan? Was it a test, or...

His mind raced. Zhang Lingshan said, "Hongying Martial Hall was not sincere enough. If Zhao Hongying herself had invited me, I might really have gone."

Hong Zhengdao froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha, you kid, you're interesting. The first time I met you, I felt we were kindred spirits. Sure enough, you suit my stomach. How does the Blood Claw Hand feel? How many days will it take you to reach Entry Level?"

"If I have Demon Beast meat like today's, I think I can reach Entry Level smoothly before long," Zhang Lingshan said.

Hong Zhengdao gave him a deep look. "You even know about Demon Beast meat. It seems you have gone through some things at Feng Family Pharmacy. But you are mistaken. What you ate here was not Demon Beast meat."

"Then what was it?" Zhang Lingshan blurted out.

Hong Zhengdao shook his head. "With your current strength, you cannot eat much of it. Knowing too much will not benefit you either. But if you think that meat is useful, I can provide you with one meal every two days."

"Thank you, Master."

"No need to thank me yet. Just like when I had you move into Hongwu Street, I have requirements for you as well. Reach Entry Level in the Blood Claw Hand before the Lantern Festival. Can you do it?"

"I can!"

"Very good. Once you reach Entry Level, I will have Xiao Ming serve as your sparring partner. Strive to enter Flesh Refining directly by the end of the first month. With your talent, as long as you work hard, it should not be a problem."

"Yes, Master."

Zhang Lingshan was delighted. It seemed that after senior disciple Zhao Qing left, Hong Master intended to elevate him, sparing no effort in helping him and hoping he could spur his horse onward and overtake those ahead.

Naturally, this was a good thing for him.

But it would also make him a target for all.

The tree that rises above the forest is sure to be toppled by the wind.

"Xiao Shan."

Hong Zhengdao's expression suddenly turned solemn. In a low voice, he said, "Pan Mingzhong is petty and extremely jealous. You must be careful around him."

Zhang Lingshan was taken aback.

Extremely jealous?

Looking into Hong Zhengdao's profound eyes, he found that he could not see through what this burly old man with thick brows and large eyes was thinking at all.

But one thing was certain: Hong Zhengdao's warning to guard against Pan Mingzhong could not possibly be because of mere jealousy.

"Yes, Master. I will be careful."

Zhang Lingshan agreed without dwelling too much on Hong Zhengdao's intentions.

He only knew that once his strength rose, he would naturally learn what he needed to know. Rather than waste time speculating, he might as well seize the time to cultivate.

"Enough. It is late, so go home and rest. There are Silver Notes in the desk drawer. Take one. Buy some New Year goods for your family and get yourself a decent set of clothes. You are now an Inner Disciple under me. You cannot be as shabby as before."

"Yes."

Zhang Lingshan opened the drawer and saw a thick stack of hundred-tael Silver Notes inside. He was startled by Hong Zhengdao's wealth, then obediently took one before taking his leave and closing the door.

What he did not know was this.

Not long after he left, Hong Zhengdao quietly sat up from the bed, crossed his legs, held his breath, and remained perfectly still.

Silently, his clothes became drenched in sweat. Then heat rose from his body and baked them dry, only for them to be soaked through again.

This repeated dozens of times.

Suddenly, a faint sound rang out.

If someone listened carefully, they would discover that the sound came from Hong Zhengdao's crippled right hand, wrapped in white cloth.

His right index finger had moved slightly.

"Huu—!"

Hong Zhengdao let out a long breath, as though he had accomplished something extraordinary. His gaze was profound, then he silently closed his eyes again and began another round of cultivation.

On this side, Zhang Lingshan returned home and opened the Panel.

Name: Zhang Lingshan

Martial Arts: Blood Claw Hand (Not Yet Entry Level +), Gale Wind Leg (Entry Level), Wind Stabilizing Posture (Entry Level), Mountain Splitting Axe Technique (Entry Level), Red Thread Fist (Minor Accomplishment), Primal Chaos Righteous Yang Posture (Perfection)

Energy: 26

With a thought.

The "Not Yet Entry Level" after Blood Claw Hand immediately flickered and changed into "Entry Level."

At that instant, an inexplicable palpitation surged from his chest.

Zhang Lingshan felt his heart pound wildly, as if it were about to leap out of his chest, while streaks of blood rapidly spread outward from his heart.

They passed through his shoulders, reached his upper arms and elbows, then entered his forearms and the backs of his hands, finally settling at the tips of all ten fingers.

"Hiss!"

A piercing pain struck him. Ten fingers connected to the heart, and Zhang Lingshan could not help sucking in a sharp breath.

Then the bloodlines swiftly withdrew back into his heart. A warm current began flowing from it, spreading through Zhang Lingshan's limbs and bones.

As the warm current circulated, Zhang Lingshan discovered that his skin had begun to swell, as though something were growing beneath it.

He rubbed his skin with his hand.

Sure enough, fresh skin had grown out, while the outer layer turned into grime that he easily rubbed onto the floor.

"So this is Copper Hide."

Zhang Lingshan had a sudden realization. He drew a small knife across his skin, only to find that not the slightest mark remained on his arm.

He clenched both fists and sensed his strength. The increase was not great, perhaps less than a hundred pounds.

That was because his strength had already far surpassed others at the same level, so he did not think much of it. But if anyone else knew, their eyes would surely turn green with envy.

Gaining a hundred pounds of strength so casually—was that even human?

Zhang Lingshan did not think that far. Satisfied, he went to sleep.

The next day.

Early in the morning, he hurried to Hong Clan Martial Hall and found Senior Brother Xu Liang.

Xu Liang said he would be staying at Hong Clan Martial Hall from then on, so Zhang Lingshan naturally did not stand on ceremony. It was the perfect chance to practice combat techniques with him.

Interestingly enough, Pan Mingzhong had the same idea as he did and had also latched onto Xu Liang.

Thus, the three of them took turns fighting.

As they exchanged blows, Zhang Lingshan gained a great deal of combat experience. The martial arts he had learned gradually fused into one whole, and his strength rose steadily and methodically.

That day.

After Zhang Lingshan finished training at the martial hall and returned home, he discovered there was another person in the house.

It was a handsome young man.

He looked somewhat familiar, yet somewhat unfamiliar.

"Xiao Feng?"

Zhang Lingshan was stunned.

Wasn't his younger brother working as a bookboy for the Jiang Family in the Inner City? Why had he returned? Was the Jiang Family so generous that they even gave him a New Year holiday?

"Brother?"

Zhang Lingfeng was also stunned.

Was this burly man before him really his own older brother?

They had not seen each other for barely over a year, yet his brother had become so strong. It was simply unbelievable.

"How did you get back? Did the Jiang Family let you return and tell you that you never need to go back?" Zhang Lingshan asked curiously.

His younger brother said, "No. Young Master Jiang Shaobai saw that I missed home and specially allowed me to return for the New Year. The Jiang Family is going to the Ancestral Hall to worship their ancestors and hold their annual examination anyway, and I have nothing to do with that, so I came back."

"It's good that you're back. So good that you're back."

Zhang Mother looked deeply gratified, then sighed. "It's a pity your father isn't here. Otherwise, our whole family would be reunited. After all these years, this year has counted as our greatest harvest year."

Everyone was filled with emotion.

The family chatted as they ate dinner.

Zhang Lingshan said, "By the way, I asked Hong Master and received his permission. I can pass on the fist techniques of Hong Clan Martial Hall to you as well. Do you want to learn?"

"I do, I do!" Zhang Lingyu cried excitedly.

But Zhang Lingfeng shook his head. "I won't learn. Learning martial arts is useless. Those martial artists of the Jiang Family get beaten black and blue every day. They're too pitiful."

"That isn't fighting. They are probably serving as sparring partners for the Jiang Family's young masters. It is an everyday occurrence. If you practice martial arts without practicing combat techniques, you are just putting on a false show," Zhang Lingshan explained.

Zhang Lingfeng still shook his head. "No matter what, it doesn't suit me. I'm better suited to accompanying young master while he writes, reciting poetry and prose, and reading Buddhist Scriptures."

Zhang Lingshan had no reply.

When words did not agree, even half a sentence was too much.

Still, Zhang Lingfeng's body was indeed rather thin and weak, not even as sturdy as Zhang Lingshan's own body had once been. He also had a gentle disposition. If he did not want to learn, then so be it.

"How about this? Mother and Xiao Feng, I'll teach you Stance Skills. No fighting or killing, just strengthening the body and keeping fit. Xiao Yu is deeply interested, so she can practice fist techniques with me."

"We'll listen to you," Zhang Mother said with a smile.

After dinner.

Zhang Lingshan pulled Zhang Lingfeng into a room, lit an Oil Lamp, and said, "How many characters do you know as a bookboy?"

"I know every character."

"You're that impressive?"

Excitement rose in Zhang Lingshan's heart. He immediately said, "Then teach me from the beginning."

"Alright." Zhang Lingfeng agreed without hesitation.

Having served as a bookboy in the Jiang Family for so long, he considered literacy a basic skill that everyone ought to possess. Since his older brother wanted to learn, he would naturally teach him without holding anything back.

Thus, over the following days, aside from going to Hong Clan Martial Hall to eat and spar, Zhang Lingshan spent all his remaining time learning to read from his younger brother.

He had already felt that the characters of this world closely resembled the traditional Chinese characters from his previous life, except their forms and strokes were twisted and crooked in ways that made them hard to look at.

But after Zhang Lingfeng taught him, he quickly memorized the corresponding characters one by one.

Gradually.

He could recognize fifty to sixty percent of the characters in the booklet he had obtained from Fang Qiuyue.

The reason he did not let his younger brother see it was that he feared the things recorded in the booklet were inauspicious. If he dragged his younger brother into it, that would be trouble.

So he could only continue learning characters until he recognized them all.

"They're setting off firecrackers!"

In the courtyard, Zhang Lingyu suddenly cheered.

Fireworks from the Inner City soared high into the sky and burst apart in all directions, dazzling and brilliant.

Crackle, crackle.

The sounds of firecrackers rose from household after household all around.

New Year's Eve ended amid such revelry.

It was as if the Evil Spirits had also been frightened away by the firecrackers. Jin City crossed New Year's Eve in seeming peace and welcomed the coming of the new year.

"Mountain Senior Apprentice Brother, something happened."

The next day, while Zhang Lingshan was still resting, he heard a disciple shouting outside the courtyard.

When he opened the courtyard gate, he found it was a junior Stance Skill disciple who had nowhere to go and was spending the New Year at Hong Clan Martial Hall.

"What happened?" Zhang Lingshan asked.

The junior brother said, "This morning, when I opened the door to clean up, I saw Senior Brother Shi Lei stripped naked and hung at the entrance of the martial hall. It said: repay your debts. If he does not repay within three days, they will break his hands and feet next time. Senior Brother Xu Liang saw it too and sent me to notify you to go see Hong Master."

"Alright. Do you know who did it?"

"I don't."

Zhang Lingshan did not ask further. He knew this disciple had only limited knowledge, so he changed clothes and immediately headed for Hong Zhengdao's place.

At this time.

The senior brothers had all gathered together. When they saw Zhang Lingshan arrive, they each greeted him.

The only senior sister, Hong Wenjuan, was there as well.

Only then did Zhang Lingshan get a proper look at his senior sister. She was a woman with heroic spirit between her brows. Aside from having a somewhat broad frame, she had no shortcomings.

"Alright, everyone is here. Let's discuss it. They have already struck at our doorstep. How do you think we should handle this?"

Hong Zhengdao asked unhurriedly, showing no emotion.

The dark-skinned man Wu Yuanqing shouted, "There's nothing to discuss. Since they came to fight, we answer them! Whoever hung Shi Lei up, I'll hang him up too!"

"Then tell me, who should you hang up?" Hong Zhengdao asked.

Wu Yuanqing froze, stammering and unable to answer.

Hong Zhengdao snorted. "Reckless! You know nothing, yet you shout here like a madman. Xu Liang, tell us what happened."

"Yes. As far as I know, Junior Brother Shi Lei likes gambling."

"Although he has not gone to Three Rivers Gambling House recently, he still has not repaid the money he owes there. They have an IOU bearing his own fingerprint, and it remains in the hands of Three Rivers Gambling House."

"This time, the Gambling House Master of Three Rivers Gambling House personally went to his home, knocked him down, and tied him up."

"The Gambling House Master is named Chen Hui. He is at the peak of Copper Hide and has recently risen to fame. He is a renowned genius of the Great River Gang. This time, he has come on behalf of the Great River Gang to stir up trouble for us."

Xu Liang laid out the results of his investigation one by one.

He had investigated everything so thoroughly in such a short time that Zhang Lingshan could not help admiring him. He secretly wondered whether Xu Liang had been the one who investigated Hongying Martial Hall's attempt to recruit him, which Hong Zhengdao had known about earlier.

"Since we already know who it is, then hit him!" Wu Yuanqing shouted excitedly, about to rush out the door.

"Get back!"

Hong Zhengdao scolded, "You are in Flesh Refining, yet you want to bully someone in Skin Grinding. Wouldn't that tarnish the reputation of Hong Clan Martial Hall if word got out?"

"Then what should we do?" Wu Yuanqing scratched his head.

Hong Zhengdao could not be bothered with him and turned to Zhang Lingshan and Pan Mingzhong. "Since the other side has sent someone at the Skin Grinding Realm, then naturally it will be you two facing them. Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!"

Pan Mingzhong immediately shouted, with Zhang Lingshan following right after.

Hong Zhengdao nodded. "Very good. That's the Momentum I want. Now, you two discuss it and see who will go out."

Pan Mingzhong glanced at Zhang Lingshan.

Zhang Lingshan made a gesture of invitation. "You're the Senior Brother. You go first."

Pan Mingzhong coughed and declared in a ringing voice:

"That little Chen Hui is nothing more than a dog raised by the Great River Gang. He doesn't count as any sort of character at all.

"Originally, as the Fifth Senior Brother, I should have stepped forward without yielding the honor to anyone. But yesterday, on New Year's Eve, I was so happy that I drank too much and even upset my stomach, leaving me truly drained of energy.

"So this fine opportunity to show oneself can only be handed over to Junior Brother Shan."

He spoke with righteous solemnity.

Everyone: "..."