"Brother Zhuang, the scene from a few months ago, when you came to me to register as a Formal Martial Artist and advance to One-Striped Servant, still feels vivid before my eyes. Yet in the blink of an eye, you've actually broken through to the Third Meridian, just like me!" Chang Hetong exclaimed.
Today, Chang Hetong's attitude toward Zhuang Jin was different again. It showed even in how he addressed him: "Little Brother Zhuang" had become "Brother Zhuang." Clearly, the lofty mentality of an elder facing a junior had become one of equals associating as peers.
Afterward, he presented five taels of silver as a congratulatory gift. It was quite generous, though it was more of an investment.
Almost immediately after, Ping Yongfeng also arrived. He seemed somewhat awkward before Zhuang Jin and opened his mouth. "Zhuang..."
Among Martial Artists, strength came first, and seniority was determined by strength. In the Shen Family Outer Courtyard, it was common to see elderly Martial Artists take the initiative to greet younger ones.
If one considered only that month when Ping Yongfeng had taught Zhuang Jin Stance Training as a Martial Student, their teacher-student relationship was not really that of "master and disciple," but more like that of an instructor and apprentice.
Ping Yongfeng naturally acted somewhat lower before other Third Meridian Warriors, but Zhuang Jin... Zhuang Jin had advanced too quickly, so quickly that Ping Yongfeng could not immediately adjust his mindset.
"Master Ping, you once treated me as though I were your own nephew. You deserve to be called Master. Just as before, call me Jinzi."
Seeing Ping Yongfeng's reaction, Zhuang Jin immediately understood. He promptly set the tone for how they would interact as before, helping the other man out of the awkwardness.
In his heart, Ping Yongfeng truly was