Old Friend

The carriage rumbled, leaving the reeds behind and gradually fading into the distance.

Captain Zhao withdrew his gaze and walked towards the riverbank.

On the riverbank, a man stood with his hands behind his back.

Captain Zhao cupped his fists and bowed.

The man was lean and strong, dressed in a martial arts uniform, with a long saber at his waist. It was Ding Yi, the head of the Qi family's guards.

"Brother Ding, the young master just came by."

Ding Yi said calmly, "Did he notice anything unusual?"

"No," Captain Zhao shook his head, then hesitated, "It's just that the young master is very different from usual. His eyes are sharp, and his steps are steady, not as hollow as before."

Ding Yi said, "He's been practicing martial arts at the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall recently, and that's where he went today."

Captain Zhao was stunned for a moment and subconsciously said, "Brother Ding, no offense, but the young master is practicing martial arts now? This..."

Ding Yi saw his expression and chuckled, "Do you really think the young master is practicing martial arts to go into battle?

It's just for the martial arts examination.

At that time, if the master pulls some strings and he manages to get the title of Martial Scholar, it will be a great benefit to Third Master's household."

The Qi family was intertwined with the government. Whether a descendant had a title or not made a world of difference, affecting the distribution and inheritance of core family assets.

After speaking, Ding Yi added, "Let the young master practice martial arts with peace of mind. Don't tell him anything else, lest you scare him and he loses this hard-won drive. This... is also the master's intention."

Captain Zhao nodded in understanding, his gaze shifting towards the direction of the dirt and stone figures. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. "The death of Wolf Bro isn't actually hard to investigate.

In the territories where he usually collected protection money, whoever suddenly became stronger or richer would likely be the killer.

It would be nothing more than sneaking in at midnight, settling it with a single knife, and then dumping the body in the reeds.

But... to have someone fished out and then posed like that... it's definitely not the work of the same person."

Ding Yi squinted at the murky river surface. "Of course, it's not the same person.

It's those ghosts, but we'll just wait for those ghosts to take the bait.

Now, the Third Branch is all watching this situation. Hurry up and act, don't let anyone get ahead of us."

When Qi Yu stepped into the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall, the courtyard was bustling.

On the corridors surrounding the training grounds, rows of rosewood chairs were set up, with six or seven elegantly dressed men and women seated on them.

The men wore brocade long robes, while the women wore jeweled skirts and ornate hairpins.

In the courtyard, sounds of "whoosh and bang" could be heard as several disciples of the martial hall took turns demonstrating their skills.

The martial hall's master, Song Qinghong, stood with his hands behind his back, watching the disciples sternly, lest his reputation be tarnished.

Practicing martial arts cost money.

But not everyone had money.

Therefore, many disciples, after achieving some level of proficiency, had to register externally to earn money to support themselves.

Today's martial arts demonstration was an opportunity for the martial hall to connect its disciples with the outside world.

These men and women came from various backgrounds: restaurants, escort agencies, gangs, and families...

As Qi Yu walked into the corridor, several gazes fell upon him.

Among them, a young man's eyes suddenly lit up, and he waved at Qi Yu repeatedly.

This young man was unkempt, his clothes loose, his buttons half undone, and his messy hair casually falling around him, completely out of place among the richly dressed onlookers.

Yet, he occupied a prime seat, clearly indicating an extraordinary status.

Qi Yu also recognized the young man.

He smiled and walked over, whispering, "You..."

The young man also smiled, "You..."

Their eyes met, and it was clear they were both curious and amused by each other's presence there.

Qi Yu said, "I'm here to learn martial arts."

The young man smiled, "Really?"

Qi Yu punched him lightly. "Of course, it's real."

The young man sighed, "It seems you're also being forced to do this..."

He said, then let out a long sigh, leaned back, and rested his hands behind his head. "My family needs to recruit people. I heard the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall was holding a disciple demonstration for outsiders today, so I came to take a look."

He then rolled his eyes. "Hurry up and finish. I still want to go back to the gambling house for a few rounds."

Suddenly, he leaned closer to Qi Yu and lowered his voice with a mischievous grin, "By the way, did you manage to win over that young lady from the Umbrella Sect after donating your mansion?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he lightly patted his own mouth as if mocking himself. "Sigh, look at my memory! You're already at the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall, so you must be here for Miss Song, right? Serves me right, serves me right!"

The two chatted and laughed as if no one else was around. Although people around them glanced over, no one interrupted.

Considering the Buddha's face for the monk's sake, if I offend these two spoiled brats, won't that bring me bad luck?

This young man's name is Wang Yuan. Although he is a child born to a concubine, he is the son of the Wang Family's patriarch.

The Wang Family has considerable influence, and their "Golden Hook Quarter" is the premier pleasure district in Mount Wei City.

Rumor has it: If you have money and don't know where to spend it, the Golden Hook Quarter is the place to be free and easy.

Wang Yuan is addicted to gambling, yet his gambling skills are abysmal. However, his sportsmanship is excellent; no matter how much he loses, his expression remains unchanged. He is the very picture of a money-dispenser, and is extremely popular among the spoiled brats.

In his early years, Wang Yuan and Qi Yu were so close they were practically inseparable, living a life of debauchery.

Later, the Qi and Wang families fell out over business interests, and their interactions gradually decreased, but their old friendship remained. Now that they've met again, they are as familiar as ever.

They chatted idly, their gazes occasionally sweeping over the martial arts disciples training vigorously in the courtyard.

In the courtyard, after several disciples withdrew, Song Qinghong's gaze fell upon the last young disciple. He said gravely, "Chu Xiao, don't be nervous. Practice today just as you normally do."

The young man walked out steadily, cupping his fists and bowing to everyone on the veranda.

He was dressed in a blue, short-sleeved martial arts uniform, his sleeves tightly bound. His slightly sallow complexion had become ruddy.

Song Qinghong introduced, "This is my disciple, Chu Xiao.

He broke through to Ninth Rank in three days, and now, in less than half a month, he has reached the threshold of Eighth Rank. Breakthrough is just around the corner.

These past few days, he has been practicing martial arts right under my nose. I value him greatly.

Everyone... please take care of him."

Qi Yu's pupils constricted slightly.

Interesting.

Uncle Song specifically emphasized "practicing martial arts right under my nose." Was this...

If he hadn't seen the bodies in the reed marsh earlier, he wouldn't have thought twice.

But now, his mind was racing.

That "Wolf Bro" looked like a thug from the outer city, likely someone who had committed many evils and was dealt with under the cover of night. If this Chu Xiao happened to be the victim... then his suspicion would be great.

But Uncle Song's words directly shielded him from potential suspicion.

He truly valued him.

He glanced at Chu Xiao.

Chu Xiao's body tensed, unsure if he had sensed the deeper meaning in his master's words or if he was nervous about the upcoming martial exhibition.

The last time he saw him, his head data was "8~8," but now it had changed to "9~16."

The "9" indicated that his training methods had already reached perfection. He was indeed a genius.

"Esteemed seniors, Chu Xiao will now demonstrate."

As his voice fell, the young man moved.

His fists cut through the air, unleashing the Spirit Serpent Battle Art. Chu Xiao moved like a slithering snake, swift and graceful, each move sharp and precise.

Suddenly, he darted into a nearby wooden stake formation. His footwork became even more nimble, his hands swirling like the wind, his fingertips striking the iron-clad wooden stakes, producing crisp "duo duo" sounds, like spear tips piercing armor. The force was astonishing.

After completing the set, Chu Xiao stopped, his expression unchanged, only exhaling a breath of stale air.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

A woman was the first to speak, "Our Qian Family is willing to offer a monthly stipend of four thousand, and upon his breakthrough to Eighth Rank, we will increase it to ten thousand. He only needs to visit Pin Hai Restaurant every few days to oversee things. If there are additional tasks, we will provide separate compensation."

The speaker was a woman in her early thirties, wearing a cotton jacket, a leather belt at her waist, and tightly bound cuffs. Her hair was pulled back in a high bun. Her eyes were unadorned, her hands clasped in front of her, and her posture was straight, indicating she was a capable person who had managed affairs for a long time.

A monthly stipend of four thousand for Ninth Rank and ten thousand for Eighth Rank, just to oversee a place, was an extremely generous offer.

More importantly, this was an olive branch, expressing the Qian Family's regard for this young man.

"Pin Hai Restaurant..."

Joy appeared in Chu Xiao's eyes.

He knew this restaurant.

He had seen it from afar.

But he had never dared to approach it.

Only high officials and noble lords frequented that place.

The others nearby, who had been about to speak, fell silent upon hearing the Qian Family's high offer.

Just then, Wang Yuan suddenly raised his hand and said, "I, the Wang Family, will offer double."

He then looked leisurely at the sky and casually added, "You just keep bidding, and I'll offer double."

The Qian Family woman was stunned for a moment. She glanced at the nonchalant Wang Yuan and fell silent.

Wang Yuan laughed heartily, looking at the young man standing in the distance, and said with a smile, "You don't need to do any serious work. Consider it making a friend. However... you'll occasionally need to show your face at my manor and hang around me, so my old man knows that I, Wang Yuan, am also recruiting talent for the family.

Chu Xiao unconsciously clenched his fists.

These days, he also understood his own talent and future.

Pin Hai Restaurant was the proper destination, while this Wang Family dandy... either saw him as a plaything to show off, or intended to drag him into some kind of trouble.

What did such a dandy take him for?!

He, a dignified genius with a bright future, how could he associate with these scumbags whose futures were bleak?

Naturally, he was unwilling!

The air quieted down.

Song Qinghong sensed his disciple's thoughts, but he was also somewhat troubled.

If he were to refuse outright, the matter would be simple. But doing so would mean his disciple would offend someone before even finishing his apprenticeship.

If there were another way, this... ultimately wasn't a good course of action.

And just then, another voice came from the courtyard.

"I'll also offer double."

Wang Yuan was stunned. He turned his head and looked in the direction of the voice, only to see Qi Yu beside him.

"Brother Qi, what is this..."

"Brother Wang, Junior Brother Chu has a pure and kind nature. Following you to the gambling house, I fear he won't learn anything good. Wouldn't it be better to let him find honest work at Pin Hai Restaurant?"

Wang Yuan laughed, "Brother Qi's request is a small matter. I was just putting on a show at the old man's insistence. However... you'll have to treat me to drinks another day, alright?"

"It's a deal."

This matter was settled.

Song Qinghong also let out a long sigh of relief, then invited everyone inside for a detailed discussion.