Dragon-Roaming Sword

In this age when everyone practiced martial arts, martial arts halls and martial arts clubs were everywhere.

Gao Wu had never heard of Tielong Martial Arts Hall, but he could tell that Tie Ying's muscles were tough and well-built. She was probably an Advanced Martial Artist.

Since she was being so welcoming, he might as well show his support, have a meal with her, and hear what good news she had. After all, he liked helping others. It definitely was not because he wanted to take advantage of a free meal.

Tie Ying was delighted to see Gao Wu nod in agreement. She liked his open and straightforward nature. Besides, with his thick brows, big eyes, sharply defined features, and tall, lean frame, Gao Wu was truly handsome.

After leaving the Tianwu Association, Tie Ying found a rather upscale restaurant nearby. She often came to the Tianwu Association and was quite familiar with the surrounding area.

They found seats by the window. Tie Ying familiarly called over a server to order, then politely handed the menu to Gao Wu and invited him to choose.

Gao Wu waved it away. It was one thing to mooch a meal; ordering dishes too would be a little shameless.

"Braised Black-Horn Lamb Chops, Steamed Blue-Eye Flying Fish, Boiled White-Scale Ice Shrimp, two servings of White-Crested Chicken Soup..."

Tie Ying ordered four dishes and a soup, all high-end dishes made from Strange Beast ingredients. They would probably cost two or three thousand. Gao Wu said somewhat embarrassedly, "Sister Ying, this is too extravagant."

"Hey, being able to meet a little brother like you today is a great stroke of fate. That deserves celebration. And we both passed the Advanced Martial Artist assessment—that deserves even more celebration."

Tie Ying made a sweeping gesture, full of boldness. Gao Wu smiled. "Sister Ying, your generous hospitality leaves me truly flattered."

Gao Wu was only being polite. He had been mooching meals off Song Mingyue every night lately, and he had been eating extremely well. Compared to that, the dishes Tie Ying ordered were really nothing special.

He still had several tens of thousands on him. If they truly could not reach an agreement, he could always pay for his own share.

"It's just a little money. Nothing worth mentioning." Tie Ying bared her teeth in a hearty, enthusiastic grin.

She had a pancake-shaped face, narrow eyes, and a large mouth. Her appearance could be called ugly. Her body was sturdy and muscular, yet she wore a bright red sweater, making her look both tacky and gaudy. Her voice was high and rough as well, drawing plenty of attention.

Quite a few diners looked at Tie Ying, then at the dashing Gao Wu, and all wore looks of sudden understanding. Someone even muttered, "This kid is young, but he already knows the benefits of rich older women!"

Gao Wu's spiritual power had soared recently, and his senses had become much sharper. He could now hear whispers from over ten meters away.

He could not be bothered to argue. It could only be said that the benevolent saw benevolence, while the lewd saw lewdness. That was all.

"Sister Ying, what exactly is this good thing you mentioned?" Gao Wu turned to the main subject.

"You don't have a master yet, and you haven't joined a martial arts hall, right?" Tie Ying asked.

Gao Wu replied, "I learned martial arts from my family elder. I've never joined a martial arts hall."

"Then that's perfect."

Tie Ying was overjoyed. "My brother Tie Dalong is the head of a martial arts hall. As long as you take my brother as your master, we can provide all the resources you need for martial arts cultivation."

After a pause, she added proudly, "My brother is a Warrior. His family's Dragon-Roaming Sword and palm techniques are known as twin peerless arts!"

"Sister Ying, forgive my bluntness, but what treatment can I get?"

Gao Wu had no interest in taking a master. They wanted him as a disciple for no other reason than because they had their eyes on his status as an eighteen-year-old Advanced Martial Artist, hoping to use him to adorn the martial arts hall's signboard.

As for twin peerless sword and palm arts, it was fine to just listen and leave it at that.

This was not ancient society, where a father passing down one or two secret techniques to his son could form a whole school.

Modern martial arts had developed for a century. Advanced martial arts knowledge was controlled by the major organizations of The Alliance.

How could an individual's talent and ability compare with a powerful modern scientific martial arts system?

Of course, Tie Dalong was still impressive for becoming a Warrior. He should have some real skills of his own.

Tie Ying promised everything under the sun. "Brother, as long as you come, anything can be discussed..."

The moment Gao Wu heard that, more than half his interest vanished. Matters of profit had to be made clear, preferably down to the exact number of dollars.

Words that sounded wonderful without any concrete details were nothing but painting a big pancake.

But he flattered her aloud. "Sister Ying is truly bold and generous!"

No matter what he thought inside, Gao Wu and Tie Ying chatted merrily and enjoyed their meal.

After eating, Gao Wu added Tie Ying on Feixin, then rode his bicycle back to the old residence.

On the way, he bought some fruit. The old man was advanced in years and in poor health, while the winter heating made the rooms especially dry. He really needed to eat more fruit.

He also needed to consult the old man about Tielong Martial Arts Hall.

"Tielong Martial Arts Hall—I know it. Tie Dalong's father was, in a manner of speaking, my comrade-in-arms. He was a very formidable Advanced Warrior who died in battle on the Aurora Ice Plains."

Elder Shang was filled with emotion as he spoke of the past. The Aurora Ice Plains were exceptionally cold. More terrifying than the harsh weather were the many powerful Strange Beasts there.

To hold the entrance to that Secret Realm on the Aurora Ice Plains, no one knew how many soldiers died every year.

He sighed. "Once the battle ended and the battlefield was cleared, you would see patches of blood smeared across the ice, speck after speck stretching beyond the eye's reach..."

Gao Wu fell silent. Television was always promoting the terror of Strange Beasts and the bravery of The Alliance's iron army. Yet those stirring narrations and mighty images were nowhere near as impactful as the old man's few casual words.

"When people grow old, they always like recalling the past. They always become sentimental."

The old man gently sighed and shook his head. Then he said, "I've met Tie Dalong twice. He's a little slick, but not a bad man. He's local, and we know his roots. If you're willing, you can work with him."

Then he added, "Your coach Huang Hai, on the other hand, doesn't look like a good person.

"Oh, right. Several people have gone missing in the old district lately. Either Strange Beasts got in, or Demonic Cultists are stirring up trouble. You must be careful. Never wander around at night..."

Gao Wu's heart tightened. Could it be related to the Strange Spirit at Bailin Lake?

On second thought, it seemed impossible. Only Song Mingyue could draw in Strange Spirits; no one else could. Besides, if a Strange Spirit were causing trouble, the school would definitely be the first place where something happened.

Clearly, this had nothing whatsoever to do with the Strange Spirit at Bailin Lake.

He nodded firmly. "I understand."

The old man said, "My main practice is White Tiger Fist, and I can't teach you much more about the Nine Dragon Forms. Old Tie's Dragon-Roaming Sword has its own unique strengths, and its foundation is precisely the Nine Dragon Forms. It would be good for you to learn it."

Gao Wu nodded and was about to speak when his phone rang. He took it out and saw that Tie Ying had sent him a Feixin message along with a location pin, inviting him to Tielong Martial Arts Hall for a detailed discussion.

"I'll go with you. Tie Dalong is slick; I can't let you suffer a loss." The old man glanced at the message on the phone and chuckled.

They were in such a hurry. They truly thought highly of Gao Wu.

Tielong Martial Arts Hall was located in the new eastern district. It rented an entire commercial building as its storefront, with two coiling stone dragons set outside the entrance, making it look imposing.

Through the glass curtain wall, they could vaguely see quite a few people in martial arts uniforms practicing on the first floor.

This was at the edge of the new district's commercial area. Even so, renting such a large storefront for a martial arts hall would cost a considerable amount. Judging by its scale alone, Tielong Martial Arts Hall was quite wealthy.

Gao Wu led the old man into the martial arts hall. A pretty receptionist came up to greet them. After Gao Wu gave his name, she led Gao Wu and the old man into an elevator to one side and took them straight to a tea room on the fourth floor.

The receptionist knocked and entered first. Tie Ying quickly came out to welcome them. Her smile had been broad and flamboyant, but when she saw Elder Shang, she froze. "This is?"

"My grandfather," Gao Wu introduced.

Tie Ying looked Elder Shang up and down, somewhat puzzled. "Old sir, you look familiar. Have we met?"

"You're Tie Ying, right? I met you more than thirty years ago. You were still little then, so you probably don't remember me. My name is Shang Hongyi. I had some friendship with your father," Elder Shang said unhurriedly.

"Ah, Uncle Shang..." Tie Ying naturally knew Shang Hongyi. She was instantly startled and hurriedly turned to open the door, calling out, "Big Brother, Uncle Shang is here! Come out quickly!"

Tie Dalong, who had been sitting in the seat of honor inside waiting, did not understand. "Who is Shang Shu?" But seeing his sister's reaction, he knew an important person had arrived.

Tie Dalong hurried out and saw Shang Hongyi, tall and thin in a dark blue traditional gown.

The other man's face was full of wrinkles, and his old eyes were somewhat clouded, but there was still a hard edge between his brows. His back was straight as a ramrod, and he carried himself with considerable bearing.

Tie Dalong found him somewhat familiar, but could not recall where he had seen him for the moment.

Tie Ying hurried over to introduce him. "Big Brother, this is Uncle Shang, Dad's old friend from the army."

"Oh, oh, Uncle Shang!"

Tie Dalong immediately remembered. After Shang Hongyi retired due to severe injuries, he had remained in Dongjiang. Although he rarely showed himself, most people in Dongjiang's martial arts circles knew of him.

Shang Hongyi could no longer fight, but he had many old comrades and was also a hero of The Alliance. No one dared slight him. Tie Dalong's gaze shifted to Gao Wu beside him.

This youth was even more handsome and heroic than he appeared in the short videos. He truly resembled the sun at nine in the morning, brimming with vitality and blazing with brilliant light.

It was not that Gao Wu literally shone, but that the intense aura of life around him—or rather, his life magnetic field—was filled with vigorous, upward-driving power.

Tie Dalong took a liking to Gao Wu at first glance. This kid looked like he had a bright future ahead of him!

He split his mouth in a broad grin and formally clasped his fist in salute to Shang Hongyi. "Uncle Shang, it's been a long time. Please, come in..."