Hong Family Martial Hall.
"Master, it's getting late. This disciple will take his leave."
After being put through his paces by Hong Ming all afternoon, Qin Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead and cupped his hands toward him.
Ever since Hong Ming had officially taken him on as a disciple, he often gave Qin Hao extra lessons to help him train.
Every time Qin Hao came to the Martial Hall, Hong Ming put him through a harsh regimen. It was exhausting, but his strength had indeed improved a great deal.
Now the Blood Line on his arm was changing from pale red to red, and he had already completed one-tenth of it.
After hearing him, Hong Ming said, "Stay and have a meal. As it happens, there are a few things I'd like to tell you."
Qin Hao's face showed some hesitation. Seeing this, Hong Ming asked, "What is it?"
"Master, Senior Brother Zhou Tao and I already made plans..." Qin Hao replied, forcing the words out.
At this, Hong Ming's gaze settled on Qin Hao. He watched until Qin Hao grew uneasy, then finally spoke:
"Qin Hao, though you joined the latest, you're the most talented disciple under my tutelage.
"With your talent and my guidance, I believe it won't take many years for you to master Iron Wire Fist.
"When that happens, you'll have a place for yourself even in White Stone City.
"Your Senior Brothers Zhou Tao and the others may not come from the most prominent families, but their backgrounds are still respectable.
"So their minds are more focused on other things than martial arts.
"I don't object to you spending time with Zhou Tao and the others, but remember: indulging too much in pleasure will only bury your talent."
Qin Hao fell silent for a long while, then said, "Thank you for the warning, Master. This disciple will remember!"
Seeing this, Hong Ming waved a hand to dismiss Qin Hao. He no longer planned to keep him for dinner.
"This disciple takes his leave." Qin Hao said this, then turned and left.
"Senior Brother Li Mo."
Before he could leave the courtyard, he ran into Li Mo hurrying toward him, so Qin Hao greeted him.
"Junior Brother Qin Hao."
Li Mo replied hastily, then ran into the courtyard.
"Master!"
Li Mo stopped when he saw Hong Ming. His breathing was a little uneven, but his face was full of astonished excitement.
"What's got you in such a hurry?"
Seeing Li Mo, who was usually so composed, in this state, Hong Ming glanced at him and asked.
"Master, I have good news for you."
Li Mo scratched his head and chuckled.
"Let's hear it."
Li Mo's smile faded. "Master, Junior Brother Su Chen has stabilized his Blood Line!"
Qin Hao had just stepped outside when Li Mo's voice came from behind him, making him pause.
A wave of emotion stirred in his heart.
"Su Chen... actually stabilized his Blood Line!"
He hadn't forgotten how Su Chen had stolen his thunder ten days ago.
He never expected that in just ten days, Su Chen would have already stabilized his Blood Line.
At this rate, he was catching up to Qin Hao.
For certain reasons, Qin Hao had deliberately concealed how many days it had taken him, waiting a few extra days before telling Hong Ming.
In truth, he had stabilized his Blood Line in just nine days.
That meant he was only one day faster than Su Chen.
But the problem was, Su Chen had never come to the Martial Hall, which meant he had most likely trained on his own. Qin Hao, on the other hand, had Hong Ming's help.
Set that aside, and there was barely any difference between them.
"Su Chen..."
Qin Hao murmured the name, his expression growing increasingly troubled.
The name stirred something in him, and along with it came a faint sense of danger.
"What did you say?"
Hong Ming sounded as if he had gone deaf. His voice rose several notches as he stared at Li Mo.
Seeing Hong Ming so taken aback, Li Mo couldn't help but smile wryly.
But remembering that he had reacted the same way himself, he quickly accepted it.
"Here's what happened..."
Li Mo then explained everything to Hong Ming. It took Hong Ming a while to process it, but soon a smile appeared on his face.
"Excellent, excellent! Su Chen has done wonderfully. I never imagined he could train himself to this level!"
Without the Martial Hall's help, without his instruction or medicinal tonics, Su Chen had mastered Iron Wire Fist in less than a month.
His talent was every bit as impressive as Qin Hao's.
"Li Mo, bring him to see me tomorrow."
Hong Ming had wanted to meet Su Chen right away, but after glancing at the sky, he changed his mind.
"Yes, Master!"
Qin Hao left the Martial Hall looking somewhat downcast.
Zhou Tao, waiting in the carriage, noticed and asked, "Junior Brother Qin Hao, what happened?"
Qin Hao shook his head, wanting to speak but holding back.
"Junior Brother Qin Hao, you can tell me anything. If you're having trouble, don't hesitate to tell your big brother."
Seeing Qin Hao like this, Zhou Tao guessed something was wrong and smiled.
"It's nothing serious. Senior Brother, do you remember Su Chen?" Qin Hao pressed his lips together.
"Su Chen?" Zhou Tao thought for a moment, then slapped his forehead. "The Martial Hall disciple who joined when you did?"
"Mm."
"What about him?" Zhou Tao asked curiously.
Qin Hao lowered his eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "He's mastered Iron Wire Fist."
"This..."
Zhou Tao naturally understood what Qin Hao meant. To have mastered it meant he had stabilized his Blood Line.
"If I remember correctly, it hasn't even been ten days since he sensed his Blood Line, has it?"
Qin Hao didn't speak, only nodded.
He saw the astonishment in Zhou Tao's eyes, just like the look Zhou Tao had worn when he first learned Qin Hao had mastered Iron Wire Fist.
"Looks like Su Chen will soon become our junior brother."
After hearing Qin Hao out, Zhou Tao understood. He smiled lightly, though.
Clearly, he'd figured out why Qin Hao was feeling down, but he didn't point it out.
Qin Hao nodded. "Senior Brother, I'm afraid I can't join you for drinks tonight."
"Haha, Junior Brother, why so glum? With your talent, you're bound to have a bright future. Why worry about a temporary setback?"
"Senior Brother, that's not quite right."
Qin Hao shook his head, sounding a little indignant.
"To be honest, Senior Brother, Su Chen may have taken ten days to stabilize his Blood Line, but he's still a little slower than me."
Zhou Tao looked confused, so Qin Hao explained, "It only took me nine days to stabilize my Blood Line. I was just worried that it would be too shocking, so I deliberately waited a few extra days."
"I see."
Zhou Tao was secretly astonished. He hadn't expected Qin Hao to stabilize his Blood Line in just nine days. His talent was even better than Zhou Tao had imagined.
"In that case, there's even less reason to worry about him. Come on, your senior brother's buying tonight. We'll go to Drunken Immortal Restaurant, and afterward I'll take you to a brothel to listen to music!"
"This..."
"Come on, Junior Brother."
"All right, then. Thank you, Senior Brother."
The next day.
Li Mo walked out of the inner courtyard, his face dark.
He never would have imagined that Su Chen would stand him up again.
They had agreed that Su Chen would come to the Martial Hall today, but by dusk, he still hadn't shown so much as a shadow.
Seeing Li Mo like this, Fang Rou, who had just become his disciple, asked with concern, "Senior Brother Li Mo, you look pale. Are you sick?"
Li Mo looked up at the sky and shook his head. "Thank you for your concern, Junior Sister. I'm fine. By the way, Junior Sister Fang Rou, did you need something from me?"
"It's like this, Senior Brother. I wanted..."
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