The Martial Arts School Master's Father-Son Conspiracy

Fang Hongbo nodded and quickly explained.

"The Martial Arts School bears the name Mighty Bull, and its disciples primarily cultivate [Mighty Bull Strength]. But ordinary disciples do not know that within the school, there is a unique system built around [Mighty Bull Strength]."

"The most renowned among them are these two techniques: [Mighty Bull Fist] and [Mighty Bull Body]."

"[Mighty Bull Fist] needs no further explanation; it is a fist-and-kick technique. [Mighty Bull Body], meanwhile, is a defensive technique."

"Together with [Mighty Bull Strength], a technique that derives Vital Energy to temper the body, these three techniques form the three core arts of the Mighty Bull Martial Arts School. They are also the foundation upon which the school stands in Xinhe Commandery, and the reason the school master surpasses others at the same realm."

Zhang Ming nodded, understanding that the three techniques complemented one another.

Without the former, the latter could not be cultivated.

But Zhang Ming did not merely want to obtain two techniques.

With a sharp weapon like [Ignite Comprehension] in hand, he naturally could not walk the ordinary path.

The more techniques, the better.

"Master, are there any others? How many techniques does the Martial Arts School have in total?"

Fang Hongbo was somewhat surprised. "Zhang Ming, techniques value refinement, not quantity. Learning too many techniques brings no benefit."

"I know, Master. I was merely asking out of curiosity." Zhang Ming nodded in explanation.

"Fine. Since you are curious, I will tell you."

"The Martial Arts School does not have many techniques. Aside from the two techniques centered around [Mighty Bull Strength], most of the others are ordinary techniques, not even worthy of being called Postnatal Realm techniques."

"There are roughly seven or eight techniques in total, such as [Black Tiger Saber], [Great Wind Leg], [Five Poisons Palm]..."

Zhang Ming listened attentively to his master's account and nodded slightly.

He quietly committed every technique to memory.

After a moment, Zhang Ming leaned forward and asked tentatively.

"Master, can I buy all the techniques as a package? Or buy a few more techniques?"

"Uh... a package? Buy more?"

This time, Fang Hongbo could not remain seated. He had wanted to rebuke him, but upon recalling the Zhang Family's development over the past years, he seemed to think of something.

He stared suspiciously at Zhang Ming.

"Zhang Ming, you are not planning to use these techniques to arm your family retainers, are you?"

"Let me tell you, you absolutely must not entertain such thoughts!"

"Techniques must not be passed on lightly! To risk the censure of the world would bring the hostility of the entire martial world!"

Zhang Ming knew that techniques could not be passed on lightly.

If he casually spread the Mighty Bull Martial Arts School's techniques, he would immediately draw the school's hostility. Even his master would be unable to protect him.

That Postnatal Martial Artist school master would directly kill him in order to protect his own Martial Arts School.

Once word spread through the martial world, neither Zhang Ming nor the Zhang Family would be able to stand on the side of righteousness.

But...

Although Zhang Ming did have thoughts of passing them on, he had not finished speaking yet.

"Master, listen to me first."

"Of course I would not spread the Martial Arts School's core techniques. But those ordinary techniques are of little use sitting in the school, so why not give them to me?"

"I promise that for every Zhang Family retainer I teach, I will pay the Martial Arts School some silver as their apprenticeship fee. How about it?"

"This..."

Fang Hongbo hesitated, unable to make up his mind.

"What does Master think?"

"Most disciples in the Martial Arts School would not cultivate those techniques anyway. They will only gather dust sitting in the school.

If they are given to disciples, the school can earn a profit for nothing. Why not?"

To be honest, Zhang Ming had long wanted to do this.

This world possessed Martial Dao, but everyone guarded their techniques with excessive secrecy. They would rather die than reveal them.

The Zhang Family was not some vicious and evil household; it was merely a merchant family.

When facing some old stubborn fossils, there was simply nothing they could do.

As a result, over the years, they had not gathered any proper techniques, at most a few commonplace fighting forms.

Not a single technique that could allow one to sense Vital Energy and step into Martial Dao.

"I... Sorry, Zhang Ming. I cannot make the decision on this matter. I must discuss it with the school master."

"The school master?"

Zhang Ming narrowed his eyes slightly. A middle-aged man with a broad, stout build, a plump round face, and a perpetual smile surfaced in his mind.

Smiling Tiger!

That was Zhang Ming's private evaluation of the school master.

"Fine. I will leave it entirely to Master."

"Mm. Then come with me."

With that, Master Fang Hongbo led the way while Zhang Ming followed, heading deeper into the Martial Arts School.

The Mighty Bull Martial Arts School was not large, but it still covered tens of thousands of square meters, with numerous rooms and training grounds.

After passing through several corridors, open-air training grounds, and countless apprentices tempering their muscles and bones,

the two gradually entered the Martial Arts School's rear courtyard.

Rear courtyard.

Rockeries, greenery, gardens, small streams, stone scenery, birdsong and fragrant blossoms, lush trees casting deep shade.

Though it could not compare to the Zhang Family's rear courtyard, it was still a marvel within Yang City.

"School Master." X2

Zhang Ming and Master Fang Hongbo each respectfully bowed in greeting.

"Oh, Hongbo and Zhang Ming. What brings you two here?"

The school master, Niu Desheng, was around forty years old, a Postnatal Martial Artist in the prime of life.

At this moment, his round face was full of smiles. His eyes brimmed with kindness as he looked at Zhang Ming and Fang Hongbo.

"School Master, Zhang Ming... Zhang Ming has a few proposals. I do not know whether I should agree to them, so I came to seek your guidance."

"Oh? Speak freely. I am quite looking forward to a young man's proposal."

Fang Hongbo did not add any unnecessary words and relayed Zhang Ming's proposal point by point.

Once he finished.

A strange glint flashed through Niu Desheng's eyes as he looked at Zhang Ming.

After pondering for a moment, the smile on his face remained unchanged.

"A fine proposal. As expected of the eldest son of the rising Zhang Family of Xinhe Commandery. A tiger father truly does not produce a dog son!"

"Originally, I should not agree to this proposal. But now that you have sensed Vital Energy, you count as a Core Disciple of our Martial Arts School."

"The Zhang Family is one of our own."

"So... aside from the Martial Arts School's core techniques, all other techniques will be sold for one hundred taels of silver, with one tael per person."

Zhang Ming cupped his fists.

"The school master has keen eyes. Thank you, School Master."

Since he had successfully sensed Vital Energy, Zhang Ming had never thought he could hide it from a Postnatal Martial Artist like the school master.

Being seen through was only a matter of time.

"Haha, it is nothing. The Martial Arts School's tremendous growth over these past years also could not have happened without the Zhang Family's support. It is merely mutual benefit."

"Not at all. The Zhang Family must continue to rely greatly upon the school master. Without the Martial Arts School's support, how could my Zhang Family possess its current status?"

"To thank the Martial Arts School for its support of the Zhang Family, please do not disdain this small token of appreciation, School Master."

With a casual motion, Zhang Ming presented a full five hundred taels in Silver Notes as a gift.

"Well said, well said. The Zhang Family and the Martial Arts School are one family."

Rubbing the distinctive texture of the Silver Notes between his fingers, School Master Niu Desheng's smile grew even broader.

"Thank you, School Master."

The two exchanged courtesies back and forth, appearing amicable as the atmosphere remained harmonious.

Fang Hongbo, standing to one side, wore a helpless expression and could neither sit nor stand at ease.

He truly was not accustomed to such hypocritical occasions.

Fortunately.

The false cordiality between the two did not last long.

School Master Niu Desheng gave Fang Hongbo his instructions.

"Hongbo, I will leave the matter of purchasing techniques entirely to you. I trust you."

"Thank you, School Master."

Only then did Fang Hongbo finally have a chance to speak.

Thus.

After the group exchanged a few idle remarks, Zhang Ming was led away once more by Master Fang Hongbo.

In a pavilion within the Martial Arts School's rear courtyard.

Neither Zhang Ming nor Fang Hongbo knew.

After they left, the smile instantly vanished from Niu Desheng's round face, replaced by icy coldness as killing intent surged in his eyes.

Niu Desheng's son, Niu Kangshao—the Martial Arts School's second Qi-Blood Grand Completion expert and one who had reached the Warrior Limit—emerged from a corner.

Niu Kangshao wore a look of astonishment.

"Father, that Zhang Ming actually successfully sensed Vital Energy?"

"The Zhang Family has truly struck it rich these past years. They could even find a treasure capable of helping someone sense Vital Energy!"

"What a waste, though. Such a treasure was actually given to that trash. If it had been offered to our Martial Arts School, I would certainly have a chance to become a Postnatal Martial Artist."

"Then you and I, father and son, would both be Postnatal Martial Artists. We would become Yang City's foremost power, and the Zhang Family could gain no small benefit as well."

Clearly, Niu Kangshao believed Zhang Ming had used some Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure to forcibly succeed in sensing Vital Energy.

"What a waste, what a waste!"

"Hmph."

Niu Desheng snorted coldly.

"He actually succeeded in sensing Vital Energy. That brat cannot be allowed to live now."

"Indeed. If the Zhang Family had obediently remained a merchant family and cooperated with our Martial Arts School, then everyone would benefit."

"But now that brat has actually sensed Vital Energy, and he even dares to purchase techniques from our Martial Arts School to arm his retainers. If he slips out of our control, the tribute he offers in the future will surely decrease."

Niu Kangshao looked at his father curiously.

"Father, when do you intend to act?"

"When we act, we must be careful. We cannot leave any traces. The Zhang Family has made extensive connections within the Government Office."

"Mm, I know."

Niu Desheng pondered for a moment.

"We cannot act now. Wait a little over a month, then strike while that brat is traveling as usual to inspect the Zhang Family's businesses."

"Doesn't the Zhang Family have a mine in Qingmang Mountain? Qingmang Mountain stretches hundreds of li from north to south, and it is filled with countless mountain bandits and brigands. It shall be his burial ground!"

"Excellent, Father, what a scheme! This time, I will act personally! I will definitely take that dog's head and let the Zhang Family know that while they have the Government Office in the open, in the shadows they can only rely on us!"

"Heh heh."

Greed and cruelty appeared in both father and son's eyes.

Like jackals and wolves.