The Genius Chen Chong

Just as Shen Fan passed the training ground where everyone often gathered, he suddenly noticed a crowd of people clustered there.

"Senior Brother Chen, you really are our Martial Hall's genius! You've already broken through to Muscle Refining so quickly. At this rate, it won't be long before you reach Bone Forging!"

"That's right! Senior Brother Chen has only been here a few months, and he's already surpassed us. I bet the gap will only grow from here!"

"Do you think Senior Brother Chen might become the next Laiyang Elite?"

"Whoa—you might be right! Senior Brother Chen is only twenty, isn't he? At this rate, he could reach Blood Condensation before he turns thirty. Then he'll surely become one of our Martial Hall's Core Disciples!"

"So they're talking about Chen Chong? Just hearing that name brings back some surprises!

"I can't believe even that guy has reached Muscle Refining! I've only reached Bone Forging. This won't do—I seem to have slowed down a bit lately!"

Shen Fan muttered to himself as he hurried off, his previously leisurely pace quickening once more.

If anyone had heard Shen Fan's humblebrag, they would have been sorely tempted to beat him to death!

Other people worked hard for over a decade just to have a chance of reaching Bone Forging, while he had reached that level in about half a year and still wasn't satisfied. It was enough to drive anyone mad with envy.

And despite being such a "genius," Shen Fan still acted as if he planned to lie low until the end of time. It was simply exasperating.

Within the Ox Demon Martial Arts School, the name of the genius Chen Chong grew ever more famous. Pretty much every disciple knew that he had broken through to Muscle Refining in less than a year.

As his reputation spread, he even drew the attention of some of the Martial Hall's senior figures. Headmaster Zhang Longyun had personally visited Chen Chong to check on him, and had given him a large amount of cultivation resources, including money.

Chen Chong's rapid rise had given the Martial Hall's disciples new hope, bringing a glimmer of light to those who had been shrouded in gloom.

As a result, nearly everyone in the Martial Hall wore a cheerful expression.

But not everyone felt that way.

In the middle of the night, a sneaky figure slipped out of the Martial Hall. After making his way down several streets, he tucked a slip of paper into a gap in a brick wall, then quickly left.

The next day, a beggar came by and quietly retrieved the slip of paper, delivering it to Steward Qian at the City Lord's Mansion.

Steward Qian read its contents, but his expression didn't change.

"Bring Old Wang and the others here. I have something to tell them!"

The servants hurried off to pass on the message. Before long, Old Wang and the others, all Viscera Refiners, arrived in the hall.

"Everyone, I can tell you clearly: Lord City Lord will leave seclusion in a few days. When he does, these Martial Halls will be uprooted, root and branch!"

"But to make sure we don't miss any big fish during the operation—especially the promising youngsters trained by those Martial Halls—I'd like you all to look over this list."

As he spoke, Steward Qian handed over a list containing dozens of names. Chen Chong and the others were on it.

It even included every Martial Artist under thirty in the Martial Hall who had reached Bone Forging or had a chance of reaching it.

"Steward Qian, do you mean..."

Old Wang asked cautiously, "We should kill every one of them?"

"Kill all of them? That may not be easy. But we can certainly kill some."

"We understand, Steward. Don't worry—those without experts guarding them won't live another three days!" Old Wang declared confidently.

The men who knew the Combined Attack Skill had once joined forces to kill a Viscera Refiner from a Martial Hall. Taking out a few juniors this time would be child's play.

"Don't worry. The City Lord's Mansion has already figured out which people have guards. As for the rest, use your judgment."

Steward Qian said it blandly, casually deciding the fates of these Martial Artists.

Old Wang and the others received their orders and quickly went into action.

These men weren't Viscera Refiners from Laiyang City, so it would be difficult for anyone to recognize them. That was why Steward Qian had entrusted the job to them.

That night, a Black Clad Man quietly slipped into the Ox Demon Martial Arts School. He was one of the Viscera Refiners from the City Lord's Mansion that day.

His name was Zhang San. He excelled at Movement Technique and was the fastest among them, so he had been assigned the most targets.

And the first person he chose was none other than Chen Chong of the Ox Demon Martial Arts School!

"So you're Chen Chong? Only twenty, and already at Muscle Refining after less than a year of training. You really are a genius. But I wonder how hard that genius's skull is—will it hold up against my Skull Crushing Hand?"

Zhang San grinned viciously. As a Rogue Cultivator with a little talent, he hated geniuses most of all.

Personally killing a genius before he could grow up brought him immense pleasure.

That was also why he had been willing to take on so many jobs.

Following the information he had been given, Zhang San soon reached the Martial Hall Apprentices' area. Before long, he spotted a figure in the agreed-upon place.

"You're the one the City Lord's Mansion arranged to meet me? Lead the way! I'm going to slaughter those brats tonight!"

The figure froze for a moment, but quickly recovered. He was displeased by Zhang San's tone, yet said nothing.

With the traitor leading him, Zhang San moved freely through the Martial Hall without disturbing anyone. In the moonlight, he also got a clear look at the man's face.

If Shen Fan had been there, he would have recognized the traitor at once: it was Zhou Yang, the apprentice who had once made a fool of himself in front of him!

"Does my lord have confidence in killing the Martial Hall's genius?" Zhou Yang asked cautiously.

"Hmph. I'm a Viscera Refiner. Apart from your Hall Master, who here could possibly be my match?" Zhang San boasted arrogantly, spewing who knew how many lies.

Zhou Yang didn't understand the finer points, but he knew that Viscera Refiners were the Martial Hall's strongest fighters.

At that thought, Zhou Yang suddenly stopped and knelt respectfully. "Then I'd like to ask my lord to kill someone for me after you finish your mission. If you do, I'll do everything in my power to help you."

"I'm asking you—have you lost your mind?" Zhang San grabbed Zhou Yang by the throat.

"Do you think you're in any position to bargain with me? You're a mere Martial Hall Apprentice. Even if you become the City Lord's Mansion's dog, you're still just a dog!"

Zhou Yang made strangled noises, his face turning red as he nearly choked.

Only then did Zhang San loosen his grip a little.

With a chance to speak, Zhou Yang hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, my lord. I was wrong. I won't ask for anything. I'll help you finish the mission as quickly as I can!"

He immediately knelt again, not daring to make a sound.

"Hmph. At least you know your place. Lead the way!"

Zhou Yang scrambled forward to guide him, abandoning any further schemes.

He had originally wanted this expert to kill Shen Fan. Ever since he had offended Shen Fan, he had nightmares every day about Shen Fan taking revenge and tormenting him.

For days on end, he had lived in fear, and the torment had driven him mad.

Zhou Yang also knew he couldn't deal with Shen Fan inside the Martial Hall, so he had chosen to betray it, hoping to use the City Lord's Mansion to destroy his enemy!

But clearly, his plans had failed yet again. Nobody thought much of him, even though he had passed along plenty of information to the City Lord's Mansion.

In the eyes of experts, a traitor like Zhou Yang was the lowest of the low. So even though helping him would have been effortless, they would never do it.

But Zhou Yang might not have known that Shen Fan had never held a grudge against him and had no desire to take revenge. Everything he feared was nothing but needless worry!