Recruitment

A Disciple saw Lin Yan lost in thought and suggested, "Why don't we go take a look? Someone with Zhong Xia Gen's aptitude who became a Registered Disciple must have some real ability."

"Sure. As it happens, I have a friend who studies fist techniques. He can introduce us. We're all Fellow Disciples, so it'd be good to build a relationship early. Brother Lin, are you coming?"

"Of course. I want to meet this genius too. If there's an opportunity, I could even represent the Lin Family and invest in him."

"As expected of Brother Lin. You're quick to think of everything—you're already figuring out how to win him over."

The group chatted and laughed as they crossed the courtyard and turned down a corridor, arriving at the Fist Academy disciples' quarters. The rooms were no different from those in the Gun Yuan dormitory, except there were fewer disciples.

Among the wealthy families in particular, far fewer disciples studied fist techniques than studied staff techniques.

At that moment, only one person was in the small courtyard in front of the dormitory.

"Huaian! Huaian!"

One of the disciples beside Lin Yan spotted the person in the courtyard and called out loudly.

"Song Linzhou? What brings you here? And who are these people?"

"They're friends from my academy. This is Lin Yan, and this is..." Song Linzhou introduced each person beside him.

Lin Yan nodded, acknowledging the greeting.

"This is the friend I told you about. His name is Cheng Huaian."

"What brings you here?"

"We heard the Hall Master took on a Registered Disciple at the Fist Academy, so we thought we'd come take a look. Could you introduce us?"

Cheng Huaian scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"To be honest, I don't know him that well. We've only chatted briefly a couple of times. I think Brother Chen's family isn't very well-off; he only pays the two-liang tuition."

Song Linzhou's face lit up.

"Isn't that perfect? He's at the lowest point in his life right now. If we invest in him, and he achieves great things one day, he'll surely never forget our kindness."

Cheng Huaian realized what was going on. "So that's why you came. All right. Brother Chen should still be training. I'll take you to him and point him out. You can talk things over with him yourselves."

"Quickly, quickly, before he leaves."

The setting sun slanted across the courtyard wall, its golden glow spilling over the flagstones.

Chen Feng wore a plain short tunic, cinched tight at the waist, and stood alone in a corner of the courtyard wall, practicing his punches over and over. Other disciples studying fist techniques watched his movements closely, pondering each one.

Every move Chen Feng made engaged all the Qi Blood in his body, pushing himself to the limit. The result was exhaustion several times greater than what an ordinary person would feel.

Each punch came with the taut twang of muscle and bone, and the flagstones beneath his feet seemed to tremble.

Sweat trickled down his temples. His resolute face held a steady gaze, and as it soaked through his back, a thin veil of heat rose from his skin.

With the final punch, Chen Feng exhaled a breath of Turbid Qi and stood at ease. Feeling his Qi Blood surge within him, he had already touched the threshold of the Blood Refining Realm!

[Practiced fist techniques... Experience +200]

"Thank you, Brother Chen, for clearing things up for me."

A rather slender young man hurried over and handed Chen Feng a sweat towel. At the same time, he slipped several Silver Shards into Chen Feng's hand.

His name was Meng Zhaowu, and his father was the chairman of Pingcheng's largest merchant association, the Fuxing Merchant Association. Rather than studying martial arts, he was there to recruit promising talent.

Over the past few days, Chen Feng had gotten along well with him and found him sharp and clever.

"Thanks, Brother Meng." Chen Feng took the towel but declined the money. "There's no need for the silver. I practice my punches here as usual; I wasn't giving you a special lesson."

"Now, that's not true. Watching your technique here affects you, so I should definitely show my appreciation."

Unable to resist Meng Zhaowu's insistence, Chen Feng stopped refusing and finally accepted.

"Then thank you, Brother Meng."

Chen Feng cupped his hands in gratitude.

Since becoming a Registered Disciple, Chen Feng had attracted plenty of people hoping to recruit him or invest in him. But Meng Zhaowu stood out from the rest. Even after learning that Chen Feng had only Zhong Xia Gen's aptitude, he remained just as warm toward him.

He had not only introduced Chen Feng to the other students but had also slipped him more than ten liang of silver, time and again, under the pretext of watching and learning.

Yet he had never mentioned recruiting him, as if he simply wanted to be friends.

Chen Feng disliked owing people favors, so he taught Meng Zhaowu everything he understood about the Five Elements Fist Technique. The two gradually grew closer.

"Brother Chen, your insight really is remarkable. Your understanding of the Five Elements Fist Technique is incredibly thorough."

Meng Zhaowu sighed in admiration.

"If you have any questions, Brother Meng, just ask. I'll tell you everything I know."

"Certainly, certainly."

The two sat on stone stools in the courtyard, resting and chatting.

Footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate. Cheng Huaian and the others had arrived.

Chen Feng saw one of them point at him, apparently introducing him to the others. After whispering among themselves, they slowly made their way over.

"It looks like the Gun Yuan disciples have come to befriend Brother Chen. I won't intrude, then. I'll take my leave."

Meng Zhaowu smiled as he spoke and rose to go.

As the group drew closer, Chen Feng finally got a clear look at their faces. They were all strangers... No, wait.

Chen Feng's pupils suddenly contracted as he noticed the person in the very middle.

A familiar face—

Lin Yan!

Betrayal, humiliation, mockery... Memories of those bitter days came flooding back, searing themselves into his heart.

Seeing Chen Feng, Lin Yan's face darkened. A look of disgust flashed across it, then vanished just as quickly.

Meng Zhaowu had just risen and was facing the group. He noticed the change in Lin Yan's expression. His steps toward the exit halted, and after glancing back at Chen Feng and thinking it over, he sat down again.

Song Linzhou approached with a smile.

"Tall and dignified, with a handsome face. You must be Chen Feng, the new Registered Disciple Hall Master Zhou took on."

Song Linzhou praised him, his words full of approval for Chen Feng. He didn't notice the change in Lin Yan's expression beside him at all.

Chen Feng couldn't guess what he was after, but as the saying went, you didn't slap a smiling face. He replied politely.

"That's me. What can I do for you, Senior Brother?"

"My name is Song Linzhou. I've heard a lot about you, Brother Chen, and wanted to make your acquaintance. Now that I've met you, I can see you're every bit as impressive as they say."

"So you're Brother Song. I've heard a lot about you."

Song Linzhou's face brightened at once, thinking Chen Feng had heard of his reputation for making friends. He started to say, "Come, let me introduce you. This is..."

"No need. We know each other." Lin Yan raised a hand, signaling Song Linzhou to say no more.

Chen Feng looked at Lin Yan. This was the first time since transmigrating that he had come face-to-face with his enemy.

He concealed the look in his eyes well, keeping his face expressionless.

"So you two know each other. Haha, that's great. Brother Chen, I'll get straight to the point. I came here because I'm interested in investing. My family is..."

Song Lin'an didn't turn around, so he naturally didn't see Lin Yan's expression growing darker.

"I heard from Cheng Huaian that your family is poor, while martial arts training is expensive. My Song Family is willing to make things easier for you and cover your training expenses at the Dragon Walk Martial Arts School, including Medicinal Baths, Blood Food, and even herbal decoctions..."

Song Linzhou kept talking, while Cheng Huaian's face changed dramatically when he heard his name. He had never expected Song Linzhou to be so blunt.

I did say Chen Feng only paid two liang in tuition, but you can't just blurt it out right in front of him!

Cheng Huaian was already wondering how to explain it to Chen Feng. Chen Feng had become skilled in fist techniques and often gave pointers to others; he had quite a reputation among the disciples studying fist techniques. They couldn't afford to offend him lightly.

"...The condition is that once you become a Martial Artist, you work as an Attendant for my Song Family for two years. What do you say?"

Before Chen Feng could refuse, Lin Yan's voice rang out, dark and cold.

"Brother Song, you should know that if a Registered Disciple doesn't become a Direct Disciple within six months, he loses his status as a Registered Disciple..."

Song Linzhou froze.