Recruitment

A disciple saw Lin Yan's thoughtful expression and suggested.

"Why don't we go take a look? Someone with Zhong Xia Gen Gu who can become a Registered Disciple must have some skill."

"Sure, I happen to have a friend who studies fist techniques. I can have him introduce us. We're all fellow disciples, so it's good to build relationships early. Brother Lin, are you coming?"

"Of course, I'm going! I also want to meet this genius. If there's an opportunity, I might even represent the Lin Family and invest."

"As expected of Brother Lin, your mind works fast. You're already thinking about how to recruit him."

The group chatted and laughed as they walked through the courtyard, turned down a corridor, and arrived at the dormitory for the Fist Academy disciples. The decoration was no different from the Gun Yuan dormitories, except there were fewer disciples.

Especially among disciples from wealthy families, far fewer studied fist techniques compared to those who studied cudgels.

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

"Huai'an! Huai'an!"

A disciple beside Lin Yan saw the person in the courtyard and called out loudly.

"Song Linzhou? Why are you here? And who are these people?"

"They are all my friends from the same courtyard. This is Lin Yan, and this is..." Song Linzhou introduced the people beside him one by one.

Lin Yan nodded, considering it a greeting.

"He's the friend I mentioned, his name is Cheng Huaian."

"What are you guys...?"

"We heard the Hall Master accepted a Registered Disciple at the Fist Academy, so we wanted to come and see. Can you introduce us?"

Cheng Huaian scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"Actually, I don't know him very well. We've only chatted twice. Brother Chen's family doesn't seem to be wealthy. The tuition fees he pays are in the two-liang tier."

Song Linzhou said happily after hearing this.

"That's perfect! This is a low point in his life. If we invest now, and he achieves great things in the future, he'll surely never forget this kindness."

Cheng Huaian suddenly understood. "So that's why you're here. Alright, Brother Chen should still be training right now. I'll lead you over and tell you which one he is, and you can discuss it yourselves."

"Hurry, hurry, before he leaves."

The setting sun slanted across the courtyard wall, its golden light falling on the blue stone slabs.

Chen Feng, dressed in plain, dark shorts, cinched his waist and stood alone in a corner of the courtyard wall, punching repeatedly. Other trainees were nearby, carefully observing Chen Feng's movements and trying to comprehend them.

With every move, Chen Feng mobilized all the Qi Blood in his body, seeking the greatest possible tempering. As a result, he experienced fatigue several times greater than that of an ordinary person.

Each punch thrown was accompanied by the creak of muscles and bones, and the bluestone beneath his feet seemed to tremble slightly from the impact.

Sweat trickled down his temples, his resolute face held a determined gaze, and his back was soaked with sweat, a thin layer of heat rising from his skin.

As he threw his final punch, Chen Feng exhaled turbid Qi and stood with his fists lowered. Feeling the surging Qi Blood within him, he had touched the edge of the Blood Refining Realm!

[Practicing Fist Technique... Experience +200]

"Thank you, Chen Xiong, for clearing up my confusion."

A relatively thin Youth quickly stepped forward, handing Chen Feng a sweat towel. At the same time, he pressed a few silver shards into his hand.

This person's name was Meng Zhaowu, and his father was the president of Fuxing Merchant Association, the largest merchant association in Pingcheng. It was less about learning martial arts and more about recruiting talent.

Chen Feng had enjoyed talking with him in recent days and found him to be shrewd and intelligent.

"Thank you, Meng Xiong," Chen Feng said, taking the sweat towel but refusing the silver shards. "You don't need to give me money. I usually just practice punching here and didn't specifically explain anything to you."

"Ah, that's not right. My observing your punching technique here will inevitably affect you, so I must show my appreciation."

Unable to resist Meng Zhaowu's enthusiasm, Chen Feng no longer refused and finally accepted.

"Then I thank you, Meng Xiong."

Chen Feng cupped his fists in thanks.

Since he became a Registered Disciple, many people had tried to recruit or invest in him, but Meng Zhaowu was the most different. Upon learning that Chen Feng only had Zhong Xia Gen Gu, his attitude remained unchanged, and he was still enthusiastic.

Not only did he introduce other trainees to Chen Feng, but he also gave Chen Feng no less than ten liang of silver under the guise of observing and learning.

However, he never mentioned recruitment, as if he simply wanted to make friends.

Chen Feng disliked owing favors, so he taught Meng Zhaowu his understanding of the Five Elements Fist Technique. The two gradually became familiar with each other.

"Chen Xiong's comprehension is truly astonishing. Your understanding of the Five Elements Fist Technique is so thorough."

Meng Zhaowu exclaimed.

"If you have any questions, Meng Xiong, please ask. I will tell you everything I know."

"Certainly, certainly."

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

At this moment, footsteps sounded from the courtyard gate, and it was Cheng Huaian and his group.

Chen Feng saw one of them pointing at him, seemingly introducing him to the people around. After a few whispered conversations, they slowly walked over.

"It seems the disciples from Gun Yuan want to get acquainted with Chen Xiong. I won't disturb you and will take my leave."

Meng Zhaowu said with a smile, getting up to leave.

As the group approached, Chen Feng finally saw their faces clearly. His gaze swept quickly through the crowd. They were all unfamiliar faces... No.

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

It was a familiar face—

Lin Yan!

Betrayal, humiliation, mockery... All the unforgettable memories of the past surged into his heart.

Lin Yan, in the crowd, saw Chen Feng and his face turned terrifyingly grim. The expression of disgust flashed and quickly hid again.

Meng Zhaowu, who had just stood up, was facing the group. He carefully noticed the change in Lin Yan's expression, paused his departure, looked back at Chen Feng, pondered for a moment, and then sat back down.

Song Linzhou walked over quickly with a smile.

"Such noble bearing, such a handsome face. You must be the Registered Disciple Zhou Guanzhu recently accepted, Chen Feng."

Song Linzhou praised him, his words full of recognition for Chen Feng, completely oblivious to the change in Lin Yan's expression beside him.

Chen Feng couldn't figure out their intentions, but as the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling person. He responded politely.

"It is I. What business do you have with me, Senior Brother?"

"My name is Song Linzhou. I've long heard of Chen Xiong's great name and wanted to get acquainted. Seeing you now, you are indeed extraordinary."

"So it's Brother Song. I've heard of you too."

Song Linzhou's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, thinking Chen Feng had also heard of his reputation for making many friends. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Come, let me introduce you. This is..."

"No need. We know each other." Lin Yan raised his hand, signaling Song Linzhou to stop talking.

Chen Feng looked at Lin Yan. This was the first time he had met his enemy face-to-face since his transmigration.

He concealed the expression in his eyes well, his face expressionless.

"So you two know each other, haha, that's good. Chen Xiong, I'll be direct. Actually, I came here with the intention of investing. My family is..."

Song Lin'an didn't look back and naturally didn't see Lin Yan's increasingly grim face.

"I heard from Cheng Huaian that your family is poor, yet the cost of practicing martial arts is huge. My Song Family is willing to provide convenience and cover your martial arts training fees at the Dragon Walk Martial Arts School, including medicinal baths, blood food, and even medicinal soup..."

Song Linzhou was still talking eloquently, while Cheng Huaian, who was beside him, saw that Song Linzhou mentioned him and his expression changed drastically. He never expected Song Linzhou to be so blunt.

He had indeed said that Chen Feng only paid two taels for tuition, but you couldn't just point it out directly in front of him.

Cheng Huaian was already thinking about how to explain it to Chen Feng. Now that Chen Feng's boxing skills were accomplished, he often guided others and had considerable prestige among the disciples learning boxing. He couldn't be offended easily.

"...The condition is that after you become a Martial Artist, you will serve as a retainer in my Song Family for two years, how about it?"

Before Chen Feng could refuse, Lin Yan's somber voice had already sounded.

"Brother Song, you should know that if a Registered Disciple does not become a direct disciple within half a year, their status as a Registered Disciple will be revoked..."

Song Linzhou was stunned.