Grudges

Song Linzhou was slightly stunned; he really didn't know about this.

His heart stirred. If Chen Feng couldn't become a personal disciple, wouldn't this investment be a huge loss? He thought about confirming it again.

"I heard rumors that your aptitude, Chen Xiong, is..."

"Zhong Xia." Lin Yan said coldly.

There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

This was the answer Song Linzhou least wanted to hear. He looked at Chen Feng with hope, wishing to hear a refutation.

But Chen Feng didn't refute. Instead, he slowly nodded, admitting it.

"Senior Brother Zhao examined my bones, and the conclusion was Zhong Xia Gen Gu."

Chen Feng's words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing Song Linzhou's enthusiasm.

Song Linzhou's eyeballs rolled. He thought about how to retract his olive branch. He regretted it a little. Zhong Xia Gen Gu, how difficult it was to become a martial artist, let alone within the time limit of half a year.

"Song Xiong, please forgive me for refusing. I cannot accept the conditions you proposed."

Chen Feng spoke slowly.

Setting aside Song Linzhou's repulsive change in attitude, Chen Feng simply couldn't accept the conditions he offered.

A flicker of joy flashed in Song Linzhou's eyes, as if he was relieved that Chen Feng hadn't agreed. Then, he stepped down the stairs, saying regretfully, "That's a pity. Sorry to have bothered you."

Lin Yan took a step forward.

"It's not a pity at all. It's your Song Family's good fortune not to have accepted a waste with Zhong Xia Gen Gu."

Song Linzhou was stunned. He thought to himself, who is so tactless? He turned his head and saw Lin Yan standing beside him at some unknown time.

Lin Yan looked at Chen Feng and said, "I never expected this, Chen Feng. I've actually become a fellow disciple with you. Why don't we let bygones be bygones regarding our past grievances? My sister is living happily now. As for you, you'd best scram far away and not cling on like a wild dog, alright?"

Everyone sensed that the atmosphere was not right.

Song Linzhou looked blankly at his friends, only receiving shakes of their heads in response.

"If you hadn't barked like a dog, I would have forgotten long ago. But a slut, what's worth remembering?"

Chen Feng said expressionlessly, his tone flat.

Lin Yan's face became terrifyingly grim, as if water could drip from it.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.

Meng Zhaowu did not hesitate. He took a step forward and stood beside Chen Feng, declaring his stance.

Song Linzhou was somewhat at a loss, and quietly retreated behind Lin Yan. The other Gun Yuan Disciples chose to strongly support Lin Yan, staring coldly at Chen Feng.

The most distressed person in the scene was Cheng Huaian, because he was the one who brought them here.

The other party was from the Gun Yuan, and could just leave after spewing threats. They rarely met more than a few times a year. But he wasn't like that. He came to the martial arts school to learn boxing, and they would see each other every day. How could they get along in the future?

Brother Song! You've brought disaster upon me!

Lin Yan seemed to have thought of something, and a smile curved his lips.

"Chen Feng, you only have half a year, okay? If something happens to you within half a year, for example, you're suddenly crippled, or suddenly become disabled, do you think the Hall Master will want you? Or will he not want you?"

The threat in his words was undisguised, nakedly displayed.

"What do you mean!" Meng Zhaowu said in a deep voice. "Harming fellow disciples will result in your martial arts being abolished and expulsion from the martial arts school!"

"You're President Meng's son, aren't you?" Lin Yan looked at Meng Zhaowu and said slowly, "I advise you to stay away from this good-for-nothing."

"What's it to you? I, Meng Zhaowu, can go wherever I want, and it's not for you to criticize."

"Of course it's none of my business. I just feel sorry for President Meng. Such a shrewd person, yet his son is so short-sighted. He entered this martial arts school, spends all day in this den of beggars, associating with useless trash, with no future."

"You!" Meng Zhaowu's face turned ugly. "Do you know that nearly 30% of your Lin Family's business is with the Fuxing Merchant Association every year?"

Lin Yan said coldly, "You can't represent your father, let alone the merchant association. Your father won't give up the Lin Family's business because of this."

"However, what you said about harming fellow disciples did remind me. Chen Feng, if I'm expelled from the martial arts school, I still have my parents to support me. But if you're expelled from the martial arts school... Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot your parents are already dead!"

Lin Yan laughed wildly, seemingly enjoying this feeling.

A surge of anger rose in Chen Feng's heart, but reason suppressed his rage, and his mind remained incredibly calm.

"You don't need to provoke me. I won't be stupid enough to beat you up here. Private fights between disciples will also lead to expulsion from the martial arts school..."

"Hey! What are you all gathered there for!"

At the courtyard gate, a Jiao Xi happened to pass by and quickly sensed the tense atmosphere, shouting out.

The Gun Yuan disciples glanced at the approaching Jiao Xi and scattered. Before leaving, Lin Yan did not forget to leave a parting threat:

"Hmph, Zhong Xia Gen Gu... I'll let you know. You should go back to the Slums early. Perhaps with some effort, you can beg for more food... Let's go!"

Chen Feng watched Lin Yan's retreating figure, already considering his actions for the night. Ever since Sun Qiang told him that Lin Yan was also training at the Dragon Walk Martial Arts School, he had planned to deal with Lin Yan, and it was about time to start these days. He hadn't expected Lin Yan to come looking for him.

Since that's the case... it's better to act now than to choose a date. Delay breeds complications.

He didn't have the habit of waiting overnight for revenge.

As for the rules among fellow disciples... Chen Feng wouldn't be foolish enough to be bound by rules, just as rules couldn't stop Lin Yan's killing intent towards Chen Feng.

Without becoming a Formal Disciple, once outside the Martial Arts School, no one cared if he lived or died.

Seeing Chen Feng lost in thought, Meng Zhaowu mistook it for him being stimulated by Lin Yan and offered comfort, "Chen Xiong, a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years. Once you become a Personal Disciple, Lin Yan naturally won't dare to make a move against you..."

"Meng Xiong, I have some urgent matters and need to go home. I'll take my leave now." Chen Feng cupped his fists in salute to Meng Zhaowu, his tone filled with gratitude.

Given Meng Zhaowu's status, he could have stood by and watched when Lin Yan was being aggressive, but he chose to stand on Chen Feng's side.

Chen Feng saw the other's support and would definitely repay him in the future.

After speaking, Chen Feng turned and left.

"Hey! Chen Xiong..." Meng Zhaowu wanted to say something but stopped, the words turning into a sigh just as they reached his lips.

"Sigh..."

The sun was setting.

Chen Feng first returned home; he needed to make other preparations before the action began. Whether by coincidence or with ulterior motives, Chen Feng encountered Liu Dabiao at the alley entrance.

Liu Dabiao was swaggering around with a few lackeys. Seeing Chen Feng, he grinned, revealing a mouth full of yellow teeth, a half-smile on his face.

"Yo, Chen Feng's back?"

"Master Biao."

Chen Feng greeted him as usual.

"Heard you went to Dragon Walk Martial Arts School to learn martial arts? How's your training?"

"It's alright. My Gen Gu isn't very good," Chen Feng said regretfully. "The hope of becoming accomplished is probably slim."

Liu Dabiao's eyes twitched slightly upon hearing this.

"Don't give up. I think you have potential, kid. Work hard, and maybe you'll really become one of those Martial Artist lords. You won't even have to pay Management Fees anymore, you know?"

Chen Feng was a little surprised. Was this Liu Dabiao possessed? Why was he encouraging him?

"Yes, yes."

Chen Feng forced a slight smile.

"Kid, do you have enough money? Want to borrow some from me? The interest... it's just this much."

Liu Dabiao held out a hand, showing a number.

Chen Feng's mouth twitched. So, he was here to practice usury.