Joining (Part 1)

The group drank until past eight in the evening, but Lin Zheyu had to leave early due to other matters.

Hiccup—

On the way to Master Liang's house, Lin Zheyu let out a drunken burp.

Earlier, when he tried to leave, Jia Yanyong and the others wouldn't let him, insisting he down several large bowls of strong liquor before finally letting him go.

Knock, knock.

He gently rapped on Master Liang's gate, and it opened quickly.

He stepped inside.

Under the moonlight, a few small dishes and a pot of wine were set out on the stone table in the courtyard.

Liang Song was sitting alone in the yard, drinking.

"Reeking of alcohol, it seems you've had quite a bit to drink."

"Drink this bowl to sober up," Liang Song said.

"Thank you, Master."

Lin Zheyu took the bowl and caught the strong scent of medicinal herbs.

"I apologize, Master. I was delayed by something tonight, so I'm a bit late."

Lin Zheyu said with an apologetic look on his face.

"It doesn't matter."

"Being able to join the Flying Rainbow Gang and have some protection in Songyi City is a good thing," Liang Song said with a smile.

After drinking the sobering soup, Lin Zheyu felt much more alert.

He rested for a while before walking into the yard to begin practicing the Golden Goose Technique.

After practicing for about an hour and a half, he was drenched in sweat, and the last remnants of his drunkenness had completely dissipated.

"Take a break. We'll spar a few rounds in a moment."

Seeing that Lin Zheyu was mostly sober, Liang Song told him to rest for a bit.

After resting, the two walked to the center of the yard and began to spar.

With the experience from last night's exchange, Lin Zheyu managed to hold out a little longer today.

Bang, bang, bang.

The sound of fists and palms colliding echoed through the courtyard.

Liang Song kept his strength at the same level as Lin Zheyu, perhaps even a fraction weaker.

Yet, even so, Lin Zheyu was still easily crushed by Liang Song.

The massive gap in combat experience and combat awareness made Lin Zheyu realize that martial arts realm did not necessarily equate to combat power.

A true martial arts expert could easily challenge opponents stronger than themselves and emerge victorious.

After holding out for a dozen rounds against Liang Song, Lin Zheyu was sent flying by a kick.

"Not bad, you've improved a lot since yesterday," Liang Song said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu rubbed his chest, where he had been kicked, feeling a burning, stinging pain.

Liang Song's strength had reached the Blood Energy realm, and his bones were as hard as iron.

Being kicked by his master felt as if he had been struck by an iron hammer.

"Again!"

Lin Zheyu's eyes were firm as he pushed off the ground and lunged toward Liang Song.

Master Liang's primary cultivation technique was the Golden Goose Technique, and Lin Zheyu had learned many combat maneuvers from him.

As the fight progressed, the progress of Lin Zheyu's Golden Goose Technique improved rapidly, and he began to incorporate its footwork into the combat.

Facing the experienced Master Liang, Lin Zheyu began to change his strategy, using the agile footwork of the Golden Goose Technique to circle around him.

"Hey!"

"This move is something I played with long ago."

Facing Lin Zheyu, who was rapidly changing positions, Liang Song chuckled and kicked out with his right foot toward his rear diagonal, fast as lightning.

Bang—

Caught off guard while moving at high speed, Lin Zheyu was struck in the shoulder and sent flying once again.

Lin Zheyu: "..."

I'm so exhausted.

He missed the feeling of fighting against Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang during the day.

The two of them sparred until late at night, and every session ended with Lin Zheyu being kicked away.

Under the tempering of Master Liang, Lin Zheyu's combat awareness began to sharpen, and he lasted longer and longer against Liang Song.

Towards the end, he was even able to launch a few counterattacks.

Early morning.

After resting for the night, Lin Zheyu had recovered quite well.

The medicine provided by Liang Song was highly effective; after applying it to his bruises, he felt almost fully recovered by the time he woke up the next day.

He arrived at Liang Song's courtyard early.

Under Liang Song's guidance, Lin Zheyu practiced for over three hours, and the Golden Goose Technique finally reached the entry level.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence]

Name: Lin Zheyu

Source Power: 6

Skills:

Bull Fist (Proficient 3%)

Golden Goose Technique (First Layer 2%)

Finally reached the entry level. My progress increased by 2% in just one morning; I estimate I can reach the second layer in about a month, Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

With the foundation laid by the Bull Fist, the early stages of the Golden Goose Technique were progressing much faster.

His muscles were now full, and his fascia were tough and resilient. The first layer of the Golden Goose Technique primarily trained the muscles, tendons, and skin of the body; once the strengthening of the leg muscles, tendons, and skin was complete, he would be able to enter the second layer.

Once he reached the second layer, the Bone Forging realm, his speed of progress would slow down.

After bidding farewell to his master, around nine o'clock, Lin Zheyu headed toward the Flying Rainbow Pavilion.

28 Tongquan Street.

Lin Zheyu walked into the Flying Rainbow Pavilion, and it was somewhat deserted inside.

"Mr. Lin is here, please follow me."

A man walked out and led Lin Zheyu inside.

"The Gang Leader has given orders that once you arrived, I should take you to the backyard to see him. He will personally arrange your duties," the man said.

Lin Zheyu followed the man through winding corridors, passing a pond and pavilion with beautiful scenery, until they reached a courtyard.

In the courtyard, a stage had been set up, and Gang Leader Xu was leisurely listening to an opera.

The life of the wealthy is truly this simple and unadorned.

Lin Zheyu sighed, feeling a bit envious.

He had to work hard just to earn a few taels of silver, while these people could earn hundreds or thousands of taels just by listening to songs, watching operas, and visiting pleasure houses.

"You're here, sit."

"This opera is quite good; you should sit down and listen as well."

Xu Jingwu said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu sat down beside Xu Jingwu and boredly tasted the delicacies on the table.

Xu Jingwu knew how to enjoy life; the snacks on the table alone probably cost several taels of silver.

Lin Zheyu ate the food and occasionally listened to the opera.

He couldn't quite appreciate the opera; the rich entertainment of his past life made him uninterested in such classical performance forms.

But as he listened, Lin Zheyu gradually began to experience the pleasure of listening to opera.

After the song ended, Xu Jingwu finally began to discuss business.

"There isn't much to do in the gang; it's mainly about maintaining order within the Flying Rainbow Gang's sphere of influence."

"On the surface, order in the city is controlled by the government. However, due to manpower issues, the government delegates this to the lower levels, leaving it to the various large and small gangs to manage."

"If any trouble arises within our territory that causes public outrage, the government will hold us accountable immediately."

Xu Jingwu said, explaining the main work content of the Flying Rainbow Gang to Lin Zheyu.

From Xu Jingwu's words, Lin Zheyu finally understood the operational mechanism of Songyi City.

The government controls the gangs, and the gangs manage the order within the city.

There were three major gangs in Songyi City, and the Flying Rainbow Gang was the largest one.

These gangs were all funded by a coalition of noble families and wealthy merchants. The noble families and merchants in the city were divided into three interest groups that checked and balanced each other.

Xu Jingwu came from the Xu Family and was the younger brother of the current head of the Xu Family.

The three major gangs in the city checked and balanced each other, which not only managed the order within the city well but also ensured that the gang members did not act recklessly.

"From now on, you will join Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang to form a three-man squad, with Qiu Gaoxuan leading the team, temporarily responsible for maintaining order in the streets near Baiwei Street."

"After a while, you will be required to be dispatched to important locations like the mines for a period of time, but it will all be on a rotation basis," said Xu Jingwu.

"Understood."

Lin Zheyu nodded.

The order in the streets near Baiwei Street was quite good; one could barely see anyone causing trouble, making it an easy job.

"I have high hopes for you."

"I heard from Jia Yanyong that you have only been practicing martial arts for a short time, yet you have already attained your current level of strength. Your talent and comprehension are quite good."

"Work hard, and once you have made enough contributions, there will be no shortage of rewards for you," Xu Jingwu said with a smile, patting Lin Zheyu on the shoulder.

"Thank you for your trust, Gang Leader Xu."