Taking a Master

Yu Kan's words were not entirely polite. Looking at the results in the courtyard, he had no doubt that if he had arrived even a moment later, Chen Yue would likely have killed. By then, what lay here would not be the wounded, but several corpses.

He studied Chen Yue carefully, trying to find on that face—now bearing a few traces of cold killing intent between the brows—the shadow of the Pearl Diver youth who, just over twenty days ago, had pulled out a tael of silver at the martial hall and said he wanted to learn the martial arts once through.

Chen Yue was silent for a moment at this, then looked at the bloodstains on the ground, and toward the alley mouth where the Sea Shark Gang had vanished. He said in a low voice:

"Master Yu, have I brought trouble to the martial hall and Master Zhou? I had no choice but to act just now. They came without reason, directly trying to seize my parents, so I had to strike. I also mentioned the matter of Master Zhou sending someone to mediate, but they..."

Chen Yue had not gone for the kill earlier because he did not want to push things to the extreme. Besides, he had just passed the County Examination; if a homicide were on his hands, the results would likely be annulled outright.

Still, if not for his conversation with Zhou Jingfeng, Chen Yue would have intercepted Zhou Qi in the city and secretly eliminated him the moment the County Examination ended.

Yu Kan glanced at the mess in the courtyard, then cast a look toward the alley mouth. His brow was slightly furrowed, but his tone carried no reproach: "The Sea Shark Gang has always been overbearing, trusting only their fists and ignoring reason. You were forced to fight back to protect your parents—there's no fault in that.

But having stirred things up to this extent, there will likely be trouble ahead. Come back to the martial hall with me first, and report the full details to the master. Let him decide."

Chen Yue nodded, then looked at the tightly shut inner room door. His voice was firm: "Master Yu, I must bring my parents along. After injuring so many of the Sea Shark Gang today, they will never let this go. If I leave and my parents stay here, it will be like delivering sheep into the tiger's mouth."

"That's only right." Yu Kan nodded without hesitation. "Your parents' safety is paramount. We'll go to the martial hall together; the master will make arrangements."

Chen Yue pushed open the door and entered. In the cramped little room, Father Chen and Mother Chen sat pressed together on the bed's edge, their bodies still trembling uncontrollably.

The brief but fierce clash of metal and the screams from outside moments ago still lingered in their ears.

They could not see what had happened; they could only imagine, through sound alone, the deadly struggle their son had endured. Every second stretched like an eternity, as if they were being fried in a pan of oil.

Now, seeing Chen Yue push through the door, his clothes stained with blood but his steps steady, the hearts that had been in their throats finally eased a little. Mother Chen's legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed, barely held up by Father Chen.

"A-Yue... you, you're not hurt?" Mother Chen's voice trembled as she looked him over.

"Father, Mother, I'm fine. The trouble outside has passed for now," Chen Yue said gently, trying to soothe them, but the deep fear on their faces did not fade.

They had lived half their lives and knew too well how vengeful the Sea Shark Gang was. Their son had injured so many of their men today—this grudge was sealed for good.

They were nothing but Pearl Dwellers, lives as cheap as grass. What could they use to fend off the retaliation that might come at any moment?

Yu Kan waited in the courtyard. When he saw Chen Yue helping his shaken parents out, his gaze swept over their weathered, careworn faces and coarse clothes. He sighed inwardly.

These were the most ordinary of Pearl Households, backs bent by the weight of life. Yet this couple had given birth to a son like Chen Yue, with such exceptional temperament and talent—truly, the world was unpredictable, and dragons and serpents rose from the marshes.

He said nothing more, leading Chen Yue and his family through the streets and alleys to the Iron Mountain Martial Hall.

Unlike the grandeur of the Nantong Martial Hall, the Iron Mountain Hall's entrance was not ostentatious—a black-painted gate, gray bricks and tiles, exuding a quiet, steady air.

Zhou Jingfeng stood with his hands behind his back under an old locust tree in the courtyard, as if waiting.

When he saw Yu Kan bringing Chen Yue and his parents in, his gaze calmly swept over Father and Mother Chen, with no surprise on his face.

Ma Jun had worked efficiently; before Zhou Jingfeng returned, he had already investigated Chen Yue's background and family situation thoroughly, including the news that his parents had been brought to the county by a broker.

Chen Yue let go of his parents' arms, stepped forward a few paces, and made a deep bow to Zhou Jingfeng. His tone was sincere:

"Youngster Chen Yue pays respects to Master Zhou. Thank you, Master Zhou, for your timely aid earlier, sending Master Yu to mediate. It's just that I was incompetent and failed to handle things properly, causing new trouble and troubling you again."

Father and Mother Chen, seeing their son bow, hurriedly followed suit, stooping their bodies and stammering: "Greetings to Hall Master Zhou... thank you for your great kindness, thank you..."

They had lived their entire lives at the bottom of society, never having dealt with someone like Zhou Jingfeng, a figure of some standing even in the county. Their hearts were a mix of gratitude and fear; they did not know where to put their hands or feet, their expressions awkward and uneasy.

Zhou Jingfeng nodded slightly to Father and Mother Chen, signaling that they need not stand on ceremony, then turned his gaze to Yu Kan.

Yu Kan understood. He stepped forward and, lowering his voice, quickly reported to his master what he had seen in the small courtyard.

As Zhou Jingfeng listened, the usual gentle smile on his face gradually faded. His brows lifted slightly, and a clear flash of surprise crossed his eyes. It was not the Sea Shark Gang's arrogance that surprised him, but Chen Yue's combat ability, which far exceeded his expectations!

"This boy... has truly only trained in martial arts for less than a month?"

The question surfaced in Zhou Jingfeng's mind again, but he quickly suppressed it. Yu Kan had seen it with his own eyes—it could not be false. That left only one explanation: Chen Yue's martial talent and battle instinct were even more terrifying than he had judged before.

Zhou Jingfeng was silent for a moment, then his gaze fell back on Chen Yue, who stood respectfully, and grew deeper.

Feeling the scrutiny and consideration in that look, Chen Yue took a deep breath and bowed again: "Master Zhou, today's trouble all started because of me. The Sea Shark Gang is powerful and will never let this go. I alone am not afraid, but I fear for my parents' safety.

May I ask Master Zhou, what should I do next to break this deadlock? I beg for your guidance!"

Facing the behemoth that was the Sea Shark Gang, Chen Yue's personal strength was indeed meager.

Zhou Jingfeng looked at Chen Yue's clear, determined eyes, a smile appearing on his face. He stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly, his voice calm but carrying a solemn weight: "Chen Yue, would you be willing... to enter my tutelage and become my disciple, Zhou Jingfeng's?"

At these words, not only was Chen Yue stunned, but even Yu Kan and Ma Jun beside him were visibly moved. Though they had expected the master to take on a disciple, they had not anticipated it would be so direct.

Chen Yue was indeed surprised. He had heard that masters usually required many trials—observing character, examining bone structure—and it was never decided in a day.

He had harbored the thought himself, but had prepared to prove himself over a long period. He never expected Zhou Jingfeng to be so straightforward, extending an olive branch at the very moment when his situation was most troublesome.