Ambush

Night fell over the Rouge House.

Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

A place for pleasure-seeking in Ram City.

"Many thanks for your hospitality, Second Senior Brother. I'll drain this cup."

Though Zhang Yuan was young, as the illegitimate son of a wealthy Ram City family, he was never short on coin and frequented such establishments often.

He was well-versed in this dance of clinking glasses.

"Since you've come to the Like-Elephant Martial Hall, you clearly know about the [Recommendation] in the Master's hands, don't you?"

Opposite him, Yuan Dazong narrowed his eyes and cut straight to the point.

Zhang Yuan was stunned for a moment before quickly composing himself.

"I won't hide it from you, Second Senior Brother; that is indeed my wish."

"It's a pity. Although your talent is quite good, there's likely no hope for you this time."

"...Is it because of Li Beichen?"

Yuan Dazong smiled faintly, seemingly lost in thought.

"When someone has better talent than you and is competing for the same spot, who do you think the opportunity will fall to?"

"Then... Second Senior Brother, what should I do?"

"There's nothing to be done. As long as someone stronger than you remains, you will never have a day to shine."

"However, don't worry. Even without that opportunity, with your talent, entering the ranks within a year is more than enough."

Yet, Yuan Dazong's seemingly comforting tone only made the fifteen-year-old clench his fists.

"Why must someone always be there to suppress me?"

"People, you have to accept your fate!"

Zhang Yuan fell silent, but Yuan Dazong could see that he hadn't truly accepted anything.

"Go back and get some rest."

Having achieved the desired effect, Yuan Dazong issued his dismissal.

Watching Zhang Yuan leave, Yuan Dazong drained his cup and muttered to himself.

"Do not force what is not in your destiny. But I, Yuan Dazong, have never accepted my fate."

Meanwhile, in the south of Clear Creek Village.

Li Beichen was practicing [Giant Elephant Fist] under the moonlight.

While others practiced twice a day, he could practice three times and still remain full of energy.

After three rounds of [Giant Elephant Fist], the moon was high in the sky. Li Beichen looked at the panel, which showed an increase of 5 points in progress, smiled faintly, and turned to return to his hut to rest.

Meng Juxiang had given Li Beichen until the end of the month—only twenty-some days.

What Li Beichen did not know was that Meng Juxiang considered this a severe challenge for him.

In reality, as long as Li Beichen broke through to the Ninth Rank within July, he would meet Meng Juxiang's standards.

Setting such a requirement was merely Meng Juxiang's way of applying pressure to Li Beichen.

But for Li Beichen.

Twenty-some days was far too long.

With his talent, as long as the [Giant Elephant Meat-Refining Ointment] and [Exotic Beast Meat] were sufficient, ten days would be more than enough.

A few days later, Li Beichen was on the road to Ram City.

The hour was still early, and the sky remained dim.

He held a specially crafted stone hidden in his hand.

For the past few days, Li Beichen had felt as though someone was watching him.

But with his [Like-Elephant Martial Hall] disciple uniform, ordinary thugs and ruffians would never dare to provoke him.

Martial hall disciples, especially those from the four major halls, were under the protection of their halls during their first year of training.

If anyone were maliciously attacked, inner-court ranked martial artists would emerge to seek justice.

"Who's there?!"

Li Beichen narrowed his eyes, catching a glimpse of a dark shadow flashing through the grass in the distance.

Whoosh!! The Locust Stone shot out.

A stone cast to test the path!

"Ugh."

A muffled grunt came from the tall grass, and Li Beichen hurried over to investigate.

Suddenly, he noticed a glint of metal on the ground.

Li Beichen quickly stopped in his tracks, snapped off a tree branch, and pushed aside the grass to take a look.

It was actually a bear trap with jagged, sharp teeth!

"How insidious!"

If he had stepped on it, his leg would have been crippled, or at the very least, he would have been bedridden for three months.

Li Beichen searched carefully and found five more identical bear traps hidden in the surrounding area.

Clearly, they were waiting for him to take the bait.

By the time Li Beichen bypassed this trap zone, the dark figure had long since fled.

Li Beichen picked up the Locust Stone he had thrown earlier; it was stained with blood.

Evidently, the person hiding in the shadows had already been injured.

"Who could it be..."

The figures of Yuan Dazong, Zhang Yuan, and even He Keji, Fang Meiqin, and Zhang Meng flashed through Li Beichen's mind.

The days of fleeing as a refugee in Bing Province had long ago taught him not to trust anyone easily.

Arranging for an ordinary person to set traps.

The method was crude, yet highly practical.

If he had unfortunately fallen into the trap, others could simply claim it was an accidental injury.

Moreover, the intent was clearly to maim rather than to kill.

This incident had occurred right after Meng Juxiang promised him an opportunity.

It was difficult for Li Beichen not to link the two events together.

"If something were to happen to me... who would benefit the most?"

Thinking of this, Li Beichen locked onto several key suspects in his mind.

He hurried to the martial arts hall.

At this moment, in the outer courtyard, He Keji had already begun tempering his strength.

Seeing Li Beichen arrive, he greeted him as usual before immersing himself back into his training.

There was nothing out of the ordinary.

He Keji was quite "talented"; although his realm was only approaching the threshold of entry, his force was fierce and his physical condition was excellent.

However, this man was very frugal; he never ordered extra meals at the martial arts hall cafeteria, and Li Beichen had never seen him purchase any Giant Elephant Meat-Refining Ointment.

"It shouldn't be him... he doesn't have the silver for it..."

Li Beichen temporarily cleared He Keji of suspicion.

He silently found a corner, lifting a stone roller while observing those who arrived.

Today, the second senior brother, Yuan Dazong, was leading the training.

But even after he had arrived, Zhang Yuan still hadn't shown up at the martial arts hall.

When Yuan Dazong saw Li Beichen, he showed no signs of anything unusual, acting just as he always did.

It wasn't until the morning training officially began that Zhang Yuan hurried in.

Li Beichen noticed that when Zhang Yuan stepped into the outer courtyard, he instinctively glanced at him first.

Then, he quickly averted his gaze.

He then joined the training.

Although Zhang Yuan feigned a blank expression, Li Beichen still noticed that when he practiced the Giant Elephant Fist, there was a hint of panic in his movements.

It did not match his usual standard.

"Kid, it's most likely you!"

Li Beichen's gaze sharpened.

Zhang Yuan was highly suspicious; as the illegitimate son of a wealthy family, he had considerable assets, harbored resentment because Li Beichen's cultivation progress surpassed his own, and had the motive to hire someone to cause harm.

Li Beichen was a man who clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudges.

If someone truly intended to harm him, he would certainly pay them back tenfold.

After finishing three sets of the Giant Elephant Fist, Yuan Dazong returned to the inner courtyard without looking back.

Li Beichen walked straight toward Zhang Yuan.

"Zhang Yuan, let's have a chat on the side."

Seeing Zhang Yuan remain motionless.

"What, are you afraid?"

As these words left his mouth, Zhang Yuan instantly held his head high.

He followed Li Beichen over to a corner.

Li Beichen stared at Zhang Yuan.

"The people who ambushed me this morning—they were sent by you, weren't they?"

"They weren't sent by me."

Zhang Yuan flatly denied it.

"Heh."

Li Beichen let out a soft chuckle and walked away immediately.

Zhang Yuan was left bewildered, pondering the matter all morning until he finally realized the problem with his own words.

It was a classic case of "there are no three hundred taels of silver buried here."

By saying it that way, wasn't it obvious that he knew about the plot against Li Beichen?

Once he grasped this, Zhang Yuan's face turned alternating shades of green and white as he watched Li Beichen practicing in the arena.

A flicker of fear suddenly rose in his heart.