We Can't Be Slow

Feeling the path the Burning Pulse Breakthrough Technique took as it coursed through his body, Chen Jing's lips slowly curved upward. Deep in his eyes, an uncontrollable flash of joy even welled up.

Now, the Five Harms Technique bolstered his blood-and-qi condensation, the Burning Pulse Breakthrough Technique aided his breakthroughs, and the River-Breaking Fist strengthened his attacks.

All he needed was to find one defensive technique and one movement technique to shore up his weaknesses and become a true six-sided warrior!

At the thought, Chen Jing felt that the mountain looming before him no longer seemed so imposing. Fine cracks had begun to appear across it.

And that mountain's name was Yan Peng.

At the thought of Yan Peng, Chen Jing drew a deep breath. The light in his eyes gradually turned cold.

Chen Jing had looked into Yan Peng's situation before. Yan Peng had broken through to become a Second Blood Martial Artist two or three years ago, and was now constantly striving to reach the Third Blood stage.

The only way to defeat someone like him was to get ahead of him and break through all the way to Third Blood!

So he couldn't be slow.

Not even a little.

With that thought, Chen Jing didn't hesitate for a moment. He plunged back into training.

In the days that followed, Chen Jing devoted nearly all his time to the Fist Academy.

As for Zhao Zonglin's disappearance, it stirred only a few shallow ripples in martial artist circles.

After all, Zhao Zonglin was merely a First Blood Martial Artist whose blood and qi were waning and whose strength was on the decline.

There were at least a hundred people like Zhao Zonglin in Red Rock County, if not two hundred.

So the County Government Office conducted a perfunctory investigation for a few days, then no one brought it up again.

Chen Chunmiao continued working at Spring Return Hall.

However, because Chen Jing was a First Blood Martial Artist, Ren Zhining immediately promoted Chen Chunmiao to manager, putting her in charge of the maids in the back courtyard.

As for Chen Sanwu, he spent the past few days searching for a place to live. He planned to rent a courtyard so Chen Jing could practice martial arts there and Chen Chunhe and Chen Chunmiao could have a proper rest when they came home.

And so, time slipped by like flowing water.

Half a month flashed past.

That day, Chen Jing was still throwing punches in the courtyard when a familiar, hearty laugh came from behind him. "Junior Brother Chen!"

Zhuang Tao strode over, clapped Chen Jing on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Remember the new restaurant I told you was opening?"

Chen Jing stopped and nodded. "I do."

More than half a month ago, when Zhuang Tao had invited him to take an honorary position, he'd mentioned the new restaurant. Chen Jing just hadn't expected it to take until today for the place to finally be ready.

Zhuang Tao grinned. "It officially opens tomorrow morning. You have to come help me keep the place in line."

"Of course," Chen Jing replied.

After Chen Jing agreed, Zhuang Tao gave him a once-over. "But wear something nice tomorrow. Don't show up in that beat-up training uniform, or people will think the Zhuang Family mistreats its staff!"

"Otherwise, no one will even realize you're a First Blood Martial Artist. You don't look the part at all."

At that, Zhuang Tao chuckled mischievously. "Besides, if you dress up, I can introduce you to some women!"

His teasing left Chen Jing unsure whether to laugh or cry. He quickly waved a hand. "It's too early for me to get married."

"You..."

"When I was your age, I was already married."

Then Zhuang Tao said earnestly, "Sometimes you can't spend all your time practicing your fists. You should socialize a little, too."

As he spoke, Zhuang Tao pointed at Xiang Lingfei and Pu Shaojie, who were standing in the courtyard. "Look at Xiang Lingfei. Didn't he used to give me the cold shoulder? Now we get along just fine."

Over this period, Chen Jing had noticed that a small circle had formed in the Central Courtyard. It revolved around the three of them: Pu Shaojie, the senior disciple; Xiang Lingfei, the master's favored pupil; and Zhuang Tao, who came from a wealthy family.

It was extremely difficult for anyone else to join their circle.

"I'm not very good at socializing, so I'd rather just keep my head down and practice," Chen Jing said, unbothered.

In Chen Jing's view, he was better off spending his time practicing his fists than socializing.

After all, other people might train without making any progress, and spend their entire lives without ever breaking through to become Second Blood Martial Artists.

But he was different.

Now that he possessed the Burning Pulse Breakthrough Technique, breaking through to Second Blood was as good as certain. There was no need to waste his time socializing.

"Honestly, it's a good thing you and I are brothers. With that personality of yours, you wouldn't even know when someone was plotting against you."

With that, Zhuang Tao waved a hand and left. "All right, keep training. I'll go invite some other people."

Then Chen Jing saw Zhuang Tao walk up to Pu Shaojie and Xiang Lingfei and invite them as well.

Watching the three of them chatting and laughing, Chen Jing said nothing and continued practicing his fist technique.

"Junior Brother Zhuang, you and Junior Brother Chen really are close," Pu Shaojie said softly, glancing at Chen Jing, who was still training. "You invited him to take an honorary position at the new restaurant, didn't you?"

"Junior Brother Chen and I get along. He's a good person and takes his responsibilities seriously, so I can trust him with the position," Zhuang Tao replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Pu Shaojie shook his head. "But it took Junior Brother Chen a full two months to break through. His talent is rather ordinary. If you want to invest in someone, Junior Brother Zhuang, you'd be better off choosing someone with more potential."

As he spoke, Pu Shaojie turned his gaze toward Xiang Lingfei.

Xiang Lingfei noticed Pu Shaojie's look and smiled as he puffed out his chest, clearly waiting for Zhuang Tao to make the first move.

Watching Pu Shaojie and Xiang Lingfei sing the same tune, Zhuang Tao, who'd grown up in the restaurant business, immediately saw what they were up to. A trace of distaste flickered in his eyes.

Though he and Xiang Lingfei had gotten along better lately, whenever Zhuang Tao offered someone an honorary position, he invited them himself. Even when others wanted a position at his place, they approached him humbly. Who acted as if they were doing him a favor by taking a position there, like Xiang Lingfei?

Besides, when Xiang Lingfei had broken through to First Blood, he'd already taken an honorary position with the Liu Family in the Inner City.

Martial artists could take honorary positions with multiple factions, but Xiang Lingfei had chosen the Liu Family in the Inner City.

As one of the Inner City's Three Families, the Liu Family naturally didn't want Xiang Lingfei taking a position elsewhere as well.

That was why the Liu Family paid Xiang Lingfei sixty taels of silver a month and provided him with ten jin of Exotic Beast Meat each month.

Xiang Lingfei had bragged about it at the Fist Academy before.

Now he wanted a position with Zhuang Tao, too. He was trying to have his fish and bear's paw, and might even be deliberately putting the Zhuang Family in the Liu Family's crosshairs!

Though Zhuang Tao was deeply reluctant, he kept smiling on the surface. "If I remember correctly, Junior Brother Xiang already has an honorary position—with the Liu Family in the Inner City, no less."

"The Liu Family is powerful. I'm just a small-time restaurant owner. I can't afford to offend them..."

Pu Shaojie immediately lowered his voice. "Don't worry, Junior Brother Zhuang. This stays between heaven and earth, you and me."

"And Junior Brother Xiang is a man of his word. He won't go blabbing."

"How would the Liu Family find out?"

Xiang Lingfei nodded in agreement beside them, smiling without a word.

"I see." Zhuang Tao saw that the conversation had gone this far. If he refused now, he'd offend Xiang Lingfei. So he said quietly, "In that case, I can only give him a little support on the side, so the Liu Family doesn't catch wind of it."

Then Zhuang Tao abruptly changed the subject. His eyes narrowed as he smiled at Pu Shaojie. "By the way, Senior Brother Pu, have you offered Junior Brother Xiang any support?"

"After all, once Junior Brother Xiang breaks through to Second Blood, he'll be able to look out for us, too."

At this, Xiang Lingfei's eyes lit up. He turned to Pu Shaojie with a broad smile and hurriedly said, "Exactly, Senior Brother Pu. Once I break through, I'll definitely look out for you."

Hearing Xiang Lingfei's words, Pu Shaojie's smile stiffened.

He'd originally intended to use this opportunity to get closer to Xiang Lingfei.

At the same time, he wanted to make Zhuang Tao pay, to get back at him for winning fifty taels of silver from him last time.

But he hadn't expected Zhuang Tao to drag him into it with just one remark.

Under Xiang Lingfei's gaze and Zhuang Tao's wicked grin, Pu Shaojie took a deep breath and forced out a smile. "Of course. Whatever Junior Brother Zhuang gives, I'll match."

"After you break through, Junior Brother Xiang, don't forget your brothers."

"Of course, of course!"

Hearing their answers, Xiang Lingfei nodded, then smiled. "All right, I have to head to a banquet in the Inner City. The Liu Family has invited some martial artists from the Eight Desolations Academy for an exchange. Would Senior Brother Zhuang and Senior Brother Pu like to come along?"

Pu Shaojie's eyes immediately lit up. He quickly accepted. "The Liu Family and the Eight Desolations Academy? Then I'd be delighted to join you."

Hearing this, Zhuang Tao quickly asked, "An exchange? Junior Brother Xiang, could I bring one more person?"

Xiang Lingfei glanced at Chen Jing, who was still practicing his punches, then shook his head. "You mean Junior Brother Chen? The banquet's basically all Second Blood Martial Artists. It's not a place for just any Tom, Dick, or Harry."

Pu Shaojie chimed in beside him. "Exactly. Junior Brother Chen's talent is ordinary. He'd only humiliate himself if he went. Better not bring him."

Hearing their replies, Zhuang Tao clenched his fist inside his sleeve. But when he thought of their status, all he could do was nod and leave with them.