Divine Dragon Martial Hall

A family of three walked into the real estate sales office.

A saleswoman came over with a professional smile. Her gaze swept over them, taking in their Poor District attire and cheap clothes. They clearly weren't wealthy, and her smile faded slightly. "Are the three of you here to look at houses?"

Song Chen replied, "Yes."

The saleswoman pointed to the model display nearby. "This way, please. We have several floor plans. The smallest is 120 square meters, with prices starting at 3.2 million. You can take a look, and if you're interested, we can arrange a loan..."

Her tone was flat. It was obvious she didn't take them seriously.

Song Chen said nothing. He walked over to the model display and studied it for a while, then pointed to the building in the very center. "How big is the penthouse in this building?"

The saleswoman froze. "Th-that's the crown unit. It's 280 square meters, and the total price is..."

"How much?"

The saleswoman answered carefully, "8.6 million."

Li Xiuying's hand trembled. 8.6 million—that was more money than their family could earn in a lifetime.

Song Chen nodded. "I have a few more questions. Have your manager come over."

The saleswoman's expression changed. Years of professional experience told her that the young man in front of her wasn't joking. She looked Song Chen over again, this time much more carefully.

"Sir, are you sure you want to buy it? That's the most expensive unit we have..."

Song Chen took out his communicator, opened his bank balance, and showed it to her. 13 million.

The saleswoman's eyes widened, and her attitude changed at once. "Please wait a moment, sir! I'll get the manager right away. Please have a seat and some tea!"

She eagerly ushered them to their seats, then hurried off inside.

Li Xiuying tugged at Song Chen's sleeve and whispered, "Son, over eight million is too expensive, isn't it? Let's buy something cheaper..."

Song Chen patted her hand. "Mom, don't worry."

Soon, a middle-aged man in a suit hurried out, smiling broadly. "You have a keen eye, sir. This crown unit is the finest floor plan at Green Water Garden. It has a wide-open view and excellent natural light, and it's finished with top-of-the-line materials..."

Song Chen cut him off.

"Wait a moment."

The manager paused. "Do you have another question, sir?"

Song Chen looked at him and asked, "How's the security here?"

The manager's smile grew brighter. "You can rest assured, sir. Green Water Garden is a high-end residential community in the Inner City, and our security system is absolutely top-notch. We have patrols around the clock, comprehensive surveillance, and identity checks for everyone entering or leaving. It's very safe."

Song Chen nodded. "What if a Martial Artist wanted to get in?"

The manager's smile faltered. "A... Martial Artist?"

"Yes. If a Second Rank or even Third Rank Martial Artist wanted to sneak in and cause trouble, could your security stop them?"

The manager fell silent. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.

Song Chen looked at him. "The families living here are low-rank Martial Artists, right? Your security system can handle ordinary Martial Artists, but what about high-rank ones?"

The manager's expression changed. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Sir, as you know... We're in the Inner City, where public security is very good. Incidents involving Martial Artists are rare..."

"Rare doesn't mean they never happen. What if one does?"

The manager had no answer.

Song Chen looked at him, his voice calm. "I won't hide it from you. As a Martial Artist, it's hard to avoid having enemies. I'm worried that one of mine might come knocking."

The manager's face went completely pale. "Sir, in your situation... Green Water Garden might not be... might not be suitable for you."

Listening beside them, Li Xiuying felt her heart clench. She tugged at Song Chen's sleeve. "Son, why don't we forget about buying a house? The Poor District may be run-down, but we've lived there for so many years..."

Song Chen patted her hand without replying. He looked at the manager, waiting to hear what he would say next.

After hesitating for a long while, the manager finally spoke. "Sir, if you're truly concerned about security, I'd recommend considering another option."

"What?"

"A martial hall's residential compound for families."

Song Chen raised an eyebrow. "A martial hall's residential compound?"

The manager nodded, his expression turning serious. "There are several large martial halls in Anning City, and each has its own residential compound for families. The residents are all members of the martial hall and their families, and the martial hall handles security itself. Every compound has Martial Artists stationed there."

"Even Third or Fourth Rank Martial Artists would have to think twice before trying to break into a place like that. After all, trespassing on a martial hall's territory is the same as slapping it in the face."

Song Chen's eyes lit up.

The manager added, "And the houses in those compounds can be free. As long as you join a martial hall and become a full member, you'll be assigned a house. The stronger you are, the better the house you'll get."

Free? Song Chen froze. He remembered hearing about this before, but he'd never taken it seriously. Back then, he wasn't even a Martial Artist. Joining a martial hall had felt far beyond his reach.

Things were different now. He was a Peak First Rank Martial Artist, just one step away from Second Rank. He was more than qualified to join a martial hall.

"What's the biggest martial hall in the city?"

The manager thought for a moment. "The biggest martial hall in Anning City is the local branch of the Divine Dragon Martial Hall. Its master is a Fourth Rank Martial Artist with considerable influence in the Garrison Command. The Divine Dragon Martial Hall's family compound is in the best part of the Inner City. I hear it's home to nothing but experts. And across Great Xia, the Divine Dragon Martial Hall ranks among the top ten."

Divine Dragon Martial Hall. Song Chen repeated the name silently, then nodded to the manager. "Thank you. I'll hold off on this house for now."

The manager showed impressive professionalism. He didn't get upset, only waved a hand. "No problem, no problem. Your situation is a special one, sir. I understand. If you need anything in the future, feel free to come see me."

Song Chen left the sales office with his parents.

Li Xiuying took his hand, her face full of worry. "Son, you don't really have enemies, do you?"

Song Chen fell silent for a second. He didn't want them living in fear every day, so he said, "Not yet, Mom. But I don't want to take the chance."

Li Xiuying's eyes reddened. "It's all because your mother wasn't capable enough. I've held you back..."

Song Chen interrupted her. "Don't say that. You haven't held me back. I'm the one who needs to protect you."

He thought for a moment, then suddenly had an idea. "Mom, Dad, would you like to go sightseeing?"

Li Xiuying was taken aback. "Sightseeing?"

"There are lots of fun places in the Inner City—parks, shopping malls, scenic spots. You've never really had the chance to enjoy yourselves. I'll take care of things here. You two can go explore and have a good time."

Li Xiuying hesitated. "But you'll be on your own..."

"I'll be fine by myself. I'll actually worry more with you here. If you go out and enjoy yourselves, I can focus on taking care of things."

Song Zhengye suddenly spoke up. "All right. Let's listen to our son."

He looked at Song Chen, pride in his eyes. "Our son's grown up. He can handle things on his own now. It's time the two of us old folks enjoyed ourselves a little, too."

Li Xiuying looked at her husband, then at her son, and finally nodded. "All right. Mom will listen to you."

Song Chen smiled. He took out his phone and transferred some money to his parents—not a small amount, but half his savings: 6.5 million.

"Spend this first. If it's not enough, tell me."

Li Xiuying looked at the figure on her phone, and her hand trembled again. "Th-this much..."

Song Chen was perfectly calm. "If you don't spend it all, just save the rest. We'll have plenty of money from now on."

He hailed a hovercar and helped his parents inside.

"Have a good time."

Li Xiuying leaned out the window, her eyes red. "Son, be careful."

"Don't worry."

The hovercar started slowly and disappeared at the end of the street.

Song Chen stood where he was, watching it go. Then he turned and walked in the opposite direction.

He was going to check out the Divine Dragon Martial Hall.