A Favor Returned with Grudge

"The day I left, I said I owed Brother Lin a fish. I finally caught one yesterday and came to return it early."

Lin Yi was momentarily stunned, his gaze fixed on the Three-Tailed Black Snakehead in the porcelain jar.

The black snakehead swam gently in the calm jar.

Lin Yi hadn't expected that a casual pleasantry would be taken so seriously by Jiang Er.

It was hard not to be moved.

Lin Yi was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say.

Seeing Lin Yi's daze, Jiang Er pushed the porcelain jar forward and said shyly, "Brother Lin, I don't have the talent to identify treasure fish yet. I only saw that this fish looked unusual, and it was fiercer than other big fish when I caught it. I don't know if it's a treasure fish."

Lin Yi nodded, "It is a treasure fish, and a very precious Three-Tailed Black Snakehead, even better than the Three-Eyed River Goby before."

The Three-Tailed Black Snakehead could be considered a very good treasure fish, even much better than the Three-Eyed River Goby Lin Yi had encountered before. It was also very beneficial for a martial artist's cultivation.

Jiang Er smiled and nodded, "That's good, as long as it's a treasure fish..."

Jiang Er chuckled heartily.

Then, he stood up, scratched his head with a simple smile, and said, "Little Brother Lin, I have to go fishing again today, so I'll be leaving now..."

With that, Jiang Er prepared to leave.

"Wait." Lin Yi stood up and called out to Jiang Er.

"Little Brother Lin?" Jiang Er turned his head, confused.

Lin Yi said earnestly, "Are you willing to learn martial arts?"

Jiang Er's pupils contracted, and he waved his hands repeatedly, "Learn... learn martial arts..."

Lin Yi nodded, "Yes, learn martial arts. I can vouch for you."

Once one became a martial artist, they would be a disciple of a martial hall and have the qualification to recommend someone.

They could recommend one person to enter the inner court directly to study for half a year.

Regardless of the person's innate talent or aptitude, they could enjoy the inner court's resources for martial arts training in advance.

The entire process of learning martial arts would be smoother than being an apprentice in the outer court.

Liu Lie had also had ulterior motives before because he lacked the qualification to recommend someone, so he had directly brought Lin Yi to Master Yuan to get a cultivation spot.

Jiang Er was overwhelmed and swallowed.

A flicker of struggle crossed Jiang Er's eyes, and he said earnestly:

"Little Brother Lin, is it because of this treasure fish that you feel burdened and want to compensate me for something..."

"Little Brother Lin, there's no need for that. This fish is what I owed you before... If I were to accept any reward from you again, it would mean I've lost my integrity..."

"Little Brother Lin, if you consider me a friend, then accept it frankly."

"As for learning martial arts... let's forget it... I have no intention of learning martial arts..."

Jiang Er felt a pang of sadness in his heart, and as he spoke the last sentence.

He felt like his heart was breaking.

Learning martial arts.

This was an opportunity that could change his destiny.

Did Jiang Er want to learn martial arts?

He did, he dreamed of it.

But he knew his family's situation.

His father was injured and had only recently been able to get out of bed and walk.

His younger sister was also nearing marriageable age, and the local landlord had been making frequent advances, wanting to take his sister as a concubine.

He was the sole pillar of his family.

He couldn't, and had no way, to learn martial arts.

Jiang Er turned around, feeling his body grow heavier, and left without daring to look back.

At this moment, Lin Yi's voice came again.

"Brother Jiang, you've misunderstood."

"I recommend you learn martial arts because I believe you have the talent and resilience for it. If you learn martial arts, you will surely achieve something. As for my recommendation, it's merely an investment in someone with abundant talent and potential."

"If you change your mind later, Brother Jiang, just come to this courtyard to find me!"

Jiang Er's body trembled, and he let out a muffled 'Mm', then quickly left.

Lin Yi looked at the Three-Tailed Black Snakehead in the porcelain jar, lost in thought.

At this moment, in the inner court of Rainbow Martial Hall.

The martial hall was divided into three areas: the outer court, the inner court, and the deep inner court.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

These corresponded to the activity areas for the martial arts school's apprentices, disciples, and inner disciples.

At this moment, in the inner courtyard.

Inside Master Yuan's room.

Xiao Dong arrived and bowed respectfully to Master Yuan, saying, "Master, you were looking for me."

The Xiao Dong of today no longer possessed the timidity and weakness he had when he first arrived at the martial arts school.

His entire being exuded confidence and high spirits.

Master Yuan nodded with satisfaction:

"These past few days, quite a few forces in the city have come to befriend you."

"Among them, the Ning Manor is the most willing to spend money."

"You must be aware of the Ning Family Patriarch's intentions; he wants you to marry the Ning Manor's young lady."

"Since ancient times, marriage has been governed by parental decree and matchmaker's words. I know you lost your father at a young age, so the Ning Family Patriarch's matchmaker has visited me many times."

"It just so happens that you've reached marriageable age."

"I want to know your thoughts so I can reply to the Ning Manor."

Xiao Dong lowered his head: "Master, please give me two more days..."

Master Yuan raised an eyebrow: "You still can't forget your childhood sweetheart?"

Xiao Dong remained silent, which was taken as an affirmation.

Master Yuan frowned: "That's rather ungrateful."

"If she doesn't agree, it means she doesn't have the fortune. However, you are my disciple, and your thoughts shouldn't be solely focused on women. I've also learned about the Ning family; they used some questionable methods to build their fortune in the early years and are now gradually legitimizing it."

"In this world, whose fortune isn't built on some blood?"

"Becoming their son-in-law would greatly benefit your future."

"Therefore, you should consider it carefully."

Xiao Dong nodded: "Yes, Master."

Master Yuan continued: "I observe your vital energy and blood; it's about to become abundant. You'll likely break through to become a Martial Artist in the next day or two. After that, you'll focus all your efforts on cultivating martial skills next month. I've reserved a spot for you in the Seven Halls Martial Arts Tournament, so you must train diligently during this time."

Xiao Dong nodded: "Yes, Master."

Master Yuan waved his hand: "You may go."

Xiao Dong nodded, his expression shifting between emotions, with the blood-sha energy surging.

This made his emotions even more unstable.

His mind once again replayed the scene from half a month ago when he went to Blacksmith Wang's house and proposed to Wang Yan'er.

"Xiao Dong, I don't like you. I only see you as Brother Yi's friend!"

"I don't want to marry you."

"I don't like you, no matter how you change, I don't like you!"

"That's right, I like Brother Yi! So what! I'm not marrying you anyway!"

He also recalled his mother's attitude after he awakened his Destiny and returned home, riding a white horse amidst a throng of people, full of high spirits.

His mother was first surprised and excited, then hugged him and wept.

Immediately after, she brought up the name that disgusted him.

"Oh, right, Xiao Yi knows about your awakening your Destiny at the martial arts school, doesn't he? Where is Xiao Yi? Why didn't he come with you?"

"Back then, Xiao Yi saved your life. Now that you're doing well, you can't forget his kindness, understand?"

"Xiao Yi's family situation isn't good, and he's helped us mother and son a lot over the years. If you have any extra cultivation resources, you should share some with Xiao Yi..."

"You two grew up together, so you should get along well at the martial arts school. When you come back, invite Xiao Yi over for dinner at our house..."

Lin Yi...

Lin Yi...

"What's so great about him!"

"Why is everyone mentioning him!"

"In terms of roots, talent, and Destiny!"

"He's clearly not as good as me!"

"Is it just because he saved my life back then that I have to be grateful to him forever and bow down to him!"

"I didn't beg him to save me back then!"

"He just acted on his own accord..."

"If only he would disappear..."

Veins bulged on Xiao Dong's forehead, and his vital energy and blood surged around him like a raging river.

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