Keeping Up Appearances

Fang Mingguang's face immediately darkened when he heard Wei Yu's words.

He had never expected that, with only the last few days remaining, Wang Sheng would actually manage to enter the martial path.

Could that really be counted as Wang Sheng failing to persist until the end?

Fang Mingguang did not want to acknowledge it.

However,

Wei Yu was beloved by many of the senior and junior disciples, and she was also on the verge of stepping into Dark Force, becoming an expert in her own right.

In the end,

Under Wei Yu's cold voice, Fang Mingguang could only reluctantly admit defeat and hand over ten taels of silver.

"Damn it, Wang Sheng is trash too. If he could enter the martial path, he should've done it early and gotten it over with. Instead, he deliberately waited until the last few days to screw me over. Damn it, this isn't over!"

Fang Mingguang did not dare vent his anger on Wei Yu, but deep inside, he developed intense hatred and disgust toward Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng had also entered the martial path and become Fang Mingguang's junior brother.

But he was different from Lin Shu.

Lin Shu was a genius and was even more highly regarded by Zhao Jie. Fang Mingguang was still trying to win him over.

As for Wang Sheng, he had barely entered the martial path in the final few days. One look was enough to tell that his talent was poor and his future accomplishments would be limited.

That was why Fang Mingguang dared to hate Wang Sheng. He wanted to find an opportunity to vent his frustration on him—preferably by earning those ten taels of silver back from Wang Sheng.

"Impossible, impossible... He really entered the martial path!"

Sun Ping was still immersed in shock, muttering to himself.

He had always looked down on Low-grade Physiques like Wang Sheng, who trained to the death and worked even harder than he did.

But now Wang Sheng had entered the martial path while he himself had failed to do so. The blow to Sun Ping was immense.

At this moment,

Zhao Jie, having heard the commotion, came out as well. After confirming that Wang Sheng had indeed entered the martial path, he immediately announced that Wang Sheng had become the Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy's eighty-seventh formal disciple.

"A reward of ten taels of silver and two Blood Replenishing Pills. My disciple Wang Sheng, though you entered somewhat late, once you step onto the martial path, you must understand that the world is vastly different. Remember to cultivate diligently from now on. When you go out into the world, do not disgrace the Zhao family name."

Zhao Jie declared loudly before everyone.

"Yes, Master. This disciple will keep it firmly in his heart and never dare forget."

Wang Sheng knelt, kowtowed, and offered tea. The simple disciple-taking ceremony was complete.

Zhao Jie's gift for accepting Wang Sheng as his disciple was ten taels of silver and two Blood Replenishing Pills.

This was inferior to Lin Shu's reward. After all, Wang Sheng had entered nearly a month later.

"The few of you should take your senior brother Wang Sheng as an example and continue working hard!"

Zhao Jie glanced at Su Youwen, Sun Ping, and the other six, casually instructed them, then led Wang Sheng into the inner courtyard.

After Zhao Jie left,

The outer courtyard erupted into chatter again. Quite a few formal disciples were discussing Wang Sheng, their words filled with emotion.

Those who entered the martial path in the final few days were not unheard of at various martial arts academies, but they were exceedingly rare. One or two in a year was already considered good.

"Wang Sheng, Senior Brother! He... he's our senior brother now!!!"

The flames of jealousy in Sun Ping's heart nearly burned him to ashes.

He had a Mid-Lower Aptitude, far superior to Wang Sheng's.

At this moment,

Someone's words

Were like a basin of icy water poured over Sun Ping from head to toe.

"We can still call him Senior Brother a few more times now. Once the deadline comes and the academy persuades us to leave, we probably won't even be qualified to call him Senior Brother anymore."

A new disciple sighed.

Sun Ping stood frozen where he was, his mind utterly blank.

"Junior Brother Su, take this!"

With a flick of her finger, Wei Yu tossed a Blood Replenishing Pill into Su Youwen's hand.

"Senior Sister, this is...?"

Su Youwen asked in surprise and alarm.

This Blood Replenishing Pill was something he had heard other senior brothers mention. It was one of the pills specially used by Bright Force Martial Artists. It could greatly strengthen one's blood and qi, nourish physical strength and force, and was extremely useful—but also very expensive, costing five taels of silver each.

Five taels of silver could buy three or four thousand flatbreads, enough to feed an ordinary family for half a year, yet it could only be exchanged for a Blood Replenishing Pill the size of a thumb.

"You earned it."

After saying that, Wei Yu ignored him and walked straight into the inner courtyard.

This was where Wei Yu's gambling conduct shone through: winning was winning, losing was losing, and the stakes were always clearly settled.

Su Youwen lowered his head and looked at the round red pill in his hand. He swallowed hard, hesitated for a long while, but ultimately put it away.

He did not believe that a single pill could help him enter the martial path. It would be better to sell it for money and help support his family.

Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy.

Inner courtyard.

The inner courtyard looked more like an ordinary residence. A lush, leafy tree stood on the left, with a stone table and stone chairs beneath it.

The ground within the courtyard was paved with crisscrossing stone slabs that formed a grid. The remaining open spaces were planted with either flowers or vegetables and fruit.

Zhao Jie led Wang Sheng across the stone path, through the inner courtyard, and into a hall.

As soon as Zhao Jie sat down in the hall, a plump, beautiful woman dressed in a blue gauze robe swayed over with a willow-like waist and served them two cups of tea.

"Wang Sheng greets Mistress!"

Wang Sheng lowered his head, catching sight of that slender, boneless waist moving with such captivating grace. He secretly marveled at it, though his outward manner remained respectful.

"Mm. You two talk."

The beautiful Lady Liang gave Wang Sheng a gentle smile, then left directly. She was Zhao Jie's second wife.

After leisurely taking a sip of tea, Zhao Jie saw that Wang Sheng still stood respectfully before opening his mouth. "Wang Sheng! You are very good."

"Thank you for your praise, Master. This disciple was able to enter the martial path only because of Master's guidance."

Wang Sheng said.

"Mm."

"To speak frankly, under ordinary circumstances, I would value a disciple like you greatly. You bear the signs of a great vessel that matures late."

After saying this, Zhao Jie took another sip of tea.

But Wang Sheng's heart sank. Judging by that wording, there was surely a "but" coming.

He did not know what Zhao Jie meant.

"But!"

"You also know that the world has been unstable lately. Southern Ridge Prefecture is suffering from a severe drought and a locust plague, and some people have rebelled. Han Country in the northern coldlands is preparing to march south and attack our Jing Kingdom. Demonic fiends have risen again in the martial world, and massacres that wipe out entire families occur from time to time. Jiangling Prefecture is caught in the middle. At any moment, we may encounter disaster—war or calamity."

"As your master, I need to cultivate a group of martial experts as quickly as possible to assist me."

"Your senior brother Lin Shu possesses a rare High-grade Physique. I had originally planned to stop accepting disciples after this and devote myself to teaching Lin Shu, helping him grasp Bright Force as soon as possible and advance into Dark Force."

"But your appearance was beyond my expectations."

"After you entered the martial path, some of the resources that had originally been allocated to Lin Shu must now be divided and given to you."

"Of course, as a master, I must keep the bowl of water level. But you also understand that Lin Shu's talent truly surpasses yours by quite a bit. As for these cultivation resources, do you wish to contend with your senior brother Lin Shu for them?"

Zhao Jie spoke at length.

Wang Sheng was not some inexperienced child. The moment he heard this, he understood Zhao Jie's intentions.

Zhao Jie did not want to give Wang Sheng cultivation resources, yet he also wanted to preserve his reputation and avoid leaving others with the bad name of oppressing his disciple.

Thus, after saying all that, Zhao Jie wanted Wang Sheng to voluntarily retreat in the face of difficulty.

"I do!"

Wang Sheng's expression was respectful, but his words rang out firm and forceful.

If he did not fight for them now,

With chaos about to descend upon the land, was he supposed to wait until rebel armies and bandits arrived, then be too weak to resist and get cut down with a single blade?

Thud!

Wang Sheng dropped to his knees and kowtowed. "This disciple is wholeheartedly devoted to martial arts and will never waver. I beg Master to give this disciple an opportunity. Even if this disciple dies ten thousand deaths, I could never repay Master's grace."

Wang Sheng had seen Zhao Jie for what he was: someone who desperately cared about appearances.

Zhao Jie could have simply made the decision with a single word and refused to give Wang Sheng cultivation resources. But he feared that word would spread and damage his reputation.

Since that was the case, Wang Sheng could only force him onto the pedestal of his own pride, leaving him unable to climb down.