Old Huang was clearly worried.
He kept a low profile, but that didn't mean he could let people use him as a stepping stone every single time.
Over the years, so many styles had risen to prominence by trampling over the Sea Sand Style, taking in disciples by the score and raking in money.
Old Huang loved money, and he envied them terribly.
Ultimately, the main reason he kept a low profile was that, apart from the Three Heroes who had already graduated, he hadn't had a presentable successor in years.
Even if he wanted to make a splash, he had nothing to do it with.
"They've gone too far!" A Zhen said. "Master, leave it to us. We'll make sure those people from the Night Heron Martial Arts Hall go home with their tails between their legs."
"I'm strong," Big Silly Qiang said. "Leave it to me, Master!"
"Your cultivation still falls a little short," Liu Chun said with a smile. "The Night Heron Martial Arts Hall has high standards. I reckon the disciples they send for the Hall Challenge will at least have purple membranes."
Huang Sihai nodded. "Yes. This time, the Night Heron Martial Arts Hall plans to send eight people for the exchange. Four from Pine Hall and four from Egret Hall...
"Pine Hall is roughly on the level of our First-Floor Disciples. Egret Hall is on the level of our second-floor disciples, so that part has nothing to do with you.
"Egret Hall should be manageable. We have experts on our second floor too. They aren't as good as the Three Heroes, but they should be evenly matched with Egret Hall.
"Even if they lose, it won't be a crushing defeat... Pine Hall is where we're in trouble.
"As far as I know, they have more than enough Pine Hall disciples to send four with purple membranes for the Hall Challenge.
"On our side, apart from Liu Chun, you lot... A Zhen and Big Silly Qiang are the closest.
"Are you two confident you can develop purple membranes within a month?"
Huang Sihai looked at A Zhen and Big Silly Qiang.
"No problem," A Zhen and Big Silly Qiang assured him.
"All right. Big Silly Qiang has extraordinary natural strength, and he's practiced Hard Qigong under Lion-Head Buddha. If he develops a purple membrane, he'll be formidable among those at his level. He'll have a decent chance of winning."
Huang Sihai stroked his beard thoughtfully.
A Zhen pouted. "Master, I'm not bad either. My Sand-Turning Palm is almost at minor mastery. Once I develop soft force, I'll be a strong fighter too."
"You? You're a girl. Your natural physique is still a little lacking... Just don't lose too badly," Huang Sihai said bluntly.
"We're still one person short," Liu Chun said with a frown. "Master, why not let me fight all the matches?"
"No. If we rely on you alone, won't that make it look as though the Sea Sand Style has no one else?" Huang Sihai rejected the idea.
After pondering for a moment, he looked at the others. "Is anyone else confident they can develop a purple membrane within a month?"
Nobody spoke. Forget purple membranes-quite a few people in the martial arts hall hadn't even developed azure membranes yet.
Li Xiuwen lowered his head, considering something. When he looked up, his eyes met Huang Sihai's.
"A Wen? Are you confident?" Huang Sihai asked casually.
"Master, I'm pretty close. I can give it a try," Li Xiuwen said after some thought.
He was confident, but he couldn't make any absolute promises. Taking this opportunity to stand out might earn Old Huang's favor and bring him more resources.
"All right, give it your best shot. Even if you don't manage it, you'll still fight. With luck, we can match you against their strongest disciple, and you'll serve a purpose that way."
Old Huang plainly didn't expect anything from Li Xiuwen. It was uncertain whether this poor kid could even pay next month's fees, let alone develop a purple membrane.
"Master... if we win, do we get anything?" A Zhen couldn't help asking.
Li Xiuwen pricked up his ears. In truth, he was a little reluctant to fight.
He didn't like fighting, and he liked fighting without anything to gain even less.
Huang Sihai glanced at A Zhen and laughed as he scolded her. "Always looking for something in return. You really are my disciple."
"You taught me well, Master," A Zhen said with a smile.
"Of course there's a reward," Huang Sihai said. "If you win and enhance Sea Sand's reputation, you'll receive one fish ball to help you break through."
"That's all, Master?" A Zhen asked.
"What else do you want?"
"Nothing..." A Zhen didn't dare say any more.
With so many disciples watching, Huang Sihai might have felt he was being a little stingy.
Thinking that these sorry specimens weren't very likely to beat the Night Heron Martial Arts Hall anyway, he said:
"How about this? If you win, you get two fish balls, plus three months without fees. Satisfied?"
"Hooray! Master, you're so generous!" A Zhen cheered.
Excitement stirred in Li Xiuwen's heart too.
That came to a value of 2,800!
When he'd worked at the Hair Salon, he would have needed to save for two years without spending a penny on food or drink to amass that much.
"Also, if you win, I'll teach you a movement technique as an extra reward. Normally, you'd have to enter the second floor and pay extra to learn it."
Old Huang kept sweetening the deal. Everyone's heart burned with excitement, and they rubbed their hands eagerly.
Even Liu Chun, who thought herself above the rest, felt a little excited.
A movement technique!
It fell under combat techniques, making it even rarer.
The vast majority of martial artists would never have a chance to learn a movement technique in their entire lives.
If someone with a purple membrane could learn a movement technique and combine it with combat techniques, they would have a chance of defeating someone with a black membrane.
Like Big Silly Qiang's Hard Qigong, a movement technique could serve as a martial artist's trump card!
Li Xiuwen was tempted too. Money could always be earned, but opportunities to learn movement techniques were few.
Old Huang really was being generous this time!
"Master, I feel like I can develop a purple membrane too."
"Me too."
Those who had kept silent a moment ago all raised their hands.
"Talk is useless. Before the Hall Challenge, I'll personally check your cultivation. No purple membrane, no deal."
With that, Huang Sihai turned and left.
He didn't expect these people to win at all.
He knew perfectly well that the disciples he recruited really weren't as talented as those Old Ye had carefully selected.
He was merely offering a few rewards to fire up their enthusiasm for training, hoping they wouldn't lose too badly next month.
At dusk, the lingering sunlight filtered through the gaps between buildings, scattering spots of gold.
Wearing a loose jacket, Li Xiuwen walked briskly home.
Suddenly, a manhole cover ahead of him was pushed up, and a tall figure climbed out.
One of his hands was wrapped in bandages, and several savage scars marked his face. When he saw Li Xiuwen, the corners of his mouth lifted.
"Long time no see, A Wen. Miss your Brother Ji?"
Li Xiuwen's heart sank. He hadn't expected Brother Ji to still be alive.
Judging by his injuries, though, he had definitely been in a fight.
"Brother Ji, what have you been up to lately?" He offered a cigarette, lit it, and smiled deferentially with a slight bow.
"Nothing much. Just killed a few fools who didn't know their place," Brother Ji said, taking a couple of drags.
"You're a real badass, Brother Ji! I've got something to take care of, so I'll head home." Li Xiuwen turned to leave.
"What's the rush? Off to be reincarnated?... It's about time you paid next month's money, isn't it? I've been struggling to put food on the table lately." Smiling, Brother Ji held Li Xiuwen by the shoulder.
"I only have forty left." With a bitter smile, Li Xiuwen pulled four crumpled bills from his shoe.
"You need to work harder and earn more." Brother Ji took the money and handed Li Xiuwen a small waxed-paper packet. "Good stuff. Take it."
Li Xiuwen opened the waxed-paper packet. Inside was a pinch of white powder. His expression changed. "Brother Ji, what's this?"
"Never seen it before? It's dope. Don't say I'm shortchanging you. That fingernail-sized pinch is worth fifty. I'm treating you like a brother," Brother Ji said with a smile.
"Brother, I don't touch this stuff. My aunt would beat me to death," Li Xiuwen said helplessly.
"Then how about I beat you to death right now?" Brother Ji's expression changed in an instant. He narrowed his eyes, radiating menace.
Li Xiuwen knew Brother Ji wanted to use drugs to control him and make him do his bidding.
A lot of bosses controlled their underlings this way. Once hooked, their men would always need something from them, never able to quit or leave.
"Brother Ji, whatever you want me to do, I'll do it. I'll be absolutely loyal. My home is here. I can't run away," Li Xiuwen said miserably.
Brother Ji thought it over. That made some sense. He took back the waxed-paper packet and smiled. "Come find me here at nine, three nights from now. You'll help me make dope from now on. I guarantee you'll make good money."
Brother Ji slapped Li Xiuwen hard on the shoulder. Li Xiuwen immediately stumbled and dropped to the ground, fear showing on his face.
Brother Ji smiled smugly and quickly returned to the sewer.
Li Xiuwen brushed off the dust and stood up, his eyes like an icy pool that had remained frozen for ages.
His killing intent condensed into water, dripping into that icy pool and sending ripples spreading outward.
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