Generous Old Huang (Please Read On)

It was clear that Old Huang was somewhat troubled.

He kept a low profile, but he could not let himself be used as a stepping stone every time.

Over the years, countless schools had risen to prominence by stepping on the Sea Sand Style, each one taking in large numbers of disciples and raking in money.

Old Huang loved money, and he envied them greatly.

In the end, aside from the already-graduated Three Heroes, he simply had not produced any outstanding successors in all these years.

Even if he wanted to make a splash, he could not.

"They've gone too far!" A Zhen said. "Master, leave it to us. We'll make those people from the Night Heron Martial Arts Hall go back with their tails between their legs."

Silly Qiang said, "I'm strong, Master. Leave it to me!"

Liu Chun smiled. "Your cultivation is still a little lacking. The Night Heron Martial Arts Hall has high standards. I reckon the disciples they send to challenge us will be at least at the Purple Membrane level."

Huang Sihai nodded. "That's right. This time, the Night Heron Martial Arts Hall plans to send eight people for an exchange—four from Pine Hall and four from Egret Hall...

"Pine Hall is roughly at the level of our first-floor disciples. Egret Hall is at the second-floor level, so it has nothing to do with you.

"Egret Hall is manageable. We have experts on the second floor too. Though they cannot compare to the Three Heroes, they should be able to hold their own against Egret Hall.

"Even if they lose, it will not be a crushing defeat... The trouble lies with Pine Hall.

"From what I know, Pine Hall can easily put together four Purple Membrane disciples to challenge us.

"On our side, apart from Liu Chun, among you lot... A Zhen and Silly Qiang are the closest.

"You two, are you confident you can reach Purple Membrane within a month?"

Huang Sihai looked toward A Zhen and Silly Qiang.

"No problem," A Zhen and Silly Qiang promised.

"Good. Silly Qiang was born with immense strength, and he trained hard qigong under Lion-Head Buddha. If he reaches Purple Membrane, he'll be an expert even among those at the same level. He'll have a decent chance of winning."

Huang Sihai stroked his beard and pondered.

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 quite a fighter too."

"You? You're a girl. Your innate physical constitution is still a bit lacking... Just make sure you don't lose too badly," Huang Sihai said bluntly.

"We're still one person short." Liu Chun frowned. "Master, why not let me compete in all the matches?"

"That won't do. If I keep relying on you alone, wouldn't that make it seem like the Sea Sand Style has no one else?" Huang Sihai rejected the suggestion.

After thinking hard for a moment, he looked at the others. "Does anyone else have confidence in reaching Purple Membrane within a month?"

No one spoke. Let alone Purple Membrane, many people in the martial arts hall had not even reached Azure Membrane yet.

Li Xiuwen lowered his head, deep in thought. When he looked up, his eyes met Huang Sihai's.

"Awen? Are you confident?" Huang Sihai asked casually.

"Master, I'm close. I can give it a try," Li Xiuwen said after some thought.

He was confident, but he could not talk himself up too much. This was a chance to show what he could do. Perhaps he could earn Old Huang's favor and get resources poured into him.

"Fine, then do your best. Even if you can't make it, you'll still compete. If you're lucky and get matched against their strongest disciple, you can still be useful."

Old Huang clearly did not place much hope in Li Xiuwen. Whether this poor kid could even renew his monthly fee next month was uncertain, and he wanted to reach Purple Membrane?

"Master... if we win, will there be any rewards?" A Zhen could not help asking.

Li Xiuwen perked up his ears. He was actually somewhat unwilling to step forward.

He did not like fighting. He liked pointless fights even less.

Huang Sihai shot A Zhen a glance and laughed as he scolded her, "All you think about every day is getting benefits. You really are my disciple."

"You taught me well, Master," A Zhen said with a smile.

Huang Sihai said, "Of course there will be rewards. If you win and bolster the reputation of our Sea Sand Style, you'll each receive one Fish Ball to help you break through."

"Is that all, Master?" A Zhen asked.

"What else do you want?"

"Nothing..." A Zhen did not dare say more.

With so many disciples watching, Huang Sihai perhaps felt he was being a little stingy.

Thinking that the odds of these misfits defeating the Night Heron Martial Arts Hall were slim anyway, he said:

"How about this? If you win, you'll get two Fish Balls, and your monthly fees will be waived for three months. Is that enough?"

"Yay! Master, you're so generous!" A Zhen cheered.

Li Xiuwen's heart burned with excitement as well.

All told, it was worth 2,800 yuan!

He would have needed two years working at the barbershop, without eating or drinking, to save that much.

"Also, if you win, I'll teach you an additional movement technique that normally requires entry to the second floor and extra payment to learn."

Old Huang continued raising the stakes. Everyone's blood was boiling, and they began rubbing their fists and palms together.

Even Liu Chun, who had always thought highly of herself, was somewhat excited.

A movement technique!

It was part of martial combat, yet even rarer.

The vast majority of martial artists never had the chance to encounter a movement technique in their entire lives.

With a movement technique to complement one's fighting style, someone at Purple Membrane might have a chance to defeat someone at Black Membrane.

Just like 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 a movement technique were few and far between.

This time, Old Huang truly was being generous!

"Master, I think I can reach Purple Membrane too."

"Me too."

Those who had remained silent earlier all raised their hands.

"Words are useless. Before they come to challenge us, I'll personally inspect your cultivation. If you haven't reached Purple Membrane, forget about it."

After saying that, Huang Sihai turned and left.

He had never expected these people to win.

He knew perfectly well that the disciples he recruited were indeed inferior in talent to those carefully selected by that old man Ye.

He was merely offering a few benefits to stir up their enthusiasm for training, so that they might avoid losing too badly next month.

At dusk, the fading light filtered through the gaps between the buildings, scattering flecks of gold.

Li Xiuwen wore a loose jacket as he hurried down the road home.

Suddenly, a manhole cover ahead of him was pushed open, and a tall figure climbed out.

One of his hands was wrapped in bandages, and several vicious scars crossed his face. When he saw Li Xiuwen, the corner of his mouth curled up.

"Awen, long time no see. Did you miss Brother Ji?"

Li Xiuwen's heart sank. He had not expected Brother Ji to still be alive.

But judging by his injuries, he had definitely gotten into a fight.

He offered him a cigarette, lit it, and bent forward with a smile. "Brother Ji, what have you been up to lately?"

Brother Ji took two drags and said, "Nothing much. Just killed someone who didn't know his place."

"Brother Ji, you're amazing! I've got something to do, so I'll head home first." Li Xiuwen turned to leave after speaking.

"In such a hurry to reincarnate?... It's about time. You should pay up for next month, right? I'm a little short on cash lately." Brother Ji smiled as he pressed a hand onto Li Xiuwen's shoulder.

"I only have forty." Li Xiuwen gave a bitter smile and pulled four crumpled bills from his shoe.

"You need to work hard and make money." Brother Ji accepted the cash and handed Li Xiuwen a small oil-paper packet. "Good stuff. Take it."

Li Xiuwen opened the packet. Inside was a pinch of white powder. His expression changed. "Brother Ji, this is...?"

"Never seen it before? Powder. Don't say I treat you badly. A pinch that size is worth fifty yuan. I'm treating you like a brother." Brother Ji smiled.

"Brother Ji, I don't touch this stuff. My sister-in-law will beat me to death," Li Xiuwen said helplessly.

"Then should I beat you to death right now?" Brother Ji's face changed faster than a page turning. He narrowed his eyes, radiating danger.

Li Xiuwen knew that Brother Ji wanted to use opium to control him and make him do his bidding.

Many bosses controlled their underlings this way. Once they got hooked, they would always need the boss. They could never quit and could never leave.

"Brother Ji, whatever you want me to do, I'll listen. I'll be completely loyal. My home is right here—I can't run away." Li Xiuwen put on a miserable expression.

Brother Ji considered it and found the reasoning sound. He took back the oil-paper packet and smiled. "Come find me here at nine in the evening three days from now. From then on, help me make powder. I guarantee you'll make big money."

Brother Ji gave Li Xiuwen's shoulder a hard slap. Li Xiuwen immediately staggered and fell to the ground, his face full of fear.

Brother Ji smiled smugly, then quickly returned to the sewer.

Li Xiuwen dusted himself off and rose to his feet. His eyes were like a frigid pool that had remained frozen for ages.

His killing intent condensed into water and dripped into that cold pool, sending ripples spreading outward.