The Wager

Xiao Wang ultimately gained Wei Zhongxing's approval. For the next few months, he could stay at the martial arts hall for a monthly room-and-board fee of 680 Federation coins.

That evening, Xiao Wang went home and told Zhou Zhengxiong and Qin Fengying about it. Of course, so as not to burden his adoptive parents, he did not mention the money.

"Is the martial arts hall reliable? It's perfectly fine to live at home. You can just go there every day," Qin Fengying said worriedly. "Honey, say something too."

Listening to the radio broadcast, Zhou Zhengxiong said, "The kid is eighteen now. It's normal for him to have his own ideas. I think it's good. If he wants to learn martial arts, then he should go to the martial arts hall. His goal is very clear, and I think that's good. Wang, if you run into any trouble, tell us. If living there doesn't work out, you can come back anytime."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"I asked you to talk him out of it. Why are you supporting him instead?" Qin Fengying shot Zhou Zhengxiong an irritated look.

"Big brother, are you leaving home?" Four-year-old Zhou Xuanyu asked Xiao Wang, only half understanding.

"Your brother is going out to live somewhere else for a while. Be good at home, okay?"

"I will."

Early the next morning, Xiao Wang went to school and finished his morning classes before leaving directly for No. 42 Happy Sky Road.

The second round of drug trials had ended, and he had come to collect the payment for the second phase: 15,000 Federation coins.

When he arrived, there was already a long line. Xiao Wang went straight to the back and joined it. Before long, another long queue had formed behind him.

He looked at the line beside them for compensation payments and found that only two family members were waiting there, far fewer than during the first phase.

The second round of drug trials paid 5,000 Federation coins less than the first, which also indicated that the risks of the second phase were considerably lower.

Soon, it was Xiao Wang's turn.

The process was the same as last time. He handed over his contract, had blood drawn for testing, collected his money, and left.

As his blood was being drawn, two people inside the storefront were watching him. The leader was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a Fusheng Group employee wearing clothing marked with the word "Fusheng" standing beside him.

"That's him." The employee in the Fusheng clothing pointed at Xiao Wang.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Every name on our contracts has a serial number, so there can't be a mistake. His blood test showed absolutely no side effects, while everyone else had more or less some side effects."

"I understand. Hurry and continue testing the second-phase blood samples. Also, investigate this person and make sure we can find him once the second-phase blood test results are out."

"Understood."

After saying that, the middle-aged man left.

After having his blood drawn and collecting the 15,000 Federation coins, Xiao Wang got up and headed home.

He planned to move into the martial arts hall today.

He packed some clothes and other daily necessities, then briefly explained the situation to Qin Fengying.

"Auntie, I'm moving into the martial arts hall starting today. You and Uncle should take care of yourselves. I'll come back to visit often."

"You must take good care of yourself out there. If you aren't used to it, hurry back home, understand?"

"I understand, Auntie. I'm leaving."

With his everyday belongings in hand, Xiao Wang left home and headed toward Zhongxing Martial Arts Hall.

In Xiao Wang's mind, moving out was not only for practicing martial arts and combat techniques, but also to avoid risks. He still had to kill the Patrol Bureau captain. One careless mistake could implicate his family, especially when he also carried the identity of a rebel spy.

After walking for around an hour, he arrived at Zhongxing Martial Arts Hall.

Zhongxing Martial Arts Hall had only three rooms in total. Wei Zhongxing occupied one, another served as both the main room and dining room, and the last one was shared by Cheng Hu and Linghu Ke, who slept on one large communal bed.

After Xiao Wang arrived, Cheng Hu helped him set up. He added three planks at the end of the communal bed, laid down a battered cotton quilt, spread a bedsheet over it, then added a pillow and another quilt.

"There. Junior brother, you'll sleep next to me from now on."

Xiao Wang had rarely shared a bed with others, so he felt a little uncomfortable at first. But when he thought of how he needed to improve his martial arts and combat techniques as quickly as possible to kill his enemies, he could endure all of it.

Fortunately, after two nights of observation, neither Cheng Hu nor Linghu Ke snored. Cheng Hu only muttered in his sleep occasionally.

Over the following days, Xiao Wang exchanged intelligence with An Han at school almost every day, but they basically found nothing.

Other than his academic classes at school, Xiao Wang spent nearly all his remaining time training at the martial arts hall.

After four or five days of practice, he had basically become proficient in the forms and movements of Tiger Guard Fist.

That day, Wei Zhongxing sat at the entrance of the main room drinking tea while Xiao Wang practiced Tiger Guard Fist over and over in the training yard before him.

In addition to practicing on his own these past few days, Xiao Wang had also sparred with his two senior brothers whenever he had time, and his progress had been rapid.

At first, Wei Zhongxing paid little attention. But suddenly, bursts of fists splitting the air rang out.

Xiao Wang seemed not to hear them at all and continued repeating the moves again and again.

Hearing the sounds, Wei Zhongxing raised his eyes to study Xiao Wang's movements. His gaze flickered as he realized that Xiao Wang was not far from grasping "form."

"This kid..."

Wei Zhongxing watched him and smiled, then called out, "Stop for a moment."

Hearing him, Xiao Wang still completed the remaining sequence before stopping.

He turned to Wei Zhongxing. "Master, is there something wrong with my practice?"

"Nothing wrong. Cheng Hu, go up there and feed this kid some moves."

Wei Zhongxing spoke to Cheng Hu, who was picking vegetables nearby.

"Yes." Cheng Hu put down the vegetables and walked into the training yard. "How should I do it? Go all out against him, or let him go all out against me?"

Wei Zhongxing: ???

"Just spar normally. He's probably not much weaker than you now."

"Understood."

Once he understood, Cheng Hu and Xiao Wang exchanged salutes and began to face off.

"Junior brother, be careful. Master said not to hold back."

"Wait, wait, wait." Cheng Hu had just taken his stance and was preparing to strike when Xiao Wang immediately stopped him. He then turned to Wei Zhongxing. "Master, there's no point in doing this dry. How about we wager something?"

"You eat my food and live under my roof, and you still want to win benefits from me?"

"Master, it seems like we're using our—"

"Bullshit. If you want to bet, bet between yourselves. Hurry up and fight."

Before Cheng Hu could finish, Wei Zhongxing cut him off.

"Senior brother, let's keep the bet small. How about 300 Federation coins?"

Though Cheng Hu was not particularly quick-witted, he knew he had the better odds of winning. He immediately replied, "Junior brother, that's too stingy. Make it 500."

"Deal."

Once the wager was agreed upon, the two immediately took their stances.

With Federation coins on the line, Cheng Hu no longer held back and launched the first attack.

He charged toward Xiao Wang in a flash, driving a straight punch directly at his face. Though Cheng Hu was large and looked somewhat clumsy, his fist reached Xiao Wang's face in an instant, its wind howling as it rushed at his cheek.

Xiao Wang's pupils contracted. Though he could tell that Cheng Hu's punch was powerful and heavy, he did not dodge. Instead, he chose to meet it head-on.

He immediately used Tiger Guard Fist, combining it with the still-unfamiliar Primordial Yang Breathing Method, and threw a punch at Cheng Hu's fist.

Boom!

Their fists collided.

Xiao Wang immediately felt a savage force surge from his hand and spread through his entire body in an instant. He staggered, taking three steps back before he could disperse the force.

Cheng Hu, meanwhile, remained where he stood without retreating in the slightest.

"Junior brother, what do you think of that punch? Hahaha!"

Though Xiao Wang had lost their first exchange, he could feel the improvement Tiger Guard Fist had brought him. At the same time, he could sense the subtle effect of the breathing method during the clash.

After gaining some insight—

"Again, senior brother. You'd better watch out for your 500 Federation coins."