Eagle Soaring Martial Academy

Wang Chuan had said that on purpose.

He had not expected to run into constables conducting inspections.

But since they had crossed paths, there was no harm in being cautious.

These beast hides were all intact and worth a great deal.

Even if these constables had no such intentions, should they leak the news, it would inevitably attract people with ill intent.

Blood Refinement Completion was nothing remarkable in the county.

But were they afraid of Blood Qi?

With the experience of two lifetimes, Zhao Hong had already seen that the lead constable had clearly been tempted upon seeing the beast hides.

But now, not only had his hand left the hilt of his blade, even his expression had grown reserved.

It was as though they were the ones being inspected.

The world had truly turned upside down.

"Cough, cough."

"Clear Creek Village—I remember now. At the foot of the Great Green Mountains. No wonder, no wonder."

"But you should still be careful. So many beast hides could bring trouble if someone sets their eyes on them. Try not to take narrow alleys," the lead constable reminded them righteously.

"Thank you for the warning, Constable."

Wang Chuan cupped his fists in salute, then asked curiously, "Constable, has something happened in the county recently?"

It was not as though he had never come to the county before.

But this was the only time he had been stopped for inspection.

"That's right."

"The Cold Blade Sect colluded with mountain bandits, raised demons, and murdered innocents."

The constable's expression turned solemn. "It even alerted the Inspection Bureau. Though the Cold Blade Sect Master and quite a few higher-ups have been suppressed and captured, plenty of fish still slipped through the net."

"And demons have been appearing in the county lately as well. We are simply carrying out orders. I hope you won't take offense, Uncle."

"So that's how it is. As you should, as you should. You constables have worked hard."

Without changing expression, Wang Chuan handed over a string of copper coins. "Get some tea for yourselves, Constables."

"No, no, no, Uncle, please don't do this. I can't accept it. Take it back."

The constable's attitude was incomparably firm.

Where the fuck would I find the nerve to take it?

Look at that big fellow behind him—his eyes were already red.

Fuck, he was truly afraid that young hothead would be unable to hold himself back and come punch him.

Zhao Hong tugged at Zhang Tai.

In the end, Wang Chuan still forcibly stuffed the string of copper coins into his hands.

Only then did the matter end.

The group headed farther inside.

Several constables watched them from afar.

"Clear Creek Village? Wait."

One constable suddenly slapped his forehead and cried out, "Do you remember, several years ago, that person—what was his name? The one who was taken as a disciple by some important figure from the prefectural city? That person seemed to be from Clear Creek Village."

"I remember now. I've forgotten the name, but that did happen. It caused a huge sensation throughout the county back then."

"Hiss."

Their gazes met, their expressions dazed.

The lead constable secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Luckily, luckily—I didn't start off by hurling insults at them.

"Dad, what kind of force is that Cold Blade Sect?"

Zhang Tai's face was full of curiosity.

"One of the major powers in the county. They have a Blood Qi-level expert."

Zhang Yuan sighed. "Who would have thought a force like that would collude with mountain bandits and raise demons?"

"Damn, I didn't expect demons to be appearing in the county too. Sounds like there are even more of them than the ones that entered the village." Zhang Tai muttered to himself.

Wang Chuan said, "Stay sharp. Be careful."

"Once we're done, we leave immediately."

"Mm."

Before long.

The group stopped outside a martial academy that occupied a sizable area.

"This is Eagle Soaring Martial Academy."

"Ah Hong, Ah Yang gave his instructions, so I won't accompany you inside."

"When you're done here, wait for us at the entrance."

Wang Chuan looked at Zhao Hong as he spoke.

Zhao Hong nodded slightly. Watching Wang Chuan and the others depart, he raised his head to look at the martial academy before him.

Eagle Soaring Martial Academy was one of Stone Valley County's two great martial academies. It had many disciples, and its academy master was also a Blood Qi expert.

He touched the gold leaves and letter in his robes before walking into the martial academy.

A group of people was practicing martial arts on the training ground beneath an instructor's watchful eye.

When a servant saw someone enter, he quickly came over.

"Here to learn martial arts or find someone?"

"I'm looking for your academy's senior disciple, Lu Hong."

"Senior Disciple Lu Hong?"

"Who are you?"

The servant looked Zhao Hong over in surprise. Dressed in coarse cloth and still so young, how did he know their senior disciple?

"Give this letter to him, and he'll understand. My uncle sent me."

Zhao Hong took out the letter and handed it over.

The servant hesitated before saying, "All right. Wait here."

While waiting, he discreetly observed the training ground. After watching for a while, he secretly shook his head.

It truly could not compare to what Uncle Yang taught.

Most of these martial academy students were lax and sloppy, practicing only rudimentary fists and kicks.

In terms of spirit, vigor, and bearing, they were even farther from the villagers' state when practicing martial arts.

Still, it was understandable.

One side took money to do a job and depended on one's own diligence, talent, and comprehension.

The other taught their own family.

The gap was far too great.

Before long, the servant who had left came running out. From a distance, he waved at Zhao Hong. "Little brother, come with me."

Zhao Hong hurriedly followed.

They reached the rear residence and turned into a small courtyard.

A young man stood inside.

He appeared to be not much different in age from Zhao Yang.

When the other man turned to look at him, Zhao Hong felt a sharp force bearing down on him.

That imposing aura was truly oppressive.

But he had already endured the impact of Zhao Yang's aura. Though uncomfortable, his expression did not change. Neither servile nor overbearing, he cupped his fists in salute. "Zhao Hong greets Lord Lu."

"Zhao Yang really returned?" Lu Hong stared fixedly at Zhao Hong.

Didn't you already read the letter?

Could that possibly be fake?

"Uncle Yang only returned not long ago,"

Zhao Hong answered honestly.

"Did he return only to visit family? Or does he have other business?"

"Buying medicinal paste should be for your cultivation, right? That fellow returned after all this time, yet he still couldn't be bothered to come himself."

There was a trace of self-mockery in Lu Hong's tone.

It made Zhao Hong inwardly suspicious.

Why did it feel as though there was a story behind this?

"He sent you to find me. What did he say?"

Lu Hong's gaze made Zhao Hong feel that this fellow seemed unusually concerned about Uncle Yang's attitude.

"Uh, he didn't say much." Zhao Hong looked embarrassed.

Zhao Yang had only mentioned a name. What was he supposed to say?

"As expected."

Lu Hong snorted. His face darkened, and he looked lost and disappointed.

Zhao Hong was growing anxious.

I came to buy medicine.

Why ask all this irrelevant nonsense?

Lu Hong seemed to finally remember why Zhao Hong had come. In a deep voice, he said, "You're Zhao Yang's nephew? That means you should count as his disciple too."

He glanced at Zhao Hong's hands.

Zhao Hong reached behind his back and nodded helplessly.

"Buying medicine isn't impossible."

"But you must compete in a match."

At those words, Zhao Hong frowned deeply.

He had figured it out.

Lu Hong's relationship with Zhao Yang was probably not that of good friends.

There were twists and turns between them.

He definitely had to buy the medicine.

"How will we compete?"

"What is your cultivation?"

"Mid-stage Blood Refinement."

"Only mid-stage Blood Refinement?"

Lu Hong revealed a stunned expression. Zhao Yang's nephew, who also counted as his disciple, was this weak?

Without changing expression, Zhao Hong said, "I only began learning martial arts from Uncle Yang after he returned."

Lu Hong immediately understood, and the look in his eyes as he regarded Zhao Hong became much colder.

He was nothing more than some junior from the village—perhaps not even a blood relative—whom Zhao Yang had casually taught a few methods after returning.

"Are we still competing?"

"Of course."

"After all, you are Zhao Yang's disciple."

Lu Hong gave a cold smile. "Zhao Yang wrote in his letter that you brought three gold leaves. I'll find a mid-stage Blood Refinement disciple in the academy to compete with you. If you win, I'll sell you medicinal paste worth three gold leaves."

"If you lose, you'll take two more gold leaves back with you."

"If Zhao Yang has any objections, tell him to come find me himself."