That day, Wang Shouyi came to see Lu Chen.
Lu Chen was practicing palm strikes in the back courtyard.
With the help of the Wang Firm's medicinal solution, his Great Strength Vajra Palm had reached minor mastery. A thick layer of dark-gold calluses covered his palms; the lines across them had grown deep and coarse, and his knuckles protruded slightly. Yet his hands did not look clumsy. They looked like iron tempered by a thousand hammer blows.
Wang Shouyi stepped into the courtyard. At the sight of Lu Chen's hands, he could not help raising an eyebrow. "Lu Chen, you've learned Qiao Yuan's Great Strength Vajra Palm already?"
It had been less than ten days.
Lu Chen nodded. "Shopkeeper, it's thanks to the medicinal solution Master Ge Ye prepared. I've only just reached minor mastery!"
Wang Shouyi could not help saying, "If Qiao Yuan were still here, even he would call you a monster."
Lu Chen smiled. "I wouldn't want Senior Qiao Yuan's famed palm technique to lose its reputation in my hands."
The admiration in Wang Shouyi's eyes grew stronger, but then his tone changed. "I came to discuss something with you today."
"Please, Shopkeeper," Lu Chen said.
Wang Shouyi's expression turned grave. "The Huang Family has been much quieter lately."
"But undercurrents are stirring in the county seat, and trouble is brewing on every side."
"We don't know whether other forces are watching the Wang Firm from the shadows."
"Senior Qiao Yuan's lingering prestige can deter them for a while, but sooner or later, news of his death will get out."
Lu Chen nodded.
For now, they could claim Qiao Yuan was in seclusion to heal his injuries and keep up appearances. But if too much time passed without him showing his face, people would easily guess he