Suspicion

A Hidden Force martial master was an honored guest among any wealthy family or great clan, assured of food, clothing, riches, and privilege.

Their standing in the martial world was far higher than that of Bright Strength practitioners.

While everyone was still guessing whether Chu Fan had succeeded in his gate breakthrough,

Fourth Senior Sister Zhou Xue came running out of the rear courtyard first and excitedly announced the news.

"Junior Brother Chu succeeded in his second gate breakthrough!"

That confirmed everyone's suspicions.

"Senior Brother Chu really succeeded in his second gate breakthrough!"

"Heavens, how long has it even been? Senior Brother Chu only joined the martial academy a little over half a year ago! And now he's already a Hidden Force martial master."

Just then, Chu Fan emerged from inside, his steps unhurried. Though his expression was composed, the flash of pride and excitement in his eyes betrayed his feelings.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Chu!" The disciples crowded forward to congratulate him.

"Congratulations on succeeding in your second gate breakthrough, Junior Brother Chu!" The other Hidden Force disciples, Shi Mao, Wei Yuan, and Wang Yu, also stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

From now on, Chu Fan stood on equal footing with them in cultivation as well.

Huo Shan followed behind, his face glowing. The more he looked at Chu Fan, the more pleased and gratified he felt. Even his large hands trembled slightly. At his age, he finally had someone to carry on his legacy.

Huo Yao, who happened to be visiting the Martial Arts School these past two days, also looked at Chu Fan in surprise, admiration showing in her eyes. She had seen plenty of prodigies in Prefecture City, including some who had quickly broken through to Hidden Force. But someone from humble origins like Chu Fan was exceedingly rare.

"I have decided to take Chu Fan as my final disciple and pass on my mantle to him."

As soon as Huo Shan finished speaking, the disciples present wore complicated expressions. A final disciple was the closest of all disciples, practically half a son. Unless something unexpected happened, this Martial Arts School would eventually be handed over to Chu Fan. Of course, Chu Fan would also have to care for his master in old age and take punches on his behalf.

Eldest Senior Brother Shi Mao, in particular, felt all five flavors mingling in his heart. He had followed his master all the way from Prefecture City to Big Stone County. Despite being the eldest senior brother, his master had never said he would inherit his mantle. Instead, it had gone to Chu Fan.

This meant Huo Shan would devote half the Martial Arts School's resources, along with the bulk of his attention, to Chu Fan. He was now the successor.

"Your disciple pays his respects, Master!" Finally unable to contain his excitement, Chu Fan dropped to one knee and saluted.

Just over half a year ago, his home had been bare walls, and he and his mother had depended on each other to survive. Now, he was a respected Hidden Force martial master, inheriting his master's mantle. It truly felt like a dream.

"You haven't held your formal apprenticeship ceremony yet. Let's make it tonight." Huo Shan was delighted.

He told Wang Yu and Zhou Xue to arrange the apprenticeship ceremony at the best restaurant in the Inner City. Naturally, only the few formal disciples would attend, along with their master's wife and Huo Yao. Most of the other disciples had no place there.

"I spent half my life striving and still couldn't succeed, yet Junior Brother Chu needed only a little over half a year." An older Bright Strength disciple spoke in a trembling voice.

He was one of the Martial Arts School's longest-serving disciples. Though he had broken through to Bright Strength long ago, he had nearly exhausted his family's wealth over the years and spent half his life striving without even touching the threshold of Hidden Force. Yet Chu Fan had crossed it so effortlessly in just over half a year.

"This isn't fair..." His hands trembled, his face ashen.

Zhao Feng glanced at him and knew his composure had collapsed, leaving him cold-hearted with despair. With his state of mind shattered, he probably truly had no hope of ever breaking through to Hidden Force.

Yet the lake of Zhao Feng's heart remained still. This incident stirred no ripples in his feelings. Other people's excitement had nothing to do with him.

He settled into his fighting stance and began practicing the Second Form straightaway. The other disciples were all distracted, either discussing the news excitedly or unable to put their hearts into training.

Before leaving, Huo Yao cast a curious glance at Zhao Feng, the only person in the school still focused on practicing his punches. Then she looked away and paid him no further attention. Having seen much of the world in Prefecture City, she knew all too well that some things were ordained by heaven. No amount of effort afterward could bring someone to those heights. It was just a pity to see such unwavering perseverance go to waste.

Ever since Chu Fan became Big Stone County's youngest Hidden Force practitioner, his fame had soared. He became a coveted prize in the eyes of wealthy households and trading firms, the center of attention wherever he went, and the acknowledged idol of the Martial Arts School's new disciples. Every time he came to the school, people flocked around him, escorting him from front and rear.

Zhao Feng, however, remained no different from before. He concentrated on training at the Martial Arts School and had little contact with anyone apart from his second senior brother.

Chu Fan also seemed to have forgotten this fellow senior brother who had joined at the same time and left him feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Zhao Feng no longer registered in his eyes at all.

Time flowed past like running water. Violent clashes between the Outer City's gangs grew increasingly frequent. The disturbances between the Black Tiger Gang and the Three Harmonies Gang also grew larger, their fighting ever fiercer.

The Black Tiger Gang's headquarters, Harmony Ward, Outer City.

Clang! Feng Dahu, leader of the Black Tiger Gang, hurled his steel saber onto the table. He picked up a dipper of cold water from the table, tipped back his head, and gulped down several mouthfuls. Only then did the burning heat in his chest gradually subside.

"Damn it! That bastard Bald Zhang! Sooner or later, I'll chop him to pieces."

Feng Dahu was deeply vexed. As a bright strength peak expert, he had founded the Black Tiger Gang, which had amassed a vast fortune for him in just a few years in the western part of the Outer City. Yet the Three Harmonies Gang, previously weaker than them, had suddenly risen in strength recently and begun clashing with them. The Black Tiger Gang was gradually losing ground and had lost a number of men and territories.

"Something's wrong. How did the Three Harmonies Gang grow so strong so quickly?" Feng Dahu could not make sense of it, no matter how hard he thought.

Feng Dahu thought of his younger brother, Second Tiger, who was away. If he could return and help him, the situation would surely turn around.

Just then, the gang's strategist, Lü Tong, walked in.

"Gang Leader, there's something suspicious about Chen Bao's death."

"Oh?" Feng Dahu frowned.

Chen Bao had been an Incense Master under him. Normally, the death of an Incense Master was no great matter, but a ledger in his possession had also vanished without a trace. That was why Feng Dahu had ordered an investigation.

"Although Chen Bao suffered several saber wounds and appeared to have been hacked to death, the fatal injury was to his chest. His breastbone was completely shattered by a single blow. The killer should be a martial artist. The slashes to his corpse were either to vent anger or an attempt to conceal the truth that only made it more conspicuous," Lü Tong said, stroking his mustache.

"At first, we thought the Three Harmonies Gang had sent someone to kill Chen Bao, and we fought them several times over it. But they kept refusing to admit it, which makes this very suspicious. Our gangs were already as incompatible as fire and water. If they really did it, they'd have no reason to keep denying it, much less try to cover it up."

Feng Dahu nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"Later, I suspected someone inside the gang, but ruled them out one by one. The matter was then set aside."

"But yesterday, Pockmarked Er, one of Chen Bao's men, remembered something. Chen Bao had previously wanted to abduct a little girl from the Treasure Brocade Workshop and sell her, but gave up because one of her relatives was a disciple at the Martial Arts School."

"You suspect him just because of that?" Feng Dahu asked.

"Who is this Martial Arts School disciple? What's his name?"

"Zhao Feng. He's one of Huo Shan's registered disciples," Lü Tong said.

"Zhao Feng..." Feng Dahu carefully searched his memory for the name. He felt as though he had seen it somewhere before.

"Gang Leader, he was on the list Li the Landowner from Peaceful Town sent over last time," Lü Tong reminded him.

"So that's it. No wonder the name sounded familiar." Feng Dahu's expression changed.