Intrusion

In the Wei Family residence in the inner city, Wei Yuan hummed a little tune as he made his way into a side room in the rear courtyard.

Wei Ping, who had been intently studying the account books, looked up at her younger brother with some displeasure.

"You seem quite carefree. Hmph!" Wei Ping snorted coldly. The businesses managed by their branch were all shops in poor locations with little profit to be made, and this month's income and expenses did not look promising.

With the family assessment before the New Year approaching, she did not know whether they could satisfy the elders.

If they failed the assessment, they would have to hand over part of the businesses under their management next year.

"By the way, did you speak to that Zhao Feng about lowering his benefits like I told you last time?" Wei Ping asked.

Wei Yuan walked to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a slow sip. He narrowed his eyes in contentment.

Seeing him act like that, Wei Ping was bursting with anger and waited coldly for him to speak.

Looking at his sister, who was about to erupt like a volcano, Wei Yuan held back a laugh. "I did speak to him, but I raised Junior Brother Zhao's monthly stipend to thirty taels, plus two Treasure Fish and fifteen jin of beast meat."

Wei Ping froze at first, then slammed her palm heavily on the table. "Wei Yuan, have you lost your mind? Or are you simply trying to anger me to death?" Grief and anger welled up in Wei Ping's heart. Since their father had passed away, her younger brother, though also a legitimate son, had devoted himself solely to martial arts and left the business affairs untouched. She had exhausted herself holding up the businesses of their branch, yet her brother was still acting so recklessly without knowing the gravity of the situation.

Seeing his sister's expression, Wei Yuan no longer dared to tease her. "Just a moment ago, Junior Brother Zhao successfully broke through and became a Dark Force martial artist. Sister, surely there's nothing wrong with giving a Dark Force martial artist that treatment?" he said with a smile.

"What?" Wei Ping was momentarily stunned.

Though she did not practice martial arts, she knew that one's martial foundation was the most important thing. Wasn't Zhao Feng of fifth-grade martial foundation? It was almost certain that Bright Force would be the limit of his entire life, yet he had actually succeeded in breaking through?

"You didn't get it wrong, did you?"

"I saw it with my own eyes. My master has already accepted him as a personal disciple. How could it be false?" Wei Yuan said with a smile.

"You have to understand, he's an eighteen-year-old Dark Force martial artist."

After hearing that, Wei Ping's expression gradually softened. Giving such treatment to a Dark Force expert was indeed not excessive.

"I truly never expected this..."

"By the way, you said Zhao Feng is very close to you. That means our branch now has two Dark Force experts—one is you, and the other is Zhao Feng," Wei Ping said.

"You could say that," Wei Yuan replied.

"Now that's more like it." Wei Ping knew the value of Dark Force experts. Two Dark Force experts were enough to make the family elders take their branch seriously.

Though they were still giving him a little too much.

"Even so, you still need to dismiss those retainers who have just been filling positions without doing anything. Save on expenses," Wei Ping said.

"All right." Wei Yuan nodded.

"By the way, Sister. If Cousin Xiangling hears that Junior Brother Zhao has advanced to Dark Force, do you think she'll regret refusing the matchmaking proposal?" He grinned.

Wei Ping frowned but said nothing. From what she knew, her distant cousin might appear gentle, but she was strong-willed and stubborn inside, and her standards were rather high. After all, she often went to the provincial capital, where there were far more outstanding young talents than in Changning Prefectural City.

Even if Zhao Feng had become a Dark Force martial artist, his martial foundation was still too poor. His future could be seen at a glance. Given her distant cousin's temperament, she would not regret it.

"Do not mention this matter again, especially not in front of Cousin Xiangling."

Zhao Feng entered the front courtyard of the martial arts school.

"Good morning, Senior Brother Zhao!"

The moment he entered, the disciples in the courtyard greeted him in unison. Ever since they learned that Senior Brother Zhao had successfully broken through to Dark Force, the attitudes of both old and new disciples toward him had changed. Previously, they admired his diligence and pitied his talent and potential. Now, they felt only awe.

In their eyes, Zhao Feng's achievement could no longer be explained away as luck. It was precisely his nearly mad dedication to training that had allowed him to achieve this. To remain so steadfast and tirelessly diligent when everyone knew no one thought highly of him was enough to inspire awe.

Zhao Feng nodded. Rather than going to the rear courtyard, he remained in the front courtyard to train alongside the apprentices and registered disciples.

Sensing an intense gaze, he turned and saw the apprentice Sun Qing practicing his stance while watching him from the side.

"Raise your right fist half an inch, but lower your overall stance. Spread your horse stance wider, and visualize the Cross Force in your mind," he instructed Sun Qing.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao!" Sun Qing said loudly. He was slightly excited. No one knew that Senior Brother Zhao was his idol deep in his heart.

Senior Brother Zhao was easygoing and never put on airs as a senior brother. He would even casually offer guidance to his juniors. This gave him a high standing among the front courtyard disciples, faintly surpassing even Senior Brother Chu.

Just then, another luxurious carriage stopped at the entrance. Chu Fan, dressed in an exquisitely tailored brocade robe, stepped down from it. Ever since he had killed Flying Centipede, his reputation had grown ever louder.

Wealthy households in the inner city competed to host him, and he attended endless social engagements every day. Even the county magistrate had shared drinks with him. Many new disciples had come to study martial arts under the Huo Family Martial Arts School because of his reputation.

He had already become a shining golden signboard for the Huo Family Martial Arts School. Huo Shan's favoritism toward him remained obvious as ever. At times, he even turned a blind eye to some of Chu Fan's behavior.

After all, Chu Fan's martial foundation was there for all to see, and his progress was indeed swift.

When Chu Fan entered the courtyard, he was still surrounded by admirers, but quite a few disciples did not go forward. Chu Fan was arrogant and usually paid little attention to them. Given time, naturally not everyone was willing to press a warm face against a cold backside.

Zhao Feng withdrew his gaze. A flash of white light appeared before his eyes, revealing the data panel.

[Archery, Mastery (387/4000)]

[Eight Extremes Stake Skill, Mastery (61/2000)]

[Eight Extremes Fist, Mastery (62/2000)] Eight Extremes Fist consisted of two sets of fist techniques and one spear technique. Only after Eight Extremes Fist reached perfection could he cultivate the Six Harmonies Great Spear.

[Cloak Saber Technique, Beginner (52/500)]

Looking over his complete set of values, Zhao Feng gained a clear understanding of his own strength. His confidence grew as well. Tonight, he was going to do something significant.

At the hour of the pig, all of Big Stone County had fallen quiet. In a three-courtyard residence in Treasure Mountain Ward of the outer city, Bald Zhang, the Three Harmonies Gang's leader, and the deputy leader were discussing important matters in the main hall.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the main gate. "Who goes there?"

"You dare barge into the Three Harmonies Gang!"

"Brothers, grab your weapons!" This was immediately followed by several dull thuds and the screams of their subordinates.

Bald Zhang and Wang Kui immediately grabbed their blades and rushed outside. They charged all the way to the front courtyard, where they saw several of their men sprawled in disarray before the main gate, rolling on the ground and howling in pain.

Meanwhile, a young man dressed in a blue training outfit fastened with coiled-dragon clasps stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

"Who are you, sir?" Bald Zhang's expression changed when he saw the large Huo character on the young man's chest.

"Huo Family Martial Arts School. Zhao Feng."

This was the first time Zhao Feng had revealed his identity. When it was time to borrow influence, he had to borrow it. Although Huo Shan's rules for personal disciples were largely the same as for others, there was one additional rule: outside, they could announce their master's school and reveal their lineage. Whether smashing someone's establishment, challenging a martial arts school, or paying respects to the local powers, they were to announce their master's school and reveal their lineage. "Especially if someone bullies you—give them my name, Huo Shan. You didn't call me Master for nothing." Those were Huo Shan's exact words.