Giving Gifts

"Although the threshold for joining the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School isn't high, as long as you pay the fee, very few can pass my assessment and cultivate Bright Force within a month. That's less than one in a thousand."

Du Cangying continued, "Therefore, throughout the entire Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, there are only three hundred and twenty-eight official students."

"Now, with you and Ye Langtian, that makes it three hundred and thirty."

"Among these three hundred and thirty people, only eighty-nine have caught my eye and been accepted as my disciples, including you."

"This..."

Xu Qing's mouth hung open, still somewhat shocked.

"As for true disciples,"

Du Cangying said calmly, "there are only six. Your Senior Brother Huo Yi and your Second Senior Sister Du Luan are both among them."

"This disciple understands."

Xu Qing took a deep breath.

"Also,"

Du Cangying continued, "stop working with that patrol team for the yamen. If it were before, I wouldn't have bothered you, but you are now an official student of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, and moreover, my disciple. Your status is no longer what it was; you represent the reputation of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School."

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded respectfully.

"Du Luan."

Du Cangying asked, "The Azure Hawk Martial Arts School has many affiliated businesses. Are there any that are lacking management? Let Xu Qing manage one, so he has enough money to practice martial arts."

"...Mm."

Du Luan pondered for a moment, then said, "Father, I remember there's a brothel on Hongye Street called 'Spring Breeze Pavilion' that's one of our properties. It seems we don't have an official student managing or overseeing it."

"Hongye Street."

Du Cangying nodded. "That works. It's convenient since Xu Qing also lives on Hongye Street."

Clearly.

The moment Xu Qing joined the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, the school had already conducted an investigation on him, learning about his identity and background.

Even.

They even knew where Xu Qing lived.

"Spring Breeze Pavilion."

Xu Qing was taken aback. He couldn't help but recall his visit to the Spring Breeze Pavilion a while ago. He hadn't expected that after only a few days, he would become the owner of the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

He truly hadn't expected it.

"Xu Qing, what do you think?"

Du Cangying asked.

"This disciple thanks Master for the reward."

Xu Qing said quickly.

"Mm."

Du Cangying nodded and said, "Next, I will teach you the Azure Hawk Force."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Du Cangying got up.

"Thank you, Master."

Xu Qing said gratefully, but still added, "Master, this disciple actually has a doubt in his heart. I don't know if I should speak it."

"Speak."

Du Cangying said.

"It's like this,"

Xu Qing said, "this disciple has encountered Corpse Ghouls several times on Hongye Street, and even Black-haired Zombies have appeared. Since this disciple lives on Hongye Street, I'm a bit worried..."

"What are you worried about?"

Du Cangying waved his hand. "Some people, when they're old and their time is almost up, still don't want to be buried. They just have to stir up some trouble."

"Alright."

"Don't worry about it. You are now an official disciple of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, and they wouldn't dare do anything to you even if they had the guts. Just diligently practice your martial arts. If your performance is satisfactory and you can reach the Transforming Force level within three years, I will consider accepting you as a true disciple."

"Yes, Master."

Xu Qing nodded respectfully.

Next.

Within the courtyard of the main campus.

"Let me show you what complete Azure Hawk Force is."

Boom!

As soon as the words fell.

Du Cangying leaped into the air, like a soaring eagle spreading its wings to fly, exuding an aura of dominance that washed over them. It was overbearing, sharp, and ferocious...

"!!!"

Xu Qing's pupils contracted as he stared intently at Du Cangying.

Clearly.

Although Xu Qing had mastered Dark Force, he was nothing compared to Du Cangying. They were not on the same level at all.

It could be said.

If Du Cangying truly intended to act, he could crush Xu Qing with one hand.

Time flew by.

Unbeknownst to them.

The sun set.

It was evening.

"Alright."

Du Cangying finished his practice. He glanced at Xu Qing and said calmly, "That's all for today. You don't need to come tomorrow; head directly to the inner courtyard."

Clearly.

Du Cangying's personal instruction was only for today.

It had now concluded.

"Yes, Master."

Xu Qing cupped his hands in a salute.

"Go on, go on."

Du Cangying waved his hand.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Xu Qing turned and left.

With that little push.

Only Du Luan and Du Cangying remained in the courtyard.

"What do you think of this kid?"

Du Cangying asked.

"He's alright."

Du Luan pondered for a moment and said, "I just didn't expect someone like him, a beggar with an unknown background, to possess such martial talent. It truly exceeded my expectations."

"He must have had some fortuitous encounter."

Du Cangying said, "Otherwise, he wouldn't have achieved this. We'll see how he performs from now on. If his martial talent is truly exceptional, and he has the potential to reach the 'Aura Realm,' then I wouldn't mind taking him as a true disciple."

"Father, you truly teach without discrimination."

Du Luan flattered him.

"You..."

Du Cangying shook his head speechlessly. "I remember you're eighteen this year, practically a young lady. You only know how to practice martial arts all day. I recall that young master from the Nangong Family has been flocking around you lately. How is it? Have you taken a liking to him? If you have, your father thinks it's a possibility."

"After all."

"The Nangong Family is one of the three great families in Qingbei Town, and they also have connections with the government."

"He's not good at all."

Du Luan pouted, saying dismissively, "That young master from the Nangong Family is a good-for-nothing. How could I possibly like him? The man I'd like must be a martial arts master."

"Girl, this world isn't just about martial arts."

Du Cangying said.

The scene shifted.

After leaving the main courtyard, Xu Qing arrived at the inner courtyard and met the inner courtyard's instructor, Dan Mingge. There were only five instructors in the inner courtyard, and Dan Mingge was one of them.

"You're Xu Qing?"

Dan Mingge asked.

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded and cupped his hands in a salute, "This disciple, Xu Qing, greets Instructor Dan."

"You're welcome."

Dan Mingge smiled. He was a middle-aged man who looked quite refined. He took out the uniform for official students of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, along with the identification token. "Xu Qing, here are your clothes and token. With this token, you'll be qualified to enter the Martial Arts Pavilion in the inner courtyard."

"The Martial Arts Pavilion stores quite a lot of martial arts, including fist techniques, leg techniques, sword techniques, saber techniques, and more. If you want to practice any of them, you can go take a look."

"Of course."

"If you want to learn other martial arts, you'll have to pay. The Azure Hawk Martial Arts School will only teach you the most basic Azure Hawk Force and Eagle Claw Skill. After becoming an official student, we will continue to teach you the intermediate part of Azure Hawk Force. Other martial arts require you to pay to learn them."

"In addition to that."

"There's also the Weapon Hall and the Resource Hall. The Weapon Hall has various weapons, and the Resource Hall has all sorts of secret medicines, dietary supplements, great elixirs, and so on, but they all cost money."

"..."

After listening, Xu Qing took a deep breath.

Clearly.

At the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, everything cost money; nothing was given for free. In fact, it was pretty much the same at other martial arts schools.

Unless you qualified to become a true disciple of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, gaining the full approval of Du Cangying and being considered his successor, would you then have the chance to enjoy the school's provisions.

"Instructor Dan, I'd like to know if there's a secret medicine called 'Spirit Cloud Powder'?"

Xu Qing asked.

"Yes."

Dan Mingge nodded. "Go to the Resource Hall; they sell it there. One portion of 'Spirit Cloud Powder' costs three hundred and eighty taels of silver. The price is fair, and there's no deception."

"Understood."

Xu Qing replied.

Immediately.

Xu Qing left.

"To be able to master the introductory part of Azure Hawk Force in eleven days, he indeed has considerable talent. Within the entire Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, he's only second to Senior Disciple Brother Huo Yi and Second Senior Sister Du Luan."

Dan Mingge watched Xu Qing's retreating figure, pondering in his heart, "I wonder if he'll have a chance to become the Master of the School's seventh true disciple."

Clearly.

News about Xu Qing had already spread slowly throughout the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. Everyone knew that a genius had appeared at the school, someone who could master the introductory part of Azure Hawk Force in eleven days, with martial talent only below Huo Yi and Du Luan.

It could be said.

Everyone was in an uproar.

Extremely shocked.

At this moment.

Xu Qing had already left the inner courtyard and arrived at the outer courtyard. In the outer courtyard, numerous students of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School looked at Xu Qing with extreme reverence.

They all lowered their heads, not daring to look at Xu Qing.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Xu. Congratulations, Senior Brother Xu."

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Xu..."

"..."

Around them.

Many students had faces full of flattery and fawning.

Of course.

Xu Qing completely ignored them. From the very beginning, Xu Qing had never paid these people any mind. Their words were like wind passing by his ears; he didn't need to pay them any attention at all.

"Hoo..."

"Thankfully, thankfully..."

"Senior Brother Xu is magnanimous and doesn't hold grudges against us."

"Yeah! Yeah!"

"I actually mocked Senior Brother Xu before!"

"It's terrifying!"

"..."

Many students were somewhat trembling with fear.

At the entrance of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School.

"Xu Qing."

At this moment.

Not long after Xu Qing had walked out, he heard a familiar voice. Turning his head, he saw Ye Langtian approaching with a smile.

"It's you."

Xu Qing stopped. "Is something wrong?"

"Ahem."

Ye Langtian cleared his throat. "As I've been at the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School a few days longer than you, I'll shamelessly call you Junior Brother Xu."

"It's like this,"

"Junior Brother, I apologize for my previous words. I truly didn't expect your martial talent to be so astonishing. It made me look rather foolish."

"Practicing martial arts requires significant resources. I imagine you're a bit tight on funds, Junior Brother. I have five hundred taels of silver here to give to you, Junior Brother Xu, as an expression of my apology. I hope you won't hold it against me."