"Fifth-Rank! You're already a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master!" Liang Jingtang shot to his feet, so excited that a rush of hot blood surged straight to his face.
"Fifth-Rank! Heavens!" Liu Xiaoqiang, seated beside Xia Daoming, let out an exaggerated shriek. Her hand pressed tightly against her ample chest, as though her heart could not withstand the impact of the news, making Xia Daoming instinctively glance at her again.
"Becoming a Great Martial Master at twenty-five—just like I did back then!" Yuchi Xiao was somewhat dazed, unable to believe it.
One had to know that he had endured who knew how much hardship and restrained who knew how many desires before becoming a Great Martial Master at twenty-five.
It was only after he passed thirty, when his hopes of reaching the Sixth-Rank grew increasingly slim, that he began to let himself go. Every so often, he would visit the Jade Flower Pavilion to listen to little tunes and discuss the great principles of life with the girls there.
Yet Xia Daoming, at such a young age, kept four women at home and lived a debauched, decadent life, but had still become a Great Martial Master at twenty-five. Yuchi Xiao was truly dazed and unable to believe it!
"Senior Brother Yuchi, you're overthinking it. You entered under Master's tutelage early on. At the Fourth-Rank, you first tempered yourself and took secret medicines for a year and a half, then studied the secret diagram four times before comprehending Hidden Strength. After that, you cultivated and accumulated Hidden Strength for three years before breaking through to become a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master at twenty-five.
"My comprehension was worse than yours. I had to study the secret diagram five times before comprehending Hidden Strength, but my family circumstances were better than yours. I took a great deal of medicine and cultivated and accumulated Hidden Strength for two years before breaking through to become a Great Martial Master.
"But Junior Brother Xia entered under Master's tutelage less than a year ago. Altogether, he has only studied the secret diagram twice, yet he is already directly a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master! It's different. There's no comparing them!" Zhuo Xingji sighed repeatedly, stabbing in the knife again and again.
Yuchi Xiao opened his mouth, but his heart felt stifled.
So, comparing myself to Junior Brother Xia was just putting gold on my own face!
"They really can't be compared! If Junior Brother Xia hadn't been born in a remote little city in the northern lands and wasted so much time, but had followed Master from the very beginning, he would probably already be a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master. Even Gu Ren would fall somewhat short compared with him." Jiao Yongbao continued stabbing the knife into Senior Disciple Brother Yuchi.
Xia Daoming glanced at Jiao Yongbao and dearly wished to tell him that he could be bolder still and remove the word "probably."
"Exactly, exactly. Yuchi Xiao is far, far inferior to Daoming. Even Gu Ren, in my view, would lose to him by a bit." Liang Jingtang said.
A sword through the throat.
Yuchi Xiao looked speechlessly at the heavens, on the verge of tears.
Being inferior was one thing, but why add the word "far"?
I'm still the Senior Disciple Brother, at least. Show me some respect!
"Good, good! I never expected that in my old age, Liang Jingtang, I would take in such a disciple—loyal and righteous, gifted in martial arts, and possessed of both discernment and a calculating mind. The Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School has successors!"
As Liang Jingtang spoke, he grew more and more excited. He stepped forward and heavily patted Xia Daoming's shoulder, tears streaming down his aged face.
Seeing Liang Jingtang shedding tears of gratification, Yuchi Xiao felt both happy and inexplicably sorrowful. He stepped forward and said, "Master, now that Junior Brother Xia can manage the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School, you can rest assured. Let this disciple accompany you on this trip."
Liang Jingtang looked at Yuchi Xiao, his gaze complicated.
Even ants struggled to live. Liang Jingtang had only just passed sixty—how could he willingly go to his death in the Vast Mountain Range?
Yuchi Xiao was in the prime of life, his qi and blood surging, and he was a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master. If he could go along, they could look after each other, and Liang Jingtang's chances of survival would naturally rise by several degrees.
But that would mean Yuchi Xiao would have to brave danger alongside him.
Moreover, Yuchi Xiao had diligently and without complaint followed him for many years, helping him manage the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School. He had gained little in return, and now Liang Jingtang wanted him to risk his life with him while entrusting the school to Xia Daoming. It was plainly unfair to him.
"I devote myself wholeheartedly to martial arts. How could I have the mind to manage a martial arts school? Of course I should go with Master!" Xia Daoming hurriedly said.
The area around Mang Province's provincial city had already descended into warfare, making his subsequent path of strengthening his meridians even more difficult. It was rare for the Xu family to be willing to form a team and serve as guides into the Vast Mountain Range to hunt Ice Rabbits. How could he possibly let such an opportunity slip away?
Besides, Master Liang Jingtang truly treated him well. Xia Daoming could not bear to watch him risk his life and do nothing!
"You devote yourself wholeheartedly to martial arts?" Yuchi Xiao and the others wore stunned expressions, then curled their lips in disdain. Even Liang Jingtang was no exception.
What young man wholeheartedly devoted to martial arts kept four young, beautiful maidservants at home?
Didn't he know there were male servants in this world too, besides maidservants?
Wholeheartedly devoted to martial arts? Pah, who would believe that? He was more likely devoted to the way of lust!
"What kind of expressions are those? I truly devote myself wholeheartedly to martial arts!" Xia Daoming said with a solemn face.
"You devote yourself wholeheartedly to martial arts, yet you keep four beautiful maidservants at home? Aren't you afraid they'll affect how fast you can draw your spear?" Zhuo Xingyi said with a look of contempt.
The spear emerged like a dragon!
Among the martial arts of the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School, aside from fist and foot techniques, the most famous was the Dragon Snake Nine Spears.
"Senior Brother Zhuo, can't you speak a little more tactfully? Your junior sister is a woman, you know!" Liu Xiaoqiang rolled her eyes.
"Senior Sister, you're overthinking it. Senior Brother Zhuo is a proper man. He meant the Dragon Snake Nine Spears!" Xia Daoming blurted out.
The council hall instantly fell silent.
Even though Liu Xiaoqiang ran a pleasure house, Xia Daoming's words still made her pretty face flush crimson. Embarrassed and angry, she raised her delicate fists and pounded him like raindrops.
"I'm overthinking it? How am I overthinking it? How am I overthinking it?"
"Ahem, Senior Sister, I was wrong, I was wrong! I was the one overthinking it!" Xia Daoming hurriedly raised his hands in surrender.
"Ha ha!" Liang Jingtang and the others could not help bursting into loud laughter.
"Pfft!" Seeing this, Liu Xiaoqiang suddenly could not help covering her lips and laughing as well. Her peach blossom eyes shot Xia Daoming a sidelong glance. "Wanqing and I said in private that you were the most honest one, but who would have thought you were the slipperiest of all!"
"Ahem, I truly am the most honest!" Xia Daoming said.
Everyone curled their lips, their faces full of contempt.
"Master, I mean it seriously." Xia Daoming looked helplessly at Liang Jingtang.
"Ahem, forget it! After what happened with your Senior Brother Gu, your master has come to see it differently. It is better to guide than to block. Martial artists naturally have vigorous qi and blood, and you are at the age when your blood and vigor are at their peak. When it is time to relax, relax.
"But times are chaotic now. If you truly want to go out and have some fun, go to your Senior Sister's place. At least you will have someone to look after you." Liang Jingtang said.
"Exactly, exactly. That way, the rich water won't flow into outsiders' fields!" Liu Xiaoqiang said.
Xia Daoming looked at Liu Xiaoqiang with admiration all over his face.
A Senior Sister who ran a pleasure house truly was different. With that driving skill and speed, even Xia Daoming, a transmigrator, admitted himself inferior.
However, now was clearly not the time to admire his Senior Sister's driving skills.
He had to persuade Master to take him instead of Yuchi Xiao.
If words could not persuade them, then he could only use strength to make them submit.
"Master, Senior Brothers, Senior Sister, I truly mean it. I really devote myself wholeheartedly to martial arts. That is why I was able to break through and become a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master in such a short time.
"Besides, this mission is extremely dangerous. The strongest person must accompany Master." Xia Daoming said.
"What? Daoming, do you think you're stronger than me?" Yuchi Xiao immediately leaped to his feet.
"Heh heh, Senior Brother, we are both Fifth-Rank Great Martial Masters. I'm younger than you, so I must be stronger." Xia Daoming said.
"Uh!" Everyone was stunned for a moment.
After his surprise passed, Liang Jingtang said irritably, "Utter nonsense. Your Senior Brother Yuchi is only thirty-four. At most, his qi and blood have passed their peak, making it difficult for him to break through further, but he is still far from the age of decline.
"If we are talking about the depth and might of strength, he has cultivated and accumulated it for so many years. How can you, a young fellow who has only just broken into the Fifth-Rank, compare?
"Not to mention that your Senior Brother Yuchi has immersed himself in fist and foot techniques for many years and possesses a wealth of practical combat experience. That is not something you can compare with either."
"Heh heh, understand now, Daoming? In terms of talent and potential, I cannot match you. But in actual strength, you are still a long way behind me!" Yuchi Xiao said, a trace of smugness on his face.
"Fine. Words alone prove nothing. Senior Brother Yuchi, let's exchange a few moves. If you lose, stay behind and properly manage the martial arts school." Xia Daoming said with a helpless shrug.
The council hall instantly fell silent.
After a long while, Liang Jingtang reached out and patted Xia Daoming's shoulder. "It is rare for you to have such intentions. Then let your Senior Brother Yuchi exchange a few moves with you. Your master also happens to want to see the extent of your strength. However, if you lose, do not argue with Yuchi Xiao any further. Stay behind and help your master properly manage the martial arts school."
"Heh heh, Master, I won't lose!" Xia Daoming said with a smile.
"It is good for Junior Brother to have confidence, but too much confidence is not a good thing." Yuchi Xiao said with a smile.
Xia Daoming smiled and leisurely walked out of the council hall, stopping in the center of the training ground.
Yuchi Xiao helplessly shook his head and followed him onto the training ground.
Liang Jingtang and the others also left the council hall and stood at the edge of the training ground, preparing to watch.
That concludes today's update. I humbly ask all readers to continue giving your strong support!
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