Senior Brother Has Offended

"You go first. Give it your all," Yuchi Xiao said to Xia Daoming with a relaxed expression.

"Then Senior Brother, take this!" Seeing this, Xia Daoming no longer held back. He lunged forward, raising his hand and striking directly with Snake Tongue Palm.

"You brat, trying to outmuscle me!" Seeing Xia Daoming's palm strike coming without any fancy moves, Yuchi Xiao muttered inwardly. He raised his own palm to meet it head-on.

"Bang!"

Their palms collided in mid-air.

"Stomp! Stomp!" Yuchi Xiao retreated two steps, while Xia Daoming remained as steady as a mountain.

"This..." Liang Jingtang and the others were all stunned, their eyes wide.

Liu Xiaoqiang once again pressed her hand to her chest.

"This, how is this possible!" Yuchi Xiao stabilized himself, feeling the surging force like a mountain flood. He couldn't help but exclaim in shock and disbelief.

Seeing their stunned expressions, Xia Daoming curled his lips.

I haven't even used much strength yet!

"Again!" Soon, Yuchi Xiao regained his composure. He called out, but didn't charge forward. Instead, his gaze was serious and wary as he stared at Xia Daoming. His right hand formed a snake shape, his palm like a snake's head, wiggling flexibly, like a venomous snake confronting its natural enemy, waiting for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.

Xia Daoming chuckled at this and simply struck with another palm.

"Good one!" Yuchi Xiao shouted. This time, he didn't go for a direct clash. Just as their palms were about to meet, his wrist twisted like a snake's body, and his palm suddenly transformed into a snake's mouth, snatching towards Xia Daoming's wrist.

However, Xia Daoming's hand had also become as agile and slippery as a snake's body at this moment. He dodged the snatch and then pushed his palm sideways slightly.

Yuchi Xiao felt a huge impact, his right arm involuntarily swung outward, his chest exposed. A palm was already striking towards it.

Yuchi Xiao's left hand, hidden at his waist, immediately shot out like a snake to block.

But as Yuchi Xiao's left hand extended, he saw Xia Daoming's left hand spread its five fingers, grasping downwards.

"Clack!"

Yuchi Xiao's left hand was caught by Xia Daoming's left hand, which had transformed into Dragon Claw.

Immediately after, Xia Daoming's right palm landed on his chest.

Cold sweat broke out on Yuchi Xiao's forehead.

"Forgive me, Senior Brother."

Xia Daoming quickly withdrew his right palm and cupped his hands towards Yuchi Xiao.

The training ground fell silent.

Yuchi Xiao stood frozen in place, lost in thought.

The spectators were all staring blankly, even Liang Jingtang included.

"Good! Good! Good!" After a long while, Liang Jingtang praised repeatedly.

Everyone suddenly snapped back to reality, and Yuchi Xiao finally came to his senses.

"Junior Brother, you are too formidable. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly," Yuchi Xiao said, cupping his hands.

"Truly formidable. I think Junior Brother Xia's combat power probably rivals that of a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master!" Zhuo Xingji exclaimed in amazement.

"Not inferior to a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master!" Jiao Yongbao and Liu Xiaoqiang trembled, their gazes instinctively turning to Liang Jingtang.

"Yuchi Xiao's swift defeat has a lot to do with his carelessness and underestimation, but Daoming's combat power is indeed comparable to an ordinary Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master. Otherwise, even if Yuchi Xiao was careless, he wouldn't have lost so quickly," Liang Jingtang nodded and said.

As he spoke, Liang Jingtang seemed to recall something, and his expression gradually became extremely solemn.

Seeing Liang Jingtang's change in expression, Yuchi Xiao and the others seemed to remember something as well, and their expressions changed accordingly.

"Regarding today's battle, no one is to reveal a single word!" Liang Jingtang said sternly.

"Your disciples understand!" The four, Yuchi Xiao included, replied with solemn expressions.

"Furthermore, I have decided. I will go alone this time!" Liang Jingtang added.

"Master!" Yuchi Xiao and the others' faces changed drastically.

"As long as Daoming can grow, he will surely bring the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School to greater heights. But he is still young, and he needs the assistance of senior brothers and sisters like you.

I am old now, my Blood Essence and strength are declining. Even if I return safely from this trip, how many more years can I live? Since that's the case, why bother..." Liang Jingtang said.

"A sharp sword is honed from grinding, and plum blossoms owe their fragrance to bitter cold! Master, you should understand this principle better than I do!" Xia Daoming interrupted.

"A sharp sword is honed from grinding, and plum blossoms owe their fragrance to bitter cold!" Everyone present trembled upon hearing this, and their gaze towards Xia Daoming changed once more.

"Well said, 'A sharp sword is honed from grinding, and plum blossoms owe their fragrance to bitter cold!' For over thirty years I have taught disciples, yet I failed to see as clearly as you! Very well, you will accompany me the day after tomorrow," Liang Jingtang declared with a wave of his hand, regaining his usual bold and powerful demeanor.

"Yes, Master!" Xia Daoming first bowed slightly to accept the order, then added, "Disciple has one more request."

"Speak!" Liang Jingtang smiled, his gaze full of affection for Xia Daoming.

"Disciple has a follower who has cultivated the Dragon Serpent Art to the fourth level. Disciple wishes to ask Master to allow her to observe the secret map. I will pay the silver coins in full, and please also instruct me on the Pledge of Allegiance," Xia Daoming said.

"When I accepted you as my disciple, I thought you were a loyal and honest person like your Senior Brother Yuchi. I didn't expect you to be so cunning, having a follower who is a Fourth-Rank Martial Master by your side." Liang Jingtang was first slightly stunned, then pointed at Xia Daoming, shaking his head and laughing repeatedly.

"Master has a discerning eye. Disciple is indeed very loyal and honest," Xia Daoming said, his face not blushing.

"Pah! If you are loyal and honest, then there are no cunning and sly people in this world," Liu Xiaoqiang couldn't help but spit.

"Senior Sister, is that how you talk about your own junior brother? Besides, when have I ever gone to your Jade Flower Pavilion and not just listened to the music obediently? How many men these days go to the pleasure quarters and only listen to music? If that's not being honest and upright, then what is?" Xia Daoming said with a wronged expression.

"That... actually makes some sense!" Liu Xiaoqiang said thoughtfully.

"Makes sense, my foot! He has four young maids at home! If I had four young maids at home, I could also sit in the pleasure quarters and listen to music with a straight face," Yuchi Xiao said.

"Senior Brother Yuchi, that's easy for you to say, but not necessarily easy to do. Senior Brother Zhuo and Senior Brother Jiao don't just have wives and concubines at home, they also have young and beautiful maids!" Xia Daoming said, shrugging noncommittally.

"This..." Yuchi Xiao was speechless.

"Ahem!" Zhuo Xingji and Jiao Yongbao looked embarrassed.

"What nonsense is this!" Liang Jingtang, seeing Xia Daoming getting more and more outrageous, glared at him and said, "Alright, when it's convenient, just have your attendant come over. This trip you're taking with me is very dangerous, so consider it payment in kind and a pledge of allegiance!"

"Thank you, Master! She's in the front courtyard. Why don't I have her come over to observe the secret diagram now?" Xia Daoming said joyfully.

These days, Liu Qiaolian had not only been enjoying treatment comparable to the direct disciples of Li City's four major powers, but she also received personal guidance from experts who had comprehended the eighth level of the Dragon Serpent Art. Her progress was rapid, and she had now met the conditions to observe the secret diagram.

"Since the person is already in the front courtyard, let's have her come over," Liang Jingtang said.

"Thank you, Master. I'll go get her now," Xia Daoming said, bowing slightly before quickly leaving the backyard.

"Master!" Liu Qiaolian quickly stepped forward and curtsied when she saw Xia Daoming return.

"You're coming with me to the backyard. My master has agreed to let you observe the secret diagram today!" Xia Daoming said.

"Ah!" Liu Qiaolian covered her mouth in surprise upon hearing this.

"No need to be surprised. The sooner you observe the secret diagram, the sooner you'll have a chance at the Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master realm."

"But..."

"No 'buts'. Just follow me."

"Yes, Master!"

With a mixture of unease and anticipation, Liu Qiaolian followed Xia Daoming into the inner courtyard.

"Wow!"

"No way!"

Seeing Liu Qiaolian's graceful steps and swaying waist, her beauty indescribable, Yuchi Xiao and the others were stunned.

They had never dreamed that the Fourth-Rank Martial Master attendant Xia Daoming had mentioned would be such a delicate and beautiful woman.

"I am Liu Qiaolian. I pay my respects to the Pavilion Master and all the Martial Masters," Liu Qiaolian said, curtsying. Her voice was melodious and pleasant.

"Good!" Liang Jingtang nodded, then turned to Xia Daoming and said, "Daoming, take Qiaolian to the training secret room to wait."

"Alright, Master," Xia Daoming nodded, then looked at Liu Qiaolian and said, "Lian'er, follow me."

"Yes, Master!" Liu Qiaolian curtsied in acceptance, following Xia Daoming closely towards the secret room.

"I'm truly impressed by this kid this time!" Yuchi Xiao said with emotion as he watched the two leave.

"Indeed. Thinking back to my age, besides practicing martial arts, I was either working hard with my father on escort missions, and being able to visit the pleasure quarters once in a while for some fun was already great. This guy, however, not only has four young maids at home, but he also has such a stunningly beautiful Fourth-Rank female Martial Master attendant. It's incomparable, truly incomparable!" Zhuo Xingji said with deep empathy.

"Junior Brother Xia's strength at such a young age is comparable to a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master. That's the truly impressive part," Liu Xiaoqiang said.

The Xu Family residence, built against the mountain.

Connected to the garden behind the mountain.

Xu Zhiyuan, with his white hair and imposing brows, lay on a bamboo rattan chair, basking in the setting sun.

Xu Shixiong, who appeared extremely proud and stern in front of outsiders, stood behind him, gently rocking the rattan chair.

Thanks to silence01 for the ten thousand point reward, and thanks to Yu Jinkun, Qiu Zhi Shenguang, Men Tu Men, Hun Yuan Jiu Zhuan Jin Dan, Ye Yu Qian Xun, Xiao He 005, Ling Sha, RPG Fang Shou, 20220525193318231, 20210520094943235, 20220327121142937, and other book friends for their rewards.