Can a Genius Compare to My Cheat?

A few days later, Zheng Family Martial Arts Hall.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The air was filled with the sharp sounds of fists tearing through it.

The moment Zhou Chen entered the inner courtyard, he saw several people gathered around Zhang Shaojiu, showering him with flattering praise. It turned out Zhang Shaojiu had also broken through to Minor Accomplishment in his fist technique today.

Though Zhang Shaojiu did not show much on his face as he accepted the praise, the satisfaction in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Many disciples said nothing aloud, but the envious looks they gave Zhang Shaojiu betrayed their thoughts. Who did not want to become someone others admired?

Especially the female disciples with a bit of beauty—each was casting coquettish glances, practically one step away from prying themselves open and delivering themselves to his bed.

Only Zhou Chen's heart remained utterly still.

A genius? So what? Could he compare to someone with cheats like me?

"Junior Brother Zhou, it's been a long time. How have things been during your temporary posting?"

A clear voice came from the side. Zhou Chen turned his head and saw Ye Lingtian.

Zhou Chen often sought him out for their usual sparring sessions. Moreover, both he and Ye Lingtian came from poor backgrounds, trained diligently in martial arts, and had no particularly unpleasant traits. They appreciated one another quite a bit, and after going back and forth for some time, they had become fairly familiar.

"Not bad. There was a small incident, but it was handled in time."

Zhou Chen smiled faintly and brushed over the matter at the warehouse.

"That's good."

Ye Lingtian nodded. His gaze suddenly fell on Zhou Chen's skin, and a trace of nearly imperceptible surprise flashed through his eyes. Yet he concealed it well, returning to normal in an instant as he smiled and changed the subject. "By the way, Eldest Senior Brother is getting married in a few days. Have you decided what gift to give him?"

"Eldest Senior Brother has treated us well. I plan to buy some medicine that nourishes Blood Vitality and send it over. Something practical," Zhou Chen said. "What about you, Senior Brother Ye?"

"What a coincidence. That was what I had in mind too." Ye Lingtian smiled. Just as he was about to say more, his expression shifted slightly. He glanced behind Zhou Chen. "Master Zheng is here."

Zhou Chen turned around and, sure enough, saw Old Zheng strolling out from the inner courtyard with his hands behind his back, followed by Lian Taoze and several other Direct Disciples.

Old Zheng would never come out for no reason. It seemed he had something important to announce today. Just as well—it saved Zhou Chen the trouble of seeking out Master Zheng to report his martial arts progress.

Zhou Chen's gaze swept inconspicuously over the crowd, pausing for an instant on Shen Ao's face.

Young Master Shen was glowing with delight today, his head tilted as he whispered something to the person beside him. Apparently, the matter of Warehouse No. 2 had not yet reached his ears.

"Ahem!"

Old Zheng stopped in the middle of the open space and cleared his throat. The courtyard's clamor instantly died down, and every gaze turned toward him in unison.

Old Zheng stroked his beard and got straight to the point. "These past few days, you must have heard some rumors. The Outer City's City Lord will soon be replaced. As is customary when a new official takes office, there will be an inauguration banquet. Our Zheng Family Martial Arts Hall has also received an invitation. Any disciple under our hall who wishes to attend may go to the banquet."

The moment those words fell, the courtyard exploded into commotion. No one had any mind left for martial arts practice.

"What? The new City Lord is taking office so soon? I thought it would still be some time!"

"Of course! Didn't you see that the Shang Household and Li Household entered the Inner City yesterday? They must have reached an agreement!"

The disciples whispered among themselves, their eyes brimming with excitement, as though a ladder to heaven had already been laid out at the banquet table, waiting only for them to step onto it.

As Old Zheng looked at those excited faces below, his gaze darkened slightly, and a trace of disappointment passed through his heart.

Most of the disciples in this courtyard were still simple-minded brutes. When they looked at matters, they saw only the word "opportunity," yet failed to see the danger buried beneath it.

What banquet attendance list? To put it plainly, it was a pledge of allegiance thrown out by the new City Lord. Whoever went and made their position clear at the banquet would be branding the four words "I am willing to submit" onto their own face.

These people were all short-sighted. They were eager to choose sides, and they might indeed get benefits first—but if heaven collapsed and mountains crumbled, they would be the ones buried along with it.

Old Zheng's gaze passed over the crowd. Seeing that Zhou Chen, Ye Lingtian, and the others looked calm, without the slightest sign of eagerness to try, he merely assumed that they came from humble backgrounds and could not see how deep these waters ran. He did not think much of it.

Old Zheng barked, "Silence! Today, I'll make this clear. The Zheng Family Martial Arts Hall's stance remains the same as before. This old man will attend the banquet, but only to go through the motions. We will absolutely not choose sides. As for what you think, or whoever wishes to choose a side, I will not meddle. Whoever wants to attend may come register with me now."

With that, he signaled Xiaocui beside him to bring over paper and brush, allowing the disciples who wished to attend the banquet to step forward and register one by one.

The moment he finished speaking, quite a few disciples surged forward impatiently.

Zhang Shaojiu was among them, unable to suppress the excitement on his face.

Among the Direct Disciples, Su Mengyao was naturally unable to choose sides as a member of the Su Household within the Four-Family Alliance. She simply did not move, remaining where she stood with the same aloof expression.

Lian Taoze stepped forward and stated that the Lian Household would not choose sides so early.

Old Zheng nodded slightly, then quietly gave him another few instructions. "The situation is unclear for now, so do not act rashly. Even if you must choose sides, wait until the direction of the wind is clear before moving. You must never bind yourselves too deeply. At worst, give up a share of the benefits. Securing the long term is the proper course."

Lian Taoze solemnly acknowledged his words.

Shen Ao stood to one side without saying anything, but the corner of his mouth curled faintly, and a trace of disdain flickered through his eyes. In his view, heroes emerged only in chaotic times. Only by choosing a side early could one get meat to eat; once the wind was calm and the waves were still, what share would be left for you?

Zhou Chen took it all in, but did not step forward in a hurry. Instead, he first glanced sideways at Ye Lingtian. As expected, the latter shook his head and said with a soft smile, "Don't look at me, Junior Brother. I'll pass. My strength is too low; going would only make me a laughingstock. I might as well stay home and practice a few more rounds of fist techniques."

Zhou Chen nodded and had no intention of joining the commotion either.

Besides, he was currently temporarily posted with the Lian Household. Since the Lian Household was unwilling to choose sides, naturally neither could he.

Only after everyone had finished stepping forward did he suddenly walk over to Old Zheng.

Old Zheng was holding a brush dipped in ink. When he saw Zhou Chen approach, he lifted his eyelids, his brows creasing almost imperceptibly. He had clearly taken Zhou Chen for one of those disciples eager to cling to the powerful. The brush tip touched the paper, ready to write the two characters "Zhou Chen."

Zhou Chen hurriedly spoke. "Master! This disciple's strength is limited, so I had no intention of attending the banquet. I came this time to report that this disciple's Wild Bull Fist has already reached Minor Accomplishment."

Old Zheng's brush stopped, hanging above the paper. A drop of thick ink slowly fell and spread into a small blot.

Old Zheng raised his head and stared at Zhou Chen for a moment. Shock flashed through his eyes. He looked Zhou Chen up and down before saying, "Perform a set of Wild Bull Fist!"

Quite a few disciples around them had also noticed the scene. When they saw Zhou Chen suddenly assume a stance and begin punching, many of them were filled with confusion.

"No need to continue!"

After Zhou Chen threw three to five punches, Old Zheng saw that his strikes were swift and fierce, and that changes in momentum were hidden within the release and withdrawal of his fists. He already possessed the bearing of Wild Bull Fist, and Old Zheng's heart was certain.

Zhou Chen's fist technique had reached Minor Accomplishment!

"If I remember correctly, a month ago, you had only broken through to become a First-Rank Martial Artist and begun formally practicing fist techniques. Counting to today, it has been only a little over a month. Your master misjudged you back then!"

Still, it was normal to misjudge someone. The path of martial arts was filled with the unknown. Many people might suddenly attain enlightenment one day, their cultivation advancing by leaps and bounds.

A rare expression of delight appeared on Old Zheng's face. He smiled and said, "Not bad, not bad! Since opening this martial arts hall, you are the only one whose attainment in fist techniques can compare with your Third Senior Brother's. Back then, he also took just over twenty days to bring his fist technique to Initiation. You are about the same."

At such a pace, throughout the entire martial arts hall, no one besides Zhao Tianhong could compare. Even Zhang Shaojiu had spent more than a month before barely reaching Initiation, and Zhang Shaojiu's temperament was far less steady than Zhou Chen's.

This was not Zhang Shaojiu's fault either. How many people born into poverty became so wild and arrogant once they gained power? Very few could remain as calm as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze.

"What a pity!"

Even amid Old Zheng's happiness, his heart held more regret.

Zhou Chen came from a poor background, yet had practiced his fist technique to Minor Accomplishment in just over a month. This was enough to show that his comprehension was extraordinary. Yet unfortunately, his natural physique limited him.

If his own realm could not rise, then no matter how well he practiced his fist techniques in the future, his achievements would ultimately be limited. A First-Rank Martial Artist at Minor Accomplishment, no matter how exquisite his fist technique, would never be a match for a Second-Rank Martial Artist. This was a natural gulf brought by realms.

A Second-Rank Martial Artist possessed abundant Blood Vitality, with muscles and sinews like iron throughout the body. When such a person threw a punch, a First-Rank Martial Artist could not block it at all!