The Front Gate and the Back Gate

The next day, dawn had barely broken.

Fang Yue woke up, roused Er Gou, and the two went to the back courtyard to fetch water and wash up.

Then they began their stance training. Progress in martial arts came only through years upon years of practice.

So they could not slack off. Tomorrow after tomorrow—how many tomorrows were there?

Yet at that moment, in the pavilion ahead of the back courtyard—

Zhang Boyang and Fang Hu stood by the window.

"Hehe, his talent truly is exceptional. No wonder Junior Brother had the thought of taking him as a disciple. Even I find myself quite taken with him," Zhang Boyang said with a stern expression.

Of course, he did not want to be like this. But upon closer inspection—

One could see that his lips were abnormally red and swollen. He was only making them less conspicuous by pressing them tightly together.

"Hehe, Senior Brother flatters him. They still cannot compare to Shu'er. With Shu'er's talent, her future is bound to be extraordinary!"

Pfft—

Hearing his senior brother praise Fang Yue's talent, Fang Hu naturally felt rather pleased.

But at that moment, his eyes kept drifting toward Zhang Boyang's face.

The muscles in his face twitched as well, making him look even more like he was desperately holding something in. He was holding it in so hard that his face had turned dark red.

"Hmph. If Junior Brother wants to laugh, then laugh."

Zhang Boyang had naturally noticed Fang Hu's behavior.

How could he not know what his junior brother was up to? His face immediately darkened, and he said in a low voice, "Junior Brother, isn't it uncomfortable holding it in? Since I happen to have time today, how about Senior Brother gives you some pointers in martial arts?"

As he spoke, he pressed toward Fang Hu.

Clearly, Fang Hu was taller, stronger, and rougher-looking, yet in terms of presence, he fell short of the other man by more than a little.

"No, no. I willingly admit defeat."

"Senior Brother, don't make a move. I still have to see Master later."

Fang Hu retreated again and again. Naturally, he would not spar with a senior brother whose cultivation was stronger than his.

Zhang Boyang was in the heat of anger right now. This senior brother of his was a doting father who did not dare vent his anger on his own daughter, the instigator of it all.

But taking it out on him was no problem.

Thinking of how Zhang Boyang had been fed a huge bowlful of chili peppers by his Shu'er, so spicy that this Imperial Martial Candidate, who was nearly at Bone Marrow Cleansing Great Accomplishment, had lost his composure and cried out in front of him—

Fang Hu could not help laughing again.

"Ah! Senior Brother, you really hit me!"

"Don't, don't hit anymore! Senior Brother, I swear I won't laugh at you again. Pfft, I really won't laugh anymore."

Before long, Fang Yue and Fang Ergou finished their morning practice.

Today's training had not been too intense, because Fang Yue still had to accompany Fang Hu to take care of important business later.

They were going to the White Tiger Martial Arts School to meet the elders of the sect. Only then could he formally enter the school and gain recognition, allowing him to learn the true White Tiger Fist.

"Er Gou, stay at your Uncle-Master Zhang's house today. I'm taking your Brother Yue to the White Tiger Martial Arts School. Don't make trouble here, and listen to your Senior Sister."

After giving his instructions, Fang Hu led Fang Yue away from Zhang Boyang's residence.

With only the two of them traveling light, they naturally moved quickly.

Before long, they arrived outside a courtyard near the inner city wall.

The place clearly had some age to it. Moss crawled over the shaded brick walls, while several succulents grew from the gray roof tiles.

The moment they reached the main gate, Fang Yue spotted someone who looked like a gatekeeper, slouching there in the sun.

When he saw Fang Hu and Fang Yue, he merely gave them a sidelong glance without making any move.

Only after Fang Hu brought Fang Yue closer did he reluctantly straighten up.

Pointing at the small path beside them, he said, "Senior Brother Fang, what unfortunate timing. The main gate should not be opened today. Please use the back gate instead."

His tone was lazy and his eyes contemptuous, as though he did not consider them worth his notice.

To put it plainly, he was looking down on them like a dog looking down from a high wall.

Standing behind Fang Hu, Fang Yue clearly saw Fang Hu's sturdy body tremble slightly. His rough palm clenched into a fist, then quickly relaxed.

It was obvious that Fang Hu was far from calm.

"Follow me."

Afterward, Fang Hu said nothing more and led Fang Yue down the side path.

Fang Yue had only just arrived, and since Fang Hu said nothing, he could only follow him toward the small path.

Still, Fang Yue could tell that no disciple visiting his master would enter through the back gate. They should have used the front gate.

Clip-clop—

Neigh!

Just then, two fine horses came galloping over and charged straight up to the main gate of the White Tiger Martial Arts School.

"Oh, isn't this Senior Brother Wang?"

"Please wait a moment, Senior Brother. I'll open the gate for you. You can ride straight in."

Watching this scene, Fang Yue saw that the gatekeeper who had been arrogant and disdainful toward the two of them moments ago, looking down his nose at them—

Was now fawning over the two riders with a shamelessly servile expression.

Not only had he refused to let the two of them use the front gate—

He was actually allowing these two men to ride their horses inside.

The contrast was like heaven and earth.

Fang Yue stopped watching and turned around the street corner.

"Junior Brother Chen, I saw two people walking past just now. One of them seemed to be Junior Brother Fang? Was it him?"

As the courtyard gate opened, Wang Yuangang sat on horseback and withdrew his gaze from the corner.

"To inform Senior Brother Wang, it was indeed Fang Hu," the gatekeeper answered cheerfully.

"Oh, so it really was him."

Then Wang Yuangang rode through the front gate and into the courtyard.

White Tiger Martial Arts School.

Inside the main hall.

Elder Zheng, the current master of the White Tiger Martial Arts School, with gray hair and beard, sat upright in a grand armchair.

"Yuangang, this is your nephew? Not bad. Top-grade talent, and he has already begun his training. He can be admitted into the school."

"Have him kowtow three times to the Patriarch and offer a stick of incense. That will count as entering the school."

"Let Second Senior Brother teach him."

Elder Zheng looked at Wang Yuangang with a kindly, benevolent expression.

Wang Yuangang nodded and signaled for the young man in fitted martial clothes beside him to step forward.

Wang Teng knelt before the prayer mat, respectfully bowed to the Patriarch's portrait, and offered incense.

Then he served tea to Elder Zheng. Finally, he naturally kowtowed and served tea to a middle-aged man beside Elder Zheng.

Elder Zheng was already advanced in years. Though his cultivation in White Tiger Fist remained the highest, he was old and frail, with insufficient energy, and no longer taught disciples.

The main pillar of the White Tiger Martial Arts School now was Elder Zheng's second disciple, Chen Tong, who had completed Marrow Refining and entered the Inner Strength Realm.

After the apprenticeship ceremony was completed, everyone in the hall naturally offered their congratulations to the Wang Family Uncle and Nephew.

As elders, they also gave Wang Teng several gifts.

Just then, a disciple entered to report.

"Master, Senior Brother Fang Hu has come with his nephew. He says he wishes to visit Master and hopes to have his nephew accepted into the school."

Upon hearing this, Elder Zheng nodded.

"Mm, I understand. I'm somewhat tired. Second Brother, handle this matter as you see fit."

"Yes, Master."

Chen Tong bowed slightly and watched Elder Zheng leave.

"Second Senior Brother, I have matters to attend to as well, so I'll be leaving first."

"That's right, I still have medicine simmering at home. I'll leave first as well."

One after another, four or five people in the hall bade Chen Tong farewell and departed.