「A quarter of an hour later.」
Zhuang Zheng, having heard the news, also rushed to the Martial Arts Hall.
"Senior Brother Lin, Senior Brother Zhao!"
Zhuang Zheng was thrilled to see Lin Yan and Zhao Linyuan.
The three martial brothers embraced, and a knowing look appeared on Lin Yan’s face.
Publicly, Junior Brother Zhuang was at the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing and had become the new Director of the Guangping County Town’s Inspection Bureau. But his Martial Arts Tree was over six feet tall, meaning he was already a Blood Exchange Realm powerhouse.
’Junior Brother Zhuang is hiding his true strength, just as always.’
’I just wonder how he cultivates. Is the Blood Transformation Technique really that powerful?’
Lin Yan had just learned from his master the reason why Junior Brother Zhuang had become the Director of the Inspection Bureau.
Ever since Junior Brother Zhao was accepted as a Direct Disciple by a Profound Celestial Sect Elder, the Zheng Family had given up on maintaining their operations in Guangping County Town.
Even though the Zheng Family’s eldest son was also a Direct Disciple of a Profound Celestial Sect Elder, their main base wasn’t in Guangping County Town. Junior Brother Zhao, on the other hand, was a native. Unless the Zheng Family wanted to make an enemy of him, they would have to withdraw from the town sooner or later.
After all, compared to Junior Brother Zhao, the Zheng Family had no legitimate claim to Guangping County Town.
Since they had to withdraw eventually, the Zheng Family adopted a passive stance in Guangping County Town. When Junior Brother Zhuang announced early this year that he had broken through to the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing, they immediately promoted him to Director of the Inspection Bureau. This was a gesture of goodwill toward the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall and Junior Brother Zhao, and it also clarified the Zheng Family’s position.
Whenever Junior Brother Zhao decided to take over Guangping County Town, the Zheng Family would be ready to cooperate.
"Many people will surely be coming to visit today. Do either of you want to see them?"
"I’d rather not,"
Lin Yan said, shaking his head. "Back when I was in the Skin Smoothing stage and lacked Martial Arts Resources, I might have been interested in meeting these Martial Artist Clans. But there’s no need for that now. The resources I require are beyond what these local families can provide."
"Master, I don’t wish to see them either."
Zhao Linyuan also shook his head. His only desire was to cultivate; he had little interest even in taking over Guangping County Town, let alone meeting these people.
"I expected as much," Yang Qingfeng said. "In that case, you three martial brothers should catch up. I’ll go and send them away."
Yang Qingfeng wasn’t surprised. Lin Yan and Linyuan had both entered the Blood Exchange Realm and were no longer part of the same Martial Arts Community as the town’s other Martial Artists. It was only natural that they didn’t want much contact with them.
"Zhuang Zheng, both your senior brothers have reached the Blood Exchange Realm. This is a perfect opportunity for you to learn from their experience."
"Yes, Master."
Zhuang Zheng nodded, and the three martial brothers watched their master leave the courtyard.
"Senior Brother Lin, you’ve truly shocked me," Zhuang Zheng said. "I heard from Master that Senior Brother Zhao is at the Blood Exchange Second Transformation, but I never imagined you’d reached the Blood Exchange Third Transformation."
Knowing that Senior Brother Zhao wasn’t the jealous type and wouldn’t resent Senior Brother Lin for having a higher realm, Zhuang Zheng spoke frankly. "You two have left me completely in the dust."
Lin Yan smiled faintly. ’He’s been left behind, sure, but "completely in the dust" might be an exaggeration,’ he thought.
"Junior Brother Zhuang, you’re the Director of the Inspection Bureau now, so you won’t lack for Martial Arts Resources for the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing," Zhao Linyuan said earnestly. "But don’t focus all your energy on the Bureau. You must concentrate more on the path of Martial Arts."
He looked at Zhuang Zheng. "My Master at the Profound Celestial Sect treats me very well. I’ll ask him for a Blood Exchange Realm Technique and have it sent to you."
Of course, Zhao Linyuan omitted some details. Even though his Master treated him well, requesting a Blood Exchange Realm Technique for a non-sect disciple required more than just his Master’s approval—he would also have to spend Contribution Points to acquire it.
Furthermore, he would have to vouch for Junior Brother Zhuang and guarantee that the technique would not be leaked.
"Senior Brother Zhao..."
Zhuang Zheng was visibly moved. In truth, he didn’t lack a Blood Exchange Realm Technique, but he was deeply touched all the same.
He knew full well that requesting a cultivation technique for an outsider was nowhere near as simple as Senior Brother Zhao made it sound. These Blood Exchange Realm Techniques were one of the primary ways the major powers of the Prefecture City, including the Profound Celestial Sect, maintained their monopoly.
Lin Yan glanced at his junior brother. ’This is what you get for hiding your true realm. Now look at this mess.’
"Ahem, Junior Brother Zhao, there’s no need to rush. Junior Brother Zhuang only just reached the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing a short while ago. He still needs to build up his Qi Blood. Who knows, perhaps after a little more time, he’ll have a fortuitous encounter of his own."
Ultimately, Lin Yan had to step in and help Zhuang Zheng out of the awkward situation. Otherwise, it would be a real farce if they let Junior Brother Zhao go to great expense to acquire a Blood Exchange Realm Technique for him.
"Senior Brother Lin is right. I’m not in a hurry,"
Zhuang Zheng added quickly, scratching his head. He appreciated Senior Brother Zhao’s kind offer, but he truly didn’t need a Blood Exchange Realm Technique.
Right now, he was far more concerned about something else than his own Blood Exchange Realm Technique.
When he had hugged his senior brothers just now, Senior Brother Lin’s Qi Blood felt the same as ever—completely undetectable to him. Senior Brother Zhao’s Qi Blood, however, felt... off.
’The cultivation technique I practice makes my perception of Qi Blood extremely sharp. Senior Brother Zhao’s Qi Blood... it’s very strange. There’s a current of Qi Blood inside him that isn’t his own. I wonder if he’s even aware of it.’
’Maybe I can go back and ask that old codger what’s going on with Senior Brother Zhao,’ he mused.
The three martial brothers chatted for a good while, stopping only when Yang Qingfeng returned. By then, more and more of their senior brothers had rushed to the Martial Arts Hall. Lin Yan and Zhao Linyuan joined their master and the others for lunch before finally taking their leave and heading home.
「Zhuang Mansion」
Zhuang Zheng entered the mansion and headed straight for the rear courtyard.
After taking office as Director of the Inspection Bureau, the former director’s mansion had become his.

Comments

Loading...