Chapter 197
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Zhang Xiaohua keenly noticed the worry in Zhang Xiaohu’s eyes and grinned. He turned to He Tianshu and said: “If such a simple trick went unnoticed by that burly monk, it must be because all that chanting sutras has messed up his brain.”
He laughed as he finished, and He Tianshu joined in, saying: “Perhaps, maybe, who knows? Hahaha!”
Zhang Xiaohu chuckled softly as well, though the nature of his laughter was different from He Tianshu’s.
The three chatted idly for a while longer as the sky darkened. Suddenly, Zhang Xiaohua’s tone shifted, and his eyes lit up with a glint of greed as he asked: “Captain He, do you think that, since I saved face for your Piaomiao Sect, even if it wasn’t a huge contribution, it was at least a bit of hard work, right? Do you think Sect Master Ou might give me some sort of reward?”
“Reward?” He Tianshu was momentarily stunned. “Well, I hadn’t thought about that. But as far as I know, participants advancing through external invitations only earn rankings; there’s no mention of rewards. After all, you’re not a formal disciple of the Piaomiao Sect. How would they reward you? The official disciples are rewarded with martial arts techniques.”
Zhang Xiaohua’s face fell with disappointment. “If I’d known that earlier, I’d have jumped off the platform myself! All that effort for nothing, and now I even have to worry about being silenced!”
“Silenced?” He Tianshu froze, startled. “By whom?”
Zhang Xiaohua replied indignantly: “By Dalin Temple, old monk Master Changgeng, who else?”
“You, you” He Tianshu pointed at Zhang Xiaohua, frustrated, and said: “What kind of nonsense are you thinking? Who told you this?”
Zhang Xiaohua confidently replied: “It’s in every martial arts novel. Whenever someone blocks another’s path or ruins their plans, they always get killed and silenced.”
He Tianshu shook his head with an exasperated smile. “Where do you get these ideas? Novels are just stories meant to entertain people! The Law Enforcement Elder of Dalin Temple—do you even know what kind of figure he is? Even if today’s events were part of some scheme, you only defeated two low-ranking disciples. Why would he stoop so low as to come after a teenager like you? How could he face the martial world afterward? It’s absolutely impossible!”
“Really?” Zhang Xiaohua still seemed doubtful.
“Really!” He Tianshu patted his chest confidently and said: “I swear on my reputation.”
Finally assured that his life was safe, Zhang Xiaohua broke into a grin and repeated: “That’s good, that’s good.”
It didn’t seem to cross his mind just how much He Tianshu’s reputation was actually worth!
However, He Tianshu quickly frowned and added: “But…”
Zhang Xiaohua’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked nervously: “But what? Could Monk Changgeng send someone else after me?”
He Tianshu chuckled and said: “No, nothing like that. I mean, you fought two matches today. The first was part of the third round of the martial competition, and according to the rules, there are no rewards for that. But the second match—well, that wasn’t part of the competition. You essentially represented the Piaomiao Sect against Dalin Temple. If I’m not mistaken, Sect Master Ou will remember your contribution. Maybe…”
Before he could finish, a knock came at the door. The three of them exchanged glances before Zhang Xiaohu called out: “Who’s there? Zhang Xiaohu isn’t home. I’m just here cleaning up for him.”
Hearing this peculiar response, Zhang Xiaohua and He Tianshu were secretly amused.
The person outside, however, wasn’t fooled and replied sternly: “Zhang Xiaohu, open the door. It’s Zhang Chengyue.”
“Good heavens!” The three of them were taken aback, and Zhang Xiaohua nearly stuck out his tongue in shock.
The three quickly moved to the door, and with a creak, opened it. Sure enough, standing outside was Zhang Chengyue, the top disciple under Sect Master Ou of the Piaomiao Sect.
Zhang Xiaohu stepped forward hurriedly, bowing deeply. “I didn’t know Uncle Master Zhang would honor us with a visit. My apologies for not welcoming you sooner. Please forgive me.”
Zhang Xiaohua and He Tianshu also bowed respectfully.
Zhang Chengyue glanced at the three of them and said: “It’s not that you were late to welcome me—you weren’t planning to welcome me at all. You even tried to trick me into leaving.”
Zhang Xiaohu was flustered and immediately apologized.
But Zhang Chengyue’s expression softened, and he said with a smile: “I’m just teasing you. We’re all surnamed Zhang, and as the ancients say, five hundred years ago, we were all one family. There’s no need to be so formal. I’m aware of your situation, and so is the Sect Master. Even your little fib just now didn’t escape his notice. He said, ‘You’re doing well—very well.’ That’s from the Sect Master himself.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohu was moved to tears and repeatedly said: “The Sect Master has sharp insight. Uncle Master Zhang, you have sharp insight.”
Zhang Chengyue helped Zhang Xiaohu to his feet and said: “You and your brother performed exceptionally well on the platform today. The Sect Master is very pleased. He just finished sending off the guests from Dalin Temple and asked me to bring you two over immediately. Come along quickly—he’s waiting for you in the Assembly Hall.”
Upon hearing that Sect Master Ou was waiting, Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua dared not delay. They quickly followed Zhang Chengyue toward the Assembly Hall.
As this didn’t concern He Tianshu, he simply returned to the Medicine Hall on his own.
When Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua arrived at the Assembly Hall with Zhang Chengyue, there weren’t many people inside. At the center, seated on the main chair, was Ou Peng himself. To his left, in the first chair, was a man who looked like a farmer. Zhang Xiaohua found him familiar, as if he’d seen him before, but couldn’t recall his name. To Ou Peng’s right, in the second chair, sat Zhang Xiaohu’s master, Wen Wenhai.
After the three entered the hall, Zhang Chengyue bowed and took a seat above Wen Wenhai.
Zhang Xiaohua followed Zhang Xiaohu in paying respects to the three individuals seated in the hall. His greeting of “Sect Master Ou” was especially formal and respectful, as expected. However, when Zhang Xiaohu addressed the farmer-like man as “Elder Hu,” Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but feel puzzled. What kind of world is this where even a farmer can become an elder? Still, he obediently bowed and addressed him as “Elder Hu”.
When it came to Wen Wenhai, Zhang Xiaohua’s tone was markedly different. His sweet and cheerful “Great Hero Wen” sounded like it was dipped in honey.
This contrast was not lost on the people in the room, and they all chuckled to themselves.
Since the Assembly Hall had no seating for Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua, the brothers could only stand as they spoke.
Ou Peng looked at Zhang Xiaohu first, his expression full of satisfaction, and said: “Zhang Xiaohu, you’re excellent. Truly remarkable.”
Though Zhang Xiaohu had already heard these words through Zhang Chengyue, hearing them directly from Ou Peng filled him with an overwhelming sense of relief. The month of frustration and isolation he had endured seemed to rise from his chest all at once, choking his throat. He couldn’t say a word, and tears streamed down his face like a flowing river.
Seeing this, Wen Wenhai also felt a pang of sorrow for his disciple.
Ou Peng remained silent, waiting for Zhang Xiaohu to collect himself. Once Zhang Xiaohu’s emotions stabilized, he spoke again. “You’ve been in the sect for over a month and were deliberately left in the shadows. There’s no need for me to explain the reasons in detail, but it was, in part, a test. As my direct disciple, you will face more than just challenges in martial arts. You’ll also need to navigate the complexities of human relationships and political maneuvers. You aren’t Zhang Chengyue’s disciple, so you’ve been less exposed to thoughts of fame and fortune. In the martial world, however, strength is the ultimate authority. If you were only interested in currying favor, building cliques, and managing your own small faction, how could I entrust Little Hai with teaching you our sect’s most treasured techniques? Fortunately, you’ve endured the test and demonstrated the patience required of a true martial arts master.”
Ou Peng paused for a moment before continuing: “Your master, Wen Wenhai, has worked tirelessly on your behalf during this time. I was also hesitant, but your performance on the platform today was a revelation. I must admit, I underestimated your potential. I placed too much importance on your age, failing to recognize your talent, which is at least on par with Yuan Xing of Dalin Temple—if not greater. If they at Dalin Temple can think outside the box, why should our Piaomiao Sect cling to outdated traditions? Why should we limit our focus to only the youngest disciples?”
Hearing this, Wen Wenhai interjected: “Zhang Xiaohu, why haven’t you thanked the Sect Master yet?”
Zhang Xiaohu quickly bowed deeply and said: “Thank you, Sect Master, for giving me this opportunity.”
Ou Peng smiled and said: “No need for such gratitude. The opportunity is before you, but it’s up to you to seize it and dedicate yourself to cultivation. Our Piaomiao Sect’s signature internal energy technique is meant for those who pursue martial excellence. If you have the aptitude and the fortune to cultivate it to perfection, it will not only be your personal glory but also a great achievement for our Piaomiao Sect.”
At this point, Ou Peng paused briefly, then sighed lightly. “However, I also need to be upfront with you. As for this internal cultivation technique, countless exceptionally talented individuals in our Piaomiao Sect have practiced it, yet only a few have ever achieved mastery. Even I succeeded purely by a stroke of luck, and the reasons behind it are not something I need to elaborate on now. I’ll ask you just one thing: Do you wish to choose this [Piaomiao Divine Technique], or would you prefer to practice a different internal cultivation method?”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohu hadn’t yet responded when Zhang Xiaohua, listening from the side, silently grumbled to himself: “What’s with this Sect Master Ou? Just from the name, the [Piaomiao Divine Technique] sounds awe-inspiring. Who wouldn’t choose it? Why even ask?”
Of course, only someone like Zhang Xiaohua, with his straightforward and pure-hearted dedication to martial arts, would think this way. To him, the question seemed unnecessarily foolish. However, someone with a more calculating mindset might consider that while the technique might indeed be legendary, if they couldn’t achieve mastery, it would lose its value. On the other hand, choosing a simpler technique that could be fully cultivated to its peak might ultimately yield greater results. Comparing the two options, some might have reservations.
Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—Zhang Xiaohu shared Zhang Xiaohua’s straightforward nature, only choosing the most ideal and not the most practical. Without the slightest hesitation, he replied firmly: “Sect Master, this disciple will choose the [Piaomiao Divine Technique]. I will dedicate myself to cultivating it to perfection. Please watch over my progress.”
Ou Peng laughed and said: “Good, good, good. I truly look forward to seeing your progress.”
Wen Wenhai stood up beside him and said: “Thank you, Sect Master, for granting this opportunity.”
Ou Peng waved his hand dismissively with a chuckle. “Haha, how could I not grant it? You’ve practically been circling me every day for over a month. Do you think I don’t know what’s been on your mind? Enough, go back now. Starting tomorrow, teach him the method and have him focus on cultivating diligently. Who knows when that Yuan Xing might come back to challenge him? We can’t afford to lose face again.”
Hearing Ou Peng’s words, Zhang Xiaohu finally realized the effort and care his master had been putting in for him all this time. His eyes grew even more misty with emotion.