Chapter 199
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Zhang Xiaohua noticed Ou Peng’s astonishment and quickly added: “Ah, I haven’t yet thanked Sect Master in person for your generosity. If not for your reward, I imagine I would’ve been kicked off the stage by Yuan Kong as soon as I stepped on it. Sect Master is truly wise; you foresaw today’s competition and granted me the Piaomiao Step in advance.”
Ou Peng, unable to hold back a laugh, scolded him: “Your flattery is far too obvious. Don’t do that again; it’s nauseating.”
Feigning shock, Zhang Xiaohua said: “Sect Master saw through it? Impressive! But, if you keep hearing it, I suppose you’ll get used to it eventually, won’t you?”
Ou Peng shook his head, choosing not to respond further. After a pause, he continued: “It seems you and He Tianshu both have some talent in movement techniques. Reaching the third level in just over a month is quite commendable. However, the Piaomiao Step is one of the divine techniques of the Piaomiao Sect. The higher-level techniques cannot be casually taught to you in the future.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua felt a pang of worry. Why hadn’t he thought of this earlier? Could Ou Peng have meant to grant him access to the higher-level techniques later?
But now that the words were spoken and the token was about to be handed over, how could he take it back?
Suppressing his regret, Zhang Xiaohua reluctantly said: “Sect Master overestimates us. I haven’t even scratched the surface of the third-level Qinggong, let alone mastered it.”
Ou Peng, unsurprised, replied: “The lightness techniques recorded in the third level are indeed profound. If you’d already comprehended them, I’d be surprised. Don’t rush it; take your time. Once your internal energy improves, you’ll naturally gain insights.”
Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and said: “It’s not just the lightness technique. Even the Floating Technique mentioned in it baffles me.”
“Floating Technique?” Ou Peng was taken aback. “What Floating Technique? Does the Piaomiao Step you received include a technique for floating?”
Zhang Xiaohua nodded in confusion and said: “Yes, the Piaomiao Step given to us by Uncle Master Zhang includes a Floating Technique.”
Ou Peng turned to Zhang Chengyue, who also appeared puzzled. Zhang Chengyue explained: “Sect Master, I didn’t know the third level of the Piaomiao Step contained a Floating Technique. The version I practiced only included lightness techniques. Furthermore, due to time constraints, I simply grabbed a copy of the Piaomiao Step from the library and extracted the first three levels without reviewing it myself.”
Ou Peng nodded, showing no sign of blame, and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, it’s true that our Piaomiao Sect’s Piaomiao Step originally included the Floating Technique, but that was thousands of years ago. No one has successfully practiced it for countless generations. Over time, this technique was simply omitted from the teachings and transcriptions of the Piaomiao Step. Most likely, the copy Chengyue gave you was an old version, copied many years ago. Since you’ve already seen it, there’s no need to try practicing it. Just focus on the lightness techniques. Additionally, when you return, destroy the pages related to the Floating Technique immediately. Where is the manual now? Is it with you or He Tianshu?”
Zhang Xiaohua replied: “It’s with Captain He.”
Ou Peng turned to Zhang Chengyue and said: “Chengyue, this is your mistake, and I won’t dwell on it. Go to the Medicinal Hall now, retrieve the manual containing the Floating Technique, and make sure to tell He Tianshu to keep this matter a secret from everyone.”
Zhang Chengyue nodded and immediately left the Assembly Hall.
Ou Peng then addressed Zhang Xiaohua: “You, too, must bury this matter about the Floating Technique in your heart. Don’t tell anyone.”
Zhang Xiaohua felt a chill run down his spine and thought: “Good heavens! Luckily, I didn’t mention that I’ve already grasped a bit of the Floating Technique. Otherwise, today’s tomorrow might have been my death anniversary. Why does the phrase ‘silence the witness’ always seem to hover around me?”
He couldn’t help but recall his encounters with Monk Changgeng, and the phrase “silence the witness” echoed repeatedly in his mind. Still, Zhang Xiaohua mused, if I did reveal the Floating Technique, would they really silence me? Perhaps they might even revere me like a deity.
Zhang Xiaohua cautiously tested Ou Peng’s attitude, asking: “Sect Master, I seem to recall Captain He mentioning that the Floating Technique is something of a legend. How is it that it appears in our Piaomiao Step?”
Ou Peng smiled and shook his head. “He Tianshu is correct. The inclusion of the Floating Technique in the Piaomiao Step is a secret of the Piaomiao Sect. I can’t disclose it to you. Don’t ask about it anymore; just forget it.”
Seeing that Ou Peng wasn’t overly concerned, Zhang Xiaohua silently pondered: ”I’ve already learned the Floating Technique, so forgetting it is impossible. Judging from the Sect Master’s attitude, it doesn’t seem to be a life-threatening issue. I’ll just practice it privately when no one is around. The Sect Master won’t see it anyway.”
Unaware of Zhang Xiaohua’s inner thoughts, Ou Peng glanced at Hu Yunyi before turning back to Zhang Xiaohua. “Zhang Xiaohua, the token you requested will be delivered to you in a few days by Chengyue. There’s nothing more here; you may leave now.”
Zhang Xiaohua bowed and was about to leave when he suddenly hesitated, as if something had come to mind. He turned back and asked Ou Peng: “Sect Master, there’s something I’m unsure if I should say or not?”
Ou Peng said: “Here we go again. Just say it.”
Zhang Xiaohua stammered: “That… that…”
After much hesitation, he still didn’t manage to say anything.
Ou Peng grew impatient and urged: “Hurry up! What is it?”
Zhang Xiaohua bit his lip and finally blurted out: “Sect Master, about that… today, I represented our Piaomiao Sect well on the stage, earning us face, and I also contributed my Big Dipper Divine Fist. Earlier, we only talked about the copyright issue, but nothing was mentioned about royalties. So, uh, do you think…?”
As he spoke, he rubbed his thumb and index finger together. At first, Ou Peng was puzzled, but after a moment of realization, he burst out laughing. Hu Yunyi also couldn’t help but laugh.
Ou Peng said: “Zhang Xiaohua, oh Zhang Xiaohua, I completely forgot about that part! Alright, you’ve indeed done a great service to our Piaomiao Sect today. How about I reward you with ten thousand taels of gold?”
“Ten thousand taels of gold!!?” Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Ou Peng frowned and asked: “What? You think it’s too little?”
Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly waved his hands. “No, no, Sect Master. I thought a hundred taels of silver would already be enough.”
Ou Peng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and said: “When I reward someone, it’s with grandeur! A hundred taels of silver is far too little.”
Zhang Xiaohua was now on the verge of tears. Ten thousand taels of gold—what kind of concept was that? He didn’t have the faintest idea. He had never even seen gold before, only heard that it was worth much more than silver. Even dreaming of ten thousand taels of silver was beyond him, let alone ten thousand taels of gold. But such a vast amount felt too hot to handle. What if, as soon as he turned his back, the Sect Master decided to silence him to cover it up?
“This… this…” Zhang Xiaohua stammered again, unable to form words.
Hu Yunyi chuckled and said: “Junior Brother, don’t scare Zhang Xiaohua. Just give him a reasonable amount of silver. Ten thousand taels of gold would only harm him.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua nodded furiously, like a chicken pecking at grain.
Ou Peng couldn’t help but chuckle and said: “Alright, Zhang Xiaohua, don’t be afraid. Although our Piaomiao Sect isn’t some superpower sect, we do have some silver reserves. How about I give you ten thousand taels of silver instead?”
Zhang Xiaohua shook his head again. “A hundred taels would be enough. I’ve been away from home for so long and haven’t sent any money back yet. A hundred taels is more than enough. From what I remember, my family spends no more than five taels a year.”
Hearing this, both Ou Peng and Hu Yunyi were slightly moved, nodding subtly in approval.
Ou Peng thought for a moment before saying: “Alright, how about this? I’ll give you one thousand taels of silver. Take it home and honor your parents well—they didn’t raise you for nothing.”
Zhang Xiaohua was overjoyed and said: “Thank you, Sect Master!”
Ou Peng smiled and waved him off, signaling him to leave.
Zhang Xiaohua turned and walked a few steps but then stopped, as if he remembered something. He turned back and said: “Sect Master, there’s one more thing I’d like to mention. I’m not sure if I should say it or not.”
Ou Peng, almost exasperated, took a deep breath to keep calm and said: “If you’ve got something to say, spit it out quickly!”
Zhang Xiaohua said: “I’ve been away from home for more than a year now. I’d like to go back and visit. Would that be alright?”
Ou Peng raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You’re not even a disciple of our Piaomiao Sect. Whether you go home or not isn’t something you need to report to me, is it?”
Zhang Xiaohua explained: “But I’d like to return with my second brother. We left home together, and if we don’t go back together, our parents will worry themselves sick.”
Ou Peng responded casually_ “Alright, no problem. Go find your second brother and tell him I’ve agreed.”
Zhang Xiaohua was thrilled and said: “Thank you, Sect Master, for your kindness.”
After thanking him, Zhang Xiaohua turned to leave. But after a few steps, he felt something was off and instinctively turned back. Sure enough, Ou Peng and Hu Yunyi were both staring intently at his back. Confused, Zhang Xiaohua glanced behind him but saw nothing unusual. He asked: “Sect Master, Elder Hu, why are you staring at my back like that?”
Ou Peng chuckled and said: “Just waiting to see you turn back again. So, is there anything else?”
Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and replied: “No, nothing else.”
Ou Peng, still doubtful, asked: “Really nothing?”
“Really.” Zhang Xiaohua said firmly.
“Alright, then off you go.” Ou Peng said.
Zhang Xiaohua finally turned again and was about to leave the Assembly Hall quickly.
However, after just a few steps, he suddenly heard Ou Peng call out from behind: “Wait.”
Startled, Zhang Xiaohua froze in place, turned back, and asked: “Sect Master, do you have something else?”
Ou Peng glared at him and said, “I don’t have ‘something else’. I only have one thing.”
Zhang Xiaohua spread his hands and said: “Please go ahead.”
Ou Peng said: “About you and your second brother going home—I’ve agreed, but you can only leave after you’ve finished documenting the fist techniques, and your second brother has memorized the first layer of the internal cultivation method. Understood?”
Zhang Xiaohua tilted his head in surprise and said: “Sect Master, that was my plan all along. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have done it anyway. Being able to document a technique is an honor for me.”
Ou Peng was speechless and waved his hand, signaling for him to leave.
Zhang Xiaohua remained in place, asking once again: “Sect Master, are you absolutely sure there’s nothing else?”
“Absolutely sure. Go now, or you’ll miss supper.” Ou Peng replied weakly.
Zhang Xiaohua said: “Alright, then I’m really leaving.”
Ou Peng shouted: “Go! If you don’t leave now, I won’t let you leave at all!”