Chapter 37: Evaluation I

Rear courtyard of the Taoist temple, on the training ground.

Lin Hui held the Clear River sword, calmly and steadily practicing the Nine-Section Quick Sword.

To apply it in real combat, he had to make it perfectly compatible with his own physical state. It wasn’t enough for the moves to be perfectly executed; he also needed to clarify the timing, rhythm, and other aspects of using the sword techniques.

He had already completed his daily Body Tempering with the Seven-Section Quick Sword. The next period was dedicated to preparing for the Perfected Version of the Nine-Section Quick Sword, which was about to complete its evolution.

He had to ensure that the moment the evolution was complete, he could immediately integrate it into his real combat rhythm.

It was noon. Besides him practicing alone, there were about a dozen new students nearby. Under Vivi’s lead, they were crookedly holding wooden sticks and learning the training method of the Seven-Section Quick Sword.

This was the foundation of the Clear Wind Taoist Temple’s martial arts. Unfortunately… although Vivi was teaching diligently, the students were either absent-minded, occasionally glancing at her waist and hips, or chatting and giggling in low voices.

Vivi wore a form-fitting black leather outfit, her long hair draped over her shoulders, revealing her curves. She bit her lip tightly and said nothing, planning to pack up and leave as soon as she finished teaching.

Her only thought now was to help her father hold up this last remaining framework. Let them look if they wanted; a few extra glances didn’t matter. If people looking brought in more students, so be it.

Soon, she finished teaching a set of sword techniques. She sheathed her sword, gave a few final reminders about key points, and glanced at Lin Hui, who was focused on his own practice in the corner. With a sigh in her heart, she left the grounds and headed back to her home outside the temple.

She knew very well that these new students would just practice casually and go home after the demonstration class.

Compared to the scene of many disciples diligently cultivating in the past, the news of the Black Dragon Gate easily crushing the Clear Wind Taoist Temple’s martial arts had long spread through the surrounding towns, propagated by interested parties.

The wealthy families and large merchant houses that once cooperated with the Clear Wind Taoist Temple had also quietly terminated their contracts, turning to cooperate with the stronger martial artists and halls from the outer cities.

With a light sigh, Vivi herself had actually lost confidence in the Clear Wind Taoist Temple’s martial arts long ago. A few days prior, she had encountered an elite disciple from an outer city martial arts hall—a suitor she had once defeated. But now, he had easily defeated her in just over a dozen moves.

Humiliated and angry, she began to doubt the sword style she had practiced bitterly for over ten years.

Should I really bet everything I have on the Clear Wind Sword?

With this question in mind, Vivi’s figure quietly disappeared through the rear gate of the temple.

The remaining students laughed and joked as they began to pack up and disperse.

Since joining in recent days, they had grown accustomed to this rhythm.

Soon, in less than ten minutes, only four people remained on the entire rear ground.

Wang Yun stood to the side, watching Lin Hui, who was still practicing hard, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes.

She slowly walked over, stood by the side, and watched quietly.

Only when Lin Hui paused did she speak softly.

“Junior Brother Lin, why are you still so serious?”

“One should be serious in whatever they do. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a pity to waste time in vain?” Lin Hui turned sideways to look at his fellow disciple.

“But is it worth continuing to invest time and energy into this?” Wang Yun asked softly.

“What about you, Senior Sister? They all left, why didn’t you? Do you think it’s worth it to stay and cultivate?” Lin Hui countered.

“Me?” Wang Yun smiled. “I practiced martial arts just to strengthen my body, not for money or fighting, only for movement speed. Plus, I’ve been here for many years. Starting over would cost too much, so I didn’t want to move. However…”

She paused.

“Many guards in my family have gone to the Black Dragon Gate. Different needs, different goals.”

“What Senior Sister said is exactly what I mean,” Lin Hui said calmly. “My goal in practicing martial arts has been speed from the very beginning.”

“Is that so? No wonder…” Wang Yun suddenly understood.

Sighing again, she asked no more. After bidding farewell, she turned to pack up and leave.

At this point, only two others remained on the field.

One of them was Chen Jiahu.

This farm boy brought by Chen Zhishen was still practicing the quick sword diligently, just like Lin Hui.

Lin Hui had been watching him for days and found that this child was completely unaffected by the rumors outside, practicing hard every day.

Not only that, but he seemed to have brought a friend along to practice with him.

After maintaining his sword, Lin Hui was about to leave when he noticed Chen Jiahu and his friend finishing up, coming over to say goodbye before planning to leave as well.

He paused, a question rising in his mind.

“Xiaohu.”

“Uncle Lin? What’s wrong, do you have instructions?” Xiaohu asked, puzzled.

“Why are you still willing to stay?” Lin Hui asked directly. “Haven’t you heard the news spreading outside?”

“I heard it,” Xiaohu nodded. “But Uncle Lin, you haven’t left, so I won’t leave either. My uncle told me to follow you.”

“Follow me?” Lin Hui was stunned. Looking at the other’s simple and honest face, he fell silent.

“You trust me that much?”

“Uncle Lin is so strong and hasn’t left, so there must be a reason. I’m stupid and always make the wrong choices myself. So I thought, since my uncle told me to follow you, I won’t think about anything else and just follow you. Someone as strong as you definitely chooses better than I do.” Xiaohu answered honestly.

“…” Lin Hui was speechless.

Xiaohu wasn’t technically a formal disciple yet; he was still at the student stage and hadn’t been in the temple long.

When the temple split into three a while ago, he ran over on his own to join Mingde’s branch.

Lin Hui hadn’t expected the reason to be himself.

He sighed and looked at the other person.

This person had a face full of freckles, a slightly chubby build, and an unremarkable appearance with somewhat dark skin. His clothing suggested his family was well-off. He was a little fatty.

“What about you? What’s your name? Why did you stay?”

“Replying to Senior Brother Lin, my name is Huang Shenggen. Xiaohu helped me; he and I are brothers. If he doesn’t leave, I won’t leave either.” The little fatty’s answer was even simpler. “Good brothers share blessings and hardships together!”

“Such ambition,” Lin Hui nodded unconsciously.

The rise and fall of the Clear Wind Taoist Temple had shown him how fragile so-called loyalty could be. But now, the little fatty’s words and choice showed him that perhaps loyalty wasn’t fragile, but simply didn’t exist between certain people.

“Then Senior Brother Lin, can we practice sword with you? Senior Sister Vivi and the Daoist priests just teach once and leave; we can’t understand a lot of things…” Xiaohu couldn’t help but plead.

“If I’m here, just come and watch,” Lin Hui agreed.

In any case, his Body Tempering was fast, and he spent most of his extra time integrating the Nine-Section Quick Sword into his instincts.

“Thank you, Senior Brother!”

The two were overjoyed and quickly bowed in salute.

After chatting, the three went to the dining hall to eat. The serving chef was still the same one, but the proportion of meat in the dishes scooped out for them was much less than before.

Lin Hui looked at the plate in front of him and sighed inwardly. Vivi was in charge of logistics. With income plummeting, cutting back on food was normal.

Fortunately, there was still enough coarse grain rice. The three stuffed themselves with rice and then returned to their quarters to rest.

Xiaohu and his friend returned to the communal bunkhouse. Because there were few people now, the bunkhouse had turned into a large single room, spacious and comfortable. Living conditions had actually improved a lot.

Lin Hui still lived in his single room and had been allocated a new small courtyard. This was another benefit of having fewer people.

However, on his way back, he happened to see Daoist Mingde sitting on the roof of the temple, looking up and drinking wine.

Mingde’s face was flushed, his gaze lost. It was unknown how long he had been sitting there.

Lin Hui didn’t disturb him. He silently returned to his room to rest, waiting for the afternoon practice.

Time passed day by day.

With the comprehensive defeat of the Clear Wind Taoist Temple, the situation in Xinyu Town was set.

Many of the temple’s original business cooperations transferred to the Black Dragon Gate. This was evident from the defection of elite disciples. Major clans like the Zhao and Mu families mostly followed representative disciples like Zhao Jiangan and Mu Qiaozhi.

On the surface, it was just the transfer of a few disciples. In reality, they represented a vast swath of related cooperation contracts and employment.

The only consolation was that the Zhao and Mu families didn’t expel all their formerly employed fellow disciples but instead brought them into the Black Dragon Gate’s temporary training class for retraining.

Lin Hui learned this news from a letter sent by Chen Zhishen.

‘Now the Black Dragon Gate no longer considers the Clear Wind Taoist Temple an opponent. Instead, they’ve turned their target to the Hundred Flowers Gate, which poses a greater threat and is also expanding.‘ Chen Zhishen introduced in the letter.

‘The Hundred Flowers Gate is also a martial arts hall newly founded by martial artists from the outer city. After defeating the Flying Cloud Fist, they annexed the original resources and connections and have intentions of encroaching on the Black Dragon Gate. It’s not surprising that the two sides are fighting. But, Ah Hui, are you sure you want to stick with the Clear Wind Taoist Temple to the bitter end? It’s really not necessary. The town’s Security Office has released a new list of candidates for the Response Team. Have you seen it? This batch is entirely people from the Black Dragon Gate.‘

Lin Hui put away the letter, his expression calm.

He was naturally aware of the changes in the Emergency Response Team because the notification from the Yamen had arrived two days ago, announcing the termination of the contract with their side.

The contract was originally signed for a year, but the current Clear Wind Taoist Temple had no leverage to argue based on the contract. Getting a little compensation for early termination was considered good enough.

This was clearly the Black Dragon Gate’s doing.

The previous display by Mu Qiaozhi and others was just a reminder. Those who still didn’t know the times and didn’t defect, like Lin Hui, naturally faced contract termination.

“Junior Brother, regarding the termination, I will find a way to help you find something new. Don’t worry; although it might be worse than before, I won’t let you…” Vivi said softly from the side, her expression somewhat embarrassed.

With the temple’s income plummeting, maintaining the original food and medicinal diet was naturally impossible.

Many of the expensive jewelry she used to wear had quietly disappeared, and her attire was much simpler than before—just a simple gray form-fitting long coat.

She had also helped deliver Chen Zhishen’s letter this time. The people who used to deliver letters had been let go to cut costs.

“Senior Sister, there’s no need for this. I don’t care about these expenses,” Lin Hui replied. “My family’s small business is on track now, and my own expenses are very low. It doesn’t matter.”

“Junior Brother…” Vivi opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but didn’t know where to start.

After a long silence, she could only cup her hands in salute, turn around, and quietly leave.

If she had doubted her father’s decision before, now, the loyalty shown by Lin Hui and Wang Yun in such a difficult situation made her admire and understand more deeply what her father had said back then: In this world, there are always some things that cannot be calculated by money.

(End of Chapter)