"Thank you for your generosity, young master!"
Holding the vibrant green bamboo leaf, She Lei beamed with joy. "Congratulations to the young master on your great progress in martial arts! At this rate, reaching the level of a Martial Master, honing True Force, will be well within reach!"
"Oh? After three transformations of blood qi comes True Force? So that's the realm of a martial master?"
Fang Xi raised an eyebrow.
Truth be told, even martial artists who had achieved the third transformation of blood qi were nothing remarkable in the eyes of a cultivator. In the mortal world of the Southern Wilderness cultivation realm, there were also martial arts traditions, their highest attainments and destructive power were similar, only the paths differed.
However, the realm of a martial master was a different story altogether.
Of course, She Lei was clearly just flattering him, something Fang Xi could easily discern.
"Of course!" She Lei nodded eagerly, though inwardly he sneered at the young master's ignorance.
Each transformation of blood qi was harder than the last!
The first transformation could be achieved by anyone with sufficient resources and dedication, it was merely a matter of time. But the second transformation required talent.
As for the third transformation? The requirements were almost monstrous.
Across the entire Blackstone City, among the younger generation of the martial world, those who had achieved the third transformation could be counted on one hand.
And as for reaching the realm of a martial master, without tremendous opportunity and fortune, one could forget about it.
Even She Lei himself, injured in his middle years, had become completely cut off from any chance of advancement, now reduced to a teaching position at the Red Serpent Martial Hall.
"Naturally, to cultivate True Force, one must formally join a Martial Hall as a core disciple. Only then can one be granted access to the 'Divine Will Diagram' inheritance, guiding the integration of blood qi into the path of True Force…"
She Lei stroked his beard.
This was his bait. If Fang Xi wished to become a core disciple, wouldn't he have to continue relying on him?
"Divine Will Diagram?"
Fang Xi's eyes brightened slightly. He felt he was starting to grasp some of the core secrets of this world's martial arts. "Is it for sale?"
She Lei was caught off guard by the question, struggling to keep up with Fang Xi's unpredictable thinking. "The Divine Will Diagrams of each lineage are the most tightly guarded secrets. They would never be sold."
"One thousand taels of silver!"
Fang Xi immediately offered a price.
She Lei's breathing quickened.
Master, it's not that I'm disloyal, it's just… this price is too much!
"If a thousand isn't enough, then two thousand!"
Fang Xi, seeing She Lei's hesitation, smiled warmly and pressed the advantage.
"Well… let me think it over…"
She Lei stumbled away, leaving Fang Xi watching his retreating figure with an amused smile.
The so-called "Divine Will Diagram" must certainly be a core secret of the Martial Hall.
But Fang Xi wasn't in a rush. As long as he steadily progressed to the third transformation, he would eventually gain access to it.
For now, he had deliberately dangled the idea to stir up She Lei's already lurking greed.
The Fang's foothold in Blackstone City depends on their reputation for being naive and wealthy. Naturally, such people attract predators. Sooner or later, I have to show some real strength to secure my standing.
Fang Xi patted his chest.
The stack of charms he carried, Small Thunder Talisman, Golden Light Barrier Talisman, Ice Seal Talisman, gave him no small amount of confidence.
Martial artists must get close to threaten a cultivator, and those below the third transformation are barely a threat at all. Only martial masters are worth some caution.
I wonder how a martial master's strength truly compares to a body-refining cultivator?
Of course, Fang Xi had no intention of finding out the hard way, far too risky.
That night.
Fang Xi lounged on a bamboo recliner in the courtyard, a bowl of ice cream within reach.
Laurel, his maid, glanced at him curiously, puzzled why her young master preferred the humid outdoor air over the cool comfort of the house's air conditioning.
The summer heat was oppressive.
Perhaps I should prepare some lotus seed soup tomorrow… to clear heat and relieve internal fire, she mused.
Just as Laurel was lost in her thoughts, Fang Xi sighed, "So… they've finally come."
In the Fang residence's rear garden, a figure in black scaled the wall.
His small, sharp eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Clutched to his chest were bundles of knockout incense and sleeping powders.
Damn it, this Fang family, no real backing, stupidly rich, throwing around thousands of taels like it's nothing… naturally, they must 'pay tribute' to Grandfather She!
Familiar with the layout, She Lei quickly found his way to the storeroom.
As he crouched in the dark, preparing to ignite the drugged incense,
Whoosh!
Flames from torches suddenly burst into life, illuminating the entire courtyard.
"What?!"
She Lei stared in disbelief.
Surrounding him were a dozen brawny guards armed with clubs.
Among them was Mu Piaomiao, who glared at him with undisguised fury. "She Lei… how dare you?!"
Stealing from one's employer, it would ruin the reputation of all martial halls across Blackstone City!
"Ke ke ke… Old man 'Sky Roving Hawk' here doesn't know anyone called She Lei!"
She Lei rasped through a disguised voice and immediately turned to flee.
In matters like this, just like catching an adulterer, if one's mask stayed on, never admit it, no matter what!
Even if caught red-handed, the rule was, deny, deny, deny!
His powerful legs propelled him like a gust of wind. In a blink, he crashed through two guards, sending them sprawling.
"Stop right there!"
Mu Piaomiao's voice rang out, sharp and furious.
She unleashed her White Cloud Palm at full force, a grayish strike reeking of noxious fumes.
Hmph, Mu Piaomiao isn't my match, but I mustn't reveal my Red Serpent Leg technique.
She Lei twisted his body nimbly, easily dodging her strike and widening the gap.
The guards, though not especially skilled, managed to slow him down.
Ultimately, Mu Piaomiao caught up again.
"Don't push me!"
She Lei roared, his muscles bunching as he lashed out a powerful whip-like kick.
Boom!
Leg and palm clashed midair. Mu Piaomiao staggered back a few steps, grunting coldly, clearly she had taken some damage.
A kick packed more force than a palm strike to begin with, and She Lei was also more experienced and powerful.
Yet as he looked at the grayish fingerprints left on his leg, She Lei's face darkened, "Poisonous palm technique… but still, you can't stop me."
Even if his identity was exposed, as long as he escaped, he could deny everything the next day.
After all, many apprentices in Blackstone City's Red Serpent Martial Hall trained in similar techniques!
Mu Piaomiao was wounded and could no longer hold him back.
Just as She Lei thought he would get away, Fang Xi appeared, sauntering out with an amused expression.
"Old She, that's rather rude of you. I'll be sure to report you to the authorities tomorrow."
"Old man 'Sky Roving Hawk' knows no She Lei—but I'll teach you a lesson anyway!"
Despite being poisoned, She Lei's movements were still swift. In a flash, he burst through the guards, charging straight for Fang Xi.
At that moment, Fang Xi smiled lightly.
"Master She, why don't you stay a while?"
A tall figure stepped from behind Fang Xi.
He looks familiar…
That fleeting thought crossed She Lei's mind.
The next moment, the man casually raised a hand, swatting as if brushing aside a fly.
Snap!
A bone in She Lei's leg cracked audibly.
He screamed and flew backward, slamming into the courtyard wall and slumping down, limp and powerless.
"You… you're… White Cloud Martial Hall Master, Mu Canglong!"
She Lei roared in disbelief.
"Indeed," Mu Canglong said coldly. "You harmed my daughter and dared attack the young master, heaven itself will not tolerate it!"
Mu Canglong was a burly man in his fifties, face ruddy with a natural air of authority.
"How… how are you here?"
"Naturally, I hired him," Fang Xi said with a smile. "Five hundred taels for one favor."
After all, he wanted to witness a dojo master's strength, not risk himself doing it.
It was money well spent.
Thinking back to Mu Canglong's casual strike, Fang Xi mentally assessed,
Martial artists at the third transformation of blood qi are like children before a true master… this is a fundamental difference.
Speed, strength, durability, none of it comparable.
In raw power, it's about equivalent to a first or second-level body cultivator.
And that was quite impressive.
After all, body cultivation required expensive resources and spirit stones, costing dozens at minimum to achieve modest success.
Yet here in Daliang, Fang Xi could achieve similar results with just silver!
That was the true opportunity.
"Young Master Fang, how shall we deal with this man?"
Mu Canglong turned to him. "She Lei has been struck by my poison palm, his blood qi are stagnant. He cannot escape."
Fang Xi sighed softly.
"I would prefer not to make enemies of the Red Serpent Martial Hall. No need to alert the authorities. Let's simply summon their master for a proper talk."
The Daliang authorities still carried some weight after all.
In the eyes of the law, what She Lei did was a major crime, punishable by flogging and exile.
Mu Canglong nodded solemnly.
Then Fang Xi whispered further, "Master Mu, tomorrow… I will need you to testify."
"Naturally," Mu Canglong agreed firmly. "For the sake of our Martial Hall's reputation, I would not let this matter pass."
The Red Serpent Martial Hall's Master, Lu She, soon arrived.
A short man clad in red robes, his appearance utterly unremarkable, yet merely walking into the courtyard gave the impression of being stalked by a venomous snake.
The next day, Fang Xi faced him, coughing lightly.
"Master Lu… alas… I truly did not wish for any of this."
"If you didn't wish it, why not release She Lei and pretend it never happened?" Lu She rasped coldly. "Enough pleasantries. Name your terms."
Fang Xi turned to Mu Canglong.
Mu Canglong cleared his throat.
"Lu She, it was your Martial Hall that wronged Young Master Fang first. For the sake of your reputation, it's best to settle this quietly."
He followed the script they had rehearsed:
"The Red Serpent Martial Hall must refund all tuition fees paid. That is standard protocol. In addition… compensation must be provided to Young Master Fang."
"Fine, fine!"
Lu She sneered at Mu Canglong, his voice dripping venom.
So it's you White Cloud Martial Hall vultures setting this up, trying to steal the fat sheep for yourselves!
"Think what you will," Mu Canglong said impassively. "But what's done is done."
"In addition," he continued, "although Young Master Fang can no longer study at your Martial Hall, he has already learned the Red Serpent Leg technique. As compensation, you will allow him to study your Divine Will Diagram for one day."