Chapter 7
"All quiet, please."
Leon Wei exuded a commanding presence as he walked confidently to the well-placed grandmaster chair, sat down with authority, lifted a teacup, took a sip, and then gazed at the people before him, who were subdued by his presence.
"Do you all want to learn martial arts?"
At this moment, he had fully immersed himself in the role of the martial arts hall master, exuding a style that needed to be maintained. He wanted them to understand that joining the Lin Martial Arts Hall was not a simple matter of their desire; it also required his approval.
A burly man pushed a young boy who looked about twelve years old forward. The boy had a bald head with a dog skin plaster on it, looking somewhat comical.
"Leon Wei, this is my son. He greatly admires you and wants to learn martial arts at your prestigious hall." The man then turned to the boy. "Son, what are you waiting for? Show Leon Wei a few moves."
"Yes, Dad."
The boy immediately responded, then stepped onto the open space, shouted angrily, and began somersaulting continuously— one, two, three, four. His speed was impressive, leaving Leon Wei astonished. What a talented young boy at such a tender age.
The boy stopped, shook his head dizzily, "Dad, bring out the props."
"Alright."
The burly man quickly fetched a brick and tossed it over. The boy caught the brick, exhaled sharply, and smacked it against his forehead. The brick split into two pieces, and blood started trickling down the boy's head.
Without a second thought, the man swiftly applied a plaster to the boy's head, stopping the bleeding.
Taking a deep breath, the boy suppressed the tears welling up in his eyes, proudly lifting his head as if to say, "See, I am strong."
At that moment, all those who had come to seek apprenticeship were stunned, looking at the boy in amazement.
They were dumbfounded by the boy's actions.
Damn, so brave?
Even Leon Wei was taken aback, unable to bring the teacup to his lips for a while.
"Well, impressive."
Leon Wei gave high praise. "You are quite good. Lin Martial Arts Hall accepts you."
He saw the wish on the boy's head.
[I really want to join the Lin Martial Arts Hall and hope to learn real martial arts (0/1), reward: one white wish point]
The burly man was overjoyed and urged, "Son, kneel and bow to the hall master."
The boy immediately knelt down and knocked his head against Leon Wei, knocking so hard that there were signs of damage on the brick.
"Stop knocking, really, stop knocking." Leon Wei immediately stopped him, feeling it was unnecessary. It was just joining the martial arts hall; there was no need to set such high standards.
He was truly afraid the boy would knock himself silly before learning any martial arts.
The boy pursed his lips, standing obediently on the side.
The burly man took out some silver coins from his pocket. "Leon Wei, this is the entrance fee."
Leon Wei nodded, glanced briefly, a total of ten taels, a normal price for an ordinary martial arts hall. Then he looked at the boy. "What is your name?"
"Back to the hall master, my name is Wang Haizhu."
"Good, this is your senior brother Jin Ray. You will follow him for training from now on."
"Yes, Hall Master."
Wang Haizhu, holding back his excitement, walked up to Jin Ray, bowed deeply, "Senior Brother, please guide me in the future."
"Uh, oh, okay..." Jin Ray was somewhat unaccustomed. He hadn't expected to have a junior brother so quickly, making him feel a bit awkward for a moment.
As the new apprentices left after being accepted, preparing to rest and recuperate before reporting back the next day, Wang Haizhu did not leave but immediately immersed himself in the martial arts hall.
"Jin Ray, I'm going out for a while. Watch over the martial arts hall."
"Yes, Hall Master."
Leon Wei left the martial arts hall, walked to the door, looked at Kai Zen's empty stall position, regretting that he didn't stop Kai Zen from betting earlier.
As soon as he had money, he went on strike, not even selling tofu pudding, making it impossible for him to fulfill his fixed wish tasks, a real pity.
Without much thought, he headed off into the distance.
Inside the martial arts hall.
"Senior Brother, is our Hall Master powerful?" Wang Haizhu asked. He knew the Hall Master had defeated Ma Sandao, so he must be very powerful, but he still wanted to ask because before joining the Lin Martial Arts Hall, he had already joined two martial arts halls but had not learned anything, and his family's silver had been depleted.
"Definitely powerful. The Hall Master is truly talented." Jin Ray replied as he stood on the wooden stake, feeling the benefits of the stake training. Even though he had just started, he could already feel a slight boiling sensation in his body as the stake training took effect.
"Oh, Senior Brother, what are you doing?"
"Stake training, practicing."
Jin Ray had already felt the benefits of the stake training. He had only been practicing for a short time, but he could already feel a slight boiling sensation in his body as the stake training took effect.
"Can you teach me?" Wang Haizhu's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Don't be impatient. Impatience won't help you in martial arts. Although you are good at somersaults, what you need to do now is build strength. There are stone pillars over there. Hit the left one a hundred times with your left hand and a hundred times with your right hand."
"Oh, thank you for passing on your skills, Senior Brother."
Wang Haizhu eagerly went to start lifting the stone pillars.
...
In the bustling streets, Leon Wei, holding a bag, had already bought the materials needed for the talismans and was eager to try them out. For such mysterious and esoteric arts, everyone was filled with anticipation.
As he approached a commotion ahead, Leon Wei enjoyed watching the excitement. When something exciting happened, everyone was drawn in. He squeezed into the crowd, listening to the conversations of the onlookers.
It turned out that someone had died.
As he walked up and saw a corpse lying there, surrounded by officials protecting the scene, he could tell from their expressions that they were quite fearful.
"County Officer Liu Shen is dead. Who would dare to kill a county officer?"
"Hush, keep your voice down, don't talk recklessly."
"Truly audacious."
Upon hearing that County Officer Liu Shen had died, Leon Wei's expression changed slightly. He suddenly remembered Zhao Tiexin from the Mountain and River Martial Hall he had seen last night. The wish on his head involved sending Liu Shen to meet the King of Hell.
Now that the man was truly dead.
The killer, perhaps Zhao Tiexin.
Although a ninth-rank official, Liu Shen was in charge of military affairs in the county, making him a big shot in Ankang County.
To think that he had died so suddenly, and in such a public manner.
It was terrifying to think about.
At that moment, he felt a deep chill in his heart.
The world was indeed dangerous.
One's own strength was the only true guarantee.
He quietly withdrew from the crowd, hurriedly returning to the martial arts hall. Before having absolute strength, it was best not to stir up too much trouble.
He knew Ankang County's waters ran deep.
It was just that he had a doubt. Was Liu Shen really killed by Zhao Tiexin?
After all, Zhao Tiexin had appeared at the Yihong Courtyard last night. If the person he had met was Liu Shen, many people would know.
Forget it.
Why think so much?
It had nothing to do with him.
In the martial arts hall.
Inside the room, yellow paper, cinnabar, and brushes were all prepared on the table. With the two wish points he had just obtained, he could now use them. As expected, with the appearance of talisman techniques, the roulette also gained proficiency in talismans.
[Congratulations on drawing: Proficiency in Wind Thunder Palm 100]
[Congratulations on drawing: Proficiency in Diamond Talisman 50]
Taking up the brush, focusing, and drawing, the first time was still unfamiliar. After a moment, a diamond talisman was completed. He sighed slightly, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.
"I didn't expect drawing talismans to be so exhausting."
This diamond talisman was a failure, not having the protective effect of a diamond shield.
Picking up the talisman, he examined it carefully. There was nothing particularly attractive about it; it was just an ordinary talisman.
Ripping it apart, a strange force surged from within him, enhancing his physical body.
Without hesitation, he picked up a small knife used for peeling fruit on the table, fiercely stabbing his hand. With a clang, the knife broke into three pieces, leaving only a small white spot on his hand, but with a slight sense of pain.
Even so, the effect of the diamond talisman was remarkable. He waited, silently counting the time. After a while, the mysterious force dissipated.
"A diamond talisman drawn by a beginner can last for five seconds. It's a bit short."
Leon Wei knew that one shouldn't be too greedy. Drawing a diamond talisman that could last for five seconds without being an expert was already quite good. As the proficiency increased, the duration of the diamond talisman would only get longer.
Moreover, in battles between experts, victory or defeat often came in an instant, with one move being enough to end a life.
The diamond talisman would be his trump card at this stage, a lifesaver. In critical moments, it would surely be of great use.
With County Officer Liu Shen's tragic death on the street, even though it had nothing to do with him, it was wise to avoid wandering around too much in these dangerous times. Understanding this, he decided to focus on drawing more diamond talismans to prepare for emergencies.
Taking a short break, regaining his energy, he continued to draw talismans. Initially, it took twenty-three drawings to complete one, but later, it took thirty drawings to complete one.
This left him feeling a bit helpless. He hadn't expected twenty-three to be a peak but rather a highlight of drawing talismans. At the same time, the proficiency in diamond talismans was slowly increasing.
After using up all the yellow paper, he finally completed two diamond talismans.
Placing the talismans close to his body, he rubbed his wrist, pushed open the door, and unknowingly, the sky had gradually darkened. As he walked into the courtyard, Jin Ray and Wang Haizhu were still practicing.
Seeing Wang Haizhu still lifting the stone pillar to build strength, Leon Wei was quite surprised. He hadn't expected the boy to persist until now.
"Master."
"Hall Master."
Jin Ray and Wang Haizhu saw Leon Wei and stopped, respectfully greeting him.
They were curious. Why had the Hall Master locked himself in the room? They didn't know many people, but Leon Wei was someone they respected. The scene of him drawing talismans had left them in awe.
"Time is not early. You should all go back and rest early. Martial arts training is not a one-day affair; it requires gradual progress," Leon Wei said.
"Yes, Master."
"Yes, Hall Master."
Jin Ray and Wang Haizhu nodded vigorously, committing these words to memory.
After seeing them off, he went to the door, looking at the quiet street. In the distance, he could see a group of officials mobilizing, accompanied by soldiers with swords.
He wanted to tell them, "What are you looking for? The killer is definitely Zhao Tiexin. It's written on his head that he wants to send Liu Shen to meet the King of Hell."
Closing the door, he returned to the courtyard, starting to practice the Wind Thunder Palm.
Although drawing lots could increase proficiency faster, he knew he couldn't waste a single moment with the looming crisis. Focusing on earning wish points, he practiced whenever he had time.
The next day, all the new apprentices who had joined the day before had arrived. Leon Wei looked at their heads before they left.
It was regrettable. Their wishes were all over the place, some wanting to become a master in a day, some eyeing the widow next door. Despite this, he accepted them not for their abilities but for the expenses of running the martial arts hall. Daily income relied on fees.
A total of eleven people, charging a hundred and ten taels, crossing the threshold of a hundred taels in wealth.
The martial arts hall did not provide room and board for apprentices, so there were no additional expenses.
Fortunes change.
The martial arts hall had grown stronger and larger under his management.
As the apprentices who had been accepted left to rest and prepare to report back the next day, Wang Haizhu did not leave but immediately integrated into the martial arts hall.
"Jin Ray, I'm going out for a while. Watch over the martial arts hall."
"Yes, Hall Master."
Leon Wei left the martial arts hall, walking to the door, looking at Kai Zen's empty stall position, regretting that he hadn't stopped Kai Zen from betting earlier.
As soon as he had money, he went on strike, not even selling tofu pudding, making it impossible for him to fulfill his fixed wish tasks, a real pity.
Without much thought, he headed off into the distance.
In the bustling streets, Leon Wei, holding a bag, had already bought the materials needed for the talismans and was eager to try them out. For such mysterious and esoteric arts, everyone was filled with anticipation.
As he approached a commotion ahead, he enjoyed watching the excitement. When something exciting happened, everyone was drawn in. He squeezed into the crowd, listening to the conversations of the onlookers.
It turned out that someone had died.
As he walked up and saw a corpse lying there, surrounded by officials protecting the scene, he could tell from their expressions that they were quite fearful.
"County Officer Liu Shen is dead. Who would dare to kill a county officer?"
"Hush, keep your voice down, don't talk recklessly."
"Truly audacious."
Upon hearing that County Officer Liu Shen had died, Leon Wei's expression changed slightly. He suddenly remembered Zhao Tiexin from the Mountain and River Martial Hall he had seen last night. The wish on his head involved sending Liu Shen to meet the King of Hell.
Now that the man was truly dead.
The killer, perhaps Zhao Tiexin.
At that moment, he felt a deep chill in his heart.
The world was indeed dangerous.
Self-strength was the only true guarantee.
He quietly withdrew from the crowd, hurriedly returning to the martial arts hall. Before having absolute strength, it was best not to stir up too much trouble.
He knew Ankang County's waters ran deep.
Only, he had a doubt. Was Liu Shen really killed by Zhao Tiexin?
After all, Zhao Tiexin had appeared at the Yihong Courtyard last night. If the person he had met was Liu Shen, many people would know.
Forget it.
Why think so much?
It had nothing to do with him.
In the martial arts hall.
Inside the room, yellow paper, cinnabar, and brushes were all prepared on the table. With the two wish points he had just obtained, he could now use them. As expected, with the appearance of talisman techniques, the roulette also gained proficiency in talismans.
[Congratulations on drawing: Proficiency in Wind Thunder Palm 100]
[Congratulations on drawing: Proficiency in Diamond Talisman 50]
Taking up the brush, focusing, and drawing, the first time was still unfamiliar. After a moment, a diamond talisman was completed. He sighed slightly, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.
"I didn't expect drawing talismans to be so exhausting."
This diamond talisman was a failure, not having the protective effect of a diamond shield.
Picking up the talisman, he examined it carefully. There was nothing particularly attractive about it; it was just an ordinary talisman.
Ripping it apart, a strange force surged from within him, enhancing his physical body.
Without hesitation, he picked up a small knife used for peeling fruit on the table, fiercely stabbing his hand. With a clang, the knife broke into three pieces, leaving only a small white spot on his hand, but with a slight sense of pain.
Even so, the effect of the diamond talisman was remarkable. He waited, silently counting the time. After a while, the mysterious force dissipated.
"A diamond talisman drawn by a beginner can last for five seconds. It's a bit short."
Leon Wei knew that one shouldn't be too greedy. Drawing a diamond talisman that could last for five seconds without being an expert was already quite good. As the proficiency increased, the duration of the diamond talisman would only get longer.
Moreover, in battles between experts, victory or defeat often came in an instant, with one move being enough to end a life.
The diamond talisman would be his trump card at this stage, a lifesaver. In critical moments, it would surely be of great use.
With County Officer Liu Shen's tragic death on the street, even though it had nothing to do with him, it was wise to avoid wandering around too much in these dangerous times. Understanding this, he decided to focus on drawing more diamond talismans to prepare for emergencies.
Taking a short break, regaining his energy, he continued to draw talismans. Initially, it took twenty-three drawings to complete one, but later, it took thirty drawings to complete one.
This left him feeling a bit helpless. He hadn't expected twenty-three to be a peak but rather a highlight of drawing talismans. At the same time, the proficiency in diamond talismans was slowly increasing.
After using up all the yellow paper, he finally completed two diamond talismans.
Placing the talismans close to his body, he rubbed his wrist, pushed open the door, and unknowingly, the sky had gradually darkened. As he walked into the courtyard, Jin Ray and Wang Haizhu were still practicing.
Seeing Wang Haizhu still lifting the stone pillar to build strength, Leon Wei was quite surprised. He hadn't expected the boy to persist until now.
"Master."
"Hall Master."
Jin Ray and Wang Haizhu saw Leon Wei and stopped, respectfully greeting him.
They were curious. Why had the Hall Master locked himself in the room? They didn't know many people, but Leon Wei was someone they respected. The scene of him drawing talismans had left them in awe.
"Time is not early. You should all go back and rest early. Martial arts training is not a one-day affair; it requires gradual progress," Leon Wei said.
"Yes, Master."
"Yes, Hall Master."
Jin Ray and Wang Haizhu nodded vigorously, committing these words to memory.
After seeing them off, he went to the door, looking at the quiet street. In the distance, he could see a group of officials mobilizing, accompanied by soldiers with swords.
He wanted to tell them, "What are you looking for? The killer is definitely Zhao Tiexin. It's written on his head that he wants to send Liu Shen to meet
The next day, all the apprentices who had joined the martial arts gym yesterday showed up. Jin Ray, the senior disciple, took charge of teaching them, so Leon Wei, as the gym owner, decided to take advantage of the opportunity to fulfill some personal wishes outside.
Before leaving the gym, he glanced at the heads of the people there.
It was a bit regrettable that these guys had all sorts of wishes—some wanted to become martial arts masters in a day, some wanted the widow next door. He felt powerless in the face of such diverse wishes.
Couldn't their wishes be a bit simpler?
Walking on the street, he could hear the townspeople gossiping about the death of the county lieutenant from the day before. People's love for gossip seemed to be universal, no matter the world.
When he arrived at the shop selling yellow talismans, he was holding a candied hawthorn and a baked cake—not because he was hungry, but because he had fulfilled two simple wishes on the way.
The vendors just wanted to sell their goods. With such simple wishes, how could they not be satisfied?
"Leon Wei, why are you buying so many yellow talismans?" The shopkeeper looked puzzled. "You run a martial arts gym, buying these things, are you planning to become a Taoist?"
Leon Wei smiled and said, "Drawing talismans for protection."
"...Leon Wei, you must be joking."
See, sometimes even when you speak the truth, no one believes you, so people prefer to take lies as truth.
"Well, I'll use them to practice calligraphy."
"Oh, I didn't expect Leon Wei to have such refined interests." The shopkeeper gave Leon Wei a thumbs up, indicating approval. A warrior who reads is a cultured warrior.
After settling the bill and leaving the shop, standing at the store's entrance, he looked down both sides of the street. He was starting to miss that girl, Luna Ming. Her wishes were easier to fulfill, but unfortunately, in a place as big as Ankang County, the chances of a third encounter were slim.
Back at the gym, as soon as he entered, Jin Ray hurried over. "Master, someone is looking for you and is already waiting in the living room."
"Oh, who is it?"
"I don't know," Jin Ray shook his head.
Leon Wei was quite puzzled. He was just a gym owner with few acquaintances. Well, he would find out when he saw the person.
Entering the living room, he saw a middle-aged man sitting there, sipping tea. When the man saw Leon Wei, he set down his teacup, stood up, and greeted him, "Leon Wei, I am Han Wei, the steward of the Lower Three Gates' Changying Martial Arts Gym."
The man introduced himself directly.
Leon Wei was still wondering why Han Wei had come to see him.
He could only engage in some mutual compliments for now.
At least from what he could see, Han Wei didn't seem like he was looking for trouble. If he really wanted trouble, he wouldn't be acting so friendly.
During their conversation, he observed the man—strong physique, powerful hands—clear signs of dedicated training.
A true master, without a doubt.
"Han Steward, why not show them a little something to let them know there are always greater heights to reach and never get too proud of their achievements." Leon Wei said.
He had already seen the wish on Han Wei's head.
[I really hope to show off in front of these kids and give them a bit of a shock (0/1), reward: white wish point *1]
His first impression of Han Wei was quite good, especially with such a simple wish.
"Sure."
Han Wei smiled, feeling that Leon Wei was indeed quite good and suited his taste.
"Come over here," Leon Wei called out. Once the apprentices lined up, he continued, "This is Han, the steward of Changying Martial Arts Gym. He will show you real martial arts shortly. Pay attention, opportunities like this are rare."
When they heard that Han was from Changying Martial Arts Gym, each of them was stunned.
Who in Ankang County wouldn't want to be part of Changying Martial Arts Gym? But joining wasn't as simple as having money.
With such a big figure standing before them, they were truly awestruck.
Feeling the awe in their eyes, Han Wei stood taller and prouder.
"You are lucky to learn martial arts from Leon Wei. Not all martial arts gyms in Ankang County have genuine skills. You are fortunate to be in a true martial arts gym."
Han Wei's voice was loud, resonating like a bell, making their eardrums ache.
Leon Wei understood.
The martial world wasn't just about fighting—it was about social skills.
Han Wei's status was undoubtedly high.
Despite being able to look down on him, he continued to praise Leon Wei.
Just as the apprentices had listened to Han Wei's words, they looked at their gym owner with admiration. Being recognized by one of the Six Gates' Changying Martial Arts Gym stewards meant their gym owner must be impressive.
Then, Han Wei walked up to a wooden stake and said slowly, "True martial arts isn't about shouting and throwing punches; it's about following your heart's desires."
He raised his hand and slowly struck the stake.
The force he used seemed gentle, perhaps not even enough to break tofu.
Han Wei lightly pressed his palm against the stake, and with a snap, the stake shattered into pieces. The apprentices were dumbfounded, and even Leon Wei was amazed. With his current skills, he couldn't achieve such a feat.
As a steward, Han Wei had such power.
How much stronger were the hall masters and even the gym owners above him?
At that moment, Leon Wei clapped in approval.
"Well done," he praised.
"Allow me to show off," Han Wei said with a smile, enjoying the shocked looks of the apprentices. He felt satisfied with their reactions.
With the wish fulfilled and the wish point in hand, after Han Wei left, Leon Wei knew it was his turn to impress the apprentices.
He couldn't always let others shine.
"I have good news for you all. Starting today, Lin's Martial Arts Gym has become an affiliated gym of Changying Martial Arts Gym."
Leon Wei didn't yet know the reason for becoming an affiliated gym, but it felt like a dark hand was pushing him into a bigger world.
But regardless, for the apprentices, this was a great opportunity.
As for him, whether it was a good thing or not, he wasn't sure yet.
Indeed, as he announced this news, everyone's mouths dropped open, wide enough to fit an egg.
My goodness.
Our luck is too good.
They had only wanted to join a martial arts gym casually, but they had unexpectedly become apprentices of the Changying Martial Arts Gym, one of the Lower Three Gates. From now on, their status would be different.
At that moment, they just wanted to go home and tell their fathers, "Dad, our ten silver coins were not wasted. It was definitely worth it."
Leon Wei could understand their excitement.
It was like going from a rundown private workshop to being absorbed by a state-owned enterprise, becoming a state employee with a secure job.
Feeling the cold texture of the token in his hand, Han Wei had mentioned that he could visit Changying Martial Arts Gym in the next day or two, but Leon Wei was eager to go now.
He wanted to know more.
He was like a sponge now, just absorbing, with no other thoughts.