Not a blood oath

Miss Tong, please forgive my intrusion. Last time, when you taught me this martial art, I, without your permission, practiced with the young master to better comprehend it. I seek your forgiveness. The young master's martial skills and inner strength surpass mine. After just a trial, I realized this is an extraordinary and supreme technique. Therefore, I dare not be careless. You know, our Zebei Town is not far from the coastal defense city, and maritime bandits constantly harass us. If the technique falls into the wrong hands, it would be a great risk for us locals. Hence, the young master wishes to purchase the rights to transmit your technique. This is also to provide assurance to you and your family.

Uncle Zhong, I originally hoped more people would learn this technique, for it promotes health and fitness. You can teach it to anyone. I lack martial skills, so I cannot judge its depth. Naturally, I don't want it to be used for malicious purposes. Since you put it this way, from now on, I'll only pass it down to my immediate family and won't casually teach it to others. However, I don't want to use it for business transactions.

I appreciate your guidance, Miss, but regarding the rights for transmission—"

Alright, as you wish. Uncle Zhong, remove this clause from the contract, and transcribe two new copies.

Yes, young master. I'll transcribe it immediately.

Miss Tong, although this clause is removed from the contract, considering our recent acquaintance, how can you ensure that you won't pass it on to others in the future? There was a subtle calculation in Chengmo's eyes, unnoticed by others.

How would you like me to ensure that? A blood oath? Teaching you all, and you turning out to be evil people. Returning kindness with enmity... Toward Chengmo, she bitingly glanced at the paper and pen on the table. "I'll write you a guarantee. Is that sufficient?"

Wait, paper is not easily preserved. Use your handkerchief for writing. Also, you lack martial skills, yet you've learned such profound techniques from somewhere. You must ensure that these things won't be spread.

As you wish. Xiangbei took out a blue-dyed cotton handkerchief from her chest, quickly wrote a few lines, signed it with her name "Tong Xiangbei," and habitually added her handwritten English signature. In reality, she was well aware that the Tai Chi series created by Master Zhang, if applied with internal force, should be immensely powerful. In this unfamiliar world, she didn't want to expose herself to unpredictable dangers through these abilities.

Here, satisfied now?

Very satisfied. After carefully examining the delicate handwriting and the artistic pattern of Tong Xiangbei's signature on the handkerchief, Chengmo methodically folded it and kept it close to his chest.

Looking at Chengmo, there seemed to be a sly satisfaction. Did this dark-hearted man play me? Before Xiangbei could figure it out, Uncle Zhong returned with the freshly transcribed two-page contract. Xiangbei signed first, and once again, out of habit, spread the two contracts with a two-finger spacing, signing a "Tong" in cursive. Chengmo skeptically glanced at the cursive signature, indifferently placed his full name on the contract, "Chengmo," and then, in between the lines, signed a character "Mo," before handing both contracts to Cheng Zhong.

When Chengmo signed his name, Uncle Zhong was subtly shocked. The young master, who had rarely used his full name in the past decade, why was he so casual today? Fortunately, years of dedication kept Uncle Zhong vigilant, and without a word, he carefully stamped the seal of Fuhai Building and handed the contracts back to Tong Xiangbei and Chengmo for safekeeping.

Tong Xiangbei carefully examined the signature, muttering, "Shangxie Chengmo. So, your surname is Shangxie. I thought it was Cheng." Smiling, she exclaimed, "Haha, now I'm a little boss too! Boss Tong! Not bad, not bad, Boss Shangxie, we're partners from now on. Please take care! Looking forward to sincere cooperation and creating brilliance together! Haha, hahaha!" Tong Xiangbei enthusiastically patted Chengmo on the shoulder, raising her chest proudly.

Taken aback, Chengmo stared at the exuberant girl, momentarily questioning if he was insane to anticipate a pleasant surprise. Gently removing her hand from his shoulder, he bent down, looking into Xiangbei's eyes with unusual seriousness, saying, "Chengmo, my surname is Cheng. Remember that. Don't mention Shangxie Chengmo to anyone. Keep it in your heart."

"Okay, Chengmo. Surname Cheng. I remember. I'll keep Shangxie Chengmo in my heart." Xiangbei mechanically repeated his words, lost in the captivating glow of her amber eyes. When she repeated, "I'll keep Shangxie Chengmo in my heart," Chengmo's heart skipped a beat.

"Uncle Zhong, look at the peach blossoms over there. It's so beautiful." After a moment of confusion earlier, Xiangbei joyfully pointed to the water's edge on the right. In the distance, the shore was adorned with continuous lotus leaves, and peach willows shaded the area, complemented by white walls and black tiles.

"That's Peach Blossom Wharf. We'll stay overnight there and change to a carriage early tomorrow. If all goes well, we'll reach Zebei Town in just two hours," explained Cheng Zhong with a cheerful smile.