https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-106-Returning-to-the-Martial-Arts-Academy/12971161/
Chapter 107: Unable to Speak
Chapter 107: Unable to Speak
"Jiang Cheng hasn't shown up for two days now," Lin Quanliang said, scanning the second floor before addressing those around him.
"Yeah, I didn't see him on the streets yesterday either. Could something have actually happened?"
"Nah, the Wild Wolf Gang has already collapsed, and Wu Tian's group has gone off the grid."
"That's exactly why Jiang Cheng is in danger. If Wu Tian's group wants revenge, they'll definitely cause trouble for him before they leave."
As they spoke, a somewhat familiar set of footsteps approached.
Unconsciously, they all looked over.
"Jiang Cheng!"
A surprised voice rang out.
The newcomer was none other than Jiang Cheng.
"Morning," Jiang Cheng greeted them with a smile.
But they couldn't match his calm demeanor; their minds were filled with too many questions.
For instance, what happened after Jiang Cheng went to the third floor that day? Did he really meet the Pavilion Master? And why hasn't he shown up at the Martial Arts Academy for two days in a row, not even going to his stall?
In private, they had their own speculations.
Either Jiang Cheng had been ambushed by the Wild Wolf Gang, or his mental state was off, his emotions low. After all, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment, so he might have been adjusting his emotions these past two days.
Hearing their barrage of questions, Jiang Cheng certainly couldn't reveal that he'd been at home practicing Secret Martial Arts for two and a half days.
"Actually, that night I went home, took a cold shower, and caught a cold the next day. I felt so weak that I didn't come to the Academy, and I didn't even go to my stall in the afternoon."
"Oh, so that's what happened," Lin Quanliang said with a smile. "I knew it. With Jiang Cheng's diligence, how could he possibly not show up at the Academy for two days straight? How are you feeling now? Is the cold better?"
"I'm feeling a bit better, but I'm still weak. I came today to ease everyone's worries and to ask Bai Shejie to bring my family back. It's not good to keep troubling her," Jiang Cheng explained with a smile.
"That's right, it is her house after all."
"The Wild Wolf Gang members have mostly left. A few days ago, we even ran into the Iron Fist Gang on the streets."
"One Wild Wolf Gang leaves, and the Iron Fist Gang arrives. Tsk tsk tsk."
Hearing this, the others also sighed.
"By the way, Jiang Cheng, the other day you went to the third floor with Zeng Shixu. How was it? Did you meet the Pavilion Master? Were you accepted as a disciple? If you were, we'd have to call you Senior Jiang from now on," someone asked, feigning ignorance. It would be too rude to directly ask why the Pavilion Master hadn't accepted him as a disciple.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng sighed and showed a helpless expression.
"Zeng Shixu did take me to meet the Pavilion Master, but unfortunately, my bone constitution is average, and I didn't meet the Pavilion Master's criteria."
As he spoke, Jiang Cheng's heart remained calm, without any resentment.
After all, whether or not he was accepted was the Pavilion Master's decision, and Zeng Shixu had already warned him about this before they went to the third floor.
Fortunately, he had already obtained the Secret Martial Arts, and in a couple of days, he would enter the Inner Art and open his first acupoint.
"What?"
Everyone was stunned.
"Jiang Cheng, your bone constitution is average? Then what about ours? Are they extremely poor?"
"Oh my, Jiang Cheng, if even you, with your strength, weren't chosen by the Pavilion Master, we probably have no chance at all."
"It's too difficult. What kind of person is qualified to be accepted as the Pavilion Master's disciple?"
"Ahem."
A light cough sounded.
Lin Quanliang and the others looked up, and Jiang Cheng turned to see.
"Zhao Xiangyu."
"Mm."
Zhao Xiangyu smiled at Jiang Cheng, "Jiang Cheng, you're here. I remember you haven't been here for a couple of days. What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"I caught a cold, and it's only gotten better today," said Jiang Cheng.
"I see. No wonder you need more rest."
Zhao Xiangyu instructed, glancing at the others before his gaze settled on Jiang Cheng again. "Actually, I have something to tell you. Come with me."
Jiang Cheng was taken aback, a sense of foreboding filling his heart.
Nevertheless, he followed Zhao Xiangyu.
Lin Quanliang and the others watched the two leave, all wearing bitter smiles.
"Even Jiang Cheng isn't able to. It seems like we have no hope either."
"Yeah, let's just consider it a way to strengthen our bodies."
"Sigh."
In the simple meeting room, Zhao Xiangyu looked at Jiang Cheng sitting across from him, unsure of how to begin.
But a master's command was not to be disobeyed.
Moreover, it was best to inform him early, allowing Jiang Cheng to prepare in advance. Waiting until the last moment would be unfair.
"Zhao Xiangyu..."
Jiang Cheng, seeing that Zhao Xiangyu had been staring at him for a long time without speaking, couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
"Sorry, Jiang Cheng."
Zhao Xiangyu smiled awkwardly, "To be honest, I'm not sure how to say this. It's been some time since you became a premium member of our martial arts academy, right?"
"More than a week. What's up, Zhao Xiangyu?"
"Actually, the reason I asked you here is to tell you that in a couple of weeks, when your membership expires, you won't need to... you won't need to renew it."
Zhao Xiangyu clenched his teeth as he spoke the last few words, his face turning red.
Jiang Cheng's smile froze slightly.
"Don't need to renew? Zhao Xiangyu, I don't quite understand what you mean. Is the martial arts academy closing down? Or is it just that you don't want me to renew my membership?"
"Yes, the latter."
Zhao Xiangyu was hesitant to meet Jiang Cheng's gaze.
"I see."
Jiang Cheng's face changed slightly.
Ever since he started practicing the Secret Martial Arts, he had been struggling with the decision of whether to renew his membership for the next month.
Five thousand yuan per month was not a small amount.
Furthermore, the reason he was willing to pay was to gain access to the Secret Martial Arts through the martial arts academy. Now that he had achieved this goal, renewing his membership would simply be paying protection money.
Of course, he could also choose to confront Zhao Xiangyu and the others, using the Secret Martial Arts to spar and increase his experience points.
However, this would also increase the risk of exposing himself, which he was not ready for.
If he didn't renew his membership, he would have to pay the Iron Fist Gang for the management and stall fees.
Without paying, he would have to clash directly with the Iron Fist Gang.
So, Jiang Cheng was in a dilemma.
But now, the martial arts academy had made the decision for him, not allowing him to renew his membership.
Although Jiang Cheng didn't know the exact reason, he could guess that it had something to do with the Master of the Academy.
He wondered what he had done to displease the Master.
"Jiang Cheng, I know someone from the Autumn Wind Sword Pavilion. When your membership here expires, I can introduce you to them. Their premium membership fee is the same as ours, 5000 yuan per month. Even if the new Iron Fist Gang takes over, they won't cause you any trouble."
(End of Chapter)
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