Chapter 48: Martial Arts Resources

Chapter 48: Martial Arts Resources

At the front courtyard of the martial arts academy, Zhou Xing and the towering figure of Zhang Tiesheng entered, catching the attention of everyone present.

Hearing voices behind him, Zhao Hu turned around and saw Zhou Xing and Zhang Tiesheng approaching.

Zhou Xing also noticed Cheng Ran and Zhao Hu and smiled as he walked towards them.

"All of you are here! It seems I'm the late one!" What's going on? Why do I hear that Zhao Shidi wants to spar with Cheng Shidi?"

He then glanced at Li Qing, the only female among the group, and asked, "Li Shimei is here too! Has she officially entered the ninth stage of martial arts?"

"Senior Brother Zhou!" Zhao Hu exclaimed.

Li Qing nodded and said, "It went well. I officially entered the ninth stage of martial arts yesterday."

"That's wonderful!" Zhou Xing smiled.

His gaze shifted between Cheng Ran and Zhao Hu.

"As soon as I stepped into the academy, I overheard your conversation. Zhao Shidi, are you planning to spar with Cheng Shidi?"

Zhao Hu huffed, "Hmph! I think Cheng Ran has been unhappy for a while! I just don't know if he dares to accept the challenge."

Cheng Ran's face showed a hint of helplessness as he turned to look at Zhou Xing.

Zhou Xing shook his head, "Zhao Shidi, you're being a bit unfair to Cheng Shidi! He's only been in the academy for less than half a year, and you've already achieved a minor success in the ninth stage of martial arts. Moreover, you've mastered the Tiger Form Fist and the Tiger Strength. How can you expect Cheng Shidi to compete with you?"

Li Qing, with her keen insight, understood the situation. She wasn't foolish and was well aware of Zhao Hu's interest in her, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, gracefully fanning herself as she addressed Zhou Xing, "Senior Brother Zhao, you're being a bit too much!"

Zhao Hu's eyes narrowed, and he glared at Cheng Ran, "So, you think I'm going too far? Well, Cheng Ran, I'll remember that!"

Cheng Ran's face betrayed a hint of resignation as he witnessed this exchange.

Jiang Ning, observing from the sidelines, couldn't help but click his tongue in surprise.

"A woman's beauty can be a source of trouble, just as the ancients said!" he thought to himself.

"At least it's Cheng Ran who's caught Zhao Hu's attention and not me!"

In that moment, Jiang Ning silently made a decision to keep his distance from women, especially those as attractive as Li Qing.

At that very instant—

As Zhao Hu walked away, Zhou Xing turned to Cheng Ran with a smile.

"Alright, Cheng Shidi, you're safe now!"

Cheng Ran clasped his fists in gratitude, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhou, for coming to my aid."

"It's nothing!" Zhou Xing waved off the thanks. "Zhao Hu is stubborn and set in his ways. Cheng Shidi, be cautious around him from now on!"

"I understand!" Cheng Ran responded with a respectful fist salute.

Zhou Xing's smile acknowledged Cheng Ran's words.

Regarding Zhao Hu, Zhou Xing had previously attempted to recruit him, but to no avail. Consequently, Zhou Xing naturally chose to side with Cheng Ran on this day.

In Zhou Xing's opinion, Cheng Ran came from a good family and possessed decent martial arts talent.

When it came to competing with Xiao Peng for the coveted position in the Inspection Bureau, Zhou Xing believed Cheng Ran had a fair chance of success, with odds of fifty-fifty.

For this reason, Zhou Xing was determined not to let go of the opportunity to recruit Cheng Ran.

To Zhou Xing, the most crucial aspect of joining the Inspection Bureau was the power it wielded. The Bureau's authority was immense, allowing its members to inspect and oversee the lives of countless citizens, with the power to execute first and report later.

Zhou Xing was well aware of the magnitude of the power the Bureau held.

He intended to establish a good relationship with anyone who might potentially join the Inspection Bureau.

However, when it came to Zhao Hu, Zhou Xing had no choice but to let it go. Zhao Hu, coming from a humble background, naturally harbored a deep-seated resentment towards Zhou Xing and Cheng Ran, who were born into privileged families.

Zhou Xing reached into his pocket and produced an invitation. "Cheng Shidi, I've just entered the academy, and I overheard your conversation. I believe you're planning to spar with Zhao Shidi?"

Cheng Ran's face clouded with uncertainty.

Zhou Xing smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, I have a proposal for you. The Inspection Bureau will open in three months, and I think you have a good chance of getting in. I want us to be colleagues! Here, I've outlined my offer; take a look!"

Cheng Ran's eyes lit up with understanding, and he smiled. "Senior Brother Zhou, give me some time to consider this!"

Zhou Xing shook his head, "Take your time, Cheng Shidi! You have three days to think it over!"

Then, Zhou Xing turned to Li Qing and extended another invitation, "Li Shimei, I know you might not be interested in my offer, but I'd like us to rise and fall together."

Li Qing took the invitation, glanced at it, and then closed it.

"Senior Brother Zhou’s kindness is greatly appreciated! As fellow disciples, we should stand together in adversity!"

Hearing this, Cheng Ran understood Li Qing’s meaning and smiled.

"Since that’s the case, having Senior Sister Li say this is enough!"

Then, Zhou Xing spoke, "Junior brothers and sister, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be going first?"

"Senior Brother, take your time!" Cheng Ran said.

Li Qing also nodded.

Jiang Ning then clasped his fists and said, "Senior Brother Zhou, please wait a moment."

"What’s the matter?" Zhou Xing stopped in his tracks.

Jiang Ning said, "I would like to buy a few wild ginseng roots from Senior Brother Zhou to replenish my body’s energy."

"Ah, that’s the matter!" Zhou Xing smiled. "Usually, I give other junior brothers ten taels of wild ginseng for ten taels of silver, but I wonder how much Junior Brother Jiang has budgeted?"

Jiang Ning took out a silver draft and two twenty-tael silver ingots sent by Jiang Li's proxy: "Senior Brother Zhou, this is a fifty-tael silver draft and twenty taels of silver. I plan to exchange them all for wild ginseng."

Zhou Xing took the silver draft and, without even checking it, directly put it into his bag, showing a rather straightforward demeanor.

"Since it’s Junior Brother Jiang, I can’t sell at ten taels per root. I’ll have my servant send over ten wild ginseng roots. The extra three roots are a token of my goodwill."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhou!" Jiang Ning bowed gratefully.

Zhou x ing smiled, "Since we are fellow disciples and I am the senior brother, I should naturally take care of my juniors. Saying ‘thank you’ makes it seem too formal."

After saying this, he glanced at Jiang Ning, pondered for a moment, and then gave up the idea of investing in Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning had left an impression on him; the first time he met Jiang Ning, it gave him a moderate surprise.

So at that time, he remembered Jiang Ning and his name.

However, for him, it was merely a surprise.

At that time, Jiang ning’s performance was merely memorable.

Now, in his view, Jiang Ning had been practicing martial arts for too short a time, his strength was limited, and he had no chance of being selected into the Inspection Bureau.

Missing this opportunity to leap over the dragon gate and gain power would be a great loss.

In his eyes, even with decent talent, Jiang Ning’s future achievements would be limited.

So, although he was somewhat impressed, a simple friendly gesture would suffice. Jiang Ning wasn’t worth such a significant investment at the moment.

After all, while his family was wealthy, expenses were also high, and to attract those he valued, he needed a lot of wealth and resources.

If he didn’t make a significant investment, how could he gain favors?

Once the investment succeeded, if the invested person seized the opportunity of the Inspection Bureau and rose to prominence, the Zhou Family would also rise accordingly.

The favors of martial powerhouses and those in power were not something that could be measured by mere wealth.

Investing when one was still weak and not yet developed, if successful, would yield great rewards.

Even if he couldn’t rise to prominence, being in the Inspection Bureau with him, he could use a trustworthy person once he was promoted.

Therefore, he was unwilling to waste wealth and resources on someone with no chance.

In his view, a person’s life had limited opportunities; once missed, that was it, and their future fates would be vastly different.

Luck and opportunity were also part of one’s strength, Zhou Xing firmly believed this.

After making his decision, he waved his hand and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Li Qing also spoke, "Junior brothers, you chat. I’ll go pay respects to Master."

"Senior Sister, take your time!" Cheng Ran said.

Jiang Ning also said, "Senior Sister Li, take your time!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end