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However, it was now so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Since the Chang Xing Sect’s Wang Qing and others withdrew their authorization, no longer allowing Longxing Martial Arts Hall’s trainers to teach Chang Xing Sect’s martial arts, the place had become much quieter.

For many people, a martial arts hall is simply a place to pay for learning martial arts.

It serves as a foundation for finding a job that can make money later on, or with some luck, one might even advance to Ninth Grade and never have to worry about food and clothing again. If one were extremely fortunate and got accepted into a sect, they could rise to great heights.

Although there is generally a good camaraderie between trainers and students, when a martial arts hall truly can’t continue to operate, most students will choose to leave and learn martial arts elsewhere.

After all, no one’s money comes with the wind, and there’s no reason to spend money without learning the corresponding martial arts.

Therefore, Longxing Martial Arts Hall had become desolate, with the once crowded training hall now barely holding onto a few steadfast individuals, and even several trainers had left.

Situations like this naturally attract those who would kick someone while they’re down.

“Master Lei, are you really not giving it a thought?” the new head of Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, Huang Kaicheng, said with a sly smile: “Given the current state of Longxing Martial Arts Hall, my offer of one thousand taels is already a high price. In a little while, you might not even get five hundred taels for it.”

He was the nephew of the former head of Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, Huang Jingfu, and he wanted to seize this opportunity to take revenge on behalf of his uncle.

More than three months ago, Huang Jingfu lost his position as the head and was stripped of most of his possessions because of the incident with Zhou Heng and Kong Chengshun. Yet, relying on his strong influence in Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, he managed to push his nephew, Huang Kaicheng, into the position of head.

“Huang Kaicheng, are you not afraid that when Zhou Heng returns, he’ll come after you?” Lei Xiuyan looked at Huang Kaicheng grimly and said, “He’s a disciple of Pure Yang Palace and a master on the prestigious roll of honor. If you treat us like this, he won’t let you off the hook!”

“That’s right!” Lin Cang also nodded in agreement: “Zhou Heng came from Longxing Martial Arts Hall. If he comes back and knows you’ve forced the sale of Longxing at such a low price, he’ll definitely seek retribution.”

The few remaining trainers and students of Longxing Martial Arts Hall also nodded in agreement.

“That’s right, I know Zhou Heng’s character. If he learns of this, he will definitely not let you go!”

“Huang Kaicheng, don’t forget how your uncle was ousted!”

“You must’ve healed and forgotten the pain. Just wait for Zhou Heng to return, and you’re finished!”

They were all quite angry.

Though Longxing Martial Arts Hall wasn’t any top-tier institution, it had never been humiliated like this.

These days had really been too suffocating.

Yet upon hearing these words, Huang Kaicheng laughed instead of being angry. He shook his head while laughing, looking at Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and the rest as if they were fools. “Are you genuinely stupid, or just pretending?”

“Do you actually believe Zhou Heng will come back? He has been accepted into the Pure Yang Palace, an ancient Immortal Home sect that transcends this material world. Zhou Heng would be foolish to return to such a small broken martial arts hall.

“Even if Zhou Heng does feel nostalgic and wants to visit you, Pure Yang Palace is tens of thousands of miles away from Huangtong Mansion City. He, just an ordinary outer disciple at Eighth Rank on the Martial Path, will need at least three to five years.

“By the time these three to five years pass, even if we didn’t take over your broken martial arts hall, it’s likely to have nearly collapsed by then, having lost the Chang Xing Sect’s authorization. No one will come here to learn martial arts anymore.”

The group that came with Huang Kaicheng laughed out loud at his remarks.

“Haha, that’s right, the head is absolutely correct. Even if Zhou Heng does hold onto the past and cares about you all, what does it matter? By the time he returns, several years will have passed!”

“Years later, you might actually be thanking us, haha!”

“Stop hoping for Zhou Heng’s return. He’s a noble disciple of Immortal Home, soaring high; how could he possibly care about you mud-legged commoners? You’re grown men still so naive, it’s hilarious.”

“`

Sentence by sentence, the ridicule infuriated Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and the others until they were trembling all over.

Just at this moment, a young man dressed as a martial arts student from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall came running up, his expression frantic and anxious. He whispered a few words into Huang Kaicheng’s ear.

“How is this possible? This can’t be!!” Huang Kaicheng’s face changed dramatically, and he looked at the young man incredulously, his eyes widened as he demanded, “Did you see this with your own eyes??”

“Yes, yes! I definitely saw it with my own eyes. How could I dare to give you unconfirmed news?” the youth nodded repeatedly, explaining, “It’s true, it’s really true, Hall Master!”

“Damn it, how can this be? How could he be so bold??” Huang Kaicheng was livid, his complexion as if he had swallowed a dead rat. He waved his hand and snorted coldly, “Let’s go!”

He was actually about to lead the people from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall away, as if he had no intention of continuing the negotiation with Lei Xiuyan.

This sudden turn of events caught Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang off guard, filling them with confusion.

What happened?

“Go? Where are you going?” Suddenly, an indifferent voice rang out.

Huang Kaicheng and the group of disciples from Longxing Martial Arts Hall stiffened, involuntarily shuddering.

There, standing at the entrance of Longxing Martial Arts Hall was a tall, lean figure with handsome features and an air of effortless grace—like a dashing young scholar, blocking everyone’s path.

It was Zhou Heng who had just returned from the prefectural government office.

His meeting with Wu Zongshan hadn’t lasted long. After saying his goodbyes, he headed straight for Longxing Martial Arts Hall, wanting to see what it was like now.

He hadn’t expected to encounter such a “good show.”

“Zhou Heng! You’re back!”

“You rascal, how did you come back so soon?”

Both Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were delighted to see Zhou Heng and hurried forward to greet him.

Master Lin, Hall Master,” Zhou Heng nodded and smiled at them, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the matters of the Hall.”

No sooner had he spoken than he turned to Huang Kaicheng, giving him a cursory inspection and chuckling, “The way you look, it seems you might have some blood ties with that old man Huang Jingfu?”

“What, what do you want to do?”

Huang Kaicheng was visibly panicked. Although he was over forty, he was only Eighth Rank in the martial path, and in the presence of a ranking expert like Zhou Heng, he immediately felt an immense pressure.

Especially after just hearing from the apprentice who came to report the news that as soon as Zhou Heng returned, he killed Wang Qing and the other six peak of the Seventh Rank experts, sparing none, all dead, and it was seemingly as easy as chopping melons and vegetables.

Terrifying strength!

Ruthlessly vicious!

Too damn vicious, such a ruthless person!

This was Huang Kaicheng’s assessment of Zhou Heng. He was acutely aware that he could not afford to provoke such a powerful figure.

But why was this happening?

Why did Zhou Heng come back so early?

Just over a month ago, he had just been taken to the Pure Yang Palace by You Ziheng!

“`

“`

Why have you returned so soon?

Could it be that the immeasurable distance between Pure Yang Palace and Huangtong Mansion City is all a lie?

Huang Kaicheng started to doubt his life choices.

He had dared to kick someone while they were down because he was certain that Zhou Heng wouldn’t be able to come back for several years, or even longer.

Moreover, in another year, his uncle would reach the peak of the Seventh Rank, and even if he might not be stronger than Zhou Heng, the peak of the Seventh Rank isn’t something trivial. Zhou Heng might not dare to seek reckless retaliation.

But now… what should he do?

“I heard you wanted to use five hundred taels of silver to take over Longxing Martial Arts Hall?” Zhou Heng’s cold gaze fixed on Huang Kaicheng as he spoke indifferently, “Is that so?”

“Yes, yes, it was a momentary lapse of judgement. Junior Zhou, Great Hero Zhou, I know my mistake!” Huang Kaicheng was surprisingly forthcoming, immediately admitting his wrongdoing, then gripped his left shoulder with his right hand and exerted force abruptly.

Crack!

With that sound, he crushed his own left shoulder, and then, enduring the pain, he crushed the bones in his left arm as well, shivering in cold sweat, gritting his teeth in agony.

“Does this work for you? I’ve severed my own arm as an apology for being led astray earlier,” Huang Kaicheng said, with a face full of humble submissiveness as he looked at Zhou Heng, nearly kneeling to beg for mercy.

The man before him had killed six Seventh Rank members of the Chang Xing Sect without batting an eye; as a mere Eighth Rank, if he didn’t show the right attitude, he feared there would be no chance of survival.

However, this vendetta must be avenged!

A gentleman’s revenge is not too late even after ten years!!

He made a silent vow.

“You are indeed a ruthless man,” Zhou Heng said with a laugh upon seeing this, lightly patting Huang Kaicheng’s right shoulder and chuckling, “Go on then. Honestly, I had no intention of making things difficult for you in the first place.”

“Thank you, thank you! Great Hero Zhou is magnanimous, not stooping to the petty level of others, such benevolence!” Huang Kaicheng flattered profusely, his face obsequious, as if he had even forgotten the pain in his left arm and shoulder.

Afterwards, he hurriedly left with his followers.

“Little Zhou, uh, Zhou Heng… are you just going to let him go like that?” Lin Cang frowned and asked. He had started to reflexively call Zhou Heng “Little Zhou,” but then thought that it might not be appropriate considering Zhou Heng’s current status and corrected himself.

“Master Lin should still call me Little Zhou. Calling me by my name feels rather strange,” Zhou Heng said with a smile, then whispered, “As for that man, Master Lin need not worry; I have always been one to uproot the problem completely.”

Especially someone like Huang Kaicheng who could decisively break his own arm to apologize, such a ruthless person shouldn’t be left alive, as that would only be courting trouble for oneself.

The pat Zhou Heng gave to Huang Kaicheng’s shoulder earlier seemed like a warning, but it was actually to leave behind an undetectable trace of Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi inside his body.

That Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi would gradually wear down his heart as it flowed through Huang Kaicheng’s bloodstream.

In half a month, he would drop dead suddenly.

“Zhou Heng, I really owe you my thanks,” Lei Xiuyan sighed, “If you hadn’t come back, we probably wouldn’t have been able to keep this martial arts school. My father’s decades of hard work almost came to nothing in my hands.

“Alas, even though we’ve managed to keep Longxing Martial Arts Hall, it’s going to be difficult to operate in the future. But when the lifeline of imparting martial arts is controlled by others, there’s nothing that can be done.”

Although Longxing Martial Arts Hall was originally affiliated with the Chang Xing Sect, it was not established by the Chang Xing Sect but was a private martial arts school built by Lei Xiuyan’s father decades ago.

However, the development of a private martial arts school is ultimately limited; it can impart only a few martial arts, its prospects are not particularly vast, and its opportunities for advancement are quite small.

Later on, when the Chang Xing Sect took an interest in the martial arts school, it was granted the authority to impart basic martial arts of the Chang Xing Sect, with the only condition that Longxing Martial Arts Hall would wholeheartedly cultivate disciples who could be nurtured on behalf of the Chang Xing Sect.

“`

Thus, Longxing Martial Arts Hall had the reputation of being a subordinate hall under the Chang Xing Sect, and they could teach even more powerful martial arts.

Now, the Chang Xing Sect had withdrawn its authorization from Longxing Martial Arts Hall, which essentially pulled out the foundation that the hall had developed over the past several decades. Relying only on the Lei family’s own martial arts, it was nearly impossible to rebuild the hall.

Lei Xiuyan’s words cast a shadow over the faces of Lin Cang and the other trainers beside him; they had taught martial arts at Longxing for many years and were deeply attached to it.

The few remaining students also lowered their heads, having stayed because of their good relationships with their trainers. But everyone knew that as the hall’s operations became more difficult, they would eventually have to leave.

“Hall Master, Master Lin, you don’t have to worry about this,” Zhou Heng suddenly spoke up, smiling, “I have a way to resolve it, but I’ll deal with this matter after I return from the Chang Xing Sect.”

“You have a solution?” Lei Xiuyan’s eyes lit up, but then he swiftly focused on the latter part of Zhou Heng’s statement, asking in alarm, “What are you going to do at the Chang Xing Sect? Don’t do anything foolish. The Chang Xing Sect has a Fifth Rank Sect Master.”

“Exactly, Zhou! Don’t be rash. Although you are strong, you are only among the younger generation of experts,” Lin Cang also said worriedly, “You have to know that even the strongest at the peak of the Seventh Rank finds it hard to resist a regular Sixth Rank, not to mention a Sect Fifth Rank. I know you want to stand up for us, but please, don’t be impulsive.”

“Hall Master, Master Lin, rest assured, I have my plans,” Zhou Heng smiled, “As for what I’m going to do, you will soon find out. By the way, is my jujube-red horse still around?”

“Yes, it’s being well fed and looked after in the backyard stable,” Lei Xiuyan nodded, still concerned, “Zhou Heng, you’re not an impulsive person, and you have your own thoughts, but I hope that no matter what, you prioritize your safety.”

“Do not take unnecessary risks. Your future achievements are immeasurable, so don’t get hurt over something as trivial as the Chang Xing Sect,” Lin Cang also advised earnestly.

“Mm, I understand, don’t worry,” Zhou Heng nodded, then he went to the backyard, led the jujube-red horse away, and left the city leisurely on horseback.

But no sooner had Zhou Heng left than a piece of news spread throughout Huangtong Mansion City.

In seven days, Zhou Heng would personally go to the front of the Chang Xing Sect’s mountain gate and challenge all disciples below the Lower Third Rank, with no time limits or restrictions on the number of competitors, willing to fight anyone from the Chang Xing Sect who dared to step out of the mountain gate.

When Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang heard this, they turned pale with fright and immediately decided to leave the city to chase after Zhou Heng, determined to stop him.

This was essentially courting death!

When the Yu Family heard the news, Yu He, still injured, sprang out of bed.

“Yingying, prepare a horse for me! Dammit, has Zhou Heng gotten tired of living??”

Suddenly, the entire Huangtong Mansion City was abuzz.

And as people came and went from the city, and with Wu Zongshan intentionally spreading the word, the news quickly reached other towns and even farther locations.

…

Zhou Heng was very aware of what would happen after the news of his challenge against all disciples below the Lower Third Rank of the Chang Xing Sect spread.

It was precisely because of this that he chose to leave Huangtong Mansion City early, avoiding the nuisance of being dissuaded.

However, the challenge was set for seven days later.

After equipping the jujube-red horse with the Red Lotus tack, it would take less than a day to reach the destination, and Zhou Heng did not want to waste the remaining time.

Shortly after leaving the city, he took out a cinnabar-drawn talisman.

Ignited it and burned it away.

This was a talisman given to him by a Fourth Rank expert from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, codenamed “Five Emperors’ Inner Seat.”

The talisman quickly turned to ashes in the flames.

The very next moment, a five-colored radiance emerged from the flames, carrying with it the brilliance of the stars.