54: You call me the curator, I call you big brother, let's each talk to each other!

Li Qing's voice pulled Xiao Chen back from his thoughts.

Only then did Xiao Chen realize that his body was still trembling slightly.

He suppressed his emotions and shook his head.

"I... I'm fine."

He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound more steady.

"Big Brother Li, you... you today..."

Xiao Chen wanted to ask something, but didn't know where to start.

Li Qing seemed to understand his confusion.

He didn't say much, just turned around and walked toward the corner of the courtyard where several little kids were peeking out.

The children had been hiding in the corner out of fear, but seeing that Wang Meng and the others had fled, they poked their heads out curiously.

Their tiny faces were filled with terror and confusion, but also a hint of admiration for Li Qing.

After all, in their eyes, Big Brother Li Qing had driven the bad guys away.

Li Qing walked up to them and took out several candies he had prepared beforehand from his robe.

He crouched down and handed them over.

"Don't be afraid, it's over now."

The children timidly took the candies, unwrapped them, and carefully placed them in their mouths.

The sweetness melted in their mouths, dispelling their recent fear.

They looked at Li Qing, and innocent smiles finally appeared on their small faces.

Watching this scene, Xiao Chen felt a warmth in his heart.

Li Qing's strength was beyond doubt.

Yet, he was so gentle when facing these children.

This made Xiao Chen trust him even more.

Li Qing was not the kind of person who bullied the weak.

He really was here to help the Iron Bone Martial Arts School.

Xiao Chen stepped forward, crouched down, and patted a child's head.

"Don't tell anyone about what happened today, okay?"

The children nodded as if they understood, their mouths full of candy as they gave muffled replies.

"Mm, we won't tell anyone."

Xiao Chen stood up and looked at Li Qing, speaking once more.

This time, his voice carried an unprecedented firmness and respect.

"Big Brother Li, from today on, the Iron Bone Martial Arts School is your home."

"As long as I, Xiao Chen, am still around, and as long as the sign of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School still stands, this will always be your place of belonging."

Li Qing didn't speak, he just gave Xiao Chen a slight nod.

He understood what Xiao Chen meant.

In these chaotic times, such a promise was more precious than gold or jewels.

His choice of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School and Xiao Chen was not an impulsive one.

He needed an identity, a sanctuary where he could Cultivate in peace without being disturbed by the outside world.

The Iron Bone Martial Arts School's decline and Xiao Chen's character happened to fit his requirements perfectly.

Looking at it now, his choice was correct.

Xiao Chen turned around and looked at the dilapidated martial arts school, the rusted weapons, and the leaking roof overhead.

These sights that once filled him with despair seemed to radiate vitality at this moment.

He had a strong premonition.

From today on, the Iron Bone Martial Arts School would no longer be a crumbling empty shell.

It would be reborn through fire.

And the turning point for all of this originated from this youth named Li Qing.

He was the hope of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School.

He was also Xiao Chen's own hope... Jingtao Martial Arts School, inner courtyard.

The air was thick with the heavy scent of medicinal herbs and the smell of blood.

Wang Meng lay on the bed, his face sallow, with both arms twisted at unnatural angles.

The best physician in Jinling City had just stepped back from the bedside, drenched in sweat.

"Physician Liu, how is my Senior Brother?"

A Disciple nearby asked anxiously.

Physician Liu wiped his sweat and shook his head.

"The bones are shattered too completely."

"I can only barely set them, but it's absolutely impossible for them to return to how they were before."

"Even if they heal in the future, these two arms will have lasting complications."

"In this lifetime, the path of martial arts will be difficult for him."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding Disciples of the Jingtao Martial Arts School all gasped.

Their Eldest Senior Brother, the strongest of the younger generation in the Jingtao Martial Arts School, would find his future path in martial arts difficult.

Just then, a heavy sense of pressure emanated from outside the door.

A tall, dignified middle-aged man strode inside.

He walked with a dragon's stride and a tiger's step, his aura thick and powerful; with every step, the ground seemed to vibrate slightly.

The newcomer was none other than the School Master of the Jingtao Martial Arts School, Duan Tianba.

One of the few top experts in Jinling City, a Late Stage of Meridian Connecting Realm powerhouse.

"The School Master is back!"

The Disciples hurriedly bowed in greeting, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Duan Tianba glanced at Wang Meng on the bed, and his face instantly darkened.

"Who did this?"

His voice wasn't loud, yet it caused the temperature in the room to plummet.

A Disciple who had participated in the day's action knelt on the ground, trembling.

"Reporting to the School Master, it's... it's someone from the Iron Bone Martial Arts School in the west of the city."

"Iron Bone Martial Arts School?"

Duan Tianba's brows furrowed into a knot.

"Xiao Tianxiong has been dead for three years. Does his trash son, Xiao Chen, have such ability?"

"No, it wasn't Xiao Chen."

The Disciple hurriedly shook his head.

"It's a youth named Li Qing who just joined the Iron Bone Martial Arts School today."

"That kid is extremely arrogant. Not only was he ruthless in his strikes, but he also said... also said..."

"Said what?" Duan Tianba barked.

"He said he's protecting the Iron Bone Martial Arts School. If we dare to trespass again, it won't be as simple as broken hands."

The Disciple added oil to the fire, describing Li Qing's calmness as extreme arrogance.

"He also said that in his eyes, our Jingtao Martial Arts School is nothing!"

Crack!

The green brick beneath Duan Tianba's foot was crushed to powder.

The Internal Energy fluctuations of the Meridian Opening Realm caused the tables and chairs in the room to creak.

"What a Li Qing! What an Iron Bone Martial Arts School!"

Duan Tianba was furious.

The Jingtao Martial Arts School had run rampant in Jinling City for years; when had they ever suffered such humiliation?

But he was, after all, the master of a school; amidst his anger, suspicion also arose in his heart.

Wang Meng is at the Late-stage Condensing Yuan Realm; his strength is not weak.

A youth who just joined could cripple Wang Meng in one move?

This defied logic.

Either that kid was hiding his Realm.

Or he had a powerful backer behind him.

Duan Tianba was naturally suspicious; he didn't immediately let fury cloud his judgment.

"Send a few people to keep a close eye on the Iron Bone Martial Arts School."

Duan Tianba ordered coldly.

"I want to know everything that Li Qing does every day and everyone he meets."

"Yes!"

...Iron Bone Martial Arts School.

After the day's turmoil, the courtyard returned to peace.

Xiao Chen looked at Li Qing, his attitude ten times more respectful than before.

"Big Brother Li, I owe you for today."

Xiao Chen said solemnly.

"I am unworthy of the position of School Master of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School. Please take over, Big Brother Li."

He knew in his heart that only a powerhouse like Li Qing could protect the school.

Li Qing shook his head.

"You should remain the School Master."

"I'm just a Disciple; I don't like dealing with trivial matters."

He needed a quiet place to Cultivate, not to be a manager.

"However, the school's affairs are my affairs."

Hearing this, Xiao Chen's heart was greatly eased.

He no longer insisted.

"Big Brother Li, you call me School Master, and I'll call you Big Brother. We'll each have our own way!"