25: The Seven Freaks acknowledged me as half a disciple.

The steam from the wonton stall, thick with the aroma of green onions and meat filling, billowed over the wooden table by the window. Xie Hui had just swallowed the last wonton when Huang Rong started pestering him—ever since he mentioned taking them to a "good place," this girl's curiosity had been ignited like a firecracker. She hadn't even set down her spoon before she started peppering him with questions.

"Can't you just tell me first if we're going to catch rabbits or raid bird nests?" Huang Rong rested her chin on her hand, her finger absentmindedly poking the rim of her empty bowl. Her goose-yellow skirt swayed gently as her toes tapped the stone pavement. "It's not like we're going back to the Prince of Zhao's Manor to steal another roasted lamb leg, right? Last time, you almost got hit in the head by that Western Region chef's rolling pin, forgot already?"

Xie Hui had just picked up a bamboo tube to drink water and almost spat it out upon hearing that. "What do you mean 'almost got hit'? It was clearly you who insisted on snatching their spice packets, which is why they chased us with a rolling pin." He set down the bamboo tube and intentionally pulled a long face. "Besides, the place we're going this time is much more interesting than the Prince of Zhao's Manor. Maybe you'll even get to meet some big shots of the Jianghu."

"Big shots?" Mu Nianci had just finished wiping her mouth and looked up at him with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Are they Jianghu Seniors like Senior Ke and the others?"

Just as Xie Hui was about to speak, he heard a burst of hearty laughter from behind, slightly hoarse yet full of vigor. "Hahaha! What do Jianghu Seniors matter? If an Old Beggar can get a good meal of wine and meat, even if it's a Junior, this Old Beggar is happy to call him brother!"

The three of them turned around at the same time to see an old man in tattered grey cloth robes standing at the entrance of the wonton stall. His hair was a messy bird's nest, his face was stained with grease, and he held a half-eaten chicken leg, his greasy fingers stuffing it into his mouth. Most prominent was the wine gourd tied to his waist; though old, it was polished to a shine, clearly a prized possession.

Huang Rong's eyes lit up. She tugged at Xie Hui's sleeve and lowered her voice. "Hey, look at the gourd at his waist. Could it be..."

Xie Hui already knew, but he intentionally played dumb. "Could it be what? Some old man selling wine? Looking at him, he seems more like a beggar who hasn't eaten in three days."

As soon as he said this, the old man strode over and sat down on the stool opposite Xie Hui. He tossed the remaining chicken bone onto the ground, picked up Xie Hui's unfinished bamboo tube, took a swig, and smacked his lips. "Junior, don't speak so harshly. This Old Beggar may dress poorly, but the Jianghu matters in my belly are more than the wontons you've eaten."

Xie Hui raised an eyebrow and teased him on purpose. "Oh? Then I wonder if you, Senior, can tell us who has the highest martial arts in this Jianghu? If you get it right, I'll treat you to ten more chicken legs."

The old man's eyes lit up. He put down the bamboo tube and counted on his fingers. "If we're talking about high martial arts, that would be the Eastern Heretic, Western Venom, Southern Emperor, Northern Beggar, and Central Divine Ability! This Old Beggar is none other than the Northern Beggar, Seventh Hero Hong!"

"Wow! Are you really Senior Seventh Hero Hong?" Huang Rong stood up excitedly, her eyes wide. "I've heard my father talk about you! Is it true that your Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms are invincible under heaven?"

Seventh Hero Hong smugly stroked his messy beard. Just as he was about to speak, Xie Hui interrupted him. "Senior, talk is cheap. If you're truly capable, why not show us a thing or two? For example... how about flipping the wonton stall owner's pot?"

"You brat!" Seventh Hero Hong glared, his beard bristling with anger. "This Old Beggar acts with chivalry and justice; why would I flip someone's pot? Besides, the owner's wontons taste good. If I flip the pot, what will I eat?" As he spoke, he suddenly reached under the table. When he pulled his hand back, he held a steaming meat bun—taken right from the steamer the owner had just placed under the table.

Xie Hui and Mu Nianci were stunned, but Huang Rong clapped and laughed. "Great skills, Senior! This bun-stealing skill is even better than mine!"

Seventh Hero Hong smugly took a bite of the bun and said indistinctly, "This is nothing. Back in the day, this Old Beggar stole imperial meals from the palace, and even the old Emperor didn't notice." He suddenly looked at Xie Hui, his gaze turning sharp. "Kid, when you fought Ouyang Ke just now, the Moves you used weren't from any famous orthodox sect in the Jianghu, yet they had some order to them. Interesting. Who is your Master?"

Xie Hui's heart skipped a beat. He knew he couldn't hide it from Seventh Hero Hong, but he couldn't reveal the secret of his Transmigration either. He could only laugh it off. "Senior, you're joking. What Master do I have? I just learned some basic Moves from herdsmen on the grasslands, and later learned a couple of Moves from the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. It's not worth mentioning."

As he spoke, he saw Ke Zhene approaching with Zhu Cong, Han Baoju, and the others. Although Ke Zhene was blind, he recognized Seventh Hero Hong's voice and quickly cupped his hands. "Is it Senior Seventh Hero Hong? Ke Zhene of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan pays his respects."

Seeing them, Seventh Hero Hong looked even more smug. "Yo, it's Old Ke! What are you guys doing here?"

"We just finished teaching this kid martial arts and were looking for a place to rest." Han Baoju, being impatient, spoke first. "I didn't expect to run into you here, Senior." As he spoke, he glanced at Xie Hui with a hint of praise in his voice. "This kid has good Comprehension Ability, though his personality is a bit flighty. If he could have a bit of guidance from you, Senior, he would surely have a bright future."

Seventh Hero Hong's eyes darted around as he looked at Xie Hui. "Kid, since Old Ke and the others put it that way, if you take me as your Master, I'll teach you the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. How about it?"

Xie Hui was overjoyed, but he intentionally furrowed his brows. "I can become your disciple, but I have one condition."

"Oh? You have a condition?" Seventh Hero Hong became interested. "Tell me, what condition?"

"You have to accompany us to a certain place and help us deal with any bad people we might encounter." As Xie Hui spoke, he secretly gave Huang Rong a wink.

Huang Rong immediately understood and chimed in. "Right! We're going to Iron Palm Mountain. I heard there are bad people bullying the Civilians there. If you come with us, it would be acting with chivalry and justice. How heroic would that be!"

Seventh Hero Hong rubbed his chin and pondered for a moment. "Iron Palm Mountain? Isn't that the territory of that old fellow Qiu Qianren? That guy isn't one to be trifled with. But... if you can prepare ten portions of beggars chicken for me and fill a gourd with good wine, this Old Beggar will go with you!"

"No problem!" Xie Hui agreed immediately. "Forget ten portions of beggars chicken; even if it's twenty, I'll make them for you!" He remembered that Seventh Hero Hong could least resist the temptation of beggars chicken; this was the strategy he had planned long ago.

Hearing this, Ke Zhene couldn't help but speak up. "Seventh Master, Iron Palm Mountain is dangerous; you must be careful on this trip. Though Xie Hui is clever, he lacks experience. I hope you will look after him." He paused and then looked at Xie Hui. "You brat, to receive guidance from Seventh Master is your good fortune. From now on, you must restrain your temperament and study martial arts diligently. Don't lose face for us, the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan."

Xie Hui quickly cupped his hands. "Please rest assured, Senior Ke. I will definitely study martial arts diligently. If anyone dares to bully the Seven Freaks Seniors in the future, I'll be the first to step up!"

Zhu Cong smiled and patted his shoulder. "Good lad, it's enough to have that heart. We don't expect you to be incredibly powerful, just don't be like that silly boy Guo Jing, getting tricked at every turn."

At the mention of Guo Jing, Xie Hui suddenly remembered something. "Right, Senior Ke, Guo Jing should be arriving at Zhangjiaokou soon, right? Should I go check on him so he doesn't get into trouble again?"

Ke Zhene shook his head. "No need. That silly boy is honest, but he's not brainless. Let him venture out on his own; it'll be good for him. You go to Iron Palm Mountain with Seventh Master first, and we'll talk when you get back."

Seventh Hero Hong couldn't wait any longer and stood up to urge them. "Alright, alright, stop dawdling! Hurry up and make the beggars chicken. Once it's done, we'll set off! Any later and this Old Beggar's stomach will start protesting!"

Xie Hui nodded with a smile and turned to Huang Rong and Mu Nianci. "Come on, let's go buy some chickens! Today, we'll let Senior Seventh Hero Hong taste what real beggars chicken is!"

The three of them followed Seventh Hero Hong toward the market, chatting and laughing. Mu Nianci walked at the back, watching the three in front of her. A smile couldn't help but tug at the corners of her mouth. She could feel that following Xie Hui, the days ahead would surely be very interesting.

While Xie Hui walked at the front, he was calculating in his heart: the trip to Iron Palm Mountain would not only complete the System task but also gain him guidance from Seventh Hero Hong—it was truly killing two birds with one stone. He just didn't know if that fellow Qiu Qianren would be as difficult to deal with as in the original story. But it didn't matter. With Seventh Hero Hong around, plus his own System skills, he could handle even the biggest trouble.

As he was thinking, he suddenly felt the System at his waist vibrate, and a cold voice rang out in his mind: "Detected host has gained recognition from Seventh Hero Hong. Triggering side quest: Assist Seventh Hero Hong in defeating Qiu Qianren. Task reward: One complete copy of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms Secret Manual."

Xie Hui was overjoyed. A complete copy of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms Secret Manual! This was fantastic news! He couldn't help but quicken his pace and shouted to Seventh Hero Hong ahead, "Senior, wait for me! I know a shop with particularly good chickens. Let's go buy them there!"

Seventh Hero Hong turned back and waved his hand with a smile. "Good lad, you know your stuff! If the chicken isn't tasty, this Old Beggar won't let you off easy!"

Sunlight spilled onto the stone road, casting long shadows of the group. The bustle of Linan City remained, but with the addition of Seventh Hero Hong, it felt a bit more lively and full of anticipation. Xie Hui knew that a new adventure was about to begin. And he was ready.