20: Chapter 20 Leaving the Martial Arts School

The hustle and bustle and the murky atmosphere of the black market were completely cut off behind the two of them as they stepped up the stairs.

They each found a room and changed back into the clothes they had been wearing before.

The two of them walked out while straightening their clothes. Seeing the large bundle on Lin Qing's back, Wang Yuan didn't ask much. He only cautioned:

"Lin Qing, try not to come to this black market alone in the future. It's a den of dragons and snakes where people from all walks of life gather. Losing some money is a small matter; what's worrying is encountering those ruthless characters and losing your life for nothing.

Although I've been here a few times before, it was always with my father. I would never dare to come here alone."

Lin Qing nodded in agreement upon hearing this, then asked in confusion:

"Then why did you dare to bring me here this time? You should know that if something really happened, the two of us would be completely unable to handle it."

Wang Yuan explained slowly:

"There's something you don't know. Although Centurion Xiao has already woken up, it will take a few more days for him to fully recover. Therefore, Lord Thousand-man Commander Qin Cang did not leave immediately after the Vicious Beast incident ended.

The black market has been lively these past few days, and the Zhenwu Division is uneasy. Thus, Lord Qin has been personally overseeing the black market these two days, and a large number of Zhenwu Division personnel have been arranged on the outskirts.

Anyone with even a bit of discernment wouldn't cause trouble at this time, so there's no need to worry too much about safety here for these few days."

Lin Qing nodded. The two of them said no more and walked quickly out of the alleyway.

By the time Lin Qing returned to his small courtyard, the hour of the Rat was nearly over. After stowing away the items purchased at the black market and performing a simple wash, Lin Qing went to bed to rest.

The next day, Lin Qing still consumed a drop of earth core milk before heading to the martial arts hall. Unfortunately, just like yesterday, a morning of cultivation only added 36 points to his Panshi Stake Technique progress, bringing the progress on his panel to 355 points.

When the cultivation ended, Lin Qing didn't go to the canteen immediately. Instead, he went straight to the main hall of the martial arts hall and found the Hall Master, Master Shi Jian.

He knocked on the door of the main hall. After a voice from inside said "Enter," Lin Qing pushed the door and walked in. Master Shi Jian was still sitting behind that massive stone desk. He looked up at Lin Qing and asked in a calm voice:

"Speak, what do you want with me?"

Master Shi Jian had already forgotten Lin Qing's name, even though he had praised Lin Qing's decent physical foundation over twenty days ago.

Usually, it was Zhao Lei and several other Senior Brothers who led the drills. Master Shi Jian spent most of his time in the main hall, only occasionally coming out in the morning to check on the Disciples' practice. The last time he had spoken to Lin Qing was during registration, so naturally, he couldn't recall Lin Qing's name now.

Lin Qing took a deep breath and bowed:

"Hall Master, this Disciple has come today to tender my resignation. I can no longer continue my Cultivation at the martial arts hall."

Lin Qing had prepared some excuses; if Master Shi Jian asked why, he would say he was going to stay with relatives or something similar. However, Master Shi Jian didn't ask further, only nodding faintly:

"Fine, go find the manager to handle the formalities."

This composure and indifference actually surprised Lin Qing a little. In fact, it wasn't that Master Shi Jian was heartless; he had simply seen this scene too many times.

Despite this being a world where the Martial Dao flourished, most people were ultimately unable to escape the fate of ordinary commoners.

Some Disciples, carrying half a lifetime of their parents' savings, stepped into the martial arts hall with high spirits, wanting to Cultivate the Martial Dao and make a name for themselves. But unfortunately, their Comprehension Ability was insufficient. After toiling in the martial arts hall for several months, they couldn't even reach the entry level of the Stance Training. Thus, they could only leave the martial arts hall, find a livelihood to make ends meet, marry, and have children. Then, after ten or twenty years, they would hand their savings to their children, letting them enter the martial arts hall to take a master again.

There were other Disciples whose Comprehension Ability was acceptable. After Cultivating in the martial arts hall for a few months, they could reach the entry level or even Minor Achievement in the Stance Training. But their meager family background couldn't even support their increasing appetite, let alone Vicious Beast meat or Qi and Blood Potions. In the end, they could only helplessly withdraw from the martial arts hall and find some labor.

When they had extra money, they would practice the Stance Training a few more times and grit their teeth to buy a bottle of Qi and Blood Potion to assist their Cultivation. When money was tight, they would completely stop Cultivating and rely on ordinary meals to maintain their basic needs. Most Martial Artists in the Jianghu were like this, wasting ten or twenty years only to barely reach the first or second-rank level.

The final group of people had good Comprehension Ability and well-off families, enough to support the needs of Cultivation. However, their skeletal roots were insufficient, and they would be stuck at a certain Realm for their entire lives, unable to progress further. For example, Master Shi Jian himself had reached Perfection in the Panshi Stake Technique many years ago. However, no matter how hard he Cultivated, his blood-qi would no longer increase once it reached a certain level. Without a Heaven-Defying Opportunity, he would be trapped at the first rank for his entire life. Thus, he returned to Qingyang County to inherit this Panshi Martial Arts Hall.

After receiving Master Shi Jian's affirmative reply, Lin Qing bowed to him once more:

"Thank you, Hall Master, for taking me in during this time. This Disciple will keep it in my heart."

Master Shi Jian waved his hand without saying more, indicating he could leave. Lin Qing didn't linger and turned to walk out of the main hall.

After leaving the main hall, Lin Qing first found Wang Yuan and then sought out the Second Senior Brother, Zhao Lei, who usually took good care of the Disciples, and extended an invitation:

"Wang Yuan, Senior Brother Zhao, this evening, I would like to invite you both for a small gathering at Hongyun Tower. I hope you will both do me the honor of attending."

Zhao Lei was a cheerful person. Hearing Lin Qing's invitation, he immediately agreed with a smile: "Sure! I happen to have nothing to do this evening. I'll definitely be there on time."

Wang Yuan looked at Lin Qing, and although there was doubt in his eyes, he also nodded. He had come to the martial arts hall on the same day as Lin Qing and they had frequent contact, so naturally, he wouldn't refuse.

Afterward, Lin Qing found the manager and handled the formalities.

As dusk fell, the two of them arrived for the appointment on time. Although Hongyun Tower was the best restaurant in the county town, its prices were not so high as to be prohibitive.

The three of them found an ordinary private room and ordered a stew made of first-rank Vicious Beast meat, along with two stir-fried dishes, two cold dishes, a portion of Mapo Tofu, and a pot of sake.

The warm light inside the private room dispelled the night outside the window. Zhao Lei raised his wine cup and looked at Lin Qing:

"Lin Qing, you suddenly invited the two of us today; do you have something to discuss with us? If there's anything, just speak up. If it's within my power, I'll lend a hand!"

Zhao Lei was as warm-hearted as ever.

Wang Yuan also looked at Lin Qing, his eyes carrying a hint of concern. He felt that Lin Qing's expression today was a bit more complex than usual, not looking like someone who had good news.

Lin Qing looked at the two people before him, a surge of warmth in his heart.

During his time at the martial arts hall, Zhao Lei had often taken the initiative to find him, asking if there was anything he was unfamiliar with regarding the Stance Training, taking great care of him.

And Wang Yuan had provided him with a lot of information about Martial Artists and even took him to the black market. He had invisibly provided a lot of help.

Lin Qing picked up the wine pot on the table, filled the cups in front of the two of them, and then poured a cup for himself. He raised his cup, his expression gradually becoming serious:

"Actually, there isn't any major matter for inviting you two here today. It's just that I'm about to leave the martial arts hall. Feeling grateful for the care you two have usually shown me, I wanted to express my thanks."

The smile on Zhao Lei's face vanished instantly. However, like Master Shi Jian, he was already used to such things and didn't ask much. Instead, Wang Yuan's tone suddenly became urgent:

"Why leave the martial arts hall when everything is fine? Have you encountered some difficulty in your Cultivation? If there's any trouble, you might as well say it and see if I can help you find a way to solve it."

Lin Qing shook his head and explained softly:

"I haven't encountered any difficulties; I just have a different Cultivation plan that isn't suitable for staying in the martial arts hall. I need to leave and find a path that is more suitable for me."

Lin Qing didn't explain in detail, so the two of them didn't press further.

The three of them stopped dwelling on the matter of parting and began to chat while eating. The atmosphere at the table gradually became lively, without the sorrow of parting, only the relaxation and pleasantness of friends gathering.

After eating and drinking their fill, Lin Qing stood up and raised his cup again:

"All good things must come to an end. I wish you both prosperous martial fortunes. We shall meet again in the Jianghu!"

The two of them stood up and clinked their cups together.

Outside Hongyun Tower, after a simple farewell, the three of them each walked in different directions, their figures gradually disappearing into the night.