CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27: JOINING (PART 1)

...

A few people drank until after eight in the evening, and Lin Zheyu left early due to other commitments.

Hiccup—

On the way to Mr. Liang’s house, Lin Zheyu let out a hiccup from the alcohol.

Earlier, when he wanted to leave early, Jia Yanrong and the others wouldn’t let him go. They insisted he drink several large bowls of strong liquor before allowing him to leave.

Knock knock

He gently knocked on Mr. Liang’s door, and it quickly opened.

He entered.

In the moonlight.

On the stone table in the yard, there were a few small dishes and a pot of wine.

Liang Song was sitting alone in the yard, drinking.

"You reek of alcohol; it seems you’ve drunk quite a bit."

"Drink this bowl to sober up," Liang Song said.

"Thank you, Master."

Lin Zheyu took the bowl and smelled a strong medicinal aroma.

"I’m sorry, Master. Something came up tonight, so I’m a bit late," Lin Zheyu said apologetically.

"No worries."

"It’s a good thing you could join the Feihong Gang and have some protection in Songyi City," Liang Song said with a smile.

After drinking the sobering soup, Lin Zheyu felt much better.

He rested for a while and then went to the courtyard to practice the Golden Swan Skill.

After practicing for about an hour and a half, he was drenched in sweat, and any residual intoxication dissipated completely.

"Rest a bit, and we’ll spar in a while."

Seeing that Lin Zheyu was almost sober, Liang Song let him rest a bit.

After resting for a while, they went to the yard to spar.

With the experience from the previous night, Lin Zheyu lasted a little longer today.

Bam bam bam

In the yard, the sound of fists and palms colliding echoed.

Liang Song controlled his strength to match Lin Zheyu’s level, even slightly weaker.

But even so, Lin Zheyu was still easily overpowered by Liang Song.

The vast difference in combat experience and awareness made Lin Zheyu understand that martial strength does not equate to combat ability.

A true martial expert can easily challenge someone stronger and win.

After enduring over a dozen rounds under Liang Song’s attacks, Lin Zheyu was kicked flying.

"Not bad, much better than yesterday," Liang Song said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu rubbed his chest, feeling the burning pain where Liang Song had kicked him.

Liang Song’s strength had reached the Qi Blood Realm, with bones hard as iron.

Being kicked by his master felt like being struck by metal to Lin Zheyu.

"Again!"

With a determined look, Lin Zheyu pushed off with his feet, springing towards Liang Song.

Mr. Liang’s main cultivation technique was the Golden Swan Skill, and Lin Zheyu learned many combat techniques from him.

As the fight progressed, Lin Zheyu’s proficiency in the Golden Swan Skill advanced rapidly, and he began to integrate its body techniques into combat.

Facing the experienced Mr. Liang, Lin Zheyu started to change tactics, maneuvering around Liang Song with the agile body techniques of the Golden Swan Skill.

"Hey!"

"This move is also one I’ve used up before."

Seeing Lin Zheyu quickly changing positions, Liang Song chuckled and kicked backward with his right foot, fast as lightning.

Bam—

Caught off guard while moving swiftly, Lin Zheyu was kicked in the shoulder and was sent flying again.

Lin Zheyu: "..."

Feeling exhausted.

He longed for the feeling of fighting with Jia Yanrong and Xie Jiang earlier in the day.

They sparred until deep into the night, each session ending with Lin Zheyu being kicked away.

Under Mr. Liang’s training, Lin Zheyu’s practical combat awareness started to improve, surviving longer each time.

Eventually, he was even able to launch a few counterattacks.

...

Morning.

After resting all night, Lin Zheyu almost fully recovered.

The medicine Liang Song gave had a great effect; the bruises mostly healed by the next morning.

Early that morning, he went to Liang Song’s courtyard.

Under Liang Song’s guidance, Lin Zheyu practiced for over three hours, finally reaching the entry level in the Golden Swan Skill.

[Heavenly Dao Rewards the Diligent]

Name: Lin Zheyu

Source Power: 6

Skills:

Wild Bull Fist (Mastered 3%)

Golden Swan Skill (Level One 2%)

"Finally reached entry level, my progress increased to 2% in a morning, I estimate that I can reach the second layer in about a month," Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

With the foundation laid by the Wild Bull Fist, the early progress in the Golden Swan Skill was much faster.

Now his muscles were full, fascia tough and strong. The first layer of the Golden Swan Skill mainly trained the muscles and tendons of the legs. Once completed, he could enter the second layer.

After reaching the second layer Bone Forging Realm, the progress would slow down.

After bidding goodbye to his master, Lin Zheyu headed to Feihong Tower around nine o’clock.

No. 28 Tongquan Street.

Entering Feihong Tower, it was somewhat deserted inside.

"Mr. Lin is here, please follow me."

A man came out to lead Lin Zheyu inside.

"The Gang Leader instructed that when you arrive, you should be taken to the backyard to meet him, where he will personally arrange your duties," the man said.

Lin Zheyu followed the man through winding corridors, past a beautifully landscaped pond and pavilion, to a courtyard.

In the courtyard, a stage was set up, where Mr. Xu was leisurely listening to opera.

’The lives of the wealthy are indeed simple yet extravagant.’

Lin Zheyu sighed, feeling a bit envious.

He worked so hard for a few taels of silver, while others could make hundreds or even thousands just by listening to opera, enjoying a show, or visiting a teahouse.

"You’re here. Sit down."

"This opera is quite good, sit and listen," Xu Jingwu said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu sat down next to Xu Jingwu, idly sampling the delicious food on the table.

Xu Jingwu knew how to enjoy life, the snacks for listening to opera could easily cost several taels of silver per table.

Lin Zheyu ate the delicacies, occasionally listening to the opera.

He had difficulty appreciating opera, given his past life was filled with rich entertainment options, making him uninterested in such classical performances.

However, as he listened, he gradually understood the joy of listening to opera.

When the opera concluded, Xu Jingwu began to discuss business.

"There aren’t many tasks within the gang; mainly it’s about maintaining order within Feihong Gang’s territory."

"On the surface, the city’s order is controlled by the government. But due to manpower issues, it’s delegated to various gang influences."

"If there’s any trouble within our territory causing public outcry, the government would first hold us accountable," Xu Jingwu explained, outlining the primary duties of the Feihong Gang.

From Xu Jingwu, Lin Zheyu finally understood the operational mechanism of Songyi City.

Officially, the gangs are controlled by the government, and the gangs manage the city’s order.

In Songyi City, there are three major gangs, with the Feihong Gang being the largest.

These gangs were formed through the joint investment of influential families and wealthy merchants, who were divided into three interest groups, balancing and competing with each other.

Xu Jingwu was from the Xu Family, being the current Patriarch’s younger brother.

The three major gangs in the city balanced each other, effectively managing the city’s order without worrying about gang members acting recklessly.

"From now on, you, Jia Yanrong, and Xie Jiang will form a small team led by Qiu Gaoxuan, temporarily responsible for the order around Hundred Flavors Street."

"Later, you might need to be stationed at mines or other key locations, but it’s all on a rotational basis," Xu Jingwu said.

"Alright."

Lin Zheyu nodded.

The area around Hundred Flavors Street was quite orderly, with hardly any disturbances, and was an easy task.

"I think highly of you."

"From what Jia Yanrong mentioned, you haven’t been practicing martial arts for long yet you possess such talent and comprehension potential."

"Do a good job, contribute more, and you’ll reap benefits," Xu Jingwu said, patting Lin Zheyu’s shoulder with a smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Xu, for your trust."

...