But Xiangzi had misjudged.

This technique, praised by even Baolin Martial Hall’s old master as “unifying inner and outer, blending dao and skill,” wasn’t something ordinary martial halls could casually offer.

Even among Baolin’s inner disciples, few had access to such a sublime foundation technique.

Among Forty-Nine City’s three great martial halls, Baolin’s reputation was slightly lesser.

But in terms of martial insight, if the cautious old master claimed second, no one in the city dared claim first.

Moreover, over a decade ago, that sleazy-looking, unremarkable old man had used this fist and spear technique to topple seven of Forty-Nine City’s martial halls.

Because of this, the old master later chose Lin Junqing, who’d built his foundation on this technique, from among hundreds of outer disciples as his direct disciple.

And Lin Junqing hadn’t disappointed, rising to fame within a decade, outshining his peers in the city.

If only… he hadn’t faced that ring.

Of course, that was another story.

Back then, the old master hadn’t faulted Lin Junqing for not mastering the full fist-and-spear technique, only the fist forms, but sighed with regret—a glimpse of how much this technique meant to the lofty old master.

—

As Xiangzi mused, a pebble flew from Lin Junqing’s hand, striking his lumbar spine precisely.

“Three straights, four smooths… neck upright to lift the spirit, body and legs straight for force to flow smoothly.”

At the words, Xiangzi adjusted his form. After a few moves, another pebble hit his ankle, making him stumble in pain.

“Force rises from the root, issued by the legs, governed by the waist, shaped by the hands. The root is the legs, Xiangzi. Your stance is steady, but your force flow lacks smoothness.”

One pebble after another flew, and Xiangzi’s forms grew more refined.

His mental proficiency surged!

[Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist +1]

[Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist +1]

Lin Junqing’s face remained icy, but watching Xiangzi’s increasingly polished forms, a faint curve touched his lips.

This progress rivaled his own back then.

If that old man were alive, he’d be insufferably smug.

With this thought, a gentle warmth softened Lin Junqing’s eyes. He called out, “Enough. Stop for today. From tomorrow, you’ll practice on your own.”

Xiangzi halted, stunned, catching the meaning in Lin Junqing’s words. He bowed deeply to the middle-aged martial artist.

Lin Junqing accepted it calmly.

After a pause, he stepped forward, patting Xiangzi’s shoulder. “Xiangzi, remember: the situation is stronger than the man. Like this fist technique, stepping back half a pace isn’t cowardice—it’s gathering strength for a strike.”

“With less than ten days until the apprentice hall opens, you must be cautious!”

Xiangzi understood and nodded gravely.

Lin Junqing’s lips curved into a sudden smile. “Tomorrow, I’ll request Master’s permission to take Little Tang to Shen City.”

Xiangzi blinked. “So soon?”

Lin Junqing didn’t answer, standing with hands behind his back, gazing at Xiangzi intently.

Twilight tinged his frost-white temples with a strange crimson. The once-proud martial artist spoke slowly, “A true man bends and rises. Don’t act recklessly. Learn to bow today to stand tall tomorrow.”

“I tell you this, first, because you saved Little Tang, and second, because of your character.”

“I, Lin Junqing, have seen the highs and lows these years, tasted the warmth and coldness of human nature. The martial path is fraught with hardship, and most martial artists, claiming to fight for the dao, stoop to betrayal, deceit, and groveling.”

“But you, a mere rickshaw puller, carry a rare shred of goodness.”

“By teaching you this fist technique, I want to tell you…”

“This world should not be this way!”

—

Lin Junqing returned to the house, leaving Xiangzi standing rooted in place.

He was no saint, no paragon of virtue. Perhaps due to his past life, even in this chaotic world, Xiangzi clung to a simple notion.

Letting Jin Fugui go, in others’ eyes, was hypocritical posturing or weak-hearted mercy.

But to Xiangzi, the reason was plain—Jin Fugui had saved him once, from Luo Er’s hands.

Of course, he’d struggled, hesitated, worried about consequences.

But if he’d truly been ruthless, cutting down all in his path, would he still be Xiangzi?

If so, would Wen San, Uncle Jie, or Big Mouth Li still trust him?

Not to mention, Jin Fugui later saved his life at the Li family’s mining district.

It was this simple notion that drove him to carry Liu Tang here, expecting no reward, yet by chance learning the Mind-Intent Six Harmonies Fist.

And gaining the long-dreamed-of apprentice slot.

One sip, one peck—fated.

Xiangzi only vaguely knew Buddhist notions of cause and effect from his past life. He didn’t understand them, nor cared to.

But Lin Junqing’s words, “This world should not be this way,” struck a chord.

Since the Li family’s mining district, the turbulent emotions haunting him had finally eased.

—

Inside, Liu Tang’s eyes brimmed with emotion. He asked softly, “Senior Brother… Shen City? Troubling you again?”

Sensing his junior brother’s thoughts, Lin Junqing gave a mock scoff. “This trip to Shen City with Master is mainly for me. You’re just along for the ride.”

The old master was going too? Liu Tang was stunned.

Then, as if realizing something, his eyes lit up. “Could it be… your injury?”

Lin Junqing glanced at his right leg, sighing. “Troubling Master again. He heard the Tianqi Alliance in Shen City got a supreme marrow crystal and wants to take me to see if it can help my leg.”

“Master asked me several times, but I hadn’t decided. Your situation settled it.”

A supreme marrow crystal? Liu Tang was floored.

How could such a treasure appear in the Tianqi Alliance?

Lin Junqing, guessing his thoughts, pointed upward. “Rumor is… it came from above.”

From above?

Liu Tang understood—it must be true.

With a supreme marrow crystal and the natural treasures from Shen City’s wood-element ore district, his senior brother’s ring injury might truly have hope of healing.

At this, Liu Tang’s joy grew.

Lin Junqing’s lips held a gentle smile. “This morning, I spoke with Master. You’re coming to Shen City. Your injuries need those wood-element ores, or they’ll leave hidden ailments.”

Liu Tang paused, his gaze instinctively falling on Xiangzi, still practicing in the courtyard.

Lin Junqing chuckled. “Little Tang, you’re half a cripple now. Why worry about him? Think he’ll be bullied in the apprentice hall?”

At this, Liu Tang laughed too.

He’d mentored Xiangzi himself, watching him rise from a small guard to now.

The kid was stubborn, sure, but when had he ever taken a loss?

Before any apprentice could bully him, Xiangzi would likely turn the tables.

But could Xiangzi truly set aside his blood feud to train in the apprentice hall?

Recalling Xiangzi’s earlier “life and death are fated,” Liu Tang’s eyes flickered with worry.