Peaceful Sun Town, Wandering Cloud Tavern.
All around was the lively sound of people chatting, with the South Stone Bridge right at the entrance, the flow of water below the bridge resounding clearly.
Each stall nearby hung a lantern, with warm luxurious light wrapped in red silk.
A group of people gradually made their way out of the tavern, all in half-drunk states, arms around one another's shoulders, faces filled with joy.
"Truly envy Senior Brother Hu for becoming a Martial Master so quickly. I've only broken three barriers; there's still a long road ahead."
"Wandering Cloud Pavilion, Junior Brother Hu has been generous! That Drunken Immortal Brew was truly superb."
Surrounded by the crowd, Hu Qi, with a flushed complexion, appeared extremely pleased: "Haha, if Senior Brother Xu likes it, I'll get two more jars for you and send a few more for Master."
"What about us? We all heard it too, Senior Brother Hu. You can't just bring some to Senior Brother Xu and Master and leave us out, right?" Xiang Changsong, usually gentle in front of apprentices, now appeared rather jovial.
"Ahaha, everyone will get some, alright?"
Hu Qi laughed heartily; today was the day he broke through the Fourth Barrier and became a Martial Master.
Without the help of his master and senior brothers, he wouldn't have achieved this.
Naturally, throwing a feast was necessary to show gratitude.
Standing beside Hu Qi, an equally important figure, a short and sturdy elder stroked his white beard: "No need to spend so lavishly; I've grown older these years, and I've been drinking less."
This person was the true master of the Yang Clan Martial Hall—Yang Dongxiong, also the master of everyone present.
A true master, not one of those passing apprenticeship relationships like in the Martial Hall.
"Hey, Master, there's no need to save Senior Brother Hu money. He's now a proper Martial Master, and once he registers tomorrow, he'll be a man with a state income!"
"Cheers for supporting righteousness, Senior Brother!"
"With your skills, it's just a matter of time. I'm simply older by a few years."
Hu Qi modestly joked while teasing, "Now that you're slaughtering me, don't blame me for returning the favor later on."
"Wouldn't want it any other way, wouldn't want it any other way! Hahaha."
Yang Dongxiong glanced at the rising moon, estimating the time, realizing it was already the hour of Xu.
Seeing everyone still engaged in talks with no signs of stopping, he interrupted.
"Alright, alright. Today was originally a day for lessons at the Martial Hall, but it was postponed to the evening because Hu Qi needed to break through, and we held a feast. If we make them wait any longer, it wouldn't be right. Hurry back, Hu Qi, come with me to the Martial Hall."
Xu Zishuai looked left and right, shaking his head, "Why not let me tag along? I have nothing urgent after all."
"That's right. Let's listen to the lessons while we're at it."
Yang Dongxiong was surprised, "Why are you all so diligent today, changing your ways?"
Xiang Changsong laughed, "Master, we were too busy drinking and celebrating in the tavern just now, and we didn't ask Hu Qi about his experience when he broke through. By tomorrow, we might not recall things as clearly as today."
Xu Zishuai, shaking his head, added, "I don't mind. It's mainly because we haven't gathered in a long time. It's rare to be so happy and have everyone here, so why not have some fun at the hall?"
"Why don't we all head to the Martial Hall? While Master guides the apprentices, we can also spar and verify our learnings."
Yang Dongxiong saw no issue with this; everyone has their slight differences in breaking through, and learning more is always beneficial, both for oneself and when teaching disciples in the future.
"Alright then, let's all go together. Today, there's no one guarding. I wonder if there'll be any trouble."
Hu Qi said, "I asked Lu Shaohui to substitute for me before closing off. Junior Brother Lu has breached two barriers; there shouldn’t be any issue."
"Lu Shaohui?" Yang Dongxiong frowned.
Not everyone had the qualifications to be his direct disciple.
It depended on both talent and character.
Even if someone had decent talent, he wouldn’t necessarily take them based on character.
From Yang Dongxiong's memory, Lu Shaohui's image wasn't great; he was a cold person.
"Master, though Junior Brother Lu may be cold, he's not bad. With him watching over for a day, there shouldn't be any incidents."
"If that's the case, let's go!"
The group crossed the South Stone Bridge, heading to the Martial Hall.
Unlike the bustling daytime, the Martial Hall was quiet at night with few people passing by.
Yang Dongxiong and his direct disciples silently passed through the corridor, about to enter the Martial Training Grounds.
"Shut up, you moron!"
Yang Dongxiong's expression turned to astonishment; he swiftly raised his hand.
The group of disciples came to a halt.
“I alone am enough! I alone can defeat all of you, every single one!”
The restrained voice reached their ears, the violent emotions crashing over them like a tide.
Even the weakest among them had breached two barriers; their senses were keen, hearing everything clearly.
Hu Qi felt a chill throughout his body.
Something went wrong!
Xiang Changsong pondered, "It sounds like Young Brother Liang's voice?"
"Young Brother Liang?" Some hadn’t met Liang Qu.
"The apprentice who came at the start of the month, a fisherman from Righteous Prosperity City. A handsome and polite young man who always sweeps the grounds with his friends before leaving."
Xiang Changsong added, "Oh, there are three of them learning martial arts from Righteous Prosperity City this month, and they're close with each other."
After Xiang Changsong explained, he quickly turned to apologize, "I'm sorry, Master. Today, I should've stayed at the Martial Hall. I didn't expect trouble to arise. It's my fault."
Hu Qi stepped forward to intercept the blame, "If blame is to be given, it's my fault. I got too carried away with celebrating after breaking through, insisting on everyone celebrating together. Otherwise, Junior Brother Xiang wouldn’t have temporarily left his post."
"Enough, this isn't the time to discuss who's right or wrong," Yang Dongxiong gestured dismissively, not bothering with trivial matters like shirking duty, "We'll take the back door and find someone to clarify the situation."
The group quickly withdrew from the corridor.
The Martial Masters moved silently, unnoticed by those present.
In the Martial Training Grounds.
Everyone stared at Liang Qu in dumbfounded amazement as if watching some kid oblivious to the towering heights of heaven and earth.
A new apprentice just a month into the Martial Hall wanting to single-handedly challenge seven apprentices who had been there over four months was foolishness at its finest!
Lu Tingcai and the others, having not broken through after three months and stayed by paying another fee, were “repeat seniors.”
No matter how poor one's talent, with a fourfold time advantage, their life force would naturally surpass that of a one-month novice!
“Ah Shui, are you insane?!”
In the corner by the flower bed, Li Libo and Chen Jiechang staggered into the center of the Martial Training Grounds, disregarding their injuries, clutching onto Liang Qu's sleeve, trying to pull him back.
Were it not for their sneak attack on Lu Tingcai and Xue Dingyi, they wouldn’t have even been injured.
Afterwards, Li Libo and Chen Jiechang would've suffered much worse.
If their clothes were removed, one would see their bodies already covered in bruises; standing was already remarkable.
Being rebuked and looked down upon like this, Lu Tingcai's fury was volcanic, yelling, "Even if all three of you come together, it wouldn’t change a thing. I alone can handle it!"
"No need, just me."
Liang Qu's eyes fixed on Lu Tingcai as he helped Li Libo and Chen Jiechang back, slowly leading them away.
Both of them clung desperately to Liang Qu’s clothes, "Ah Shui, what are you planning? If we're short on money, the two of us can help; don't go!"
"I'm not crazy and not planning anything."
Liang Qu firmly grasped their hands, the fierce light in his black eyes almost blinding, "I just want to break their teeth one by one!"
(End of this chapter)