Front Courtyard of the Martial Arts School
As soon as Jiang Ning and Cheng Ran arrived, they spotted Li Qing, a tall woman with a ponytail and a long, swan-like neck.
Among all the disciples of the Canglang Martial Arts School, Li Qing was the only female disciple.
Naturally, she stood out like a crane among chickens, especially since she was quite tall at least 170 cm in Jiang Ning's estimation, as she was only half a head shorter than him.
As for why the Canglang Martial Arts School had only one female disciple, it wasn't hard to understand.
Practicing martial arts could damage the skin on one's hands, leading to calluses.
This was a drawback that most women found hard to tolerate.
Moreover, all disciples of the Canglang Martial Arts School could only learn the Five Animals Fist, which naturally deterred many women from joining. Few women would want their soft, delicate hands to become rough and calloused.
Most women who practiced martial arts focused on leg techniques or weapon-based techniques, which were more aesthetically pleasing and didn't harm their physique.
The desire for beauty was something women in any world couldn't avoid.
As for why Li Qing's hands remained fair and free of calluses despite practicing martial arts, Jiang Ning didn't know the reason, but he guessed that she must have used some precious secret medicine to protect her hands daily.
At this moment, the front courtyard of the martial arts school seemed to have experienced a minor commotion.
A burly man had captured the attention of all the disciples in the courtyard.
This man looked extremely robust, especially his arms, which were unusually long, with his left arm naturally hanging down to his knees.
Such an arm span indicated extraordinary bone structure, making him a natural talent for martial arts.
In martial arts, an inch longer could mean a significant advantage.
His long arm span gave him a considerable edge in fist techniques.
The man patted Xiao Peng on the shoulder. "Junior Brother Xiao, not bad! No wonder Master took you in as a true disciple. Your comprehension is indeed impressive. At such a young age, you've grasped the essence of the Tiger Fist at the major mastery level. I believe you'll catch up to me one day."
Xiao Peng, his face filled with excitement, replied, "Thank you for your encouragement, Senior Brother Zhao. Feeling your Tiger's Force has been incredibly enlightening. When my fist techniques reach a higher level, I won't forget the guidance you've given me today."
Watching Xiao Peng and Zhao Hu surrounded by the crowd, Cheng Ran couldn't help but feel a bit sour.
He muttered under his breath, "Xiao Peng sure knows how to put on a show. While I was away, he took the chance to flatter Senior Brother Zhao Hu and get some pointers from him."
"Senior Brother Zhao Hu has perfected the Tiger Fist and can wield the Tiger's Force effortlessly. His guidance will surely give Xiao Peng some insights, widening the gap between us."
"Damn it! Competing with him for the last spot in the Inspection Bureau just got even harder."
Jiang Ning, standing beside him, patted Cheng Ran's shoulder. "Senior Brother Cheng, keep it up. I believe you can surpass Xiao Peng."
Cheng Ran clenched his fist. "I will surpass him."
Outside the Martial Arts School
Clip-clop, clip-clop
A black carriage approached from the distance, gradually slowing down as it neared the Canglang Martial Arts School.
Whoa
Under the watchful eyes of the two disciples guarding the gate, the carriage came to a stop at the entrance.
In the next moment, the coachman, using the strength of his waist, sprang up from the carriage like a shrimp and landed on the ground.
He swept aside the carriage curtain. "Master, we've arrived at the Canglang Martial Arts School."
Then, the front of the carriage dipped slightly as a middle-aged man with a goatee, around fifty years old, bent down and stepped out of the carriage.
Under the gaze of the gatekeepers, he approached them.
"Please inform your master that Liu Zhixiang, the manager of the Sihe Trading Company, is here to visit."
Sihe Trading Company?
The two disciples exchanged glances. One of them, with a respectful expression, said to the goateed Liu Zhixiang, "Manager Liu, please wait a moment. I'll go inform our master."
As the disciple hurried into the martial arts school, the sound of another carriage approaching quickly echoed from the corner of the street.
The rapidly approaching carriage naturally drew the attention of the group.
A dozen breaths later, the carriage came to a stop in front of the Canglang Martial Arts School.
Whoa
As the coachman pulled on the reins, the carriage halted.
Then, the curtain was swept aside, and a man in a black brocade robe, wearing a topknot crown, stepped out.
Behind him, a towering, muscular man followed.
"Liu Zhixiang, your Sihe Trading Company has overstepped its bounds," the man in the black robe said calmly.
Liu Zhixiang glanced at the man in the black robe and then at the towering, muscular man behind him.
The corners of Liu Zhixiang's mouth curled up. "Oh? Nephew Zhou, your appetite is quite big. Since when has Wang Jin's Canglang Martial Arts School become your territory?"
"Having taken in Zhang Tiesheng, are you still not satisfied? Do you want to swallow up all the talented disciples of the Canglang Martial Arts School in one go?"
Facing Liu Zhixiang's accusation, Zhou Xing chuckled.
"Stretch your hand too far, and you might get it chopped off."
With that, Zhou Xing brushed past Liu Zhixiang, followed closely by the towering Zhang Tiesheng.
Watching Zhou Xing's retreating figure, Liu Zhixiang's face turned pale, then red, as he felt his dignity had been severely undermined by being scolded by a junior.
Zhou Xing!
Hmph!
Let's see if you can remain so arrogant later!
Thinking of the powerful figures behind the Sihe Trading Company, Liu Zhixiang felt extremely confident.
He now hoped that Zhou Xing would dare to make a move so that he could use the situation to teach this junior a lesson.
Martial Arts School Gate
The remaining gatekeeper, seeing Zhou Xing's arrival, immediately bowed in respect.
"Senior Brother Zhou!"
He then bowed to Zhang Tiesheng behind Zhou Xing. "Senior Brother Zhang!"
Zhou Xing patted the gatekeeper's shoulder. "Keep up the good work. I hope one day you'll become my true junior brother."
"Yes, Senior Brother Zhou!" The gatekeeper replied excitedly, clenching his fist as he watched Zhou Xing's retreating figure.
Inside the Martial Arts School
Zhao Hu glanced around at the crowd, his gaze lingering briefly on Li Qing, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"Junior brothers, I just said I'd demonstrate the Tiger's Force for you. Please follow me."
Hearing this, the disciples became visibly excited and followed him.
"Let's go and take a look too!" Cheng Ran said.
Jiang Ning nodded.
At this moment, Zhao Hu's gaze inadvertently swept over Li Qing, noticing that she had fallen behind the crowd but was still following. His heart swelled with joy.
Being able to catch the attention of a beauty made him quite happy.
As a martial artist, with vigorous qi and blood, abundant energy, and at an age where he was drawn to beauty, it was only natural that he had some feelings for Li Qing.
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