Canglang Martial Arts School
The front courtyard was now filled with numerous disciples, including the five true disciples who had a master-disciple relationship with Wang Jin.
In the Great Xia Empire, the bond between a master and a disciple was no less significant than that between father and son.
As the saying goes, "A teacher for a day is a father for life."
Today was a grand occasion for the Canglang Martial Arts School.
The tiger that Wang Jin had captured from the mountains and kept caged for several days was about to be released.
This was an opportunity for all disciples to witness their senior brothers battling the tiger up close and to observe the might of the king of beasts.
The Tiger Fist, one of the Five Animals Fist techniques, was inspired by the tiger. Therefore, observing a tiger's movements and ferocity up close was a rare opportunity for anyone practicing the Tiger Fist.
If one could seize this opportunity and gain some insight into the tiger's spirit and form, their fist techniques could achieve a breakthrough.
Mastering any one of the Five Animals Fist techniques would allow a disciple to become Wang Jin's true disciple.
For many disciples who had joined the martial arts school, becoming Wang Jin's disciple was a chance to change their fate.
If their fist techniques could advance further, reaching perfection and mastering the explosive Tiger's Force, their combat power would undergo a qualitative transformation, greatly aiding their journey to becoming a ranked martial artist.
Even among ninth-rank martial artists in the martial arts-thriving Great Xia Empire, only half could master a lower-grade martial art to perfection.
In a society where martial prowess was essential for maintaining wealth and status, ordinary wealthy families held little standing in the face of a ninth-rank martial artist.
By becoming Wang Jin's disciple, they would have a guaranteed chance of achieving the rank of a martial artist.
Even for wealthy families, this would bring a significant change in status.
If they could advance further and become eighth-rank martial artists, they would be notable figures in Luoshui County.
Ordinary wealthy families would pale in comparison to the status of an eighth-rank martial artist.
This was why, despite the Canglang Martial Arts School being relatively new and charging high fees, many from wealthy and influential families still came to study here.
However, most couldn't endure the hardships of martial training.
Even now, from time to time, some outer disciples would drop out, unable to bear the rigors of training.
Fewer than half of those who joined the school could last six months, let alone meet Wang Jin's requirement of mastering any one of the fist techniques to the major mastery level.
Front Courtyard of the Martial Arts School
Liu Zhixiang, with his goatee, entered the school gate with a servant in tow.
He had just received Wang Jin's permission to enter the school.
As he stepped through the gate, his gaze swept across the courtyard, instantly locking eyes with Zhou Xing.
"Nephew Zhou, it's been a while!"
Liu Zhixiang's lips moved slightly, and as his eyes met Zhou Xing's, a friendly smile spread across his face.
Although his voice wasn't loud, Zhou Xing was no ordinary person.
As the nominal senior brother of the Canglang Martial Arts School, he had already achieved the rank of a martial artist, with minor mastery in skin refinement and skin as tough as stone.
Moreover, he had mastered four of the Five Animals Fist techniques, with the Tiger Fist reaching perfection and mastering the Tiger's Force.
Such a person was a standout among the younger generation in Luoshui County.
With his exceptional martial prowess and heightened senses, Zhou Xing naturally heard Liu Zhixiang's words.
Hearing this, the smile on Zhou Xing's face instantly faded.
"Such arrogance. It seems the rumors aren't baseless. The Sihe Trading Company's business must indeed be tied to the Liu family of the three great families."
Suppressing the rising emotions in his heart, Zhou Xing patted Xiao Peng on the shoulder, offering a few words of encouragement before preparing to head to the backyard to pay his respects to Wang Jin.
Zhou Xing knew that for the Zhou family to rise, they needed Wang Jin's support.
Wang Jin was his master, a relationship as close as that between father and son.
Behind Wang Jin was the influential figure of Wang Dutou, the garrison commander of Luoshui County.
This was why, despite having better options, Zhou Xing had chosen to join the Canglang Martial Arts School.
Secondly, he also knew that he had to rely on himself.
The Inspection Bureau, in his eyes, was an opportunity a chance to stir the winds of change and potentially alter the current situation in Luoshui County.
While martial prowess was important, influence and authority were even more crucial.
By joining the Inspection Bureau, he could leverage its influence and wield its authority.
As the saying goes, "The common people don't fight with officials." No matter how prosperous the Zhou family was, they were still commoners.
Only by aligning with the Great Xia Empire, this towering tree, could they gain real power.
It was precisely this line of thinking that led Zhou Xing to invest in and recruit talent from those around him, aiming to achieve great things within the Inspection Bureau.
Only then could the Zhou family have a chance to rise again under his leadership, becoming a family on par with the three great families of Luoshui County or even the sole Zhou family in the county.
With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Zhou Xing walked steadily toward the backyard of the martial arts school.
He knew that he wasn't yet in a position to openly confront Liu Zhixiang, as Liu represented the Sihe Trading Company and possibly the interests of the Liu family, one of the three great families.
On the Other Side
Liu Zhixiang, stroking his goatee, watched Zhou Xing's retreating figure with a sense of regret, which soon turned into wariness. His gaze toward Zhou Xing became sharp.
"I underestimated this young man! Despite my blatant provocation, he remained unfazed. He won't be easy to deal with!"
Thinking this, he recalled the information he had about Zhou Xing.
Zhou Xing was known as the prodigy of the Zhou family.
With exceptional martial talent, at just twenty-one years old, he had achieved the rank of a ninth-rank martial artist and minor mastery in skin refinement.
His talent in fist techniques was remarkable, having reached perfection and mastered the Tiger's Force.
Liu Zhixiang felt a pang of regret.
"I shouldn't have offended Zhou Xing too deeply. I need to find a way to mend relations."
"But the task assigned by my superiors must still be carried out."
"The Inspection Bureau is crucial to the future of the Great Xia Empire. It's a heavy bet placed by the Emperor and the Martial Sage to stabilize the empire."
"Once the Inspection Bureau is established, it will undoubtedly stir up the world. We must pay close attention to those who qualify to join it."
"As the saying goes, 'Heroes are made by the times.' We must befriend such talents."
"Offering help in times of need is the way to earn their gratitude."
"This is the essence of business."
As these thoughts ran through Liu Zhixiang's mind, his eyes quickly scanned the front courtyard of the martial arts school.
Before coming, the president of the Sihe Trading Company had given him a dossier on the Canglang Martial Arts School, listing the disciples who had a chance to join the Inspection Bureau.
His task was to personally approach and invest in those on the list, offering help when they needed it most.
With their current strength, a small investment could earn their gratitude and build relationships.
If any of them rose to become influential figures in Luoshui County in the future, that gratitude would be worth its weight in gold.
This was the business philosophy of the Sihe Trading Company.
To thrive in business, one needed the backing of powerful figures and martial arts experts. Otherwise, how could one compete in a world full of wolves that devoured without spitting out bones?
The dangers were no less than the clash of swords on the battlefield.
It was a peril that killed without leaving a trace!
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