A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

In the shadows at the alley entrance, the one-eyed man froze instantly.

Chen's Forging Shop, Chen Shaoshang!

How did he end up here?

"Young Master Chen... Young Master Chen..."

The one-eyed man's voice trembled, all traces of his previous arrogance gone.

In a place like Wuni Lane, it's rare to even see a wealthy family on a normal day, let alone a direct descendant of a powerful clan like the Chen family in the inner city.

Chen Shaoshang ignored them, only smiling at Zhou Yuan: "What's wrong, Junior Brother Zhou? Aren't you welcome?"

Zhou Yuan's tense body relaxed, and he quietly unhooked the wood-chopping knife hidden inside his clothes, then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Fifth Senior Brother is too kind. I was just afraid of interfering with your important business, so I didn't dare to invite you. If you don't mind, please come in and have a cup of tea."

"it is good."

Chen Shaoshang smiled and nodded, put away his folding fan, and walked towards Zhou Yuan.

The five men from the Jinshi Gang were terrified when they saw this and hurriedly made way for them.

Chen Shaoshang walked past them without even glancing at them.

But the gazes of the dozen or so black-clad guards behind him were like knives, scraping across them.

After Chen Shaoshang and Zhou Yuan entered the courtyard, the one-eyed man's legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" He lowered his voice and hurriedly led his men into the darkness of the alley.

The guards behind Chen Shaoshang did not follow him into the courtyard, but stood like iron towers on both sides of the dilapidated wooden door.

In the alley, some neighbors who had been disturbed by the commotion were peeking out through the cracks in their doors.

When they saw the imposing group of black-clad guards and the several carriages parked at the alley entrance, they all gasped in shock.

When did this young man from the Zhou family get on the good side of such a person?

Inside the house, Zhou Ting heard the noise and limped out of the inner room.

She was clearly taken aback when she saw the young man in brocade robes following behind her brother.

"Sister, this is my fifth senior brother at the martial arts school, Chen Shaoshang," Zhou Yuan introduced.

"Young Master Chen."

Although Zhou Ting was dressed simply, she did not show any signs of being petty or uncouth. She simply bowed slightly and gave a polite greeting, showing proper manners and neither being servile nor arrogant.

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Shaoshang's eyes.

The woman's speech and demeanor carried a composure that seemed completely out of place in this dilapidated environment, unlike that of a woman from an ordinary poor family.

"Miss Zhou, there's no need for such formalities," Chen Shaoshang returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Their home was bare and they were indeed poor.

After a brief chat, Chen Shaoshang took his leave.

"I have another batch of weapons to deliver to the patrol battalion, so I won't bother you any longer."

Zhou Yuan escorted him to the door.

"Junior Brother Zhou," Chen Shaoshang stopped in his tracks, seemingly wanting to ask something, "those people just now..."

"It's just a small problem, I can handle it myself," Zhou Yuan calmly interrupted him.

Looking at the boy's determined profile, Chen Shaoshang swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

He came to the mud alley because he noticed something was wrong and was worried that Zhou Yuan might be in trouble, so he thought he would come and check.

He then smiled, asked no more questions, patted Zhou Yuan on the shoulder, and left with his men.

The carriage rumbled and drove away from the muddy alley.

One of the guards couldn't help but speak up: "Young Master, why do you value Zhou Yuan so much? He has mediocre talent, and after so long in the sect, he hasn't even touched the threshold of skin refining. His background is also..."

"When I make friends, I don't consider talent or background," Chen Shaoshang said, fanning himself with a folding fan and gazing at the surrounding night.

"Just follow your heart and let your thoughts flow freely."

......

Meanwhile, in a private room at the Zui Chun Feng Restaurant.

Gao Qiang held a glamorous woman in his arms, listening to the one-eyed man's embellished report, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"Chen's Forging Shop?"

He slammed his glass down on the table, splashing wine everywhere.

He couldn't afford to offend this power.

"Boss, that kid must have had some incredible luck to get involved with Chen Shaoshang. Should we... still make a move?" One-Eyed Dragon asked cautiously.

"Shut up!" Gao Qiang kicked him.

"Investigate! Find out exactly what the relationship is between that kid and Chen Shaoshang! Until that's cleared up, no one is allowed to touch the Zhou siblings!"

A sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

"Send two more clever ones to keep a close eye on the Zhou family."

The next morning, Zhou Yuan, as usual, went to Qingyang Martial Arts School early.

He paused almost imperceptibly not far from the alley entrance.

Behind them, two furtive figures lingered a hundred paces away.

A spy for the Jinshi Gang.

They were still unwilling to give up. Chen Shaoshang's reputation could intimidate them for a time, but not forever.

Time is running out.

Zhou Yuan quickened his pace.

Upon arriving at the martial arts school, he did not slack off at all and immediately threw himself into the tedious training.

A few hours later, the courtyard suddenly became lively. The owner, Zhu Xiaowen, led several people in, his face beaming.

The two men in the lead were a burly man with prominent temples and a fierce aura; he was the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of the Fuwei镖局 (escort agency) in the outer city.

The other was a middle-aged man with a goatee, dressed in silk, shrewd and capable, who was the manager of Jishi Pharmacy.

They all came for Wang Tengfei.

"Brother Wang, if you're willing to join my Fuwei Escort Agency, you'll receive a monthly salary of ten taels of silver, plus a bottle of Body Tempering Pills!"

"What's a mere Body Tempering Pill? Brother Wang, come to my Jishi Pharmacy, and I guarantee you'll have plenty of pills!"

Zhu Xiaowen watched this scene with a smile.

The so-called "affiliation" refers to a disciple choosing to attach themselves to a force after breaking through to the Skin Refining Realm.

They enjoy the resources offered by the faction on ordinary days, but are required to fight for the faction in critical moments.

Wang Tengfei's talent attracted competition from various forces.

For the next two months, Qingyang Martial Arts School was packed with visitors.

Shopkeepers, gang leaders, and wealthy stewards came and went in an endless stream, all vying to recruit Wang Tengfei.

The disciples around him were green with envy; this was the treatment a genius received.

A month later, the matter was settled.

Wang Tengfei was eventually recruited by the Jiang family with an astonishing offer of thirty taels of silver per month, plus five bottles of Body Tempering Pills.

It is said that it was the second senior sister, Jiang Qian, who personally intervened in the negotiations.

In the past two months, the martial arts school has lost several batches of students who failed to make a breakthrough.

Before he knew it, Zhou Yuan had been at the martial arts school for almost two months.

He went from being a newcomer to being known as "Senior Brother Zhou" by others.

"Senior Brother Zhou is indeed diligent, but his talent is really lacking."

"I heard he has below-average physical attributes, and it's been two months with no progress. I think he'll be kicked out of the martial arts school before the end of the month."

Several new disciples were whispering among themselves.

Zhou Yuan paid no heed to these discussions; his mind was already immersed in his own world.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and a thought flashed through his mind.

A virtual panel appeared before my eyes.

[Exercise: Six Harmonies Stance Exercise (Beginner Level)]

[Progress: 299/300]

Martial Arts Skill: Mountain-Shaking Fist (First Level) (Not Yet Mastered)

[Progress: 299/300]

The breakthrough will happen today.

......