A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

Song Fang?

Upon hearing the name, Xu Zhan's face showed a hint of contemplation, as if he couldn't recall who it was for a moment.

Ding Yong, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and whispered a reminder: "Chief, do you remember that rascal who harassed the Fifth Madam a few days ago? That person is his sister."

Upon hearing Ding Yong's words, Xu Zhan finally understood.

But a moment later, his face turned cold.

"Who does she think she is, wanting to see me?" Xu Zhan's voice was laced with impatience. "Can't she see I'm entertaining distinguished guests?"

Upon hearing this, the doorman's expression immediately hardened, and he shrank back a few feet, but he did not retreat. Instead, he continued to stammer and speak.

"Reporting to the gang leader, there is another martial artist at the Bone Forging Realm beside Song Fang. They say he is... a core disciple of the Black Tiger Martial Arts Academy."

Xu Zhanju slowly lowered the wine glass that was in mid-air.

His eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of coldness seeping out from the gap.

"Interesting, they've found a powerful backer."

Xu Zhan sneered.

"Then bring these two up here. I want to see who they are."

Zhou Yuan, who was inside the attic, showed a slight change in expression upon seeing this scene.

He now knew roughly what had happened to the Song family. The Bone Forging Realm martial artist mentioned by the gatekeeper was presumably Zhang Hao, Song Fang's new fiancé.

However, Zhang Hao alone is probably far from enough.

Which of these Salt Gang leaders wasn't a master of the Bone Forging Realm? Judging from the undisguised chilling aura emanating from each of them, each of them had a lot of lives on their hands.

And the gang leader, Xu Zhan, is a ruthless character at the Yi Jin Jing level.

Which gang that rises in chaotic times hasn't built itself up over countless corpses?

Zhou Yuan picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and watched the situation unfold without any expression of joy or sorrow.

After a moment, the attic door was pushed open again.

The gatekeeper bowed and led two figures in. One was dressed in a light blue silk skirt, and the other in white. They were Zhang Hao and Song Fang.

After leading the two through the door, the doorman tactfully withdrew and gently closed the door behind him.

With the soft sound of the wooden door closing, the previously lively atmosphere in the attic instantly froze.

Everyone put down their chopsticks, and all eyes turned to the two people at the door.

Staring at him by so many menacing Bone Forging martial artists, even Zhang Hao stiffened. This was the first time he had ever dealt with so many important figures from the Salt Gang, one of the three major gangs in Luochuan.

Zhang Haoqiang straightened his posture to make himself look less awkward.

His gaze swept across the entire room, and when it finally landed on the young man in the main seat, a slight tremor ran through him.

That person's cultivation level seemed to be only at the Bone Forging stage, yet he was able to sit comfortably in the main seat, accompanied by Xu Zhan, the leader of the Salt Gang and a master of the Tendon Changing technique, and other hall masters.

Who exactly is this young man?

Zhang Hao's mind raced.

Song Fang, who was standing behind him, was a weak woman. Now that she was being stared at by so many ruthless men, her pretty face turned pale and she involuntarily shrank back, almost completely hiding behind Zhang Hao.

But out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a very familiar figure on the table.

Zhou Yuan!

The moment Song Fang saw the person clearly, her face was filled with shock.

She never expected that Zhou Yuan would be here too!

She'd been overwhelmed with family matters lately, and although she'd heard rumors that Zhou Yuan seemed to have accomplished something extraordinary, she hadn't paid much attention. What could a lowly errand boy from a muddy alley possibly be capable of?

But now, seeing the respectful attitude of the Salt Gang members towards him, Song Fang realized with a start that Zhou Yuan's status and position were already extraordinary.

After a brief silence, Zhang Hao took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed to the crowd with clasped hands.

"I am Zhang Hao, a core disciple of the Black Tiger Martial Arts School. I extend my greetings to Chief Xu and all the brothers!"

His voice was loud, as he tried to dispel his inner tension.

However, none of the Salt Gang leaders spoke. They simply crossed their arms, a mocking smile on their faces, and watched him and Song Fang behind them as if they were watching an amusing monkey show.

Xu Zhan, seated at the head of the table, seemed not to have heard him at all, and simply waved his hand lightly to the side.

The singers and dancers nearby immediately understood, and the music resumed. They swayed their waists and danced gracefully in the center of the hall, filling the entire pavilion with seductive music.

My greeting was completely ignored.

Zhang Hao's face turned pale and then red, and he stood there awkwardly, frozen in place.

Before he came, he had already thought that the trip would not go smoothly, but he did not expect that Xu Zhan would be so disrespectful and not even bother to say a word of politeness.

At this moment, Xu Zhan put on a completely different face, looking at Zhou Yuan with a big smile.

"Master Zhou, I've only admired your reputation before, but we've never gotten to know each other well. Since I didn't know what you liked, I've arranged a few things myself. I wonder if Master Zhou is satisfied?"

"The Ice Crystal Grass delivered during the day, plus tonight's banquet, has certainly been too much for Chief Xu," Zhou Yuan said with a faint smile, putting down his teacup.

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter! As long as Master Zhou is satisfied, that's all that matters!" Xu Zhan quickly waved his hand.

Zhou Yuan?

Zhang Hao, who had been left standing to the side, was struck dumb upon hearing this name. He looked at the young man in the main seat in shock.

He was actually Zhou Yuan!

That rising star from Luochuan who defeated two powerful practitioners of the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing) technique while only at the Bone Forging Realm!

This was the first time he had met Zhou Yuan in person, but he never expected it to be in such a setting.

The infamous Salt Gang leader, Xu Zhan, a powerful expert at the Yi Jin realm, actually had to personally offer wine and smile obsequiously at this man. This was enough to demonstrate just how terrifying Zhou Yuan's power and influence had reached in Luochuan County.

Zhang Hao's expression instantly became one of surprise and uncertainty.

With Xu Zhan leading the way, a group of Salt Gang leaders stood up and took turns toasting Zhou Yuan, their flattery never ceasing.

Inside the attic, wine glasses clinked and the atmosphere was lively.

Zhang Hao and Song Fang, left standing to the side, looked like two beggars who had stumbled into a grand feast, completely out of place in this luxurious setting.

After a round of toasts, Xu Zhan seemed to finally remember them, and turned his head listlessly to look at Zhang Hao.

"Tell me, who are you?"

Hearing Xu Zhan finally speak, Zhang Hao suppressed his humiliation and forced himself to say, "I am Zhang Hao, a core disciple of the Black Tiger Martial Arts School. I heard that Song Tao offended the gang leader, so I came to apologize on his behalf. I hope the gang leader will spare Song Tao for the sake of my master."

After Zhang Hao finished speaking, he looked at Xu Zhan nervously.

As a result, Xu Zhan laughed out loud as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Your face? What face do you have?"

"I'll call your master here, I'll give him face, let's see if he dares to accept it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a terrifying aura belonging to a master of the Yi Jin Jing erupted from Xu Zhan's body, crushing towards Zhang Hao without any concealment!

Zhang Hao felt a tremendous force strike him, his legs went weak, and he almost knelt on the ground. His face turned ashen instantly.

He was filled with regret; coming to the Salt Gang today had indeed been too hasty!

"You, a mere Bone Forging expert, dare to challenge my Salt Gang's authority? Even if your entire Black Tiger Martial Arts School came, what would my Salt Gang fear!"

Upon hearing their leader speak, the surrounding hall masters immediately suppressed their smiles, stood up one by one, and stared at Zhang Hao with ferocious expressions on their faces.

Zhou Yuan looked at the scene before him without saying anything, but simply picked up another cup of tea and drank it by himself.

Song Fang had never seen such a scene before. She was so frightened that she trembled all over and clung tightly to Zhang Hao's sleeve.

Zhang Hao's face was a mixture of shock and anger.

He stood up for his woman and resolved the matter, but the other party not only showed no respect but also publicly humiliated him.

What he found even more unbearable was that all of this was happening in front of his woman's rising "former fiancé"!

This utter humiliation ignited a nameless rage within him.

He glanced at Song Fang, who was trembling behind him, and then at Zhou Yuan, who was leisurely sipping tea. His last shred of reason was about to be swallowed up by his anger.

"What? You want to fight?"

Xu Zhan took in Zhang Hao's changing expression and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Don't you even know where you are? Learning martial arts isn't easy. I advise you to think carefully. How many of those who dared to lay a hand on my Salt Gang are still alive?"

The many hall masters around him were all fixed on Zhang Hao with murderous intent.

Learning martial arts is not easy...

Yes, learning martial arts is not easy.

Zhang Hao muttered to himself, and the surge of hot blood was instantly extinguished by a bucket of ice water.

Once he makes a move, he may not be able to leave this place today.

"Get out of here, and I'll pretend nothing happened." Xu Zhan spoke again, as if he had anticipated Zhang Hao's reaction.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hao's face showed even greater humiliation.

But after that surge of courage faded, all that remained in his heart was a chilling fear.

He grabbed Song Fang's hand and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Xu Zhan's cold voice came from behind him.

Zhang Hao paused in his steps.

"You can leave."

Xu Zhan's finger pointed towards Song Fang.

"Keep this woman here. The Song family needs an explanation."

Upon hearing this, Song Fang was struck dumb. She looked at Zhang Hao in a panic, shaking her head vigorously, her face filled with fear.

A fierce struggle flashed across Zhang Hao's face.

On one side is his fiancée, and on the other is his life and future.

The next moment, he exerted force and yanked Song Fang's hand off him.

He then turned and left quickly towards the attic door without looking back, not even daring to glance at Song Fang again.

......