Half-human, half-ghost, the number one divine fist

After Mr. Mo finished speaking, he held his breath and waited.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Zheng Tingyuan's voice rang out again, carrying a hint of helpless laughter, as well as a touch of a grandmaster's pride.

"Feihong, you've really given me a tough problem. Normally, those so-called 'Liuhequan' circulating outside the Liuhequan sect are mostly incomplete or distorted wild styles. Without authentic lineage and without a master's long-term, hands-on instruction, relying solely on self-study or the meager inheritance from one's parents, no matter how diligently one practices, one will ultimately find it difficult to grasp the essence and achieve limited success."

"Giving advice on such 'unorthodox' methods is often counterproductive and not very meaningful."

Old Mo's heart sank slightly.

But Zheng Tingyuan quickly changed the subject: "However, since it was you, Mo Feihong, who personally spoke up, I can understand your sentiment and the sentiment behind it, as you want to repay your savior. Well then, we have a deep friendship, and I can't refuse you this favor."

Upon hearing this, Old Mo was overjoyed: "Brother Zheng! You've agreed?"

Zheng Tingyuan's voice remained steady:

"Don't thank me yet. I can only promise to meet your young friend when I have time, to work with him and assess his background and approach. At that time, I might be able to point out a few practical paths based on his situation and correct some possible fundamental errors. But most of it will depend on his understanding and destiny; I can't guarantee how much he will comprehend. Please choose a safe date and place, something quiet and not for publicity."

"That's enough! Brother Zheng, that's more than enough!"

Old Mo said repeatedly, a huge weight lifted from his heart, "My dear elder brother, it's such a great opportunity that you were able to meet him in person and offer your guidance! I'll make the arrangements right away, set a time and place as soon as possible, and then let you know! Thank you so much!"

After hanging up the phone, Old Mo let out a long sigh of relief, a smile of relief and anticipation spreading across his face.

Although his request was somewhat abrupt, after all, he was a master of internal strength, a direct descendant of the Six Harmonies Fist Sect, and the most promising master of the Six Harmonies Fist in the last hundred years. It was indeed inappropriate to have such a great figure instruct a junior in the Stone Skin Realm.

Even other people would feel dissatisfied.

But after much thought, Mo Feihong realized that only in this way could he express his gratitude to Lin Fusheng for saving his life.

This is an incredible opportunity.

This old man had built up a bond with Zheng Tingyuan over half a lifetime, and now he was using it all on this kid, Lin Fusheng.

Hopefully, Lin Fusheng can learn some of the essentials; then all his hard work will have been worthwhile.

It's important to know that receiving guidance from a master who has reached the "half-step ascension" level, even just a sentence or two, is something many people wouldn't even dare to dream of.

......

Inside a neat three-story building in Songjiang City.

In a room on the second floor, Lin Ruoyin was vigorously scrubbing a dark-colored police officer's uniform.

Her knuckles were white from the force she exerted, her movements were mechanical, her eyes were swollen and red, and there were still tear stains on her cheeks.

crunch.

Her husband, Qi Yue, pushed open the door and walked in.

Qi Yue was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old. He had a dignified appearance and the composure of a public servant, but his brows also revealed the weariness caused by the heavy pressure of life.

Looking at his wife's haggard appearance, his heart ached. He gently placed his hand on her trembling shoulder and whispered words of comfort:

"Ruoyin, don't cry. Today... we'll go to Jinrong Casino and tidy up Fusheng's belongings. Then, we'll go to the Tongxin Society's 'Soul Shrine' and ask someone to put up a small plaque for Fusheng, right next to his father, so that the two of them... can have each other's company."

Lin Ruoyin stopped what she was doing, lowered her head, and after a long while, she let out a very soft "hmm," with a heavy nasal tone.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly raised her head, looking at Qi Yue with red and swollen eyes, her voice hoarse but filled with a glimmer of hope: "Brother Yue, do you think Fu Sheng... could it be that he's not actually dead? Maybe he was just seriously injured and someone rescued him..."

Qi Yue looked at the light in her eyes and felt a pang of pain in his heart. He opened his mouth, but didn't know how to answer.

He could only silently avoid his wife's gaze and gently pat her back.

The light in Lin Ruoyin's eyes quickly dimmed, turning into a bitter sigh.

She shook her head, as if talking to herself: "Yes, how could that be? In that kind of scene, so many experts more powerful than him died, how could he possibly have survived..."

As she spoke, Lin Ruoyin wiped away the tears that welled up in her eyes again: "Some people say that he originally had a chance to escape on his own, but why was this child so 'foolish'? Why did he have to go and send a message..."

Towards the end, she choked up and could no longer speak.

At the same time, another thought made Lin Ruoyin even more heartbroken.

If Father Lin Shouting had gone to beg the foreigners back then, could he have pulled Fusheng out of this mess?

If I had pleaded more with my father and third brother back then, Fusheng might have survived.

It's all her fault.

The two remained silent for a while before Lin Ruoyin mustered her strength to get up and tidy up.

Qi Yue walked to the chest of drawers, opened the drawer, and counted out twenty silver dollars from a handkerchief bundle.

He weighed the options in his hand and sighed, "This time, things might not be easy for them to talk to. Even if it's just packing up my belongings, I still need to make some preparations."

Lin Ruoyin looked at the twenty silver dollars and knew that this was almost all the family's savings left. Her heart ached again, and she nodded silently.

The two dressed neatly, locked the door, and left home with heavy hearts.

........

At the same time, at the Jinrong Casino.

The gambling den was still bustling, but the entrance was deserted.

Xiao Tian sat listlessly on the stone stool by the threshold, staring blankly at the street that had been trampled into a mess.

The bruises from the slaps he had received earlier were still faintly visible on his face, but what was deeper was a sense of despondency and despair emanating from within.

"Is Chief Lin really... not coming back?"

The thought kept echoing in Xiao Tian's mind.

Inside the gambling den, several thugs on the early shift were gathered in a corner, wiping the tables and chairs while glancing at Xiao Tian outside the door and whispering amongst themselves.

"See that? That silly kid is still mourning his 'Foreman Lin' over there," a man with triangular eyes sneered.

Another short, stout man chimed in, "That's right. They knew Lin Fusheng was someone the higher-ups specifically wanted to get rid of, yet they still went along with it."

"I heard Lin Fusheng saved his life before? Heh, so what? When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out."

The short, fat man lowered his voice, his tone sinister: "Hmph, I remember this kid used to boss people around a lot because of Lin Fusheng. Last time, Lin Fusheng's aunt wanted to see him, and I didn't take her. This little Tian actually dared to scold me! Just wait, once Chen has secured his position, I'll see how I slowly 'repay' him!"

The group exchanged knowing glances and let out low, unsettling laughter.

Beep beep beep!!

Just then, a black Ford sedan slowly drove up and came to a steady stop under the casino sign.

The car door opened, and Rong Chongming and Chen Cang got out.

Xiao Tian quickly stood up and greeted them.

The thugs who were closer to the door immediately straightened their backs and put on respectful, even obsequious smiles as they bowed and greeted the two men.

Rong Chongming's expression remained calm, as if he were pondering other matters. Without pausing, he walked straight into the gambling den. Chen Cang, on the other hand, slightly puffed out his chest, nodded to a few thugs who greeted him, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, and then quickly followed.

The two walked through the front hall, which was filled with the smell of overnight tobacco and alcohol.

Manager Song Laogen, who was sitting at the counter with a cigarette in his mouth, quickly put down his work and forced a smile as he greeted him: "Uncle Rong, you've arrived."

He then turned to Chen Cang, his smile becoming even warmer: "Brother Chen Cang, you've come too. You've worked hard."

This time, Rong Chongming glanced at Song Laogen, nodded, and didn't say anything more.

Chen Cang greeted him politely, "Good morning, Steward Song."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Rong Chongming led Chen Cang through the side door of the front hall, familiar with the way, and headed towards the living and working area in the back courtyard.

Watching the two figures disappear, Song Laogen's smile slowly faded, and he sighed inwardly.

He picked up a rag and continued wiping the countertop half-heartedly, but sighed inwardly.

"Ugh."

"That kid Lin Fusheng, in the end, couldn't hold on."

"You can't blame him, he was forced into it. This is a cannibalistic world."

The backyard was much quieter than the front yard.

Rong Chongming led Chen Cang to the room that originally belonged to Lin Fusheng but was now empty. Instead of going in immediately, they stood in the courtyard and looked around the somewhat desolate courtyard.

"Liu the Black Hand will be here in a little while."

Rong Chongming's voice was slightly calm, "The matter is already very clear. Lin Fusheng was killed by Hu Tiannan's scheme. First, they sent him to carry out that impossible 'cover the rear' mission, trying to use Jin Yulou as a tool. This is the first time."

"Unexpectedly, Lin Fu was tough and actually brought Liu Heishou back. But when they got there, Wang Benliu and his men refused to help and may even have secretly sabotaged him. This is the second time this has happened."

Chen Cang listened attentively, his heart stirred slightly.

He knew that Rong Chongming was planning to use this incident to get rid of Hua Wendong and then send a skilled iron-willed man from Anrentang.

Then my days at the Jinrong Casino will be much more comfortable in the future.

Rong Chongming's voice rang out again: "'Assigning missions that are certain to result in death' and 'refusing to help those in distress'—these two clauses alone are enough to make Hu Tiannan and his Huai Rentang bleed a good sum. Hua Wendong's current position as the leader must be vacated, and our people must be arranged to take over."

Chen Cang nodded and whispered, "Uncle Rong is brilliant! Lin Fusheng... his death was somewhat worthwhile."

Clearly, Chen Cang did not take Lin Fusheng seriously.

Even in his tone, there was little regret about Lin Fusheng's passing.

They made no attempt to hide it.

Rong Chongming didn't respond to his question about 'value', but just glanced at him indifferently and said instead, "Before Liu Heishou arrives, I'll show you around the Jinrong area again."

As he spoke, he began to walk slowly with Chen Cang through the backyard and the adjacent side rooms and alleys, occasionally giving him a few whispered instructions.

Chen Cang followed closely behind, his expression focused, occasionally asking questions, looking every bit like a newly appointed foreman familiarizing himself with his territory.

This time, they've adopted a much higher stance than before.