Ten Thousand Sword Masters

"Xu Siming's grandson is named Xu Tianxiang. He is a disciple of the Chenshan Sect, a martial arts sect in the county. It is said that he is already attempting to break through to the Shihai Realm," Jiang Gulin said.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jianyun and Liu Fei exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of worry in each other's eyes.

Although Xu Siming was killed because he became the vessel of the Serpent Master, he ultimately died at the hands of Zhang Jianyun. If Xu Tianxiang were unreasonable and insisted on blaming Zhang Jianyun, there was nothing that could be done.

Zhang Jianyun gave a bitter smile to himself and stopped thinking about it.

When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it!

The constables stayed behind to clean up the mess, while Zhang Jianyun and the others left the clinic and returned home.

"Why are you so late coming back?"

Zhang Jianyun pushed open the door and entered. Cao Fen stopped weaving straw sandals and asked with some concern.

"I had some things to take care of, so I got back late," Zhang Jianyun said, walking straight to the table, picking up the teapot, pouring a bowl of water, and gulping it down.

"Dealing with the supernatural?"

Zhang Song slowed his movements as he wove straw sandals, and asked somewhat casually.

"We did encounter something strange, but it was mainly Pavilion Master Yang who took action; Liu Fei and I were just assisting," Zhang Jianyun said casually.

"You should learn from Pavilion Master Yang; he's a big shot. You haven't eaten yet, have you? There's some food left on the stove for you; go heat it up yourself," Cao Fen said.

"I've already eaten, you don't need to worry about me," Zhang Jianyun said, and walked towards his room.

"Chen Laosan from the White Tiger Gang told me that I don't need to pay the stall fee anymore. Is that because of you?" Zhang Song asked, frowning.

Zhang Jianyun stopped and thought for a moment before saying, "Once, Yang Gezhu and I visited the leader of the White Tiger Gang. During the meal, I inquired about the increase in stall fees. The leader was a generous man, and when he learned that my family had a stall on Phoenix Street, he ordered that my stall fees be waived."

"Xiaoyun, these people from martial arts sects live on the edge. Don't get too entangled with them. It's just a small stall fee; our family can afford it," Cao Fen said sternly.

"I know."

Zhang Jianyun grew impatient, walked directly into the room, closed the door behind him, lay down on the bed and rested for a while before getting up and taking out the Zhou Tian Xin Fa (a mental cultivation method) to study.

White Tiger Gang's headquarters.

"Boss, according to our informant, Snake Master was killed before Yang Changping arrived at Xu's Medical Clinic."

Chen Laosan stood respectfully in front of Tang Guanshan and recounted everything he knew that had happened at Xu's Medical Clinic.

"So you mean Zhang Jianyun and Liu Fei joined forces to kill Snake Master? I know Liu Fei, but I'm afraid he doesn't have that ability," Tang Guanshan said, squinting.

"Brother, it seems I was right to go see Zhang Jianyun first. I'm afraid the other two gangs will be eager to meet him after tonight," Wang Chaoyang said smugly, feeling that he had been prescient.

Tang Guanshan remained silent for a while after hearing this, and then said, "Zhang Jianyun is unwilling to have anything to do with our martial arts sects, but his parents may not necessarily refuse to cooperate with us."

Wang Chaoyang was taken aback by Tang Guanshan's words and cautiously asked, "What does elder brother mean?"

"Zhang Jianyun is a young man, so it's understandable that he has lofty ambitions. Even if we offer him huge benefits, he might not necessarily associate with us. But his parents are different. They are ordinary, honest people who don't like to have too much to do with us. However, if we offer them enough benefits, we will definitely be able to persuade them," Tang Guanshan said solemnly.

Wang Chaoyang was overjoyed upon hearing this: "As long as Zhang Jianyun's parents cooperate with us, Zhang Jianyun will have no say in the matter."

"I have a house on Phoenix Street, don't I? I'll give it to Zhang Jianyun's parents, and in addition, I'll give them 50 taels of silver every month," Tang Guanshan said decisively.

"Boss, you've really gone all out," Wang Chaoyang said with a smile. You see, that house on Phoenix Street was prepared by Tang Guanshan for his son, and he himself couldn't bear to move in.

"We have no choice but to invest heavily; the situation is unforgiving," Tang Guanshan sighed.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chaoyang's expression changed, and he became serious: "The Green Fang Gang has really grown bolder and bolder lately."

"I'd like to see how much trouble they can cause," Tang Guanshan said with a gloomy expression.

···

On the first day of the new year, Zhang Jianyun and Liu Fei began sparring in the training ground as soon as Zhang Jianyun arrived at Cangxi Pavilion.

Having gained five years of cultivation by consuming the Heart Crystal, Zhang Jianyun's strength suddenly increased significantly. Although his Falling Phoenix Fist technique was still quite rough, he was already able to fight Liu Fei to a standstill.

boom!

After exchanging several blows, Zhang Jianyun suddenly exerted force and knocked Liu Fei back with a punch.

"You little brat, you don't even know how to go easy on me."

Liu Fei, who was knocked back by a punch, complained, but in his heart he was happy that Zhang Jianyun's cultivation had increased.

"Your current cultivation level should be among the top in our group of armored warriors," Liu Fei praised.

Zhang Jianyun was also pleased to hear this, after all, he had only been in Cangxi Pavilion for a short time, and it was already quite an achievement that he was not ranked last.

"Can I go ask Elder Du for the manual of the Falling Phoenix Fist now? I think I can start learning the remaining moves now," Zhang Jianyun asked.

"Of course, you've already learned the four moves I can teach you pretty well. You'll have to learn the rest on your own," Liu Fei said.

"Alright, I'll go find Elder Du now." Zhang Jianyun said, and then walked towards the document room.

In the document room, Du Zhong was engrossed in reading a secret history of the martial arts world, so much so that he didn't notice Zhang Jianyun's arrival.

"Old Du?"

Zhang Jianyun quietly interrupted Du Zhong's reading.

"You're here? What's up?" Du Zhong looked up at Zhang Jianyun and asked casually.

"Elder Du, I'd like to take a look at the manual for the Falling Phoenix Fist," Zhang Jianyun said.

"It's right there. Take it yourself, and return it as soon as you're done reading," Du Zhong said, pointing to a bookshelf.

"I will return it as soon as possible." Zhang Jianyun said as he walked to the bookshelf, and after scanning the bookshelf, he saw the manual with the words "Falling Phoenix Fist" written on it.

"Master Du, I'll be going now." Picking up the manual, Zhang Jianyun happily took his leave.

As soon as they returned to the training ground, Liu Fei approached and said, "Wang Chaoyang from the White Tiger Gang just sent someone to say they want to invite you and me to dinner at Jiaxing Restaurant tonight. Do you have anything else to do?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jianyun raised an eyebrow. "Another dinner invitation?"

"Don't look so wary. Cangxi Town is so small. We'll have plenty of opportunities to interact. Even if we can't be friends, let's try not to become enemies. If you don't have anything else to do, let's have dinner together tonight," Liu Fei said casually.

Seeing that Zhang Jianyun didn't react, Liu Fei said seriously, "Jianyun, you don't trust Wang Chaoyang of the White Tiger Gang, do you not trust me either?"

"How could I not trust you? It's just a meal, I'll go." Zhang Jianyun said helplessly.

"Then it's settled." Liu Fei was overjoyed upon hearing this.