Why did you provoke that old man? He's a reincarnation of a deity!

After Xiao Nian left, Zhang Yong held the whisk to his chest and voiced his question:

"Elder Zeng, this is the culmination of the old master's life's work! Countless people outside would beg for a glimpse of it."

"Grandpa!" Zeng Zixuan had appeared outside the door at some point, and she angrily grabbed Zeng Yuanqiao's sleeve.

"Grandpa! Even my uncles couldn't fully see Grandfather's martial arts techniques, how could you give them to outsiders?!"

Zeng Yuanqiao waved his hand calmly, "Father agreed."

"What?" Zeng Zixuan covered her mouth and exclaimed.

Zeng Yuanqiao patted her hand affectionately:

"Zixuan, you're too hasty. Your grandfather sent a letter yesterday, saying that he had a premonition: this person is no ordinary man. If the Zeng family's martial arts techniques can catch his eye, it will be a blessing for the Zeng family. If he's willing to offer some guidance, it will be an even greater fortune for the Zeng family. If he weren't in seclusion, he would definitely come to meet this master."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yong was completely stunned, and couldn't help but think to himself: Seclusion? Is the rumor true?

Zeng Gunfa, the old man who quelled the church rebellion, wiped out bandits, and fought off the Taiping rebels, and was revered as a "half-saint" by scholars all over the world, personally wrote down these three martial arts manuals after retiring in his later years. He regarded them as the foundation of the Zeng family and never passed them on to outsiders.

After reading the message sent back by Zeng Yuanqiao yesterday, he wrote a letter overnight, personally promising to give his life's work to an old man he had never met.

Given his seclusion, could this martial arts master be practicing Taoism? Legend has it that Zhuge Liang could predict the future by observing celestial phenomena at night. Is Old Master Zeng practicing the Qimen Dunjia astrology of the Zhuge family? Is he attempting to use Taoism to break through barriers?

"The old man has never even met this gentleman."

Zeng Yuanqiao smiled slightly: "My father said that someone who can see the cause of my poisoning at a glance and also reveal the secrets of the spiritual source of the Taihang Mountains is someone worth passing on all his knowledge to."

Could a single letter really motivate Zeng Gunfa to dedicate his entire life's work? Zhang Yong simply couldn't believe it, and as for the specific reasons, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

All he wants to do now is to hurry back to Longhu Mountain and tell Zhang Tianshi everything that has happened in the last two days.

Zhang Yong said with a profound look in his eyes, "Mr. Zeng, I have a feeling that the appearance of this Mr. Meng will change many things."

"What is it?"

"At least..." Zhang Yong deliberately paused, "the fire poison in your body can be cured, can't it?"

Zeng Yuanqiao's lips twitched slightly as he forced a smile and said, "That's right, that's right."

In truth, he didn't know why his father had so hastily given the books to this old man. He had thought Zhang Yong knew something, but this Taoist priest was just keeping him in suspense.

Zhang Yong flicked his whisk and strode out, saying, "I must return to Longhu Mountain immediately to report this to my master. If the Celestial Master knew that such a person existed in the world, he would be quite uneasy."

Zeng Yuanqiao did not stop him, but simply smiled and nodded.

……

Xiao Nian returned to Mizhou City in the evening. Xiao Fei saw him off at the city gate and then went back.

He swaggered into Mizhou City, and his large stature drew the attention of everyone in the city.

After Li Mingmei returned and learned of Meng Chenhai's fierceness, the Li family quickly handed over five hundred taels to Meng Delin.

Zhou's hands trembled in disbelief. How could that old man suddenly change so much and start sending money home?

The Li family prepared a large courtyard house for Xiao Nian and even assigned him several young maids, but Xiao Nian naturally refused. The large courtyard house was for Xiao Nian alone, and the others were only responsible for his daily life.

On the first day of the ninth lunar month, instructors from the Chu Nan Heng Yue Military Academy reported for duty, marking the start of the new semester for the students.

The Mizhou City Martial Arts Academy is located on Henglai Mountain, at the junction of four provinces. It occupies most of the hillside, with a three-mile-long blue brick wall surrounding it. Inside, there are training grounds, archery ranges, horse riding arenas, and magic training rooms.

Xiao Nian and Li Mingmei went to the Chu Nan Heng Yue Martial Arts Academy together. Meng Xiaoshan sat behind Xiao Nian.

Meng Xiaoshan went along because of Xiao Nian's confidence; being a mere instructor at the Martial Arts Academy was nothing to him.

As he rode the black cloud through the crowd, few people noticed him, only the dashing Li Mingmei behind him.

A hunched, white-haired old man rode a black horse; he looked every bit like an old servant of some wealthy family.

Meng Xiaoshan would always secretly look back at the willful Li Mingmei, and couldn't help but blush.

It took them half a day to reach the Chu Nan Heng Yue Martial Arts Academy.

Xiao Nian tied Hei Yun to the horse post by the door and patted the horse's neck: "Wait."

Black Cloud snorted and stood still obediently.

Xiao Nian walked inside, leaning on his cane. He had specially found the cane so that people would think he was still an old man who couldn't walk.

As soon as I entered the gate, I heard a familiar voice coming from behind me.

"Hey! Isn't this Old Man Meng?"

Xiao didn't even think about it, and kept walking.

The man quickly caught up and blocked his way. He was a robust man in his thirties, wearing a black instructor's uniform from the martial arts academy, with a bronze badge pinned to his chest—the mark of a martial arts master who had opened his meridians.

His name is Zhao Dapeng. He is a martial arts instructor at the Martial Arts Academy and a student that Meng Chenhai cheated out of ten years ago.

He harbored a grudge and, ever since becoming an instructor, made things difficult for Meng Chenhai at every turn.

It is said that among those who beat Meng Chenhai half to death that night were his current students.

"Old Meng, I heard you applied for a re-employment? And you want to be a martial arts instructor? You know what? You laughed at me all night yesterday!" Zhao Dapeng looked Xiao Nian up and down, a mocking smile on his lips.

"Move aside." Xiao Nian looked up at him.

Zhao Dapeng was stunned. This old man usually avoided him like the plague, but today he actually dared to ask him to move aside?

He moved half a step to the side, but didn't stop talking:

"Old man, becoming a martial arts instructor isn't something any random dog can do. I don't know what you said to the Li family in Mizhou, but they actually used Mizhou's only quota to recommend you."

"So you're not just any dog? You're a special dog?"

Xiao Nian ignored him and walked right past him.

"You dare to insult me? You're asking for it." Zhao Dapeng's aura instantly intensified.

"You'd better think this through. This is a military academy. Do you really want to make a move here?"

"Hmph, don't let me see you outside, or you're dead!"

"A good dog doesn't block the way."

Li Mingmei ran in from outside the gate, dressed in a neat purple outfit, carrying a bow in her hand.

She saw Xiao Nian and said, "Old Meng, I found out the exam questions."

Since that incident at the hunting grounds, Li Mingmei's opinion of the white-haired old man in front of her had changed considerably. She believed that someone who could easily defeat a martial arts master could easily become an instructor.

Xiao Nian nodded: "Mm." He didn't care at all; this kind of exam was as simple as eating and drinking.

Seeing his nonchalant expression, Li Mingmei stomped her feet in frustration.

After all, there's a big difference between real combat and teaching. Besides, he was recommended by his father; if he's too bad, it would be a disgrace to the Li family.

"Old Meng, listen to me carefully. The martial arts instructor assessment is very strict! It tests martial arts cultivation, teaching ability, and combat skills—you have to pass all three! No matter how good you are at fighting, you won't pass the teaching ability test. You need to explain the principles of boxing and the mental techniques. You used to teach literature and history; how would you know any of that?"

Zhao Dapeng stopped in his tracks and burst into laughter like never before:

"You think he can fight? Don't make me laugh." Zhao Dapeng couldn't stop laughing.

"Is it funny?" Xiao Nian glanced coldly at Zhao Dapeng.

"During the assessment later, if you really can't do it, just admit defeat. Anyway, you're old, and no one will really take you seriously. At your age, you don't even need to be a gatekeeper."