By the time Bai Qi and Old Liang walked out of Tongwen Hall, it was almost 9 p.m.

The renowned instructor had not yet returned home.

Liang Laoshu sensibly did not mention the matter of passing on the tutelage.

He brought Ah Qi here, mostly hoping to strike a bit of luck.

Places like the Broken Blade Sect, Divine Hand Sect, Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall might still give him some face and open the door.

But if it were the instructor who once dominated Black River County, silencing many practitioners, there would be no chance at all.

Because he didn’t need to owe anyone anything.

Even facing the owners of the Fishery, Chai Market, and the Kiln, it’s the same.

If not for patrolling the reed marshes in his early years, exterminating the water thieves of Heaven-defying Saber, having met the instructor several times, and hitting it off with Old Dao.

Tonight, Liang Laoshu would not have dared to visit.

He glanced at Ah Qi, whose steps seemed weak, and asked curiously:

"I asked you to stroll in the front courtyard, why are you sweating all over?"

Bai Qi scratched his head and said vaguely:

"The night got a bit chilly. I was cold, so I exercised to warm up."

Liang Laoshu mumbled, his mind still preoccupied with the matter of personal tutelage:

"I have some savings, tomorrow I’ll talk to Mu Chun and Zhu Wan, Han Yang is out of question, they might be able to persuade."

Seeing Old Liang so invested, Bai Qi was slightly moved.

The friendship that started out of mere acquaintance had deepened to this extent, and could truly be called "kindness."

"How about becoming a disciple at the Broken Blade Sect then, Iron Sand Palm is too fierce a skill, I might not master it, but I’m quite interested in the Beng Fist Brother Yong demonstrated today.

Direct hits, inch breaks, capturing in an instant, it looks very fierce!"

Liang Laoshu drooped his eyelids, stayed silent for a while.

Guessing he had bragged earlier, and if he failed to deliver, he’d lose face.

"The support from Elder Liang is well noted in my eyes, remembered in my heart. Tomorrow I’ll find time to fish for Silver Sand Carp for you..."

Bai Qi, experienced in dealing with the old man, deliberately acted cheeky.

"Get out! I’m not greedy for those few Silver Sand Carp... Ah, you really have a bond with me, always wanting to find you a good master.

In the martial world, choosing the wrong school can ruin one’s life. Sometimes I think, if I’d softened my hard stance back then, built good relations with masters at the Fishery, learned a bit from Yang Meng... Black River County is not small, Ah Qi.

Being a personal disciple at a Great Martial Arts Hall can save you many detours and allow you to reach greater heights."

Liang Laoshu sighed deeply, recalling his youth when he was confident in his talent, feeling he learned martial arts faster than others, his ambitions growing high.

He didn’t take Yang Meng, the snake, seriously and ended up getting bitten badly, nearly dying on a five-hundred-mile mountain road.

"Don’t worry, Elder. Man proposes, heaven disposes, one cannot seek a future.

I managed to make a name for myself fishing in the Black Water River—the disciples and personal tutelage of a Great Martial Arts Hall mean nothing to me, as long as there’s a path I can walk."

Bai Qi supported Old Liang as they walked along the deserted, dimly lit street, with only a few small stalls open selling stuff like wonton, hot porridge, and yangchun noodles.

"You have a good tongue, you know how to please and comfort others, being a ’white paper fan’ might suit you better than practicing martial arts."

Liang Laoshu chuckled with satisfaction, stopping at a roadside stall:

"Earlier we had the stewed flying dragon to replenish Qi blood, now let’s have a bowl of shrimp and crab porridge to nourish the stomach."

...

...

At Tongwen Hall, Old Dao wearing a mink fur cap, was sweeping the front courtyard, suddenly sensing something, he looked up at the rooftop.

Sure enough, there was a familiar silhouette!

"Young master, now that you’re home, why didn’t you meet Old Liang just now?

Back then, when he was pierced by Heaven-defying Saber’s cold blade, it was thanks to you, he’s always regarded you as his lifesaver!"

Old Dao said helplessly, holding a broom.

"Come on, I never intended to meddle, only acted decent because of your nagging.

A chance meeting, nice to part, no need to force relationships."

The silhouette leaned against the edge of the roof listlessly.

"Young master..."

Old Dao sighed:

"Speaking of which, we’ve been in Black River County for almost eight years now, you should find a successor... Before long, I’ll be old too, who will accompany the young master then?"

The silhouette remained unmoved:

"Old Dao, stop repeating that, you’re getting more nagging with age, don’t push me to seal my ears.

Martial arts is the great art of killing, striking at destiny, snatching life’s potential!

Extending with fists and feet, Qi blood as alchemy fire, the body as a crucible, spirit as secret treasure!

Refine the great elixir, uncover the spirits, shatter the void!

Just look, in this world, how many incompetent people, worldly people, foolish people, stupid people, deceitful people...

The teachings of Tongwen Hall fall into my hands now.

I can inherit, I can carry!

But what about others? Without my skills, how can they deserve it?

Simply don’t pass it on, don’t pass it on!"

Old Dao bowed slightly, knowing the young master’s heart was as hard as iron, difficult to persuade.

He silently gazed at the Golden Black Plaque of the Yihai Hidden Dragon, which was covered in a layer of dust from being neglected for too long.

Could it be that the young master of our family is truly buried in Black River County together with Tongwen Hall?

Just as Old Dao was silently mourning, a voice drifted down from above the rooftop:

"However...that kid just now is quite interesting. His muscles and bones aren’t as good as Ah Cheng’s, but his perception surpasses Ah Cheng’s.

Prepare some modest gifts another day, so I can visit and take him as my second apprentice."

"What?"

The sudden change left Old Dao stunned on the spot.

"You’re not seventy or eighty years old, why are you suddenly deaf!

That kid just now figured out my Arhat Hand, one of the Five Grand Captures, by relying on the painting of the Eighteen Arhats on the wall.

It only took a few incense sticks’ worth of time; he’s a talent worth cultivating."

"What?"

Old Dao seemed truly deaf, almost doubting he heard wrong.

He walked a few steps to that sandy pit and indeed saw a crystal-clear trail of footprints.

"That kid is quite clever, afraid he wouldn’t be discovered, he intentionally made a commotion with his steps before leaving.

Little did he know, I was watching everything clearly from the rooftop.

Haha, interesting, a smart mind with high perception.

The so-called rotten fish and shrimp sent by wealthy families are nothing compared to a young Fisherman.

I intend to teach him two Captures, to test his caliber."

Seeing his family’s young master so straightforward and efficient, Old Dao was astonished.

The Five Grand Captures of Tongwen Hall combine cultivation and combat, and are no mere trifles.

Any of them, once circulated, would be enough to drive practitioners wild.

Upon entry, he is to be granted two volumes.

The child brought by Old Liang is truly exceptional!

But then again, the young master had inscribed the cultivation volumes of Arhat Hand on the wall painting.

In order to find a promising figure who could decipher the mysteries and understand the stance techniques.

Unexpectedly, the Celestial Lord finally opened his eyes and indeed sent someone worthy as a candidate for apprenticeship!

"Which two volumes does the young master plan to pass on?"

Old Dao asked curiously.

"The Arhat Hand that separates muscles and displaces bones, dislocates and tears flesh; the Dragon Palm that releases power like a drum, with Qi moving like thunder."

The figure known in the martial world as "Instructor" flipped around, like a lone crane amidst clouds, swooping down from the rooftop eaves.

"Young master, it’s a moonless night, why did you climb so high? I thought you had gone out."

Old Dao squinted at the trail of footprints, his wrinkles bunched together, revealing a deep smile.

Two Captures, and you’re considered initiated.

If all five are mastered, you will be truly passed down, and become the future owner of Tongwen Hall!

"Read more books when you have time. In the stories, experts never enter through the main door, they always appear in unexpected places, like rooftops.

You’re older, with an old heart, unable to appreciate the fun in it.

Later, cook a pot of river fresh porridge, I’ve been blowing in the cold wind all night, it’s quite chilly."

The Instructor had a tall figure, with broad shoulders and a wide back.

Especially his exposed hands, with distinct joints on his five fingers.

White and clean, surpassing women, almost as lustrous as jade.

"Young master, what if that little kid doesn’t want to be your apprentice?"

Old Dao followed into the room, suddenly asking with worry.

"Laughable! Not to mention Black River County, even in Yihai Prefecture, who wouldn’t want to be my disciple, Ninghai Zen?"

The instructor, who seemed not especially old, appeared perplexed, his tone devoid of any arrogance, as though what he said was perfectly natural.

As if the Emperor thought there’s no one in the world who wouldn’t want to be his descendant.

"Old Liang visited several Martial Arts Halls today, Broken Blade Sect, Divine Hand Sect, Celestial Eagle..."

Old Dao reminded.

"Mu Chun? Zhu Wan? Han Yang? Just those? Can they teach good disciples?

No matter how outstanding the perception, it will go to waste under their tutelage."

The instructor paused, stroking the tender stubble on his chin.

"Enough, you get busy with the porridge, add plenty of dried shrimp, I’ll venture out for a bit."

Old Dao froze:

"So late, where is the young master going?"

The instructor waved his hand, stepping across the threshold:

"To have a chat with those three fellows, get them to willingly hand over the kid to me.

First stop, Mu Chun’s Broken Blade Sect, his temper is decent and easier to talk to."

With that, he lightly tapped the ground with his foot, his figure flew away like a startled swan.

Not entering through the main door indeed!

Certainly the style of a master!