"I've completed the detailed investigation. Zhao Qi and his sister, Zhao Qin, fled here not long ago. Their ancestral home is in Su Sea, but their specific family background is unknown. However, both can read and write, and his sister's appearance and demeanor are not like those of a common woman. They were likely from a wealthy family. Over the past six months, Zhao Qi's performance among the Named Disciples has been consistently mediocre. He even supposedly injured himself from a training mishap right before the assessment. It was unexpected that he could achieve Four Sounds. Of course, there might be other hidden factors. It's possible the boy has been secretly concealing his strength."
"Should we use our connections to investigate further in Su Sea?"
Li Zhongquan asked.
"That won't be necessary. The Phoenix Army in Su Sea's Shanghai can't reach this far. In times like these, who among the refugees doesn't have a story or two? As long as we confirm he doesn't have any Secret Transmission techniques, it's fine. The Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall isn't so intolerant."
Liu Changfeng said calmly.
"That much we can confirm. Over the past six months, looking at his Physical Ability, physique, and other aspects, it's clear that this Zhao Qi really doesn't have any Secret Transmission skills. That's something you can't fake."
Li Zhongquan said with a nod.
"Alright, that's enough about this for now. Go and get some rest."
Liu Changfeng said, waving his hand.
Li Zhongquan nodded and turned to leave, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Oh, right, Senior Brother. During the investigation, I found a few rather strange things. But it's also possible I'm just overthinking it."
"Oh? Tell me."
Liu Changfeng's expression grew interested.
"According to my investigation, the reason Zhao Qi joined the Martial Arts Hall was because he and his sister were targeted by a minor leader from the Sanshui Gang. When Zhao Qi fell ill before, this leader harassed them daily. However, not long ago, this leader and nine of his men—ten people in total—were all killed in a warehouse owned by the Sanshui Gang. And it just so happens, this occurred five days ago—the day after the Martial Arts Hall assessment."
"The Sanshui Gang investigated the matter, but their capabilities are limited, and they didn't find anything conclusive. Because all the money in the warehouse was taken, they just assumed it was some desperate criminals who got greedy, and they've temporarily shelved the case. But I have a strange feeling about it."
"But perhaps I'm overthinking things. Even though they were all ordinary people with no Secret Transmissions, it doesn't seem like something a sixteen-year-old boy could do,"
Li Zhongquan said.
"Right, what about this Zhao Qi's financial situation?"
Liu Changfeng's eyes narrowed slightly as he suddenly recalled Zhao Xuanqi coming to him today to purchase extra Secret Medicine.
"Their financial situation isn't good, but I can't be entirely sure. If their family background was extraordinary, it would be normal for them to carry some jade or Treasure Artifacts with them for emergencies when they fled. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to afford the last six months of training at the Martial Arts Hall. I've looked into it; the siblings' income is not high,"
Li Zhongquan said.
"Is that so?"
Liu Changfeng nodded thoughtfully. If Li Zhongquan hadn't mentioned it, he never would have thought to investigate so deeply. After all, everything seemed quite reasonable on the surface.
"Continue investigating this matter through the Martial Arts Hall's channels. We are not some low-life riffraff like the Sanshui Gang. Junior Brother, you will remain in charge. Report any news to me immediately."
Liu Changfeng said, his expression returning to calm.
"Yes."
...
...
「A month passed quickly.」
The introductory special training for the Outer Disciples was coming to an end.
On the final day of the special training, there were no training exercises scheduled. Instead, there was a final combat test.
Senior Outer Disciples served as examiners to test the combat abilities of Zhao Xuanqi and the others.
This combat test was effectively an assessment of their progress from the month of special training. Their performance would directly affect their future job assignments.
The examiners were all senior members of the Outer Sect who had reached at least Nine Sounds and had begun practicing Pile Skill. The limit was ten moves. Surviving ten moves was a pass. Failing to last ten moves was a failure, resulting in a punishment: a reduction in the next month's Secret Medicine ration.
If one could last for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they would be rewarded with two portions of Secret Medicine.
BANG! BANG!
At this moment, two figures were entangled in a flurry of fists and feet in the central courtyard. Liu Changfeng watched from the side with his hands behind his back, his expression as tranquil as an ancient well.
Before him was an upright incense stick, nearly burned to its end.
Of the two sparring, one was over 1.8 meters tall and powerfully built. His powerful punches whistled through the air, and he held the absolute upper hand in the exchange.
The other person was much shorter and was being steadily pushed back by the tall Outer Sect disciple's attacks. He dodged and weaved, narrowly escaping danger several times. Many of his evasive movements were ungraceful, but he was never truly defeated.
A moment after the incense stick in front of Liu Changfeng had burned out, the shorter disciple seemed to finally lose his footing. Failing to dodge in time, he was struck on the arm by the tall Outer Sect disciple's fist, fell to the ground, and was defeated.
"Thank you for going easy on me, Senior Brother Sun."
Zhao Xuanqi stood up, clasped his fists, and gave a slight bow to the tall Outer Sect disciple.
After a month of special training, the baptism of twenty portions of Secret Medicine, and being at a critical stage of growth and development, Zhao Qi's body had changed dramatically.
His height, originally just over 1.6 meters, was now approaching 1.7 meters. His lean body had clearly filled out, showing hints of muscle definition, and his Physical Ability and strength had greatly improved.
"That was your own skill. No need to thank me."
The tall Senior Brother Sun had a look of resignation on his face. The kid was as slippery as an eel, impossible to get a grip on. Moreover, he hadn't dared to relax for a second; he had the constant feeling that if his concentration slipped, he would be hit with a devastating counterattack.
'As a senior Outer Sect disciple, being held off by a new kid for the time it takes an incense stick to burn… I've really lost some face in this fight.'
"Zhao Qi actually lasted a full stick of incense! Besides him, the best any of us did was half a stick…"
"This Zhao Qi is really something else. We all misjudged him. Among our batch of disciples, besides Zhou Ze who hasn't been seen for a month, I'm afraid no one's combat ability can compare to his."
"This guy hides his strength well. Good thing I didn't get on his bad side before. I'll have to find a way to get closer to him in the future."
"…"
The dozen or so disciples from the same batch broke into a flurry of discussion.
Over the course of this month, Zhao Xuanqi had gradually revealed a portion of his abilities. Whether it was Stance, Physical Ability, or actual combat, he ranked among the very top of the dozen or so disciples in his cohort.
Of course, this was still a performance where he was deliberately holding back, so as not to appear too conspicuous.
Hearing the other disciples' discussions, Xia Qing, who was standing to the side, lowered her head and remained silent. Not long ago, in their final sparring session, she hadn't even lasted five moves against Zhao Xuanqi before he threw her around until she was dizzy and disoriented, unable to recover for a long time.
Moreover, she hadn't seen Zhou Ze for a month either. During this time, Zhou Ze had been in a state of closed-door special training with the Hall Master. He couldn't leave the Martial Arts Hall and couldn't be distracted, only managing to have someone pass two messages to her.
This left her with no one to rely on if she wanted to throw her weight around, and she felt somewhat stifled. Under Zhao Qi's absolute suppression of strength and Liu Changfeng's daily watch, she could only bury any little schemes deep in her heart.
"Alright, the month of special training is now over. Be at the Martial Arts Hall on time tomorrow morning. I will assign your posts based on your performance. Zhao Qi, stay behind. The rest of you may go."
Liu Changfeng stood up and announced to everyone.
"Yes."
Everyone responded in unison, some casting an envious glance at Zhao Qi before quickly leaving the Martial Arts Hall. The few Outer Disciple brothers who had served as examiners also left one after another, until only Liu Changfeng and Zhao Xuanqi remained in the vast central courtyard.
"May I ask why Senior Brother has asked me to stay?"
Zhao Xuanqi asked, clasping his fists and bowing to Liu Changfeng.
Liu Changfeng didn't answer. His expression was calm as he reached into a pocket of his Martial Arts Uniform, pulled out two short daggers, unsheathed them from their cowhide sheaths, and casually tossed them toward Zhao Xuanqi.
CLANG!
The two short daggers landed before Zhao Xuanqi, letting out a sharp metallic ring.