Chapter 42: Refusal!

Bang! Bang!

Facing the woman's torrential storm of leg techniques, the six burly men were utterly powerless to fight back. They only had time to cross their fists in front of them before being kicked flying backward.

Yet, the men seemed oblivious to pain; as soon as they hit the ground, they scrambled up immediately, lunging forward in a desperate attempt to land a single punch on the woman.

Unfortunately, despite their tall and sturdy builds, they were helpless against her agile footwork.

After several such repetitions, the six men finally could no longer get up. They all said in unison, "Congratulations to the Fifth Young Lady on her further mastery of her leg techniques."

"A bunch of useless trash!"

The woman let out a cold snort. "You can't even touch the hem of my clothes. What am I even keeping you for? Get out!"

"Yes!"

The six men did not dare to offer even the slightest defense. They hurriedly helped each other up and walked toward the courtyard exit.

Passing by Zhang Lingshan and Song Dazhuang, the six men spoke respectfully once more: "Ninth Young Master, you have returned."

"Mm, I'm back. Go to the pharmacy to collect some medicinal baths for your injuries and get some rest," Song Dazhuang said, as gentle as ever.

The six men showed expressions of gratitude.

Compared to their fear of the Fifth Young Lady, they held Song Dazhuang in high esteem.

Zhang Lingshan was not surprised by their attitude. After all, Song Dazhuang was a man of great character—generous, low-profile, and possessing a good temperament. He never acted high and mighty even when dealing with ordinary people like them.

He was a good man with a certain personal charisma.

The reason Zhang Lingshan was able to be close to Song Dazhuang was for this very reason.

Soon, the six burly men took their leave and exited the courtyard.

Song Dazhuang brought Zhang Lingshan before the woman and introduced him: "Fifth Sister, this is my good brother, Zhang Lingshan. He succeeded in Skin Refining in just over three months. He is exceptionally gifted, steady, and hardworking."

He then introduced Zhang Lingshan: "Xiao Shan, this is my fifth sister, Song Lian. She is the fourth disciple of the Hongying Martial Arts Hall and is highly valued by Hall Master Zhao Hongying."

"Greetings, Fifth Sister."

Zhang Lingshan hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.

Since Song Dazhuang called him a "good brother," he had to address Song Lian as "Fifth Sister" to show respect to Song Dazhuang.

However, that wasn't the main point.

The main point was: what was Song Dazhuang thinking, suddenly bringing him to meet a disciple of the Hongying Martial Arts Hall?

He had originally thought Song Dazhuang wanted to recruit him into their blacksmith shop, but it seemed that was not the case at all.

"Skin Refining in three months?"

Song Lian stared at Zhang Lingshan, her gaze suddenly turning sharp. She scrutinized him closely, circling him to inspect him.

Feeling awkward, Zhang Lingshan glanced at Song Dazhuang.

Song Dazhuang explained, "The Hongying Martial Arts Hall is also an affiliate of the Yuan family. Master Hong's strength has declined significantly, and his status is unstable. If his disciples don't find a new path, they will only suffer alongside him. With your talent, Xiao Shan, if Fifth Sister can recommend you to become Master Zhao's disciple, you will surely make a name for yourself. Your future will be limitless."

"This..."

Zhang Lingshan frowned, feeling even more uneasy.

Wasn't this kicking someone while they were down?

When a tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when a wall collapses, everyone pushes.

Seeing that Hong Zhengdao was seriously injured and in need of people, he had turned around and run to the Hongying Martial Arts Hall, abandoning Hong Zhengdao.

This was truly...

For a moment, Zhang Lingshan did not know what to say.

"Not a bad look."

Song Lian stared at the bulging muscles on Zhang Lingshan's body and suddenly offered a compliment. "If you can withstand one of my kicks, it means you are stronger than those useless wastes just now. I can recommend you."

As she spoke, her leg shot out like lightning, kicking toward Zhang Lingshan's abdomen.

Caught off guard and without time to think, Zhang Lingshan's muscles tightened by reflex. He lowered his stance slightly, employing the *Protecting Yang Stance*, crossing his arms to shield his body.

Instantly, red lines appeared on his shoulders, spreading down to his elbows.

*Thud!*

The collision between arm and leg produced a dull thud.

Zhang Lingshan stumbled back four or five steps before stabilizing himself. He felt a burning pain in both forearms that even spread to his shoulders, leaving them feeling weak and sore.

In contrast, Song Lian remained unmoved, looking at him with a calm expression, as if she hadn't just struck him.

'Is this the strength of the Flesh Refining stage?'

Zhang Lingshan was shocked in his heart.

Although he hadn't thrown a punch to clash with her or activated the momentum of the *Primordial True Yang Stance*, with his current physical strength, he should have provided some counter-recoil to the opponent.

The result, however, left him deeply disappointed.

He hadn't expected the gap between himself and the Flesh Refining stage to be even larger than he had imagined. The joy he felt when breaking through with the Mountain-Splitting Axe technique vanished instantly.

What Zhang Lingshan did not know was that although Song Lian appeared as calm as a still pond, her right foot was actually trembling secretly inside her shoe. She had to press her sole firmly against the ground to prevent others from noticing.

She was shocked to the extreme. She hadn't expected Zhang Lingshan's body to be trained so solidly; no wonder Ninth Brother held him in such high regard.

He truly was a genius.

If she could bring him under her master's tutelage, it would surely be a great achievement. Her master would certainly be pleased and reward her, and she would gain the credit of having recommended him.

It was a win-win-win!

Song Lian was excited, but she did not rush to speak. Once she had stabilized her composure, she said indifferently, "Not bad. Being able to block my kick means you are quite capable within the Skin Refining realm. You are qualified to be recommended to my master. Let's go."

With that, she turned around, intending to take Zhang Lingshan to the Hongying Martial Arts Hall to meet Zhao Hongying.

"Wait."

Zhang Lingshan glanced at Song Dazhuang and said, "This... doesn't seem right."

"What's not right about it?"

Song Lian turned back, immediately seeing through Zhang Lingshan's thoughts. She smiled and said, "You feel that leaving just as Hong Zhengdao ran into trouble is improper and will cause gossip? Heh, you're overthinking it."

She shook her head and continued, "Setting aside whether it's necessary to care about others' gossip, regarding your transfer to our Hongying Martial Arts Hall, you aren't actually doing anything wrong to Hong Zhengdao. On the contrary, you are lightening his burden."

"First, our Hongying Martial Arts Hall and the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall both belong to the Yuan family. Everything remains the same upon transfer; you can continue practicing the Red Line Fist, and Hong Zhengdao cannot say a single word against it."

"Second, you are not yet an inner disciple of Hong Zhengdao. There is a layer of separation between you; you aren't that close to him. You are simply paying to learn martial arts; you don't owe him absolute loyalty or filial piety."

"Third, Hong Zhengdao is currently seriously injured and struggling to take care of himself. How could he have the energy to manage you, let alone the strength to train you further?"

"With your talent, staying with him is purely a waste!"

"Come to our Hongying Martial Arts Hall. It allows your talent to be utilized while easing Hong Zhengdao's burden. Hong Zhengdao will actually have to thank you."

Song Lian raised three slender, jade-like fingers and spoke eloquently, her arguments clear and logical.

"This..."

Zhang Lingshan looked contemplative.

It had to be said that Song Lian was very persuasive. Aside from her final sentence, "Hong Zhengdao will actually have to thank you," her other points were essentially flawless.

However, that wasn't how the debt was calculated.

At least for Zhang Lingshan, Hong Zhengdao had been kind to him.

Setting everything else aside, the moment Hong Zhengdao agreed to let his entire family move to Hongwu Street, his whole family owed Hong Zhengdao a life.

If not for that, the Li Fu trio would have wiped them out long ago, and his mother and sister would have inevitably suffered.

And now, while Hong Zhengdao was seriously injured and in need of his disciples, he was the first to run away. Could he still call himself a human being?

Furthermore, he was starting to doubt whether what Song Dazhuang said was true. Was Hong Zhengdao really injured?

If he were being deceived and ended up helping someone else count their money, he would become a laughingstock. Not only would his reputation be ruined, but he would lose his principles as a person.

Thinking of this, Zhang Lingshan immediately cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Sister Song Lian, but Master Hong has been kind to me. I have decided to remain at the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall. I can only decline your kind offer."

"You!"

Song Lian's expression instantly darkened.