Chapter 36: Hall Master

Chen Yuan naturally would not reveal the truth. Instead, he spun a meticulously crafted tale that left Luo Zhenwu and the others in a state of continuous amazement.

As for whether they believed him, it was impossible to say.

At least on the surface, no one raised any doubts.

After Chen Yuan finished speaking, Luo Zhenwu expressed a few more words of concern before asking

"Erniu, I am very gratified that you have returned safely, but there is one thing I must ask: where did this martial prowess of yours come from?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present changed instantly, and they stared intently at Chen Yuan.

After all that talk, they had finally reached the crux of the matter.

Chen Yuan’s expression turned solemn. He raised his hands and cupped them toward the sky in a respectful salute, saying

"My martial arts were all taught to me by my master."

Luo Zhenwu was stunned. "Your master? Li Yong?"

Chen Yuan nodded. This only made Luo Zhenwu more confused.

"As far as I know, Li Yong did indeed possess a family heirloom, the Six Yang Technique, but it was merely a second-rate technique. He himself hadn't even touched the threshold of internal energy; how could he possibly have taught you such profound martial arts?"

After Wei Wuding returned with the convoy, Luo Zhenwu had dispatched the Hall of Law Enforcement to conduct a detailed investigation into Chen Yuan. They knew his experiences in Leping County inside and out, and they were also well-acquainted with Li Yong.

Chen Yuan let out a long sigh and said

"Since things have come to this, I shall no longer hide it. My master's family heirloom, the Six Yang Technique, is not a second-rate technique—it is a first-rate technique!"

Luo Zhenwu’s expression changed drastically. "What did you say? A first-rate technique!"

The Hall Master of Law Enforcement cried out in shock, "Impossible! Looking across the entire State of Qi, first-rate techniques are extraordinarily precious; they are treasures capable of stirring up the martial world of an entire province. That Li Yong was nothing more than a destitute man from another province. If he possessed a first-rate technique, how could he have failed to break through to internal energy!"

Chen Yuan shouted, "Silence! Do not insult my master!"

"You are clearly talking nonsense—"

"Enough!"

Luo Zhenwu raised his hand to silence the Hall Master of Law Enforcement, then turned back to Chen Yuan and said

"Erniu, Hall Master Liu merely spoke out of turn; he did not intend to insult Manager Li. First-rate techniques are treasures of the martial world; it is only natural that his mind would falter upon hearing such news."

"As everyone knows, there are only two first-rate techniques in the martial world of Yuzhou: one is the Tiger-Subduing Gang's supreme technique, the *Dragon-Tiger Strength*, and the other is the Sanjiang Gang's *Whale Transformation Art*. It is also difficult for me to believe that Yuzhou actually possesses a third first-rate technique, especially one that is a family heirloom of a branch manager. This is quite sensational."

Chen Yuan gave a bitter smile. "I do not know the inner details either. After my master took me as his disciple, he passed the Six Yang Technique to me and instructed me never to reveal it to others to avoid jealousy. However, when the demon tiger attacked the convoy, I could not bear to see my brothers in the gang suffer. Thus, I disregarded my master's final command and fought the tiger. I was simply outmatched; it was only thanks to the intervention of an immortal that I managed to keep my life."

His tone was extremely sincere, but Luo Zhenwu still looked doubtful, and the others showed signs of half-belief. Wei Wuding, sitting at the very back, shook his head incessantly.

Chen Yuan gritted his teeth, pulled a booklet from his robe, and handed it to Luo Zhenwu. "Gang Leader, this is the Six Yang Technique my master passed down to me. I am willing to offer it to the gang!"

"What did you say?"

Luo Zhenwu trembled. He stared at the thin booklet with "Six Yang Technique" written on the cover, his dignified, square face filled with disbelief.

"I am willing to offer this Six Yang Technique to the gang!"

Chen Yuan repeated himself. Luo Zhenwu snatched the booklet and flipped it open to read.

Everyone else stared fixedly at him. The reception hall fell into a deathly silence, so quiet that a needle drop could be heard.

After an unknown amount of time, Luo Zhenwu finally closed the thin booklet, let out a long breath, and said

"This Six Yang Technique truly is a first-rate technique!"

As soon as the words fell, the reception hall instantly exploded.

"A first-rate technique! This... this..."

"Haha! Let's see how the Sanjiang Gang fights us now!"

"That Li Yong was hiding so deep; one truly cannot judge a person by their appearance..."

Luo Zhenwu tucked the Six Yang Technique into his robe and raised his hand in a calming gesture. Once everyone fell silent, he looked at Chen Yuan and smiled.

"Erniu, you first saved the convoy and now you have offered a first-rate technique. You have achieved great merit. The mere position of a Guard Captain is truly unworthy of you. How about this: I will give you the position of Deputy Hall Master of the Hall of Hundred Weapons. What do you think?"

Hou Yan and the two current Deputy Hall Masters of the Hall of Hundred Weapons all changed expression upon hearing this.

They did not want to see their power being divided, but since Chen Yuan had offered a first-rate technique and was a Gang-Qi level martial artist, they would be powerless to stop him if he truly wanted the position.

Just as the three of them were worrying, Chen Yuan's answer was unexpected

"Thank you for your recognition, Gang Leader, but my ambitions do not lie there. I also do not understand business dealings. If possible, I desire no official position; I only ask that the Gang Leader grant me some medicinal pills so that I may focus on my martial cultivation."

Hou Yan and the others showed looks of joy, their eyes darting urgently toward Luo Zhenwu, fearing he might disagree.

Luo Zhenwu was also quite surprised. He said, "No wonder your martial progress is so rapid; it turns out you are a martial fanatic. Very well, starting from today, you will serve as the Deputy Hall Master of the Hall of Law Enforcement. You will not be involved in mundane affairs and will only follow my commands. Your daily medicinal needs will be supplied by the Hall of Shennong. How does that sound?"

Chen Yuan cupped his hands. "Thank you for your understanding, Gang Leader!"

Luo Zhenwu laughed loudly. "Haha! Today is a day of double blessings! Our gang has gained a supreme technique and a Gang-Qi Deputy Hall Master. We must celebrate properly! Someone, go invite the head chef from Huixian Pavilion. Tonight, I shall host a welcome banquet for Deputy Hall Master Chen!"

Chen Yuan declined. "I appreciate your kindness, Gang Leader, but I have traveled through the mountains for many days and am exhausted. Let us postpone the banquet to another day."

Luo Zhenwu nodded. "Very well. Deputy Hall Master Chen has worked hard on his journey; it won't be too late to hold the banquet tomorrow."

Chen Yuan rose to take his leave. As he was leaving, he seemed to remember something and cupped his hands again. "I have one more unreasonable request. I hope the Gang Leader will grant it."

"Please speak, Deputy Hall Master Chen."

"This Six Yang Technique was my master's family heirloom. He unfortunately died at the hands of bandits. I hope the gang can look after his wife and daughter."

Luo Zhenwu said solemnly, "That is easily arranged. Manager Li faced death with courage; he is a heroic and righteous figure respected by everyone in the gang. How could I sit idly by while his widow and daughter suffer? Tomorrow, I will send men to Leping County to bring them to the prefectural city and ensure they live a life of wealth and honor!"

Chen Yuan bowed deeply. "The Gang Leader is truly righteous!"

...

After Chen Yuan left, Luo Zhenwu sat in the main seat, silent for a long time, lost in thought.

The others, however, began to whisper among themselves, their voices filled with excitement.

"A stone from another mountain can be used to polish jade." They had been stuck at the Gang-Qi level for years; with a first-rate technique, they might be able to draw parallels and find the opportunity to break through to the Hua-Jin level and reach a higher stage.

For those martial artists in the gang who were not suited for the *Dragon-Tiger Strength*, a second path had now opened up, making the road of martial arts much broader.

But not everyone was immersed in the joy brought by the Six Yang Technique. The elderly and frail Hou Yan was much calmer than the others.

"Ahem!" He cleared his throat and said, "Gang Leader, regarding Chen Erniu's words..."

"It is Deputy Hall Master Chen."

"Deputy Hall Master Chen's words contain many suspicious points. If he truly began practicing the Six Yang Technique long ago, he certainly wouldn't have been limited to mere Bone Refining three years ago. How could Li Yong have died at the hands of bandits in the Marrow Refining stage just to cover his retreat?"

"Hall Master Hou is right!" Hall Master Liu of the Hall of Law Enforcement also spoke up. "If what he says is true, reaching the Gang-Qi stage after only four years of practice is inconceivable. There must be a hidden truth behind this."

The others nodded in agreement, and some even chimed in: "His story has too many loopholes. He must have other ulterior motives..."

Luo Zhenwu frowned and said in a deep voice, "Do you think I don't know that much of what he said is untrue? But so what? Regardless of whether what he says is true or false, he is a Gang-Qi martial artist and has offered a first-rate technique. That is enough!"

"Furthermore, he proactively gave up the position of Deputy Hall Master of the Hall of Hundred Weapons and only asks for pills to practice martial arts. What kind of motive could he possibly have? A motive to practice martial arts? Our gang is currently in a fierce struggle with the Sanjiang Gang; do you suggest we cut off our own arm?"

"Do not forget, he is not yet twenty years old, yet he possesses Gang-Qi cultivation. His talent is extraordinary and rare in this world. The future prosperity of the Tiger-Subduing Gang may very well depend on him. From this moment on, no one is permitted to speak ill of Deputy Hall Master Chen again. Violators will be punished accordingly!"

*Crack!*

Luo Zhenwu raised his hand and struck the table beside him; the eight-sided table snapped and collapsed instantly.

The crowd looked at one another and fell silent.

...

When Chen Yuan returned to his small courtyard, he fell straight into sleep, only waking up slowly when the moon reached its zenith.

He slept for a full five hours.

Feeling hungry, he pushed open the door. Several servants were already waiting outside, asking him to wait a moment.

Fifteen minutes later, several servants brought in a lavish feast for him to enjoy.

It turned out that Luo Zhenwu had given orders long ago to have the chef from Huixian Pavilion wait in a nearby courtyard, ready to begin cooking the moment Chen Yuan woke up.

After eating and drinking his fill, Chen Yuan went to the Hall of Shennong to collect a bottle of Essence Pills. He took out his jade pendant and used it to guide starlight into his body.

Feeling the long-lost sensation of cool tingling, he couldn't help but close his eyes slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Because he had lacked medicinal pills these past few days, he had not performed starlight infusion, and his martial progress had slowed down.

After the infusion, he swallowed two Essence Pills. While replenishing his energy, he also activated the blood qi in his body and began practicing the Six Yang Palms.

Driven by the medicinal power of the Essence Pills, the blood qi in Chen Yuan's body surged, and the speed at which he accumulated true qi was several times faster than in previous days.

He practiced for two hours. In the dead of night, amidst the profound silence, Chen Yuan finally slowly withdrew his technique, feeling somewhat fatigued.

He returned to his room, lit an oil lamp, took out the *Crimson Flame Manual*, and began to study it carefully.

In the past half month, he had read this cultivation manual no less than a hundred times.

But no matter how many times he read it, he was always deeply shocked by its miraculous and profound mysteries.