Chapter 27: Joining (Part 1)

...

The group drank until past eight in the evening, and Lin Zheyu left early due to other matters.

*Hic—*

On the way to Master Liang's house, Lin Zheyu let out a drunken hiccup.

Just as he was about to leave early, Jia Yanyong and the others wouldn't let him; they insisted on making him drink several large bowls of strong liquor before letting him go.

*Knock, knock.*

He knocked gently on Master Liang's main door, and it opened quickly.

Entering the house.

Under the moonlight.

On the stone table in the courtyard sat a few small dishes and a flask of wine.

Liang Song had been sitting in the courtyard drinking alone.

"You reek of alcohol; it seems you've had quite a lot."

"Drink this bowl to sober up," Liang Song said.

"Thank you, Master."

Lin Zheyu took the bowl and smelled a thick medicinal scent.

"Forgive me, Master. I was delayed by something tonight and arrived a bit late," Lin Zheyu said with an apologetic expression.

"It doesn't matter."

"Being able to join the Feihong Gang and have protection in Songyi City is a good thing," Liang Song said with a smile.

After drinking the sobering soup, Lin Zheyu felt much more alert.

He rested for a while, then walked into the courtyard to begin practicing the Golden Goose Skill.

After practicing for about an hour and a half, he broke into a heavy sweat, and the last traces of his intoxication vanished.

"Rest for a bit, then we'll spar a few rounds."

Seeing that Lin Zheyu had mostly sobered up, Liang Song told him to rest.

After a short break, the two walked into the center of the courtyard and began to exchange blows.

With the experience from their sparring session last night, Lin Zheyu held out longer today.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

The sounds of fists and palms colliding echoed through the courtyard.

Liang Song controlled his strength to match Lin Zheyu's level, even pulling back slightly.

But even so, Lin Zheyu was still easily overwhelmed by Liang Song.

The massive gap in combat experience and combat awareness made Lin Zheyu realize what it meant for martial strength not to equal combat effectiveness.

A true martial expert could easily challenge and defeat opponents of a higher level, even when facing someone stronger than themselves.

After lasting through a dozen rounds against Liang Song, Lin Zheyu was kicked flying.

"Not bad, much more progress than yesterday," Liang Song said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu rubbed his chest; the area where Liang Song had kicked him burned with pain.

Liang Song's strength had reached the Blood-Qi Realm, making his bones as hard as iron.

Being kicked by his master felt as if he had been struck by a piece of ironware.

"Again!"

With a determined gaze, Lin Zheyu pushed off the ground and lunged toward Liang Song.

Master Liang's primary cultivation technique was the Golden Goose Skill, and Lin Zheyu had learned many combat techniques from him.

As the fight progressed, Lin Zheyu's proficiency in the Golden Goose Skill improved rapidly, and he began to integrate the skill's footwork into his combat.

Facing the experienced Master Liang, Lin Zheyu began to switch strategies, using the agile movements of the Golden Goose Skill to weave around Liang Song.

"Heh!"

"I've already mastered that trick."

Facing the rapidly shifting Lin Zheyu, Liang Song chuckled and kicked his right foot toward the diagonal rear, fast as lightning.

*Thud—*

Caught off guard while moving quickly, Lin Zheyu was struck in the shoulder and sent flying once again.

Lin Zheyu: "..."

His heart felt weary.

He missed the feeling of fighting Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang during the day.

The two had sparred into the late night, and every session ended with Lin Zheyu being kicked away.

Under Master Liang's tempering, Lin Zheyu's combat awareness began to strengthen, and he lasted longer and longer against Liang Song.

Toward the end, he was even able to launch a few counterattacks.

...

Early morning.

After a night of rest, Lin Zheyu had mostly recovered.

The medicine Liang Song gave him worked very well; after applying it to the bruised areas, they were almost fully healed by the next morning.

He arrived at Liang Song's courtyard early.

Under Liang Song's guidance, Lin Zheyu practiced for over three hours, and his Golden Goose Skill finally reached the introductory stage.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

Name: Lin Zheyu

Source Power: 6

Skills

Bull Force Fist (Proficient 3%)

Golden Goose Skill (First Layer 2%)

"I've finally reached the introductory stage. The progress rose to 2% in one morning; I estimate I can enter the second layer in about a month," Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

With the foundation laid by the Bull Force Fist, his progress in the Golden Goose Skill was much faster in the early stages.

His muscles were now full and robust, and his fascia was tough and strong. The first layer of the Golden Goose Skill primarily trained the muscles and skin; once he completed the strengthening of his leg muscles and fascia, he would be able to enter the second layer.

Once he reached the second layer, the Bone Forging Realm, his speed would slow down.

After bidding farewell to his master, Lin Zheyu headed to the Feihong Building around nine o'clock.

No. 28 Tongquan Street.

Lin Zheyu walked into the Feihong Building, which felt somewhat deserted inside.

"Mr. Lin is here. This way, please."

A man walked out and led Lin Zheyu inside.

"The Gang Leader has instructed that once you arrive, I am to take you to the backyard to see him. He will personally arrange your duties," the man said.

Lin Zheyu followed the man through winding corridors, passing a beautifully landscaped pond and pavilion, until they reached a courtyard.

In the courtyard, there was a small opera stage, and Gang Leader Xu was leisurely listening to a play.

'The life of the wealthy is truly so simple and unadorned.'

Lin Zheyu felt a sense of awe and a hint of envy.

He worked incredibly hard just to earn a few taels of silver, while others could earn hundreds or even thousands of taels just by listening to tunes, watching plays, or visiting flower houses.

"You're here. Sit."

"This play is quite good; you should sit down and listen as well."

Xu Jingwu said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu sat down beside Xu Jingwu and began to absentmindedly taste the delicacies on the table.

Xu Jingwu knew how to enjoy life; the snacks served while listening to the opera likely cost several taels for a single table.

Lin Zheyu ate the delicacies while occasionally listening to the opera.

He didn't quite appreciate opera; the abundant entertainment of his previous life made him uninterested in such classical forms of performance.

But as he listened, Lin Zheyu gradually began to grasp the pleasure of it.

Only after a piece had finished did Xu Jingwu begin to discuss business.

"The gang doesn't have much to do, mainly maintaining order within the Feihong Gang's sphere of influence."

"On the surface, the city's order is controlled by the government. However, due to manpower issues, the government delegates authority to the lower levels, which are managed by various gangs and factions."

"If any trouble breaks out within our territory and causes public outrage, the government will hold us accountable immediately," Xu Jingwu explained, outlining the primary responsibilities of the Feihong Gang to Lin Zheyu.

From Xu Jingwu's words, Lin Zheyu finally understood the operational mechanism of Songyi City.

The government controlled the gangs, and the gangs managed the city's order.

There were three major gangs in Songyi City, with the Feihong Gang being the largest.

These gangs were jointly established and funded by prominent families and wealthy merchants. The city's elite were divided into three interest groups that played a game of checks and balances against one another.

Xu Jingwu came from the Xu family; he was the younger brother of the current head of the Xu family.

The three major gangs in the city balanced each other, ensuring that order was maintained without worrying about gang members running amok.

"From now on, you will work with Jia Yanyong and Xie Jiang. The three of you will form a small squad led by Qiu Gaoxuan, temporarily responsible for the order of several streets near Baiwei Street."

"In a while, you will be required to be dispatched to important locations like the mines for a period of time, but it will be on a rotational basis," Xu Jingwu said.

"Understood."

Lin Zheyu nodded.

The order around Baiwei Street was quite good, with almost no visible disturbances; it was an easy job.

"I have high expectations for you."

"I heard from Jia Yanyong that you were able to achieve your current strength not long after starting your martial training. Your talent and comprehension are quite good."

"Work hard. Once you make more contributions, there will be no shortage of benefits for you," Xu Jingwu said with a smile, patting Lin Zheyu on the shoulder.

"Thank you for your recognition, Gang Leader Xu."

...

(End of Chapter)