Chapter 106: Chapter 105: Scaring Oneself

"Since your Liuhe Martial Arts Hall isn’t interested in my business, I won’t make things difficult. I’ll just find another one."

They weren’t willing to teach him, he had already vented his frustration, and there was nothing they could do. Naturally, Wu Chen decided to find another martial arts hall rather than waste any more time here.

He turned and began to walk away. The surrounding Martial Artists and Guards immediately parted to form a path, the hostility in their eyes long gone.

All they had for this disciple of Refining Valley was:

Respect!

"So, a disciple from Refining Valley has graced us with his presence. This old man has been remiss in his welcome."

Watching Wu Chen’s retreating back, there was no way Yao Hua would let him leave.

If this personal disciple—of who knew which Refining Valley Elder—went back and complained, even just a little...

...saying that his martial arts hall attacked someone without a word and injured them, it would surely incur the wrath of a Refining Valley Elder.

One could only imagine the devastating blow their hall would suffer!

"All of you, disperse! Don’t block our honored guest’s path!"

Yao Hua shouted, dismissing the surrounding Guards, then his figure flashed forward to block Wu Chen’s way.

"My subordinates have eyes but failed to see Mount Tai. Please, honored guest, do not take offense. I wonder which Martial Arts you wish to learn? Why not come inside the hall to discuss it in detail?"

Seeing Yao Hua’s humble, deferential posture, Wu Chen realized the Refining Valley Jade Pendant was even more intimidating than he had imagined.

’It can even make a Mid Stage Jade Bone Realm expert bow and scrape like this?’

’If he saw the character for "friend" on the Jade Pendant, I wonder if his expression would change in an instant?’

Wu Chen wasn’t worried about them trying any tricks. He stopped and said, "A Jade Bone Realm Martial Arts manual. For one thousand taels of silver. I won’t learn from you for free."

"Since you are an honored guest from Refining Valley, it would be crass to talk about money."

Seeing Wu Chen speak, Yao Hua let out a huge sigh of relief. He had been afraid that Wu Chen would leave without a word, which would have been a sign of impending disaster.

"Honored guest, please come inside. I will arrange for someone to fetch the Martial Arts manual at once."

Seeing Yao Hua’s sincere attitude, Wu Chen gave it a moment’s thought before entering the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall with him.

’Who knew that fighting my way into the martial arts hall would be easier than paying my way in?’

Wu Chen grumbled internally as he followed behind Yao Hua, striding confidently through the front courtyard and main hall.

When you were out in the world, your status was what you projected. Since he had revealed his identity as a disciple of Refining Valley, Wu Chen certainly wasn’t going to show any weakness.

Besides, he was at the second level of the Jade Bone Realm, while the other man seemed to be only at the third or fourth level.

Even if he wanted to show fear, he couldn’t.

"Young Master, please rest for a moment. I will arrange for someone to fetch the Martial Arts manual," Yao Hua said, leading Wu Chen to a side room.

Inside the room was a round, red-lacquered, solid wood table, surrounded by a set of matching chairs.

Wu Chen didn’t stand on ceremony. He pulled out a chair and sat down, waiting to see what the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall would do next.

He saw the old hall master standing at the door, giving instructions to a middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to him.

Before long, a serving girl brought in fragrant tea.

"I wonder, Young Master, which Elder of Refining Valley are you studying martial arts under...?"

Yao Hua asked casually as he filled Wu Chen’s cup.

Wu Chen simply smiled without answering, leaving Yao Hua to his own imagination.

Of course, he had no idea which Elders Refining Valley even had, but he knew that saying nothing right now was more intimidating than saying anything at all.

As expected, when Yao Hua saw Wu Chen remain silent, his expression shifted several times.

He hadn’t asked the question to verify Wu Chen’s background; the Jade Pendant had already proven his identity beyond a doubt.

Whether the Jade Pendant marked him as a disciple, a friend, or an Honored Guest Elder...

...it wasn’t something a mere martial arts hall master from Mountain Mist City could question. And regardless of which it was, it signified an extraordinary connection to Refining Valley.

The real reason he had asked was that he intended to prepare a humble gift for the disciple’s master.

It would be a way to resolve the enmity his granddaughter had created with the man’s disciple.

Seeing that Wu Chen was unwilling to speak, Yao Hua assumed his master forbade him from casually dropping his name. He quickly changed the subject and made some small talk.

As they spoke, an array of steaming hot dishes and fragrant wine were brought in by a procession of graceful serving girls, their hips swaying as they moved.

The round table was laden with thirty different dishes, a dazzling and utterly extravagant spread.

But Wu Chen just frowned. ’Where are the Martial Arts we agreed on?’

"Young Master, do you have any dietary restrictions?!"

Ever since seeing the Refining Valley Jade Pendant, Yao Hua had been like a bird startled by the twang of a bowstring. Seeing Wu Chen not touch his chopsticks and, instead, furrow his brow, he assumed the food was not to his liking and hastily said:

"I’ll have the servants prepare a new meal at once!"

"Hall Master, there’s no need to go to such trouble. I came to the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall for a Martial Arts manual. If I want to eat, I’ll find a restaurant."

Wu Chen shook his head and said bluntly, "Please, bring me the Jade Bone Realm Martial Arts manual."

"The Martial Arts manual has already been prepared! I’ll have it brought for you right away!"

Hearing his urgency for the manual, Yao Hua clapped his hands.

At the sound, the middle-aged man, who had been waiting outside for some time, walked in holding the Martial Arts manual.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Wu Chen no longer held the rage of a father whose daughter had been beaten. The shift in status had left him feeling utterly terrified.

’As for his daughter’s injuries? It’s not like they couldn’t be healed!’

Wu Chen couldn’t be bothered to waste time with the father-son duo. Seeing the manual offered to him, he took it calmly and began to flip through it on his own.

"Young Master, you may take this ’Iron Shirt Bone Grinding Skill’ and look it over as you please."

A subservient smile was plastered on Yao Hua’s old face.

"I will prepare the medicinal decoction that corresponds with this Martial Arts skill. You can come and pick it up anytime... No, no, I’ll have it delivered to you in the Valley, so you don’t have to run back and forth and delay your training!"

The secret formula for the decoction was the foundation of their livelihood. Naturally, they didn’t want to hand it over as well, which was why he phrased the offer so tactfully.

Wu Chen ignored him, focusing only on flipping through the manual in his hands. He wanted to finish reading it as quickly as possible, pay, and leave.

FLIP, FLIP—

The room was silent, save for the sound of Wu Chen flipping through the pages of the Martial Arts manual.

What he failed to notice, however, was that his prolonged silence was making the two men in the room increasingly terrified.

’Why isn’t he responding? Does he want the decoction’s secret formula as well?’

’Could it be that Refining Valley specifically sent this disciple to seize our Martial Arts for themselves?’

’What are we supposed to do?!’

’...’

Just as their thoughts were in turmoil and they had no idea what to do...

...Wu Chen placed the now-read Martial Arts manual down on the table.

On top of the Martial Arts Manual lay a reddish banknote.

And in his vision:

[Iron Shirt Bone Grinding Skill entry-level proficiency +1]

[Iron Shirt Bone Grinding Skill entry-level proficiency +1]

[Iron Shirt Bone Grinding Skill entry-level...]

[Iron Shirt Bone Grinding Skill entry-level (9/1500)]

The familiar numbers ticked up on his panel, announcing that Wu Chen’s task at the Liuhe Martial Arts Hall was complete.

He immediately stood up, indicating his intent to leave.

"Young Master, what is this...?"

Yao Hua stared blankly at the Martial Arts manual on the table, the one-thousand-tael silver banknote on top of it, and the untouched meal.

It all went to show that the man intended to settle accounts one by one.

’I’ve paid you for the Martial Arts. The matter of your granddaughter offending me... we’ll deal with that separately!’

Yao Hua gritted his teeth, a grim look appearing on his face. He looked at the middle-aged man who had been waiting by the side and said:

"Go and bring Yao Jing here."

"Father, I already had her wait outside!"

The middle-aged man had also hardened his heart. A harsh glint flashed in his eyes, knowing his daughter had caused a disaster today by offending someone important. It was clear this matter would not end well.

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