"Junior Brother Lu, are you alright?"
Zheng Wu managed to catch his breath. He glanced around at the scene, then looked Lu Chao up and down, checking him for injuries.
"I’m fine, Senior Brother Zheng."
Shaking his head, Lu Chao then explained what had happened.
Zheng Wu was stunned at first, seemingly unable to believe that he had defeated two professional-level opponents on his own.
Once he ca to his senses, his expression darkened, and he seed to bla himself.
’I should have known...’
"Junior Brother Lu, I’m so glad you’re not hurt."
As if he had guessed sothing, a strange mix of emotions crossed his face.
Soon, more footsteps sounded as other junior brothers from the boxing hall arrived.
From the ensuing conversation, Lu Chao learned that Lin Qingxue had also been ambushed with a similar "forced sparring session" on her way ho. Senior Brother Luo Yan had already gone to handle it.
"Those bastards."
Zheng Wu’s face was grim with anger.
It was obvious to anyone that this was a targeted attack against Jinshi Boxing Hall. There was no need to guess who was behind it.
"Co, Junior Brother Lu. Follow back to see Master."
"He’ll surely make things right for you."
Zheng Wu quickly made his decision, leaving the scene for the others to handle.
Lu Chao thought for a mont and didn’t object. He soon followed him back to the boxing hall and once again ca face to face with Luo Qianshan.
"It’s good that you’re alright."
Luo Qianshan gave a slight nod. He was dressed in a brown, traditional martial arts robe, standing inside the training hall with his hands clasped behind his back.
Perhaps because of the matter with Shen Tianchen, his aged face looked a bit more weary than usual.
After learning what happened, he looked Lu Chao up and down again. When he seed to notice that Lu Chao had reached the level of a veteran professional, a flash of surprise crossed his deep-set eyes.
Then, unexpectedly, he didn’t press for details. Instead, he said softly, "In a way, you were dragged into this because of the boxing hall."
"I thought that no matter how much of a grudge Lei Wanjun held, he’d still have so principles. I never expected him to resort to such unscrupulous tactics."
A complex emotion flickered in his eyes, and it was unclear whether he was blaming himself for what happened to Shen Tianchen or for Lu Chao’s recent ordeal.
After a mont of silence, Lu Chao cupped his hands and said, "If not for Master Luo’s guidance and teachings, I would never have made it this far."
"Besides..."
He scratched his head lightly and chuckled. "I should actually thank those two from today. Otherwise, I’m afraid my Fierce Roar Skill would still be stuck at the threshold, just beyond my grasp."
His honest words montarily stunned everyone present. A complex look, tinged with relief, appeared on Zheng Wu’s face.
’The more we’re targeted, the more it reveals who is truly reliable.’
He was suddenly overco with gratitude that they had let him stay back then.
"You... Heh heh."
The complex emotions on Luo Qianshan’s aged face rose and fell. He shook his head with a laugh, and a new light seed to enter his eyes as he looked at Lu Chao.
"Speaking of which, you do have a knack for Martial Skills and Secret Techniques."
"But..."
Their eyes t, and his expression turned serious. "Once you learn our boxing hall’s Secret Technique, there is no turning back."
"From that point on, no matter the grudges or favors, you will never be able to leave."
Luo Qianshan got straight to the point, tactfully explaining why he hadn’t taught him the hall’s signature techniques before.
Not just anyone could bear such consequences.
Shen Tianchen was the perfect example.
No matter how conspicuous an ordinary disciple was, they weren’t his true successor. They still had a chance to switch allegiances, so others would show a degree of restraint when dealing with them.
But once this step was taken, one would be inextricably linked to the Jinshi Boxing Hall. Even with a background in the Patrol Departnt, it would be impossible to avoid retaliation from their enemies.
Lu Chao mulled this over for a few breaths.
He naturally understood the pros and cons, the gains and losses involved.
As he was thinking, Luo Qianshan suddenly waved a hand.
"You don’t have to give an answer right away," he said, his gaze profound. "Starting tomorrow, I will personally guide you in your training."
"You have ti to think it over carefully. It won’t be too late to tell when you’ve truly made up your mind."
As his words fell, Lu Chao froze, slightly stunned.
But before he could process it, Luo Qianshan had already turned and was walking toward the rear courtyard, leaving only his back in view.
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