Chapter 7: Master of Martial Arts

The man he called Xiao Wang was of a similar build and type as the burly middle-aged man who had just stepped in for Zhang Pu and subdued the criminal with a single move. The other burly man now standing with them was, in fact, the very same person who had just tackled the criminal. Now, both Xiao Wang and his companion flanked the distinguished-looking old gentleman like bodyguards at the side of a commander, their presence protective and unwavering.

“Yes, sir,” Xiao Wang affirmed once more.

At this moment, the other middle-aged man—who had subdued the criminal—also spoke, “Sir, when I rushed in a moment ago, I noticed something strange about the way that student fought with the criminal. But things were urgent; I didn’t have time to think it over. My only thought was to subdue the criminal before he could hurt the hostage. But the more I recall it, the more that student seemed to be...”

“A martial arts master, perhaps? Xiao Zhou?” The old gentleman immediately interrupted, snatching the words from the guard’s lips. He could not suppress his own laughter, hearty and unrestrained.

Truth be told, he himself believed that student to be a martial arts prodigy. While ordinary people saw the spectacle, those with expertise noticed the subtleties. Zhang Pu’s seemingly casual maneuver was not something that could escape the eyes of true masters.

But just as the old man laughed, he suddenly began to cough violently. He pressed his hand to his chest, his brow furrowing with clear discomfort.

Alarmed, Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhou immediately moved to support him on either side.

“Sir, your—”

Before they could finish their sentence in unison, the old man waved them off, cutting them short and even pulling himself free from their supporting arms.

“It’s just my old ailment acting up. You both know this. It’ll pass in a moment.”

Though the old gentleman spoke as if it were nothing, the two men’s faces remained clouded with worry. His illness weighed heavily on their hearts, yet they were powerless to help; the old man had consulted every renowned doctor in the region, but none had been able to cure him.

“Father, are you alright? Brother Wang, Brother Zhou, why is my father having another attack here?”

A clear, melodious voice rang out as a wealthy young woman in red hurried over—it was none other than Zeng Baoying.

Though her words were gentle, there was a hint of rebuke directed at the two bodyguards.

But the old man, as before, waved her off before she could say any more.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, the question tinged with displeasure.

Normally, an elderly father would dote on his late-born daughter, cherishing her as if she were a rare treasure. Yet this youngest daughter’s actions often displeased him. He was not only the most respected figure in the Qingwu region, but also a prominent figure in the entire Ding Province. Though he lived in seclusion, many people in the region—and even the whole province—still paid him and his family great respect.

Zeng Baoying often took advantage of her family’s name to do things that displeased him. Though she tried to keep such matters from him, news had a way of reaching his ears regardless.

“Father, I—” Zeng Baoying hesitated, unable to finish her thought under her father’s stern gaze.

“Say no more,” the old man interrupted with another wave of his hand. “I know what you want to say. And from tomorrow onward, do not come here again.”

With that, he turned and left the spot where he came for his daily morning exercise, not looking back. Wang and Zhou hurried to follow.

Zeng Baoying stamped her foot angrily but did not dare pursue him. When her father truly lost his temper, even she was afraid.

As she lingered behind, she happened to overhear the old gentleman instructing his two attendants, “If possible, find out more about that student.”

Which student? What was going on? How utterly baffling! Zeng Baoying grumbled inwardly, then left Nanhu Park herself.

She had arrived late and had not witnessed the earlier incident. Naturally, it never crossed her mind to wonder who her father meant by “that student.”

That student, of course, was Zhang Pu—the same man with whom Zeng Baoying had previously crossed paths.

Zhang Pu was now suspected by the old gentleman of being the heir to some martial arts legacy.

Yet Zhang Pu himself had no inkling that someone had begun to take notice of him. In fact, he hadn’t even paid attention to where the dagger had flown after the incident, nor did he imagine that someone with a keen eye could become suspicious of him based on a single weapon.

To Zhang Pu, saving someone in passing was nothing out of the ordinary; he hardly gave it another thought afterward.

However, the astonishing effect of the “Union of Heaven, Earth, and the Eight Directions” technique brought him immense delight, even in a place as lacking in spiritual energy as Earth. With the aid of certain medicinal herbs, his cultivation progress could very well advance by leaps and bounds. After all, he was no stranger to such experiences in the world of cultivation.

At certain stages, with the help of some elixirs or rare herbs tailored to specific techniques, advancing further became much easier.

Zhang Pu knew what medicinal ingredients could best assist his progress as he used the “Union of Heaven, Earth, and the Eight Directions” to break through the Qi Refining stage.

Though many rare and mystical herbs from the cultivation world did not exist on Earth, Earth was not so barren as to lack all useful medicinal plants.

With several days before the new term began, Zhang Pu had no desire to return to the Hong household to face those three women. After breakfast, his thoughts returned to his own cultivation.

Considering the benefits of medicinal herbs, he spent his time browsing herbal stalls and pharmacies in the local markets.

Though many rare herbs used for cultivation and alchemy were absent from Earth, some that existed in the cultivation world could still be found here.