The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 2

sugared fish

20 Jan, 2025

Although his tone was calm, his words were extremely arrogant. Mei Leng'an, unable to conceal his displeasure, advised, "Young man, don't be too arrogant."

"Your disciple's martial arts skill is lacking," Lu Zhaoming countered, sheathing his sword. "Yet you're blaming me."

Mei Leng'an's face darkened, but he refrained from reacting hastily.

Aware of his own abilities and considering his seniority in the martial arts world, he felt somewhat humiliated engaging with such a young person.

He could only snort in displeasure, then turned his head, instructing someone to help the senior disciple still lying on the ground.

Zhang Xiaoyuan showed sympathy. Lu Zhaoming's kick had not been gentle. The person on the ground must be in considerable pain.

As he thought about it, words appeared on the head of the senior disciple lying on the ground.

「Wronged, sad, sore buttocks.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't want to know such things. He was about to turn his head when the words on the head changed.

「Last night, he called me his sweetheart, but why is Master not showing any concern today?」

「Then, I'll lie down for a while.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Mei Leng'an was not only his late master's lover but also had a romantic involvement with his senior disciple.

......This sect is truly chaotic.

Zhang Gaoling naturally had no idea what had happened. He simply stared at Lu Zhaoming on the sword-fighting platform, furrowing his brow slightly. "His sword..."

Zhang Xiaoyuan tugged on Zhang Gaoling's sleeve, asking quietly, "Dad, do you know him?"

Zhang Gaoling shook his head, then bid farewell to Mei Leng'an. He took Zhang Xiaoyuan's hand and walked towards the direction Lu Zhaoming had left.

Zhang Xiaoyuan was filled with confusion. He obediently followed Zhang Gaoling, weaving through the crowd. From a distance, he saw Lu Zhaoming standing behind a middle-aged man, seemingly receiving a reprimand.

"I reminded you before leaving." The man appeared annoyed, yet couldn't bring himself to strike. He simply tapped Lu Zhaoming's bamboo hat, repeatedly saying, "Be gentle with others, be gentle with others. Why did you use such force?"

Lu Zhaoming stood still, his bamboo hat knocked askew. He was unsure whether to adjust it, but in the end, the middle-aged man couldn't stand it. He helped straighten the hat, muttering, "This pains the teacher's heart!"

Zhang Gaoling briskly walked toward the two. Even from a distance, he couldn't contain the smile on his face as he greeted the middle-aged man, "Brother Henian! It really is you!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan also looked at the man's head.

「Wang Henian, a reclusive martial artist, upright and noble, defeated the top figure in the martial arts world, Pei Wuluan.」

Pei Wuluan, the top figure in the martial arts world? Wasn't he the Chief of the Martial Arts Alliance?

However, Zhang Xiaoyuan had never heard of Wang Henian. If someone could defeat the Chief of Martial Arts Alliance, how could they be unknown in the martial arts world? While mulling over this oddness, Zhang Gaoling pulled his arm and introduced him. "Brother Henian, it's been many years since we last met. What brings you back to the martial arts world?"

Wang Henian, upon seeing him, was also quite delighted. After exchanging pleasantries, he said, "It is to promote our martial arts school and recruit disciples."

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help glancing at Lu Zhaoming, thinking, "Your disciple kicked the senior disciple of the Scattered Blossom Palace off the platform, and you're worried about not having students?"

Wang Henian then asked Zhang Gaoling, "I wonder, Brother Gaoling, what brings you back to the martial arts world?"

Zhang Gaoling, having left the martial arts world long ago to engage in business, laughed and replied, "I came here to find a suitable master for my unruly son."

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhang Xiaoyuan saw Wang Henian's eyes suddenly light up.

"Brother Gaoling!" Wang Henian grasped Zhang Gaoling's hand, eagerly asking, "What do you think of me?"

Zhang Gaoling: "Well..."

......

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded earnestly and said, "I'll listen to Dad."

Wang Henian's character was flawless, and his martial arts skills were exceptional. Although he wasn't widely known, Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't care about fame. Given Zhang Gaoling's close friendship with Wang Henian, entrusting his son to him was a decision made with confidence.

Wang Henian laughed so heartily that his eyes disappeared. Zhang Xiaoyuan bowed to him, calling him master, and suddenly heard a series of "DING DING" sounds.

Zhang Xiaoyuan lifted his head, gazing at Wang Henian's head.

「Incompetent in management, the sect is impoverished, hence no one is willing to join.」

「With two disciples, two thatched huts, and three bushels of grain, perhaps we can make it through this month.」

「Current sect funds: fifty copper coins.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Wang Henian was holding Zhang Xiaoyuan's hand, pulling Lu Zhaoming closer. "Xiaoyuan, this is your senior brother~"

Lu Zhaoming remained expressionless, nodding slightly as a form of greeting.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

The wealthy young master, Zhang Xiaoyuan, wished he could take back his words from a moment ago.

Fifty copper coins?

His daily allowance was worth more than fifty copper coins!

"Xiaoyuan, Dad knows you're reluctant," choked up, Zhang Gaoling struggled to speak, "but children grow up and eventually need to leave home."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

......

Zhang Xiaoyuan, under Zhang Gaoling's guidance, bowed deeply, establishing the master-disciple relationship. It was too late for him to regret.

With business at home requiring attention, Zhang Gaoling couldn't accompany him far. Reluctantly, he entrusted Zhang Xiaoyuan to Wang Henian. Before leaving, he took Zhang Xiaoyuan's hand, walking aside to patiently give him advice.

"After following your master, focus on martial arts and don't worry about home," Zhang Gaoling said. "Rest assured, your mother has me to take care of her."

Zhang Xiaoyuan hesitated, feeling awkward. He whispered, "Dad, I don't want to..."

Zhang Gaoling's eyes reddened. He suddenly embraced Zhang Xiaoyuan tightly. "Dad doesn't want to part with you either!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

No, that was not what he meant.

"Dad and Mom will write letters to you." Zhang Gaoling tearfully patted Zhang Xiaoyuan's head. "If you run out of money, just tell the family, and Dad will send it to you!"

Considering Zhang Gaoling's private stash of one or two or three taels, Zhang Xiaoyuan whispered, "...better not."

Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't have extravagant spending habits. At most he'd buy some snacks or small trinkets. For this journey, Wei Yun gave him two one-hundred-two silver notes. The jade pendant he bought a few days ago could also serve as a reserve. Even if he went back with Wang Henian, it should be enough until the New Year.

However, Zhang Gaoling had already pulled out some silver from his money pouch, stuffing it into Zhang Xiaoyuan's hand. "Dad brought this much. Keep it safe. Dad will send more when he goes back."

Zhang Xiaoyuan was momentarily stunned.

The silver in his hand seemed to be around eleven taels and three coins.

He looked up, unsurprisingly finding that the words above Zhang Gaoling's head had changed.

「Private Stash: Zero」

"Dad doesn't expect you to be famous in the martial arts world or become a renowned hero," Zhang Gaoling continued to give instructions. "Just focus on martial arts, hone your skills first. If you have the time and energy, then explore the martial arts world."

"Dad really loves the martial arts world." Zhang Gaoling raised his hand, gently stroking Zhang Xiaoyuan's head. "That's why Dad wants you to go and see it too."

......

Zhang Xiaoyuan said no more.

Wang Henian showed great concern for Zhang Xiaoyuan. The sect wasn't too far from the martial arts competition venue, and they lived amidst picturesque mountains and waters. After a few days of walking, they finally reached their destination. As Zhang Xiaoyuan looked up, he saw two worn thatched huts, a sparse vegetable field, and an old, half-bald donkey tethered outside the courtyard gate. It hardly resembled a martial arts sect. Clearly, it was a simple farmhouse.

Zhang Xiaoyuan glanced up at the thatched roof sporting a large hole and pondered.

A rather impoverished type.

Wang Henian also looked up at the roof, furrowing his brow. "How come there's a hole in the roof? Zhaoming, take Jianyu with you later to fix it."

Zhang Xiaoyuan turned around and saw Lu Zhaoming gently patting the head of the old donkey. In one hand, he held wild pears he had picked on the way, with the donkey having chewed on most of them. After a moment's nodding, he said, "Alright."

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt that his senior brother not only had a cold demeanor but also seemed a bit... dull.

It was mealtime, and Wang Henian took a deep breath before saying, "Take Xiaoyuan to meet your martial uncle first. After the meal, deal with the roof."

But Lu Zhaoming grabbed his arm and pressed him into a chair. The only unfamiliar face in the room brought a small stool, squatted at the doorstep with a bowl of food, curiously examining Zhang Xiaoyuan, and inquired, "Senior Brother, is this the little junior brother you brought back this time?"

Lu Zhaoming replied, "Yes."

Wang Henian held Zhang Xiaoyuan's hand and introduced, "This is your Second Senior Brother."

Zhang Xiaoyuan happened to see a line of text appear above that person's head.

「Jiang Jianyu, Wang Henian's disciple, practiced swordsmanship for thirteen years, ranked 147th in the martial arts world.」

Ah, this skill... much more formidable than Big Sister.

Zhang Xiaoyuan was about to get up and bow when another person entered with dishes, saying, "You've been away for so many days. Zhaoming has gotten thin from hunger."

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

Wang Henian introduced, "Xiaoyuan, you should call him Martial Uncle."

「She Shuyi, Wang Henian's fellow disciple, known as the Phoenix Song Sword, ranked 41st in the martial arts world.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan quickly bowed, "Martial Uncle, Second Senior Brother."

She Shuyi smiled. "Why be so polite among family? You must be hungry after the long journey. Sit down and eat first."

Zhang Xiaoyuan kept his eyes on his own plate, not wanting She Shuyi to feel awkward. He took a bite of the rice, which had a coarse texture upon entering his mouth, certainly not comparable to what he was used to. Despite this, he remained silent. When he looked up, he saw Wang Henian placing a small fish into his bowl, clearing his throat and saying, "River fish smells too fishy. Master can't get used to it."

Zhang Xiaoyuan was momentarily surprised. Not having thanked Wang Henian yet, She Shuyi also picked up a small fish and placed it in his bowl, smiling gently. "Grow well, eat more."

Jiang Jianyu sat far away on a small stool, casually stating, "Fish causes phlegm, meat induces colds. Radishes and cabbage ensure safety. I suddenly caught a chill. I won't eat fish. Junior Brother, help me finish it."

After saying this, he pretended to cough twice, then came over to pick up some cabbage with his chopsticks and gave it to Zhang Xiaoyuan with a smile.

Lu Zhaoming, still expressionless, directly poured the small fish from the dish into Zhang Xiaoyuan's bowl. "Eat."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

He felt an inexplicable sense of gratitude. For him, this might be a humble meal, but at this moment, even the most extravagant delicacies might not compare to the moving simplicity of this meal before him.

He nodded earnestly, about to start eating—

DING.

Zhang Xiaoyuan looked up in confusion, unexpectedly seeing additional words above Martial Uncle and Second Senior Brother's heads.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Hold on.

What's going on with you people!!!

Are you cosplaying together as poor people?!

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