The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 27 Part 1

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When Zhang Xiaoyuan heard She Shuyi utter the words "martial arts conference," excitement overwhelmed him.

Martial arts conference! What a fantastic place!

It was the gathering spot for all kinds of information across the martial arts world!

A trip there and back could make one as wealthy as the legendary Bai Xiaosheng!

Zhang Xiaoyuan wished he could fly there immediately.

Suppressing his excitement, he tried to appear nonchalant. "I hear you, Martial Uncle!"

"The four of you can go together. I'm not asking you to bring back many junior brothers," She Shuyi said. "Apart from the martial arts conference, Mei Leng'an, the Scatterred Blossom Palace Master, is celebrating his fiftieth birthday soon. After the martial arts conference, pay a visit to Scatterred Blossom Palace to congratulate him."

When Mei Leng'an was mentioned, Zhang Xiaoyuan immediately thought of his senior disciple, Ke Xingwen. And as he thought of Ke Xingwen, the embarrassing image of him kneeling on the ground that day came to mind.

"Elder Mei is celebrating his birthday?" Zhang Xiaoyuan blinked. "He's fifty years old?"

This forbidden teacher-student relationship was indeed a forget-the-age kind of unconventional romance.

She Shuyi nodded. "I've prepared a gift for him—"

He gestured for the others to wait outside for a moment. He entered the courtyard, and in a short while, came out with a sealed letter, handing it to Lu Zhaoming. At the same time, he said, "Zhaoming, when the time comes, take this letter and go to Qianlong Treasure Manor to retrieve the birthday gift I stored there."

Stored birthday gift?

After all, Scatterred Blossom Palace was one of the top sects in the martial arts world. A birthday gift for someone like that wouldn't be some cheap trinket. It wasn't She Shuyi's style — Zhang Xiaoyuan subconsciously glanced at She Shuyi's head. She Shuyi's secret stash of money hadn't changed, indicating that this gift wasn't something he bought recently.

He recalled that Qianlong Treasure Manor was originally owned by the She family, and to She Shuyi, it might just be a matter of writing home to have someone prepare a birthday gift.

The gift from the wealthiest family in the capital... it must be outrageously expensive.

Wang Henian finally snapped out of his disappointment. He overheard the conversation and couldn't help but glance at She Shuyi, feeling guilty. He sighed, "Junior Brother, I'm sorry for making you spend again."

Maintaining relationships between various sects involved exchanges of courtesy and gifts. Wang Henian was perennially broke, often relying on She Shuyi for these matters. How much money he had contributed, only he himself probably knew.

Lu Zhaoming neatly stowed away the invitation and letter, called out to his master, and then pulled out the old sword tassel he had carefully hidden from his pocket.

"This journey will take at least a few months." Lu Zhaoming bowed, handing the sword tassel to Wang Henian. "It's a gift from Master. Afraid I might lose it, I'd rather return it to Master for safekeeping."

Wang Henian's bruised spirit suddenly recovered a lot, feeling reassured that even though his child had grown up, he still had some usefulness. He nodded approvingly and said, "Rest assured, I'll take good care of it for you."

She Shuyi smiled faintly and said, "This sword tassel has been used for many years, it's already worn out. Your master had actually wanted to get you a new one."

Wang Henian was indeed easy to please. Lu Zhaoming's words had already satisfied him. He kept nodding, following She Shuyi's lead, "No problem, it was about time for a replacement."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan was stunned.

So, Eldest Senior Brother could speak like this?

"The day is already late. If you have to set out, it might be a bit rushed," She Shuyi continued. "Why not rest for the day and leave tomorrow morning, how about that?"

Lu Zhaoming nodded in agreement, and naturally, Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but nod along.

The decision to construct the sect's new houses was She Shuyi's. Given the ample funds, everything proceeded according to his plans, with the houses and courtyards being several times larger than before. They hired a dozen laborers and a cook, whose dishes, though rustic, tasted excellent. The cook, noticing Zhang Xiaoyuan as the youngest, even specially served him an extra spoonful of vegetables.

During dinner, Lu Zhaoming excused himself to find Wang Henian. They went aside for a conversation, and Zhang Xiaoyuan glanced at them a few times. Realizing they were discussing Zhao Chengyang's visit to Second Senior Brother, he didn't pay much more attention.

He had not seen Second Senior Brother and Hua Liuque for a few days. Hua Liuque seemed visibly wilted. When Lu Zhaoming appeared, he showed little reaction. Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't understand why and discreetly asked Jiang Jianyu. Instead of answering directly, Jiang Jianyu smiled and asked him, "Xiaoyuan, have you ever seen a recently ordained monk?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan shook his head.

He had seen monks, but distinguishing recently ordained ones was beyond him.

Jiang Jianyu pointed at Hua Liuque. "There you go, someone like Little Liuque is an example."

Zhang Xiaoyuan understood.

Although the sect had acquired some money, most of it was spent on building houses. Master and Martial Uncle were accustomed to frugality. Meals were mostly vegetarian, with very little meat or fish – it could be accurately described as a vegetarian diet.

Hua Liuque, having been threatened by Lu Zhaoming upon joining, dared not engage in any mischief. Furthermore, within the mountain, the only woman visible was the cook, who seemed capable of slapping Hua Liuque to death. Without alcohol, meat, or women, these days Hua Liuque lived no differently from a monk.

After some thought, Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but ask Jiang Jianyu, "Second Senior Brother, have you ever been to the martial arts conference?"

Jiang Jianyu was about to respond when Hua Liuque, upon hearing the words "martial arts conference," lit up as if rediscovering a vibrant world. He eagerly shifted on the bench, asking with joy, "Are we going to the martial arts conference?!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Your foot..."

Despite the leg still bound in a splint, Hua Liuque struggled as if ready to leap up. "My foot? Agile as ever!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan asked him, "You seem really excited about the martial arts conference?"

"Of course!" Hua Liuque brimmed with anticipation. "What's the martial arts conference? It is where disciples from various sects all over the world gather!"

Considering the grandeur of the event, Zhang Xiaoyuan felt his coin pouch was already filling up.

"The lovely girl from Scatterred Blossom Palace, the big sister from Purple Mist Tower, the young cultivator from Emei Sect!" Hua Liuque, excited beyond measure, continued, "And the goddess healer from Hundred Herbs Valley, the lady from Swallow Pavilion—"

Lu Zhaoming sat down beside Zhang Xiaoyuan.

Hua Liuque abruptly swallowed the latter part of his sentence, one hand still supporting his splinted leg. He inexplicably shivered, the animated expression from a moment ago vanishing. He nodded solemnly at Lu Zhaoming, greeting him with sincerity, "Eldest Senior Brother, long time no see."

Lu Zhaoming lifted the teacup, took a sip, then turned to him. "What were you just talking about?"

Hua Liuque: "I..."

Jiang Jianyu, enjoying the spectacle, cheerfully chimed in, "He's talking about Scatterred Blossom Palace's—"

Hua Liuque: "Exceptional swordsmanship!"

Jiang Jianyu, taken aback: "Purple Mist Tower's..."

Hua Liuque: "Master Lin Yi is a great senior!"

Jiang Jianyu: "And Emei Sect?"

Hua Liuque: "The twin daggers of Emei are truly formidable!"

Jiang Jianyu: "What about Hundred Herbs Valley..."

Hua Liuque: "Healing the world, truly admirable!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Jiang Jianyu gestured towards him, bowing respectfully. "Fourth Junior Brother, I admire your dedication."

"I've asked Master, your foot injury will take at least another month to heal," Lu Zhaoming said. "If you want to join us for the martial arts conference, it's not out of the question."

Hua Liuque's eyes shone with hope.

Lu Zhaoming set down the teacup and glanced up at him.

"Your task boils down to just four words," Lu Zhaoming said slowly, emphasizing each word. "Remember the sect rules."

Hua Liuque swallowed hard, his hand supporting his leg slightly trembling.

"Eldest Senior Brother, rest assured," Hua Liuque said with a shaky voice. "I-I-I will remember it."

"And there's another matter, has Martial Uncle informed you?" Lu Zhaoming furrowed his brow slightly. "Aside from the martial arts conference, we also need to pay a visit to Scatterred Blossom Palace."

Hua Liuque, once expelled from Scatterred Blossom Palace, returning to the old grounds seemed somewhat awkward.

Hua Liuque indeed hesitated for a moment, as if just recalling something. He nodded and said, "Yes, this year is Master... Master Mei's birthday celebration."

"If you're unwilling, you can stay at the foot of Scatterred Blossom Palace when we visit," Lu Zhaoming said. "The birthday celebration will only last a few days, then we'll return together."