The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 48

133

Cao Zilian remained silent for a while, then asked in a murmur, "What... what did you say?"

He seemed somewhat disbelieving of what he heard, and didn't understand why Zhang Xiaoyuan suddenly said such words.

Why did he suddenly want to bring him in?

Ashner also paused. His reaction was more direct than Cao Zilian's. Unable to hold back, he furrowed his brow and blurted out, "You're pushing people too far!"

However, with his unique accent, when that sentence was spoken, Zhang Xiaoyuan took a moment to understand. Lu Zhaoming was even more confused, repeating in a murmur, "Riding people too deep?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan silently covered his face.

Fortunately, Cao Zilian's response was much more subdued than he had anticipated.

Zhang Xiaoyuan took a deep breath.

After more than a month in the sect, he had come to understand.

Within their sect, Master wasn't much of an organizer, Martial Uncle seemed uninterested in expanding the sect, Eldest Senior Brother was a sword enthusiast, Second Senior Brother a slacker, and Hua Liuque only wanted to recruit junior sisters. In the grand scheme, he alone emerged as the hope for the entire sect.

Bringing people in depended on him, and perhaps making money, too.

He absolutely could not afford to admit defeat.

The growth of the sect was within reach. He could still strive harder!

"Yes," Zhang Xiaoyuan said, "Our sect has untapped potential, and there are quite a few talented individuals. Compared to the Ethereal Illusion Palace, which has only the two of you, this should be a better choice, right?"

Cao Zilian: "But... but you're on the righteous path, aren't you?"

"Didn't Big Brother Cao just say that the distinction between right and wrong isn't that clear?" Zhang Xiaoyuan countered, "You, under the banner of the Ethereal Illusion Palace, recruit people everywhere. Those willing to join your sect are probably mostly from the dark path. Dark path individuals who don't harm women and children are a minority. Even if you've recruited people, can you really easily control your disciples?"

Cao Zilian: "This..."

"Moreover, how can a martial arts sect be considered truly powerful?" Zhang Xiaoyuan asked. "Skills, financial strength, the number of disciples — all are crucial. The Ethereal Illusion Palace lacks money, lacks people, and even martial arts skills... it's not that outstanding, right?"

The two slightly lowered their heads, seemingly immersed in deep thought.

"You've witnessed the martial prowess of my eldest senior brother," Zhang Xiaoyuan said. "However, my eldest senior brother still falls short of my master. Be it in skills or the number of disciples, we surpass the Ethereal Illusion Palace in both aspects."

In reality, his sect had merely six members. Despite the saying about a frog in a well, he didn't want to concern himself with that. First, he aimed to deceive Cao Zilian and Ashner into joining.

Surprisingly, Cao Zilian found himself somewhat persuaded.

He nodded reluctantly, muttering, "What you say... seems to make some sense."

"As for financial strength," Zhang Xiaoyuan coughed and continued, "Our sect has spacious houses with tiled roofs. Do you have anything similar?"

Cao Zilian silently shook his head.

After thoughtful consideration, realizing Zhang Xiaoyuan's sect possessed sizable houses and disciples with purses filled with hundreds of taels, even though the sect wasn't yet renowned, it had the potential for future brilliance if managed well.

He felt somewhat swayed.

"Moreover, our sect hasn't gained much fame in the martial arts world. Now, with the master wanting to recruit more disciples and revitalize the sect, if you join at this moment, you will undoubtedly be senior figures in our sect!" Zhang Xiaoyuan completely ignored Lu Zhaoming's dumbfounded gaze, weaving tales and convincingly spinning. "Imagine it, Big Brother Cao! Countless junior brothers and sisters will be chasing after you, calling you Senior Brother!"

Cao Zilian became excited.

He felt that what Zhang Xiaoyuan said made a lot of sense.

To think there was still such an excellent sect that had yet to prosper! Wasn't this the perfect choice he had longed for day and night?

However, even if he was intrigued, there was a significant obstacle at the moment.

Cao Zilian furrowed his brow and sighed. "But I caused a commotion at your martial arts conference..."

"That's not a big issue!" Zhang Xiaoyuan reassured Cao Zilian, patting his chest. "Our master and the chief of the Chief Arts Allianceare close friends! If Chief Pei knows that you want to join our sect, he will surely be delighted!"

134

After leaving the inn where Cao Zilian and Ashner temporarily stayed, Zhang Xiaoyuan, carrying a chicken coop, happily led Lu Zhaoming back to the Martial Arts Alliance.

Lu Zhaoming, still bewildered at this point, couldn't comprehend. They had initially planned a simple outing to purchase a pigeon cage for the fat pigeon, yet, all of a sudden, he found himself with two additional junior brothers?

Furthermore, these two junior brothers were practitioners of the dark path. Could their master and Chief Pei possibly agree?

Unable to help himself, Lu Zhaoming grabbed Zhang Xiaoyuan, wanting an explanation.

With furrowed brows and a serious expression, Lu Zhaoming straightforwardly asked, "Xiaoyuan, have you ever considered that they are followers of the dark path?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded. "Of course, I did."

Lu Zhaoming: "Since ancient times, the righteous and the dark path have never coexisted. Even if you want to admit them into our sect, Chief Pei would never agree, right?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan smiled at Lu Zhaoming and said, "Not only will Chief Pei agree, but even our master will be delighted."

Lu Zhaoming was puzzled.

"I think, in the eyes of Chief Pei and our master, turning from the dark path to the righteous path is a commendable act. What about going from the dark path to the righteous path?" Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't contain his amusement, even considering giving himself a round of applause for his cleverness. "That's like a prodigal son returning home, a gesture highly valued by the Martial Arts Alliance. Regardless of a hero's background, as long as they are willing to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, the Alliance will never refuse."

Lu Zhaoming frowned. "But..."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Don't worry. I'll talk to Chief Pei, and he'll be very willing."

Lu Zhaoming: "And what about Master?"

"Our master is an upright person, dedicated to teaching people to do good." Zhang Xiaoyuan said, "Cao Zilian and Ashner's backgrounds perfectly fulfill our master's desire to spread goodness to the world, don't they?"

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

With a furrowed brow, Lu Zhaoming couldn't shake off a sense of displeasure.

Yet, they had already returned to the Martial Arts Alliance. Until matters concerning Cao Zilian and Ashner were discussed and decided with Chief Pei, it wasn't appropriate to speak carelessly. He had to keep his mouth shut. He wore a serious expression, feeling dissatisfied with the idea of acquiring these two new junior brothers.

135

Zhang Xiaoyuan brought the chicken coop back to the courtyard, stuffed the exhausted fat pigeon into it, and eagerly went to inform Pei Wuluan about the matter.

He asked the guards in the Martial Aets Alliance about the whereabouts of the Chief. At this time, Pei Wuluan should be in the meeting hall dealing with internal matters. With the recent troubles caused by Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion in the martial arts world, he became increasingly busy. It would take at least half an hour before he returned from the meeting hall.

Zhang Xiaoyuan, with nothing to do and not wanting to return and come back later, sat in the courtyard outside Pei Wuluan's study. He asked one of the guards for some fish food and squatted by the lotus pond, feeding the fish.

He still looked like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth. Being Wang Henian's disciple, the guards didn't feel the need to be overly cautious, so they allowed him to stay. As Zhang Xiaoyuan squatted by the lake for a moment, feeling his legs go numb, he was about to stand up and stretch when suddenly he noticed two lines of words emerging from the artificial mountain nearby.

「Liesel, one of the elders of Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion.」

「Lin Yi, Master of Purple Mist Tower, the first of the four elders of Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Wait, did he just see something strange again?

He remembered the name Liesel. She was rumored to be one of Pei Wuluan's past lovers. According to the gossip in the martial arts world, she was a woman from the Western Regions, and Xing Yan referred to her as the "Demon Woman." When Zhang Xiaoyuan mentioned the name Liesel before, Xing Yan had thought that Pei Wuluan hadn't completely severed ties with her.

That means Liesel, like Ji Huaidie, was likely the Martial Arts Alliance Chief's close confidante during his youthful days.

But why would Liesel become an elder of Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion?

What was she doing here with Lin Yi?

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a sudden nervousness, sensing that he might be on the verge of discovering a colossal secret again.

......

The artificial mountain was slightly distant from the lotus pond where he squatted to feed the fish. The rocks blocked his line of sight, so although he could see the identity information of Liesel and Lin Yi, he couldn't know what they were doing or what words were exchanged.

Zhang Xiaoyuan glanced around and moved to the other side of the pond, pretending he needed to sit after squatting for a while to continue feeding the fish. Meanwhile, he secretly lifted his gaze towards the area — just right. Although they were far away, he could see Liesel and Lin Yi conversing behind the rocks.

Lin Yi was a venerable figure in the righteous path, while Liesel was both a good friend of the Alliance Chief and a past confidante. The two stood by the artificial mountain, engaged in conversation, seemingly without drawing any suspicious attention.

Sneaking glances towards them, Zhang Xiaoyuan focused on the conversation emerging from above their heads.

Lin Yi was the first to speak, his tone urgent, indicating a sense of impatience.

"Have you found it?" Lin Yi asked, "Where did he put the things?"

Liesel shook her head. "I entered his study, but found nothing. I think... if he could allow me to enter his study so easily, perhaps there was nothing inside to begin with."

Lin Yi shook his head, sighed, and said, "Forget it. There will still be opportunities."

"But I discovered something quite interesting," Liesel smiled, "something you would never expect."

Liesel had lustrous black hair and extremely fair skin. She wore the attire of a westerner, revealing a fair chest and arms. Her cat-like green eyes exuded a captivating charm. Zhang Xiaoyuan had heard that western women aged rapidly despite their initial beauty, but Liesel didn't seem to conform to that rumor. She should be of a similar age to Pei Wuluan, yet from a distance... she seemed to be only around thirty.

Lin Yi furrowed his brow and whispered, "Stop playing games. We've been talking for too long. It might attract attention."

Liesel then reluctantly said, "I went into Pei Wuluan's study. He urgently needed to go to the meeting hall and left me alone in the study. I got bored, so I wandered around this courtyard..."

Lin Yi anxiously asked, "And then?"

"Pei Wuluan's bedroom was not locked. The guards seemed to think I had some relationship with him and didn't stop me, so I walked in directly." She raised her eyebrows slightly, her smile becoming more charming. Yet, within her eyes, there seemed to be a touch of disdain. "I used to wonder why Pei Wuluan never showed any interest back then. Turns out..."

Liesel paused slightly, lowered her voice, and spoke word by word.

"Turns out your Alliance Chief, Pei Wuluan, is a cut sleeve."