The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 53

144

Lu Zhaoming earnestly looked at Zhang Xiaoyuan and asked, "Why are you blushing?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan frantically waved his hand. "It's nothing! Really nothing!"

Lu Zhaoming sighed. "I still don't understand what Uncle Pei meant."

Zhang Xiaoyuan immediately interjected, "I don't understand either!"

Lu Zhaoming could only sigh again. "Forget it. It probably isn't anything important."

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded repeatedly. "Of course, it's not important!"

As he said this, he felt a faint warmth in his cheeks, his tongue tangled. Fortunately, Eldest Senior Brother was oblivious to subtle cues.

Zhang Xiaoyuan actually understood very well.

With a wealthy merchant as a father, he grew up mingling with the offspring of those in trade. While some displayed talent, most were idle and privileged. Despite Zhang Xiaoyuan's reluctance to associate with them, and with his mother's strict constraints... he still did hear a few things.

For instance, Young Master Song of the fabric business sponsored a male actor in the opera. Likewise, Young Master Zhou from the moneylending house particularly enjoyed sketching explicit adult art. Additionally, in the family-owned taverns across the Jianghuai region, Young Master Wang recently acquired eighteen concubines at the beginning of the year.

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but feel Pei Wuluan's misunderstandings were somewhat exaggerated, right?!

Wasn't it a bit too far-fetched for a Martial Arts Alliance Chief, a respected elder, to infer such things from his juniors?

What a pervert! A major pervert!

How could Dad and Master call someone like him a sworn brother!

Zhang Xiaoyuan covered his face, once again lost in wild thoughts.

Why did Eldest Senior Brother seem completely oblivious to Pei Wuluan's implications?

Was Eldest Senior Brother truly so uninterested in anything other than sword practice? A child had to grow up! What about getting married in a couple of years!

Hold on.

Zhang Xiaoyuan suddenly remembered something crucial.

If he didn't remember incorrectly, Zhao Chengyang was already twenty-six, and Jiang Jianyu, his elder brother, was a bit older. Yet, until now... he still didn't have a martial sister-in-law.

Not only that, neither his master nor his martial uncle was married.

Even Hua Liuque, who seemed to be harboring a one-sided affection for Xing Yan since joining the sect, was mercilessly rejected by Xing Yan.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt like he stumbled upon a rather terrifying question.

Everyone in their entire sect, from top to bottom, was single. Not a single one had a wife.

Not only did he mistakenly join a poor sect, but it turned out to be a monastery as well.

Could his sect really get any worse?!

......

Early the next day, the limping Zhang Xiaoyuan immediately caught the attention of Jiang Jianyu and Hua Liuque.

Hua Liuque's leg injury hadn't healed yet. He stared in astonishment at Zhang Xiaoyuan, couldn't help but ask, "Your leg... what happened again?"

Lu Zhaoming: "His knees..."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Had a little fall."

Jiang Jianyu, concerned, asked, "Why so careless? Not serious, right?"

"Second Senior Brother, don't worry. Just scraped knees, not a big deal," Zhang Xiaoyuan said. "I have something important to tell you both."

Cao Zilian and Ashner joining their sect was a big deal. Early in the morning, he wrote a letter to Master to seek approval, knowing Master would agree. The problem wasn't that significant. The concern lay in Lu Zhaoming's dislike for Cao Zilian. He worried Jiang Jianyu and Hua Liuque might share the sentiment.

Since they would be part of the same sect in the future, it was crucial for everyone to meet, sit down for a meal, have a good talk, and foster better relationships for smoother interactions in the future.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Second Senior Brother, do you remember Cao Zilian?"

Jiang Jianyu nodded. "Remember. He's the fool who got knocked down by Eldest Senior Brother at the martial arts conference."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

No, this beginning was a failure.

Even though Cao Zilian was indeed foolish, they would be fellow martial brothers from now on. Such words couldn't be casually uttered.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "He's willing to join our sect."

Jiang Jianyu: "Oh, that fool... What?!"

Lu Zhaoming, expressionless on the side, nodded in confirmation. "Chief Pei has already agreed."

Jiang Jianyu: "What about Master?"

Without waiting for Lu Zhaoming's response, Zhang Xiaoyuan said, "Master will definitely agree."

Hua Liuque looked bewildered. "I'm becoming a senior brother? And the new junior brother is a big fool?"

Wait, what about the soft-spoken little junior sister he was promised?

Zhang Xiaoyuan coughed. "He can't enter the Martial Arts Alliance yet, so I thought we could all go out for a meal together."

Jiang Jianyu was always interested in food. Originally, he wanted to nod, but since Zhang Xiaoyuan was treating, he couldn't help but hesitate and whispered, "Xiaoyuan, maybe it's better not to... do you have enough money?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "I..."

Lu Zhaoming: "He has enough."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan followed with a sincere nod.

145

Zhang Xiaoyuan, not in the mood for walking, found a nearby inn. He invited Cao Zilian and Ashner, marking the first meeting of the martial brothers.

A table with three limping individuals surely attracted attention.

Hua Liuque cleared his throat and couldn't help but ask Cao Zilian, "I remember that day, Eldest Senior Brother hit your waist."

Cao Zilian: "......"

Hua Liuque: "What happened to your leg?"

Cao Zilian had no intention of answering.

Hua Liuque felt he understood.

He sighed deeply and said, "I now realize, our sect specializes in creating limping individuals, all thanks to Eldest Senior Brother."

Lu Zhaoming: "?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Not for me!"

Hua Liuque gazed at him intently. "So, how did you injure yourself?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan wanted to explain, but with Cao Zilian present, who had earlier misunderstood that he knelt and injured his knees, leading to the repentance letter, he couldn't directly say he tripped. However, it wasn't Eldest Senior Brother's fault either. He hesitated, unsure how to phrase it. After a brief pause, Cao Zilian already wore the expression of understanding.

"I know it wasn't caused by a beating," Cao Zilian stated firmly. "It's just a complicated situation that couldn't be told for now."

After saying this, he patted Ashner, who took a moment to grasp the situation before hastily nodding along with Cao Zilian.

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt something was off.

He looked up at Cao Zilian's head, not yet able to see any words. Cao Zilian, however, turned his head first and winked at him.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Could it be that Cao Zilian thought his earlier hesitation was due to embarrassment about kneeling to beg Pei Wuluan, so he intentionally spoke up to conceal it for him?

What on earth was this person thinking?!

DING.

Words appeared on Cao Zilian's head.

「I'm truly clever, hahaha!」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

He didn't want this junior brother anymore. Was it still possible to reject Cao Zilian from joining the sect?

......

The table was filled with dishes. Cao Zilian inquired about the specific situation of their sect.

His dream was to revitalize a declining sect. Currently, with him and Ashner, the sect had only eight members. This number genuinely pleased him.

Listening to their casual conversation, Zhang Xiaoyuan suddenly recalled a few questions.

He asked Jiang Jianyu, "Second Senior Brother, the martial arts conference is ending tomorrow. Is there anyone interested in joining our sect?"

Jiang Jianyu's chopsticks froze in mid-air, an expression of pain on his face as he shook his head. "None."

Zhang Xiaoyuan was surprised. "Not a single one?"

That didn't seem right.

Lu Zhaoming had taken first place in the martial arts tournament. Based on the swordsmanship he displayed, it was improbable that not a single person wanted to join as a disciple.

"That day, Eldest Senior Brother was chasing a pigeon as fat as a chicken all around," Jiang Jianyu sighed deeply, "It really left a bad impression on the others."

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

"Moreover, I think they'd prefer joining a larger sect," Jiang Jianyu shook his head, "Our master isn't well-known, and we seem poor..."

Before Zhang Xiaoyuan could speak, Cao Zilian slammed his fist on the table, startling him, while Ashner next to him shouted, "Really riding people too deep!"

The culprit Lu Zhaoming, seemingly unable to bear Ashner's accent any longer, frowned slightly and emphasized, "Pushing people too far."

Ashner: "Riding people too far!"

Lu Zhaoming: "Pushing people too far."

Ashner: "Pushing people too deep!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

146

Midway through the meal, Zhang Xiaoyuan struggled to stand up and went outside to find the restroom.

Now, he could walk, but the scraped knees would ache when bent. Walking also looked strange. Passing the next private room, he noticed its window slightly ajar. He glanced inside and saw the names Lin Yi and Liesel drifting out.

Them again?

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but halt in his tracks. Seeing no one paying attention, he stealthily moved towards the half-open window. To avoid detection, he stood a bit farther away and quietly peeked inside.

Lin Yi sat at a table full of food and drinks, with Liesel in his arms.

Zhang Xiaoyuan's eyes widened.

Wait, is this old pervert Lin Yi not satisfied with his wives at home?!

After observing for a moment, the two inside were just sweetly flirting, exchanging cheesy endearments that made onlookers' eyes hurt. Feeling sorry for Pei Wuluan taking the blame, Zhang Xiaoyuan was about to get up to leave to avoid being noticed. Suddenly, Liesel said something, and right after that, the crucial line emerged.

Liesel: "When can I finally meet Sect Master?"

She handed a cup of wine to Lin Yi's lips, and he drank from it with her hand. A smug smile appeared on his face as he said, "Not yet time."

"Then... who is the Sect Master?" Liesel asked, "Surely, he has a title, right?"

Right, Zhang Xiaoyuan also wanted to know.

However, Lin Yi continued to smile.

Zhang Xiaoyuan stared intently at Lin Yi's head, trying to discern his current thoughts to uncover the mysterious identity of the Sect Master of Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion. Yet, Lin Yi had nothing on his head. After a while, he only uttered a few vulgar and frivolous remarks, leaving Zhang Xiaoyuan with eyes that hurt from staring. He rubbed his eyes, finding this situation somewhat strange.

Before he could dwell on it, suddenly, Lu Zhaoming's voice came from behind.

Lu Zhaoming: "Why haven't you gone back yet?"

Lu Zhaoming's voice wasn't too loud, but since Lin Yi's private room wasn't closed, he must have heard Lu Zhaoming's voice. Zhang Xiaoyuan was startled, quickly stood up, felt a twinge in his knees, and could only awkwardly smile at Lu Zhaoming. "Eldest Senior Brother, my legs hurts. I need to rest for a while."

He heard the door softly creaking, glanced in the corner of his eye, and saw Lin Yi opening the door.

"Two esteemed guests," Lin Yi smiled kindly, "What a coincidence."

Almost simultaneously, words appeared above his head.

「Wang Henian's two silly disciples.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Deciding to go along with what Lin Yi seemed to be thinking, Zhang Xiaoyuan showed an innocent and silly smile to Lin Yi. "Uncle Lin! What a coincidence!"

Lu Zhaoming gave a salute. "Elder Lin."

Lin Yi asked, "What are you two doing here?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't have time to respond.

The window of their private room also opened. Jiang Jianyu stuck his head out, looked at them, and asked, "Xiaoyuan, Eldest Senior Brother, what are you doing?"

Following him, Hua Liuque's head appeared as well. "Hey! I've said, between martial brothers—"

Jiang Jianyu: "If you don't come back soon, I might finish everything."

Hua Liuque: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

DING.

Words appeared above Lin Yi's head again.

「Heh.」

It was a sneer.

Zhang Xiaoyuan broke into a cold sweat, thinking that he had been discovered while eavesdropping on Lin Yi's conversation with Liesel.

Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion was ruthless. If Lin Yi knew he was aware of Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion's matters, wouldn't he want to eliminate him to keep it quiet?

His martial arts ranked thirty-seventh in the martial arts world. Even Lu Zhaoming might not be his match.

Zhang Xiaoyuan stared at Lin Yi's head even more nervously, and for a moment, his heart pounded like a drum.

The text above Lin Yi's head finally changed.

「A group of silly disciples under Wang Henian.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"