Fortune bag?
Silver?
Could it be that defeating an opponent would also earn a fortune bag?
Zhou Heng felt a burst of joy inside.
Could it be possible to draw another move of the "Nine Swords" again?
He was somewhat eager to open this fortune bag, but still felt like it lacked some sense of ceremony.
Better wait until getting home, wash hands, and then open it.
Though it might not really help, it always brought some psychological comfort.
...
He won!?
Zhou Heng actually won!
The apprentices who were watching had faces full of disbelief.
A martial arts student who had practiced for only two years and was yet to reach entry rank, Zhou Heng actually defeated Lin Cang, an experienced Ninth Rank Warrior!
It was incredible!
Even Lin Cang himself, staring at the hand of Zhou Heng stopped by his neck, felt somewhat dazed, as if in a dream.
He actually lost.
This kid, he actually learned the "Divine Might Eighteen Style"!
"Lost, I lost!?"
Lin Cang murmured quietly to himself, and after the brief disbelief, he started laughing, "Hahaha! I lost, great! Great!"
He wasn't angry at losing to his apprentice in public but was actually very pleased.
For Lin Cang, being an instructor at the martial arts hall, the happiest thing was seeing his apprentices get stronger and stronger until they surpassed him.
He often told his apprentices to seize any opportunity to defeat him with all their strength.
Furthermore, the martial arts hall offered rewards for such situations, making it a double delight.
However, Lin Cang was very puzzled.
How did Zhou Heng manage to learn the "Divine Might Eighteen Style"?
He didn't remember teaching him.
And given Zhou Heng's economic condition, it was impossible that he paid to learn it.
Could it really be that he learned it bit by bit during the battle just now?
That would be too outrageous.
"Good lad, it's been just a few days, and you're already so impressive! Haha!" Lin Cang patted Zhou Heng on the shoulder and laughed, "By the way, when did you learn the 'Divine Might Eighteen Style'?"
"Uh..."
Zhou Heng organized his thoughts, planning to make up an excuse.
He couldn't just outright say he cheated and learned it, right?
The apprentices present realized the issue after hearing Lin Cang's words.
How did Zhou Heng learn the "Divine Might Eighteen Style"?
Everyone practiced in the main hall usually, and they could see each other's practice situations.
No one had ever seen Zhou Heng practice the "Divine Might Eighteen Style".
"Could it be that Heng managed to learn this technique during the fight just now?" Yun Xiu guessed in a whisper. She knew it was unlikely, but she hoped it was true.
Heng is so handsome, it's only right for him to be amazing!
Hiss!!
Once Yun Xiu said this, the apprentices around couldn't help but draw a breath and widen their eyes.
Whoa!?
No way!
How could someone learn martial arts just by engaging in combat, especially between an apprentice and a Ninth Rank Warrior!
That's too far-fetched!
"Divine Might Eighteen Style," although a Ninth Rank martial art, still wasn't easy to master.
An apprentice usually took a month to get started even with dedicated tutoring correcting them daily.
Using it in actual combat was even more challenging.
If Zhou Heng truly learned this martial art in the battle just now, and even won with it—
What kind of talent and perception was this!?
Cheat mode!
Could such a genius actually exist in the world!?
"Actually, I think Zhou Heng might have had some understanding of the 'Divine Might Eighteen Style' early on."
Yu He broke the silence, saying, "He loves observing others practice martial arts, everyone knows, and many here practice the 'Divine Might Eighteen Style'.
"Moreover, he has already perfected a Ninth Grade Saber Technique, and palms and saber techniques have many similarities. There's a good chance he made the connection, having accumulated enough to cross a threshold and truly learn it.
"Lin Sir fighting him with the 'Divine Might Eighteen Style' might just have helped him cross that threshold, allowing him to truly learn the 'Divine Might Eighteen Style'."
The crowd nodded in agreement, acknowledging the reasoning, even Lin Cang nodded thoughtfully.
Zhou Heng, still wondering how to cover it up, was so moved he almost cried.
What a good brother!
He even prepared an excuse for me to cover up my cheating!
Zhou Heng hastily seized the opportunity to comply, nodding as he said, "Mm, Yu He wasn't wrong. I indeed began self-studying the Eighteen Styles of Divine Might a while back. At first, I just wanted to use them as a reference for palm techniques and to see if I could push the Twelve Complete Cleaving Mountain Saber Technique to a state of perfection.
"Unexpectedly, after perfecting the saber technique, the areas I didn't understand in the palm technique became much clearer. Competing with Lin Master naturally made me proficient."
As he explained this section, his face remained calm, and his heart steady.
He said it as if it were true.
After all, when Zhou Heng was studying on Earth, he was often the kind of person who "did his homework but forgot to bring it."
His psychological resilience was not something ordinary people could match.
"Mm, in that case, it's not particularly astonishing then."
Lin Cang nodded slightly, accepting this explanation, and then laughed, "However, even so, being able to self-teach a Ninth Rank martial art is certainly indicative of exceptional talent.
"I'm very pleased with your progress. It's been a long time since we've had a genius like you at Longxing. Tonight at the Tsui Heung House, your Lin Master will treat you. Order anything you like!"
His nature was hearty, and he loved to treat others to food and drink when he was happy. Tsui Heung House was his favorite place to visit.
The "fragrance" here refers to the aroma of rice, dishes, and wine.
Don't get any funny ideas.
Of course, he was only treating his seven apprentices, including Zhou Heng and Yu He.
It would go against martial arts hall regulations to spontaneously invite students from other trainers for a meal.
...
Tsui Heung House was not particularly high-end for a restaurant in Huangtong Mansion City, but it was considered to be of medium standard.
Lin Cang invited seven people to this meal and also booked a private room, which would undoubtedly cost at least a dozen taels of silver—almost equivalent to Zhou Heng's half-year income.
After a few rounds of drinks.
Yu He, his face flushed from drinking, exclaimed, "Zhou Heng is really amazing. Did you know? When I saw him use the Eighteen Styles of Divine Might to counterattack, I was utterly stunned."
Everyone nodded in agreement at his words.
"Yeah, at that moment, I thought he was sure to lose. Who would have believed that he could learn the Eighteen Styles of Divine Might on the spot!"
"Zhou Heng's talent is truly exceptional."
"Not only is his talent extraordinary, but he also works very hard. His Twelve Complete Cleaving Mountain Saber Technique has reached perfection."
"I heard Zhou Heng is going to compete with Hechang's Sun Zhengping? I think, honestly, that Sun Zhengping is definitely not his match!"
"I feel the same way!"
Words, whether genuine or flattering, filled the table. Fueled by the alcohol, they praised Zhou Heng as a martial path prodigy, rarely seen.
Zhou Heng himself felt a bit embarrassed hearing this.
"Hey, Little Zhou, come with me for a moment."
Lin Cang suddenly stood up, clutching his stomach, and gestured for Zhou Heng, saying, "Come with me outside for a bit. I drank too much and might not stand steadily."
"Got it!" Zhou Heng quickly stood up and followed Lin Cang out.
Lin Master's clever ploy to ditch them was quite smooth!
As the two of them exited the private room, someone from the adjacent room also came out. This person's complexion didn't look good, and after glancing at them briefly, he hurriedly left.
It seemed that guy truly needed to visit the latrine...
Outside Tsui Heung House.
Lin Cang found a secluded spot and chuckled lightly, "Little Zhou, how does it feel to be flattered?"
Zhou Heng shook his head with a wry smile, "It made me want to crawl under the table."
"Heh, you'll hear this kind of flattery more and more in the future," Lin Cang laughed. "Don't become complacent; on the martial path, while advancing bravely, you must also tread carefully."
"Yes, I understand," Zhou Heng nodded.
"You're always diligent in your martial practice, which puts my mind at ease." Lin Cang nodded, then looked around to ensure no one else was present before lowering his voice, "I called you out to tell you something important.
"Our Longxing Martial Arts Hall, along with Changsheng Martial Arts Hall and Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, are all part of the Chang Xing Sect. Every three years, the Chang Xing Sect conducts a selection at the martial arts halls to choose external disciples. You do know this, right?"
Zhou Heng nodded.
The martial path system in this world was quite mature; any martial sect with a bit of scale and strength would establish martial arts halls in major prefecture and county cities.
These martial arts halls would recruit a large number of students and teach them basic martial arts from the sect to assess their aptitude, waiting for the sect to send evaluators to select the best few, who would then become external disciples of the sect.
If chosen as an external disciple, benefits and conditions would improve significantly, even surpassing those of a Ninth Rank trainer by a good margin.
The Chang Xing Sect was one of the strongest sects near Huangtong Mansion City; its leader was a Fifth Rank Grandmaster, tremendously powerful, and regarded as a mid-sized sect throughout Da Qi.
The Chang Xing Sect had established martial arts halls in many prefecture cities, and the three martial arts halls in Huangtong Mansion City were just part of it.
"In a month, Chang Xing Sect will send someone to conduct the assessment. Our Huangtong Mansion City has only one external disciple spot, with each martial arts hall sending one representative." Lin Cang said with serious intent:
"At that time, both Changsheng Martial Arts Hall and Tongchang Martial Arts Hall will send their most capable students for the assessment, and those qualified for it will at least possess perfected Ninth Rank martial arts preparing them for entry into Ninth Grade."
"Originally, we didn't have a suitable candidate at Longxing, but now with you, I plan to suggest to the hall master that you be sent over, so you need to prepare."
"Yes, I will prepare well," Zhou Heng nodded, then asked in a lower voice, "By the way, what are the conditions for an external disciple, how much silver do they earn a month?"
"..." Lin Cang rolled his eyes and said, "You're such a money-grubber. Well, let me tell you this, external disciples receive a monthly stipend of five taels of silver, three sets of custom uniforms, and one custom weapon.
"Furthermore, you will be assigned to live in the Chang Xing Tower in the North District of the city. Although it's just a medium-class room, it's much better than the dingy place you're living in now, and the annual rent is only ten taels of silver."
Holy cow!
Upon hearing this, Zhou Heng's excitement nearly made him jump up, and he nodded repeatedly, "Rest assured, Lin Master, the spot for external disciples is mine!"
The Chang Xing Tower was essentially a high-end restaurant in Huangtong Mansion City; its medium-class rooms were also considered to be elaborately decorated, with fully equipped bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.
It was somewhat like a hotel apartment on Earth but with more space.
Ordinarily, renting a medium-class room at the Chang Xing Tower would cost at least a hundred taels of silver annually.
Now it's only ten taels!!
If I could sublet it, it would be a huge profit!