"Ah?"
A hint of shock also flashed through Ma Rou'Er's eyes. She stood there blankly, staring at Zheng Jun's majestic fist momentum, finding it vastly different from the Ma Family Fist she had learned.
The ancestral Martial Arts of her family, when executed by her own hands, were all flash and no substance. Hitting a sandbag, striking a wooden dummy, or teaching a few ordinary scoundrels a lesson was already considered decent.
Yet, in Zheng Jun's hands, the "Ma Family Fist" possessed enough power to rend tigers and leopards with his bare hands and shatter stone monuments!
Originally, Ma Rou'Er had felt somewhat indignant.
It wasn't because Zheng Jun was "oppressing" their Martial Arts Hall or bullying the Ma Family Fist for having no capable disciples. She was indignant because the medicinal herbs, beast bones, and other items her grandfather was about to offer him had been painstakingly gathered by her martial brothers for her to temper her own muscles and bones. Giving them away for free wasn't just upsetting because she'd lose the chance to temper her body, but because she feared her martial brothers' earnest efforts would go to waste.
What she hadn't expected, however, was that this famously fearsome Squad Leader Zheng from the county seat wasn't here to challenge their hall—he was here to learn their Fist Technique!
And he was terrifyingly talented. After just a single two-hour session of practice and instruction, he could already produce the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound, causing his muscles and bones to resonate!
Oblivious to everything else, Zheng Jun was fully immersed in the world of the fist. His Fist Technique was adept, flowing as naturally as moving clouds and running water. Though he had been a bit rusty at the beginning, as he delved deeper, he reached a level of effortless mastery and absolute perfection!
Finishing the routine, Zheng Jun exhaled a breath of stale air. Small, ink-wash text flashed before his eyes.
[Practiced Ma Family Fist. Repayment Progress +24. Current Progress: 24/5000.]
Looking at the ink-wash text, Zheng Jun was thoroughly satisfied.
He figured, "Practicing it once grants twenty to twenty-five points of repayment progress. At this rate, I'll be completely debt-free after a little over two hundred more times. If I consume a Blood Nourishing Pill, the progress will be even faster!"
At this thought, he felt refreshed all over. He cupped his fists toward Ma Zhiyuan and said sincerely, "Hall Master Ma, what an excellent Fist Technique!"
It was the perfect Fist Technique that aligned with his exact needs! He only hoped the Xu family's Martial Arts Hall and Master Luo's Horizontal Training wouldn't disappoint him.
With that in mind, he prepared to take out some silver to pay his tuition fees.
Hearing Zheng Jun's voice, Ma Zhiyuan finally snapped out of his shock.
Gazing at the radiant Zheng Jun, who stood before him like the morning sun, Ma Zhiyuan's lips trembled. He seemed to want to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words and forced a smile. "Squad Leader Zheng is truly an Unparalleled Celestial Pride. This old man is in awe! Let's forget about the tuition fees.
"If Squad Leader Zheng ever needs anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask! Although my skills are meager, I have spent forty years navigating Pingzhang Commandery. I have gained some experience when it comes to Jianghu connections and gathering information."
Ma Zhiyuan's demeanor became even more humble. He had thoroughly aligned his position, not showing the slightest intention to put on airs of seniority.
"This..."
Listening to Ma Zhiyuan's words, Zheng Jun grasped the underlying meaning.
He was paying tribute to the local authority. It was just like how porters from transport guilds would pay respects to the patrolling constables, handing over monthly "protection fees" in exchange for peace. The Ma Family Fist's Martial Arts Hall was doing the exact same thing, except what they were offering was far more valuable and important.
This arrangement was a win-win.
Zheng Jun knew that his reputation in Black Mountain County was massive right now. Being on good terms with the Ma Family Fist was mutually beneficial. And the Ma Family Fist was highly advantageous for him as well. Their Martial Arts Hall was the most affordable in the entire county; many Civilian Soldiers from the surrounding towns and villages had studied under them.
Old Hall Master Ma was kind and amiable. Even if a prospective student lacked silver, he would accept physical goods as payment for tuition. Because of this, the local Civilian Soldiers had received many favors from him. If Hall Master Ma was willing to cooperate, Zheng Jun wouldn't have to worry about the joint-defense Civilian Soldiers in the townships feigning compliance or slacking on their duties.
However, regarding the title of "Unparalleled Celestial Pride," Zheng Jun simply smiled silently to himself. Unparalleled Celestial Pride? More like an Unparalleled Celestial Pride of debt!
At this thought, Zheng Jun put away his silver, cupped his hands, and said, "In that case, there actually is a matter I'd like to bother you with, Senior."
"Please speak, Squad Leader Zheng."
"It's about the Vast Sea Sect..."
"..."
Ma Zhiyuan knew quite a lot about the Vast Sea Sect. After all, Haiyu County, where the sect was located, was not far from Black Mountain County. Furthermore, the Vast Sea Sect was a relatively prominent Jianghu faction within Pingzhang Commandery, naturally drawing significant attention from the local Jianghu figures.
He provided a thorough overview of the sect, detailing in particular the roster of Vast Sea Sect disciples who were on good terms with Lou Wei.
Soon, Zheng Jun gained a rough understanding of the situation.
Lou Wei could be considered to have a vast network of friends within the Vast Sea Sect. Most of his stolen wealth had been traded for powerful tonic items and sent back to the sect, which was why many of the sect's disciples were friendly with him.
"Judging by this, it will be quite a thorny issue," Zheng Jun thought, pondering inwardly while glancing at the sky outside. The sun was setting in the west, and evening was rapidly approaching.
Seeing this, he immediately stood up and addressed Ma Zhiyuan, "I've troubled you for a long time today, Hall Master Ma. I hope you don't mind. It's getting late. If I don't leave now, I'm afraid I'll be locked out when the city gates close."
The city gates closed at night, and he needed to rush back to consume the Blood Nourishing Pill for his cultivation. Naturally, he couldn't stay any longer.
Ma Zhiyuan offered a few polite words of retention before saying, "I am old and frail, so I won't get up to see you off, Squad Leader Zheng... Rou'Er, see Squad Leader Zheng out for your grandfather."
"Yes."
Hearing this, a ripple of secret delight welled up in Ma Rou'Er's heart. It vanished in a flash as she responded with a crisp voice. She walked over to Zheng Jun with natural poise, flashed him a sweet smile, and said, "Young Hero Zheng, this way please."
"Thank you for showing the way, Miss Ma."
Zheng Jun didn't decline. He picked up his Ceremonial Saber, bid Ma Zhiyuan farewell, and followed Ma Rou'Er outside.
With a faint smile, Ma Zhiyuan watched Zheng Jun leave. It wasn't until his figure completely disappeared from sight that the old man couldn't help but let out a long sigh. "Although my Ma Family Fist is an unrated, meager skill, this man managed to reach the resonance of muscles and bones in just a single two-hour session... To think that in my lifetime, I would witness such a genius!" Ma Zhiyuan lamented with deep emotion.
Beside him, Du Ding, who had been silent the whole time, revealed a bitter smile.
He had always prided himself on his solid aptitude, yet it had taken him eight full years to achieve the resonance of muscles and bones! He had always considered himself a standout among his peers. None of the apprentices who came to the Martial Arts Hall to practice possessed a talent like his.
Today, after seeing Zheng Jun, he finally understood what it meant to be a frog in a well gazing at the bright moon, or a mere mayfly looking up at the vast blue sky!
"Tomorrow, call all your martial brothers from the various towns and villages over for dinner. In the future, if they encounter this Squad Leader Zheng, tell them not to act arrogant just because they're locals! Whatever orders Squad Leader Zheng issues must be strictly obeyed—no one is to trip him up!"
Ma Zhiyuan took a deep breath before continuing, "Ding, once you finish your Blood Refining, find an opportunity to join Squad Leader Zheng's ranks. Whether it means holding his horse, carrying his stool, or acting as his enforcer, you must seize this chance!"
"Master, is that really necessary?" Du Ding hesitated. "Zheng Jun is indeed formidable, but we don't need to degrade ourselves like this. At worst, he can take his Yang Passes and I'll cross my single-log bridge!"
Although Zheng Jun's talent was extraordinary, Du Ding was an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old youth himself. Brimming with youthful pride, he couldn't bring himself to become someone's running dog. Furthermore, his ambitions lay in the Jianghu, and he held great disdain for the Court's lapdogs. If he became a lackey for one, how could he roam the Jianghu in the future? Whenever the Ma Family Fist was mentioned, it would only invite ridicule from their peers.
"Those destitute wretches in the Jianghu are nothing but filthy rejects who couldn't survive in the official circles! Why should you care about them?!" Ma Zhiyuan glared at Du Ding, furious at his failure to see the bigger picture. "A figure like Squad Leader Zheng will sooner or later rise to become a great general or prime minister and take his place among Princes! If we don't cozy up to him now, when will we?!
"If you won't go, then fine! Go call your martial brothers over right now—they have far more sense than you do!"