Returning to the Lin family's residence close to midnight, Long Xiao entered his room and lay on the bed, recalling the entire process of his confrontation with the four black-clad figures today.
The four black-clad figures had practiced their swordsmanship proficiently, their movements synchronized, clearly indicating they had undergone special training. When he countered them with 'Dragon's Breath Hand,' they immediately recognized it as a technique unique to the Long clan.
The 'Dragon Scripture' was an ancestral text passed down by the Long clan's predecessors. It was highly probable he was a descendant of the Long clan. Whether the Long clan referred to the Long family in the capital or elsewhere was a matter that, if clarified, would greatly assist in uncovering his origins.
Long Xiao had met his adoptive father at the age of five. Before that, he had been living with an old man who traveled the land selling fake medicine. His adoptive father, taking pity on him, had bought him for a few dozen yuan.
His adoptive father had treated Long Xiao very well, but Long Xiao faintly recalled that the old man who sold fake medicine had also treated him very well.
Long Xiao didn't remember when he had started following the old man. To find out, he would have to locate the old man.
Long Xiao had also considered the possibility of finding his birth parents someday, but based on the clues he possessed, the chances of doing so were very slim.
After pondering the four black-clad figures for a while, Long Xiao began to analyze their swordsmanship. He then found a set of sword techniques in the 'Dragon Scripture' called 'Roaming Dragon Sword.'
'Roaming Dragon Sword' emphasized speed, with footwork described as 'Chi Mei Xiao Yao Step.' The sword techniques were similar to 'Dragon's Breath Hand.' In just a few minutes, Long Xiao had thoroughly grasped the essence of 'Roaming Dragon Sword.'
The next morning, in a small park near the villa, Long Xiao found a secluded spot. He broke off a branch from a tree and practiced 'Roaming Dragon Sword' several times.
As soon as he finished practicing, Long Xiao sensed someone approaching. He quickly walked away as if nothing had happened.
After walking a dozen meters, Long Xiao heard the sound of fists cutting through the air behind him.
Turning back, he saw a girl in a tracksuit punching rapidly. Not far away, an old man sat in a wheelchair, watching intently.
The 'Dragon's Breath Hand' had been recognized by the four black-clad figures as a Long clan martial art. Long Xiao had no idea about the identities of those four.
Seeing the girl practicing her punches, Long Xiao thought that if he learned some other styles of boxing, no one would recognize him when he fought in the future. 'Exploding Dragon Fist' and 'Dragon's Breath Hand' should be used sparingly unless absolutely necessary.
He stood there watching intently for a while. When the girl finished her set of punches, she noticed Long Xiao watching her.
"What are you looking at?" The girl glared at him and shouted, "Trying to steal our Zheng family's martial arts?"
Being caught seemingly stealing martial arts techniques made Long Xiao feel embarrassed. Naturally, he couldn't admit to such a thing.
"No, this kind of common boxing, even first-year students at a martial arts school would know it. Why would I need to steal it?"
The old man in the wheelchair was wearing a martial arts uniform. His face was ruddy, and his temples bulged, clearly indicating he was a master of internal martial arts.
Now, Long Xiao had perfectly integrated the 'Dragon's Abyss Qi Observation' method with medical skills.
Using the 'Dragon's Abyss Qi Observation' method, Long Xiao could see at a glance that the old man's inability to walk was due to internal injuries causing blood stasis in his meridians, leading to blockages.
"Young man, it seems you're also a practitioner. Sneaking a look at someone practicing martial arts is unethical."
Having already stated he wasn't stealing, Long Xiao was determined to stick to his story.
Due to his daily cultivation of 'Dragon's Abyss,' Long Xiao's combat effectiveness hadn't significantly increased, but his abilities in all aspects had rapidly improved.
His memory was exceptionally strong; after seeing it just once, it was imprinted in his mind like opening a scroll in the 'Dragon Scripture.'
Long Xiao had learned dozens of basic martial arts techniques from the 'Dragon Scripture,' but they were a hundred times more profound than the girl's.
Based on his experience, he could identify the flaws in this set of techniques without much thought.
"I told you I wasn't stealing. I've known this kind of boxing since I was a child, why would I need to steal it?"
The old man in the wheelchair was greatly surprised. This set of techniques was unique to their Zheng family, called 'Zheng Family's Fan Zi Eighteen Hands.' If someone had known this technique since childhood, they would have to be a member of the Zheng family.
"Young man, are you perhaps surnamed Zheng?"
Long Xiao shook his head and said, "I'm not surnamed Zheng. My surname is Long, and my name is Long Xiao."
"This technique is unique to the Zheng family. If you're not surnamed Zheng, it's impossible."
The girl stepped forward, her pretty face filled with anger, and said, "Grandpa, he was definitely trying to steal our martial arts. According to martial world rules, let me cripple him."
Looking at the angry girl, Long Xiao said, "How about I perform it for you to see? I truly know this technique from childhood."
The old man in the wheelchair nodded and said, "Alright, if you can perform this set of techniques proficiently, I will believe what you say."
Long Xiao stepped forward, assumed a stance, and performed 'Zheng Family's Fan Zi Eighteen Hands' convincingly.
Watching Long Xiao finish, the old man was completely stunned.
He hadn't expected Long Xiao not only to perform 'Zheng Family's Fan Zi Eighteen Hands' but also that Long Xiao's performance had subtle differences in many places compared to his own understanding.
Upon closer consideration, the old man was even more astonished, unable to close his mouth. Long Xiao's Fan Zi boxing was far more refined than what he himself knew. All the flaws in the martial art had been perfectly mended.
"Grandpa, the boxing he performed seems different from what I learned," the girl said, looking at Long Xiao curiously.
The old man in the wheelchair nodded and said, "Of course, it's different. It's too refined. His 'Zheng Family's Fan Zi Eighteen Hands' is the most perfect version."
Seeing the old man praise him, Long Xiao felt a little proud. He said, "Since I wasn't stealing your martial arts, I'll be going now."
Seeing Long Xiao about to leave, the old man quickly asked the girl to push him closer to Long Xiao and said, "Young man, please don't leave yet. Can you tell me who you learned this technique from?"
Long Xiao thought to himself that he naturally couldn't reveal that. He glanced at the girl and shook his head, saying, "No, my master doesn't allow me to tell outsiders."
The old man smiled and took out a business card from his pocket, saying, "Young man, I am Zheng Dongyang, the chairman of the East Sea Martial Alliance. This is my card. If you have time, please visit me, and we can have a good chat."
Long Xiao took the card, looked at it, and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll come find you to chat when I'm free."
Long Xiao didn't mention the old man's injury. He understood the principle of not treating without being asked. Although the medical skills in the 'Dragon Scripture' were profound, being ostentatious would eventually lead to trouble.
Out of politeness, Long Xiao also gave Zheng Dongyang his contact information.
Zheng Dongyang looked at the girl and said, "Long Xiao, this is my granddaughter, Zheng Yueling. I hope you'll have the opportunity to guide her in the future."
Long Xiao said politely, "Old Master Zheng is too kind. In terms of martial arts, I only know the superficial aspects. I can't offer guidance. Perhaps in the future, we can study and improve together."
"Good, good. Young man, I'll be waiting for you at the East Sea Martial Alliance."