Chapter 68: Chapter 61: Sign
Deng Zhijue left, contacted Zhou Leng, walked to a secluded place outside the Martial Arts Dojo, simply explained what had happened, and gave some instructions.
Zhou Leng asked, "What will happen to Tian Wenhua?"
"He didn’t practice any demon skills, and didn’t harm any Martial Guards. He insists he was going to surrender, not believing we are True Martial Guards."
"More importantly, one call after another has been made to the higher-ups of the Martial Guard Bureau, inquiring about him, including the Rao Family," Deng Zhijue said.
Zhou Leng nodded silently.
Deng Zhijue continued, "He is a Vitality Stage expert, a War Merit Captain, and has immunity. If nothing unexpected happens, he’ll pay a fine and war merits, then join the Pioneer Team to hunt demons, redeeming his sins with war merits."
Zhou Leng said, "Martial artists really have a lot of privileges."
Deng Zhijue glanced at Zhou Leng, "The higher the realm, the greater the privileges, as long as you do not betray the human race. When you reach the Vitality Stage, if you encounter a robbery and casually kill, you don’t even have to compensate with money."
Zhou Leng’s heart skipped a beat, and he changed the topic, "What is the connection between Wen Bao and the case in our community?"
"We investigated, Wen Bao has no connection to the deceased, it’s just that both were influenced by the power of the Endless Candle Serpent. Wen Bao’s power source likely comes from the Fishman Sect. The deceased in your community might also derive power from the Fishman Sect or possibly from the Melted Candle Legion in the Demon Purgatory."
"What about Jiang Yan and the others?"
"They are the most ordinary demon-contaminated ones, they don’t even need to wear wristbands. However, because they are demon-contaminated, their emotions are unstable, and they are generally suspended for about a month, which might affect future promotions. You weren’t hurt, right?"
"No, Wen Bao struck hastily, just trying to force me back. However, the Vitality Stage is really fierce, a casual punch, even though most of the power was absorbed by the Demonized Shield, still paralyzed my arms."
"You kid... However, the Martial Guard Bureau needs someone like you who dares to fight and charge. By the way, the Hall Master said, he applied for an outstanding Martial Arts School Student scholarship for you, which is issued today, when it arrives, come to me to collect your scholarship and pills."
Zhou Leng nodded, took out the "Apprentice Martial Guard" shield-shaped token, and handed it to Deng Zhijue.
"The Hall Master said to keep this token with you for now," Deng Zhijue said.
"Ah?" Zhou Leng was stunned for a moment; this thing seems ordinary but is extremely useful at critical times.
An Apprentice Martial Guard is still a Martial Guard.
"The Hall Master values you greatly." Deng Zhijue smiled, patted Zhou Leng on the shoulder, and turned to leave.
Zhou Leng put the Apprentice Martial Guard Token in his pocket.
After lunch, Zhou Leng went to Deng Zhijue’s office to collect the "Outstanding Martial Arts School Student" scholarship.
Qi Nourishing Pills, 10 Blood Replenishing Pills, and 10 Great Nourishing Pills, plus ten thousand yuan, totaling 220,000, quite generous for an ordinary student.
Zhou Leng returned ten Blood Replenishing Pills to Instructor Deng, still owing one Replenishing Essence Pill.
At this time, a message from Li Linhan popped up.
"Call me back when you’re not busy."
Zhou Leng remembered not seeing Uncle Li in the office building yesterday and guessed he heard about his situation from others later.
Zhou Leng called Li Linhan and detailed the events of yesterday.
After listening, Li Linhan sneered, "The Five Tigers of Shuizhou, only know how to engage in shady dealings. You don’t have to worry, have a good rest, if Tian Wenhua dares to trouble you, contact me directly."
"Did you know them before?" Zhou Leng asked.
"More or less."
Li Linhan gave a few words of advice and ended the call.
Zhou Leng reflected on Li Linhan’s words, not expecting that he would know the Five Tigers of Shuizhou.
Shortly after, Xue Chengsong sent a message.
"Zhou Leng, what have you been busy with lately?"
"Preparing for the monthly exam."
"I figured as much. We agreed back in Demon City to find time to hang out after school started, do you have time the next few days?"
"I might have to go on a mission with the instructors, let me get back to you on that, okay?"
"Makes sense, you Martial Arts School Students are busy. Alright, I’ll wait for your message."
The next day, while cultivating at the Martial Arts Hall, Deng Zhijue informed Zhou Leng that he was free to resume normal activities.
Zhou Leng sent Xue Chengsong a message, confirming he had free time.
Feng Wenhao came over and asked, "Did Xue Chengsong invite you too?"
"You’re going as well?"
"Of course. Got nothing else to do, when’s the second trip to Demon City?"
Zhou Leng glanced around, lowered his voice, and said, "Don’t go for a while, find some pills to prepare for what might be a different kind of monthly exam."
"Different?" Feng Wenhao asked in a low voice.
"Not sure, just possible."
"Alright."
Feng Wenhao laughed, "Did you see Hu Yi’s social media, it’s all nightclub videos, those pale legs, make me... Looks like he’s gotten used to nightclub work, way more carefree than us."
"I saw, that guy’s really taken it easy..." Zhou Leng said.
"Forget it, let’s not worry about him, give me some pointers on my stepping technique, I can’t make sense of yours at all now."
With that, the two began sparring while Zhou Leng slowly demonstrated the footwork, explaining its essence.
Feng Wenhao nodded repeatedly, and some students from the class also came over to learn the stepping technique.
The next evening, Zhou Leng and Feng Wenhao went to Old Rongji together.
The group had six people, five arrived, including Xue Chengsong, Cao Jiajia, and Cui Mingcong.
Xue Chengsong still had a casual attitude, while Cui Mingcong remained tall and imposing.
Cao Jiajia’s short hair was dyed yellow, and her tattoos were more prominent, her muscular physique still surpassed many.
After more than a month, the five were a little rusty at first, but once they started eating and chatting, they quickly regained their familiarity.
As they chatted, the topic of Tong Tianxia came up.
Feng Wenhao curiously asked, "Who exactly is Tong Tianxia? The military seemed to value him greatly at the time, but I couldn’t find any information about him online."
Cao Jiajia and Cui Mingcong also shook their heads.
Zhou Leng picked up a piece of fried ribbon fish and ate it slowly.
Xue Chengsong looked around and said, "Can you all keep a secret?"
"Look at how you’re saying it, we’re not blabbermouths," Feng Wenhao said.
Xue Chengsong thought for a moment and said, "I can only mention things that are less taboo."
"Better than knowing nothing at all," Feng Wenhao said.
"Tong Tianxia is backed by the Huang Meng Sect. You guys know Huang Meng Sect too, they lie low, seem harmless, but once they act, they wash the world in blood."
"They often kill hundreds or thousands at a time. Don’t be fooled by hundreds of sects in the Demon Worship Sect, in the eyes of the World Martial Mansion, Huang Meng Sect is the real thorn."
"Not only does the Dragon Country have no way with them, other countries can’t deal with them either."
Feng Wenhao whispered, "Huang Meng Sect seems like they don’t kill ordinary people."
"Exactly, that’s why they’re the thorn in the Martial Mansion’s side. As for Tong Tianxia, he’s incredible. From what I know, he was once the top of the global Qi Blood Realm, even in the Innate Realm, he’s invincible in the world."
"Not only invincible among the human race, but in the Ten Realms too, hence the nickname Tong Wudi."
"That’s impressive," Cui Mingcong’s eyes were full of admiration.
Xue Chengsong said, "As I understand, he was once advised by Jiang Yan, a Martial Saint, and always considered himself a disciple of the East Monarch."
He was the most likely to be promoted to Grandmaster of his time when he was a Martial Artist in the human race.
He had a falling-out with the great clans of the Martial Clan while helping a friend who was in trouble."
So then the Grandmaster of the Huang Meng Sect himself intervened and rescued him."
His next appearance was under the name Tong Tianxia of the Huang Meng Sect.
From then on, people scrubbed his name from the internet, and he was only mentioned in oral retellings.
Feng Wenhao said, "Ah, I see now."
"Come to think of it, he is connected to the Huang Meng Sect. They’re usually dormant, seem harmless, but in action, they are awe-inspiring. That’s why the Martial Mansion sees them as a significant threat to the human race."
Feng Wenhao said, "I see. But Tong Tianxia is different in the Ten Realms. They call him Tong Wudi for a reason, unbeaten in battle, he even claims himself as a disciple of the East Monarch, who once guided him."
"In his time with the Human Race, he was known as the Invincible Martial Artist with the best chance of advancing to Martial Saint."
"Things happened later, but when his friend was falsely accused, he went all in to help, which offended the noble Martial Clans."
"The Grandmaster leader of the Huang Meng Sect personally intervened and saved him."
When he appeared again, he was claiming to be Tong Tianxia from the Huang Meng Sect.
At that moment, all online information about him was wiped out, and only the older generation spread the stories orally.
Feng Wenhao said, "I see. So that’s why he’s connected with the Huang Meng Sect. They’re always lurking, seem harmless, but once they act, they settle matters brutally."
Even though the Demon Worship Sect has hundreds of factions, the World Martial Mansion sees the Huang Meng Sect as a significant threat."