Chapter 28

"Master!"

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao called out to their newly recognized master, Chen Jinan.

Chen Jinan nodded and said, "You are my fourth and fifth disciples, and you might be my last. The affairs of the Heaven and Earth Society are heavy, and I have no time to take on more disciples.

Your three senior brothers, two died in battle against the Tartars, and one died in the campaign to reclaim Taiwan led by Lord Koxinga. They were all brave men who died for their country.

I hold a high position in the martial world and have a good reputation. You must behave well and not disgrace me."

"Yes, Master!"

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao nodded, almost becoming nodding insects in the process.

Chen Jinan stood up and walked to the door, saying, "Follow me!"

Wei Xiaobao immediately rushed to open the door for his master, lifting the curtain to let Chen Jinan out.

"You little rascal!"

Lin Yi looked at the fawning Wei Xiaobao, and the two exchanged a smile as they followed Chen Jinan to the main hall.

There were already about twenty people sitting in the main hall. As soon as they saw the Grand Master enter, they all stood up respectfully.

Chen Jinan nodded, walked to the central chair, and sat down, saying, "Brothers, today I have taken on two new disciples."

He pointed to Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao and said, "These are they!"

Everyone was surprised, clasped their fists, and bowed, saying, "Congratulations, Grand Master."

They then clasped their fists and congratulated Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao.

Some looked pleased, some were greatly surprised, and some seemed to disbelieve.

Chen Jinan instructed Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao, "Greet your uncles and elders."

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao greeted everyone.

Li Lishi introduced them, "This is the Lotus Hall Chief, Cai Dezhong, Uncle Cai."

"This is the Hongshun Hall Chief, Fang Dahong, Uncle Fang."

"This is the Family Rear Hall Chief, Ma Chaoxing, Uncle Ma."

"This is..."

After the greetings, Chen Jinan said, "Brothers, after taking on these two disciples, I want them to join our Heaven and Earth Society."

Everyone said in unison, "That would be excellent."

Cai Dezhong, the Lotus Hall Chief, an elderly man with white hair and beard, said, "Since ancient times, great masters have produced outstanding disciples. The Grand Master's disciples will surely be wise and brave young heroes who will achieve great things for our society."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Chen Jinan said, "According to our usual rules, anyone who wants to join our society must have their background and character investigated, which can take half a year to a year or two. Only after a thorough investigation can they join the society.

However, Lin Yi and Xiaobao hold positions in the Qing palace and are very close to the young Tartar emperor, which is very convenient for our society's operations. We must make an exception, not because I am favoring my own disciples."

Fang Dahong, the Hongshun Hall Chief, a tall and robust man with a long, shiny black beard, said loudly, "To have such trusted brothers working in the Tartar emperor's court is truly a blessing from heaven. It is fitting that the Tartars' days are numbered, and the restoration of our Ming dynasty is within reach.

This is called knowing oneself and the enemy, ensuring victory in a hundred battles. Who doesn't understand the Grand Master's intentions?"

Wei Xiaobao finally understood why Chen Jinan had taken him as a disciple. It was to use him as a spy in Xiao Xuanzi's court. Thinking of how Xiao Xuanzi had been good to him, he felt a bit hesitant.

Lin Yi, however, didn't have such a heavy psychological burden. It was just a double agent, after all.

Cai Dezhong then briefly explained the history and rules of the Heaven and Earth Society to Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao:

"The founder of our society is Lord Koxinga, originally surnamed Zheng, with the name Chenggong.

Initially, Lord Koxinga led the righteous army to attack Jiangnan and besiege Jiangning, but he failed just short of success. Before retreating to Taiwan, he accepted the Grand Master's proposal and established the Heaven and Earth Society.

At that time, our Grand Master was Lord Koxinga's military advisor. I, Fang, Ma, Hu, Li, and others, including the chief of the Qingmu Hall, Yin, were all officers and soldiers in Lord Koxinga's army."

"Lord Koxinga" is Zheng Chenggong, who was granted the surname Zhu by the Ming emperor, hence the respectful title "Lord Koxinga."

Zheng Chenggong was very famous in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong regions. He passed away in the first year of the Kangxi era, which was not long ago.

Zheng Chenggong was a well-known figure, and Lin Yi knew about him, as did Wei Xiaobao.

Cai Dezhong then recounted the deeds of "Lord Koxinga" and the major events and rules of the Heaven and Earth Society since its founding, speaking for about half an hour.

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao almost fell asleep, but finally, it was over!

Chen Jinan said, "The brothers of the Qingmu Hall once swore that whoever killed Ao Bai and avenged Chief Yin would be made the chief of the Qingmu Hall. Is this true?"

Li Lishi and others from the Qingmu Hall responded, "Yes, that is true."

Chen Jinan's sharp gaze swept over Li Lishi and the others, and he slowly said, "The Qingmu Hall is a very important branch of our Heaven and Earth Society, overseeing various prefectures and counties in both southern and northern Jiangsu. In recent years, it has gradually expanded to Shandong and Hebei, and this time it has even entered Beijing.

The conduct of the Qingmu Hall Chief is crucial to the prosperity of our society and the success of our anti-Qing cause."

He paused and asked, "Ao Bai, the traitor, was killed by Xiaobao, and this was witnessed by all the brothers of the Qingmu Hall, correct?"

Li Lishi and others said in unison, "Yes."

Li Lishi added, "We have all sworn to keep our word. Although Xiaobao is young, I, Li Lishi, am willing to support him as the chief of the Qingmu Hall."

Guan Fuzi also said, "Brother Li's words are true. Xiaobao is exceptionally clever and, under the Grand Master's guidance, will surely become a young hero who will command respect in the martial world. Guan Anji is willing to support Xiaobao as the chief of the Qingmu Hall."

Everyone echoed, "Yes!"

Wei Xiaobao was startled. He hadn't expected that just getting a master would lead to him becoming a chief.

Lin Yi just watched from the side. Ao Bai was killed by Wei Xiaobao, and he thought it had nothing to do with him. However, Chen Jinan said, "Let Xiaobao be the chief of the Qingmu Hall, and since Lin Yi also made a great contribution by capturing and killing Ao Bai, let him be the deputy chief."

"Deputy chief?" Lin Yi was slightly stunned, feeling somewhat amused and frustrated.

And so, Lin Yi became the deputy chief of the Qingmu Hall, and Wei Xiaobao became the chief.

In the martial world, the term "chief" (香主) is used to show the highest respect, essentially meaning "hall master."

Everyone then paid their respects to the new chief and deputy chief.

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao were busy with the formalities. After everything was done, Chen Jinan called the two into the inner room to teach them martial arts.

Wei Xiaobao wasn't particularly enthusiastic about learning martial arts, so he didn't feel much about it.

Lin Yi's eyes, however, lit up. This was real martial arts!

Martial arts! Internal strength!

The ultimate romantic dream for a man—wielding a sword and roaming the martial world!

This was real martial arts, not the special effects in TV shows or just for fun!

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