Chapter 34

"Did you see it the other day?"

"Yes, I saw it. I was oiling the carriage at the time, and I saw them on the road. There were over twenty riders, each looking fierce and menacing."

Old Huang replied.

"Before, at the city gate, I saw a notice saying that strange beasts were ravaging the fields outside the city. The Inner City Seven Families Alliance had sent a team out to hunt them. Each of the seven families sent their best, forming a team."

Old Huang took a sip from his water flask and continued, "Today, it seems there won't be any action."

Wei He remained silent, not asking any more questions.

The carriage slowly moved forward through the night, heading towards the Wei family courtyard.

The wheels splashed through puddles, passing by people holding umbrellas, and also a man in blue standing by the roadside.

The man in blue held a white paper umbrella, with a delicate red plum blossom patterned on it, walking leisurely.

Wei He caught a glimpse through the window, vaguely seeing the back of the man's hand, which had a small, intricate "Hong" character embroidered on the sleeve.

He felt a chill and quickly opened the window to look back, but the man in blue was already gone.

The street was deserted, with only a few people hurrying along with their umbrellas.

The lanterns in front of the shops swayed in the wind, extinguished and cold.

Wei He pulled his head back, sat up straight, and suddenly felt a heavy weight in his heart.

He didn't know why, but his intuition told him that it was like a dark cloud hanging over him, a storm ready to break out at any moment.

"Perhaps I should ask Old Zheng, he might know something."

Wei He made up his mind to ask Old Zheng the next day.

As a famous martial artist in Shiqiaotown, Old Zheng's network of contacts and information far exceeded his own.

And that man in blue... the Hong family...

Wei He suppressed his thoughts, closed his eyes, cleared his mind, and took a deep breath.

Back home, Wei Ying had heated water for him, and after a quick bath, Wei He quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, before dawn, he rushed to the inner room where his teacher, Old Zheng, lived.

He knew that Old Zheng usually got up very early, but every morning he would secretly do some accounting.

"The cavalry you saw last night? The cavalry of the Seven Families Alliance..."

Old Zheng put down his abacus and stroked his long beard.

"Do you know, I just heard from an old friend that Hong Daoyuan from Hong Family Castle went on an outing yesterday with his wife and young children to Mingde Temple to burn incense.

It was said that Hong Daoyuan's group encountered a sudden attack by fierce beasts, but he personally hunted and killed over ten of them, emerging unscathed."

"This...!" Wei He felt a chill, connecting the dots and sensing something was wrong.

Old Zheng smiled.

"The Seven Families Alliance and Hong Family Castle have clashed many times, mostly losing. Now that Hong Daoyuan's power has grown, what can the Seven Families Alliance do to compete?"

He stood up, put the abacus in a cabinet, and took out a thin ledger.

"Do you know what Mingde Temple is?"

"Disciple doesn't know... isn't it a place for burning incense and worshipping Buddha?" Wei He shook his head.

"Xiao He, let me teach you a lesson today." Old Zheng smiled, "In this world, anything built outside the city, whether a temple or a shrine, is not simple."

"Does this mean Mingde Temple has another identity?!" Wei He felt a chill, remembering that he had killed and silenced people at Mingde Temple before...

"Exactly. Mingde Temple is a branch of the Xiangqu Sect. The Hong Family Castle going to Mingde Temple to burn incense, what could be clearer than that?" Old Zheng sneered, "The Seven Families Alliance is panicking."

"Teacher, if a real fight breaks out, what should we do?" Wei He asked worriedly.

"What's there to fear? Even if a real fight breaks out, it's their fight, not ours. The Seven Families Alliance aside, the Hong Family Castle has a good reputation and wouldn't harm civilians."

Old Zheng said calmly.

"Moreover, we, the Huishan Fist, have people on both sides. There are Huishan Fist members in the Hong Family Castle and the Seven Families Alliance. No need to worry."

Wei He thought for a moment and asked, "What about the Xiangqu Sect?"

"The Xiangqu Sect? A scattered sect, not much of a threat, at most they can incite the poor." Old Zheng said dismissively.

Wei He wanted to say more, but Old Zheng raised his hand to stop him.

"Alright, since you're worried about something happening, I'll make your cultivation public soon. Then you can choose which side to join, how about that?"

"Teacher, what do you mean...?" Wei He asked, puzzled.

"A few days ago, the Hong Family Castle sent people to contact us martial artists." Old Zheng explained, "We have many disciples and a significant influence, so they can't ignore us. Whatever they do, they have to consider our stance."

"What do you mean...?" Wei He's heart raced slightly.

Clearly, it was time to choose sides.

"What can I mean?" Old Zheng grinned, revealing his yellow teeth, "You have your own circumstances, different backgrounds, and different choices. The path you take is up to you."

"Alright, don't overthink it. It's still early. Just focus on your training.

Soon, I'll call a few core members over and spread the word about your situation. Otherwise, relying on the snake meat from Cheng Shaohou's family, how long would it take for you to advance?"

Wei He nodded, understanding.

At this point, the silver-kissed black snake meat was no longer enough to build his qi and blood.

It was too slow.

The monthly supply of snake meat wasn't enough to build his qi and blood, let alone the qi and blood needed to break through to the next level.

"Stone Skin is a good hand at the second level of qi and blood. In the Hong Family Castle, you could be a small leader. In the Seven Families Alliance, you could be a mid-level member. In a wealthy household, you would be a guest of honor. In the three gangs and two sects, you would be a pillar. So choose wisely."

Wei He nodded heavily.

He knew that by pointing these things out, Teacher Zheng was trying to help him avoid making a mistake.

Soon, Old Zheng called a strong woman outside to bring in a few people from the courtyard.

As the sky slowly brightened, the first to enter was Jiang Su.

This girl wore a fitted white dress, revealing her fair arms and a full chest, quite eye-catching.

It was unclear how she trained, but her chest seemed even larger than when she first arrived.

Her face was rosy, showing the natural apple red from long-term training. As she walked in, she brought a strong aura of femininity.

Jiang Su was surprised to see Wei He standing to the side when she entered.

This was Teacher Zheng's private inner room, his bedroom, and only close disciples were allowed in.

And now...

Jiang Su's eyes showed confusion, but she didn't speak, standing quietly to the side.

Soon, Cheng Shaohou, Jiang Yan, and Zhao Hong all arrived.

Including Wei He and the injured Xiao Ran, there were six people, the core disciples of the Huishan Fist.

The five stood in a row in front of Old Zheng, waiting quietly for his instructions.

Old Zheng coughed a few times, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

His old eyes with crow's feet scanned the five. After a moment, he slowly spoke.

"Today, I called you here to discuss something..."

He paused, carefully placing the teacup down and taking a deep breath.

"Right."

He suddenly looked at Jiang Su, as if remembering something.

"Jiang Su, how old are you this year?"

"Teacher, I'm nineteen."

"Nineteen... not young anymore." Old Zheng stroked his beard, "How about this, your junior, Wei He, is also eighteen. He is honest and has good potential and strength. He would be a good match. Why don't you two get together and support each other?"

His words stunned everyone present.

Jiang Yan, who had always had a crush on Jiang Su, almost dropped his fan, which fell to the ground behind him.

Cheng Shaohou, who was swallowing, almost choked and had to take deep breaths.

Zhao Hong was the most composed, just pausing for a moment before returning to normal.

The two involved, Jiang Su's face quickly turned red, not from shyness but from anger.

"Teacher, me and Wei He?! You... Wei He's personality and character are not what I like, and I've long sworn to only marry a man stronger than me. He doesn't qualify!"

Wei He was also startled and quickly spoke up.

"Thank you for your consideration, Teacher, but I have no romantic feelings for Senior Sister Jiang, only respect. Please understand."

Honestly, a woman like Jiang Su, who was always looking down on others, would be a burden to him.

His ideal partner should be like his second sister, gentle and virtuous, a good wife and mother.

Jiang Su was too ambitious and strong-willed, perhaps a soft and weak man would be more suitable for her.

Jiang Su glanced at him, thinking, 'This boy has some self-awareness, knowing to refuse.'

Both were shocked by Old Zheng's sudden suggestion and quickly declined.

Old Zheng waved