Chapter 93: Discussion

Yu Lun's words were quite rude, but not without reason. Li Jinfeng listened, looking at Zhang Xiaohua's red face, feeling quite sympathetic. Although rural children might lack some knowledge, Zhang Xiaohua had just helped him chase away a thief, and his demeanor and speech were impressive, leaving a good impression on Li Jinfeng. Therefore, he continued, "Brother Yu, you are mistaken. Brother Xiaohua's dedication to martial arts is a good thing. A warm-hearted person like him, if he learns martial arts, will surely help many people by standing up for justice."

Yu Lun, seeing Li Jinfeng defend Zhang Xiaohua, did not stop. He continued, "Brother Li, you practice literature and don't understand the difficulties of martial arts. Without money or talent, one cannot succeed in martial arts. Half-hearted martial skills are worse than none. If something bad happens and one rashly intervenes, it could cost them their life. Isn't that right, Brother Shangguan?"

Shangguan Yun did not say much, nor did he look at Zhang Xiaohua. He just nodded.

Li Jinfeng was now curious and asked Shangguan Yun with interest, "Brother Shangguan, what is the reason for this? I am very curious. Could you explain it to me?"

Shangguan Yun frowned and said, "Brother Li, to put it simply, for those who study literature, as long as you have a few coins to buy books, you can read. At worst, you can pay a little more to find a teacher to teach you to read and write. Such teachers are everywhere. However, martial arts are different. Take me, for example. I have always loved practicing martial arts. My family is well-off, and my father has always hired martial arts masters to teach me. He also spent a lot of money on precious herbs for my baths and injuries. Martial arts masters are rare, and those with great skills are even rarer. I changed masters several times before finding one with real talent. Only then did I learn something. Now, that master is old and wants to retire to his hometown. My father doesn't want me to continue practicing martial arts, saying that a strong body to protect myself is enough. I secretly ran away to join the Lotus Escort Agency. Even with my background in martial arts since childhood, I had to pay a substantial amount of money to be admitted. How could someone like Zhang Xiaohua possibly learn martial arts?"

After saying this, Shangguan Yun shook his head and smiled lightly, not a mocking smile, but a gentle one, as if discussing the ambitious dreams of a servant in his manor.

It was a condescending evaluation, a genuine disdain, a dismissive wave of the hand.

Yu Lun felt this and smiled in agreement, looking down at Zhang Xiaohua.

Li Jinfeng also noticed this. However, he knew that Shangguan Yun came from a wealthy family, and Zhang Xiaohua's status was equivalent to a servant in his household. Saying so much was already quite good. If it were another spoiled rich kid, they would have already insulted him. This showed that Shangguan Yun had no ill intentions towards Zhang Xiaohua, just a habit. However, he then thought about himself and realized the gap between him and Shangguan Yun. He was a poor scholar who came to Pingyang City to study. He met Shangguan Yun and felt he was a good person, with the intention of befriending him. Now, seeing Shangguan Yun's attitude, did his intention to befriend him seem like flattery?

Zhang Xiaohua, hearing this, naturally felt embarrassed. However, being criticized in front of others was not new to him. Thinking about the first step he had taken on the path of martial arts, he believed that as long as he persisted, he could achieve something. Instantly, his heart felt lighter, and the world seemed bigger. He smiled and said, "Brother Shangguan, what you said is very true, every word from the heart. However, there are many paths to martial arts, not just one."

Shangguan Yun, who had not paid much attention to Zhang Xiaohua, was surprised to see him not feel ashamed or uncomfortable and speak so confidently. It seemed Zhang Xiaohua had grown up. He looked at the servant standing by the wall, dressed in a simple green robe and hat, and asked, "Oh? Are there other paths? Tell me about them."

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, "Isn't my older brother, Zhang Xiaohu, a trip leader at the Lotus Escort Agency? Isn't he practicing martial arts?"

Yu Lun and Li Jinfeng, who had been listening intently, were taken aback by the mention of "trip leader." Yu Lun couldn't help but laugh, saying, "A trip leader, ha ha, a trip leader, comparing a small trip leader to us martial arts students is really laughable."

Shangguan Yun also wanted to laugh but suddenly frowned, saying, "Zhang Xiaohu, Zhang Xiaohu, why does that name sound so familiar?"

Yu Lun, hearing this, stopped laughing and said, "A trip leader named Zhang Xiaohu, what's so familiar about that? Ha ha, oh, Zhang Xiaohu, it does sound familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere."

Suddenly, Shangguan Yun slapped the chair and said, "I remember. A while ago, Master Wen from the martial arts hall mentioned Zhang Xiaohu, a martial arts genius and a new trip leader. He even said he wanted to bring him to our martial arts hall to train."

At this moment, a loud voice came from outside the door, "What genius? Just a peasant. After practicing a few days of boxing, he dares to call himself a genius. If I get the chance, I'll teach him what a real genius is."

This was said with great arrogance.

Zhang Xiaohua turned to look at the door, eager to see who this person was.

Li Jinfeng felt the same way. Anyone who could speak like that must have some backing. Scholars were mostly elegant and talented, but what about martial artists? Were they all big and muscular with thick beards?

Li Jinfeng was very curious.

Yu Lun, hearing this, immediately rushed to the door with a smile.

Shangguan Yun frowned and then stood up, but did not take a step forward.

The door was open, and by the time Yu Lun reached it, the person had already stepped inside.

A man with a refined demeanor walked into the room, holding a folding fan like Li Jinfeng's, but not opened, playing with it in his hand. He was dressed in white, very meticulously, with many small accessories that Zhang Xiaohua couldn't identify, but found them cumbersome. How could someone dressed like this do any physical labor?

The man was handsome, but his eyebrows were too high, giving a sense of arrogance. However, paired with his well-proportioned face, he looked vibrant and full of energy.

Zhang Xiaohua couldn't help but look back at Li Jinfeng, thinking, "Is this a martial artist? He looks more like a scholar than Brother Li."

Yu Lun was quick to greet, "Young Master Yu, what a rare guest. It's been a while since we've seen you."

Young Master Yu did not return the greeting, just waved his fan and said, "I just returned from visiting my family. I came to visit Brother Shangguan today. Oh, who is this?"

He was clearly looking at Li Jinfeng. Yu Lun smiled and introduced him, "This is Li Jinfeng from the Lusha Academy, a scholar we met when we entered Pingyang City with Brother Shangguan."

Young Master Yu, hearing that Li Jinfeng was a scholar, bowed and said, "I am Yu Deyi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Brother Li."

Li Jinfeng, seeing Yu Deyi's bow, quickly returned it, saying, "Pleased to meet you, pleased to meet you."

Yu Lun, seizing the moment, said, "Young Master Yu is from Yucheng, where the Yu family is a prominent clan."

Yu Deyi put his finger to his lips and said, "Shh, low profile, low profile."

Then, he ignored Zhang Xiaohua, walked to Shangguan Yun, and bowed, saying, "Brother Shangguan, it's been a few days. You look as spirited as ever."

Shangguan Yun smiled and returned the bow, saying, "Brother Yu looks even better. Please sit down."

Yu Deyi didn't hesitate, sitting in the chair Yu Lun had just vacated. Shangguan Yun also sat down.

The room was divided into inner and outer chambers. The inner chamber was for rest, and the outer chamber was for guests, with only two chairs and a square table. Li Jinfeng had been so engrossed in the conversation that he hadn't looked for a chair. Now, with Shangguan Yun and Yu Deyi sitting in the only two chairs, the remaining three people had no seats. Yu Lun, realizing this, patted his head and quickly went into the inner chamber, bringing out two more chairs, placing them at the lower end, sitting in one, and inviting Li Jinfeng to sit in the other.

Li Jinfeng looked at the only remaining chair, feeling uncomfortable about sitting in it. Others treated Zhang Xiaohua as if he were invisible, which was fine, but he had brought Zhang Xiaohua here. Although Zhang Xiaohua was a servant, he was not his follower. If he explained, it might seem like he was covering up, making Zhang Xiaohua feel awkward. However, he also knew that the room only had four chairs, so it wasn't Yu Lun's fault. What should he do?

Just as he was at a loss, Zhang Xiaohua walked behind Li Jinfeng, patted his shoulder, and nodded towards the chair, then stood behind it with his hands behind his back.

Li Jinfeng understood, smiled, and nodded, sitting down.

This action caught the attention of the other three. Shangguan Yun knew there were only four chairs, so it was normal that Zhang Xiaohua had no seat, and he didn't mind. However, Yu Deyi was puzzled by the servant's actions.

However, it was their business, so he didn't ask, just cleared his throat and said, "I heard about the trip leader who is now gaining fame. What's his name? Could you tell me more about it? I didn't hear about him before I left, so why is he suddenly so famous in the martial arts hall?"

Yu Lun glanced at Zhang Xiaohua and said, "Young Master Yu, his name is Zhang Xiaohu. The story is simple. Zhang Xiaohu came to Pingyang City with us and even rode in the same carriage. However, he didn't join the martial arts hall like us. He first tried to join the martial arts hall but, due to lack of money, became a trip leader. It's said that Master Li from the escort agency tested him. According to the trip leaders and those outside the martial arts hall, Zhang Xiaohu had never practiced martial arts before, but when someone demonstrated the Six Harmonies Fist, he could repeat it perfectly, which surprised Master Li, who praised him as a genius."

Hearing this, Yu Deyi shook his head, looking disdainful, and said, "Although the Six Harmonies Fist is complex, it's not impossible to perform it perfectly after one viewing. When I started learning martial arts as a child, I could do it with any style. I remember my distant cousin, who also learned the Six Harmonies Fist for the first time, could learn it well, though not perfectly. Zhang Xiaohu's talent is rare, but calling him a genius seems exaggerated."

Zhang Xiaohua, hearing this, felt unhappy. Although Yu Lun's story was exaggerated, it was about his brother, and he wanted to hear good things about him. Now, with Yu Deyi's rebuttal, he knew it was reasonable but felt it was out of jealousy.

Shangguan Yun, picking up where Yu Lun left off, said, "Brother Yu, you have a point. I wasn't there, but I found it strange too. A trip leader is nothing special, but there is one thing you don't know."

Yu Deyi was taken aback and said, "Please enlighten me, Brother Shangguan."

Shangguan Yun continued, "When Zhang Xiaohu joined the escort agency as a trip leader, I hadn't come to the martial arts hall yet, and you were already there. Why didn't you hear about this? And before you returned to Yucheng, weren't you also at the escort agency with Zhang Xiaohu? Why didn't you hear about it?"

Yu Deyi replied dismissively, "A small trip leader, how could I know? We didn't practice martial arts together. Should I have gone to the servants' training area to check?"

Shangguan Yun laughed and said, "Brother Yu, you have a point. Actually, Zhang Xiaohu didn't become famous during your time at the escort agency, but recently."

Shangguan Yun glanced at Zhang Xiaohua and said, "According to some brothers at the martial arts hall, since Zhang Xiaohu became a trip leader, he has only practiced the Six Harmonies Fist. No matter how Master Li tried to persuade him, he only practiced the Six Harmonies Fist. Master Li, seeing that he was already very good, wanted to teach him other styles, but he refused, saying he hadn't mastered the Six Harmonies Fist and could still improve. He told Master Li that when he felt he couldn't improve anymore, he would learn other skills. Master Li thought he was joking, but after ten days, Zhang Xiaohu was still practicing the Six Harmonies Fist. Master Li got angry and gave him an ultimatum, giving him a few more days to consider, or he wouldn't let him practice other martial arts. But after ten days, Zhang Xiaohu still didn't give in and continued practicing the Six Harmonies Fist. Master Li, thinking Zhang Xiaohu was a good seed, though he started late, might be a future asset to the escort agency, found a bodyguard to challenge Zhang Xiaohu. He told Zhang Xiaohu that if he won, he could practice whatever he wanted, but if he lost, he had to listen to Master Li. Brother Yu, what do you think happened?"

Yu Deyi slapped his head and said, "Brother Shangguan, aren't you testing my intelligence? If Zhang Xiaohu had lost, we wouldn't be talking about this, would we?"

Shangguan Yun laughed and said, "Ha ha, exactly. I don't think Master Li expected Zhang Xiaohu to win. Anyone would think that a bodyguard from the Lotus Escort Agency, though not a veteran, is still a skilled martial artist with years of training, at least five to ten years. Zhang Xiaohu had only been practicing for a month. How could he be their match?"

Yu Lun, seeing Shangguan Yun getting tired, quickly continued, "We weren't there, but we heard that at first, Zhang Xiaohu was not a match for the bodyguard. However, he kept using the Six Harmonies Fist, and as the fight went on, he became more skilled. The bodyguard, using several styles without success, became frustrated and was eventually hit in the chest by Zhang Xiaohu, forcing him to admit defeat."

"Interesting. Could Zhang Xiaohu really be a genius?" Yu Deyi was intrigued and said, "However, to defeat someone with years of training after only a month of practice is quite unbelievable. What could be the reason?"

At this moment, a voice said, "There is no other reason, just practice."

Everyone looked, and it was Zhang Xiaohua, who was now animated, answering.

Zhang Xiaohua, hearing Shangguan Yun talk about his brother Zhang Xiaohu, felt a stir in his heart, like a string being plucked. It reminded him of when Li Jinfeng said something that moved him earlier. He realized that what others do may not suit him, and only what suits him is truly his. Thinking about his brother's practice method, he suddenly saw a path for his own martial arts training. The moment he heard Yu Deyi ask about the reason, he felt an urge to speak, and a phrase Mr. Liu had said came to mind.

Yu Deyi frowned and said, "Brother Li, why is your servant so impolite? Hasn't he been taught manners at home?"

Li Jinfeng's face turned red. This was clearly a criticism of him. He quickly stood up and explained, "Brother Yu, you misunderstand. This is not my servant. He works at the Huanxi Manor. In a way, he is a friend of mine, Brother Shangguan, and Brother Yu."

"Friend?" Yu Deyi, looking at Zhang Xiaohua's simple green robe and hat, felt a bit uncomfortable. He turned to Shangguan Yun, who also frowned, silently blaming Li Jinfeng for his poor choice of words. Making friends with a servant was embarrassing, and he had never considered Zhang Xiaohua a friend. Yu Lun, seeing this, quickly said, "Young Master Yu, we came to Pingyang City in the same carriage, which is how we met."

Yu Deyi nodded arrogantly, retracting his gaze. However, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "How many people were in your carriage? Wasn't he with Zhang Xiaohu?"

Yu Lun smiled and said, "There were five of us in the carriage, and he was one of them. He is the younger brother of the Zhang Xiaohu we were just talking about. His name is Zhang Xiaohua."