"Ah, Brother Jiang? Is it you?!"
The young man with thick eyebrows scrutinized for a while before recognizing Jiang Ming.
After becoming a martial artist, Jiang Ming's figure transformed from thin and frail to tall and adept.
Even though the young man named Qian had spent some time with Jiang Ming before, he couldn't recognize him immediately.
The young man was named Qian Changgong, the grandson of Elder Qian from Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall. Last year, it was Qian Changming who led a team to Jiang Family Village, and thus, the two were considered acquaintances.
However, in the next second, a punch pierced through the air, heading straight for Jiang Ming's front.
Jiang Ming took a step back and caught the punch with his palm.
A slight blast of Qi and a muffled sound dispersed from their point of contact.
"You're not Jiang Ming! Jiang Ming doesn't possess such Qi-Blood. Who exactly are you?"
Qian Changgong's face was filled with vigilance.
Jiang Ming's face remained as expected, for the Qi-Blood on his body could not be concealed.
Jiang Ming immediately took out the wooden tokens that proved his identity from his chest.
One from Jiang Family Village and the other from Evergreen City, obtained earlier that morning from the City Lord's Mansion.
"Brother Qian, wait a moment, I truly am Jiang Ming."
Jiang Ming handed over the tokens and recounted some previous details between Jiang Family Village and Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall.
"Oh?"
The vigilance in Qian Changgong's eyes began to dissipate.
"Where are uncle and aunt? How come they didn't come?"
"Brother Qian, my mother passed away five years ago, and as for my father... the entire village is gone..."
Qian Changgong was dumbfounded. He was probing, but he never expected such an answer.
"Then you..."
"I have nowhere to go. In Evergreen City, I have no acquaintances, and thankfully, I had some fortunate encounters previously and practiced martial arts, so I thought of coming to Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall..."
Qian Changgong frowned and then relaxed, "Jiang Family Village had a deity-venerable guardian..."
When even deities are unable to protect their followers, it must be a great evil. Qian Changgong was shocked but believed Jiang Ming's words.
Because even the forces targeting Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall would not have the ability to massacre the deity's followers right under its nose.
Qian Changgong displayed an apologetic expression.
"Brother Jiang, I offended you, please forgive me."
"About Jiang Family Village... my condolences..."
"It's nothing. If I were Brother Qian, I would react the same, but Brother Qian... I..."
Qian Changgong's face showed hesitation, and he finally patted Jiang Ming on the shoulder and said, "I'll ask Grandpa for you."
Qian Changgong then led Jiang Ming to the back of the residence.
Along the way, a few disciples wearing uniform gray-white outfits greeted Qian Changgong, calling him Senior Brother.
They looked curiously at Jiang Ming, wary as their Senior Brother said no more.
The two quickly arrived outside a small courtyard.
"Wait here for a moment."
"Grandfather."
Qian Changgong knocked lightly on the door and entered the courtyard.
After a brief period, Qian Changgong exited and said to Jiang Ming, "Grandpa is willing to see you."
Jiang Ming followed Qian Changgong into the courtyard.
Sitting at the center was an old man with gray clothes and long hair, half of his face obscured by long gray-white eyebrows, making it hard to see the glint in his eyes.
He sat on a stone chair, an unfinished board game laid out in front, seemingly playing chess alone and pondering.
Mr. Qian's gaze slowly shifted from the chessboard to Jiang Ming behind Qian Changgong.
"Jiang Ming?"
His gaze was gentle and without hostility, yet Jiang Ming only felt as though he was completely seen through.
This is... an Innate Martial Artist!
No, this realm has no Innate Martial Artist.
The life level of an Innate Martial Artist is half a step above ordinary people, akin to the instinctual fear a person feels when encountering a ferocious beast.
An Acquired Martial Artist experiences a similar sense of oppression when meeting an Innate Martial Artist.
In this realm, there is no concept of Innate Martial Artists, which means that martial artists at the Martial Arts Hall Master Level are of the same rank.
However... can solely relying on Qi-Blood allow one to break through to Innate?
Although Jiang Ming isn't a Martial Arts Grandmaster like Li Jin, he spent two lifetimes alongside Li Jin and naturally has some understanding of martial arts.
Jiang Ming suddenly became somewhat interested in the Qi Blood Martial Arts of this realm.
Qian Changgong was about to say something when Mr. Qian signaled with his eyes.
Jiang Ming stepped forward and gave a junior's salute to Mr. Qian.
He then explained the origin of his Qi-Blood, attributing it to the old tale of a mysterious encounter with a predecessor and miraculous consuming of a Spirit Fruit, resulting in his current cultivation.
Qian Changgong took the opportunity to add, "Grandpa, Jiang Family Village... is gone, Brother Jiang has nowhere to go."
"Jiang Family Village... In these troubled times, even spirit monsters and deities don't have good days."
Mr. Qian suddenly moved, like a ghost, appearing in front of Jiang Ming.
In the next instant, Jiang Ming felt his wrist being grasped.
A tingling sensation spread from his wrist throughout his body.
"Oh? Not bad aptitude... yet this Qi-Blood..."
"It's not cultivated from any Martial Arts Hall cultivation technique in Evergreen City... not even a trace of it; none of the surrounding cities have Qi-Blood like this, quite unique..."
Mr. Qian stood in front of Jiang Ming, holding Jiang Ming's wrist.
One hand caressing the gray-white beard hanging from his chest.
At this moment, Jiang Ming felt as if he had lost control of his whole body.
"Hmm, demonstrate your boxing technique on the spot."
According to Mr. Qian's instructions, Jiang Ming began practicing the Red Gold Flame-breaking Palm on-site.
"Basic skills are good. I see your Qi-Blood is at the level of a Martial Arts Instructor, so you needn't practice alongside the disciples. Instead, start as a basic skills instructor."
Mr. Qian suddenly released Jiang Ming, nodding in approval.
"Jiang Ming, right? Good aptitude, practice diligently; in the future, you may yet avenge your family."
"Changgong, make the arrangements."
Mr. Qian instructed and then walked into the main hall, indicating his agreement for Jiang Ming to join Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall.
"Yes!" Qian Changgong felt pleased for Jiang Ming.
"Congratulations, Brother Jiang."
Watching Mr. Qian's figure, Jiang Ming slightly raised an eyebrow.
This was much simpler than he had imagined. He had even devised several plausible explanations and carried a ginseng root from a thousand-year-old ginseng in his pocket, intending to use it to trade for an opportunity to work at the Martial Arts Hall.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Qian didn't seem to care about his past experiences.
...............
No lights were lit inside the main hall, only the faint light from outside reaching into the depths of the house.
Vaguely revealing a rear silhouette, facing something unknown.
The silhouette stood rigid like a sculpture.
Until knocking came from outside the door.
"Grandfather."
"Changgong, go and check on Jiang Family Village; if there's no issue, it's fine."
"Yes."
The footsteps outside faded away.
Silence enveloped the house until much later, when self-talk eerily echoed.
"Good aptitude... Qi-Blood is also fine... indeed..."