33: Chapter 33 Zhao Zilong Battles a Third-Rank Martial Artist! (Part 1)

Having been called out by Zhao Zilong, Cai Wenjing did not chase after him; instead, she turned around and looked at Zhao Zilong.

At this moment, Zhao Zilong was also looking at Cai Wenjing. Their gazes met, and in that instant, it felt like a tangible collision, causing ripples to stir in both their hearts.

The two stared at each other, silent for a long time.

"Cai..."

"Zhao..."

After a long while, the silent atmosphere was broken as both of them began to speak, but because they spoke simultaneously, both of their words trailed off.

"Zhao Zilong, you go first."

Cai Wenjing spoke, a hint of subtle anticipation glimmering in her eyes.

Although it was somewhat hard to imagine that their relationship had heated up so quickly, at this moment, Cai Wenjing did not feel any resistance in her heart.

Hearing Cai Wenjing tell him to speak first, Zhao Zilong did not know how to begin for a moment.

He did not know what Cai Wenjing was thinking.

There was indeed some subtle ambiguity between them, but his declaration of feelings today was a forced necessity, truly a helpless move.

If he were to express his feelings to Cai Wenjing again now, Zhao Zilong suddenly felt a bit nervous.

"If Cai Wenjing has absolutely no romantic feelings for me, what will I do if I confess to her and she rejects me?"

"Although I am now a First-Grade Martial Artist and have become a Banner Master, the disparity in status and position between me and Cai Wenjing is ultimately too great."

"Sigh, never mind. I, Zhao Zilong, am a hidden dragon in the abyss; one day, I will surely be a dragon among men. I will confess my feelings when that day comes."

Zhao Zilong slowly said: "Deputy Director Cai, I am sure you heard what I said earlier. I meant no offense; it was truly forced by the circumstances, and I had no choice but to say it."

"If I have offended you, Deputy Director Cai, I apologize."

When he said he liked Cai Wenjing and wouldn't attack her, it was to make Ning Hongxiu empathize with him, hoping she would let him go.

Otherwise, he would not have declared his feelings.

She had thought Zhao Zilong would take this opportunity to confess his feelings directly to her, and Cai Wenjing had felt somewhat nervous and shy.

As it turned out, Zhao Zilong said exactly those words.

The anticipation in Cai Wenjing's eyes vanished completely; she felt a bit angry and a bit disappointed.

Cai Wenjing composed her emotions, not letting Zhao Zilong see them, and said: "Banner Master Zhao, you are being too serious. I also know it was forced by the circumstances. Banner Master Zhao said that to ensure we could save our lives, so I do not blame you, Banner Master Zhao."

Zhao Zilong said: "It is good that you do not blame me, Deputy Director Cai. By the way, Deputy Director Cai, what were you about to say just now?"

Since Zhao Zilong wouldn't declare his feelings, how could she confess? She said: "You could see the fatal weakness of that woman from the previous dynasty, so you must be able to see mine, right? How did you do that?"

Cai Wenjing was indeed surprised by this; this ability was somewhat heaven-defying.

If not for Zhao Zilong's ability just now, both she and Zhao Zilong would have died.

Zhao Zilong naturally could not tell the truth. He thought for a moment and said: "I don't know why, but I just entered a very mysterious state, and that is how I saw that woman's fatal weakness."

"You didn't see mine?" Cai Wenjing pressed.

Zhao Zilong said: "I have seen some of Deputy Director Cai's fatal weaknesses as well. However, Deputy Director Cai, rest assured, I will not tell anyone."

Cai Wenjing asked: "Do you know how to break through these fatal weaknesses?"

Zhao Zilong shook his head; he really did not know about that.

All martial artists have fatal weaknesses, but the higher the cultivation, the fewer the fatal weaknesses.

But as for exactly how to break through these fatal weaknesses, Zhao Zilong did not know.

Cai Wenjing believed that Zhao Zilong was not lying to her. She glanced outside, then looked at Zhao Zilong and said: "Banner Master Zhao, please go ahead and clean up the broken things yourself. I am tired, so I will rest first."

After speaking, she walked past Zhao Zilong toward the outer door.

Zhao Zilong did not know what to say at this moment. When Cai Wenjing reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned around to look at Zhao Zilong, and said: "Banner Master Zhao, everything I said to you tonight was to lure out the people of the previous dynasty; do not take it to heart. From now on, it is better if you call me Deputy Director Cai."

"I understand."

Zhao Zilong felt a slight pain in his heart. As expected, Cai Wenjing was just acting, it was all a performance.

He should have known; she was the honorable daughter of Marquis Wulie and a Deputy Director of the Fuzheng Division with a rank of Fifth Grade. How could she possibly have feelings for him, a small official of the Ninth Grade? He had overthought it.

It was fortunate that he had not confessed his feelings just now, or it would have been awkward.

"Hmm." Cai Wenjing looked deeply at Zhao Zilong, her eyes extremely complex, and then she returned to the room next door.

Zhao Zilong felt a bit dejected. After cleaning up the things, he lay on the bed to rest.

Without realizing it, he fell asleep and entered the dream realm once again.

Previously, when watching the battle between Cai Wenjing and Ning Hongxiu, he had gained some insight—not about martial arts moves, but about the method of circulating Qi.

In the dream, Zhao Zilong followed the phantom of the meditating monk to practice, circulating Qi through his meridians.

The path of a martial artist is the cultivation of Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

Use Essence to transform into Qi, and use Qi to nourish the Spirit.

However, this is only the most basic level.

The more profound level is to use the Spirit to nurture Qi, and use Qi to refine Essence.

Essence can be the beginning, and Spirit can also be the beginning.

Nourishing Essence is important, and restoring the Spirit is equally important.

Only through such a combination can one cultivate better.

The meditating phantom monk did exactly this; previously, Zhao Zilong couldn't quite understand it, but now he understood.

As he gradually gained enlightenment, his cultivation speed also began to improve significantly.

"This is..." After circulating Qi for several cycles, Zhao Zilong was suddenly startled.

He had actually broken through and become a Second-Grade Martial Artist.

A First-Grade Martial Artist has one 'Qi Mark' in their body; now, it had become two 'Qi Marks'.

This is the mark of a Second-Grade Martial Artist.

"In just a few days, I have broken through to a Second-Grade Martial Artist; my cultivation speed is truly heaven-defying."

Zhao Zilong was very excited and wanted to practice a little longer, but his mental energy was exhausted, and he exited the dream realm.

In the morning, Zhao Zilong woke up very early and personally made breakfast—lean meat porridge and some pickles.

While eating, Cai Wenjing did not say a word the entire time; she did not speak a single sentence to Zhao Zilong.

Zhao Zilong did not even know where he had offended her.

"Could it be that what I said last night really offended Cai Wenjing? Although she said she didn't blame me, she actually minded it very much? It seems I really need to be more careful in the future."

Zhao Zilong reminded himself.

Consequently, he became even more polite and courteous toward Cai Wenjing.

As a result, Cai Wenjing became even angrier.

Zhao Zilong had a headache; this woman really was petty, was she starting to make things difficult for him now?

He sighed helplessly.

Following Zhao Zilong's request from yesterday, every day when they reported for duty, the members of the Third Banner had to assemble in front of the Third Banner premises.

When Zhao Zilong and Cai Wenjing arrived, Li Kai, Zhang Da, Zhou Jie, and Wu Chuan were already there. They were very punctual, and their posture was not as lax as yesterday.

Moreover, the way everyone looked at Zhao Zilong today was different from yesterday; it clearly carried some respect.

Zhao Zilong was very satisfied with this.

Sure enough, no matter which world it is, ability is paramount.

Li Kai, Zhang Da, Zhou Jie, and Wu Chuan all looked at Zhao Zilong with anticipation in their eyes.

They had captured two people from the previous dynasty in just one day yesterday; this was a significant achievement.

Furthermore, they really did not expect that Zhao Zilong would be able to lead them to merit after only one day in office.

They had followed Cao Yun for so long before but hadn't achieved a single merit. Instead, they had firmly established the label of a useless banner and were laughed at behind their backs. Now, they could finally hold their heads high, and they felt indescribably relieved.

"Everyone, you all performed well yesterday. We successfully captured two people from the previous dynasty. This is a great achievement, and this Banner Master will certainly request rewards for you all."

As Zhao Zilong finished speaking, everyone became excited; this was the sentence they had been waiting for.

Zhao Zilong added: "And this Banner Master will also personally express my appreciation for everyone's efforts. Tonight, everyone will accompany this Banner Master to Linglong Pavilion for drinks; let's all relax properly."

"Banner Master, are you serious? You aren't kidding us, are you?" Wu Chuan's eyes lit up.

Linglong Pavilion was the largest brothel in Qingyang County, and the girls inside were all beautiful as flowers.

Even if one did nothing and just looked, it was comfortable.

It was just that the prices were too high; he had only been there once and hadn't even paid for a girl.

That one time, because he had drunk too much and tried to use his status to take advantage, he hadn't succeeded.

This was what was written in Zhao Zilong's little notebook.

"This Banner Master would naturally not lie to everyone. All expenses for going to Linglong Pavilion today will be fully covered by this Banner Master. Everyone just needs to drink happily and have a good time."

Yesterday, establishing his authority was like giving everyone a stick; today, he had to give them some sweet dates.

This was the only way to win over their hearts.

Moreover, Zhao Zilong suggested going to Linglong Pavilion because he wanted to go too.

Previously, the original owner's heart was entirely on Jin Rong, but now that he had transmigrated over and was single again, he had no scruples and could indulge himself to the fullest.

He heard that the girls at Linglong Pavilion were all beautiful, spoke sweetly, and were very good at coaxing people.

To put it in modern terms, the emotional value was maxed out.

He had to go and experience it.

"Banner Master is mighty!" Wu Chuan shouted excitedly, and everyone followed suit, the atmosphere becoming lively.

"You are not allowed to go." Unexpectedly, Cai Wenjing, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up to stop them.

Everyone was stunned. The Fuzheng Division did not prohibit such things; why did Deputy Director Cai want to stop them?

Zhao Zilong was also puzzled. She even managed this?