11: Chapter 11 The Second Life, A First Glimpse into Martial Arts (Part 10)

The two men did not delay any longer. Before the steam from their teacups had even dissipated, Instructor Wang Zhong had already flipped up his robe and stood up.

He led Lin Shi out of the Instruction Courtyard with quick strides, heading straight for the Hall Master's study in the deepest part of the martial arts hall.

His steps were fast and steady, carrying an air of determination that brooked no failure.

Soon, they arrived at the door of the Hall Master's study, and Instructor Wang Zhong stepped forward to knock gently.

"Enter." Accompanied by a deep, resonant voice, the two pushed the door open and walked in quickly.

Inside the room, the scent of sandalwood mixed with the astringent aroma of Kuding tea rushed to meet them.

At the head of the room, a tall, middle-aged man sat twisting a teacup. His burly frame filled the entire grand chair completely.

His black short jacket accentuated shoulders and a back that looked like cast iron. Even though he was sitting still, his presence weighed down the room's atmosphere, commanding respect without needing to show anger.

It was none other than Hall Master Zhou Yue of the Houshan Martial Arts Hall in Hansha Town.

"Greetings, Hall Master."

The two bowed in unison, their expressions respectful.

"Sit."

Hall Master Zhou Yue raised his eyes, his fingertips pausing on the rim of the teacup. "The two of you coming together—what has happened?"

"Thank you, Hall Master."

The two sat down in succession on the left side.

Lin Shi lowered his voice and recounted the matter of the "iron thread vine" appearing in the Heisong Hunting Ground in full detail. At critical points, Instructor Wang added a few details about the verification process in a low voice.

Before his voice had even faded, Hall Master Zhou Yue's knuckles tightened sharply around the teacup.

His previously half-drooped eyes snapped open. A sharp light instantly condensed in his deep black pupils. He sat up straight against the back of the chair, and the air around him grew heavy.

"Is this true?"

"Absolutely certain." Lin Shi leaned forward, his tone firm and resolute.

"Before coming here, I had already sent capable disciples to verify it repeatedly; the news is solid. Instructor Wang and I have discussed this, and given the importance of the matter, we must ask the Hall Master to make the decision."

Hall Master Zhou Yue's expression was agitated, and the blood in his chest began to heat up.

He had been stuck at the early stage of the Iron Skin Realm for a full decade.

Resources in Hansha Town were scarce; there were basically no resources for the Iron Skin Realm, so he could only endure and struggle slowly.

He had endured for so many years, and finally, he had waited for this opportunity: the "iron thread vine."

As long as he could get his hands on it and prepare it into an ointment, he could use it to break through to the middle stage of the Iron Skin Realm and find an opportunity to be transferred back to Pantie City.

He made the decision immediately, his voice sounding as heavy as if it were striking stone, each word crisp and decisive:

"Instructor Wang Zhong, Lin Shi, gather all the experts in the hall immediately. Head straight to the Heisong Hunting Ground within half an hour and ensure you secure the 'iron thread vine'."

"I will personally go to the Liegu Martial Arts Hall to meet that old geezer Chen Ping and hold back his main force."

"Remember, be quick. This news won't be hidden for long. Once the people from the Benlei Martial Arts Hall and the Town Office get involved, things will become troublesome."

The two stood up in unison, cupped their hands, and bowed, their voices booming like a bell: "Yes!"

They turned and rushed out without a moment's delay.

As soon as they left the study, Instructor Wang Zhong and Lin Shi immediately split up to take action.

Instructor Wang Zhong went straight to the Martial Arts Arena. Upon arrival, he struck the large brass gong in the center, the sound ringing out and causing all the disciples who were practicing punches to stop.

"All Inner Sect Disciples and instructors at or above the Ox-Skin Realm, notify each other immediately. Assemble at the entrance of the martial arts hall within a quarter of an hour; there is an urgent task."

On the other side, Lin Shi rushed into the martial arts hall's storehouse.

He grabbed medicinal salves, dry rations, and some items like boxing gloves and armor, stuffing them all into cloth bags.

Every piece of equipment that could be useful was not left behind.

There were no weapons, because official bans prohibited martial artists below the Iron Skin Realm from possessing weapons, and without systematic training, using them in a rush could easily lead to self-injury.

Moreover, this trip was to seize resources, not to wipe out a sect. Bringing weapons would easily invite the Town Office to intervene, or even alert the County Government.

That was what he thought, yet the peaceful life he had lived for many years in this lifetime had made him forget that some people do not play by the rules of martial virtue.

In a short while, seventeen people had gathered at the entrance of the martial arts hall.

Besides Instructor Wang Zhong, there were three instructors at the Stone Skin Realm and thirteen Inner Sect Disciples or instructors at varying stages of the Ox-Skin Realm—all of them experts who dared to fight and struggle.

This was all the combat power that could be gathered in such a short time. Apart from the disciples at the Tree Bark Realm and below who were left to guard the martial arts hall, there were others who were scattered outside and could not return in time.

Lin Shi stood before the crowd, his voice low and cold, each word carrying a fierce edge:

"A valuable item has appeared in the Heisong Hunting Ground, which concerns the future of the martial arts hall. After Instructor Wang and I consulted with the Hall Master, we decided to take everyone there to compete for it."

"This mission is not just about the martial arts hall or the Hall Master; it is about the benefits for all of you."

"After we return, rewards will be distributed based on merit. But let me say the ugly things first: whoever dares to drop the ball or break the rules, the sect rules are there, and you all know them."

The crowd cupped their hands in unison, their roar making the door frame tremble slightly: "Understood!"

No one wasted any more words. The group mounted their prepared fast horses. The horses' hooves shattered the bluestone slabs at the town entrance, kicking up dust along the way as they headed straight for the Heisong Hunting Ground outside the town.

In less than half an hour, the horses arrived at the entrance of the Heisong Hunting Ground.

At this time, two disciples from the Houshan Martial Arts Hall were already waiting there to meet them. As soon as they saw the horse troop, they immediately came forward, their faces showing anxious expressions.

"Instructor Wang, Lin Shi, you've finally arrived!" the leading disciple said in a hoarse voice.

"A quarter of an hour ago, the people from the Liegu Martial Arts Hall made some moves; it looks like they are contracting and gathering."

"The people from the Benlei Martial Arts Hall also vaguely sensed something; they just came over to ask about it, but we fobbed them off."

Instructor Wang Zhong pulled on the reins, his eyes darkening: "Have you confirmed the specific location of the 'iron thread vine'? It hasn't been secretly taken away by the people from the Liegu Martial Arts Hall, has it?"

"Confirmed, it's in the crevice of the cliff at the very back of the Luanshi Ravine."

"We brothers have been taking turns watching from the shadows for the past few days. Not even a passing rabbit could escape our eyes; it is definitely still there."

"It's just that the place is extremely hidden, the path in the ravine is narrow, and it is somewhat easy to defend and hard to attack."

"Let's go."

Instructor Wang Zhong dismounted and threw the reins to the disciple behind him. "Enter the forest first; don't stay at the entrance, the target is too big."

The group fell silent, lightened their footsteps, and slipped into the Heisong forest.

Inside the Heisong forest, black pines as thick as bowls were densely packed, one right next to another, blocking out the sunlight so that it couldn't penetrate.

The wind passed through the pine branches, making a wailing sound, as if countless eyes were watching from the shadows.

The group did not bother to conceal their figures; after all, they had already lost the initiative. They hurried along the way and soon arrived at the Luanshi Ravine.

Rounding a narrow mountain path, a narrow gully suddenly appeared before their eyes.

On both sides were steep cliff walls over a dozen zhang high. The bottom of the gully was only two zhang wide, overgrown with waist-deep weeds, and a damp, cold chill rushed toward them.

Everyone looked up.

They saw a cluster of deep black vines clinging to the opposite cliff wall, twisted together like quenched iron wire. The vine branches were vigorous, and a few small, pale purple flowers were blooming, looking exceptionally striking against the dim cliff wall.

It was indeed the "iron thread vine", but one of the flower buds was only half-open, which was no wonder the people from the Liegu Martial Arts Hall hadn't harvested it yet.

And at the bottom of the gully below the "iron thread vine", a group of people was already standing.

Each one was agile and strong, with murderous intent in their eyes, dressed in black martial attire—it was the group from the Liegu Martial Arts Hall.

The leader was a burly man with a knife scar on his left cheek, who was looking up at the "iron thread vine" on the cliff wall, cursing and urging people to climb up.

It was none other than the Head Instructor of the Liegu Martial Arts Hall, Head Instructor Zhang Shan, who, like Instructor Wang Zhong, was at the peak of the Stone Skin Realm and had been an old rival for many years.

Head Instructor Zhang Shan heard the commotion and turned his head sharply.

Seeing Instructor Wang Zhong and Lin Shi blocking the entrance of the gully with their men, a ferocious smile instantly appeared on his face.

"I wondered who it was; it turns out to be the old dog from the Houshan Martial Arts Hall."

Head Instructor Zhang Shan spat fiercely. "What, you want to come and snatch food too? You don't even look at who occupied this place first."