29: Chapter 29 Shocking the Blazing Martial Arts Academy

Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, Council Hall.

The atmosphere was so oppressive it made it hard to breathe.

The Grand Elder sat in the main seat, his face ashen. The few Instructors and Consultants standing below kept their heads low, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"It's been a month," the Grand Elder said coldly. "The person we sent is dead. We don't know who killed him, and we don't know how he died. Tell me, what's the point of me being the Grand Elder?"

Instructor Li bit the bullet and spoke up: "Grand Elder, we have investigated clearly. Consultant Liu's corpse was gnawed on by wild beasts, but the fatal wound was a punch to the chest. The force was fierce and powerful, shattering his heart meridians. The person who attacked has extremely high attainments in fist techniques."

"Fist techniques?" The Grand Elder narrowed his eyes. "That Lin Tian uses fist techniques."

"But..." Instructor Li hesitated, "According to previous intelligence, Lin Tian is only at the Early Stage of the First Rank, and he only achieved his Breakthrough a few months ago. Consultant Liu was at the Middle Stage of the First Rank and had practiced Eagle Claw Kung Fu for twenty years, with rich experience. Even if that kid has some talent, it's impossible for him to have killed Consultant Liu."

The Grand Elder snorted coldly: "Then what do you mean?"

"Subordinate suspects that there was an expert from the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall secretly following them at the time," Instructor Li said. "That kid was just bait; the one who truly attacked was someone hidden in the shadows."

The Grand Elder was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"Reasonable. Continue the investigation. Find out who else left the city that day, and find out which experts from the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall have been acting unusually lately."

He stood up, cold light flashing in his eyes:

"No matter who it is, whoever kills a person from my Liehuo Martial Arts Hall must pay the price."

Lin Tian knew nothing of this.

Half a month later, he received news—Master Huang was celebrating his birthday.

Huang Yuanshan had been teaching at the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall for many years, and his Disciples were spread throughout Heishan City. For this birthday celebration, many Disciples who held posts outside were preparing to return to offer their congratulations.

Lin Tian naturally had to go back as well.

Master Huang had helped him secure this job, and he had always kept this favor in mind.

He went to the street to pick out a gift—a pair of high-quality wrist guards, stitched from cowhide with a soft silk lining. Wearing them could protect his wrists without affecting his punching.

He spent two taels of silver; it wasn't too expensive, but it was thoughtful.

After requesting leave, Lin Tian left the Sifang Pavilion and headed to the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall.

The martial arts hall was much livelier than usual.

Over a dozen tables were set up on the Training Ground, laden with tea and snacks. People were coming and going in an endless stream, including Disciples wearing the martial arts hall's uniform, as well as outsiders wearing various kinds of clothing.

As soon as Lin Tian entered the door, he saw several unfamiliar faces. Some wore brocade robes and jade pendants at their waists; others were dressed in tight outfits, carrying swords or sabers on their backs. At a glance, they were clearly Martial Artists from outside.

"Who are these people?" Lin Tian asked the Disciple at the door.

The Disciple smiled and said: "They are all Master Huang's former Disciples who hold posts outside. Some are at escort agencies, some are at noble families, and some serve in the yamen. Hearing that Master Huang is celebrating his birthday, they all rushed back."

Lin Tian nodded, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.

He didn't know these people, so he just nodded to acknowledge them, then walked inside to find Liu Yunfeng.

Soon, he found Liu Yunfeng at a table. Sitting next to him were several familiar faces, all new Disciples who had joined the hall at the same time.

"Lin Tian!" Liu Yunfeng's eyes lit up when he saw him, and he hurriedly waved.

Lin Tian walked over and sat down, glancing at the few people present, his brows slightly furrowed:

"Why are there only these few people? Didn't our batch have over twenty people?"

Liu Yunfeng sighed:

"They didn't pass the assessment and were dismissed."

He pointed to the people sitting there: "There are only seven of us left. These few have all achieved a Breakthrough to the First Rank. Those who didn't break through have all packed their bags and gone home."

Lin Tian was silent.

He understood the rules of the martial arts hall. If one failed to meet the assessment standards for two consecutive months, they would be dismissed. Most of those twenty-plus people were children of wealthy families who had spent money to enter, hoping to secure a future. But on the path of martial arts, without sufficient talent, no amount of money could build it up.

He looked at Liu Yunfeng: "You achieved a Breakthrough too?"

Liu Yunfeng nodded, a look of pride on his face, but it quickly fell:

"I did achieve a Breakthrough, but compared to you, I'm far behind. You're the one who defeated Sun Hao; now the entire martial arts hall knows your name."

Lin Tian smiled and didn't respond.

Liu Yunfeng looked around and lowered his voice:

"By the way, there's something I want to tell you. Our Liu Family's business has had some problems recently."

Lin Tian was stunned: "I don't know anything about business."

"I'm not asking you to do business," Liu Yunfeng said. "It's that someone is jealous of our family's shop and wants to cause trouble. When the time comes, I might need you to show up and hold down the fort."

Lin Tian understood.

This was asking him to be a bodyguard or to provide support.

He nodded: "If there's anything, just speak up. I owe you a favor, have you forgotten?"

Liu Yunfeng let out a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face: "I haven't forgotten, I haven't forgotten. That's why I'm coming to you."

As the two were talking, a commotion came from the front.

Huang Yuanshan had come out.

Huang Yuanshan was wearing new clothes today, his face glowing. He sat in the main seat, accepting the congratulations of his Disciples.

Lin Tian waited in line and presented the wrist guards:

"Master Huang, a small token of my appreciation. Wishing you a life as vast as the Eastern Sea and a lifespan as long as the Southern Mountains."

Huang Yuanshan took the gift, opened it, and his eyes lit up:

"Wrist guards? Good stuff. You have a heart, kid."

He took Lin Tian's hand and introduced him to the people around:

"This is my proudest Disciple in recent years, Lin Tian. He joined the hall a few months ago, went from zero to the First Rank, and even defeated that kid Sun Hao. His talent is so high, it's the best I've ever seen in my life."

Liu Yunfeng and the others nodded desperately from the side:

"Right, right, right! Lin Tian is amazing!"

Many Disciples around cast envious glances. The older Disciples who held posts outside also began to size up this young man.

Huang Yuanshan became happier the more he spoke:

"I'm not boasting, but with Lin Tian's talent, he will surely surpass us in the future. Perhaps in a few years, our Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall will have another Elder!"

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere became even more heated. Many people stepped forward to congratulate him; some tried to build rapport, some handed over name cards, and some invited him to drinking sessions.

Lin Tian handled them one by one, a smile on his face, but he felt somewhat helpless inside.

It was too flashy.

But he also knew that Master Huang was genuinely looking out for him. In a place like the martial arts hall, having a reputation was better than having none.

Just then, a discordant voice came from the corner:

"Master Huang, isn't that overpraising him? A junior who just entered the First Rank, is he worthy of being called 'the best I've ever seen in my life'?"