After the family split up, I achieved martial arts sainthood.

After parting ways with Chen Tong, Gu Xin walked down a street before hailing a carriage to return to Zhenwei Martial Arts School.

On the way back, he kept thinking about Chen Tong's words and considering Chen Tong's attempts to win him over.

Honestly, he was very willing to accept it.

Chen Tong is the most skilled fighter known in Qingyuan County.

Having such a person as a backer is definitely a good thing.

However, he did not understand Chen Tong.

Was Chen Tong genuinely treating him as a business partner when he tried to win him over?

Or do they want to use him as a pawn?

The differences between these two relationships will ultimately lead to different outcomes.

If he loses in the struggle against the four major clans, will Chen Tong step forward to protect him?

Or will they cut their losses in time, stand by and abandon him?

If it's the former, Gu Xin certainly wouldn't hesitate.

If it's the latter...

"Go back and ask your master!"

Unable to find a solution after much thought, Gu Xin decided to consult his mentor, Yang Wei.

In Qingyuan County today, Yang Wei is his only support.

It is also his most reliable background.

Upon arriving at Zhenwei Martial Arts School, Gu Xin got out of the car, paid the fare, and then bumped into his master, Yang Wei, as he came out of the school.

"Master!"

Gu Xin quickly went to meet him.

"You're back?"

Yang Wei glanced at Gu Xin.

"Hmm, where is Master going?"

Gu Xin nodded, unable to contain his curiosity.

Normally, it's not time for class to end yet at this point.

"The four great clans are hosting a banquet at Tianxiazhen, inviting renowned martial arts masters from Qingyuan County for a chat. I am honored to be invited, and so I'm planning to go and freeload."

Yang Wei waved to stop the carriage that was about to leave.

"An invitation from the four major clans?"

Gu Xin was suddenly startled: "Master, I'm afraid this banquet will turn out to be anything but pleasant."

Yang Wei chuckled, boarding the carriage as he said, "If I don't go, I won't miss anything. If I go, at least I can get some food and drink. Why wouldn't your teacher go?"

"Want to come together?"

After getting into the carriage, Yang Wei lifted the curtain and looked at Gu Xin with a smile, asking her a question.

"what?"

Gu Xin was taken aback. Could he go too?

Once he came to his senses, Gu Xin immediately boarded the carriage.

go with!

Why not go?

The master clearly saw through it all; even if he refused the banquet, he would still be entangled with her afterward.

It will be troublesome whether you go or not.

Since that's the case, why not go out and have a free meal to satisfy your cravings?

The carriage slowly drove away, heading towards Tianxiazhen.

"Master, what do you plan to do if the four major clans cause trouble at the banquet?"

Gu Xin sat down opposite Yang Wei and expressed his concerns.

The four major clans have eight experts at the Qi Creation Realm, and they have also won over Zhou Feng.

Adding Tang Yuan from the Qinglin Gang, that makes ten Qi Creation Realm experts.

The four major clans wanted to exert strong pressure, and Yang Wei was isolated and helpless. He was afraid that he would be no match for them.

Even though Ma Biao, the owner of the Biao Ma Martial Arts School, was on the same side as his master, the difference in strength was still enormous.

It is precisely because the four major clans possess absolute military power that they are qualified to bully Qingyuan County.

Even with Chen Tong's high rank as a county magistrate and a martial arts scholar, he was still difficult to shake.

"When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it."

Yang Wei, with his eyes closed, leaned against the carriage wall, his expression calm: "Besides, if the sky falls, there's always someone taller to hold it up."

The taller one is carrying it?

Gu Xin raised an eyebrow slightly. The "tall" her master was referring to...

"Master, you mean... the county magistrate?"

"With the four major clans united against a common enemy, the only one who should be restless is him."

Yang Wei opened his eyes and looked at Gu Xin with a mocking smile.

"Oh?"

At this point in the conversation, Gu Xin became interested and couldn't help but ask, "Master has a lot of confidence in the county magistrate?"

"It's not so much a matter of confidence, it's just the way things are."

Yang Wei shook his head and laughed, "If he wants to gain a foothold in Qingyuan County, he will inevitably have to get past the four major clans. But unfortunately, the four major clans are not planning to let him pass easily."

"Therefore, he had no choice but to confront the four major clans head-on. Otherwise, he would have to leave in disgrace. A martial arts scholar would not be so willing to admit defeat."

Every year, countless people participate in the martial arts imperial examinations.

Those who managed to break through the ranks of the martial arts examinations and stand out were all outstanding individuals.

Such a person, if so easily willing to admit defeat, would never be able to escape the path of martial arts examinations.

"Does Master think he can reach the other side?"

Yang Wei smiled at Gu Xin, pondered for a moment, and then explained his point of view: "That depends on how he goes about it, what path he takes, and what method he uses."

"However, as a county magistrate appointed by the imperial court, he naturally possesses the moral high ground. Unless the four major clans intend to rebel, they can only mediate and maintain a balance of power."

"In terms of personal safety, he is undoubtedly protected accordingly. Of course, if he brings it upon himself, that's another matter."

Just because Chen Tong is safe doesn't mean that the people around him are safe.

Gu Xin frowned, remained silent for a moment, then looked at Yang Wei and said frankly, "Master, he came to see me today!"

"Who?"

Yang Wei was instinctively stunned for a moment, then realized: "It seems he intends to break through from one point to the whole."

"Master, what should I do?"

Gu Xin earnestly sought guidance, hoping to receive instruction from his master.

Upon hearing this, Yang Wei's smile faded.

He leaned against the carriage wall and pondered for a moment.

"What are your plans?"

After a moment's hesitation, Yang Wei didn't answer, but instead asked Gu Xin for his thoughts.

"I want to try it!"

Gu Xin paused for a moment, then gave an affirmative answer.

He has a cheat code; martial arts training doesn't require step-by-step practice, but rather requires constantly winning.

To win, you need to keep taking on challenges.

Therefore, staying at the martial arts school to train is clearly not advisable.

Even at the martial arts school, he still needs to constantly challenge others.

At that time, we will still make enemies on all sides.

Rather than doing that, it would be better to join Chen Tong and become his tool.

At least, he can claim to be in the right and have a legitimate reason for his actions.

This way, they can legitimately use war to fuel their own growth and leverage their superpowers to advance.

As for the final outcome, will he be abandoned by Chen Tong?

Gu Xin didn't plan to think about things that far ahead.

If he grows up, he will be a strong support himself, so why should he care about other people's thoughts?

"Have you thought it through?"

Yang Wei carefully examined Gu Xin to confirm.

"Yes! I've thought it through!"

Gu Xin nodded emphatically.

"Then follow your heart!"

Yang Wei smiled calmly and did not try to dissuade him.

"Master, won't you ask why?"

Gu Xin was surprised; Yang Wei's attitude remained as casual as ever.

"There's nothing to ask. You've already thought it through, so why should your teacher say anything more?"

Yang Wei smiled calmly: "Besides, a master's responsibility is to impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts, not to interfere in your life, control your destiny, or dictate your future."

Upon hearing Yang Wei's reply, Gu Xin felt a chill run down his spine for some reason.

"Thank you, Master!"

Gu Xin clasped his hands in thanks, and Yang Wei, though seemingly indifferent, was actually offering him the greatest support.

Not interfering is already a form of support.

The clatter of horses' hooves and the rumble of wheels continued outside the window.

We walked along long streets and crossed the moat bridge.

We slowly made our way to Tianxia Zhen.

"Sir, we've arrived!"

The coachman's voice rang out from outside the carriage.

Gu Xin got up, lifted the curtain, and helped Yang Wei out of the car.