Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

Xiaoshenglou, second floor, private room by the window.

When Lu Chen pushed the door open and came in, Chen Chong was already waiting inside.

Several hot dishes and a pot of warm wine were laid out on the table.

Upon seeing Lu Chen enter, he immediately stood up.

"Junior Brother Lu."

Lu Chen cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Chen."

The two sat down.

Lu Chen glanced at Chen Chong and asked, "Senior Brother Chen, what's the matter that you urgently need me to return to the county town?"

He had been cultivating in seclusion in the herb garden for the past few days, but unexpectedly Chen Chong sent someone to deliver a message saying that there was something important to discuss, so he hurriedly rushed back.

Chen Chong poured Lu Chen a glass of wine and said with great joy, "Junior Brother, you may not know this, but recently our Canglong Martial Arts School has been showing signs of revitalization."

"These days, young people come to the martial arts school every day to ask to become disciples, and the outer courtyard is as lively as a market."

"My master has been trying to revitalize the martial arts school for the past few years, and now he finally sees hope."

Lu Chen said, "This is a good thing."

"That's a good thing."

Chen Chong nodded, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and continued, "But once the martial arts school gained momentum, various forces also started to take notice."

"Especially the Huang family."

Upon hearing the name "Huang family," Lu Chen's eyes flickered slightly.

When he first became a martial artist, Huang Jue, the second young master of the Huang family, came to recruit him. However, he refused Huang Jue's offer because he chose Wang's Yam Shop.

Chen Chong continued, "After the Gathering of Heroes, Huang Jue personally visited Master Huang and said that the Huang family was willing to engage in deeper cooperation with Canglong Martial Arts School."

"Medicinal herbs are provided monthly to support the martial arts school's disciples in their training."

Lu Chen frowned slightly: "The Huang family certainly knows how to seize opportunities."

Chen Chong glanced at him and said, "After consideration, Master felt that this was a rare opportunity for Canglong Martial Arts School."

"It's too difficult for the martial arts school to revive on its own."

"With the support of the Huang family's resources, the inner disciples will cultivate much faster, and newly admitted disciples will also be able to get some medicinal soup as a base."

Lu Chen nodded: "I understand."

Poor scholars, rich warriors.

Without resources, even the greatest talent can be wasted.

The reputation of Canglong Martial Arts School has declined in recent years. It lacks not only geniuses, but also money and medicinal materials.

The Huang family's willingness to take this bet is a tremendous help to the martial arts school.

However, it's unlikely that Chen Chong specifically sought him out this time just to discuss these matters.

As expected, Chen Chong remained silent for a while before whispering, "Junior brother, Master asked me to deliver a message."

Lu Chen looked at him.

"Master means that he hopes you will resign from your temporary position at Wangji Yam Shop."

"He was transferred to work for the Huang family."

"Transfer to the Huang family?"

Lu Chen frowned slightly, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Chen Chong explained, "The Huang family is currently plotting something big and is short-handed. They've placed a heavy bet on our Canglong Martial Arts School, so naturally they want our people to help them!"

"After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch."

"The Huang family's support for the martial arts school is not just for a good reputation."

"What they want is for the disciples of the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School to stand on the Huang family's side in the future."

Lu Chen remained silent.

Chen Chong continued, "Of course, the Huang family will also pay you a sufficient salary."

"Twenty taels a month!"

"Twenty taels..."

Lu Chen frowned even more deeply.

He received a monthly salary of twenty taels from the Wang family, plus twenty Blood Qi Powder pills. That was much more than what the Huang family offered.

Moreover, Wang Ji had bet on him as soon as he broke through to the next realm. Manager Wang treated him well, and Qiao Yuan taught him the Golden Ape Piercing Forest Leg technique. He also had good relationships with Zhao Yiting, Wang Zhong, and others.

Lu Chen was clearly unwilling to switch allegiances at this time.

However, he couldn't directly refuse his master's order. After all, Qin Wuhe had shown him the kindness of teaching him martial arts.

Chen Chong looked at the troubled expression on Lu Chen's face and felt helpless.

He said in a low voice, "Junior brother, I know this is putting you in a difficult position."

"To be honest, I also found it sudden."

"But I cannot disobey my master's orders, so I can only pass on the message."

Lu Chen looked up at Chen Chong.

"Senior Brother Chen, do you want me to go to the Huang family?"

Chen Chong paused, sighed, and said:

"I know you're not an ungrateful person."

"Wang Ji has been kind to you, so it would be unfair to let you switch sides to the Huang family at this time."

Lu Chen picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.

He said slowly, "Senior Brother Chen, this matter is too sudden, I cannot agree immediately."

Chen Chong nodded: "I understand."

Lu Chen continued, "I still hold a temporary post at Wang's company, and I have received many favors from Manager Wang."

"If you really want to resign from your temporary post, you should make it clear to my face."

"Moreover, the Huang family and the Wang family have never been on good terms."

"If I go directly to the Huang family today, what will outsiders think of me?"

Chen Chong's expression turned serious.

Lu Chen is right.

For martial artists navigating the world, strength is important, but reputation is equally crucial.

Such an act of abandoning one's former master and switching allegiance to an enemy force is tantamount to betrayal.

And who would dare to give a traitor an important position?

Chen Chong understood Lu Chen's predicament and said in a low voice, "Then how am I supposed to explain this to my master when I get back?"

Lu Chen said, "Just tell them I need to think about it."

"I will personally return to the martial arts school to explain this to my master."

Chen Chong breathed a sigh of relief, but was still somewhat worried.

"Master values ​​the cooperation with the Huang family very much now. If you refuse, it might displease him."

Lu Chen nodded. "I understand."

Qin Wuhe was determined to revitalize the Canglong Martial Arts School, and now an opportunity was presented to him. The Huang family was providing money, medicine, and resources, which was indeed a timely help for the Canglong Martial Arts School, which had been struggling for many years.

At this moment, if Lu Chen disobeys his master's orders, Qin Wuhe will inevitably feel that he is disregarding the overall situation of the martial arts school.

It could even create a rift between master and disciple.

This matter really gave Lu Chen a headache.

I'm truly caught in a dilemma.

With a gloomy face, he drank three glasses of wine in a row, brooding over his sorrow.

Chen Chong didn't know how to persuade him, so he just drank one cup after another with him.

In the afternoon, Chen Chong returned to the martial arts school to report back to his master, Qin Wuhe.

"Master, Junior Brother Lu said he needs time to consider it."

"After all, Wang Ji had shown him kindness and support. If he were to rashly switch allegiance to the Huang family, he would likely be criticized and accused of being ungrateful."

Qin Wuhe frowned slightly. Before he could speak, Huang Jue's face had already turned cold.

He slammed the teacup down.

Snapped!

A few drops of tea splashed out.

"ungrateful?"

Huang Jue sneered, "Lu Chen is a disciple of the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School. Master Qin taught him martial arts, boxing techniques, and stance training. Now, he's disobeying his master's orders just for a few taels of silver from Wang Ji?"

Huang Jue stood up, his tone becoming increasingly unfriendly.

Chen Chong's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly explained, "Young Master Huang Jue, Junior Brother Lu didn't mean that."

"He just felt that this matter was too sudden and needed to be explained to Wang Ji. He didn't want to be labeled as ungrateful."

Huang Jue scoffed.

"In the end, isn't it just that they don't want to come to my Huang family?"

Anger flashed in his eyes, "My Huang family has given him chances again and again."

"When he first became a martial artist, I personally went to recruit him, but he didn't know what was good for him and chose Wang Ji instead."

"Now that the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School is cooperating with my Huang family, my Huang family is willing to give him twenty taels of silver a month, even though we have no grudges. Yet he still makes excuses."

"Who does he think he is?"

Huang Jue grew angrier as he spoke, and turned to look at Qin Wuhe.

"Master Qin, this Lu Chen dares to disobey even his master's orders. What's the point of keeping him around?"

"I think it's better to get rid of a disciple like that!"

Chen Chong's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Master, Junior Brother Lu only said he needed to consider it, not that he refused."

"And he also said he would personally go back to the martial arts school to explain to you."

Qin Wuhe sat at the head of the table, his face solemn.

He didn't speak immediately.

Qin Wuhe naturally understood Lu Chen's concerns.

Even from the perspective of chivalry, Lu Chen's concerns were not entirely wrong.

Wang Ji had indeed been kind to him. If a martial artist could easily abandon his former master, he might not be reliable in the future.

But now, Canglong Martial Arts School has reached a turning point.

The Huang family is willing to take the risk; medicinal herbs, silver, and blood-activating powder are all resources urgently needed for the revitalization of the martial arts school.

Shi Hao has already made a name for himself at the Gathering of Heroes, and now it is time for the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School to regain its former glory.

At this point, he couldn't afford to offend the Huang family for Lu Chen's sake.

Moreover, in Qin Wuhe's mind, although Lu Chen was also a promising talent, having achieved minor success in blood transfusion at a young age, he was far less important than the Huang family, his major benefactor.

After much deliberation, Qin Wuhe slowly exhaled.

"Chen Chong".

Chen Chong's heart sank: "Disciple is here."

Qin Wuhe's tone was calm, yet it sounded like a heavy hammer blow.

"Since Lu Chen's heart is not in the martial arts school, there is no need to force him to stay."

Chen Chong looked up abruptly, "Master?"

Qin Wuhe didn't look at him, but continued, "From today onwards, Lu Chen will be removed from the martial arts school's roster of disciples."

"The Hidden Dragon Martial Arts School has nothing to do with him anymore."

"Let him think twice before he acts like this!"

Chen Chong's expression changed drastically. "Master, isn't this a bit too hasty?"

"Junior Brother Lu only said he needed to consider it; he didn't explicitly refuse. Besides, since joining the martial arts school, he has never done anything to betray it."

Qin Wuhe frowned, his face displeased: "Chen Chong, are you trying to teach your teacher how to do things?"

Chen Chong froze, lowered his head, and dared not say another word.

Huang Jue smiled with satisfaction: "Master Qin is a man of great principle and knows how to make choices."

"This Lu Chen, given the chance to turn over a new leaf, didn't cherish it. Let him be. Everything that follows is his own fault!"

Qin Wuhe did not respond, but simply waved his hand.

"Chen Chong, you take care of it."

"Inform Lu Chen about this."

Chen Chong had no choice but to bow and say, "Disciple... obeys."