parentshiftbook Chapter 7 Peerless Genius, Unrivaled Hero
Chapter 7 Peerless Genius, Unrivaled Hero
"Why doesn't the escort agency accept disciples anymore?"
"Besides, the situation at Changfeng Escort Agency is different now than before."
The four of them made their way through the crowded throng. The chubby boy, being pulled along by the skinny bamboo pole, hurried along while turning his head to explain to Lu Cheng.
"In the past, Changfeng Escort Agency mainly focused on escorting goods, unlike martial arts sects that opened their doors wide to recruit disciples. The old head escort only had three disciples and a few porters under his command."
"But earlier this year, the old head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) had an accident, and for some reason, his three apprentices also refused to continue escorting goods."
"But if they didn't do escort services, they would lose their livelihood, so the three of them changed the escort agency into a martial arts school and started taking on apprentices, although it was still called Changfeng Escort Agency."
"Fortunately, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was... a true martial arts practitioner, and what he left behind... My goodness, Skinny Monkey, slow down, you're going to kill me."
The chubby boy was broad and heavy, and being pulled along quickly, plus explaining things to Lu Cheng, he started panting heavily after only a few steps, and his speech began to become intermittent.
As for braised pork knuckle, I haven't had time to eat it in ages.
"Shut up, what time is it? Let's get to the place and register first."
Before the skinny guy could even speak, the little girl retorted to the chubby guy without any politeness.
The skinny guy, though not slower, continued speaking after the chubby boy:
"Although the old head镖师 of Changfeng镖局 has passed away, the martial arts he left behind are indeed worthy of being called martial arts."
"Although the three masters are only at the initial stage of Body Refinement, it is said that the three of them together are enough to fight a peak Body Refinement expert to a draw. Therefore, Changfeng Escort Agency is not weak in the entire Yangcheng County."
"In addition, another advantage is that they have only recently established their school and have relatively few disciples. All disciples' skills are taught by their master directly, and there is no situation where senior brothers pass on the skills to their disciples."
"If we cannot join Cuiyun Temple or Tianquan Temple, then Changfeng Escort Agency is the best choice."
After hearing the explanation, Lu Cheng had a general understanding and couldn't help but be tempted.
The sect itself has strong martial arts techniques, and the skills are passed down directly from the master. The tuition fees are also not expensive. If that's the case, Changfeng Escort Agency is indeed a good choice.
But Lu Cheng felt that something was not quite right.
It wasn't until after walking for a while, when the crowd thinned out and the surroundings became quieter, that he suddenly realized what was happening and asked:
"But if that's the case, wouldn't there be countless people wanting to join? Even if they've only been accepting disciples for less than a year, that shouldn't be considered 'few disciples'."
The skinny bamboo pole shook its head:
"This is related to the rules of Changfeng Escort Agency for accepting apprentices."
"The escort agency recruits disciples every three months, and each time it only lasts for one day. If you miss this opportunity, you'll have to wait another three months."
"If someone fails to develop internal strength within the three months between the initial acceptance of a disciple and the next acceptance of disciples, the escort agency will not retain them. The day of acceptance of disciples is also the day of elimination and expulsion."
"Therefore, to this day, Changfeng Escort Agency has fewer than thirty disciples."
What the heck?
For a moment, Lu Cheng even doubted whether his memories from his two lifetimes were conflicting, causing him to mishear.
Apprentices are accepted on March 1st; those who don't meet the standards are expelled.
How come there's a bottom-ranking elimination system now?
Just as Lu Cheng was about to confirm whether he had misheard, another commotion arose ahead.
A long line of people could be seen extending from an alleyway about seven or eight meters ahead.
Lu Cheng didn't know how many people were lined up inside the alley, but there were more than ten standing outside alone.
"We've finally arrived."
The chubby boy let out a sigh of relief, shook off the skinny bamboo pole's hand, and plopped down on the roadside.
"I told you there was no need to rush. Look how long the line is."
The girl, unusually, didn't scold the chubby boy. Instead, she stood beside him and took out a pastry from a small bag.
The skinny bamboo pole didn't stop, and walked straight into the alley.
Without a doubt, they went to find out what was going on.
This guy is quite considerate.
Lu Cheng had been carrying over sixty pounds of copper coins for half a day and was already exhausted.
Without saying a word, he sat down next to the chubby boy.
"Hehe, I thought you were really strong."
The chubby boy took out a pork knuckle and started gnawing on it while mocking Lu Cheng.
Lu Cheng looked at the chubby boy's body covered in fat and shook his head, saying:
"I don't know if he's really strong, but he should be stronger than you at least."
Hearing Lu Cheng say this, the chubby boy was unhappy:
"Hey, stop pretending. You're not even breathing heavily, but you're sweating just as much as I am."
Lu Cheng slowly put down the package. Carrying more than 60 kilograms of copper coins, he was indeed sweating profusely.
The chubby boy took two bites of the pork knuckle, satisfied, and then asked Lu Cheng:
"So, how about joining the Changfeng Escort Agency?"
Lu Cheng nodded. After listening to the two men's introduction of Changfeng Escort Agency along the way, he had already made up his mind.
The chubby guy and the skinny guy are right. Apart from Cuiyun Temple and Tianquan Temple, Changfeng Escort Agency is indeed the best choice.
Cuiyun Temple and Tianquan Temple might not accept him, but Changfeng Escort Agency would only accept him for one day.
The threat from the Fish Gang is right in front of us, leaving us no room for being picky.
In any case, once you've entered the gate of martial arts, you can start practicing your skills first.
Lu Cheng's nod pleased the chubby boy, who then pulled over his bundle and offered it to Lu Cheng.
"Since that's the case, we're on the same side from now on. Come on, don't be shy."
Lu Cheng looked down and was greatly surprised.
I thought the bundle contained clothes and luggage, but to my surprise, it actually contained two large pork knuckles.
Lu Cheng hadn't eaten breakfast and, after a fierce battle with You Lanchuang on the river, rushed to Yangcheng County without stopping.
Even Lu Cheng's iron stomach, honed by hunger since childhood, couldn't withstand it.
The greasy pork knuckle in front of him would have been something Lu Cheng wouldn't have even glanced at in his previous life.
But this body has never eaten anything so oily before, and now its stomach is rumbling just from the smell.
eat!
They've already invited us; it would be impolite not to eat.
"Hehehe, since Brother Elbow... cough, Brother Fatty has spoken, then I won't stand on ceremony."
Having said that, he extended his hand.
But before they could even grab the pork knuckle, a clamor of discussion erupted in the alley.
"A real tycoon! A real tycoon has emerged from there!"
Immediately afterwards, everyone stopped queuing and rushed into the alley.
"What! A rich landlord has appeared!"
"Really? The rich guy isn't going to Cuiyun Temple and Tianquan Temple, but came here instead?"
"Of course it's true. This bone and tendon measurement was done by three masters together. How could it be fake?"
Geely?
What the hell is Dihao? I'm still using Liqun.
Lu Cheng was completely bewildered upon hearing this, thinking he had misheard again.
After listening carefully, I could hear people in the alley discussing something called "Emperor".
Just as I was about to ask the chubby guy what this so-called "Emperor" was, I heard a "smack".
Turning around, I saw the chubby boy looking like he'd seen a ghost, so much so that he couldn't even hold onto the pork knuckle and it fell to the ground.
Lu Cheng looked at the alley, then at the chubby boy, and asked:
"Sigh, what exactly does this 'Emperor' mean?"
The chubby boy seemed not to hear, his eyes shining, muttering to himself:
"Incredible! Incredible! I never expected that there would be someone with my level of talent among this group!"
His expression changed drastically, and he gritted his teeth, saying:
"No, no, such wealth is extremely rare. How could two such powerful individuals exist in the remote Yangcheng County at the same time!"
"This person must have stolen my luck and opportunity!"
The little girl beside her couldn't help but scoff, saying bluntly:
"Liu Guicai, have you no shame? Why don't you just call yourself a prodigy?"
"I think you're only slightly better than an ordinary person at best; you're not even good enough to be considered a talent."
The chubby boy immediately glared at him:
"Pah, pah, pah! What nonsense are you spouting? You're such bad luck! Let me tell you, if my test shows I'm not a local tycoon, I'm not letting you off the hook!"
That being said, even the chubby boy himself knew it was all a joke.
Looking up at the alley, his face was filled with shock and envy.
At this moment, Lu Cheng roughly understood what had happened from their conversation.
However, Lu Cheng still didn't have a clear understanding of these things, so he could only ask the two people beside him again:
"Hey, stop arguing! Can someone explain to me what this 'local tycoon' and 'prodigy' thing means?"
The chubby boy sighed, picked up the fallen pork knuckle, and then explained to Lu Cheng:
"These all refer to a martial artist's natural talent."
Lu Cheng nodded, confirming his suspicions.
It seems that among those who sought to become disciples, there emerged a disciple with terrifying talent.
The chubby boy continued:
"Rotten soil and decaying wood, ordinary people and mortals, fine jade and precious materials, outstanding individuals of their generation, unparalleled local tycoons, and peerless geniuses."
"This is a classification of six levels of martial arts aptitude. Although it is not very accurate, throughout history, 80% of martial artists have not been able to surpass the upper limit of their aptitude."
"So based on these standards, you can basically know a person's future potential."
"Those who lack qi and blood, or are born mentally challenged, are the lowest of the low, like rotten soil and decaying wood. Such people are not suitable for martial arts."
"The rest are mostly ordinary mortals who can enter the martial arts world through hard work, but breaking through is extremely difficult. How far they can go depends entirely on resources and opportunities."
"The next level up is the 'Fine Jade Material,' which is one in ten thousand. People with this kind of aptitude can break through to the Body Refinement Realm without any threshold."
"And the next level of talent, Heaven, Earth, and Human..."
The chubby boy shook his head:
"Let alone Yangcheng County, it's already extremely rare for Dongyang Prefecture to produce an 'outstanding person,' but I never expected that a 'local tycoon' would suddenly appear today."
"Unparalleled talent, this 'unparalleled tycoon' truly possesses the qualities to be unmatched in the world and dominate an entire generation. Such talent is rare even in the entire Great Yun Dynasty."
He suddenly stood up and walked into the alley:
"No, I have to go see what the person who stole my luck looks like!"
Lu Cheng and the little girl were naturally curious, so they followed along.
The alley was now a chaotic mess of people, and the three of them could only walk a few steps before they were unable to move.
All that could be seen was a large plaque that read "Changfeng Escort Agency" hanging in front of them.
The chubby boy kept shouting "Give me back my bones!" and kept trying to squeeze his body in, but he couldn't move at all.
The person in front grew impatient, turned around, and angrily shouted:
"You idiot, why are you pushing!"
When the chubby boy heard someone call him a pig's head, he was first stunned, then he trembled with anger.
"Who are you calling a pig-head!"
The other party didn't expect the chubby boy to dare to talk back. They let out a "Yo-ho!" and glared at the chubby boy along with two other young men who looked somewhat alike.
Lu Cheng and the chubby boy came together, so they couldn't just stand there and watch. They stood together, looking calmly at each other.
The little girl also hurriedly shouted at the skinny bamboo pole in the crowd ahead.
The skinny bamboo pole, being tall, turned its head and realized something was wrong, so it also started to squeeze outwards.
The three people opposite them were not afraid, because apart from Lu Cheng, who seemed difficult to deal with, the remaining fat man, thin man, and girl were not taken seriously at all.
Lu Cheng looked at the three of them and slowly said:
"Everyone here is here to become a disciple, and we might even become fellow disciples in the future. Making a scene now won't do us any good."
The three opponents were all tall and strong young men. Lu Cheng could take on one without any problem, but taking on two would be a real challenge.
Besides, what I said was the truth, so it would be best not to take action.
At this moment, the skinny guy also squeezed out, and the three of them were also somewhat wary of Lu Cheng's words.
They no longer had the courage to take action and planned to just say a few harsh words and call it a day.
Before he could speak, two shouts came from the gate a few steps away, their volume instantly drowning out the noise in the alley:
"Make way! Make way now, clear the road!"
Then the crowd in front quickly dispersed to both sides like a tide, and two fast horses rushed out from the middle, one after the other.
The chubby boy was too late to dodge because he was glaring at the three men, and he almost got trampled.
But the two horses did not stop at all, and disappeared in the blink of an eye. After a few breaths, even the sound of their hooves could not be heard, which meant that they had sped up again after leaving the alley.
"Damn it, this is..."
The chubby boy glared at the alley entrance, his eyes blazing with fury, before Lu Cheng interrupted him halfway through his tirade:
"Does the Changfeng Escort Agency's training uniform have a black eagle embroidered on the chest?"
Lu Cheng could see clearly that both of them were wearing training uniforms with a black eagle embroidered on the chest.
At the main entrance of Changfeng Escort Agency, two blue cloth banners stood, one embroidered with "Changfeng" and the other with a huge black eagle.
The chubby boy immediately realized what was happening and awkwardly replied:
"Well... these riding skills are pretty good, I wonder what they've been up to all this time, haha."
Lu Cheng looked at the alley entrance, seemingly lost in thought, and said:
"They're probably going to Tianquan Temple and Cuiyun Temple."
"Why?" the skinny bamboo pole asked curiously.
Not only the chubby boy and the little girl, but several other people who had heard the commotion also looked over.
Lu Cheng lowered his voice and explained:
"Since such 'local tyrants' are rare even in the entire Great Yun, the Changfeng Escort Agency probably can't teach them. Not only can they not teach them, but they probably can't even protect them."
"In that case, it would be better to send him to a larger sect. This way, not only can this 'local tycoon' use his talents, but the connection he has built will also greatly benefit the Changfeng Escort Agency in the future."
"And in the entire Yangcheng, aren't the largest sects Tianquan Temple and Cuiyun Temple? But in my opinion, even Tianquan Temple and Cuiyun Temple are still not enough."
"I heard from Fatty that the strongest people in Tianquan Temple and Cuiyun Temple are only at the peak of Body Refinement. To be able to teach a 'local tyrant,' one must be at least at the highest Qi Refining Realm."
After Lu Cheng finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent.
It wasn't because of Lu Cheng's words, but because a burly middle-aged man suddenly appeared in front of everyone.