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“What choice?” Lin Cang walked over, concern written all over his face as he asked, his heart’s faint spark of hope expanding, yet he dared not be certain.

As a middle-aged man who supported his family by working as a trainer at Longxing Martial Arts Hall, choosing to stay was actually a tremendous risk and it brought colossal pressure upon him.

The atmosphere at home had noticeably soured these past few days.

His wife, although on the surface wholeheartedly supporting his decision, Lin Cang had caught her wiping away tears in secret more than once, but she never revealed her grievances.

This made Lin Cang’s heart ache as if it were being cut by a knife.

Their child also became sensible, no longer clamoring for snacks and toys like before.

Lin Cang felt distressed seeing this, and it made his heart heavy.

But he would not leave.

The reason he had chosen to stay,

firstly, was because the hall master Lei Xiuyan had shown him kindness, which he was reluctant to disregard.

Secondly, he held some expectations for Zhou Heng.

Lin Cang was hopeful that Zhou Heng would be able to bring back authorization from the Chang Xing Sect, and with his identity as a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, could resolve the conflicts with the Chang Xing Sect.

If that were to happen, all the current troubles of Longxing would be resolved like cutting through bamboo, and perhaps even better developments lay ahead.

After all, Zhou Heng was a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, and even if he was just a novice without any position or status, with time, given his talent and strength, he was bound to occupy a significant position among the Pure Yang Palace’s authoritative ranks.

By that time, Longxing would certainly benefit from the association with Chang Xing Sect.

Of course, even if Zhou Heng didn’t bring back any good news, he would still continue to stay at Longxing until it closed, if need be, to repay Lei Xiuyan for his kindness.

As for household expenses, they would have to be covered by finding part-time work to earn some silver coin.

The income was actually not less than before, it was just more unstable.

Which caused unease at home.

If Longxing really did close down later, then they would make other plans.

“Yes! Exactly! Zhou Heng, stop keeping us in suspense!” Yu He urged, “And like I said before, if it’s money you need, I’ve got it covered!”

His family was wealthy, with no worries about food and clothing, and even spending for a lifetime, they wouldn’t run out, so his decision to stay was purely because he was good friends with Zhou Heng. As for Longxing’s situation, he wasn’t that concerned really.

However, if Longxing were to return to its formerly bustling state, or become even busier, he would be very pleased—after all, his nature was to prefer activity over quiet, and more people were always better than fewer.

Moreover, Zhou Heng clearly cared a lot about Longxing’s affairs, and as his friend, Yu He felt he had to lend a hand no matter what.

But thinking it over, it seemed money was the only thing he could offer.

It’s a sorrowful life when it seems all you have left is money, sigh … Yu He couldn’t help feeling a bit bitter inside.

“The hall master and Master Lin must have already guessed,” Zhou Heng said with a smile. “That’s right, I want Longxing to become a subordinate martial arts hall of the Pure Yang Palace, authorized to teach the fundamental martial arts of Pure Yang Palace.

“In the future, the Pure Yang Palace will send someone to assess once a year, and those who pass can directly ascend to the outer court of the Pure Yang Palace, and there will also be various rewards and benefits.”

“A subsidiary martial arts hall of the Pure Yang Palace!!” Lei Xiuyan exclaimed in surprise.

Even though he had some suspicion beforehand, now that he heard Zhou Heng confirm it, his heart couldn’t help but overflow with boundless joy and excitement.

Subordinate martial halls of Pure Yang Palace, subordinate martial halls of Pure Yang Palace!

That is Pure Yang Palace we’re talking about!

The supreme immortal gate inherited from the mythical era to the present, one of the strongest Martial Dao Sects in the world today, one of the three great Taoist palaces, a top-tier force with Divine First Rank existences!

How could Longxing, a dilapidated martial hall nestled in a small prefectural city, possibly become a subordinate hall to Pure Yang Palace?

This, this, this is simply like a dream.

If his father knew about this, he surely wouldn’t sigh all day long… Lei Xiuyan felt elated in his heart.

“Subordinate martial hall of Pure Yang Palace, Pure Yang Palace…” As soon as Lin Cang heard Zhou Heng’s words, his eyes lit up, just like a person lost in darkness suddenly seeing the sun, suddenly seeing the light!

“That’s amazing!” Yu He was also overjoyed and laughed, “Big brother, that’s really too strong. Longxing will have to bask in your glory from now on. Hmm, I think we should expand a bit. We only have one room now, but that definitely won’t be enough in the future.”

“It does seem to be the case,” Zhou Heng expressed his agreement, but he still shook his head and chuckled, “However, by that time, we won’t have to spend our own money to buy land and houses. The prefectural yamen and the martial authorities will surely be eager to make it happen.”

Once a top-tier Martial Dao Sect like Pure Yang Palace opens a subordinate martial hall, countless people will flock to it without the slightest doubt. It is certain to happen.

The booming prosperity of the several subordinate martial halls under the Five Elements Sect is evidence of this.

Moreover, since Taihua Mount is far too distant from Pingzhou, the whole of Pingzhou and the nearby Xuanzhou and Fengzhou do not have martial halls of Pure Yang Palace.

This means that if Longxing becomes a subordinate martial hall of Pure Yang Palace, it will be the only one in the nearby several states, within tens of thousands of miles, in many of the prefectures.

Unique!

One can easily imagine how prominent Longxing will be in the future; that will be the real rise of Longxing.

Having such a martial hall within one’s jurisdiction is a solid political achievement for both the prefectural yamen and the martial authorities, and even the county yamen will most likely support it vigorously.

Once this matter starts, there will inevitably be a large group of people wanting to ensure its success.

It represents the common interest of everyone.

“However, as far as I know, granting authority to teach basic martial arts and become a subordinate martial hall of a sect, this… is not a right that ordinary True Disciples possess,” Lei Xiuyan suddenly spoke up. After the initial surprise and excitement, he calmed down and noticed a very serious, very crucial issue.

Could Zhou Heng, a True Disciple who had just joined Pure Yang Palace a few months ago, really have the authority to grant martial hall rights?

That…seemed unlikely.

Lei Xiuyan’s words were like a sudden splash of cold water, sobering up Lin Cang, Yu He, and others immediately.

Indeed.

Did Zhou Heng have that authority?

He’d only entered the sect less than three months ago and should be just an ordinary True Disciple, right?

Could he do that?

“What the hall master just said is correct. There are indeed such restrictions on Pure Yang Palace’s disciples regarding authorizing martial halls,” Zhou Heng nodded, which made Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang and others turn pale.

But then he continued, “However, this is only a restriction for the seventh-generation True Disciples. The sixth-generation True Disciples are not subject to this. I had asked the sect leader elder brother about this before I left the mountain; I am not restricted and can authorize subordinate martial halls on my own.”

“Ah, you can authorize subordinate martial halls on your own?” Lei Xiuyan’s face showed an exceptionally vivid expression upon hearing this. He was first stunned, then overjoyed, and finally, extremely shocked, his eyes widening as he looked at Zhou Heng in utter astonishment. “You, what did you just say? Sixth-generation True Disciple, and you call the leader of Pure Yang Palace what? Elder brother??”

“I… I didn’t hear that wrong, did I??” Lin Cang was so startled that he almost couldn’t speak, staring blankly at Zhou Heng. He could hardly believe that the youth standing before him was the same apprentice to whom he had taught martial arts for two years.

Inconceivable!

This is too inconceivable!

Just five months ago, Zhou Heng was barely touching the edge of Ninth Grade.

And now, in just a little more time, not only had he become a true disciple of Pure Yang Palace, but the sixth generation at that—Pure Yang Palace’s Sect Leader, the contemporary “Residing True Yang” Yan Shouyi’s junior brother?!

This world was just too crazy.

Yu He was also a bit stunned, feeling that his good friend might have already soared into the heavens; such rapid progress was truly astounding.

Unfathomable!

“According to theory, since the Pure Yang Palace Sect Leader Yan Shouyi took me as a disciple, I should be the disciple of the fifth-generation Sect Leader, Chen Dongxuan,” Zhou Heng said with folded hands, bowing in the direction of Pure Yang Palace as an apology for having earlier referred to his elder by name so casually.

Then, to completely put Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan at ease, he took out his Pure Yang Palace waist tag.

This left Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and the others utterly shocked to an unprecedented degree.

Zhou Heng becoming the junior brother of the current Sect Leader of Pure Yang Palace, the disciple of the former Sect Leader, was something completely beyond their wildest imagination.

Even at their boldest, they probably couldn’t have dreamed of such a scenario.

Yet now, it had become reality!

“Please accept my bow!” Lei Xiuyan bowed deeply to Zhou Heng and said, “Don’t stop me. This is not just me paying respects, but also Longxing Martial Arts Hall.”

“Allow me to bow as well!” Lin Cang followed suit, bowing to Zhou Heng, saying, “It’s thanks to you that Longxing has been reborn. You deserve this respect, truly deserve it!”

Zhou Heng had wanted to use his inner qi to stop them, but since Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang had already spoken thus, he withdrew his hand and did not stop them.

After the two had finished paying their respects, he folded his hands and said, “Master Lin, Hall Master, please get up. Such sudden sorrow and joy can easily cause inner qi to become agitated and turbulent. Why don’t you return home to rest first? I’ll handle the authorization for the martial arts hall. How does that sound?”

“How could we?”

“No, you’ve already shown such a great kindness by giving Longxing authorization. How could we let you take the trouble to manage the paperwork?”

Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan both shook their heads quickly, feeling that doing so would be very inappropriate.

“The head of the Bureau of Martial Affairs was promoted because of me, so it will be more convenient for me to handle it,” Zhou Heng said with a smile. “Besides, Master Lin, Hall Master, you have been downcast for so long, it’s indeed time for you to take good care of your health.

“After all, Longxing will need to be reborn, and once the Pure Yang Palace authorization plaque is up, it will need both your devoted management. That is when you’ll truly need to labor.”

Once the topic turned to the future development of Longxing, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang couldn’t refute any longer.

However, after Lei Xiuyan fell silent for a short moment, it seemed as if he had made up his mind about something. Looking at Zhou Heng earnestly, he said, “You have put in so much effort for Longxing, and I can’t think of anything to repay you with.

“How about this: once Longxing is reborn, you’ll take the position of Hall Master, and you’ll have the final say in all of Longxing’s affairs. You will be entitled to ninety percent of the annual earnings, what do you think?”

Zhou Heng instinctively wanted to refuse upon hearing this.

After all, he had helped Longxing simply to repay the care he had received from Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan in the past, and this favor was only a trivial effort for him; he never thought about receiving anything in return.

At this moment, Yu He sneakily tugged on Zhou Heng’s clothes and whispered, “Once Longxing sports the plaque of Pure Yang Palace, the number of apprentices will surely skyrocket, as will the tuition fees. The earnings will start from ten thousand taels a year.

“And that’s definitely just the beginning. Once martial arts management takes off, a name is made, and further expansion occurs, attracting even more apprentices, it will be a regular gold and silver mine with annual incomes of one hundred thousand, even a million!”

“To make money like this…” Zhou Heng was first startled, then nodded with a smile, “Alright, I agree to be the head of the hall, but taking ninety percent is too high, let’s make it sixty percent.

“The remaining forty percent, I suggest you and Master Lin each take some, and the rest could be distributed to Yu He and the other apprentices who choose to stay. How about that?”

He had no choice, he was short of money again.

The practice of Taoist formulas is purely an act of burning money. The ‘Bewildering Heart Charm’ has a total of ten levels, and before reaching proficiency in the fifth level, it requires the consumption of special materials every time it’s used.

Although it doesn’t consume gold as plainly and directly as ‘Palm Thunder,’ it does require specific Seventh Rank spiritual materials, which are even more expensive, costing at least a thousand taels of silver for each use.

The savings he had accumulated previously simply couldn’t withstand such burning.

Cultivation isn’t just about dining with the wind and drinking dew, many parts of it require money to burn. Just look at how the ‘Pure Yang Palace,’ a sect of the immortal home, owns a vast array of industries in the mortal realm, almost monopolizing the jewelry and medicine trades.

A disciple must ultimately also own their own business.

Being the “boss” of a martial arts hall seemed like a pretty good choice.

The reason why Zhou Heng proactively proposed to lower the share was because he wanted a steady stream of income, to make sure everyone could make money and hence make more money over the long term. It was all about win-win cooperation.

As for Zhou Heng’s idea, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang and the others felt that Zhou Heng only taking sixty percent was still too low.

After discussing with Zhou Heng for a while and using various reasons to highlight Zhou Heng’s importance, they finally convinced Zhou Heng to increase his share to eighty percent.

After discussing future plans, they then proceeded to sort out the current matters. Following Zhou Heng’s advice, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang went home to rest and rejuvenate, while Zhou Heng went to the Martial Affairs Office.

…

As Lin Cang walked home, he felt completely refreshed, all the gloom of the past days swept away.

This nearly a month of waiting was so worth it!

He quickened his pace, eager to get home and share the good news with his wife and children.

So they wouldn’t have to worry or feel anxious anymore.

However, before Lin Cang reached his own door, he saw a woman in her thirties carrying a large bundle on her back, holding a cloth bag in her left hand, and leading a seven-year-old boy with her right, rushing towards him.

It was Lin Cang’s wife.

Seeing this, Lin Cang’s expression changed, and he asked in alarm, “What are you doing?”

“I, I was planning to visit my parents’ home for a bit…” The woman lowered her head, speaking softly, “After all, it’s been a long time since I’ve been back, and I thought to take the child to visit.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about going back to your parents’ home, we could go together,” Lin Cang said.

“I… I left a letter for you at home,” the woman spoke softly.

“Dad, Mom wants to go out to do harsh labor, to weave, sew, and embroider for others to earn some money to help with our expenses,” the little boy, clutching Lin Cang’s clothes, said, “She feels you work too hard every day, and there’s no work found for a while, so she wanted to take the opportunity while she still can to earn some money…”

“Don’t, don’t talk nonsense, I… I’m just taking you to your grandmother’s place!” The woman quickly tugged at the child, speaking softly, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

“No, you don’t need to go,” Lin Cang took a deep breath, feeling an unbearable heartache, his nose starting to feel sour. He took the cloth bag from the woman’s hand, held her hand, his voice slightly trembling, and spoke with grave seriousness, “Longxing has survived, you… you don’t have to suffer anymore, no need to live in fear.”

“Survived, it survived? Longxing has survived?” The woman was first startled by the news, then tears streamed down her cheeks, she covered her eyes with her hands, sobbing softly.

“And finally, this home has come alive as well… sob, sob.”