C9 I Was Beaten up Before I Could Even Finish My Training

"An A-grade Superalloy Divine Weapon?"

Zhao Zhen's fury vanished in an instant, replaced by a surge of excitement that lit up his weathered face. He fixed Zhao Wushang with a gaze that wavered between eagerness and doubt.

"You're suggesting..."

"We cozy up to him under the guise of seeking mentorship. Once I've earned his trust, I'll find a way to swindle that divine weapon from him. That'll be the day, haha..."

"An A-grade Superalloy Divine Weapon could fetch at least a hundred million or two. Not even my own grandfather has one. Securing it would be a monumental feat for the Zhao family, heralding our imminent rise!"

Zhao Zhen burst into hearty laughter, his booming voice setting the living room's glass and furniture vibrating with a resonant hum. He lavished praise and encouragement on Zhao Wushang.

"Off you go, my dear grandson. Remember to ingratiate yourself with him and don't give anything away. Got it?"

"Rest assured."

Zhao Wushang grinned smugly. With his acting chops, what was there to fear about outsmarting a has-been cripple?

Child's play!

In Qingfeng Town, atop Boundless Mountain.

That day, in the clearing before the bamboo grove, master and disciple sparred with bamboo swords in a blur of swift exchanges.

After an hour, they paused to rest.

"There's a vast array of combat skills, essentially divided into two main categories."

"The first includes techniques like punches, kicks, and palm strikes, using various parts of the body as weapons. They're versatile and can be practiced right from the start."

"Take me, for example; I excel in leg techniques. My legs are my weapons, moving with ease and delivering tremendous force, far more potent than your average combat skill."

Xu Renli explained with patience.

"The second category encompasses Divine Weapons—swordplay, bladework, archery—each requiring a specific Divine Weapon."

"In recent years, the Human Alliance has engineered superalloys, from D to C, and up to A-grade, capable of forging Divine Weapons suitable for Martial Cultivators, Martial Masters, and Martial Ancestors. But they're pricey, beyond the means of most."

Mu Yueqi nodded vigorously, her face breaking into a smile as she gazed at Xu Renli with eyes full of admiration. "Master, you're the one they call the 'Thunder Leg Martial Ancestor,' right? Now that your right leg is crippled, it seems you won't be able to use it anymore. Why not pass on the Thunder Leg Battle Technique to me?" she said with a chuckle. "I'll carry on your legacy, kicking the Martial Dao geniuses at all the universities and earning you honor. What do you say? Just imagine, your old rivals, even enemies, effortlessly defeated or even slain by me, your junior, using your signature battle technique. Wouldn't you be able to die with a smile on your face? No, I mean, live the rest of your days with a smile!"

Cough, cough, the moment had finally arrived. The poor girl had been up in the mountains for a week, and at last, her true intentions were out in the open. "You wish to learn my Thirteen Strikes of Thunder?" Xu Renli asked, his smile crinkling his eyes. "Yes, yes!" Mu Yueqi bobbed her head eagerly, her eyes sparkling with intense hope. Success was within reach. She was his only disciple, the sole inheritor of his mantle. There was no other option. She smirked to herself.

"Very well... See that shifty-looking pretty boy by the door, peeking over here? He's likely up to no good. Go give him a thrashing until he's the spitting image of a pig," Xu Renli instructed.

With a swift motion, Mu Yueqi darted forward, not uttering a single word as she snatched up her wooden sword and charged toward the entrance. Three days had passed since her return to the mountain from home, and her vitality had surged by another 14 points, reaching a total of 118.

Meanwhile, just outside, Zhao Wushang stood nonchalantly, sporting sunglasses and white leather shoes, his well-fitted shorts and shirt accentuating his upright stature. Clutching a silver-white suitcase, he appeared to be a casual visitor, idly surveying the surroundings from beyond the fence.

"A beauty?" His eyes lit up as he spotted an enchanting young woman swiftly approaching. A smile spread across his face. "Such enthusiasm! Did she come out here just to greet me?" he wondered.

As she drew nearer, her flawless complexion and lithe figure were even more striking, her eyebrows arching like crescent moons, her eyes seemingly alive with expression.

Zhao Wushang's eyes sparkled with excitement, his gaze growing increasingly fervent.

"I've made up my mind. I'm going to swindle Xu out of his Divine Weapon, and while I'm at it, I'll whisk her away too! A Divine Weapon and a beauty—a match made in heaven!"

Swoosh!

His gaze fixated on Mu Yueqi's lovely face, he failed to notice the bamboo sword in her grasp.

In an instant, Zhao Wushang's vision blurred, followed by a searing pain in a certain part of his body!

"Ah!"

The pain forced Zhao Wushang to drop his suitcase and his sunglasses, his handsome face reddening like a pig's liver before swiftly turning purple.

"You... you, what did I... Did I ever wrong you? Did I murder your parents, or steal your boyfriend? Why would you attack me without cause?"

He erupted into a tirade, spewing obscenities.

"Enough with your foul mouth!"

Mu Yueqi, taken aback by her own strike, had intended to apologize and explain that it was merely her master's idea.

But Zhao Wushang was no pushover; his biting insults ignited her fury.

"So I hit you. What's the matter, can't handle it? You, a mere Initial Martial Cultivator, were bested by a Martial Disciple like me. And you have the nerve to be so brazen? Shameful!"

"That was a sneak attack!"

Zhao Wushang seethed, taking a good while to regain his composure. He glowered at Mu Yueqi with venomous eyes, as if he wished to devour her right then and there.

Ten minutes later, in the reception room.

Xu Renli grasped Zhao Wushang's purpose and gave a slight nod.

"So you're Zhao Zhen's grandson, and thus my junior. What brings you to Boundless Mountain? This secluded place offers no scenic views. If you're looking for a vacation spot, you've come to the wrong place."

"Senior, I wish to become your disciple!"

Thump.

Zhao Wushang bent his knees and knelt before Xu Renli, bowing his head three times in deep respect. His sincerity was palpable.

"This..."

Xu Renli was taken aback.

What's with the recent trend of seeking masters?

Zhao Zhen, a man with whom he once shared a cordial relationship, was the chairman of a biopharmaceutical company. He exploited the bodies of exotic creatures to extract their life essence, crafting various medicinal pills like Vitality Pills, Blood Strengthening Pills, and others, amassing considerable wealth.

Xu Renli came from humble beginnings and had received Zhao Zhen's assistance on several occasions, including the generous gift of a large quantity of medicinal pills which proved to be of great help to him.

In a gesture of reciprocity, Xu Renli once slew a Martial Ancestor-level mutant beast and delivered it to Zhao Zhen's company, settling their debts of gratitude.

Zhao Zhen was known for his avarice and cunning nature, with a penchant for deep scheming, traits that made Xu Renli rather wary of him.

As Xu Renli rose to prominence within the inner circles of Faywyvern City, wielding considerable influence, the two gradually drifted apart.

"No way!"

Mu Yueqi's hand came down hard on the bamboo chair's armrest with a resounding smack.

"Master, he's too old, his martial arts cultivation is far too weak, and on top of that... he's a foul-smelling man. It's simply not appropriate for him to stay on the mountain."

Zhao Wushang was kneeling, his torso erect as he fixed a fiery gaze on Mu Yueqi.

This was an outrageous insult!

I'm barely twenty, a standout in strength at Faywyvern Martial University, not to mention my good looks have made me one of the most sought-after heartthrobs on campus. Countless upperclasswomen and underclasswomen have lusted after me, and I've never given in to them...

How am I the stinky one?

"Allow me to consider it."

Xu Renli mused for a moment before deciding to keep an eye on the situation for some time.