"Here comes the fish."
A steamy fish pot was served.
Snow-white fish fillets, intertwined with green and red peppers, tumbled in the golden broth. A rich, savory aroma wafted over.
The fish was snakehead.
Although not wild, it was smooth, tender, and exceptionally delicious.
"This must be a signature dish."
Lu Yuan swallowed a piece of fish and couldn't help but praise it.
"Yes."
Lin Zhiquin nodded with a smile. "I've been eating here for over ten years. I've brought many students here to try it. Even after they're no longer with the Origin Martial Arts Hall, many of them still come back for a meal from time to time."
Upon hearing the words "bringing students here," Lu Yuan's cheeks flushed slightly.
He had just made a sarcastic remark to Lin Zhiquin about this very thing.
Lin Zhiquin didn't seem to mind and simply said, "You're much more mature than ordinary high schoolers."
It's just that I tend to overthink things a bit...
Lu Yuan picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, mixed it with rice, and shoveled it into his mouth.
The adult soul residing in this body belonged to an ordinary, unremarkable person in his past life. Not particularly smart, nor was his social experience extensive. He was indeed a bit more mature than the average high school student. But only by a little. Having made a fool of himself, he felt embarrassed too. However, what Lin Zhiquin said wasn't necessarily the whole truth either.
"My nephew is about your age. In these aspects, he's far behind you."
Lin Zhiquin put down his chopsticks, thought for a moment, and then said, "It's perfectly normal for you to misunderstand. This wasn't exactly an aboveboard matter to begin with. And I do have considerable personal reasons for this..."
"Didn't you say it's a regular fighting competition?"
"Yes, it is. But the Origin Martial Arts Hall stipulates that disciples are not allowed to participate in profit-making fighting competitions..."
Lu Yuan said thoughtfully, "So, if I agree, I can't undergo the assessment to become a formal disciple then."
"Correct."
Lin Zhiquin nodded. "That's why I approached you and Yang Jiandong. Students aren't considered disciples, so they're not bound by that rule."
"Then..."
Lu Yuan put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and asked seriously, "What are the benefits if I agree? Just money?"
Lin Zhiquin glanced at him. "And my personal, individual guidance. For Yang Jiandong, those are the only two things."
Lu Yuan's expression shifted slightly. "So there's something else for me."
"Yes."
Lin Zhiquin nodded. "Your talent in Martial Arts is far superior to Yang Jiandong's. I'll teach you some other things. Also, as I mentioned before—the opportunity to become a Direct Disciple..."
"A Direct Disciple of the Origin Martial Arts Hall... What exactly is its core inheritance?"
Lu Yuan suddenly recalled the photograph he had seen on the second floor of the Origin Martial Arts Hall—the photo of the person wearing a martial arts uniform with the character 'Crane' on it.
Unfortunately, Lin Zhiquin refused to say.
"I'll tell you after you agree."
Lu Yuan had to stop asking.
"Before we finish this meal, you can ask any questions you want. After we finish eating... give me your answer," Lin Zhiquin told Lu Yuan.
"Okay."
Lu Yuan replied concisely and resumed eating.
Although Lin Zhiquin said Lu Yuan could ask anything, Lu Yuan didn't say another word.
Perhaps he had already figured out what he wanted to know and had an answer in mind.
The meal was soon over.
Of the five dishes on the table, the better part of them ended up in Lu Yuan's stomach. He ate until he was stuffed, letting out a few belches.
Lin Zhiquin hadn't eaten much. He had stopped with his chopsticks early on and lit a cigarette, seemingly lost in thought.
When Lu Yuan finished eating, Lin Zhiquin signaled for them to leave.
It had to be said, the restaurant was indeed reasonably priced. Five dishes, including chicken and fish, cost less than two hundred yuan. Naturally, Lin Zhiquin paid the bill.
Lu Yuan stood under the shade at the entrance of the small eatery, squinting at a stray cat by a trash can on the opposite side of the street.
Lin Zhiquin emerged from the eatery after paying the bill, came to his side, and asked, "So, have you decided?"
Lu Yuan nodded and calmly replied, "I can agree, but I want to first see what kind of competition you're talking about."
Lin Zhiquin's eyes flickered slightly. "I can take you there. When are you available?"
"Tomorrow is fine."
Lu Yuan happened to be on break for these two days; he had school the day after tomorrow.
"Then I'll pick you up around six o'clock tomorrow evening. Give me your phone number and address."
Lu Yuan quickly recited his phone number to Lin Zhiquin. The address he gave was for a street corner near his home.
It wasn't that he was afraid of revealing his address, but rather he feared his mother might see Lin Zhiquin picking him up, which would be difficult to explain.
By now, it was almost twelve noon.
After his conversation with Lin Zhiquin, Lu Yuan no longer felt like returning to the Origin Martial Arts Hall. Whether he submitted the application form now was irrelevant.
Saying goodbye to Lin Zhiquin, Lu Yuan ran to the nearest bus stop.
Watching Lu Yuan's rapidly departing figure, Lin Zhiquin's eyes glinted as he muttered something under his breath, words only he could hear.
One month... Sixth level Fist Strength... Truly a rare and excellent prospect. Perhaps I can convince Teacher...
「 」
"Star River Mecha War God card packs! Silver edition one yuan, gold edition five yuan, diamond edition ten yuan!"
"HOLY CRAP! I pulled an SSR Shining Black Knight!"
"...You little brat, where did you learn to say 'holy crap' all the time? Careful, or I'll tell your teacher..."
The midday bus crawled along like an old tortoise about to collapse from the sun's heat.
By the time he got home, it was already 12:45 PM.
Lu Yuan watched a few elementary school students from the nearby residential complexes drawing cards in the shop for a bit before heading upstairs.
SPLASH!
In front of the bathroom vanity, Lu Yuan turned on the tap and washed his face with the clear water.
The person in the mirror had fair skin and handsome features. Although he still looked somewhat boyish, there was already a hint of sharp, heroic features.
The scabs are almost gone. It looks like an old wound from several days ago...
Lu Yuan touched a scrape on his cheek. He found that the abrasion from last night had healed incredibly quickly and was now mostly gone.
His youth, rapid metabolism, and his ten-point physique attribute meant his recovery ability far surpassed that of ordinary people.
After washing and drying his face with a towel, Lu Yuan grabbed a beverage from the fridge and sat down at the desk in his room.
He began to ponder what Lin Zhiquin had said during lunch.
If Lin Zhiquin isn't lying... then participating in a couple of matches wouldn't be a bad idea. The family really needs money, and I need real-world combat experience. Every match, win or lose, will grant a lot of Experience Points. This is a good chance to accelerate my growth...
Just as he was thinking this, his phone suddenly buzzed.
He picked it up, unlocked the screen, and saw a text message from an unknown number:
"Mosa Cup Burnt Rock Boiling Night Supreme Fighting Competition. Searchable. —Lin Zhiquin"
Lu Yuan was taken aback.
So it was a message from Lin Zhiquin. Is this the full name of the legitimate fighting competition he mentioned?
Lu Yuan casually saved Lin Zhiquin's number, then turned on the computer on his desk and typed the long event name into the search bar.
Relevant search results quickly popped up on the webpage.