It was Guo Wei's birthday, and the Martial Arts Hall was bustling with people. Guests flowed in endlessly to offer their congratulations. Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu had come early in the morning to help.
They stayed by Guo Wei's side the entire time, responsible for serving tea and water or guiding the guests.
The two of them were meticulous, not neglecting a single task Guo Wei had assigned. The visiting guests all praised Guo Wei for taking on two more fine disciples.
"The County Magistrate has arrived!" a steward at the entrance announced.
"The County Magistrate is here."
"Even the County Magistrate came to celebrate Master Guo's birthday."
"Master Guo is so well-respected."
"Master Guo's eldest disciple is about to be transferred to the Governor's Mansion to serve as a Captain. How could the County Magistrate not come?"
Hearing this, the gentry and officials in the main hall all rose to welcome him.
Guo Wei was no exception. With the County Magistrate visiting in person, how could he show any disrespect?
Meanwhile, Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu arranged the tea and seating to one side.
"Master Guo, may your fortune be as vast as the eastern sea."
The County Magistrate was a short man, followed by a sturdy, well-built man. This man was none other than the County Yamen's Chief Constable, Wang Chao, who had just performed a great service.
"My lord, you manage a thousand affairs a day. For you to come and celebrate the birthday of a mere martial artist like me truly brings splendor to my humble Martial Arts Hall."
Guo Wei stood at the entrance of the main hall to receive him.
"Master Guo, you have performed a great service for Baiyang County. I came today not only to celebrate your birthday but also to thank you in person."
The County Magistrate kept his hands clasped in a gesture of respect.
"My lord, why do you say such a thing?"
Guo Wei feigned ignorance.
"Master Guo, you may not be aware, but a few days ago, Wang Chao used the Saber Technique you taught him to slay the notorious bandit Cai Touli, who had been plaguing our county. He has rid the common people of a great menace," the County Magistrate said.
"Oh? Chao'er, is this true?"
Guo Wei looked at Wang Chao.
THUD!
Wang Chao dropped to his knees before Guo Wei and kowtowed. "Master, what Lord Wang says is true. A few days ago, your disciple used the Iron Mountain Saber Technique to kill Cai Touli. If not for Master's excellent guidance, I would have already died at that scoundrel's hands."
"That you could achieve this today is also thanks to Lord Wang's care. In the future, by his side, you must be loyal and diligent, and help ease his burdens," Guo Wei said meaningfully.
"Your disciple will heed Master's teachings. I wish you a life as long as South Mountain and fortune as vast as the eastern sea."
THUD! THUD! THUD!
As he spoke, Wang Chao gave Guo Wei several loud kowtows.
"Good disciple, rise!"
Guo Wei personally helped Wang Chao to his feet.
"A great master produces a brilliant disciple!"
"Our Baiyang County is truly fortunate."
...
The hall was filled with the praises of the gentry.
"My lord, please!"
Guo Wei invited Lord Wang to take a seat.
"Master Guo, please!"
Lord Wang pulled Guo Wei into the main hall with him.
The left is the seat of honor, the right is lower.
Lord Wang directly took the seat on the right.
Guo Wei was about to say something but was stopped by Lord Wang, so he didn't insist. In his heart, Guo Wei understood. 'Lord Wang is acting this way today entirely because my eldest disciple will be returning later to offer birthday congratulations.'
The gentry, however, thought that Guo Wei was so virtuous and highly respected that even the County Magistrate had to defer to him.
"Serve the tea!"
Guo Wei ordered Hei Hu and Chu Lingguang to come forward and serve.
The two of them picked up the tea at the same time.
Chu Lingguang proactively walked toward Wang Chao.
Hei Hu had originally been worried that Chu Lingguang would compete with him to serve the County Magistrate. Seeing him take the tea to Wang Chao, he couldn't help but quicken his pace. He carefully placed the tea beside the County Magistrate, quietly offered a greeting, and then returned to Guo Wei's side to await further instructions.
"Senior Brother, please have some tea!"
Wang Chao's attention was fixed on Guo Wei and the County Magistrate, so Chu Lingguang offered a gentle reminder as he placed the cup down.
Wang Chao knew Guo Wei had recently taken two new disciples. Hearing the address, he looked over at Chu Lingguang. The moment he did, his hands, which were just about to pick up the tea, froze in mid-air.
He had never expected to see Chu Lingguang in the Martial Arts Hall.
Back when he saw Cai Touli dead by the Iron Mountain Saber Technique, he had wondered if the killer might be one of Guo Wei's disciples. But after some inquiries, he learned that of Guo Wei's newest disciples, Hei Hu was the most talented, yet even he hadn't mastered the Iron Mountain Saber Technique.
As for the other disciple, he had supposedly only just developed Fist Force the day before the deadline, managing to enter Guo Wei's tutelage through sheer perseverance.
It was even more impossible for that person to have the skill to kill Cai Touli.
Plus, since Chu Lingguang never came forward to claim responsibility, Wang Chao couldn't resist the temptation and lied, saying Cai Touli had died by his blade.
Now, meeting Chu Lingguang again, and in front of Guo Wei and Lord Wang no less—if Chu Lingguang were to stand up and expose him, he, Wang Chao, would be utterly ruined and disgraced today.
Chu Lingguang proactively placed the teacup in Wang Chao's hands.
Feeling the warmth of the cup, Wang Chao forced a smile at Chu Lingguang.
Chu Lingguang remained silent. He returned to Guo Wei's side with the tray and just stood there, staring intently at Wang Chao.
Wang Chao was filled with a hundred different emotions, unsure of what to do. He took a sip of tea, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
When his gaze shifted to Chu Lingguang and he saw him still staring, his guilty conscience made him involuntarily look away.
Chu Lingguang took in every change in Wang Chao's expression. He didn't speak, just kept staring, waiting for Wang Chao to come to him.
"Master."
Finally, Wang Chao couldn't bear it any longer.
"What is it, Chao'er?"
Guo Wei was talking with Lord Wang and was puzzled by the interruption.
"Disciple knows that Master has taken two new disciples. I was wondering where my two junior brothers are now?" Wang Chao said awkwardly.
"Hei Hu, Lin Guang, come and greet your senior brother," Guo Wei commanded.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Wang!"
Hei Hu and Chu Lingguang stepped forward together and bowed to Wang Chao.
"There's no need for such formality, Junior Brothers. With you two helping to manage the Martial Arts Hall, I can rest easy."
Wang Chao said with a smile. Confirming that Chu Lingguang was indeed Guo Wei's new disciple made his heart sink even further. Three months ago, Guo Wei had personally gone to the county seat to find him, asking him to call back their other senior brothers for Hei Hu's initiation ceremony.
Although he had readily agreed and promised to bring the others back, he himself didn't even show up on the day of the ceremony. He knew in his heart that Guo Wei must still hold a grudge about it.
'If Master Guo finds out that Chu Lingguang was the one who killed Cai Touli, he might disown me for the sake of justice.'
"Senior Brother, you should come back often when you have time, to give us a few pointers," Hei Hu said with a smile, hoping to build a connection with Wang Chao.
"Of course."
Wang Chao nodded, then ignored Hei Hu and said to Chu Lingguang, "You must be Junior Brother Chu. I feel an instant connection with you. I have a few words I'd like to say to you."
Chu Lingguang couldn't help but look toward Guo Wei.
"Your senior brother wants to give you a few pointers. Hurry up and thank him."
Guo Wei was also wondering inwardly, 'What business could Wang Chao have with Chu Lingguang right now?'
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Chu Lingguang cupped his fist to Wang Chao.
"Come on, let's go to the backyard."
Wang Chao put his arm around Chu Lingguang's shoulder, and the two of them left the main hall, arriving in a deserted backyard.
Hei Hu watched them go, wanting to say something but holding back. He really couldn't understand why Wang Chao would single out Chu Lingguang for special attention.
"Junior Brother, I was wrong."
Once in the backyard, seeing that no one was around, Wang Chao promptly knelt before Chu Lingguang.