Chapter 247 — Learning Martial Arts on the Mountain

"Yes, that's what I'm thinking. I've decided to go back and have a talk with him!" Zhong Yongliang made no secret of it. "Nailgun has been with me for years, and I know the man—especially after what happened this time, when we helped his family through their crisis. So if I send him, there shouldn't be any problem!"

"All right, then go back and talk to him!" Zhong Fabai was tempted too. If his son could have a top-tier late Yellow Rank expert—or someone even stronger—at his side, then the Zhong family would no longer have to survive in Songshan City on the Jin family's charity... nor be constantly hemmed in by his own brother-in-law.

When that day came, with a capable man at their disposal, the Zhong family would have a voice in high society as well... At this thought, Zhong Fabai suddenly felt a surge of anticipation. His son had actually done one clever thing—he had won over the hearts of his subordinates and cultivated an absolutely loyal confidant!

If Black Panther was Zhong Fabai's confidant, then Zhang Naipao was Zhong Yongliang's! Had Black Panther not been his confidant, he would never have told him so many secrets.

After obtaining the map of Chunxing Mountain, Zhong Fabai sent Zhong Yongliang back to school, leaving only the lawyer behind to study how Black Panther's sentence might be reduced. Still, Black Panther had injured the police and fled—his punishment would not be light, surely.

On the way to visit Brother Black Panther, Zhong Yongliang had worn a face full of gloom, but on the road back to school, his face was all joy and excitement! So long as he followed Brother Black Panther's advice and sent Zhang Naipao up the mountain to learn martial arts, then once the training was done, Wei Zhao would be nothing to fear. Then he would deal Wei Zhao a single fatal blow—ha ha, what a satisfying thing that would be!

Just thinking about it set his blood racing! Helping Zhang Naipao's family was the most correct thing he had ever done! Earlier, Zhong Yongliang had been somewhat reluctant to help Zhang Naipao, afraid he would get no corresponding return. But now—this was simply too good a bargain!

The moment he got back to school, Zhong Yongliang called Zhang Naipao out of the classroom. "Nailgun, come out with me a moment. I have something to discuss with you!"

"Brother Liang!" Zhang Naipao had lately grown ever more respectful toward Zhong Yongliang. Zhong Yongliang had not only given his family seven hundred thousand to clear their debts, but had given three hundred thousand more so his father could restart his business—Zhang Naipao was profoundly grateful!

If not for Zhong Yongliang, his family would have been finished. His father might have been driven to suicide, his younger brother would have been forced into selling a kidney, and could he and his mother have gone on living?

But Zhong Yongliang had helped his family turn everything around, so Zhang Naipao thanked his leader from the bottom of his heart. He felt he had truly not followed Zhong Yongliang in vain.

The moment Zhong Yongliang called him, he hurried after him out of the classroom. "Brother Liang, what did you want to see me about?"

"Gunzi, take a walk with me!" Zhong Yongliang did not state his purpose directly, but led Zhang Naipao off in the direction of the restrooms.

It was nearly time for the first class of the afternoon. The washrooms in the senior-year corridor were basically empty by now, save for a few delinquent students smoking in the men's room.

Zhong Yongliang frowned at the sight of them, but Zhang Naipao understood at once. He swaggered in, shoulders squared. "Clear out, clear out, everybody out—Brother Liang needs the toilet!"

These lads were small-time hoodlums at school, far beneath the Four Young Villains. Though Zhong Yongliang had been beaten by Wei Zhao a few times and no longer commanded the prestige he once had, these small fry still dared not cross him. Seeing Zhong Yongliang arrive, they all withdrew from the restroom with fawning smiles.

"Brother Liang, there's something you want to tell me, isn't there?" Zhang Naipao was no fool; Zhong Yongliang would not have dragged him out for no reason just to accompany him to the toilet.

"Gunzi, you've followed me for quite a while now. There's a matter I want to sound you out on first!" Zhong Yongliang said after a moment's hesitation.

"Brother Liang, just say it straight. What's all this about sounding me out? Your opinion is my opinion!" Zhang Naipao said at once.

"Good!" Zhong Yongliang nodded, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, shook one free and handed it to Zhang Naipao, then put another between his own lips. "I didn't take you as a brother for nothing. Still, I need to talk this through with you—after all, it's a matter of great importance!"

"Go on, Brother Liang!" Zhang Naipao flicked his lighter, lit Zhong Yongliang's cigarette first, then lit his own.

"Gunzi, there's an opportunity now that could make you a first-rate martial artist! Are you willing?" Zhong Yongliang asked, lowering his voice.

"A first-rate martial artist?" Zhang Naipao was stunned. "Brother Liang, you're not joking, are you?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Zhong Yongliang said. "Gunzi, you know Brother Black Panther, don't you? You saw the news about his escape from the police, didn't you? His strength suddenly surged—he broke out even with all those cops surrounding him. Do you know why?"

"Could it be... Brother Black Panther is a first-rate martial artist?" Zhang Naipao blurted out the moment he heard Zhong Yongliang's words.

"Exactly! There's a secret method in his sect that can rapidly boost one's strength, but it has its flaws—it takes time, and it also comes at the cost of a shortened lifespan. It's not really advisable," Zhong Yongliang said.

"Brother Liang, are you telling me to learn this secret method?" Zhang Naipao misunderstood Zhong Yongliang's words; he thought Zhong Yongliang was asking him to study this secret method, and he agreed on the spot. "So I'll just live a few years less—no problem. Brother Liang, if not for you, my father and my little brother would both be finished, and I might not even be alive anymore!"

"Paozi, you've misunderstood. I'm not telling you to learn this flawed secret method—I'm telling you to go up the mountain to learn martial arts! Join Brother Black Panther's sect and become a true master of the martial world!" Zhong Yongliang waved his hand. "That said, the process may be very hard. According to Brother Black Panther, it's like being an ascetic monk, and you can't go near women anymore! If you're willing, Brother Black Panther can recommend you!"

"Go up the mountain to learn martial arts?" Zhang Naipao was a little bewildered, but he agreed without the slightest hesitation. "Brother Liang, if you tell me to go up the mountain to learn martial arts, then I'll go up the mountain to learn martial arts! What's an ascetic monk? In this life, Zhang Naipao has only one wish—to repay the kindness you've shown my family, Brother Liang. As long as you give me this chance, I'd go to my death this very instant if you asked me to, let alone become some ascetic monk!"

"Good! Paozi, since you have that determination, this will be easy! Rest assured, when you return from your training, you'll be the right and left arm of our Zhong family, and together we'll sweep across the world!" Seeing Zhang Naipao agree, Zhong Yongliang happily patted him on the shoulder. "Then it's settled. Get ready over the next couple of days, and I'll find someone to send you up the mountain!"