Chapter 247 — Learning Martial Arts on the Mountain
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
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!"