Chapter 199: He is Master Yang?

Unaware that their standing had significantly decreased in the eyes of Emperor Shen Zhui and the Three Masters, Lu Xun and Wang Chao continued towards Master Yang’s residence, their faces brimming with excitement.

They had previously been mocked and humiliated for not paying; now, with three million gold coins in hand, who would dare stop them?

“When we meet Master Yang later, don’t beat around the bush. Get straight to the point and say we’re willing to be his apprentices and serve him diligently.” As Lu Xun walked, he mentally rehearsed their meeting with Master Yang, finally concluding: “A renowned master who can command the admiration of even Master Liu and others must be a two-star master or higher. If we try to be evasive, we’ll only be exposed and create a bad impression. It’s better to be honest!”

Renowned masters have extraordinary insight. It’s best not to play tricks in front of such people; otherwise, one will surely suffer the consequences.

Once Master Yang is displeased, becoming his apprentice will be difficult.

“Indeed!” Wang Chao nodded.

“By the way, Wang Chao, you mentioned that Senior Wang Chong learned a new spear technique and spent a lot of money on it. What exactly happened?” Suddenly remembering something, Lu Xun couldn’t help but ask.

“Just a few days ago, my father went into seclusion and wouldn’t see anyone. I went home and couldn’t find him anywhere, so I asked the butler. Apparently, a master visited our home and taught him just one move of a spear technique, and my father paid several million in tuition. I really don’t know what kind of spear technique is worth that much.”

Wang Chao shook his head, quite displeased.

They were a family specializing in spear techniques, and although they had some assets, spending several million at once was still a significant drain. He genuinely didn’t understand what had possessed his father to give away so much.

“Senior Wang Chong’s insights into spear techniques are unparalleled in the Tianxuan Kingdom,” Lu Xun countered, his view differing from Wang Chao’s. “Since he was willing to pay so much, it must mean this spear technique is incredibly powerful. You should definitely learn it well.”

Nobody is a fool. Given Wang Chong’s great reputation in the Tianxuan Kingdom and the praise he received from Emperor Shen Zhui, his understanding of the spear dao must have reached an astonishing level. For such an discerning person to be willing to spend a fortune to learn it, how could it be simple?

“I want to learn it too, but Father won’t teach me,” Wang Chao mumbled. “The butler said that Father has set a rule: only with the consent of the spear technique’s creator can our clan members practice it. Otherwise, even secretly learning it would be a grave offense!”

Wang Chao pouted.

Talking about it always frustrated him.

His father was diligently practicing some unknown spear technique, but he knew he couldn't learn it. His frustration was understandable. He could hear about it but not touch it, so all he could do was grumble and vent his frustration.

“The Wang Family Spear is unsurpassed in the kingdom and is a top-tier martial art,” Lu Xun said comfortingly. “I don’t think the spear technique Senior Wang learned is necessarily much stronger; he might just want to integrate it to achieve another breakthrough!” After offering comfort, Lu Xun was about to continue speaking when he suddenly saw Wang Chao secretly gesturing. He looked over, confused: “What’s wrong?”

“Look quickly, that arrogant guy from the imperial palace!”

Wang Chao pointed behind them.

Following his gaze, they indeed saw a middle-aged man in a brocade hat and sable fur walking down the street towards them.

Who else could it be but that talkative fellow?

“To be able to sit alongside His Majesty and the Three Masters, even if he has a loose tongue, his identity must not be simple. Don’t provoke him; getting our business done is more important!” Lu Xun advised, seeing his friend eager to cause trouble.

Although he had never seen this middle-aged man before, for him to dare interject while he was speaking with Emperor Shen Zhui, his status must be extraordinary.

But... so what?

As star teachers, and with prominent families backing them, they were considered influential figures throughout Tianxuan Royal City. Even the most powerful background seemed insignificant in their presence.

“Yes, I know, but... why do I feel like he’s following us?”

Wang Chao glanced back again, feeling a bit strange.

They had already turned several streets while talking. Yet, this guy was still following behind. What else could it be but tracking them?

“Perhaps he also wants to visit Master Yang. Stop talking. Steward Sun is right at the entrance; let’s go pay the fee...” Lu Xun shook his head, not wanting to cause trouble while trying to become an apprentice. After turning two more corners, Master Yang’s residence reappeared. There were still many people queuing, and Steward Sun Qiang was indeed there.

Wang Chao said no more. Holding his head high and a proud expression on his face, he pushed through the crowd to the residence entrance and extended his hand, presenting the three million gold coins they had just borrowed.

“Steward Sun, these are the fees for the two of us to visit Master Yang. We can enter now, right?”

Didn’t you just mock us for being poor and having no money?

In just half an hour, we’ve got the money. This is what you call... publicly shaming someone!

He imagined Steward Sun Qiang's face changing dramatically, immediately altering his attitude towards them, bowing and scraping... Instead, he saw the stout man nearby frown, not even turning his head, and impatiently wave his chubby hand: “What’s with all this nonsense? Didn’t I just say? From now on, Master Yang isn’t accepting gold coins, no matter how much. If your name hasn’t been called, hurry up and get out. Don’t cause trouble here!”

“You...”

Fury surged within him, and Wang Chao nearly coughed up blood.

As a member of the Tianxuan Kingdom’s elite, he was respected wherever he went. Even Emperor Shen Zhui treated him with courtesy. Yet, a mere steward had told him to “get out” twice in a row. The intense rage made him feel like he was about to explode, infuriated to death.

“Sun Qiang, do you know who you’re talking to?”

His face turned ashen, his teeth grinding audibly, as he strode a few steps forward.

“Oh? It’s Teacher Wang Chao...”

Only then did Sun Qiang get a clear look at him, raising an eyebrow: “What, you have money this time?”

Earlier, he had been somewhat apprehensive because the other party was a star teacher. But seeing his master’s indifferent expression, he knew that star teachers, high officials, or influential figures meant nothing.

If they obediently followed instructions, he might say a good word for them. Otherwise, their status was useless!

If he hadn't replied, it would have been better. But with his reply, Wang Chao was so enraged he nearly fainted on the spot.

Damn it!

What’s with that contemptuous look?

What do you mean, “this time”?

Anyone who didn’t know would think I’d been here many times and always showed up penniless...

“Wang Chao, calm down!”

Seeing that he was about to explode, Lu Xun shook his head and stepped forward.

His friend was excellent in both talent and teaching. However, he had a somewhat quick temper, which had caused quite a bit of trouble.

If he didn’t intervene, judging by Wang Chao’s expression, he might actually resort to violence.

If he hit this guy, it would be equivalent to slapping Master Yang’s face. Forget about becoming an apprentice; they might even be directly expelled.

Stopping his impatient friend, Lu Xun smiled faintly and clasped his hands: “Steward Sun, there’s no need for us to reintroduce ourselves. We didn’t bring the money earlier because we didn’t understand the rules. Now we’ve brought the money, and our visiting cards are ready. We respectfully ask you to inform Master Yang again. If Master Yang truly won’t see us, then we’ll give up and won’t bother him any further.”

Sun Qiang clearly looked like a petty commoner. The longer they argued with him, the more trouble it would be. It was better to talk less.

“My master instructed me not to accept any more visiting cards, and no one is allowed in except those who already paid. However, since you are star teachers, I will be kind one more time...” Seeing that Lu Xun’s words were reasonable, Sun Qiang nodded, just about to speak, when he saw his master arrive, push open the main gate, and walk into the courtyard.

His previous obstinacy was actually to cover up the fact that his master wasn't at the residence. Seeing him return, he immediately felt relieved and overjoyed, and was about to follow him inside. Just then, an angry voice rang out beside him.

“Steward Sun, what is the meaning of this? We paid the fee and presented our visiting cards, yet we can’t enter. How come that guy just walked straight in? Without even greeting anyone?”

Wang Chao was truly enraged.

When we didn't pay, you said this and that, even publicly mocking us. Now we've brought the money, and we still can't enter. If everyone was treated equally, we could tolerate it, but what's with this guy in the brocade hat and sable fur?

He had no visiting card, paid no money, and just pushed the door open and went in. How? Just because his status isn't low and Emperor Shen Zhui values him?

What about your promise that no one else could enter?

What about your righteous declaration?

Wang Chao was boiling with rage, on the verge of exploding.

However, just as he finished speaking, he saw everyone around him looking at him as if he were an idiot, their gazes filled with sympathy.

Seeing these gazes, Lu Xun suddenly realized something. His body trembled involuntarily, and his face instantly turned somewhat grim. He couldn't help but look up: “Steward Sun, the person who just entered is...”

“That’s our master!” Sun Qiang snorted coldly.

“Master Yang?”

Lu Xun’s body swayed, as if struck by lightning.

Beside him, the furious Wang Chao also looked as if he had been slapped. The words he wanted to say caught in his throat, his face turned pale, and he trembled uncontrollably.

He was Master Yang?

He had just cursed him in the imperial palace for being too talkative?

Lu Xun had kindly advised against it, but the two of them had completely ignored him, filled with righteous indignation, even wanting to teach the other party a lesson...

What... what was going on?

Lu Xun and Wang Chao felt the world spinning, as if their entire world was about to collapse.

In others' eyes, Lu Xun and Wang Chao were infinitely glamorous, star teachers of Hongtian Academy. But as Zhang Xuan's status grew higher, such identities began to seem rather insignificant.

From his current perspective, they were merely self-important youths.

Whether they were utterly devastated or on the verge of madness, he would leave it to Sun Qiang to handle; he couldn't be bothered to pay them much attention.

At this moment, he sat cross-legged on his bed, his expression solemn.

Having studied the Heaven’s Path secret manual on poison, he now had a profound understanding of the subject. At the same time, he had discovered a strange black aura within his body.

He hadn’t had time to study it closely while helping Shen Hong achieve a breakthrough in the imperial palace. Now that he was back at his residence, he could finally examine it in detail and figure out what was going on!

He had always been perfectly healthy, so how could there be poisonous gas lingering in his body?

When did it get there?

With doubt in his heart, he concentrated intently and focused on the black aura he had seen before.

This black aura was hidden between his internal organs and meridians, making it difficult to detect. If he hadn't studied the Heaven's Path Poison Art and gained a deep understanding of poisons, he certainly wouldn't have discovered it.

“What kind of poison is this? Why... have I never seen it before?”

After observing it carefully for a moment, Zhang Xuan frowned.

The library had collected thousands of books on poisons, documenting the attributes and auras of many toxic substances. Yet, none of them matched the black aura in his body.