Chapter 109: Cooperation

Countless lights shone all around. Zuo Zhicheng stood in the shadows of a corner, quietly watching as one after another injured person was carried away. Many soldiers surrounded the entire Chaoyang Martial Hall.

His gaze lingered for a longer time on the members of the gun team.

Beside him, Qingyue Qiu’s eyes held disbelief. “I imagined you were strong, but I never thought you were this strong. Who would have guessed that you alone took down the entire Chaoyang Martial Hall?”

Zuo Zhicheng said coolly, “Just a little trick. After all, they were only amateurs.”

“Are you sure you want to do what you said earlier?”

“This isn’t just my idea. It’s mainly Ghost Fist’s intention,” Zuo Zhicheng said calmly. “You should trust our ability and integrity. Working with us is definitely better than any other gang or martial hall. We follow rules and understand the importance of principles.”

“If you understood the rules, you wouldn’t have challenged the entire Martial Arts Association single-handedly,” Qingyue Qiu said coldly. “Do you know how many people I’ll have to upset to cover this up?”

“Does the Shadow Corps fear offending people?” Zuo Zhicheng replied evenly. “I have to hurry. And you gain a powerful ally. The cost is simply angering a few people.”

“After the plan is complete, we won’t be as reckless as the Hundred Families Association. We have no interest in dominating Xinlu. Besides having an ally, you’ll achieve a rare balance. No single power will dominate.”

“And with someone keeping them in check, the Hundred Families Association will be more obedient and useful. That will help your policy in managing the natives.”

Qingyue Qiu still wanted to negotiate and lower the demands, but in the moment she lost focus and looked back, Zuo Zhicheng had already vanished. “Disappearing like a ghost. Are you and Ghost Fist both like this?”

As she spoke, she walked toward the training ground. Lin Ganghao, Tang Yuan, and Tang Xianghui stood there, staring in shock at the injured on the ground.

“…That’s terrifying,” Lin Ganghao said, looking at the scene before him. “This Zuo Zhicheng has a completely different style from Ghost Fist. Just as ruthless, but he’s more detailed and focuses more on technique.”

“What do you mean?” Tang Yuan asked Lin Ganghao. The latter was the one with the most martial arts experience in the Shadow Corps at Xinlu Port. Although Tang Yuan had eaten Spiritual Energy Food for a few days, his martial skills were still no match for Lin Ganghao’s.

“Look here,” Lin Ganghao said, pointing at a wounded person’s shoulder blade. “Normally, no one would attack here, but he’s different. Before his opponent could strike, he punched this exact spot, directly breaking the point where their power was transmitted.”

“If he aimed a bit higher, he would have overexerted himself. A bit lower, and he wouldn’t have stopped the opponent’s attack. This is a kind of intercepting fist technique. Only someone extremely familiar with their opponent’s attacks, physical abilities, and martial arts could pull this off.”

Tang Yuan asked doubtfully, “Boss, can you do it?”

“Me?” Lin Ganghao gave a bitter smile. “When sparring with you all, I can do it. But in a real fight, it’s nearly impossible. Zuo Zhicheng’s insight, experience, and skill are simply godlike.”

“Also, look at the injuries on these people. Almost everyone from Chaoyang Martial Hall has broken tendons or bones—serious injuries. People from other martial halls who used heavy techniques were severely injured. Those who didn’t use heavy techniques only got light injuries.”

“Can you really tell that?”

“Not in other situations,” Lin Ganghao shook his head. “But Zuo Zhicheng attacked mainly their power-transmission points. Based on that, plus their identity and martial arts training, you can basically figure out what moves they used.”

“This result shows Zuo Zhicheng didn’t even use his full strength. From start to finish, he was completely at ease, with time to think about how to deal with different people, applying different levels of force, and causing different injuries.”

Tang Yuan said in disbelief, “That’s really scary.”

“Did you hear their statements? Zuo Zhicheng said he’s a genius…” Lin Ganghao sighed. “I’m starting to believe it. This isn’t just a matter of rich martial arts experience. Look at these injuries—dozens of martial arts techniques. If I didn’t know beforehand, I wouldn’t believe one person took them all down.”

Tang Xianghui frowned. “So who’s stronger, him or Ghost Fist?”

“They have different styles. Ghost Fist fights fiercely and directly, using absolute power and speed, with ruthless tactics. He overwhelms enemies with storm-like assaults.”

“But Zuo Zhicheng—he might truly be a genius. Someone who can easily spot weaknesses in martial arts and learn other techniques effortlessly.”

“However, Miss also said he hasn’t yet unified the Innate Primordial Breath throughout his body. He hasn’t achieved the Grand Completion of Qi Training like Ghost Fist. So at least for now, he’s not as strong as Ghost Fist.”

“But with that kind of talent, one day he will achieve Grand Completion of Qi Training. When that time comes, he’ll be even more frightening than Ghost Fist.”

“I see.”

“Miss!”

They all turned to look at Qingyue Qiu, whose face was cold. “How did it go with Zuo Zhicheng?”

“He proposed several conditions. Ghost Fist wants to cooperate with us,” Qingyue Qiu said coldly. “I’ve agreed.” As she walked over, soldiers around couldn’t help but glance at her. Qingyue’s appearance easily attracted men’s attention.

An officer approached with a flattering smile. “Lady Qingyue, everything has been arranged.” He seemed to want to look at her more but was too afraid of her authority to stare.

“Good. You may leave. We’ll handle the rest.”

“O-okay. Oh, right.” He looked up and asked, “A group from the Haoran Martial Hall is outside, demanding to come in. Do you think we should…?”

Qingyue Qiu frowned slightly. “Let them in.”

A few minutes later, Jiang Qing rushed in with a stick in hand, followed by A Fei, Big Mouth Huang, and more than ten other students. When they saw Chaoyang Martial Hall looking as if a storm had hit, with injured people groaning everywhere, they were at a loss.

“Damn, has Blood Rakshasa come again?”

“Did they have a fight among themselves?”

As they buzzed with noise, Qingyue Qiu walked over. Seeing the ice-cold beauty before them, they immediately quieted down.

“You’re looking for Zuo Zhicheng?” Qingyue Qiu glanced at Jiang Qing.

“Yes. He…”

Qingyue Qiu cut her off coolly. “No need to look. He should have gone back already. He did all this. He’ll come to Chaoyang Martial Hall again tomorrow. If you have questions, ask him then.”

“H-he did all this?” Not only Jiang Qing, but A Fei and the others behind her wore expressions of disbelief.

“I have no reason to lie to you,” Qingyue Qiu said calmly. “He alone challenged the entire Martial Arts Association. Starting tomorrow, your father will be the chairman of the Martial Arts Association, and he will be the vice chairman.”

Without another word to the stunned Jiang Qing and the others, she left with Tang Yuan and the rest. She still had much to deal with tonight.