Chapter 111: Changes

Huang Youde looked at Zuo Zhicheng before him. Although he smiled on the surface, his heart trembled a little. After all, this young man looked plain but had single-handedly defeated over a hundred martial artists—almost like a beast in human skin. Since he was just an ordinary person, being close to these martial artists always made him a bit nervous.

However, for some reason, his superiors asked him to approach Zuo Zhicheng and support him as the vice-chairman of the association. Although he did not know who Zuo Zhicheng’s backer was, he had no choice but to come as instructed.

But Zuo Zhicheng was not as hard to get along with as he had imagined. Compared to the rumors of unruly and disobedient martial artists, this Zuo Zhicheng seemed much more friendly and approachable, almost like an ordinary person. He also seemed very familiar with the rules of officialdom. After just a few words, the two were already acting like brothers.

Xiao Jingyang watched this scene from the side, and his view of Zuo Zhicheng changed again. He could not figure out how the other party had connected with the Imperial Court.

But facing Zuo Zhicheng’s incredible fighting skills and currently unfathomable background, those who had some ideas quickly abandoned their plans and decided to wait and see for now.

As for Xiao Jingyang…

“Captain Huang is here today to act as a witness for me and Master Xiao, to have him transfer the Chaoyang Martial Hall to my name,” Zuo Zhicheng said, reaching out his hand behind him. A Fei then handed over the pre-written contract.

“This is the contract I wrote yesterday. Master Xiao, take a look. If there are no problems, sign it.”

Xiao Jingyang’s hands trembled uncontrollably. Anger and helplessness filled his eyes. In his view, Zuo Zhicheng’s smile at this moment was no different from that of a demon.

“Master Xiao…” Zuo Zhicheng grabbed his hand and said coldly, “Sign it quickly. Everyone is waiting.”

Xiao Jingyang followed his gaze and saw the martial hall masters around him lowering their heads to avoid his eyes. As for Huang Youde, he even nodded at him, urging him to sign quickly.

“Fine, fine, fine. A young hero has emerged. Zuo Zhicheng, this time I admit defeat. You can have the martial hall, but I beg you to spare me and my son.”

“Of course. Master Xiao, you’re still strong and vigorous. Stay on as an advisor for the martial hall.”

Xiao Jingyang waved his hand, hunched over, and seemed to age more than ten years in an instant.

Over the next few days, Zuo Zhicheng completely took over the martial hall. Although it was called a takeover, it was only nominally his property. He did not have the time to manage the martial hall, so he left it in the hands of Xiao Jingyang and a few students.

He himself moved into the master bedroom that originally belonged to Xiao Jingyang. He traveled back and forth between there and his base, constantly practicing Martial Arts and Dao Arts.

Of course, besides that, he also standardized the rules and regulations of the Martial Arts Association. He set membership fees, monthly meetings, rules for newly joined martial halls, student recommendations, exchanges, and systems for learning from each other’s Martial Arts.

At first, the martial hall masters were not very willing to let Zuo Zhicheng interfere in their affairs. But with Zuo Zhicheng’s strength and official support, everything fell into place.

In rumors, Zuo Zhicheng’s official background spread among the higher-ups of the martial halls. However, with Zuo Zhicheng’s openness, communication, and promotion of the value of martial artists, along with some marketing methods, various businesses and officials began to hire them for demonstrations, guard duties, bodyguard work, and escort services—all developed by Zuo Zhicheng with Qingyue Qiu’s help.

Through some connections with the Shadow Corps, a market was opened up for the Martial Arts Association.

This profit chain—from training martial artists to various jobs—caught the attention of the martial halls. Interests gradually bound them together, making them feel more connected to the association.

As more and more martial artists got involved, Zuo Zhicheng’s monitoring of Xinlu Port became more effective.

However, Zuo Zhicheng only started this work and handed it over to A Fei as his representative to handle with the other martial hall masters.

Having temporarily resolved the martial hall matters, aside from daily training, Zuo Zhicheng still had to deal with the gangs. Compared to the role of the martial halls, the gangs’ role was even more important in his plans.

But in Xinlu Port, someone was clearly more concerned about his plans than he was.

A few months later, Xiao Jingyang caught a cold and died. His son, Xiao Changhe, became mentally impaired from excessive grief and disappeared one night after going out.

…

And the day after Xing Feng left the Chaoyang Martial Hall, a large group of people rushed into the opium den he operated.

Xing Feng sat up from the bed and waved for the woman behind him to get dressed.

He waved at the dozen or so officers before him and said, “Sirs, I haven’t done anything wrong recently, have I?”

The leading officer replied, “Brother Xing, this is a task assigned from above. Please come with us.”

Xing Feng said, puzzled, “From above? Officers, have I offended someone? To be honest, even if you want me dead, you should at least let me know who. Who exactly have I offended?”

“We don’t know either. But it’s just staying inside for a few days. Let’s get going.”

Seeing his subordinates gathering around, Xing Feng waved his hand, signaling them not to act rashly. “Alright, it’s been a while since I’ve been inside. At least let me prepare.”

The leading officer clearly did not want to push this gang leader too far and nodded. “You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn.”

After one incense stick’s time, the second-in-command of the Hante People faction in the Hundred Families Association, Xing Feng, was sent to prison. No one knew what he experienced inside. He was only released after fifteen days, appearing unharmed, at least on the surface.

Sitting at his desk, Lin Ganghao thought for a moment and said, “Are we being too nervous? I don’t think Ghost Fist will necessarily go after Xing Feng.”

“Have you forgotten about the Sea Dragon Gang? If we hadn’t sent people to arrest Xing Feng, given his behavior, he would probably offend Zuo Zhicheng the next day. Then he wouldn’t even know how he died,” Tang Xianghui said from the side. “If someone from the Hundred Families Association dies, it’s too troublesome. It could cause racial conflicts, something the higher-ups hate to see the most.”

“Xianghui is right,” Qingyue Qiu also nodded. “The Hundred Families Association can be suppressed, but not too many people or important figures should die. How was Xing Feng inside? Did you warn him?”

“I hinted at it a little,” Tang Yuan said, scratching his head. “But I couldn’t reveal any names. I don’t know if he understood.”

“We can’t tell him the truth. If the news leaks or he reports it, it would also be troublesome.”

“Let’s leave it at that for now,” Qingyue Qiu said calmly. “What about Ghost Fist and the Sea Dragon Gang? As long as we maintain a balance between the Hundred Families Association and the Sea Dragon Gang, it’s still very advantageous for us.”