Chapter 78: Chapter 74: Master Luo’s Sponsorship

The backyard.

A small concrete house stood quietly, flanked by drooping, yellowed willow branches.

Lu Chao followed Luo Qianshan toward the small concrete house, passing through a bamboo-framed corridor entwined with withered yellow vines.

His mind still replaying the earlier scene, he felt no regret—only a sense of relief.

Although he didn’t know why Guo Yun had suddenly provoked him, the moment he’d struck, he had already made up his mind.

Now that he had broken through to the Professional Level and had enough strength to protect himself, why should he continue to be so hesitant?

Either do nothing at all, or do it with a bang!

And it was clear that Master Luo wasn’t angry. On the contrary, it seemed he had expected it, and his attitude had subtly shifted once again.

TAP! TAP!

The thought flashed through his mind, and he stopped walking.

In front of the concrete house was a round stone table with two stone stools, and to the side, a mahogany recliner.

Luo Qianshan remained silent. Only after picking up a tea bowl and filling a ceramic teacup on the stone table with hot water did he turn to look at him.

"I thought I had already discovered your talent last time."

"But I didn’t expect... I still misjudged you."

He spoke calmly, his deep eyes staring directly at Lu Chao with a strange expression, as if trying to see right through him.

From Fighting Level to Professional Level in just four short months—such speed was already approaching that of someone with superior aptitude.

Not to mention, he hadn’t even received substantial support from the security company or himself.

The atmosphere tensed, but Lu Chao’s expression remained neutral, without a trace of panic.

The existence of the Glutton was unknown to anyone. He was confident his secret would not be seen through.

"Master, I don’t know what’s come over me lately, but I find myself getting hungry all the time."

"My training efficiency also seems to have improved, and I vaguely broke through the ’Bronze Flesh’ bottleneck." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Lu Chao was making an excuse, but it wasn’t complete nonsense. He had done some research before coming to the martial arts hall.

The Life Energy Development Theory mentioned that some people with special constitutions don’t show any distinct traits in the early stages of their training, but certain peculiarities emerge once they reach a certain level.

For example, accelerated training speed, strengthening of muscles and bones, a sudden burst of comprehension, or even the awakening of special abilities.

Compared to those possibilities, his own situation was well within the realm of reason.

"Is that so?"

Unexpectedly, Luo Qianshan didn’t seem to doubt him much.

Instead, he nodded lightly, his expression turning serious as if he had just confirmed some kind of suspicion.

"In that case, you truly are a piece of uncarved jade."

"’A gentle breeze over the hill,’ steady and sure. Although it differs from Tianchen’s courageous and rapid progress, you are, after all, a late bloomer."

As he spoke, a hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes. It was the first time he had compared the two.

Lu Chao was a little surprised to hear this. He clasped his hands in a salute and said sincerely, "Everything I have learned is thanks to Master Luo’s guidance."

"Whether I’m a late bloomer or destined for mediocrity, all I ask is that I do not tarnish the name of the Jinshi Boxing Hall."

Luo Qianshan was slightly taken aback and looked into his eyes.

They were bright and open. He could tell that Lu Chao was speaking the truth.

"Heh."

With a slight smile, he withdrew his gaze and took a sip of his hot tea.

As if pondering something, he finally shook his head gently.

"So be it."

Without probing any further, Luo Qianshan put down his teacup and looked at him again.

Everyone has their own secrets.

Besides, as Lu Chao had just said, as long as he could uphold the boxing hall’s reputation and pass down the Golden Stone Fighting Skill, that was enough.

After a moment of contemplation, Luo Qianshan walked into the small backyard house and returned a moment later with a long, thin blue box.

"I know you must have consumed a lot of Life Potions. Take this."

"Master Luo, what is this?"

Lu Chao was surprised as Luo Qianshan handed it to him.

He took it instinctively and saw a company logo on the box that looked like an ointment.

"This is a special secret medicine from Celestial Brocade Ointment."

Shaking his head, seeing Lu Chao’s lack of knowledge in this area, Luo Qianshan slowed his tone, "Although it can’t compare to the Biotechnology Company, it still holds a significant place in the potion market, especially in the field of Martial Arts and fighting skills."

"Inside are two tubes of Bone-Strengthening and Qi-Replenishing Ointment. It sounds ordinary, but its effects are much stronger than a basic Life Potion, making it extremely suitable for someone at the Professional Level."

"As for the downside, it’s just that the taste is a bit poor... From now on, you can come to me to receive a portion every month."

’I see.’

At the same time, the panel in front of his eyes flashed, and his intuition provided a similar detailed description.

Lu Chao immediately understood that Luo Qianshan intended to sponsor him.

He didn’t refuse. He gave a grateful salute and accepted it calmly.

He knew that perhaps only now had he truly earned the other’s high regard.

"As for Guo Yun and his group, although they come from the inner circle of the city, you are also a disciple of my boxing hall."

Luo Qianshan spoke in a calm, quiet voice, "I don’t know the grudge between you, nor do I want to."

"You just need to remember that the doors here will always be open for you."

He spoke calmly, and though he made no explicit promises, Lu Chao understood his meaning.

He was backing him up, telling him not to worry about the background or retaliation of Guo Yun and the others.

"Thank you, Master Luo!"

Taking a deep breath, Lu Chao bowed deeply.

He admitted to himself that his actions had been a gamble, but thankfully, the outcome had been favorable.

"Mm, go on."

Waving his hand, Luo Qianshan offered a few simple words of encouragement, passed on the Mystical Skill for the third level of the Fighting Skill, and said no more.

Lu Chao didn’t act coy. He clasped his fist in farewell and left, content.

For a moment, the quiet backyard was filled only with the rustling of the cold wind and the gentle swaying of withered vines and branches.

Luo Qianshan stood silently in place, watching Lu Chao leave the backyard.

Finally, when the figure disappeared, he looked at the wintersweet bush standing tall against the wind in the yard, his gaze growing deep.

’Two people with superior talent appearing at the same time...’

’I wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing.’

....

He walked all the way to the training hall.

The cold wind finally subsided, blocked by the walls, doors, and windows.

Sensing the formless gaze from behind him disappear, Lu Chao finally dared to look at his panel.

[Carbon-based Human]

[Life Energy: ?]

Even with forty points of Life Energy, he still couldn’t see through Master Luo’s true realm.

This couldn’t help but make him speculate more about certain rumors.

’Could it be that Master Luo isn’t at the Elite Level?’

Many theories surfaced in his mind. Lu Chao thought of the legendary Martial Artist from Thunder Extreme Martial Arts Hall who was rumored to have broken the one-hundred-point barrier, Lei Wanjun.

Given Master Luo’s style, he would never provoke someone so easily if he wasn’t confident.

’Unless...’

"Junior Brother Lu."

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.

Lu Chao’s thoughts were interrupted, and he turned his head to look.

The powerfully built Zheng Wu was standing in front of him, glancing at the ointment box in his hand.

"Congratulations!"

He offered a sincere smile and clasped his hands in a salute.

For more than half a year, he had watched Lu Chao grow, practically from the very day he had become a disciple.

Now that he had finally achieved success in his Martial Arts, Zheng Wu felt an inexplicable sense of relief and gratification.

"Senior Brother Zheng, thank you for what you did just now."

Lu Chao quickly returned the gesture with a smile and a word of thanks.

He suspected that Zheng Wu had known the moment he started fighting Guo Yun and the others.

The slap aimed at Fang Jingyi could have been stopped by him, but he didn’t intervene, which clearly meant he was on his side.

"Hehe, I didn’t do a thing."

Waving his hand, Zheng Wu pretended not to understand what he meant.

The two chatted for a bit, and Lu Chao took the opportunity to glance around the room.

Even now, the training hall was still noisy, with many people discussing his breakthrough to the Professional Level.

He couldn’t see Fang Jingyi or the others; they had either left in a rage after losing face or gone to get their injuries treated.

"This matter ends here."

Following his gaze around the boxing hall, Zheng Wu consoled him, "With Master here, you just need to focus on your training. Don’t worry about anything else."

"Besides, your senior brother is here too. Don’t be afraid."

He patted his chest, making a solemn promise.

Lu Chao smiled and acknowledged it, taking the words to heart.

"I’ve troubled you, Senior Brother."

"It was nothing."

Shaking his head, Zheng Wu grinned.

Then, as if he’d thought of something, he seemed to hesitate, wanting to say more.

"Senior Brother, if you have something to say, please speak freely." Lu Chao noticed his hesitation and asked openly.

After hesitating for a moment, Zheng Wu finally nodded, pulled him into a corner, and lowered his voice. "When you go to the Patrol Department later, you must be extremely careful."

"I suspect there’s another reason why Guo Yun and his group are acting this way."

He gave a tactful reminder, but Lu Chao’s mind stirred as he connected the dots.

’The Patrol Department? Their background from the inner city circle?’

If he thought about who he had offended recently who also had the power to make Guo Yun and Fang Jingyi stir up trouble, there was undoubtedly only one person.

"Ruan Hui."

His eyes narrowed slightly. Lu Chao recalled the "Hunter" matter he had overheard outside the locker room last time.

He had thought it might have been someone else with the same name, but now... all his doubts vanished.

For a figure like that, whether he truly cared or not, a single casual remark was all it took for people like them to be targeted.

’As for the purpose...’

He thought of Captain Yang, the Rebel case, and the factional struggles within the Patrol Department.

Numerous speculations surfaced in Lu Chao’s mind.

"Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother. I will take it to heart and be sure to remember it."

After thanking him solemnly, Lu Chao forcibly suppressed his distracting thoughts.

Afterward, they chatted some more about matters related to Fighting Skill.

Once everything was settled, he didn’t rush to leave.

Instead, he began to practice the third level of the Fighting Skill that Master Luo had taught him, right there in the training hall.

....

WHIR!!

A medical vehicle from Hengjia Security pulled away from the entrance of the boxing hall, carrying Fang Jingyi and her group.

The atmosphere inside the vehicle was somewhat heavy. The young men lying on stretchers were eerily quiet, surrounded by several doctors who were constantly checking their conditions, inserting needles, and injecting Nutrient Liquid.

"He actually... broke through..."

A seriously injured young man muttered to himself, his eyes dim. His body was wrapped in layer after layer of gauze.

The others were all silent, their eyes bloodshot from their injuries. When they looked at each other, they all seemed dazed and lost.

That mud-legged brat from the orphanage actually broke through before they did.

The huge disparity was suffocating, nearly shaking their resolve.

"I’m going to cripple him!"

Suddenly, Guo Yun, gasping for breath in the corner, spoke through his repressed pain.

His sternum was broken, and waves of sharp pain drove him mad. A vicious light glinted in his eyes. "My family has so many security guards. I don’t believe we can’t take care of him."

"If that doesn’t work, we’ll just hire someone from the black market! Doesn’t Deep Sea take any job? They even dare to kill. What’s crippling him in comparison!"

As soon as he said this, the other young men were slightly stunned.

Some of their eyes quietly brightened with interest. When had they ever suffered such humiliation?

But someone else spoke up hesitantly, shaking their head.

"What about Master Luo..."

The faces of Guo Yun and the others stiffened. The idea had barely formed before it was ruthlessly shot down.

Although they couldn’t be completely certain, based on the information their families and various companies had gathered after the martial arts tournament, Luo Qianshan had very likely taken that crucial step. He was most likely a true Martial Artist.

A person like that was one of the top figures even in Ring City. If not for that, they would never have lowered themselves to come to this broken-down place.

"Then what do we do? Are we just going to let it go?"

Guo Yun asked in a low voice, his eyes webbed with blood, his heart filled with rage and unwillingness.

No one answered. The others all averted their eyes.

Seeing this, he gritted his teeth and then looked toward a corner of the medical vehicle.

Fang Jingyi sat alone to one side, her arms hanging limply, her eyes vacant as she stared into space.

A doctor beside her was spraying her with a medicinal mist, wrapping her arm wounds with gauze.

Her physical injuries were clearly the lightest.

But everyone subconsciously glanced at her face, at the bright red Palm Seal that had yet to completely fade.

Their expressions were complicated. No one answered.

In the end, the medical vehicle could be seen driving down the street, heading straight for the inner circle of the city.