The Wind Shadow Hall, and the Wind Shadow Hall Master, had once again captured everyone’s attention.

Not long ago, the change in leadership at the Wind Shadow Hall had sparked some discussion. However, as the conflict between the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall and the Jingmao Trading Company intensified, the Wind Shadow Hall played no significant role. It was gradually forgotten, and people came to believe that Weng Xiaolin had made a misstep.

But now, the Wind Shadow Hall had stunned everyone.

Silently and without a trace, they had wiped out the Jingmao Trading Company’s headquarters in one fell swoop!

"It’s unbelievable. Did the new Wind Shadow Hall Master, Zhao Qi, really lead the charge? A True Inheritance disciple from the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall didn’t even get involved?"

"That was the Jingmao Trading Company’s headquarters! They had three veteran Cross-Training masters, and not a single one escaped. Could the Wind Shadow Hall have done that on their own?"

"It’s from the Jili Empire’s intelligence network. How could it be false? We all thought the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall made a bad move, but now it looks like they’ve promoted a vicious wolf..."

"Zhao Qi... Zhao Qi... It seems the Upper River District has another ruthless figure you can’t afford to cross."

"..."

The buzz surrounding the Wind Shadow Hall and Zhao Qi grew louder. But even as the two sides vied for power, the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall’s operations didn’t cease.

The Wind Shadow Hall became the core of all their actions.

In less than a week, of the seven remaining Cross-Training experts from the Jingmao Trading Company and several others from their associated firms, four were dead and one was severely injured. The number of casualties among ordinary company enforcers was no less than twenty. A storm of blood had been unleashed upon the Upper River District.

The Jingmao Trading Company and other forces from the Jili Empire all retreated from the martial arts halls’ territory in the Upper River District, not daring to set foot there again.

Zhao Xuanqi’s and the Wind Shadow Hall’s ruthless methods left everyone speechless once again. At the same time, their fear of the Wind Shadow Hall and Zhao Xuanqi reached its peak.

Within the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, any previous doubts about the Wind Shadow Hall and Zhao Xuanqi vanished completely. Compared to the outside world, the rumors inside the hall were more numerous and much closer to the truth.

The operation that night was a success because Zhao Qi had infiltrated alone, killed the trading company’s head, Yan Pingchuan, and then single-handedly hunted down the fleeing Fan Shidong, ensuring the mission went off without a hitch.

With a track record like that, who would dare to be unconvinced?

In Weng Xiaolin’s study, in the rear courtyard of the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall.

"Qi, you did an excellent job with this. The credit for so smoothly driving out the Jingmao Trading Company is mostly yours."

Weng Xiaolin spoke to Zhao Xuanqi with satisfaction.

"You praise me too highly, Master. Without you and my senior brothers backing me, I would never have dared to carry out such a plan," Zhao Xuanqi said humbly, cupping his hands.

"The Jingmao Trading Company has been temporarily driven out, so it’s time to think about your True Inheritance ceremony. I have had a master divine a date; a fortnight from now is an auspicious day. I will invite many guests to witness as I formally accept you into the True Inheritance."

"Also, the Wind Shadow Hall is indeed a bit short-staffed. I will allow you to transfer five more men into its ranks. Oh, right, and about your sister, Zhao Qin. Your Second Senior Brother has already secured her a spot at the Celestial Sea Women’s Academy. Here is the acceptance letter. She can officially enroll in a month."

Weng Xiaolin said with a chuckle, handing an envelope to Zhao Xuanqi.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Second Senior Brother," Zhao Xuanqi said, quickly bowing to Weng Xiaolin and Liu Changfeng.

"Alright, you’ve been too busy lately. Go back and get some rest," Weng Xiaolin said, waving his hand.

"Yes, Master."

After replying, Zhao Xuanqi exited the study.

"Master, I can’t help but feel that Junior Brother’s methods are too aggressive. It’s not a good thing."

Liu Changfeng waited until Zhao Xuanqi’s back had disappeared from view before speaking with a frown.

"If he were like you, what use would I have for him? Since he was able to take down the Jingmao Warehouse, he has proven his strength. The victor is always right," Weng Xiaolin said flatly.

"There’s one more thing. I heard that when the Jingmao Warehouse operation was wrapping up, Junior Brother Zhao took a portion of the supplies for himself. About that..." Liu Changfeng said hesitantly.

"If you want a man to work, you have to let him eat his fill. Besides, he risked his life to win those resources. As long as he doesn’t go too far, don’t worry about it. He is a True Inheritance disciple of my school. As long as his strength continues to improve, it’s a good thing for the Martial Arts Hall and for me," Weng Xiaolin said calmly.

"I understand."

Liu Changfeng nodded slightly. He never refuted his master’s words.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xuanqi returned to the side courtyard of the Xiaolin Escort Agency and summoned Cai Mingliang to his study.

"How are the preparations for the things I asked you to get?" Zhao Xuanqi asked Cai Mingliang calmly.

"Everything is ready," Cai Mingliang said respectfully, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

By now, Zhao Xuanqi’s authority within the Wind Shadow Hall was at its zenith. No one dared to question or defy his words.

"Have someone deliver them to my residence today," Zhao Xuanqi said.

"Yes."

Cai Mingliang bowed respectfully and left the study.

...

...

In the afternoon, Zhao Xuanqi left the escort agency and returned to the two-story Western-style house on Haitian Road. He had been so busy with the Jingmao Trading Company lately, splitting his time between the escort agency and the Martial Arts Hall, that he had barely been home. He had seen his sister, Zhao Qin, even less.

As soon as he walked through the door, he saw Zhao Qin doing chores.

"Sis, let’s hire a couple of servants. You don’t need to do these things yourself," Zhao Xuanqi said to Zhao Qin with a frown.

"You’re back. It’s fine. I don’t have anything else to do at home anyway."

Seeing Zhao Xuanqi, Zhao Qin quickly put down her work and poured him a glass of water.

"You’ll have something to do soon enough."

Zhao Xuanqi smiled, took the acceptance letter for the Celestial Sea Women’s Academy from the envelope, and handed it to Zhao Qin.

However, he saw that her expression wasn’t particularly joyful.

"What’s wrong? You’ll be able to continue your studies soon. Isn’t this what you wanted?" Zhao Xuanqi asked, confused.

"Those things... was it really you who did them?"

Zhao Qin hesitated before finally speaking. She had, of course, heard many rumors recently.

"Sis, in this world, some things are unavoidable. They were just lapdogs selling their lives for the Jili Empire. People who deserved to die," Zhao Xuanqi said after a moment of silence. He didn’t want Zhao Qin to get involved, but it was clear she couldn’t remain completely ignorant.

"I understand. You have to be careful, too. You’re not hurt, are you?"

Zhao Qin wanted to say more, but in the end, she didn’t. She had no right to. After all, she was a beneficiary of all this. Everything she had now came from his change. ’What right do I have to try and talk him out of it?’

"Don’t worry. Those guys can’t hurt me."

Zhao Xuanqi smiled, downed the glass of water Zhao Qin had poured for him, and stood up. "Someone delivered some things earlier, right? I’m going to go take a look. We can go out for dinner later."

With that, he got up and headed for the second floor.

Zhao Qin watched with a complicated expression as his back disappeared up the stairs.

In the end, she didn’t test Zhao Xuanqi’s attitude as Chu Jiaxuan had suggested.

’He has his path to walk. It’s enough that I’m here for him.’

Meanwhile, Zhao Xuanqi could sense the subtle change in the dynamic between him and his sister, but he knew it was unavoidable.

The stronger he became, the stronger this sense of distance would grow.

’To gain something, you must give something in return. I have already weighed the costs in my heart.’

’As long as Zhao Qin can live well, nothing else matters.’

Back in his room, he took out a black wooden box and opened it.

Rows of bamboo tubes, medicine vials, and packets of herbs appeared before his eyes.

This was his greatest prize from the Jingmao Warehouse mission.