Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 38: Let’s Train in Martial Arts!

Lu Chang’sheng and Li Nangua split up once they reached the South Gate.

Li Nangua stood by the city gate, waiting for him.

He checked the time, then headed toward the Traveler’s Inn.

There were noticeably fewer people around the South Gate compared to the West Gate.

The lower classes often have a sharp awareness of their surroundings.

As he approached the Traveler’s Inn by the South Gate, he quickly sensed several covert eyes watching him.

"The young master from the West Gate?"

A manager-looking fellow walked over, eyeing Lu Chang’sheng with a mocking smirk.

To them, the young man in front of them—branded with the mark of the Three Red Gang—had now shown up here under force. He was their trophy, and naturally, they felt a bit superior.

"Where’s Black Monkey? I want to see him before we talk about the Archery Practice Ground!"

Lu Chang’sheng spoke calmly.

The manager glanced around, signaling discreetly, and in no time a few people had quietly surrounded Lu Chang’sheng.

But what surprised him was that Lu Chang’sheng didn’t show the slightest sign of panic. He seemed prepared for this all along.

"No wonder young master can keep the West Gate’s Archery Practice running!"

The manager gained a hint of respect for him, then turned and walked into the inn. Before long, he reemerged, now accompanied by a man with the weathered look of a farmer—except for the giant centipede scar running down his face.

This was none other than Gang Leader Tian Youming of the Shaving Knife Gang. He looked Lu Chang’sheng up and down and was surprised by how young he was.

Immediately, he tried to win Lu Chang’sheng over.

"Liang Yun from the West Gate’s Three Red Gang is nothing but a mongrel—cunning to the bone! Little brother, if you stick around him, it’s only a matter of time before he leaves nothing of you but bones! You bring your people over here, and as long as I, Tian Youming, am still breathing, I swear on my life, you won’t ever be harmed!"

He spoke grandly, but never once mentioned actual cooperation.

Lu Chang’sheng knew Tian only wanted to control him and use him as a cash cow, so he stayed quiet.

"You’re righteous, Gang Leader Tian!"

"So, little brother, what do you think? I’m not like that Liang bastard, always pinching pennies. When someone in the crew can open doors and make a profit, he still wants to charge rent! You come here—see a spot you like, it’s yours. Not a single coin in rent!" He slapped the table hard, making it shake.

"Thank you, Gang Leader Tian!"

"Is that a yes, young master?"

"Maybe. But I still need to see Wang Heihou first!"

"Fine!"

Tian Youming was very satisfied with Lu Chang’sheng’s attitude. He’d raised a big fuss over this, even stormed West Gate with his men, expecting serious resistance. But so far, it seemed he’d overestimated things.

In the end, he’s just a kid!

At best, he had some skill at management!

Tian had seen plenty of people with special talents before.

He’d once known a guy with great martial talent, but arrogance ran deep in his bones. If someone like that grew up, there’d be no controlling him. So, Tian simply had him killed.

"Hope this young master knows what’s good for him," he mused.

Soon, Lu Chang’sheng was led into a storeroom of the Traveler’s Inn, where he finally saw Wang Heihou.

When he saw Wang Heihou’s pale face and weak breath, his own face darkened.

"Did you torture him?"

"Just a small trick! But don’t worry, young master—these things look nasty, but it’s mostly just pain. Your buddy here was a bit ignorant and injured one of our men. But since you’re one of us now, we’ll let it slide."

The manager shrugged, unconcerned.

"If it had been someone else, hurting one of us wouldn’t have gone down so easy!"

Lu Chang’sheng let out a chuckle.

"Chang’sheng, you—"

Wang Heihou snapped awake the moment he saw him and tried to say something, but Lu Chang’sheng interrupted him.

"Enough, we’ll talk about all this later! Let’s get out of here first."

Lu Chang’sheng said.

"Get out? Young master, that’s not possible. Wang Heihou can’t leave yet. You’ll need to get the Archery Practice set up and start making money before we talk about that!"

The manager said flatly.

Lu Chang’sheng shook his head. "That might not be as certain as you think."

The manager’s face hardened. "Best you don’t get any dumb ideas, young master. We’re not that patient. Sure, you’re good with through arrows, but without bow or arrows, what can you really do?"

The only reason Lu Chang’sheng had made it this far unchallenged was because he wasn’t carrying any weapons.

It was obvious—an Archery Master without his bow or arrows was like a tiger without teeth—nothing to fear.

But Lu Chang’sheng just smiled. "But you see, my weapon is sharper than any bow or arrow."

As soon as he finished, a sharp voice called from outside.

"Official notice! This Year’s Child Scholar Lu Chang’sheng, come out to receive your certificate!"

Instantly, everyone in the room froze, their faces falling.

"You’re this year’s Child Scholar?" Tian Youming was stunned.

Tian had heard rumors of Lu Chang’sheng locking himself up to study, but hadn’t paid it any mind.

The Traveler’s Inns at all four gates were full of bookish types; in all these years, he’d seen very few actually pass the Child Scholar exam.

In the end, official honors mostly went to the wealthy or the nobles.

Coming up from the countryside was rare!

Especially at Lu Chang’sheng’s age—far too young!

Who could’ve guessed he actually made it?

Tian’s first instinct, true to his ruthless nature, wasn’t how to handle the official out front—but to kill Lu Chang’sheng instantly.

For years, he’d always had things his way and had no patience for getting played. His temper was fierce—but he also knew that if he killed Lu Chang’sheng now, the whole Shaving Knife Gang was finished.

After all, plenty of people had just seen Lu Chang’sheng enter the inn with him!

Calculating his options, he forced a smile. "Young master, a genius! So young, already a Child Scholar!"

"The officials outside are waiting, aren’t they? Better hurry and pick up that certificate!"

"You’re right," Lu Chang’sheng said with a smile. He reached into his clothing, pulled out a small knife, and sliced through the ropes binding Wang Heihou.

When the Shaving Knife Gang members around drew their weapons and closed in, Lu Chang’sheng just grinned and pulled Wang Heihou close. "You’d better think this through. Blades aren’t picky about what they cut—if I’m hurt, and the officials hear about it, you’re all getting chopped."

"Let them go!"

Tian Youming’s eyes glowed red as he gritted the words out.

Supporting Wang Heihou, Lu Chang’sheng walked them step by step out the door.

"I owe you my life again, Chang’sheng," Wang Heihou said weakly.

"Don’t mention it. There’s no owing between friends—we just help each other out! This life is long, and if you try to go it alone, you’ll just get worn down and crushed by loneliness." Lu Chang’sheng laughed.

Wang Heihou didn’t quite get it, but he took the words to heart.

"Chang’sheng, there’s something I want to ask you!"

"Whatever it is, say it!"

"I... I want to learn martial arts too!"

Lu Chang’sheng paused, then nodded. "Of course. But I’m worried you won’t be able to handle the pain and the long grind."

Training in martial arts is no joke.

You need talent, a good root bone, and money, and you have to keep at it for years.

That’s what Lu Chang’sheng had gathered over these two years.

"No way! I wasn’t born for school honors, but I can learn to fight! I don’t want you to have to rescue me every time!"

"Alright!"

Lu Chang’sheng nodded in agreement.

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