After training ended, Zhao Xuanqi sought out Liu Changfeng alone.

"What’s wrong? Still have some concerns? Master was telling the truth. It was my idea for you to take over the Wind Shadow Hall. Just go for it without any worries."

Liu Changfeng said to Zhao Xuanqi with a smile.

"Senior Brother, the Wind Shadow Hall is currently under the Escort Agency’s name. It used to take orders directly from you and Master, so its duties were actually quite flexible. I want to know what kind of authority I’ll have if I take over."

Zhao Xuanqi asked bluntly.

He had been a member of the Wind Shadow Hall before, so he had some understanding of its function. To put it simply, it was a mobile unit composed of elite disciples that followed the commands of Weng Xiaolin and Liu Changfeng. If he were to control it independently, he had to clarify the extent of his authority. Otherwise, his actions would be severely constrained.

"What do you have in mind?"

Liu Changfeng asked.

"Senior Brother, I won’t beat around the bush with you. Since I’ll be in control of the Wind Shadow Hall, I’ll need sufficient autonomy. For instance, the authority to decide on targets and methods of operation, the right to freely mobilize the Escort Agency’s intelligence network, and even the power to select disciples."

Zhao Xuanqi said seriously.

"You kid, you’ve got some serious ambition. Are you trying to make the Wind Shadow Hall independent from the Xiaolin Escort Agency?"

Liu Changfeng gave Zhao Xuanqi a profound look.

"Senior Brother, ever since I joined the Martial Arts Hall, you’ve taken great care of me and helped me along the way. I remember this clearly, and I’m someone who distinguishes between kindness and grudges. Therefore, no matter what happens, there will always be a place for you in the Wind Shadow Hall. My word is my bond. That’s why I think it’s better to be open about these things, otherwise it will only create bad blood between us."

"If you can’t grant me this authority, Senior Brother, then I will go explain it to Master and put this matter to rest."

Zhao Xuanqi said with a calm expression. The Wind Shadow Hall was indeed an excellent stepping stone for him, one that could save him a lot of trouble. Besides, if he wanted to, with his methods, he could have quietly wrestled complete control of the Wind Shadow Hall from Liu Changfeng.

But he was unwilling to do so, because Liu Changfeng had always treated him very well.

Repay kindness with kindness, and vengeance with vengeance.

In his previous life, others had called him lawless, a heretic of the demonic path, but in reality, he had his own principles.

Things he was unwilling to do, he would not do even if it meant dying ten thousand deaths.

’At worst, I’ll just give up on the Wind Shadow Hall and start from scratch.’

Zhao Xuanqi’s words were a bit too direct. A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Changfeng’s eyes, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

"As long as you can do a good job, so what if the Wind Shadow Hall becomes independent?"

Liu Changfeng said with a hearty laugh.

"You don’t hold any resentment, Senior Brother?"

Now it was Zhao Xuanqi’s turn to be a little surprised. No matter how you looked at it, the Wind Shadow Hall was an extremely important force within the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall.

"I’m not originally from Yuehai. At the age of twelve, disaster struck my hometown, and my parents died. I had no choice but to leave. On the road, I begged for food and even became a thief. Later, when I was about to starve to death, it was Master who gave me a bite to eat and taught me martial arts. He’s the reason I’m here today. Master is like a second father to me, and the Martial Arts Hall is my home."

"As long as it makes the Martial Arts Hall better, I’m willing to do anything. Conversely, if anyone tries to harm Master or the Martial Arts Hall, I will definitely not let them off."

Liu Changfeng said lightly.

"I understand."

Zhao Xuanqi nodded. ’No wonder Weng Xiaolin always kept Liu Changfeng by his side without any reservations.’

"The authority you want, I can give it to you. However, whether you can hold onto it is up to you. Inside the Wind Shadow Hall, the three Inner Sect Disciples are all experts in their own right. Getting them to submit to you will not be an easy task. Originally, Master and I intended for me to guide you from behind the scenes until your strength improved, and then you would take full control of the Wind Shadow Hall."

Liu Changfeng said.

"That is not something you need to worry about, Senior Brother."

Zhao Xuanqi said with a calm expression.

...

...

「The next day, at the Xiaolin Escort Agency headquarters.」

The spacious courtyard of the Escort Agency was bustling with people. The disciples who hadn’t received any assignments had all gathered in the courtyard today.

The Wind Shadow Hall was affiliated with the Escort Agency, and its status was quite special. Thus, news of the change in its leadership spread rapidly within the agency.

At this moment, in the center of the courtyard, a total of fifteen disciples stood in three rows under everyone’s gaze.

The three people in the first row wore conspicuous black Martial Arts Uniforms; they were clearly Inner Sect Disciples.

The remaining twelve people in the other two rows wore gray Martial Arts Uniforms and were Outer Disciples.

According to the Martial Arts Hall’s rules, only those who had achieved Cross-Training were qualified to become Inner Sect Disciples. The three Inner Sect members of the Wind Shadow Hall were the best of the best among all the Cross-Training Inner Sect Disciples.

"That Zhao Qi is going to lead the Wind Shadow Hall before he’s even become a Martial Arts Hall True Inheritance? The Hall Master is spoiling him too much."

"Yeah, how long has he even been a member? Although he turned the tide at the Three Halls Tournament, which was admirable, putting him in this position seems a bit rash."

"I also heard that this time, aside from financial matters which are still managed by the Escort Agency, the Wind Shadow Hall will be completely autonomous. They won’t even have to take orders from Senior Brother Liu and will only report directly to the Martial Arts Hall. Isn’t that a little too much power?"

"He’s overreaching. Can Zhao Qi really control the Wind Shadow Hall? Shang Haishan, Jiang Yiren, and Si Xinyong—are any of those three Inner Sect Disciples pushovers? It would be one thing if Senior Brother Liu was backing him up, but without him at the helm, the Wind Shadow Hall is probably going to fall into chaos."

"..."

The surrounding disciples chattered amongst themselves, but the fifteen members of the Wind Shadow Hall simply stared straight ahead, silent and expressionless.

Suddenly, the crowd’s chatter ceased as several figures walked out from the main hall.

Leading them was the giant-like Liu Changfeng. Zhao Xuanqi followed half a step behind him, and behind Zhao Xuanqi were three other black-clad Inner Sect Disciples stationed at the Escort Agency headquarters.

Liu Changfeng stepped forward and, with a calm expression, announced the decision to transfer authority over the Wind Shadow Hall. He then turned the stage over to Zhao Xuanqi.

All the disciples turned to look at Zhao Xuanqi, who was standing on the steps, carefully sizing up the Martial Arts Hall’s current man of the hour.

Even the members of the Wind Shadow Hall, who had been looking down, raised their heads to look at their new superior, a strange, unreadable glint in their eyes.

Everyone wanted to see what Zhao Xuanqi would say at this moment.

"Clouds follow the dragon, wind follows the tiger. The fierce tiger is the king of all beasts. In the jungle, the strong are revered, and so it is in my Wind Shadow Hall."

"From now on, I will be in charge of the Wind Shadow Hall. Therefore, the rules will naturally be set by me, the Hall Master."

Zhao Xuanqi said lightly, his words carrying an unquestionable tone.

Hearing this, everyone frowned slightly, especially the disciples of the Wind Shadow Hall, who felt a sense of displeasure.

Although a new leader is expected to make a strong impression, Zhao Xuanqi’s attitude was simply too arrogant and condescending.

’Without Senior Brother Liu and the Hall Master backing him up, what right does he have to sit in this position?’

"The first rule I’m setting is this: from now on, within the Wind Shadow Hall, the strong will be revered."

Zhao Xuanqi’s expression was cold as he slowly spread his arms.

"Today, and on any day hereafter, if any one of you is stronger than me... my position is yours for the taking."