#75 - Chapter 75: Zhang Chenglei's Background

In the magnificent and solemn Iron Mountain Martial Arts Hall, Cheng Feng, the acclaimed star disciple of the esteemed hall master, deeply understood the essence of maintaining a low profile and consistently upheld a composed, humble, and courteous demeanor.

While others remained unaware of his true strength, only the venerable Hall Master Wang Tieshan recognized Cheng Feng's exceptional progress in martial arts, offering generous praise and affirmation.

After automatically completing his guidance of Qian Ming's martial arts, Cheng Feng chose to return to a tranquil life, living in seclusion as a happy "homebody."

After all, being with his gentle and beautiful wife was also a form of cultivation for him, making for a blissful and fulfilling life!

However, Xiao Qing was an exception, experiencing a mix of "pain and pleasure."

Fortunately, Cheng Feng didn't relentlessly harass Xiao Qing like a madman, but merely repeated the daily required exercises methodically.

Perhaps one day, when Xiao Qing is also pregnant, she will bring even more surprises!

As for Cheng Lei, now that he was grown and under Qian Ming's care, it was unlikely that anything would go terribly wrong.

When Cheng Lei first entered the martial arts hall, he was like a tender, immature sprout.

He kept his elder brother Cheng Feng's earnest teachings in mind and wholeheartedly adapted to the rhythm of life in this unfamiliar environment.

Initially, he got along very well with the other disciples, filled with laughter and endless conversations, seemingly having inexhaustible topics to discuss.

It was through this natural interaction that Cheng Lei made a group of like-minded friends.

However, as time passed, they gradually noticed a phenomenon: the martial arts instructor showed extraordinary attention towards Cheng Lei.

Whenever Cheng Lei encountered difficulties or suffered setbacks, the martial arts instructor named Qian Ming would appear swiftly, like a shadow, offering detailed and patient guidance.

This special treatment not only made Cheng Lei feel flattered but also aroused suspicion among his companions.

Consequently, they began to subtly inquire whether Cheng Lei had any special connections within the martial arts hall.

Knowing his brother's background and influence, Cheng Lei consistently and firmly denied any relationship with his brother, to avoid causing him any unnecessary trouble or risk.

However, the truth would eventually be revealed.

On one fortuitous occasion, everyone was astonished to discover the shocking secret: Cheng Feng was actually Cheng Lei's older brother!

It was supposed to be a relaxed and pleasant dinner, hosted by the younger generation of the family, inviting a group of martial arts disciples to join.

During the dinner, one of the disciples expressed curiosity as to why Cheng Feng, the acclaimed closed-door disciple of the martial arts hall, did not seem to be making many contributions.

However, this casual question infuriated Cheng Lei.

In his heart, his second brother was always the strongest and most capable, and he could not tolerate others making false statements to damage his reputation.

Thus, an emotional Cheng Lei immediately defended Cheng Feng at the dinner table.

But who would have thought that these few words would cause Cheng Lei's close friends to develop new perceptions of him.

Why defend someone you don't know?

Cheng Feng, Cheng Lei, both named Cheng...

The usual attention from Instructor Qian...

Some small details were slowly magnified among these family disciples.

They just don't have power in the family.

They are not fools, or why would they invite apprentices to a banquet?

This is future connections.

Knowing that there are such figures around them,

Why would they put on airs?

And some disciples who were originally hostile to Cheng Lei began to ridicule him behind his back, believing that he was receiving such treatment because of his brother's connections.

Cheng Lei faced it all with equanimity, knowing that his statement had exposed something.

But it didn't matter, he and Cheng Feng had already communicated privately.

It was harmless, at most it would be explained in the end.

Cheng Feng then directly said to his third brother: "Do you remember the gossip of the villagers when we were catching fish a year ago? Just ignore them, I brought you to the martial arts hall to learn martial arts and increase your skills, and at the same time, you can take this opportunity to see the people around you clearly, all of this will be a kind of training and test for you."

Cheng Lei knew very well that there was a long way to go in the future, and he had to rely on his own strength to prove himself.

As his second brother said, this was undoubtedly a valuable experience.

The primary goal of the two brothers coming to the martial arts hall was to practice martial arts and improve their abilities.

In comparison, dealing with interpersonal relationships seemed less important.

Cheng Lei still clearly remembered the special skill his second brother showed him before he left—kneading a stone into powder with his bare hands.

That inconspicuous stone, about the size of a goose egg, was lying casually on the side of the road.

He saw his second brother pick it up with a smile, then put his palms together and began to rub it up and down.

As his second brother kept rubbing, layers of fine powder gradually fell down.

Finally, when his second brother stopped moving, only a thin layer of lime remained in his hand.

His second brother told himself with a calm expression: "If you have this kind of strength, who can do anything to you?"

Cheng Lei stood there dumbfounded, not expecting his second brother's strength to reach this level.

He yearned for this realm even more.

Martial arts could actually be like this,

With Cheng Feng using his blood energy to rub the stone, it greatly stimulated Cheng Lei's enthusiasm for martial arts, and his practice was even more diligent.

And Cheng Feng gained even more.

Cheng Feng didn't expect that it was just a whim, wanting to show off in front of his somewhat clumsy younger brother.

As a result, the Thunderous Blood Explosion Technique had actually been mastered.

Now that the Thunderous Blood Explosion Technique had been mastered, reaching the Blood Refinement Realm for Cheng Feng might only be a matter of time.

Two months had passed, looking at his panel, two months of accumulation.

Basic Knife Technique (Proficient 123 / 200)

That is, the advancement of the Thunderous Blood Explosion Technique requires 500 points.

This is really too difficult.

Thunderous Blood Explosion Technique (Entry / 500)

The Blood Refinement Realm technique that had been mastered gave Cheng Feng hope again.

Cheng Feng had also been working hard to practice meditation, but he didn't feel any progress on the panel.

In these two months, he had received two dividends, totaling forty-five taels, plus the twenty taels he had saved before.

Cheng Feng now had sixty-five taels on hand.

The cost of selling the house was probably about thirty taels.

Ninety-five taels was enough to buy a courtyard with two entrances and two courtyards.

This was really a great joy for Cheng Feng.

Cai'er was probably going to give birth in a month.

Cheng Feng didn't want the women to run back and forth.

Living in a large courtyard was also excellent.

This was Cheng Feng's small goal, and he was about to achieve it soon.