Chapter Thirty-Nine: Under the Guise of Underground Boxing, Acts of Murder Are Committed!

As the saying goes, the Dao cannot be passed on lightly.

Back then, when Lin Wangtian became Jiang Yu's disciple, he trailed by his side for years—three years sweeping the floors, six years pouring tea. Only when his sincerity reached this extent did Jiang Yu accept Lin Wangtian as his sixth disciple in the modern era.

Even so, Jiang Yu only imparted techniques he considered trivial, teaching him some minor skills at best. The core methods were reserved solely for true closed-door disciples—those with great talent, determination, and fortune.

Jiang Yu often secluded himself in long periods of cultivation, usually for several years, occasionally emerging to relax in the mundane world. Cultivators are human too, incapable of completely ridding themselves of desires. Prolonged solitude inevitably brings a sense of mental oppression—much like locking an ordinary person alone in a closed space without a phone, the internet, or any form of entertainment. Within a week, countless symptoms of depression would manifest.

When Jiang Yu agreed, both Xia Qinghan and Lin Dong’s faces lit up with delight. Though they pretended to be nonchalant, inside they were nervous. Jiang Ziyue let out a sigh of relief; this man, who was so unyielding, had finally nodded after her persistent pleading.

Jiang Yu found the whole matter amusing and thought little of it; he was simply repaying Jiang Ziyue’s kindness. If things were to get serious, even a true immortal in the tribulation stage wouldn’t dare boast of accepting Jiang Yu as a disciple.

"Jiang Yu, thank you for your understanding. I believe with your effort, you’ll secure a place for yourself in the Jiang family," Jiang Ziyue said with a gentle smile.

"I'm soon going abroad for my studies. I'm the last one to truly care for you. Once I'm gone, you'll be left to struggle under the Jiang family’s unanimous rejection." Jiang Ziyue mused inwardly, her gaze toward Jiang Yu softening.

Her father’s vision was too limited, and she herself lacked ambition. Her second uncle’s family would one day seize power in the Jiang family.

News that Lin Dong had accepted Jiang Yu as a 'disciple' spread swiftly through the martial arts club. Countless eyes looked upon Jiang Yu with envy—Lin Dong was a renowned worldly expert, and under his guidance, Jiang Yu might one day join that rarefied rank as well.

Everywhere, a worldly expert's status was coveted by the powerful and influential. Even if one fell on hard times, they could easily become a bodyguard for some tycoon in Hong Kong, drawing a starting salary of millions.

At this moment, Jiang Shaoqi was filled with regret. He had intended to embarrass Jiang Yu, but instead, by sheer accident, Lin Dong had taken him as a disciple, instantly elevating Jiang Yu’s status.

"Damn it!" Jiang Shaoqi clenched his fist and struck the wall.

"Shaoqi, are you alright?" Zheng Xuan asked, her tone full of concern, gently holding his arm like the perfect wife.

Jiang Shaoqi took a deep breath, gritting his teeth. "I'm fine."

Zheng Xuan’s voice was soft. "So what if he becomes Lin Dong’s disciple? At most, Lin Dong can offer a few pointers; he can’t really help him much. Even making the acquaintance of someone like Xia Ning or Xia Qinghan means little. In the end, others’ help is just a nudge at best."

"It's like rowing against the current; no matter how strong the push, without true strength, you'll still be swept away. But you’re different—you have talent and a solid foundation; all you need is a bit of support. I believe your future will provide that support. Once you become a campus star, even Xia Qinghan will have to show you respect. So what if the Xia family holds an exalted position in Jiangbei? Don’t forget, there’s still the richest man, Ma Tianzong, to keep them in check. The Xia family is rife with infighting; their business empire is about to implode. So what if you can’t befriend Xia Qinghan or Xia Ning? My husband doesn’t need help from people like them."

Zheng Xuan’s words were persuasive—on first hearing, they seemed reasonable enough.

Jiang Shaoqi soon regained his composure, holding Zheng Xuan’s delicate hand. "Xuanxuan, don’t worry. I’ll give you a life of wealth. I’m not worthless—one day, Xia Qinghan will face me as a servant."

"Jiang Yu, you’re not the only one with drive; my talent far surpasses yours. One day, I’ll make you understand the gap between us—no amount of connections will bridge it."

With this thought, Jiang Shaoqi felt much better.

"Next month, we’ll be married," Zheng Xuan said, her eyes brimming with affection as she gazed at him.

Her words restored Jiang Shaoqi’s confidence. For a genius, the greatest fear is a blow to one’s pride—just like Yuan Tiangang, who, after that night at Blue Sea Cloud Sky, spiraled into depression and grew dispirited.

Jiang Yu, too, gained a touch of prestige by becoming Lin Dong’s disciple. Though Lin Dong was young, he bore a resounding title—Lin Wangtian’s last disciple. At such a young age, he had already inherited Lin Wangtian's true teachings. In Yun City’s upper circles, even seasoned officials and tycoons would respectfully call him "Young Master Lin."

He was also a nominal bodyguard for the Xia family’s right branch. The Xia family was so prominent in Jiangbei that their status drew the envy of many rivals. Almost every important family member was protected by a worldly expert.

As a result, in recent years, there hadn't been a single scandal of an assassination within the Xia family.

Lin Dong was Xia Qinghan’s personal bodyguard, though with Xia Qinghan’s strength in the late Condensation stage, his protection was more symbolic than necessary.

"Xia Qinghan has promised to help him three times?" a voice exclaimed in shock among the crowd.

Someone else smiled wryly. "Yes. I heard Xia Qinghan already reached the Condensation stage as a worldly expert—a martial prodigy the Xia family claims is the best in a century, and she’s a woman as well. With the family's focus, her ability has probably advanced to the mid-stage, or even higher..."

"Jiang Yu has really struck it lucky."

"Actually, with his skills, even Mo Tian and the others lost to him. It’s only natural Xia Qinghan would take notice."

Whispers filled the air.

In the room, Jiang Yu sat on the soft sofa, ignoring Xia Qinghan and Lin Dong’s conversation.

"Lin Dong, when you fought Yuan Tiangang near the school last time, how did it end?" Xia Qinghan asked coolly.

Jiang Yu recalled that day—Yuan Tiangang had delivered the promised one million, but didn’t leave, instead waiting outside the school. Their duel must have happened then.

Lin Dong smiled leisurely. "I had a slight edge. Afterwards, I heard Yuan Tiangang lost his confidence and locked himself in his room ever since. In a few days, the annual underground black boxing tournament will be held. There should be more wealthy participants than usual this year, right?"

Xia Qinghan nodded. "Yuan Tiangang came back for revenge against your teacher. Years ago, Lin Wangtian crippled Yuan Tiangang’s father, leaving him disabled for life. By now, the old master Lin has probably broken through the Condensation stage and become a Transforming Strength Grandmaster, hasn't he?"

Rumor had it that Lin Wangtian had reached the half-step Grandmaster level long ago. After all these years, how could he not have progressed further?

Lin Dong nodded. "That’s right. Just a few days ago, my teacher broke through to become a Grandmaster."

Xia Qinghan fell silent.

She’d never witnessed a clash between Transforming Strength Grandmasters.

Lin Dong smiled again. "Qinghan, I heard the left branch, led by Xia Housheng, has brought in an old Grandmaster named Shen Tianlong, a master of formations and a killer without trace. He’ll be representing the left branch this time."

Even Lin Dong was awed as he spoke.

In past years, sightings of even Condensation experts were rare, let alone Grandmasters. This year, at least three Grandmasters would appear.

Jiang Ziyue, unable to follow the conversation, was lost. Her understanding of martial artists stopped at people like Mo Tian and Zhou Yongji—she thought they were just good fighters.

Jiang Yu smiled but kept quiet. This time, the right branch had an important mission to accomplish.

A cold gleam flashed in Xia Qinghan’s eyes. Under the guise of the black boxing tournament, murder could be committed in perfect cover.

For this, the right branch had prepared for a year. The underground tournament was crucial—it concerned the Xia family’s very survival. Clearly, those in power could no longer sit still.

"Lin Dong, are your preparations complete?" Xia Qinghan asked.

Lin Dong frowned. "Everything is ready. I’ve already informed my teacher—if necessary, he’ll intervene."

The feud between the left and right branches should soon reach its end. The Xia family, once a great clan in Jiangbei, was now mired in internal strife. If it continued, both sides would destroy each other.

Lin Dong turned to Jiang Yu. "Jiang Yu, come with me this time. Let me show you what the true martial world is like."

Jiang Yu was curious—what exactly was this so-called martial world?

It seemed that two-thirds of Jiangbei’s forces were being drawn into the fray.

So be it; it had been a long time since he’d seen Lin Wangtian—the most diligent and honest of all his disciples...