Chapter Four: The Mysterious Sea Martial Arts Hall

"Uncle Fu, Tiger, Leopard, I am truly all right," Qin Feng said calmly.

Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu had all followed his former self from the Qin family and were fiercely loyal. Wang Fu was formerly his steward; Wang Bao and Liu Hu, both tall and powerfully built, had served as his bodyguards since childhood—Wang Bao was, in fact, Wang Fu’s son.

"Young Master, how can we simply let this go?" Wang Bao looked at the bloodstains on Qin Feng’s clothes, his fists clenched and anger burning in his eyes.

"No more words," Qin Feng replied, his expression growing stern, his voice ringing with authority.

"Yes, Young Master," Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu bowed their heads deeply, recognizing his seriousness and responding with respect.

A short while later, Mr. Liu hurried over, led by Xuan Youming, and quickly sat at Qin Feng’s side to take his pulse. Placing his hand on Qin Feng’s wrist, he felt the state of the young man’s meridians and flesh, his brow furrowing in concern.

"Mr. Liu, how is my nephew's injury?" Chen Xuanhao asked anxiously, seeing Mr. Liu’s troubled expression.

Wang Xiaohua, Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Xuan Youming all fixed their eyes on Mr. Liu.

"Alas," Mr. Liu sighed heavily. "Young Master Qin’s condition is dire. His vital energy and blood have been thrown into chaos, his meridians and flesh wounded in ways difficult to imagine. Even with my personal intervention, hidden injuries will remain. Whenever it rains or the weather turns gloomy, the pain will be unbearable, and he may never be able to practice martial arts again."

"Is there truly no other way?" Chen Xuanhao pressed, his fists tightening.

"There is, though the chances are slim. If a millennium-old spiritual herb could be found, and an expert alchemist persuaded to prepare a medicinal elixir, there might be hope for a full cure. But these two requirements are nearly impossible to meet, even for the Qin family or the Xuanhai Martial Hall—it's as difficult as reaching the heavens."

With another sigh, Mr. Liu clasped his fists and departed.

"Ah! I have failed you, my dear nephew!" Chen Xuanhao roared like a wounded lion after hearing Mr. Liu’s verdict. Power surged from him and shattered the flagstones beneath his feet. As a martial artist of the dark energy level, he could channel his entire body’s vital force—his strength reaching six hundred pounds, truly formidable.

"Uncle Chen, this is not your fault. It is the work of vile men," Qin Feng said quietly. He understood his situation; Mr. Liu’s words brought no waves to his heart.

"Uncle Chen, I am a little tired now. I shall take my leave," Qin Feng smiled faintly, leading Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu back to his former residence.

Wang Xiaohua and Chen Yunyun watched his departing figure with looks of pity.

"Youming, investigate who harmed my nephew!" Chen Xuanhao barked.

"Yes, Master!" Xuan Youming replied, hurrying off to look into the matter.

"I have failed my brother Qin," Chen Xuanhao muttered, sitting down, his expression dark and rage smoldering in his heart.

"Young Master, how is your wound?" Once back at their quarters, Wang Fu asked anxiously.

"It is nothing serious," Qin Feng replied evenly.

"Uncle Fu, later, go find a courtyard outside the Xuanhai Martial Hall. We will move out," Qin Feng added after a moment's thought. With the system in his possession and many secrets to protect, he needed ample private space—living at the martial hall was inconvenient.

"Yes, Young Master," Wang Fu replied solemnly, raising no objection. As household servants, their duty was to the Qin family; Qin Feng was their master, and his orders were to be obeyed without question.

"And do not inform my father of this matter," Qin Feng instructed.

Wang Fu started, then nodded quietly. Had he not been told, he would have sent word to the master by carrier pigeon as soon as he left, seeking guidance.

"By the way, Young Master, your father previously arranged for the Escort Agency to deliver these items for your training," Wang Fu said, returning shortly with a package.

Inside were a decade-old vermilion fruit, fifty-year-old notoginseng, twenty-year-old ginseng, and sixty-year-old hundred-refine grass. Qin Feng opened the three ornate boxes, his eyes shining with excitement as he saw their contents. While not as precious as the century-old snow ginseng he had obtained earlier, these four treasures were still extremely rare and valuable. His father must have gone to great lengths to procure them.

"With these four treasures, I can temper my body anew—perhaps even rid myself of the pain brought by my sudden surge of strength!"

Once Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Liu Hu had withdrawn, Qin Feng swallowed the vermilion fruit. As a gentle warmth rose in his belly, he regulated his breathing and practiced Arhat Fist, forging his body.

He trained through the entire night, using the Arhat Fist and his body’s formidable regenerative power to absorb all the vermilion fruit, notoginseng, ginseng, and hundred-refine grass.

"To be free of pain at last—what a relief," Qin Feng exulted, swinging his fists and fully unleashing his inner strength, each movement accompanied by the explosive crack of energy.

He recalled Chen Xuanhao’s furious outburst—the scene replayed in his mind. If a dark-strength martial artist possessed only that level of power, he felt certain he could crush such a foe with a single punch. But as for those of the transforming energy level, he could not yet say.

After breakfast, Chen Xuanhao and Wang Xiaohua arrived with a decoction prepared by Mr. Liu. During their visit, Qin Feng brought up his wish to move out, but Chen Xuanhao refused sternly. After the previous incident, he dared not let Qin Feng leave the martial hall. Yet, after Qin Feng’s repeated requests, his promise not to leave the city, and Wang Xiaohua’s persuasion, Chen Xuanhao finally relented—on the condition that Qin Feng remain to recuperate for half a month.

Wang Xiaohua looked at Qin Feng with a complicated expression. She was quite pleased that he would be moving out—so long as he stayed at the martial hall, her husband would continue to manufacture opportunities for him to be alone with their daughter.

"My dear nephew, if you ever feel uncomfortable outside, you are always welcome back. And if you are bullied, tell your Uncle Chen—I will see justice done for you!" Half a month later, as Qin Feng prepared to leave the Xuanhai Martial Hall, Chen Xuanhao stood at the entrance, giving his solemn farewell.

"Uncle Chen, rest assured. With Tiger and Leopard by my side, I am well protected," Qin Feng replied with a grateful smile.

Wang Bao and Liu Hu stood on either side of Qin Feng, thumping their chests and pledging to Chen Xuanhao that they would keep their young master safe.