Bang.
Zhao Ya felt as if his fist had been hit by a bullet, the pain was unbearable.
Yet Zhao Ya’s expression didn’t change at all, his other fist shot diagonally upwards, heading straight for Meng Shiwen’s chin.
With a gentle swipe of her hand, Meng Shiwen deflected Zhao Ya’s punch.
However, Zhao Ya quickly changed his move. Seeing that his punch was ineffective, he twisted his body, turning the uppercut into a sledgehammer punch aimed directly at Meng Shiwen’s left cheek.
This move was extremely fluid in its transition, causing the observing Miao Shaocheng to nod in approval.
"Junior Brother Zhao is indeed remarkable to have practiced an ordinary fist technique to this degree."
"Yes, but he’s still far from defeating the Senior Sister."
As expected, without even blinking, Meng Shiwen lifted her left hand, perfectly blocking Zhao Ya’s swinging fist.
"Is this all you’ve got?" Meng Shiwen said coldly.
But the next second, Zhao Ya closed in quickly, his hands moving like lightning to grab Meng Shiwen’s shoulders, launching the Great Stone-Throwing Hand technique.
Zhao Ya had now gotten an initial glimpse of the Great Stone-Throwing Hand, and coupled with his secret preparations, this attack caught even Meng Shiwen off guard, tossing her into the air.
But before she could fall, Zhao Ya felt a sharp pain in his hands. Following that, Meng Shiwen landed softly on the ground like a dry leaf, with a hint of surprise flashing across her face.
"Your Great Stone-Throwing Hand is practiced well, but that’s about it. If I had wanted to kill you just now, you’d be dead by now."
Zhao Ya did not argue.
In truth, if following a normal strategy, Zhao Ya would surely first throw a Lime Package and then alternate various drug tricks, sneak little darts from time to time, and execute a stealth attack in the dark.
If that were the case, who would live or die would be hard to predict.
But at this moment, Zhao Ya didn’t mention any of this. He simply smiled and cupped his fists.
"Thank you, Senior Sister, for holding back."
"Alright, alright, we’re all fellow disciples, let’s just leave it at that. But Junior Brother Zhao, you truly surprised me with that well-practiced Great Stone-Throwing Hand," Miao Shaocheng interjected to ease the situation.
Meng Shiwen said nothing and turned to leave.
After she left, Miao Shaocheng quickly explained, "Junior Brother Zhao, don’t take it to heart. Senior Sister is just like that by nature, but don’t let her cold demeanor fool you; she has a warm heart."
Xu De also chimed in, "That’s right, Senior Sister Meng may have a sour face, but she’s a good person."
Zhao Ya was certainly not angry.
"No need to worry, Senior Brothers, it’s just a regular sparring match. I know where I stand."
After a few more pleasantries, Lu Dingtai returned.
The three quickly stood at attention.
"Let’s go, your lodging has been arranged."
Zhao Ya, leading Zui’Er, was followed by Miao Shaocheng and Xu De, leaving the Martial Arts Hall and heading out to the street.
Zhao Ya was slightly surprised.
He had expected Lu Dingtai to arrange for him to stay at the Martial Arts Hall.
At the time, he thought he would stay at the hall for a few days and then find an excuse to move out.
After all, he practiced his techniques every night, and having Zui’Er around, staying in the hall would be inconvenient.
Outside the Dingtai Martial Arts Hall was a street with a few shops, mostly selling daily necessities like needles, thread, oil, salt, sauces, and vinegar.
But even so, the street was bustling with activity.
Zhao Ya particularly noticed that there seemed to be more women on the street than usual.
Regardless of gender, upon seeing Lu Dingtai walking ahead, everyone respectfully made way and bowed in greeting.
"Hall Master Lu!"
"Greetings, Hall Master Lu!"
Amidst the chorus of greetings, Lu Dingtai nodded continuously in response.
Zhao Ya had never seen such a scene before.
However, Miao Shaocheng and Xu De seemed unfazed and accustomed to this, showing it was indeed routine.
Soon, Lu Dingtai led Zhao Ya and the others into a small alley.
The door to the second house from the alley’s entrance was open, and upon entering, Zhao Ya realized it was a hidden paradise.
The courtyard wasn’t large, but it was tastefully arranged, with a grape arbor standing behind the shadow wall, already heavy with bunches of grapes.
Beside it was a camphor tree, whose scent filled the courtyard with the breeze.
The main house was spacious and bright, flanked by two annex rooms.
In all respects, the small courtyard met Zhao Ya’s satisfaction.
Zui’Er was so enamored that her eyes sparkled.
Even Miao Shaocheng felt a twinge of jealousy, jokingly saying, "Master, you really play favorites, giving Junior Brother such a fine courtyard when I still live in an annex room at the hall."
To this, Lu Dingtai glared, "You’re alone, and having an annex room is already more than enough. Your junior brother is different; he has family to consider. Do you expect him to squeeze into a dormitory with his female companion?"
Miao Shaocheng shrank back under the stern rebuke, not daring to speak further.
"So, is there anything lacking?" Lu Dingtai inquired.
Zhao Ya shook his head, "Thank you, Master, I’m already quite satisfied. There’s nothing more I need."
At this point, Xu De suddenly commented, "I think it’s still lacking some furniture and daily necessities. I’ll send some over tomorrow."
"Uh, that’s really not necessary..."
Before Zhao Ya could refuse, Miao Shaocheng had already stopped him.
"Enough, Junior Brother Zhao, don’t be so modest. Your fourth brother is quite wealthy; these things are nothing to him. In fact, he should be thanking you, as with your arrival, he’s been promoted from the youngest to the fourth oldest!"
Xu De chuckled at this, "I wouldn’t call myself rich, but Junior Brother Zhao has just arrived, and as an elder brother, I must show some gesture."
"Alright, stop hinting at me like that. Tonight I’ll host a top-tier banquet at Feixian Inn to welcome Junior Brother Zhao," proposed Miao Shaocheng.
Zhao Ya naturally expressed his gratitude again.
Unexpectedly, Lu Dingtai stopped him.
"Alright, there’s no need to be so courteous with them. Since you all are disciples under my tutelage, you are brothers, and should help each other."
"Master is right. We’re now family, so there’s no need for endless thanks," Miao Shaocheng remarked with a smile.
With that said, Zhao Ya really had nothing more to add, so he lightly smiled.
"Alright then, I won’t be polite."
After chatting for a bit and agreeing on a time for the gathering, Lu Dingtai left with Miao Shaocheng and Xu De.
Zhao Ya helped Zui’Er bring out the luggage, washed his face, changed into fresh clothes, and finally felt relieved.
Seated in the courtyard, Zui’Er gazed at the lively little space, feeling a sensation like being in another world.
"Ya, your two Senior Brothers are both quite nice, but that Senior Sister Meng is too fierce," Zui’Er said.
Hearing this, Zhao Ya chuckled, "How so?"
"Just fierce all over, always with a stern face. Even though she’s very pretty, she can be quite intimidating."
"Who do you think is better between Senior Brother Miao and Senior Brother Xu?"
"Hmm, I feel Senior Brother Miao talks more, while Senior Brother Xu, although younger, is very calm."
"You’re not wrong. Although Fourth Brother is young, he’s very mature and steady, likely due to strict family upbringing."
"Senior Brother Miao, on the other hand, is meticulous despite seeming carefree. Don’t be fooled by appearances; he’s a sharp thinker."
Speaking of which, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but sigh.
Indeed, the Commandery City is a place full of hidden talents.
The two Senior Brothers he met today are truly outstanding individuals.
It seems I should never grow complacent!
By evening, Miao Shaohua and Xu De arrived as promised.
Zui’Er originally didn’t want to go but couldn’t resist Miao Shaohua’s invitation, ultimately joining Zhao Ya.
Feixian Inn is a well-known restaurant in the Commandery, particularly famous for its homemade Feixian Brew.
Normally, without a reservation, finding a table here is impossible.
However, Miao Shaohua and Xu De were evidently regular visitors.
As soon as they walked in, the staff, all smiles, greeted them and led them to a private room on the third floor.
Not far beyond the window of the room was the Jade Belt River, its surface shimmering in the light. Luxuriously decorated boats were moored along the river, from which the sounds of stringed and wind instruments occasionally drifted over.
Miao Shaohua gave Zhao Ya a wink and whispered, "Next time, I’ll take you to have fun on a flower boat."