Chapter 322 - 162: Promise

"Speak plainly? Very well."

Qin Zhao nodded.

"Defeating a Secret Martial Art without one of your own... I’m very impressed."

Seeing that Chen Cheng didn’t respond, Qin Zhao showed no sign of annoyance and continued,

"Come to the Qin Family and follow me, or join Cloud Platform Hall. I can guarantee that you will be taught the Secret Cloud Peng Leg Technique."

"I just demonstrated my family’s Secret Martial Art, move for move. With your level of Comprehension, you must see how great its advantages are over the Secret Hidden Dragon Fist."

At these words, Chen Cheng still didn’t reply, but Zhuang Zhen, who was standing to the side, couldn’t hide the astonishment in her eyes.

She never would have imagined that Chen Cheng—abandoned by Dragon Mountain Hall and having missed his chance with the Secret Hidden Dragon Fist—would receive an offer from Qin Zhao right here and now.

"Furthermore, I will give you ample cultivation resources. I guarantee I’ll give you more, never less, than what Dragon Mountain Hall could offer. And what Dragon Mountain Hall can’t give you—for example, resources from a Sect—I can give you that too!"

Qin Zhao said,

"As long as you can reach the Entry Level of the Secret Cloud Peng Leg Technique, my next step will be to strongly recommend you to a major Sect in the Prefecture City."

"At that point, fame, prospects, status, power, wealth, beautiful women... everything the world desires... what couldn’t you, Chen Cheng, obtain with ease?"

Chen Cheng remained noncommittal.

Beside him, Zhuang Zhen’s brow furrowed even deeper, nearly knitting together.

As a fellow Martial Artist, she knew all too well how tempting the conditions Qin Zhao just offered were.

’To put it bluntly, in today’s Martial Selection, weren’t the most outstanding Martial Artists in all of Zhao City fighting with their lives on the line for a Secret Martial Art and a supply of resources greater than what a Martial Arts Hall could provide?’

’And now, Qin Zhao was offering all of it.’

’Even if Chen Cheng nodded and accepted, Zhuang Zhen wouldn’t find it strange at all. Very few Martial Artists could resist such a temptation.’

"Chen Cheng, I’ve shown you more than enough sincerity."

Qin Zhao said,

"Or are you telling me that after being swept out the door by Dragon Mountain Hall, you not only feel no resentment but are actually still sentimental about it?"

"You can’t have failed to see that Dragon Mountain Hall’s time is past. Even if Wan Qianshan regrets it and wants to recruit you back, would you accept?"

"You couldn’t! I can tell you’re a man of pride! You would never deign to go back for seconds."

After speaking, Qin Zhao’s eyes, which had remained as still as a calm lake, widened slightly. His gaze burned into Chen Cheng, as if he were waiting for the answer any normal person would give.

"My apologies, but I cannot accept your invitation at this time."

Chen Cheng finally gave his answer. He wasn’t stubbornly refusing but being deliberately ambiguous, leaving the other party a sliver of hope.

[Cloud Peng Leg Technique - Secret Chapter]: Entry Level (0/300), Traits (None), Limit-Breaking (No)

Chen Cheng subconsciously glanced at his panel.

During the fight just now, Qin Zhao had deliberately shown off, performing the entire martial art completely and flawlessly.

The Vertical Eye Mark had instantly granted Chen Cheng perfect mastery of the Entry Level.

’Originally, Chen Cheng had felt that he had almost no chance of winning against Qin Zhao.’

But now, Chen Cheng had perfectly mastered Qin Zhao’s greatest trump card.

’This meant that all he lacked was practical experience and refinement.’

’As for the theoretical aspects of the Cultivation Technique—the details, variations, essence, and True Intent—Chen Cheng knew them all by heart. In fact, his understanding was far more thorough and perfect than Qin Zhao’s.’

At this thought, Chen Cheng suddenly understood. Qin Zhao’s ability to crush Zhao Tianlai just now wasn’t merely due to a gap in strength.

"At this time?"

Qin Zhao nodded.

"Fine. I’ll give you time to think it over. Once you’ve made up your mind, come find me anytime. My offer to you is permanent!"

With that, Qin Zhao turned and left.

Zhuang Zhen watched Qin Zhao’s retreating back, then glanced sideways at Chen Cheng.

She didn’t know what Chen Cheng was planning, nor would she interfere with his choice.

’She was just worried. If Chen Cheng really did follow Qin Zhao in the future, wouldn’t he be standing on the opposite side of Dragon Mountain Hall? When that time came, how was she supposed to act, caught in the middle?’

「Some time later.」

The third round of matches was over.

Thirty-two contending Martial Artists remained in the arena.

There would have been three more, but unfortunately, although they had won their previous matches, they were too severely injured and had to withdraw.

"Next up is the fourth round of the Martial Selection!"

The examiner announced loudly,

"First, based on the results from the first round of Measuring Force, we will establish the Golden List of four: Pang Shixun, Qin Zhao, Wu’an, and Shang Zhuoyu. And the Silver List of eight: Hong Fang, Zhang Shan, Yellow Shihu..."

"These twelve individuals will not need to fight in this round. The remaining twenty will draw lots for their matches. The rules are the same as the previous round."

After the announcement, a new wooden box was brought out, and the Martial Artists whose names had not been called went up one by one to draw lots.

「At the main gate.」

The father and daughter from the Song Family arrived late.

Song Che wore his official robes, his back ramrod straight. Song Yingzhi was in a luxurious dress with exquisite makeup, one could say she was dressed to the nines.

Unfortunately, the Song Family was ultimately just a minor family, and Song Che was merely an Outer City Imperial Guard Official. They had no exclusive viewing area in the Martial Guard Headquarters’ training grounds.

Since they were late, they could only squeeze onto a bench on the south side of the arena with the other ordinary spectators who also lacked connections.

Just as Song Che was about to pull a handkerchief from his sleeve to place on the bench, he saw a contending Martial Artist walking toward them, looking completely dejected.

"Nephew Meng."

A smile plastered on his face, Song Che took two steps forward to greet him.

"Congratulations on successfully advancing to the fourth round! It’s just... you don’t seem very happy about it?"

Song Yingzhi also stood up, forcing a slight smile.

’After their matchmaking meeting the other day, she had agreed to try dating this Martial Artist named Meng Lei, but in her heart, she truly disliked him. She was only forcing a smile for the sake of her family’s growth.’