NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12 - The Outer Sect's Martial Hall
Chapter 12: The Outer Sect’s Martial Hall
The Martial Hall.
The instructional phase of the day’s martial arts lessons had already concluded.
On the ground paved with green tiles, numerous outer sect disciples were diligently practicing their techniques, drenched in sweat.
Among them was Wang Hu.
In the test of ascending the Stairway to heaven, success wasn’t measured by the highest step reached, but by the final one you could maintain.
Despite enduring intense pain and forcing himself to continue climbing, he ultimately found himself back in the outer sect.
And it was all because of one person!
“He must have used some trick to deceive the Stairway to heaven!”
“One day, I’ll expose his true nature.”
Bang—Bang—
He pummeled the sandbag, the sound echoing loudly, as if venting his anger on someone who made him grit his teeth in frustration.
This was how Wang Hu released his rage.
After all, Li Mo was now a true disciple.
Even his cousin, Wang Hao, couldn’t do anything about it.
“Junior Brother Wang, your cousin has already mastered the Six Harmonies Fist quite well.”
“He’s opened his meridians, so there’s no need for further instruction from me.”
An outer sect deacon, dressed in a blue robe, remarked, raising his eyebrows.
“Xiao Hu has always had a talent for martial arts. He just picked up a few moves training roughly with my uncle,” Wang Hao said with a smile, though a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.
“He and Xiao Qin should both be inner sect disciples.”
The deacon shook his head, looking towards a young man in the crowd.
The youth had ordinary features and wore simple clothes, but his eyes were filled with determination.
He was practicing earnestly, his entire body drenched in sweat.
“Brother, you’re wrong. Wang Hu’s talent isn’t comparable to that waste,” Wang Hao said, his eyes revealing a hint of mockery.
“He once joined the inner sect with me, but the more he trained, the worse he got. His vitality has almost dropped back to the level of someone who’s just opened their meridians, right?”
As they were talking, a figure suddenly appeared in the doorway, backlit by the sunlight.
A young man wearing a cloud-patterned robe stood there, his smile warm and friendly.
“Hm?” Wang Hao raised an eyebrow.
“Li Mo?”
When Wang Hu saw that familiar face, he punched the sandbag so hard it burst.
The practicing disciples all stopped, their expressions confused.
Wasn’t he a true disciple?
Why had he come to the outer sect’s Martial Hall?
“Junior Brother Li, what brings you here?” the blue-robed deacon stood up, greeting him respectfully.
Li Mo coughed lightly and said, “No need for formalities, Senior Brother He. I’ve come to learn some basic fist and kick techniques.”
He Hongfeng: “?”
A true disciple coming to the outer sect to learn basics?
Surely, you must be joking.
“Do the elders know about this?”
“Well, my master went to sleep, and Elder Xue sent me here.”
Li Mo nodded earnestly.
“Your master… Elder Shang Wu?”
When He Hongfeng thought of the beautiful red-robed female elder, he suddenly understood.
That made sense.
The disciples in the hall had various reactions – some were gloating, some sympathetic, and others displeased.
A prestigious true disciple, was reduced to learning in the outer sect.
This suggested he wasn’t highly valued…
Which was understandable.
The elders all had their own true disciples, and recently, Ying Bing had been rising in prominence. Many were saying she would be the next generation’s Qingyuan Sect leader, so naturally, the elders were focused on her.
Li Mo was stuck with an unpopular master.
Being neglected wasn’t surprising.
In the crowd, the young man named Xiao Qin was wiping his sweat, his eyes revealing a hint of melancholy.
His situation wasn’t much different, after all.
“Can true disciples not come to the outer sect’s Martial Hall?”
“There’s no rule against it, but we’ve finished teaching today’s basics. If you still want to learn, you’ll need to ask the inner sect senior who teaches martial arts,” He Hongfeng said.
He was responsible for guiding outer sect disciples in opening meridians and refining vitality.
“The inner sect senior who teaches martial arts…”
Li Mo followed his gaze to Wang Hao, who was drinking tea.
Without looking up, Wang Hao spoke unfriendly, “The Martial Hall has its rules. I only lead outer sect disciples in practice for an hour each day.”
“Since you’re late, no exceptions can be made.”
Then, he looked up, feigning surprise: “Junior Brother Li? Aren’t you a true disciple?”
“If you insist on breaking the rules, I suppose I could make a special exception just for you.”
His words carried a sinister tone.
If Li Mo insisted on learning now, he’d be breaking rules and asking for exceptions.
Originally, others might have thought teaching one more time wasn’t a big deal, but after these words, they’d feel it was unfair.
“Cousin, even true disciples must follow the rules!”
“Coming to the outer sect means following our regulations!”
Wang Hu chimed in, playing the sycophant.
Although he hadn’t formally become a disciple, he was almost certain to be Deacon Fu Tu’s disciple.
His status meant he didn’t fear Li Mo, an unpopular true disciple.
He Hongfeng remained silent. His job was to oversee the Martial Hall, and as long as there was no chaos, he didn’t want to get involved in their disputes.
“Alright, alright, you two can stop your comedy act,” Li Mo raised his hand to silence them, then turned to He Hongfeng and asked, “If I just watch others practice from the side, that wouldn’t break any rules, right?”
“That’s certainly allowed.”
“Good.”
Li Mo nodded and walked into the Martial Hall, looking around.
“You seem to be practicing quite well?”
His gaze settled on Xiao Qin in the corner, and he walked towards him.
“Tch… those two are teaming up,” Wang Hao sneered, the corner of his mouth turning up.
Wang Hu almost laughed out loud.
Just by watching others practice, you think you can learn something? Who do you think you are?
And of all people, you choose to learn from the notorious trash of the outer sect.
“Senior Brother, may I watch you practice?” Li Mo asked with a respectful bow.
“Xiao Qin. If you want to watch, go ahead. I can’t guarantee you’ll learn anything,” Xiao Qin replied gloomily.
Li Mo smiled warmly, “Senior Brother Xiao, just practice as usual. Don’t mind me.”
Xiao Qin’s expression grew complex.
This young man, despite being a true disciple, didn’t act superior. On the contrary, he treated Xiao Qin, an outer disciple, with respect.
Having received so many cold looks, Xiao Qin rarely experienced such regard from others.
For a moment, he felt a sense of kinship with Li Mo.
“Junior Brother, this is the Six Harmonies Fist. I’ll start from the beginning, please watch carefully.”
After speaking, Xiao Qin deliberately slowed his movements.
…