Starting from a peasant family, he mastered the profound art of martial arts.

Chapter 48 The Problem

November arrived in the blink of an eye, and it's getting colder and colder.

Night had fallen, and a gentle breeze was blowing, causing the lanterns to sway back and forth.

The main hall was lit up, and the Du family father and son sat upright, while people stood in front of the doors of each of the outer bedrooms.

Today is Meng Chen's third attempt to break through to the next realm.

Now, even newcomers at the Du family martial arts school know the name Meng Chen. The other martial arts schools have also heard of Meng Chen's ability to succeed on his third attempt at the challenge.

Therefore, this was Meng Chen's third attempt to break through to the next realm, and everyone watched with great concentration, hoping to witness the first second-realm martial artist since the opening of the Du Family Martial Arts School.

Cui Butong stood with his hands on his hips, his eyes fixed on the screen, his face extremely serious, not wanting to miss any detail.

Qi Yun was packing his things inside, while Yan Fei watched silently.

Of the four who initially attached themselves to Gao Yuan, after Gao Yuan's death, Wan Dabao and Qi Miao left, leaving only Qi Yun and Yan Fei.

"How did Gao Yuan die? Which bastard did it?" Yan Fei pounded the bed in anger. "Last time I invited him to a brothel, you know what? I couldn't bring myself to go in! I was too stingy!"

"You're still not good enough. Does he really need your little bit of money? You're just putting on a show!" Qi Yun said disdainfully. "I haven't spent a single penny! He always pays for our drinking parties!"

Yan Fei sneered upon hearing this, saying, "Don't call me bald, you monk! I heard you tried to curry favor with Young Master Yan by taking him to the brothel, but ended up getting beaten up by Madam Yan?"

Qi Yun had previously met Yan Zhao through Meng Chen, but after learning that Yan Zhao did not frequent brothels, he backed down because he was unwilling to sell his body.

However, Qi Yun was also persistent. He went to Bi Qing for advice and learned that Yan Zhao was not a brothel owner. So Qi Yun went to find an older prostitute who was still pretty. But when he went to report to the Yan family, he was caught by Madam Yan and had Qi Yun slapped twice.

"It's just bad luck, I have nothing to say." Qi Yun was flexible and had long since moved on from those old sayings. "How are Lao Wan and Lao Qi doing now?"

"Old Wan went to work as a bodyguard for the Zhao family, and Qi Miao went to join a gang in the southern part of the city," Yan Fei said.

"Are gangs easy to get into?" Qi Yun saw things very clearly. "In a gang, if you want to get ahead, you have to be good at fighting. But if you fight too much, you're bound to lose an arm or a leg. Old Qi is a smart man, but he was unwise this time."

"There's no other way. Half of the money he used to train in martial arts was borrowed. He needs to pay off the debt quickly, otherwise his sister will have to sell herself." Yan Fei sighed and said, "Are you packing your bags now because you've gotten close to Young Master Yan again?"

"Don't talk nonsense. I'd be a hundred times more willing to curry favor with Young Master Yan, but he wouldn't even look at me!" Qi Yun said this, but his tone was exceptionally proud. He nodded towards the window, "Speaking of which, my little brother is about to reach the second realm, isn't he? Think about it, breaking through in four or five months, his talent is extraordinary! We're like brothers, he just casually said a few words and he's set my future in motion!"

Upon hearing this, the two couldn't help but look out the window. In the darkness, Meng Chen was panting heavily, his hands and face were red, and his whole body was steaming with heat, clearly indicating that the moment had come.

Yan Fei sighed and said, "He was a little slower than you at the first step, but he didn't expect the rest of the journey to be so smooth."

"Why do you think Young Master Yan invites him for drinks every now and then? That's talent—a late bloomer who surpasses early achievers!" Qi Yun said with great pride, "Now that you've broken through to a higher realm, you'll have to call him Master Meng from now on!"

"..." Yan Fei was stunned for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "What kind of future does he plan for you? Will he include me as his underling?"

"It's just working under Gao Dianshi," Qi Yun waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned. "Once I'm settled, I'll definitely take you with me!"

After finishing speaking, Qi Yun packed his bags and left the dormitory. "I have to leave tomorrow. I'll go tell Master Du. He's been very kind to me."

Upon entering the hall, Qi Yun respectfully bowed to Du Zhong.

"Master Du, I've found a job elsewhere and plan to leave tomorrow morning." Qi Yun looked reluctant to part with him.

"It's the perfect time for a man to make his mark." Du Zhong smiled gently and didn't try to stop him. "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come back and discuss them with your fellow disciples. If you become successful, don't forget to help these fellow disciples out."

Qi Yun quickly agreed, wiped his eyes, and said some nonsense about "a teacher for a day is a father for life".

After Qi Yun left, Du Zhong looked at Du Ren and asked curiously, "What kind of job did he get?"

"I've climbed up to Gao Dianshi," Du Ren said with a smile.

"Gao Yuan is dead, yet he still managed to climb up to Gao Dianshi; that certainly shows his ability." Du Zhong chuckled, then asked, "How did he manage to do that?"

"When Gao Yuan was buried a while ago, I went to pay my respects, and he came along too." Du Ren couldn't help but laugh. "When we got to the Gao family graves, he knelt down with a thud, tears and snot streaming down his face. He was really crying! Qi Yun is really good at putting on a show! Madam Gao saw how sincere he was, even fainting from crying, so she took him home. Who knew he would suddenly become involved with Gao Dianshi!"

"He...he can seize opportunities, he is indeed a talented person." Du Zhong had seen the world, "but if he only knows how to be flexible but has no strength, he will probably be abandoned by others in the future."

As he spoke, Du Zhong looked into the courtyard and asked in a low voice, "Has Yan Zhao come to invite him again recently?"

"They send out invitations every few days, either about drinking or going to brothels," Du Ren laughed. "But he always refuses them."

Du Zhong nodded slightly and said, "At such a young age, to be able to refrain from indulging in wine and women shows..."

Before he could finish speaking, Du Zhong suddenly stopped.

The night was chilly, and the lanterns outside swayed precariously. Du Ren looked down into the hall and saw Meng Chen sitting cross-legged on the ground, his whole body crimson, the steam rising from his head tinged with blood, and his bones creaking softly – clearly a sign of a breakthrough.

Although there were signs of a breakthrough, he was unable to take that step, whether because he lacked the strength or the right opportunity, and instead collapsed to the ground.

In an instant, the once peaceful martial arts school was thrown into chaos. The students had thought that Meng Chen would succeed on his third attempt and that he would surely break through this time, but to their surprise, he failed.

The ironclad rule of "things shouldn't happen more than three times" has finally been broken.

Du Ren immediately stepped forward, helped Meng Chen up, put a pill in his mouth, and then shouted to the group of apprentices, "Disperse!"

"Master Du." Meng Chen felt extremely tired at this moment, unable to muster any strength, as if half of his flesh and bones had been twisted and broken, and his whole body was burning hot.

"But what went wrong?" Du Zhong had been watching closely. He didn't notice anything wrong with Meng Chen, but he just hadn't managed to break through to the next level.

"I feel," Meng Chen took a breath, leaned against Du Ren's chest, looked at the starry sky, and said, "I feel like there's a high wall blocking my way. I've tried my best to break through it, but the wall just won't budge."

"High walls..." After hearing this, Du Zhong stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then gently patted Meng Chen's hand and said gently, "No need to rush. Rest for a few days and try again later. If it still doesn't work, I'll find someone to take a look at you."

Du Ren helped Meng Chen back to his dormitory, and Qi Yun and Yan Fei immediately helped by putting Meng Chen on the bed.

In the past, Cui Butong would have been the most enthusiastic and considerate, but now he didn't care about anything and just watched.

Meng Chen lay down on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

"Senior brother, he's even hotter than last time, like he's been boiled in oil!" Qi Yun touched Meng Chen's forehead and was startled.

"He's been training too hard; he has all that energy but nowhere to use it, his yin and yang are out of balance," Du Ren said casually. "You should find him an older woman to cool him down."

"I don't know any old women..." Qi Yun's expression changed, wondering if his senior brother was just making things up or if he also knew about Young Master Yan's quirks.

"Senior brother, why didn't he succeed this time? Will he succeed next time?" Cui Butong suddenly asked.

"Who can say for sure?" Du Ren chuckled and said, "Others who break through the third barrier are considered fast if they can break through to the next realm in three to five months! He only took a few days to complete his third barrier breakthrough? Even a sow giving birth needs a moment to catch her breath, right?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Butong did not ask any further questions.

Du Ren stayed in the dormitory for another hour, and only left after Meng Chen's fever subsided.

When Meng Chen woke up the next day, he had fully recovered his strength.

At breakfast time in the morning, Cui Butong no longer served Meng Chen food as he used to.