Chapter 37: An Elder in the House

Meng Fan shared his decision with Old Meng.

Old Meng furrowed his brows and asked, "Xiao Fan, why do this? You know full well the Outsider community's attitude toward 'Where Are They All' (Nadou-tong). Furthermore, the Company is a murky swamp. Why must you wade into it?"

Meng Fan shook his head and replied in a deep voice, "Dad, from the moment you revealed your abilities years ago, both of us were already marked by the Company."

"Considering our potential danger and strategic significance, the Company will never allow us to exist freely while maintaining excessive contact with other factions. We have no path left to choose."

"Rather than being constantly surveilled, it is better to join them openly. Working under Uncle Liao, I won't have to worry about schemes from others. To be honest, I have a poor impression of your regional director, Hua Feng. I can't outplay an old fox like him."

"If I must choose a regional branch of 'Where Are They All' to join, I would rather go to Uncle Liao’s side. After all, we know each other well, and he watched me grow up. He wouldn't harm me, would he?"

Hearing this, Old Meng sighed. He crouched down and placed his hands on Meng Fan’s shoulders. "Xiao Fan, I’m sorry. In the end, it is still your father who has implicated you."

Meng Fan shook his head. "Dad, what are you saying? There’s no such thing as being implicated. I have the courage to bear the path I have chosen for myself."

Old Meng smiled with relief. What had he done to deserve such a sensible, obedient, and strong-willed child?

"Since you have decided, I have no objections. But what about your master? How will you explain this to him?" Old Meng asked.

At the mention of this, Meng Fan couldn't help but scratch his head.

Yue Huyang was a man of fierce temperament who always stood by his word, and he held high hopes for Meng Fan. If he really dared to just quit and claim he was leaving for a few years, Yue Huyang might actually storm the headquarters of 'Where Are They All' to demand an explanation.

In the end, Meng Fan braced himself and said, "Don't worry, Dad. I have a way to handle Master."

***

At the Xingyi Martial Arts Hall.

"What?"

"You're leaving?"

"And you're going to be gone for four or five years!!!"

Yue Huyang flew into a rage. He vaulted from his chair, grabbed Meng Fan by the back of the neck as if he were a mere chick, and slammed him back down into his seat. He let out a cold snort that sounded like a tiger’s roar.

His tiger-like eyes widened, and his sharp gaze was enough to make Meng Fan’s heart tremble. "I don't agree! You are my disciple, where do you think you're going?"

"Besides, you are currently in the golden age of your cultivation. At such a critical juncture, how can I not keep an eye on you myself?"

Meng Fan said in a conciliatory tone, "But Master, I have to go to university!"

"University? What? Is Chang'an City not good enough for you to study?"

Meng Fan gave a wry smile. "Master, I’m at the age for university. I can't just skip higher education for the sake of cultivation, can I?"

This left Yue Huyang speechless. He slapped his own gleaming bald forehead. "My mistake, my mistake. I forgot you were a top-tier student."

Yue Huyang then asked with a hint of disbelief, "You're only ten-something and already starting university?"

Meng Fan nodded. "It's true, Master, I wouldn't lie to you. I received a special admission offer and have to head over next month."

This left Yue Huyang with nothing more to say. Rationally, he shouldn't hinder his disciple's development. However, Meng Fan’s talent was immense; if he had four or five years to personally train him, Yue Huyang was confident he could bring Meng Fan’s Xingyi Fist to his own level—purely in terms of technique, setting aside the accumulation of innate energy.

Yue Huyang paced back and forth in front of Meng Fan, like an irritated tiger forced to restrain its temper.

Seeing this, Meng Fan immediately promised, "Master, don't worry. I will absolutely not let my Xingyi Fist practice slide."

"During every holiday, I will definitely come back for you to check my progress. If I don't reach a level that satisfies you, you can strike me with your tiger palm!"

Yue Huyang snorted. "You are such a precious disciple, my heart aches just thinking about it—why would I strike you?"

"You just knew I wouldn't be harsh on you, which is why you dared to make such a promise."

Meng Fan showed no embarrassment at being called out. Instead, he stood up and steadied Yue Huyang. "Master, how could you say that? If you didn't cherish me, would I dare to push my luck and pull the whiskers of a tiger like you?"

Yue Huyang laughed and scolded, "Fine, fine! This old man can't win an argument against you!"

"However, you must promise me that your Xingyi Fist training will never be neglected!"

Meng Fan smiled. "Rest assured, Master!"

"By the way, Master, I have two techniques I'd like you to contemplate. Perhaps you could offer me some guidance? Would you be willing to help?"

"Techniques?" Yue Huyang frowned. "I may not know every single secret of the Beast Master lineage, but I know most of them. Does your father have anything good in his possession?"

Meng Fan shook his head. "These didn't come from my father. I obtained them by chance, and I feel they might help you further develop the Xingyi Fist, so I wanted you to take a look."

"Obtained? There’s nothing shady about them, right?"

"Don't worry, Master, their origins are perfectly clean!"

As he spoke, Meng Fan produced two manuals for Yue Huyang: a portion of the "Lingbo Micro-steps" and a mental cultivation method from the "Taming Beasts" techniques regarding the division of spirit to command troops.

Yue Huyang studied them in great detail, his expression growing excited. "This first technique looks like a variation of the Tiangang Steps, but it is far more complex and intricate than the version I know from the Lion Dance lineage."

"As for the second, it is a method for multitasking. With this mental cultivation, I have hope of developing the fourth layer of the Xingyi Fist!"

There is an old saying: an elder in the house is like a treasure. Meng Fan’s plan was twofold: first, to fulfill Yue Huyang’s long-held ambition; and second, to let his master use his remaining wisdom to see if he could evolve the future path of the Xingyi Fist.

In the end, it would all fall into Meng Fan’s hands anyway, so there was no need to hide anything. To Meng Fan, this master was closer than a father.

Moreover, Meng Fan envisioned that once Yue Huyang truly developed the fourth layer of the Xingyi Fist, he would be able to manifest twelve divine images, like the Six Ding and Six Jia, acting as a true protective barrier.

The original twelve forms were the Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Rooster, Swallow, Harrier, Alligator, Snake, Swift, Eagle, and Bear.

But Meng Fan’s twelve forms would be: the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, the Sun-Radiant Crow, the Golden-Winged Peng...

As the saying goes, clouds follow the dragon and wind follows the tiger. The dragon and tiger forms could manifest the illusions of the Tiger Demon and the Dragon God—one Yin, one Yang, guarding his sides.

Whenever he moved, a true Tiger and a Heavenly Dragon would accompany him!