Chapter 161
She could only swallow the bitter truth, all the while casting a resentful glance at Han Siqi.
Han Siqi still smiled like a blooming flower, acting as if nothing was wrong.
Second Master Shen, helpless, said, "Let it be. I will explain the whole situation to Mr. Qin. Mr. Qin, please, as the guest, let me ask the owner to brew you a cup of tea!"
The hunched old man courteously led Qin Qi and the others into a newly built small western-style building.
This little building was particularly exquisite, with quite luxurious decorations inside, and all the tables and chairs were made of solid wood. It wasn't hard to deduce that Shen Family Village, though called a village, was not economically inferior to the city at all.
Then, he had his old wife brew tea for the guests.
After signaling everyone to sit down, Second Master Shen said, "Mr. Qin, being someone in the circle, you should know something about our Ancient Martial Family."
"In our Ancient Martial Family, the environment for training is extremely demanding, often leading to fights over territories."
"Now that the times have changed, people like us who train in martial arts cannot appear in the open and basically have to huddle in rural areas. Large-scale brawls are not allowed, so generally, internal disputes are resolved by sending a few young juniors to establish victory through combat!"
Qin Qi nodded as he listened.
Even though he wasn't part of the circle, he knew that decades ago, there were still many who practiced martial arts. But with the rapid development of technology, martial artists have become scarce.
It seemed these practitioners hadn't disappeared; rather, they had gone underground due to changing times.
Listening to Second Master Shen, he opened his mouth, "In that case, can't the Shen family send a few youngsters from the clan to resolve this? Why invite me?"
Upon hearing this, Second Master Shen sighed, "When you came over by car, didn't you see, our clan doesn't have any younger males!"
"What happened?" Qin Qi asked, puzzled.
Second Master Shen forced a bitter smile, "Times have changed; many young men don't want to practice martial arts and have gone to the city to go to college. Even the few that remain were injured or incapacitated in an accident years ago."
"That's why we were forced to invite you, Mr. Qin!"
Beside him, Shen Lulu spoke coldly, "In the end, it's because our Shen Family Village lacks a true Martial Artist to hold the fort, or else these riffraff wouldn't dare cause us trouble!"
"Martial Artist..."
Second Master Shen laughed ruefully, "To become a Martial Artist, talent and opportunity are indispensable. Such people, in ancient times, could defeat a hundred and were famed and honored warriors; they're not so easily found."
"I, in my prime, came close to reaching the level of a Martial Artist. But even now, I'm still one step away; it's hard to truly reach that realm."
"Martial Artist?"
Qin Qi stroked his chin.
Is the value of a Martial Artist really that high?
These two could never have imagined that the Martial Artist they long for stands right before them.
However, Qin Qi had no intention of revealing this; instead, he shifted the focus, "The Shen family and the Han family have a deep connection. I can help, but we need to discuss the terms!"
Second Master Shen gave Shen Lulu a reproachful look before saying, "Mr. Qin, as long as you can help us achieve final victory, you may name your price!"
"As for the opponents, rest assured, Mr. Qin. They're just young folks from neighboring Hong Family Village. If you can defeat Ghost Hand, you should have no problem handling them!"
Qin Qi rubbed his temples, pondered, then said, "I assume you all know about my situation with the Huang family!"
"It's simple. If I can help Shen Family Village win, I want you to join me in opposing the Huang family."
Upon hearing this, Second Master Shen's face changed dramatically.
Beside him, Shen Lulu also frowned, looking somewhat alarmed.
Second Master Shen shook his head, "Mr. Qin, I'm afraid our Shen Family Village cannot agree to this condition. The consequences of going against the Huang family are too severe. With our current capabilities, we cannot afford to bear them!"
"Mr. Qin, can you propose another request?"
Qin Qi waved his sleeve, "Besides this, I really don't need anything else!"
"This..."
Second Master Shen hesitated, then said, "Here's the deal. There will be three fights tomorrow. Mr. Qin, you only need to help us secure one victory."
"I, Shen, will allow you access to the complete set of martial arts passed down from our Shen ancestors for your perusal. How does that sound?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Qi couldn't help but admire Second Master Shen for being truly astute. With one sentence, he offered a condition Qin Qi couldn't refuse.
Indeed, although he had now reached the level of a Martial Artist, his skills were all self-taught from street fights, unorganized.
If he had a complete martial arts manual to study, it would be entirely different.
After a brief consideration, he immediately agreed, "Alright, since Old Shen is so generous, I will help the Shen family this once!"
"Thank you. Lulu, take our esteemed guests for dinner. After that, arrange a place for them to rest. Early tomorrow, Hong Family Village will be coming over," said Second Master Shen.
Shen Lulu, still the ice-cold beauty, led Qin Qi and Han Siqi to a meal in Shen Family Village without saying much.
After the meal, suddenly, a burly man in his early twenties approached.
"Lulu, I came early today just for you." The burly man grinned obsequiously at Shen Lulu as he approached.
Shen Lulu frowned upon seeing him, "Lu Ye!"
"Who are these two?" Lu Ye glanced at Qin Qi and Han Siqi.
Shen Lulu replied, "Miss Han from the Han family and a helper we've invited to Shen Family Village, Mr. Qin Qi."
Lu Ye looked Qin Qi up and down and couldn't help but sneer, "Lulu, didn't I tell you? I can handle those from Hong Family Village myself. Why invite someone else?"
"In the surrounding Ancient Martial Family villages, can you find a young person better than me? This guy looks soft and delicate; did you call him just to fill the numbers?"
Throughout his words, he didn't bother to give Qin Qi a glance, perfectly confident in his own abilities.
Though Qin Qi felt somewhat annoyed, he held his tongue for Shen Lulu's sake.
Unhappily, Shen Lulu said, "Lu Ye, they are my invited guests."
Lu Ye laughed heartily, "You know I'm straightforward with what I say!"
Shen Lulu sighed, "Let me settle them in, enjoy your stay in Shen Family Village, and prepare for tomorrow's fight!"
"Don't worry, leave it to me!" Lu Ye thumped his chest confidently.
Watching the silhouette of Shen Lulu and Qin Qi walking away.
Lu Ye smirked, "Lulu, I've pursued you for four years. You remain indifferent to me, but this time, I'll show you that only Lu Ye deserves you!"
"Once I handle Hong Family Village, I'll confess to Lulu!"
...
Soon, Shen Lulu led Qin Qi and Han Siqi to a villa within the village.
Han Siqi clung to Shen Lulu's arm, "Lulu, it's my first time in your village, don't stray too far from us, or I might get scared!"
While walking into the villa, Shen Lulu replied in mock exasperation, "Don't worry, this is my home. That room is mine; there's another bedroom and guest room over there. You can stay separately!"
"I have to go out for a bit; you two rest here first."
Han Siqi and Qin Qi nodded, watching Shen Lulu leave.
Once Shen Lulu was gone, Qin Qi couldn't help his curiosity, "What exactly is your plan to sort out Shen Lulu? What's with the scheme you talked about in the car?"
Han Siqi smiled sweetly, "I've known Lulu since childhood. This little girl has been obsessed with martial arts since young; emotionally, she's a blank slate. Not to mention never being in love, she probably hasn't even watched any romantic films!"
"That Lu Ye just now is one of Lulu's suitors. Unfortunately, Lulu has never looked at him seriously!"
Qin Qi stroked his chin, still puzzled, "So what?"
"So, for such a blank slate, the best way is to immerse her fully in desire. For that, the more straightforward and blunt approach works best!"
With a blooming smile, Han Siqi leaned beside Qin Qi, "Watching us will unconsciously open her gates of desire. As Master, aren't you best at training?"
Teaching?" Qin Qi's eyes twinkled thoughtfully.
"Exactly. Surely, Master, you wouldn't want to miss the chance to train this cold yet innocent blank slate," Han Siqi replied with a grin.