Chapter 35: Giving Out Martial Arts Manual For Free

She was referring to the incident that had occurred during the exchange challenge at Red Flag High School yesterday. It was clear that Zhou Yiyou had recounted his experience to Zhong Ling after returning, but it was still up in the air how much he had exaggerated.

Li Xiaofei said calmly, "It was just a simple sparring match. How is that my fault if his skills were inferior?"

Zhong Ling frowned. She looked like she wanted to say more, but in the end, she held back. However, the few students from Qishen Academy who had accompanied her glared angrily at Li Xiaofei.

Zhong Yuanshan's funeral proceeded smoothly as the entire event went as planned. After the ceremony ended, Zhong Ling knelt before the memorial tablet, her head bowed, for a long time.

She had encountered many hardships in a short period. The flower in the greenhouse had finally seen the storm, and her mindset had begun to change. Li Xiaofei stood beside her, not saying a word.

In truth, he was influenced by his predecessor and didn't dislike Zhong Ling. The girl wasn't inherently bad. But because she had been overly protected, her temperament was too soft. She hadn't seen the darkness in people's hearts, so she was naive and unable to distinguish between good and bad people.

Letting her experience some of society's harsh realities was a good thing. After all, he couldn't protect her for a lifetime. Zhong Ling knelt before her father's memorial tablet, bowing respectfully. In the silence, tears fell like rain.

After a long time, she stood up and wiped away her tears.

Zhong Ling turned to Li Xiaofei, and said coldly, "I want the money that belongs to me."

Surprised, Li Xiaofei asked, "Didn't I already transfer your living expenses for this month?"

Zhong Ling lifted her chin, her delicate face full of indifference. She replied, "I mean, all of it."

Li Xiaofei frowned and asked again, "All of it?"

Zhong Ling sneered, "Don't tell me that my father, after so many years as the head of the gang, didn't save any money. Since you took over the Cloudy Sky Gang, give me all the money that belongs to me."

Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Master did leave you a substantial amount of money, but I can't transfer it all to you at once."

Zhong Ling demanded, "What do you mean?"

Li Xiaofei replied, "It's a large sum of money, and you might not be able to handle it. I'll keep it safe for you."

"You want to embezzle my money, don't you?" Zhong Ling sneered angrily. "What right do you have to keep it for me? Who are you to me?"

Li Xiaofei said calmly, "I'm Master's disciple. You should call me brother."

Zhong Ling gritted her teeth and said, "I didn't see your wolfish ambitions in the past and foolishly treated you as a brother. But now I see clearly. I won't call you brother from now on. So, please give me all my money back."

Li Xiaofei realized that Zhong Ling had been influenced and misled by someone with ulterior motives. It seemed someone Zhong Ling trusted was coveting the money in secret. He imagined that if he handed over all of Zhong Yuanshan's money to the naive Zhong Ling, she would likely be swindled out of it within days. This was no different from the old scams of centuries past.

"I will transfer your money to you monthly, just as Master did when he was alive," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "You won't get a penny more. Give up on that idea."

Zhong Ling trembled with anger. "You despicable thief! I'll sue you!"

Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "Sue me for what? I have Master's will. Do you think you can win?"

In her fury, Zhong Ling raised her hand and was going to slap him.

Piak.

Li Xiaofei caught her wrist.

"Did you really think you could slap me?" He stared coldly at Zhong Ling. "The Cloudy Sky Gang has changed. Believe it or not, all I need is one word to have your memorial tablet placed next to your father's within half an hour."

Zhong Ling was stunned. Fear finally appeared in the young girl's eyes. She belatedly realized that the boy in front of her was no longer the obedient, doting follower he once was. He was now the blood-stained king of the slums.

"I... I don't believe you'd dare kill me," she said stubbornly.

"Heh, finally showing some courage," Li Xiaofei sneered. "But it's misplaced. If you want to reclaim your money, the right way is to become strong and defeat me, not by relying on your father's shadow or our past sentiments to create a scene here."

He let go of her hand.

"I will defeat you," Zhong Ling shouted. "I will personally defeat you! I've already applied to switch my studies to martial arts at the academy. One day, you'll pay for your actions and words today."

Now Li Xiaofei finally solved a puzzle that had been bothering him. The reason Zhong Ling was so weak was that she had been specializing in literary studies at Qishen Academy.

"Li Xiaofei, we students of Qishen Academy will never let you off if you treat Junior Sister Zhong like this."

"You're making an enemy of our entire academy."

"Just wait, you'll regret this."

The other students from Qishen Academy surrounded Zhong Ling protectively, angrily spouting threats at Li Xiaofei.

Li Xiaofei glanced at Chu Yuntian and said calmly, "If these idiots aren't gone in thirty seconds, give our unruly guests a proper lesson."

"Yes, President," replied Chu Yuntian, waving his hand. A group of thuggish gang members immediately surrounded them. Though their combat abilities were individually lacking, their sheer numbers were enough to intimidate anyone.

"We're leaving," Zhong Ling said hatefully as she quickly pulled her classmates away.

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Li Xiaofei sighed softly as he watched the black SUV fade into the distance.

Chu Tiankuo walked over and offered some comfort, "One day, she'll understand your intentions and realize who truly cares for her."

He was an experienced elder and could easily see through Li Xiaofei's well-intentioned actions.

"Hopefully," Li Xiaofei said quietly.

Li Xiaofei took out the paper versions of Tiger Roar Breathing Technique, Gale Sword Technique, Gale Steps, Blink Step, and several other techniques, and handed them to Chu Yuntian.

He said, "Make copies and distribute them."

Chu Yuntian was stunned and asked, "Distribute to whom?"

Li Xiaofei replied with a smile, "Anyone in the slums, regardless of age or gender. If they want to learn, give it to them."

Chu Yuntian's eyes widened in shock.

Distributing martial arts manuals for free?

This was unprecedented. In the past, gang leaders treated techniques like treasures, guarding them jealously and rarely allowing even their closest confidants to learn them. But Li Xiaofei was making them completely public.

Isn't he afraid that those who mastered these techniques would challenge him?

***

Moments later, Zhong Ling and her companions arrived outside the slums. Zhou Yiyou and a dozen others were waiting in eight hover SUVs.

"How did it go, Zhong Ling?" Zhou Yiyou hurriedly approached her. "Did you get the money?"

Zhong Ling shook her head and recounted what had happened earlier. A wave of disappointment surged through Zhou Yiyou's heart.

"That Li Xiaofei is truly a beast in human clothing with malicious intent." He said through gritted teeth. "What he's doing is clearly an attempt to usurp your inheritance. He's using your father's lingering influence as a cover for now, but he plans to bleed you slowly. He wants to use this money to control and humiliate you. Junior Sister Zhong, you should sue this beast. I can help you find a lawyer."

Zhong Ling felt a stirring in her heart, but ultimately shook her head.

"No, I will become strong and reclaim everything that belongs to me with my own hands." She said firmly.

Zhou Yiyou said anxiously, "Who knows how long that will take? We can use other methods..."

Zhong Ling interrupted, "I have already decided."

The recent upheavals and experiences in her life had allowed the once naive girl to develop some awareness. People had to rely on themselves. She vowed to herself that one day, she would personally defeat Li Xiaofei.