In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Page 20

Having a worthy successor, and one who is exceptional, gives one face in front of old friends.

"Father! This junior greets Uncle!"

Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the man in the blue robe, who was already middle-aged, with a slender and graceful figure and an ethereal and otherworldly air, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan noticed that the opponent's martial arts skills were very high, at least no lower than those of Jue Wu and Jue Tong.

It should be noted that Jue Tong and his companions had already reached the ninth level of the Golden Bell Shield technique, and were proficient in several Shaolin skills, making them virtually invincible in the martial arts world.

"Brother Huang, this is my son Xiaoshan. He just celebrated his eighteenth birthday a few days ago, and His Majesty bestowed upon him the courtesy name Ziyu!"

"Tzuyu?"

The man in the green robe looked somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

It should be noted that this was a name bestowed by the emperor, and the meaning of 'Ziyu' is even more profound.

At the same time, as soon as Zhang Xiaoshan entered the sect, he could see that Zhang Xiaoshan walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, with abundant blood and energy, which probably indicated that he had already achieved some success in martial arts.

It's even more rare to see someone this age.

"A good name, Brother Zhang is very fortunate."

The man in the blue robe couldn't help but show a hint of envy. At least compared to his own children, the young man in front of him was much more honest and gentle.

"Hehe, Brother Huang, don't be fooled by his current docile appearance; this kid has a lot of tricks up his sleeve."

The Zhang family's development over the years has actually been orchestrated by my son behind the scenes, leading to its current prestige. I am merely the figurehead.

"Oh, really?"

Hearing his old friend's reply, the man in the blue robe was even more surprised.

It's important to understand that the Zhang family's influence wasn't built overnight; besides smooth sailing, their capabilities were also crucial.

Doesn't this mean that this young man, even at a very young age, possessed the ability to plan strategically and orchestrate plans, making him a veritable young Gan Luo?

"Brother Zhang is very fortunate; he has a worthy successor!"

Even from the humble thatched cottage, the man in the blue robe knew the immense size of the Zhang family's vast fortune.

Now that the younger generation is succeeding them and surpassing them, it is the greatest comfort for their generation.

"Unlike my daughter, who was spoiled since childhood and has a bad temper."

This is the first time in over a decade that I've left the island. It was because that girl ran away on a whim, and I was worried about her safety, so I had to break my vow and leave the island to search for her.

Upon hearing the words of the man in green, the Zhang father and son reacted differently.

Zhang Yuan sympathized with the man in the blue robe, as he had experienced the same pain firsthand. Back then, Zhang Xiaoshan was a playboy in Lin'an Prefecture, causing Zhang Yuan a lot of trouble.

But Zhang Xiaoshan had a strange expression on his face, never expecting that his father was friends with Huang Yaoshi.

What's even more coincidental is that he abducted someone else's daughter and kept her at his mansion, where she was treated like a cook and abused. If the two of them found out... even Zhang Xiaoshan would want to slap himself.

"I see. My niece is blessed with good fortune. If anything happens to Brother Huang..."

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

At this point, Zhang Xiaoshan had to interrupt, feeling that it was better to "confess and receive leniency".

"Uncle, does my sister's name simply consist of the character 'Rong'?"

After Zhang Xiaoshan finished speaking, Huang Yaoshi's eyes flashed like lightning as he looked at the sullen-faced Zhang Xiaoshan. Zhang Yuan also looked surprised.

"Nephew, have you greeted my daughter?"

"Uncle, don't worry, my sister is fine and is at home now!"

Zhang Yuan and Huang Yaoshi froze, looking at Zhang Xiaoshan in disbelief. What a coincidence!

"Shan'er, what's going on?"

"Father, Uncle, it's like this, on which day..."

Zhang Xiaoshan didn't mention his ambitions, but only said that he would give Huang Rong a small punishment to teach her a lesson and temper her willfulness and capriciousness.

When the two heard that Huang Rong was dressed as a dirty little beggar and had been caught spying on Zhang's mansion, and that Zhang Xiaoshan had then used 'poison' to force her to work as a cook in the mansion and exploit her labor, they were somewhat amused and exasperated.

Huang Rong's downfall at Zhang Xiaoshan's hands was the greatest misfortune of her life; the shadow cast by this poisoning alone was immense.

Huang Yaoshi was even more surprised, never expecting that the little witch would also have a setback.

However, he did not blame Zhang Xiaoshan. Huang Rong had climbed over the wall and spied on Zhang's residence, so it was only right that Zhang Xiaoshan give her a small punishment as a warning.

Moreover, out of respect for Zhang Yuan, it's impossible for him to lose his temper directly.

"You bastard, how can you treat Shimei like this?"

Zhang Yuan found Zhang Xiaoshan's methods somewhat cruel.

Putting aside a niece from a prestigious family, even for an ordinary girl, Zhang Xiaoshan's actions were excessive.

Moreover, he knew Zhang Xiaoshan's nature well; if it was really just a minor punishment to warn him, it was definitely not such a method, and he probably had other plans.

"Your son knows his sins!"

Zhang Xiaoshan decisively admitted defeat and bowed his head to apologize.

"Then why don't you go and invite your younger sister over? You should treat her with the utmost respect."

"Brother Zhang, wait a moment!"

Huang Yaoshi stopped Zhang Yuan, as he was also helpless when it came to his daughter.

Now that he had confirmed his daughter was safe and had found his nemesis, Huang Yaoshi felt it would be good to let the girl suffer a bit and let her know how dangerous the martial arts world could be.

"Now that my daughter is safe, Mr. Huang is relieved."

Moreover, my daughter has a spoiled and willful personality; tempering her temper will prevent her from acting recklessly in the future.

Upon hearing Huang Yaoshi's words, Zhang Xiaoshan groaned in despair.

He knew Huang Yaoshi was just being nice, but this was Huang Yaoshi's precious darling.

If he really mistreats that little witch, Huang Yaoshi will probably hold him accountable afterward, so it's a thankless task.

"Uncle, I think that although my sister is willful, she is also clever and quick-witted."

"Once bitten, twice shy; she will surely not act rashly in the future. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, letting her continue as a cook might only breed resentment and backfire!"

Zhang Xiaoshan's desire for Huang Rong suddenly became a hot potato.

He knew Huang Rong's personality; if she were allowed to stay, with Zhang Yuan's protection, it would be strange if she didn't turn the place upside down.

You won't get to eat dog meat, and you'll get spit in the face!

"Why should my nephew speak up for her? I know this girl's personality all too well."

"She's so unruly. If a little setback could teach her a lesson, I wouldn't need to come all the way from the island to discipline her. Letting her suffer a bit is for her own good."

Huang Yaoshi looked at Zhang Xiaoshan as if he had seen through his entire 'scheme'.

Zhang Yuan did not object, after all, Huang Yaoshi was Huang Rong's father.

Moreover, he had some understanding of Huang Yaoshi's implied meaning, and if it succeeded, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

It should be noted that Hongxiao and Jiangxue were both household servants, not the principal wife.

As for whether she's suitable or not? Just the fact that Zhang Xiaoshan used every means possible to train her shows that this Huang family girl is definitely not bad.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Sparring Match - Huang Yaoshi's Sword Palm vs. Knife Leg

Hongfu!

Since Huang Yaoshi couldn't stay at the Zhang family's residence, Zhang Xiaoshan arranged for him to stay at the Hong Mansion.

The luxurious and brightly lit Red Mansion hosted an extravagant banquet, featuring dishes such as peony fish slices, eight-treasure meatballs, and imperial dragon tendons. Even Huang Yaoshi had to admire the Zhang family's generosity.

He knew from looking at the menu that the total cost of the dishes exceeded one hundred gold coins!

Moreover, he considered himself a learned scholar with extensive knowledge, and he was seeing most of the dishes for the first time.

In particular, Zhang Yuan revealed that all of these were actually the work of Zhang Xiaoshan.

"May I ask which Buddhist master my nephew studied under?"

After learning about the Shaolin masters in the Zhang family, Huang Yaoshi realized that Zhang Xiaoshan's external martial arts training might have originated from Shaolin.

All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin!

It's no surprise that Zhang Xiaoshan was able to build such a solid foundation.

"Uncle, you flatter me. I have no master."

Before he turned thirteen, my nephew had studied a martial art called "Iron Shirt" and "Taizu Long Fist" under the guidance of a guard.

Later, by chance, my nephew changed it to "Golden Cauldron Iron Shirt," which is the external martial art he now mainly practices. He also acquired some martial arts secrets through special means, but he didn't formally study under any famous master.

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's answer, Huang Yaoshi narrowed his eyes.

He did not doubt Zhang Xiaoshan's words; Zhang Xiaoshan's previous actions demonstrated his composure.

Moreover, with the five Shaolin masters present, Zhang Xiaoshan had no reason to lie.

After all, if Zhang Xiaoshan's lineage was problematic, the eminent monks who spent so much time with him would surely have noticed.

"My dear nephew, you are indeed exceptionally talented!"

"Brother Huang, don't be fooled by this kid. He likes to hide his true abilities."

On the day the Red Mansion opened, this kid knocked Young Master An back with a single punch. Among you martial arts heroes, he can be considered a top expert.

At least Master Juexin said that even he might not be a match for this kid.

"Is it?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Yaoshi's eyes immediately lit up.

He had just seen several Shaolin masters, all of whom were direct descendants of Shaolin, and knew that their strength was extremely high, probably only one step away from their level.

It's surprising that Zhang Xiaoshan, who seems so refined, has reached such a profound level.

"If that's the case, I'll have to see it for myself later."

"It is an honor for Xiaoshan to receive guidance from his uncle!"

Zhang Xiaoshan lacked experience in fighting against masters, so Huang Yaoshi was undoubtedly the best choice.

Zhang Yuan did not stop him. He did not know what level Zhang Xiaoshan's strength had reached, but it was definitely not low, and he was no less than the four great masters of Shaolin.

Therefore, he doesn't need to worry about anything going wrong when the two spar.

After a hearty meal, Zhang Xiaoshan and Huang Yaoshi arrived at the ten-mile-long causeway along West Lake.

This ten-mile-long embankment with its lush greenery was also a project proposed by Zhang Xiaoshan.

At that time, West Lake was merely a decent tourist attraction, not yet reaching the level of being known worldwide in later generations.

Led by the Zhang family, five major merchants in Lin'an Prefecture joined forces, each contributing ten thousand taels of gold, to build a ten-mile-long green willow embankment, a broken bridge and pavilion, temples, and a pedestrian street in the most scenic spot of West Lake.

Then the imperial court stepped in to guarantee that the share of the pedestrian street would be divided among the five major merchants.

After all, businessmen invest to make money; nobody's a fool.

The imperial court found the proposal meaningless, as it would not cost a single penny of the national treasury. Instead, it would not only purify the West Lake environment and build a top-notch scenic area, but the tax revenue from the pedestrian street would also be substantial.

Things that achieve multiple benefits are naturally given the green light.

Moreover, the five major merchants couldn't possibly swallow all the profits; the lion's share would still be given to the powerful and influential figures of the time.

The actual share of the five major merchants was 10% for each of them, with the rest being distributed among other merchants.

"Uncle, I'm sorry for offending you!"

“Nephew, there’s no need to hold back. Just do it.”

Zhang Xiaoshan didn't waste any more words and slowly began to unleash his signature cool starting stance from the movie.

In the instant his aura slowly rose, Zhang Xiaoshan's aura changed drastically, like a tiger descending the mountain, and he immediately launched a Shaolin Tan Tui (a style of martial arts) move, mimicking the style of the gourd.

With the foundation of a crippled leg and the peak of internal energy cultivation, Zhang Xiaoshan's kick shattered the air the moment he unleashed it. The fierce and powerful leg force even made Huang Yaoshi's expression change slightly.

With a jade flute in his hand containing true qi, Xiao Shi used the move "Riding the Dragon" to block Zhang Xiaoshan's leg, while simultaneously striking two major acupoints on Zhang Xiaoshan's leg: Juxu and Futu.

However, Huang Yaoshi's expression changed immediately.