Martial Arts Mutual Aid Association

As luck would have it, a gentle-looking senior brother came walking toward them.

After a brief exchange, the five of them called out to the senior brother to ask. Thanks to this kind-hearted senior brother's directions, they learned where and when they were supposed to meet the Posuo Courtyard Head that afternoon.

Once the senior brother had left, Liu Ziyang sighed, “In this Inner Court, it really is hard to take a single step without connections. Fortunately, we ran into such a kind senior brother.”

He was merely a disciple from a minor family with no connections here. He had only managed to enter the Upper Two Courts by kissing up to Liang Shaohua. Back in the Outer Court, he had always followed Liang Shaohua's lead. Now that Liang Shaohua was no longer around, he suddenly found himself at a complete loss.

Subconsciously, he looked for a leader to follow, and his gaze fell upon Yan Pingsheng.

“Brother Yan, what should we do next?”

“Let's find a place to stay first.” Zhuang Xun looked around. The courtyards nearby all had nameplates hanging on their gates, meaning they were already occupied.

Wang Hou suggested, “Why don't the five of us live in a row? That way, we can look out for one another.”

Xu Ziyi said, “I've been to the Posuo Courtyard before, so I've already picked out a place for myself.”

She turned to the quiet and gentle Chen Qing'er, intimately linking arms with her. “Qing'er, the courtyard right next to the one I picked happens to be vacant. What do you say we become neighbors?”

“Sure.” Chen Qing'er smiled and nodded gently.

Xu Ziyi then looked at Yan Pingsheng and smiled, “Senior Brother Yan, I know where there are other vacant courtyards. Do you need me to help you find one?”

Zhuang Xun nodded and smiled, “Then I will have to trouble you, Senior Sister Xu.”

“Don't mention it. Senior Brother Yan, do you have any preferences for your residence?”

Zhuang Xun pondered the matter. The courtyards here are arranged in order, so even the ones in the corners aren't particularly quiet, with neighbors in front and behind. If I specifically look for a courtyard with no neighbors nearby, it would look very suspicious—almost like telling everyone I have secrets to hide. After all, there is a nasty character in this Posuo Courtyard who pries into others' opportunities. Besides, Wang Hou just expressed a desire to live next to each other. Even if I pick an isolated courtyard, he will definitely follow and move in nearby, which defeats the purpose. Hmm... In that case, I should prioritize convenience and safety.

After a moment of deliberation, Zhuang Xun said, “As long as it's convenient to get in and out and not too remote, anything is fine, really.”

Xu Ziyi smiled, “Then I happen to know a place that fits your requirements perfectly, Senior Brother Yan.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister Xu.”

Wang Hou quickly chimed in, “Ah, I'll take one just like Brother Yan's.”

Xu Ziyi ignored him and led the way.

As the five of them walked and chatted, the topic turned to Zhou Ziruo. Liu Ziyang teased, “Brother Yan, you really are incredibly lucky. Senior Sister Zhou is the premier talented woman in Zechuan City, yet she specifically singled you out to look after you.”

Zhuang Xun smiled helplessly, “That is only because of Senior Brother Bai. Otherwise, what right would I have to receive Senior Sister Zhou's care?”

Xu Ziyi laughed, “Doesn't that make you even luckier, Senior Brother Yan? Senior Brother Bai specifically asked Senior Sister Zhou to look after you.”

Zhuang Xun shook his head and smiled without saying a word.

Liu Ziyang laughed along, and Wang Hou, eager to blend in, joined in the laughter as well.

They naturally understood that Zhou Ziruo had only said that because of Bai Yujing, so they were merely teasing.

Without the connection to Bai Yujing, Zhou Ziruo's words to Yan Pingsheng would have only brought him endless jealousy from others.

Zhou Ziruo was beautiful and highly skilled; the male disciples in the academy who admired her were countless.

Wang Hou suddenly remarked, “Why do I get the feeling that Senior Sister Zhou has feelings for Senior Brother Bai?”

Isn't that obvious? Xu Ziyi silently rolled eyes, finding the man rather foolish.

That was Senior Brother Bai, after all. What woman in the world wouldn't like him? Even in the Outer Court, the female disciples had fought countless times just arguing over who he belonged to.

At this thought, Xu Ziyi couldn't help but look at Chen Qing'er, who was always gentle and quiet.

Every time Chen Jinzhu lost an argument, she would have Chen Qing'er beat the other party up. Half of the female disciples in the Outer Court had been thrashed by Chen Qing'er.

If not for that, Chen Qing'er's mastery of her martial arts to the great perfection level wouldn't have been exposed, and she could have hidden her strength until the end, just like Xu Ziyi did.

“We're here. Are you satisfied with this place, Senior Brother Yan?”

Zhuang Xun assessed the location and found it quite favorable. It was situated near the center, not far from the dining hall, and was shielded by several rows of courtyards on the outer perimeter. If any external enemies invaded, they wouldn't be able to reach him immediately, regardless of which direction they came from.

“Very satisfied. Thank you again, Senior Sister Xu,” Zhuang Xun thanked her once more.

Wang Hou quickly said, “Uh... Senior Sister Xu, are there any other vacant courtyards? Any random one will do, I'm not picky.”

Xu Ziyi replied flatly, “No. I only know of these few.”

Wang Hou's face instantly darkened. He muttered to himself, With that tone of yours, you clearly know where other vacant ones are...

Xu Ziyi looked back at Yan Pingsheng, her smile returning. “Senior Brother Yan, Qing'er and I live over there, just six courtyards down. Since we all advanced to the Inner Court together, we should interact more often.”

“Indeed, indeed.” Liu Ziyang seized the opportunity to chime in, finally voicing the idea he had been brewing. “I heard that the Posuo Courtyard has a rule: if you can't reach the entry-level of the Posuo Sword within a month, you will be demoted to the Lower Three Courts. The five of us entered the Inner Court together, so we are naturally closer than the others. Why don't we form a Martial Arts Mutual Aid Association? We can share our insights on the Posuo Sword, help one another, and strive to ensure everyone gets to stay in the Posuo Courtyard.”

He proposed this largely for his own sake.

His martial arts mastery was only at the great accomplishment level. In terms of comprehension, he was undoubtedly inferior to Yan Pingsheng, Xu Ziyi, and Chen Qing'er, all three of whom had reached great perfection in their techniques.

Though he framed it as mutual aid, his true intention was to have the three of them carry him.

Wang Hou's martial arts mastery was also only at the great accomplishment level. Hearing Liu Ziyang's words, he immediately realized this as well.

His eyes lit up, and he agreed, “Yes, yes! I think that's an excellent suggestion. The five of us should support one another.”

I don't think so... Zhuang Xun couldn't even be bothered to make Yan Pingsheng cultivate more than necessary, so how could he possibly join this Martial Arts Mutual Aid Association and spend his time teaching others?

Just as he was thinking of a way to decline, he heard Xu Ziyi sneer, “There's no need for that. After all, the two who actually need help will be slinking away in embarrassment in a month anyway. Why waste the effort?”

Wow, sister, you're really blunt... Zhuang Xun clicked his tongue in amazement as he looked at Xu Ziyi, then subtly glanced at Liu Ziyang's expression.

Sure enough, Liu Ziyang's face was completely ashen.

“Xu Ziyi, what is that supposed to mean? I proposed this Martial Arts Mutual Aid Association so that everyone here can stay in the Posuo Courtyard. There is no need for you to speak so harshly.”

Xu Ziyi said indifferently, “Do you think I don't know what you're plotting? 'For everyone'? You mean so that you can stay in the Posuo Courtyard.”

Her words were as sharp as a needle, leaving Liu Ziyang red-faced with embarrassment and anger.

At this moment, Chen Qing'er, who had remained quiet, also spoke up. “My apologies, Junior Brother Liu. I usually have to attend to the Fifth Young Lady, so I don't have spare time to join this Martial Arts Mutual Aid Association.”

“The Fifth Young Lady still needs me, so I shall take my leave first.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

However, halfway there, she suddenly remembered that her young lady wanted to use Yan Pingsheng to get closer to Senior Brother Bai. Thus, she turned around, gave a slight bow to Yan Pingsheng, and said, “Senior Brother Yan, I have other matters to attend to today. I will come to visit your courtyard another time.”

“Of course. Take care, Senior Sister Chen.”

Seeing that two people had already rejected him, with one of them leaving immediately, Liu Ziyang's expression grew even uglier. He instinctively looked toward Yan Pingsheng.

Xu Ziyi also looked at Yan Pingsheng, who had yet to voice his stance. Recalling that the female disciples in the Outer Court always spoke of Yan Pingsheng as gentle and kind-hearted, she worried he might agree out of politeness and advised, “Senior Brother Yan, pay no mind to these two. They are nothing but deadweights. Don't let them drag you down.”

Liu Ziyang roared in anger, “You have no proof! What right do you have to call me a deadweight? You're deliberately trying to drive a wedge between Brother Yan and me!”