Chapter 4: Two Choices

Chapter 4: Two Choices

“Two choices. Think it over yourselves. When you’ve made up your minds, go to the front desk to handle the formalities.”

With that, he did not linger. He turned and walked toward the alloy door at the far end of the martial arts hall.

“Li Weiguo, take them to handle the procedures.”

His voice came from a distance, but he had already vanished behind the door, leaving the three no time to deliberate or hesitate face-to-face.

The three stood rooted to the spot, exchanging glances.

Li Weiguo approached them and said, “That’s just how Hall Master Sun is. He gives you the opportunity; how you choose is your own affair. Go think it over. I’ll wait for you at the front desk.”

With that, Li Weiguo hurried off, leaving the three to ponder.

Qin Feng walked into a nearby stairwell and opened his wrist terminal.

On his terminal, there was only the ten thousand credits his uncle had transferred to him.

If he chose the hall master’s personal guidance, he would have no way to pay for the next month’s ordinary class fees. And besides, he was sick—what if he paid the money and got no results?

But if he only signed up for the ordinary class, he felt he would be letting down his uncle’s kindness and expectations.

After mulling it over, Qin Feng still called his uncle.

“Xiao Feng, how is it going?”

“Uncle, I’m at the martial arts hall. There are two ways to register…”

Qin Feng quickly explained the situation.

“…Hall Master Sun’s personal guidance costs ten thousand credits, and it’s only one session.”

After hearing this, Wang Ming said without hesitation, “Don’t hesitate.”

“Choose the ten-thousand-credit option, and also sign up for the ordinary class.”

“Your uncle didn’t understand before. I thought ten thousand credits was for some kind of martial arts training course. If I’d known it was for him to give you tailored guidance once, I would have taken you to see a doctor long ago.”

“Xiao Feng, remember this. Money can be earned again, but some opportunities, once missed, are lost forever. A good guide can save you ten years of detours. A strong fighter who has competed in the Star Cup and spent decades among the wandering merchant crews—his experience and insight are worth a fortune. A single word from him might be more useful than a year of hard training on your own. It might even diagnose your old ailment.”

“As for the money, don’t worry about it.”

His uncle’s words, like a heavy hammer, settled the last wavering in Qin Feng’s heart.

“I understand, Uncle.”

“Go on. Hold your head high. Don’t let anyone look down on you.”

The call ended.

—

Before long, the three followed Li Weiguo to the front desk.

“Have you decided?” Li Weiguo asked.

Liu Xiaoli lowered his head, swiping his finger across his wrist terminal, as if calculating his savings.

His expression shifted several times. Finally, he looked up, his voice a little small.

“Teacher Li, I… I choose the three-thousand-credit-a-month ordinary class.”

Li Weiguo nodded, showing understanding. “Steady and solid—that’s also a choice. Go over there and fill out the form.”

Liu Xiaoli, as if granted a reprieve, hurried to the front desk.

Li Weiguo’s gaze shifted to Zhou Heyuan.

Zhou Heyuan did not hesitate at all. He stepped forward, his tone brimming with confidence.

“Teacher Li, I choose Hall Master Sun’s ten-thousand-credit guidance session, and I’ll also sign up for one month of the ordinary class.”

This choice was undoubtedly the best.

He would receive the hall master’s personal instruction to clarify his direction, while also building a foundation through the systematic training of the ordinary class.

But thirteen thousand imperial credits was a huge sum for an ordinary family.

A hint of approval appeared on Li Weiguo’s face.

“Very good. Your father will be pleased with this decision.”

Finally, his gaze fell on Qin Feng.

“Qin Feng, what about you?”

Li Weiguo looked at Qin Feng and said, “Actually, I suggest you choose the three-thousand-credit ordinary teaching class. Don’t put too much burden on your family.”

His tone was sincere, a well-meaning reminder.

“No, I choose the ten-thousand-credit hall master guidance, and also the ordinary teaching class.”

Qin Feng said in a low voice.

Li Weiguo looked at him, his expression unchanged. He just adjusted his glasses and said, “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Qin Feng replied.

Li Weiguo nodded. “Good. Since you’ve made your choice, don’t regret it. Go handle the procedures.”

Zhou Heyuan easily paid thirteen thousand imperial credits.

When it was Qin Feng’s turn, he first paid out the ten thousand credits his uncle had transferred.

Then, looking at the mere few hundred credits left on his terminal, he said to the front desk staff, “Can I come back this afternoon to pay the remaining three thousand?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Li Weiguo nodded.

After the formalities were done, the two received their student cards.

Li Weiguo said to them, “Those who have finished, follow me. Hall Master Sun is waiting for you inside.”

He led Qin Feng and Zhou Heyuan toward the heavy alloy door deep within the martial arts hall.

The alloy door slowly closed behind Qin Feng and Zhou Heyuan, completely cutting off the noise of the training ground outside.

Inside was a quiet corridor. The walls were made of dark gray sound-absorbing material, and the floor was covered with soft carpet, muffling every footstep. On both sides of the corridor were tightly shut alloy doors, each labeled with simple characters: “Gravity Room No. 1,” “Meditation Room No. 3,” and so on.

This was the core area of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, open only to advanced students and the hall master himself.

Li Weiguo stopped and pointed to a door at the end of the corridor.

“Hall Master Sun is waiting for you inside. Zhou Heyuan, you go in first.”

“Yes, Teacher Li.” Zhou Heyuan straightened his collar, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

Li Weiguo then looked at Qin Feng.

“Wait here.”

With that, he turned and left without another word.

Qin Feng stood alone in the empty corridor. He found a spot against the wall, stood quietly, and adjusted his breathing.

Time ticked by, minute after minute.

The corridor was so quiet that only the sound of his own heartbeat could be heard. He had no idea what was happening inside the room, but ever since Zhou Heyuan entered, not a single sound had emerged from within.

Ten minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Half an hour.

Finally, the alloy door at the end of the corridor let out a soft "beep" and slid open silently.

Zhou Heyuan walked out from inside.

His face bore an irrepressible excitement and agitation, his eyes blazing with an astonishing brightness, as if he had glimpsed the gateway to a new world. His fists were clenched tightly, the muscles in his arms trembling slightly from the strain. Even his gait seemed to have gained a new steadiness and strength.

He spotted Qin Feng waiting in the corridor, strode over quickly, and gave him a heavy pat on the shoulder.

"Qin Feng, worth it! So worth it! This ten thousand—I got more value out of it than buying a private shuttle!"

His voice was kept low, but the excitement in it was unmistakable.

"Director Sun... he's simply a god!" Zhou Heyuan finished, seeming to want to share more, but then remembering something, he forcibly swallowed his words, only giving Qin Feng a look that said, "You'll know when you go in."

"Your turn. Go on."

With that, he turned and walked away down the corridor without looking back, his steps light and brisk, carrying an eagerness to go and verify something.

(End of this chapter)