Her sharp sixth sense made her feel that something was amiss. She rolled out of bed and, with vigilance, looked around. "Hark, who is the scoundrel plotting against me? Take them away and bestow upon them a measure of silk!"

...

While Zhang Beixing and Chen Fenghua were chatting about family matters, someone else joined them.

"Uh... Brother Chen, please excuse the interruption. I see you and this gentleman are having a good time talking. Could he be...?"

The man who had previously inquired about Zhang Beixing hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, looked at Chen Fenghua, and asked the question that everyone else present was also curious about.

The fact that Chen Fenghua was calling him brother and chatting so jovially, even bringing up his father, Elder Chen, and his daughter, Chen Rourou, as topics of conversation, clearly showed how good their relationship was. They couldn't help but recall what Chen Fenghua had said on their way here. Could it be that this young man before them...

"Yes, allow me to introduce him to you. This is my son-in-law and a dear friend from another generation, the very person you've all come to meet—Zhang Beixing, Grandmaster Zhang!"

After proudly revealing Zhang Beixing's identity to everyone present, Chen Fenghua's expression suddenly turned serious and solemn. He then faced Zhang Beixing, performed a fist-and-palm salute, and said respectfully, "Chen Fenghua, the thirty-third generation successor of the Northern Sect's Eight Pieces of Brocade, on behalf of Elder Chen of the Chen Family, pays respects to Grandmaster Zhang!"

Upon hearing his words, even though they had already seen Zhang Beixing's photo on their phones and had some expectations, they couldn't help but feel a surge of shock upon truly meeting him! Clearly, they hadn't expected that the youngest Grandmaster Martial Artist in Great Xia would be so young, and so much more handsome in person than he appeared in videos!

Zhang Beixing, looking at the respectful Chen Fenghua, was somewhat startled. He hadn't expected such a grand salute. It's just the title of Grandmaster, is all this really necessary?

But what truly left him speechless was... Brother Fenghua, you're really not playing fair! I thought of you as a true brother, yet here you are, scheming to become my father!

However, this wasn't the time to dwell on such things. The more important matter now was to return the gesture of respect. Although I'm unsure of the true significance of being a Grandmaster, proper manners must still be observed.

"Brother Fenghua, you're being too formal. There's no need for such ceremony between us!"

Zhang Beixing returned Chen Fenghua's salute with a gesture among peers, motioning for him to rise quickly.

Receiving Zhang Beixing's nod, Chen Fenghua straightened up. By now, the others had also recovered from their shock; they quickly put down whatever they were holding, hurried forward, and bowed deeply to Zhang Beixing, saying:

"I am Yang Lifeng, the twenty-seventh generation successor of Yongnian Tai Chi from Northern River Province, paying my respects to Grandmaster Zhang!"

"I am Bai Yongshan, the eighteenth generation successor of Harmony Fist from Northern River Province, paying my respects to Grandmaster Zhang!"

"I am Huo Xin, the thirteenth generation successor of Buddha Fist from Northern River Province, paying my respects to Grandmaster Zhang!"

"I am Dong Chengwang, the eighth generation successor of Baguazhang from Northern River Province, paying my respects to Grandmaster Zhang!"

"I am..."

One by one, these middle-aged men stepped forward, bowed to Zhang Beixing in a gesture befitting juniors, and announced their names and lineage. Their attitude was extremely respectful—and rightfully so! This was the man who had broken the Grandmaster record previously set by Zhang Sanfeng; a young Grandmaster, only twenty-one years old! To possess such strength at this age—anyone with discernment could see that Zhang Beixing's future was truly boundless.

Moreover, among Martial Artists, strength has always been the primary determinant of seniority. Such rituals and traditions have been passed down since ancient times. Whenever a Grandmaster emerged within a province, it was customary for everyone in the martial arts circle to pay their respects at the earliest opportunity. This practice was known as 'forming alliances' and was particularly emphasized in ancient times. Practitioners from each province would band together for mutual support, and the emergence of a Grandmaster brought honor to the entire province.

Furthermore, when interacting with a Grandmaster, regardless of one's own seniority, respect was paramount, with each person's status acknowledged appropriately. Take Elder Chen, for instance. Despite his venerable seniority, he would still address Zhang Beixing respectfully as Grandmaster Zhang. Conversely, Zhang Beixing, though potentially higher in cultivation realm, would also respectfully call him Elder Chen, acknowledging their respective standings.

In short, once someone reached the Grandmaster Level, their status within the circle would skyrocket. Even if their generational seniority was low, they commanded respect! Indeed, achieving the Grandmaster Level was a momentous event for any province's martial arts circle!

It was just that Zhang Beixing had entered the martial arts world unconventionally and was still largely unacquainted with its deeper customs, so he hadn't yet realized the full significance that came with the title of Grandmaster.

Now, witnessing the deferential posture of all these people, Zhang Beixing was rather taken aback.

After returning their salutes and allowing everyone to rise, he lowered his voice and asked Chen Fenghua, "Brother Fenghua, what's going on? Why have so many people suddenly shown up, and why are they all paying their respects to me like this? At my age, am I really worthy of such honor?"

Although Zhang Beixing knew that after his breakthrough to the Grandmaster Level, his status in the Martial Arts circle of Great Xia would inevitably change, he had never anticipated that the change would be this dramatic!

Good heavens, the youngest person in this group was at least a dozen years older than me. Yet now, all of them were treating a twenty-one-year-old like myself with such profound deference. This is just...

"It's a bit outrageous, isn't it?" Zhang Beixing muttered under his breath.

Hearing his words, Chen Fenghua, who had been standing rather smugly beside Zhang Beixing, was also taken aback. He turned his head, looked at Zhang Beixing in surprise, and asked, "Brother Zhang, why would you ask such a thing? Surely you understand what being a Grandmaster signifies these days?"

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