"Tai Chi Exercise had broken through to Major Accomplishment? The changes were this drastic?"
Xu Yuan was somewhat startled. He opened the System Panel to take a look.
[Name: Xu Yuan] [Skill: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Accomplishment 1%) Stone Platform Stance Practice (Beginner 28%)] [Potential: 5 (Somewhat Exceptional)]
Xu Yuan's Tai Chi Exercise had already reached Major Accomplishment, and his potential had risen from 3 to 5.
Most importantly, the assessment of his potential had changed from 'ordinary aptitude' to 'somewhat exceptional'!
"Ordinary aptitude can only be considered that of a regular person, while somewhat exceptional at least means having some talent."
Xu Yuan's eyes lit up as he realized that although his potential had only increased by two points, the changes it brought were nothing short of a complete rebirth!
As he practiced the Tai Chi Exercise again, Xu Yuan felt as though his body moved as swiftly as a fresh breeze, while his lower body stood firm as a boulder. Almost every time he practiced through it, he gained something new!
"Now, I can barely be considered someone with talent."
Xu Yuan's gaze shone brightly. Hard work was important—it guaranteed one's lower limit—but talent allowed one to break through one's upper limit!
"Let's try the stance practice again. This is what can truly decide my fate."
Xu Yuan assumed his stance, sinking his shoulders and dropping his elbows as the muscles throughout his body tightened into one.
After dozens of such changes in form.
Suddenly, Xu Yuan found that trace of the Essence of Qi and Blood within his body. Or rather, after he sent out several signals to condense his qi and blood, it had come to him on its own.
"It was actually this easy. Tian Yang really hadn't lied to me. Of course, it also has something to do with my long accumulation."
Feeling the tangible Essence of Qi and Blood surging within him, Xu Yuan stood stunned for a long while before finally smiling in relief.
He had not been doing useless work after all.
[Name: Xu Yuan] [Skill: Tai Chi Exercise (Major Accomplishment 1%) Stone Platform Stance Practice (Beginner 31%)] [Potential: 5 (Somewhat Exceptional)]
"The efficiency has improved quite a bit."
Xu Yuan thought it over. Many problems he had encountered before had now been solved as easily as a knife slicing through bamboo.
He could once more throw himself into practicing the stance practice without reservations!
"It's getting late. I'll practice another day."
Xu Yuan glanced around. The atmosphere was still as water, and the night wind scraping across his face carried a chill.
Outside the house, several figures still stood motionless like wooden stakes.
Among them, Xiao Sheng's lean yet resolute face was especially conspicuous.
Xu Yuan wiped away his sweat, watched silently for a while, then returned to the communal sleeping quarters.
The various complicated, unpleasant smells no longer felt as harsh as usual.
He exhaled a breath of stale air, then pulled the blanket over himself.
Before long, he fell into a heavy sleep.
And aside from his comprehension, Xu Yuan had undergone another major change.
His appetite had surged dramatically compared to before, drawing amazed clicks of the tongue from quite a few people.
This meant that his body instinctively craved nutrients in order to achieve further growth.
At the same time, his body's ability to adapt had also strengthened somewhat.
Previously, not only did he have to do odd jobs every day, but he also had to train in martial arts diligently. The soreness in his muscles had practically never stopped.
But now, whether he was doing odd jobs or practicing martial arts, he could handle it more easily, and his body no longer felt as miserable as before.
The weather was good today, with warm and gentle sunlight.
Xu Yuan requested leave and left the residence, buying two lively crucian carp at the fish market along the way.
He passed through streets and alleyways, arriving at the increasingly deserted outskirts of the prefectural city.
As he neared home, the sound of an argument grew clearer and clearer.
Xu Yuan heard his elder brother's voice mixed in as well. His heart tightened, and he hurried over.
Quite a few idlers had already gathered at the entrance of his home.
Three thuggish-looking men stood at the doorway with their arms folded, each wearing a smug, fearless sneer.
The leader was a buzz-cut thug with a rough face and a tall, burly build. Yet he habitually hunched his upper body, making him look imposing and ridiculous at the same time.
He narrowed his eyes impatiently. "Brother Xu, you used to chew through a few sour old classics. You can't possibly not understand that when you borrow a loan, you have to repay it, can you?"
"Pah!"
Xu Zheng was home alone. Hearing this, his face flushed red with anger. He raised a hand to point at the man, his voice trembling as he said:
"Li Daqiang, how exactly have I offended you? The agreement was monthly interest of 2.7 percent, to be repaid within five months. Now you're actually raising the price on the spot!"
"What 2.7 percent?"
Li Daqiang raised a brow and took a contract from his clothes. "You clearly borrowed under terms of nine out, thirteen back."
"Everyone can see it clearly. It's written there in black and white. Even if we take this to the authorities, we'll be the ones in the right!"
Hearing this, Xu Yuan's eyes flickered. He immediately understood what was happening and hurried forward.
On the other side, Xu Zheng's expression changed. He shouted furiously, "I never signed this contract! You rogue scoundrel, you clearly brought a fake contract to swindle me!"
Li Daqiang's expression turned completely cold. He put away the contract and said harshly:
"What a fine case of turning your face and denying the debt. Whether you want to or not, you'll pay today. Go inside and search!"
Seeing the men move to rob him without another word, Xu Zheng immediately cursed, "Li Daqiang, you beast! My mother even helped your family before—you're simply unworthy of being called human!"
"You fucking talk too much—"
One of the thugs grew impatient. He walked up to Xu Zheng and was just about to slap him.
But another hand suddenly seized him. The grip clamped down like iron pincers; even as his face turned red, he could not move a fraction!
Xu Zheng hastily dodged aside, only to see a figure suddenly standing before him. The figure stood tall as a green pine, his sharply defined features revealing an irrepressible youthful vigor.
"A-Yuan?"
After recognizing him, Xu Zheng asked in surprise, "Why are you back?"
"This month's leave was delayed for a while."
Xu Yuan explained briefly, then shoved the thug away with one hand, sending him sprawling face-first into the dirt.
He then looked coldly at the thugs before him and said calmly, "Brother Daqiang, we acknowledge the money my elder brother borrowed. But rules cannot be changed at will. At the end of the month, we will naturally pay the interest due."
"The Xu family's second son?"
Li Daqiang looked Xu Yuan up and down uncertainly. Though Xu Yuan was not particularly muscular, his stance was steady, and his eyes lacked the usual timidity of a young man.
"This brat has changed so much?"
Li Daqiang muttered under his breath, but his manner remained forceful. "And who the hell are you? If you can't produce the money, then this house of yours..."
Xu Yuan's gaze turned cold. The man had indeed come looking for trouble. He continued, cutting him off:
"Brother Daqiang, the Shangyang Family has rules. Even if the family members of servants are harassed outside, the residence will ask a few questions. If this blows up, it probably won't do you any good—especially during this recent period..."
"Trying to scare me with nonsense? You, a mere Laborer?"
Li Daqiang naturally knew Xu Yuan's background. With a cold laugh, he was about to make another move when a thug beside him suddenly leaned over and whispered:
"Brother Qiang, my nephew is a Laborer at the Shangyang Family. He said martial instructors have recently been teaching them martial arts, and the higher-ups seem to be taking it pretty seriously."
"What kind of bullshit is that? Teaching martial arts to a bunch of Laborers?"
Li Daqiang shot him an incredulous glance, suspecting the man was deliberately making a fool of him.
At that moment, the thug Xu Yuan had knocked down earlier also came over. Rubbing his wrist, he said in a low voice, "He's a tough one. This kid has probably trained before. His strength is damn great."
Only upon hearing this did Li Daqiang finally believe it somewhat, his eyes flickering.
Seeing this, Xu Yuan took several coins of silver from his clothes and handed them over with a smile. "Brother Daqiang, this is this month's interest. I'll pay it in advance, so you won't have to make another trip later."
Li Daqiang stared at him for several moments, seemingly trying to find some trace of bluffing on him. Yet from beginning to end, Xu Yuan merely met his gaze calmly.
After a while, Li Daqiang suddenly grinned, exposing a mouthful of rotten yellow teeth. "Fine, Xu Second. Joining the Shangyang Family has indeed given you a few more wits... But even if you can get past me, that might not be the case with others."
With that, he glanced at the crowd and strolled away with his lackeys.
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