Martial Path in This World?

"His aptitude has become 3?"

Xu Yuan was overjoyed. "It seems my aptitude isn't set in stone. It can be improved through skill breakthroughs?"

With that thought, excitement filled his heart. If it could truly be used this way, then the potential of this Golden Finger was anything but ordinary!

"But what changes will an increase in aptitude bring?"

Xu Yuan pondered for a moment, then decided to test the Golden Finger's worth.

He immediately assumed a stance and began slowly practicing Tai Chi Fist again. The moment he tried, he instantly sensed a difference.

Details that had once been somewhat hazy in his mind suddenly became clear. His movements grew smoother and more precise, and he performed the form with even greater ease!

"This time's efficiency is equal to practicing it three times before..."

Xu Yuan was inwardly horrified. This was only the aptitude of an ordinary person. How terrifying would it become once he reached the aptitude of a true genius?

With such a snowballing Golden Finger, given only a little more time, he estimated that he could become an unprecedented, peerless monster!

Tap, tap.

Just then, a set of footsteps approached, jolting Xu Yuan from his wild delight.

Seeing someone beginning the evening patrol, he hurriedly wiped away his sweat and slipped back into the communal sleeping quarters beneath the cover of night.

The room was still filled with thunderous snores. Heavy odors of stale sweat, body odor, foot odor... all crowded together overhead, enough to suffocate anyone.

Xu Yuan's expression did not change. After quietly lying down, the ripples in his heart still refused to settle.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

The next day.

The biting autumn chill stung people's faces.

With dark circles under his eyes, Xu Yuan stepped out of the room.

As usual, he fetched water to scrub the pots, then lit the fire and cooked.

The Laborers made their own breakfast. Only for lunch and dinner would Fatty Wang take up a ladle and make a token effort.

Splash!

A large bucket of clean water poured into the pot. Xu Yuan, whose body had not yet fully grown, practically buried half of himself inside as he cleaned it.

After washing it for the last time, he rubbed his aching waist and hips, then continued chopping firewood and starting the fire...

"So exhausting. When will this life ever end?"

"You sold yourself as a Laborer, and you still want a future?"

"Sigh, if I weren't broke, I'd really like to learn martial arts and practice boxing like those Martial Students in the front courtyard. At least that would offer some prospects."

"What nonsense are you spouting? If we had money, who would come do this filthy, exhausting work?"

As dawn began to break, Fatty Wang and the supervising servants had yet to rise, so the Laborers spoke freely.

"Didn't they say there were some benefits to joining the Shangyang Family?"

A sharp-looking young Laborer glanced around, then said mysteriously:

"I heard that if you make good use of those benefits, you can ascend to the heavens in a single step."

"What benefits?"

"Really? Tell us properly..."

Xu Yuan chopped firewood as he listened to the Laborers chat.

Aside from its enormous inner compound, the Shangyang Family also had many side courtyards and outer courtyards.

The side courtyards were where the maidservants and old women lived.

The outer courtyards were divided into front and rear courtyards. The rear courtyard was where Laborers like them handled logistics.

The front courtyard was for students who had paid money to study martial arts under martial instructors.

Their meals were likewise handled by Laborers. Though they were far inferior to those of the former, they were guaranteed meat every three days, which made the Laborers green with envy.

There were supposedly other courtyards as well, but Xu Yuan knew nothing about them.

"Wait, what's that sound?"

As they spoke, they suddenly heard several shouts of exertion from the front courtyard, occasionally accompanied by the whistle of clubs slicing through the air.

"That person is actually working so hard? He gets up as early as us Laborers?"

A skinny young Laborer looked astonished. With his mouth hanging open, he muttered a few words, seemingly realizing that Martial Students were not as carefree as he had imagined.

Xu Yuan said nothing and silently continued with the work in his hands.

At this moment, if one looked down from above the courtyard, one would see only dozens of pitch-black dots, toiling back and forth like ants.

By the time the sun had climbed high in the sky.

A sudden commotion arose at the entrance of the small courtyard.

"Huh? It's not mealtime yet. Why has a martial instructor come?"

A Laborer stood up and looked over in confusion.

Fatty Wang, who was usually coarse and vicious, was now leading the way like a quail, his smiling face wrinkled like an old chrysanthemum.

Behind him appeared a burly middle-aged man with a broad face and a high, straight nose.

Even in the chilly depths of late autumn, he wore only a thin blue short robe. The muscles on his arms knotted like coiling dragons, and wind seemed to rise beneath every step he took. His bearing was extraordinary.

"It's Instructor Feng!"

Someone could not help crying out softly, startling the others into staring blankly in that direction.

Within the compound, martial instructors held the highest status aside from members of the Shangyang Family.

The reason this man was so deeply remembered by the Laborers, apart from his beastlike, powerful physique, was that he could eat tremendously. His appetite was nearly the largest among all the martial instructors!

"What are you standing around for? Gather up and line up!"

Fatty Wang turned around, and his chrysanthemum-like smile instantly vanished. He barked coldly.

The young Laborers hurriedly gathered in the center.

"Master Feng, aside from a few who took leave, these are all the new Laborers in the rear courtyard."

Fatty Wang put on an attentive smile again and spoke fawningly to the man beside him.

"Mm."

Feng Xiao replied indifferently. His unsmiling face made the young Laborers' hearts tighten, as though a stone had been pressed upon them.

He swept his gaze over everyone, remaining silent as if he were still waiting for something.

"That is..."

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes. Only then did he see that two horizontal stripes were embroidered on the shoulders of the man's blue robe, likely symbols of a martial instructor's rank.

Quite some time passed.

A faint sound of panting suddenly drifted over. Everyone turned toward it, immediately revealing surprised expressions.

Several maidservants were actually jogging into the formation.

Their usual delicate outfits of silk vests and padded skirts were gone, replaced by more practical fitted martial clothes.

Xu Yuan's heart trembled slightly.

What a grand display?

Even the new maidservants from the side courtyards, who specialized in learning how to serve distinguished guests, had come.

"Enough. We will not wait for those who have not arrived."

Feng Xiao spoke in a deep, buzzing voice. Though low, it rang with perfect clarity through the silent, solemn courtyard.

"The reason I have come to the courtyard is something some of you likely already know."

Xu Yuan silently glanced around. Sure enough, several people wore delighted expressions, and his heart stirred.

Could those benefits be real?

"Our Shangyang Family is one of the foremost great clans in the prefectural city, perhaps even faintly occupying the first position. Our foundations are profound, and our martial artists are countless."

"At the same time, we possess discerning eyes and farsighted wisdom. We will not overlook any possibility that might produce talent."

At this point, Feng Xiao carefully swept his eyes across the crowd and said in a deep voice:

"Therefore, even a group of Laborers may receive one chance to prove their aptitude after working in the estate for some time!"

Xu Yuan's eyes lit up.

They could learn martial arts without paying tuition?

No wonder the former owner of this body had rushed to squeeze into the Shangyang Family.

The Laborers immediately cheered with joy. Several could not help clenching their fists, ambition flashing in their eyes. Among them was Xiao Sheng, the Laborer Fatty Wang had beaten before.

"You Laborers are all from impoverished families, people who cannot even fill your bellies. Had you not joined the Shangyang Family, who knows in which alley corner you would have starved to death."

"Now you have food to eat, and even an opportunity to learn martial arts and change your fate. You must remember the Master Family's grace and serve loyally!"

Feng Xiao watched the cheering crowd with cold eyes. His expression remained indifferent, but his voice suddenly rose.

"However, you have only two months. During that time, you must practice martial arts while still performing your work properly."

"If you fail to make a breakthrough by then, rein in your thoughts, honestly remain Laborers, and lower your heads into the mud."

"Otherwise, the iron discipline of the family rules will be waiting for you!"

By the final sentence, Feng Xiao seemed to exert force. His voice boomed like a tolling bell, turning the faces of the Laborers present pale.

"No more words. Today, I will teach you a stance exercise."

As Feng Xiao said this, his expression turned solemn, as though he were speaking of some sacred faith.

"Our Martial Path places the greatest emphasis on qi and blood erupting like a furnace. This stance exercise is used to temper qi and blood."

"An ancient saying goes: humans are the essence of heaven and earth."

"Thus, every person possesses the Extraordinary Meridians and Eight Channels throughout the body. They can sharpen the ears and brighten the eyes, quicken one's reactions, and increase one's strength!"

As he spoke, Feng Xiao lifted a wooden board with his foot, weighed it a few times, and without any visible movement, merely pressed down lightly, leaving a clear palm print behind.

The Laborers immediately regarded him as a god, all widening their eyes in an effort to see more clearly.

Xu Yuan's gaze shone brightly, and his heart burned.

Was this the power of the Martial Path in this world?