Martial Graduate Dan's Teachings (Seeking Collection, Seeking Reads)

A few days later.

Wei Tu's worries had come true.

Seeing Wei Tu persist in practicing the Health Cultivation Technique every night, and earning the appreciation of his employers due to his diligence and capability, Deng An's expression grew increasingly displeased.

Their relationship was no longer the same as before.

So, Deng An, relying on his long tenure at the Dan family's household and his past role as the head laborer, began to boss Wei Tu around during the daytime work.

However, to Deng An's surprise, upon hearing the instructions, Wei Tu didn't argue or quarrel with him. Instead, he turned and efficiently completed the tasks assigned.

Whether it was sweeping the courtyard, cleaning the latrines, feeding the horses, chopping fodder, or harvesting the wheat, Wei Tu handled it all with ease and meticulousness.

Madam Shan and Martial Graduate Dan saw this and praised Wei Tu's cleverness and competence, while also scolding Deng An a few times for being lazy and shirking his duties.

This completely deflated Deng An. On the third day of the wheat harvest, he went to town, bought a pot of wine and some seasonal cold dishes. In the evening, when the laborers and tenant farmers were cooling off under the elm tree in the village, he apologized to Wei Tu.

"I was wrong. I shouldn't have been jealous of you, Brother Wei..." Deng An said with a sincere expression.

After a few cups of wine, Deng An also revealed the reason for ostracizing Wei Tu.

"Brother Wei, you're too diligent, too energetic. If you stay with the Dan family, they'll probably dismiss me next year and only hire you."

"People like you are hated wherever they go. I thought you were trying to drive me away, but I didn't expect you to be genuinely this diligent..."

Deng An sighed.

Ten-plus days of constant work, harvesting wheat from the riverbank to the far end, would exhaust even an iron man. Yet, Wei Tu endured it, maintaining his energy every day and even having the leisure to practice his techniques at night.

This completely dispelled Deng An's previous thoughts, and he no longer targeted Wei Tu.

After all, he wasn't capable of committing any serious crimes. If he couldn't drive Wei Tu away using the usual tactics for laborers, the only option was reconciliation.

"If the Dan family dismisses me next year, I'll find work with another family," Deng An added.

"Brother Deng, you jest," Wei Tu shook his head, picking up a piece of food with his chopsticks.

He still hadn't revealed his purpose for coming to the Dan family.

If he passed Martial Graduate Dan's "test," he would soon be taught Martial Arts Techniques by Martial Graduate Dan, and at that point, Deng An would surely be at ease.

Even if he didn't pass the "test," by next February, he would still leave the Dan family and head to the county town to participate in the Martial Arts Examination...

Wei Tu didn't know if Martial Graduate Dan was testing him or what the test entailed, but he knew that a person with a calm demeanor who could keep secrets was most likely to be favored.

Furthermore, the reason he didn't argue with Deng An during the daytime chores wasn't because he was kind-hearted, but because after mastering the Health Cultivation Technique, his energy truly surpassed that of ordinary people.

What Deng An considered strenuous labor wasn't particularly difficult for him to endure.

And lastly, Deng An was merely the head laborer, so arguing with him held little significance.

Seeing that Wei Tu remained quiet, Deng An sighed silently and asked no further questions.

Five days later.

The wheat harvest in Danjia Village finally concluded.

As Wei Tu placed the last sack of new grain from the residence onto the drying ground, Martial Graduate Dan rode over on his yellow-maned horse. A hint of admiration flickered in his eyes as he said, "After I finish my ride, I'll teach you Archery."

With his words, Martial Graduate Dan spurred his horse and galloped away, disappearing over the plateau.

It wasn't until sunset that Martial Graduate Dan returned home, leading his horse.

"The Martial Arts Examination has three components related to Archery: drawing a heavy bow, mounted archery, and standing archery."

"It can be said that to achieve an official career through the Martial Arts Examination, one must excel in Archery."

Martial Graduate Dan clapped his hands.

Soon, a maid from the residence brought over a lacquered wooden tray.

On the tray were three bows of different styles: a short bow for mounted archery, a long bow for standing archery, and a heavy bow to test strength.

"This is the Five-stone Heavy Bow!" Martial Graduate Dan took down the heavy bow and stared at the straw target in the corner of the yard. His aura instantly sharpened.

Twang! Twang! Twang!

With three string sounds, three arrows nocked on the heavy bow flew out, piercing the air and embedding themselves directly into the bullseye of the straw target.

"One stone is one hundred catties, so this Five-stone Heavy Bow requires five hundred catties of strength."

"As long as you can draw this Five-stone Heavy Bow, you'll at least score an 'A' grade in the heavy bow component of the Martial Arts Examination."

Martial Graduate Dan took a few breaths, placing the heavy bow back on the lacquered tray. Drawing the Five-stone Heavy Bow had been a significant physical exertion for him.

At this moment, another maid standing by poured a cup of cool tea and handed it to Martial Graduate Dan.

Martial Graduate Dan took a small sip, still feeling unsatisfied, and directly tilted the pot to drink from it.

As the tea spilled from the corners of his mouth, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, cheeks, and neck.

"Drawing a bow requires the Archer's Stance. I'll demonstrate it a few times for you. Remember it."

Martial Graduate Dan didn't immediately ask Wei Tu to try the bow. Instead, he shifted his feet and struck the pose for the Archer's Stance.

With that, his legs seemed to instantly root themselves into the bluestone courtyard, and his body stood tall and unmoving like a pine.

"The Archer's Stance is set. It's not only beneficial for Archery, but in the future, practicing saber or fist techniques will also yield twice the results with half the effort."

"The Archer's Stance trains the lower body. Once your legs are firmly planted, like cast iron, and your stance is stable, any attack against you will be like a gentle breeze brushing a mountain peak..."

Martial Graduate Dan said slowly.

After speaking, Martial Graduate Dan withdrew his stance, took a towel from the maidservant, wiped his sweat, and signaled for Wei Tu to begin practicing, following his movements.

Wei Tu nodded. He mimicked the way Martial Graduate Dan had just set his stance, stood firm, and began to step into the Archer's Stance.

Having practiced the Health Cultivation Technique for over two years, Wei Tu was no stranger to stances. The Archer's Stance that Martial Graduate Dan had just demonstrated was also among the thirty-two stance diagrams in the Turtle Breath Qi Cultivation Technique.

However, there were some minor differences in the specific details.

Soon, Wei Tu adjusted his body, reproducing about seventy to eighty percent of Martial Graduate Dan's Archer's Stance.

"This stance..."

"Is it comparable to my own when I was young?"

Martial Graduate Dan, who had been about to find fault with Wei Tu's form, raised an eyebrow slightly and was astonished after watching Wei Tu complete the Archer's Stance.

He distinctly remembered that just over half a month ago, Wei Tu had said he had only practiced the Health Cultivation Technique.

"That's right! The Turtle Breath Qi Cultivation Technique also contains stances, so it's not strange that he knows the Archer's Stance."

Martial Graduate Dan rationalized to himself.

But soon, he shook his head, dismissing his previous thought.

The stances in the Health Cultivation Technique were often very superficial, regarded by Martial Masters as child's play. While they could be practiced, they were of little practical use.

One could not achieve such a powerful stance relying solely on the Health Cultivation Technique.

"Wei Tu, have you practiced any other Martial Arts Techniques before? Tell me the truth, otherwise..."

Martial Graduate Dan's gaze fell on Wei Tu, his expression suddenly turning cold.

Secretly learning another school's martial arts was a grave offense.

At best, it could lead to the ruin of one's cultivation.

At worst, it could be fatal.

Besides, How could he, a dignified Martial Arts Master, be fooled by someone?

Wei Tu claimed to be here as a Long-term Laborer, but having entered the Dan family, he was considered half a disciple.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have instructed Wei Tu, at the beginning of his apprenticeship, to offer annual gifts and filial respect after achieving success in his official career.

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