A Little Extra Training

A Little Extra Training

On the training ground, several young men in their early twenties stood beside Instructor Xu. One of them yawned lazily. "Master, why did you call us here so early?"

"Do I even need to say it? He's taken a fancy to another disciple!"

"Weren't we supposed to take a look at Seventh Young Master's two bookboys today?"

These young men were all guards of the Zhao Residence, but compared to the other guards, they had a much closer relationship with Instructor Xu.

Although all the Zhao Residence guards had been trained by Instructor Xu and were nominally his disciples,

these few had properly served him tea and bowed to him as their master, calling Instructor Xu Master. One of them was even Instructor Xu's clansman nephew.

With Instructor Xu looking after them, they had developed quite quickly. They could each stand on their own in the Zhao Family's various businesses, and they were all very busy. If Instructor Xu had not summoned them today, it would not have been so easy to gather them together.

At this moment, all of them were rather curious about why Instructor Xu had called them here.

"One of the little ones has pretty good talent today. If nothing unexpected happens, he'll be your junior brother in the future."

"Wait." The young man who had yawned earlier came to his senses. "Seventh Young Master's bookboy? He's willing to guard gates and courtyards like us?"

It was not that he looked down on himself. No matter how much Instructor Xu could protect them, he could not compare to having Seventh Young Master as a backer.

The boy was doing perfectly well as a bookboy. Maybe he was even aiming for the steward's position. Who would want to be a miserable guard, rising early and returning late every day, coming through wind and rain?

"Is becoming my disciple something shameful? Besides, he has to be able to keep his position as bookboy first!" Hearing that, Instructor Xu snorted. "I'll wait until Seventh Young Master throws him out, then Madam Xiang can put in a good word for him."

The young men exchanged glances, all feeling that their master's words made some sense.

Who in the Zhao Family did not know Seventh Young Master's dog-like temper?

None of his bookboys ever lasted long.

"Then why did Master call us here?"

"First, get to know him. If anything happens in the future, take care of him if you can."

"Master, you really think highly of this kid." The young man who had spoken first curled his lip and muttered.

"Second, the little fellow has good talent. He'll probably learn martial arts quickly, and I'm afraid he might grow arrogant..."

"Got it! We give him a show of strength!"

The young men looked at one another and rubbed their fists eagerly.

"Who told you to lay a hand on him? Just use your mouths. Beat the drum from the sidelines and let them understand that there are always people beyond people."

Now the young men were truly certain that their master thought highly of this junior brother who had not even entered the school yet. He was even afraid they might injure him.

When Zheng Fa and Gao Yuan arrived at the training ground, several probing gazes fixed on them, making them feel a little uncomfortable.

They did not hear the murmurs between those men:

"Which one, which one?"

"The taller, darker one."

"The other one won't do?"

"His aptitude is a little worse, and besides, his father is Steward Gao from the second branch. He has his own path ahead of him. A small household like mine probably isn't worth his notice."

"This future junior brother doesn't look like anything special."

Seeing Zheng Fa and Gao Yuan approach, Instructor Xu could not help explaining, "Not to mention his excellent bones and talent—his temperament is steady too. He's a fine prospect. Stop talking!"

When Zheng Fa walked up to them, he saw Instructor Xu with a stern face, frowning at him as though he were rather dissatisfied.

The young men behind him also wore solemn expressions.

Today was originally meant to test the two of them. With this group being so serious as well, the pair naturally grew even more nervous.

They did not even dare breathe too loudly.

"You two are late!"

Instructor Xu began with a rebuke. The two did not dare argue and obediently lowered their heads.

"You have only just begun learning martial arts. This is precisely the time for diligent study and hard training. Why were you late?"

"It was me... I overslept and delayed us." Gao Yuan spoke haltingly.

These past few nights, he had refused to give up studying those diagrams, staying up late. At his age, he was also able to sleep deeply. By the time Zheng Fa called him, it was already too late.

"You? Since you sleep so well, your Pine Crane Stance must be quite good, then? Show me!"

Gao Yuan's face fell, but his body honestly assumed the Pine Crane Stance.

Zheng Fa watched from the side as Gao Yuan stood rooted to the ground, his shoulders rising and falling with his hips.

From Zheng Fa's current beginner's perspective, Gao Yuan was actually close to getting the hang of it as well!

That surprised him greatly. If not for those seven days in the modern world, he might not necessarily have reached Gao Yuan's current level.

What was more, Instructor Xu had clearly said that Zheng Fa's natural talent exceeded Gao Yuan's.

There was some surprise in Instructor Xu's eyes as well. He circled Gao Yuan twice, frowned for a long while, then suddenly asked, "Your father gave you some extra training?"

"...Yes." Gao Yuan answered awkwardly, a little embarrassed.

"Your stance has the same flaw as your father's. Your left shoulder is a whole inch higher! His shoulder was injured, and you copied him too?" Instructor Xu sneered. "Relax!"

He patted Gao Yuan's left shoulder blade.

Gao Yuan unconsciously adjusted his posture. His breathing immediately became smoother, and his stance captured the essence of the Pine Crane Stance even more fully.

"All right!" Instructor Xu nodded. "Not bad, you've improved quickly! But have your father give you less medicine in the future. Training too much harms the body, and even tonics will be hard-pressed to make up for it!"

Zheng Fa suddenly understood.

He had wondered why Gao Yuan always had to go out for a while at lunchtime and brought him food every day.

Thinking about it now, Gao Yuan had probably been secretly practicing martial arts with his father every day.

Logically speaking, just like Zheng Fa, he should not have been able to practice the Pine Crane Stance for more than one hour a day.

But from what Instructor Xu said, Gao Yuan drank tonics every day and could train longer than Zheng Fa.

Richer than me and working harder than me too—what a damn dog.

Gao Yuan seemed embarrassed that Zheng Fa had discovered he had been secretly working hard. When he returned to his place, he even kept his head lowered, not daring to look at Zheng Fa.

"Your turn!"

Instructor Xu spoke to Zheng Fa with a fierce expression, though his eyes concealed a smile. "Gao Yuan's aptitude is worse than yours, yet he's nearly gotten the hang of it. Let me see how you're doing!"

He truly was satisfied.

On one hand, Gao Yuan's progress had exceeded his expectations.

The child not only came from a decent family, but was also hardworking.

Even knowing that he would not enter his school, teaching a good disciple still made him happy.

On the other hand, he felt that having someone like Gao Yuan for comparison would better spur Zheng Fa onward.

His talent is worse than yours, yet he practices better than you.

Aren't you worried?

Even calling several of his personal disciples here today had been somewhat unnecessary.

Gao Yuan alone was enough to ensure this boy would not dare look down on the people of the world!

He had already thought of how to knock Zheng Fa into shape once Zheng Fa performed worse than Gao Yuan.

"Hm?" Instructor Xu watched Zheng Fa assume the Pine Crane Stance and enter a state where he forgot both self and surroundings. Then he turned back to look at his disciples, uncertainty appearing on his face.

Those disciples also looked rather astonished.

They could all see it: Zheng Fa's Pine Crane Stance had already crossed the threshold.

Instructor Xu held out his fingers and bent them one by one as he asked Gao Yuan beside him, "One day, two days, three days. It's only been three days since I taught you two the complete Pine Crane Stance, right?"

Gao Yuan nodded.

"And he's already gotten the hang of it?" Instructor Xu pointed at Zheng Fa, then continued asking Gao Yuan suspiciously, "Is your father so kind that he gave him extra training too?"

Gao Yuan: ...I'm an only child!

(End of chapter)