Martial Arts

Hearing Hall Master Zhang's instructions, Qin Fengming wore a puzzled expression. After exchanging a glance with Duan Meng, he did not dare delay and followed behind Hall Master Zhang toward the main hall.

Only after another youth stepped out did Qin Fengming learn that the person named Yuan Kejian was the youth who had been the first to ascend Green Bamboo Peak.

Gazing at the three youths who had followed him, Hall Master Zhang revealed a faint smile, his tone considerably gentler as he said:

"Among this selection, the three of you performed exceptionally well. By custom, I will personally instruct you in Martial Arts from now on. I hope you will not disappoint me."

Upon hearing this from the hall master, Qin Fengming and the other two were stunned for a moment, then all revealed delighted expressions.

Being personally instructed in Martial Arts by the hall master was naturally far better than competing with nearly thirty others for six teachers. With their hearts surging, Qin Fengming and the other two bowed together and saluted. "Please rest assured, Hall Master Zhang. We will certainly practice Martial Arts diligently and not disappoint you."

Looking at the three youths before him, Hall Master Zhang's face flashed with a trace of amusement. He slowly nodded, then after a moment spoke again. "Do the three of you have any Martial Arts or weapons you prefer?"

"Reporting to Hall Master Zhang, when I was home, I learned some spear techniques from my father. If possible, I would like to practice spear techniques." After a brief pause, Duan Meng was the first to speak.

Yuan Kejian pondered for a moment, then bowed as well. "I once learned some saber techniques from my family's guards. I liked them very much, and I hope to continue learning how to use a saber."

At this moment, Qin Fengming knew little about the various Martial Arts and weapons. Although Hall Master Zhang nodded to indicate that he should speak, he still found it difficult to decide. Blushing, he spoke with a touch of nervousness:

"Reporting to Hall Master Zhang, ever since I was young, I followed my father into the mountains to hunt. But I know absolutely nothing about weapons or Martial Arts. When hunting before, I used a small forked spear, but while it was suitable for hunting, it seemed rather cumbersome in a fight against others."

After hearing the three answers, Hall Master Zhang pondered briefly before slowly speaking. "Duan Meng, I will later teach you a set of Overlord Spear techniques. It is said that this spear technique was created by the Overlord of ancient times. It is extremely fierce when used, and suits your temperament well."

"Yuan Kejian, I have a set of Thunderous Saber Technique. If mastered, it will roar like rolling thunder when unleashed. By its very momentum alone, it can make an opponent's heart grow cold."

"Qin Fengming, since you have no preferred weapon, think it over first. Once you have decided, tell me; there is no hurry. But do not take too long, lest you delay your training."

Qin Fengming had not expected the stern-looking Hall Master Zhang to speak in such a manner. Delighted, the fear and unease he had felt since leaving home slowly eased away.

"Every afternoon and evening, you are to go to the side hall on the right and study reading and writing with the teacher. You will learn basic Martial Arts knowledge, such as the human skeleton and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. After half a year, once you have built a foundation, you may train in Martial Arts under me."

"During these six months, you must train your arm strength every morning. Lift a twenty-jin stone lock two hundred times with each hand every day. Do not be lazy. If I discover that you have not completed the required number, you will certainly be severely punished. Go back and arrange your belongings, then move into the easternmost courtyard behind the main hall."

When Qin Fengming and the other two bowed, saluted, and withdrew from the main hall, they discovered that the other disciples outside had already dispersed.

There were ten rooms in the eastern courtyard behind the main hall, each furnished with four beds. Seven rooms were already occupied, leaving exactly three. Qin Fengming and the other two did not stand on ceremony, each choosing a room to settle into.

The other disciples who had arrived with them all looked displeased at their actions, and some even showed open resentment. Qin Fengming and the other two paid them no heed.

At noon, a young man in a long green robe came to the courtyard. After calling out, he led Qin Fengming and the others into the dense woods west of the main hall.

There were several buildings within the woods. It turned out this was where they would eat from now on.

After lunch, Qin Fengming and the others returned alone to their residential courtyard. Qin Fengming had intended to speak with Yuan Kejian, but seeing his cold expression, he instead went to Duan Meng's room. They spoke of the companions who had failed to be selected, and both sighed with emotion.

"Newly selected disciples, come out quickly! I'm taking you to collect your clothing." While the two were chatting, a shout suddenly rang out from the courtyard.

When they arrived in the courtyard, they saw a young man around twenty years old, dressed in green, standing there. Once everyone had gathered, he nodded without saying much and walked straight out of the courtyard toward the main hall ahead.

Toward these Luoxia Valley disciples, Qin Fengming and the other children were exceedingly respectful. They did not even dare breathe too loudly.

The group went all the way into the side hall to the left of the main hall.

"Wei Ming, these are the newly selected disciples this time. They have come to collect their personal belongings." The young man was not one for many words. Upon entering the hall, he spoke directly to a young man inside.

At the same time, he pointed to Duan Meng, Yuan Kejian, and Qin Fengming. "These are the three disciples personally designated by Hall Master Zhang. Give them the items they are to use as well."

Upon hearing this, the youth named Wei Ming immediately sprang up from his seat. As he looked at Qin Fengming and the other two, his face showed envy. "You three junior brothers are truly fortunate. You have earned the hall master's favor just after arriving. In the future, you will surely rise above the rest."

As he spoke, he took out three bulging bundles and handed one to each of them. At the same time, he handed Duan Meng and Yuan Kejian a weapon each.

Receiving the items, Qin Fengming and the other two respectfully thanked him. "Thank you for your trouble, senior brother."

After collecting their belongings and returning to their quarters, Qin Fengming impatiently opened his bundle. Inside were two sets of gray long robes, three taels of loose silver, and an iron token with two characters engraved upon it, though Qin Fengming did not recognize them.

After changing into the clothes and hanging the token at his waist, he saw that everyone in Luoxia Valley wore a token at their waist as well. He presumed that this token served as proof of identity.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, Qin Fengming voluntarily went to the courtyard. From among the several dozen stone locks piled there, he casually selected one and began his first day of arm-strength training since arriving at Luoxia Valley.

Before long, Duan Meng and Yuan Kejian also appeared in the courtyard. The other children each headed into the dense forest beyond the courtyard.

Though the stone lock weighed only twenty jin, that was no light weight for a child of around ten. After lifting it twenty or thirty times, Qin Fengming had to stop and rest for a while.

What surprised him was that whenever he rested even briefly, his strength immediately returned. This had always left him rather puzzled, but at Qin Fengming's young age, he did not pay it much attention.

An hour later, Qin Fengming finally completed the required lifts for his first day.

Returning to his room, he took out the three taels of silver and began calculating in secret. After half a year, I'll have nearly twenty taels of silver. Then I can find a way to have someone take it home to my parents, and my family will no longer have to worry about food and clothing.

Thinking this, he carefully put away the silver.