Unexpected Gains

Jiang Ning took up a stance in the courtyard, instantly recalling in his mind the Five Animal Frolics Fist that Old Wang had just practiced.

In an instant, that scene vividly appeared before him, as though Old Wang were practicing the fist technique in front of him once more.

Photographic Memory was indeed an enormous help to my martial arts training! Jiang Ning rejoiced inwardly.

He then began practicing the Five Animal Frolics Fist according to the memories in his mind.

Every move and stance followed the images in his mind, paired with the Breathing Method recorded in the Fist Manual.

Old Wang, standing to one side and watching Jiang Ning practice, nodded repeatedly.

Although every one of Jiang Ning's movements looked incomparably immature in his eyes, practically like drawing a cat while looking at a tiger.

It was still enough to satisfy him.

For judging from Jiang Ning's every move and the rhythm of his breathing, he was clearly walking down the correct path.

No matter how clumsy his movements and posture were right now, he was still on the right path.

It took Jiang Ning the time of an incense stick to finally complete the Five Animal Frolics Fist.

His chest heaved like a bellows as he panted heavily, and his entire body was soaked through with sweat.

Half an hour of continuous fist practice had already pushed him to the limits of his body. If not for the single breath of willpower supporting him, he would have stopped long ago.

Yet he could vaguely feel that although he was weak now, his body seemed to have grown a little stronger, and his arms were filled with more power as well.

[Five Animal Frolics Fist Experience Points +1]

[Skills]: Five Animal Frolics Fist (Initiation 1/10)

When Jiang Ning saw this familiar notification before his eyes, a smile immediately appeared on his exhausted face.

"Not bad! Truly not bad!" Old Wang nodded repeatedly in praise.

Jiang Ning panted heavily. "This is all because Master taught me well!"

Old Wang nodded slightly. "You really remembered everything! It seems you truly did not lie to me just now. You really possess the talent of Photographic Memory!"

Then his face filled with emotion. "With talent like yours, you ought to take the Imperial Examination and earn an official title! That is the path best suited to you, the path most likely to let you rise above the rest."

Jiang Ning said, "Teacher, you understand the state of the world today as well. If one does not possess even a little martial skill, then when sudden changes come, one will have no ability to protect oneself!"

Hearing this, Old Wang nodded in agreement. "That is indeed true. In these times, one still needs to learn some martial arts! Your thinking is certainly not wrong!"

Then he waved a hand. "Completing an entire round of the fist technique on your first try has drained quite a bit of your body's essence. Go rest properly. Before you leave later, go to the Kitchen and collect a bowl of Medicinal Soup. Tomorrow at noon, eat here at the Martial Arts Hall! Remember, practicing fist techniques is like anything else—too much is as bad as too little. It is like singing and feasting every night; being overly diligent can damage your body's essence."

"Thank you, Teacher. Thank you for your instruction! This junior understands!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands, joy written across his face.

"No need to thank me! Since you paid the tuition, I will be responsible for your midday meals for six months, so you do not have to run back and forth and waste time. As for your evening meals, after drinking the Medicinal Soup, settle them yourselves at home." Old Wang waved a hand. "You may leave now! If there is nothing important, do not disturb my sleep!"

"Yes!" Jiang Ning bowed and took his leave.

Only after Jiang Ning left the Backyard did Old Wang speak to the woman beside him. "Li Qing, what do you think of him?"

"Not bad." The woman nodded slightly. "There is some hope."

"Oh? Then I shall wait and see!" Old Wang chuckled as he reclined in the Rattan Chair.

Elsewhere.

The moment Jiang Ning appeared in the Front Yard, a man approached him.

He wore a Cyan Robe and a Hair Bun Crown, carrying himself with an imposing air. One look was enough to tell that he came from either wealth or nobility.

"Brother, are you the disciple who joined the Martial Arts Hall today?" The man in the Cyan Robe raised his hands in salute toward Jiang Ning.

"Yes!" Jiang Ning returned the salute. "And you are?"

"Oh!" The man in the Cyan Robe smiled slightly, then said, "My name is Zhou Xing. You may call me Senior Brother Zhou."

Jiang Ning immediately understood. "I am Jiang Ning. Greetings, Senior Brother Zhou!"

"So you are Junior Brother Jiang!" Zhou Xing, dressed in the Cyan Robe, smiled. "May I ask which family or clan in the city you come from, Junior Brother Jiang?"

"I come from an ordinary family in the Outer City," Jiang Ning answered honestly.

"The Outer City, I see!" Rather than looking down on him upon hearing this, Zhou Xing became even more enthusiastic. "For Junior Brother Jiang, born to an ordinary family, to gather enough silver to join our Canglang Martial Hall, the hardships along the way must have been immense. This senior brother greatly admires you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt around at his waist. The next moment, he took a brocade box from his robes.

"Since I am your senior brother, and this is our first meeting, while you are just beginning to practice martial arts, I will give you a Wild Ginseng. In the future, we martial brothers must grow closer."

Zhou Xing held out the red rectangular Brocade Box he had taken from his robes.

Jiang Ning looked at him in surprise.

"Accept it, Junior Brother Jiang!" Zhou Xing wore an approachable smile.

Then—

"In that case, many thanks, Senior Brother!" Jiang Ning said.

"We are fellow martial brothers, the same as family. Why be so formal?" Zhou Xing waved a hand, looking rather free and easy.

He then added, "I will not disturb you any longer, Junior Brother Jiang. I shall go visit Master Wang first. Practice your fist techniques well, Junior Brother Jiang. When you pass Master Wang's test and become a true disciple of the Martial Arts Hall, I will treat you to a drink. We will not return until we are drunk!"

"Alright!" Jiang Ning replied.

"Senior Brother Zhou is truly generous! He gave away Wild Ginseng the moment he made a move!"

"Indeed! Among all the senior brothers in the Martial Arts Hall, only Senior Brother Zhou is so righteous!"

"That is right. He treats people with the greatest warmth. Even toward disciples like us from the Outer City, he has never shown the slightest contempt or disdain!"

"..."

After Zhou Xing left, Jiang Ning listened to the discussion around him and began to understand.

This Zhou Xing has fashioned himself as a man who gives generously and upholds righteousness. In these times, he is quite a clever man! he murmured inwardly.

He then opened the red Brocade Box in his hand and immediately saw a ginseng root roughly ten centimeters long lying inside.

He really is generous. A Wild Ginseng like this should cost ten to twenty taels of silver, right? Jiang Ning praised inwardly. I wonder what background this Senior Brother Zhou has?

He then tore off several ginseng whiskers, roughly one-tenth of the Wild Ginseng, put them into his mouth, and slowly chewed them.

He had just completed an entire round of the Five Animal Frolics Fist while coordinating with the Breathing Method. His body was now utterly drained, and he was drenched from head to toe in sweat.

But as he swallowed the chewed ginseng whiskers, he immediately felt his strength gradually begin to return.

It really is good stuff! No wonder they say the poor pursue learning, while the rich practice martial arts!

Jiang Ning carefully tucked the Brocade Box containing the Wild Ginseng into his belt.

Feeling his strength continuously return, Jiang Ning went to the Ancient Well nearby and drank deeply of its cool water.

Roar—

Suddenly, a roar exploded beside his ear like thunder.

Jiang Ning looked up and saw that the King of Beasts that had previously been sleeping in the iron cage was now awake, letting out a savage roar at the people in the open space.

"Junior Brother Jiang, do you see? This is the Ferocious Tiger Hall Master Wang personally captured before. Observing this Ferocious Tiger over time will help you comprehend the spirit and form of Tiger Form Fist. Once you comprehend its spirit, your fist technique can reach Great Completion. If your fist technique reaches Great Completion within six months, it means your comprehension is sufficient. You will then be qualified to become a true disciple of the Martial Arts Hall and gain access to its core inheritance!"

A woman's voice rang out by his ear, carrying a faintly ethereal quality.

Without even turning around, Jiang Ning knew that it was Senior Sister Li Qing, the woman in the Blue Uniform from earlier.

He nodded, understanding in his heart.

"Senior Sister, does that mean the vast majority of people in the Martial Arts Hall specialize in Tiger Form Fist?"

"Correct! Tiger Form Fist places the greatest emphasis on explosive power. It is both a fine method of training and a fist technique suited for facing enemies!" Li Qing affirmed Jiang Ning's words, then continued, "So I also advise you to specialize in Tiger Form Fist. You were born neither rich nor noble! Whether you can become a true disciple of the Martial Arts Hall is an outcome that can change your future fate!"

As the two spoke, Jiang Ning felt his strength gradually recover. In this short while, he had already recovered a great deal.

The medicinal effects of this Wild Ginseng are truly strong! Feeling the changes within his body, he marveled inwardly once again.

"Did you eat the Wild Ginseng Zhou Xing gave you?" Li Qing suddenly asked.

"Yes! How could Senior Sister tell?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Your face is flushed, your heartbeat has quickened, and heat is rising from the top of your head. You clearly consumed a powerful tonic!"

"Senior Sister, there will not be a problem, will there?"

"No problem. Zhou Xing's family deals in medicinal herbs, and their Wild Ginseng is all genuine. This kind of Wild Ginseng is a little too nourishing for someone like you who has not yet trained in martial arts, so you need to practice fist techniques to digest it! With the medicinal power of Wild Ginseng, even if you casually practice fist techniques, you will not damage your body's essence." Li Qing explained.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning was immediately reassured.

"Senior Sister, then I will go practice fist techniques to digest it!"

Li Qing stepped back, clearing some space for him.

She gave him one more reminder. "Junior Brother Jiang, it is best to specialize only in Tiger Form Fist. Only then will you have a chance to comprehend the spirit and form of the Ferocious Tiger within six months, allowing you to reach the Great Success Realm of Tiger Form Fist."