Martial Hall

Chu Ning, with the strength of nine bulls and two tigers, finally dragged the wild boar back to the village entrance.

The scent of blood quickly attracted a crowd of villagers. They surrounded Chu Ning and the wild boar, three layers inside and three layers outside, and began to discuss animatedly.

"Good heavens, how much luck does one need to hunt such a large wild boar!"

"This kid Chu Ning, he always seemed so quiet, I didn't expect him to have such skills."

The villagers' voices rose and fell, but Chu Ning ignored their noisy chatter, his eyes full of indifference.

During the difficult times his family had faced, these people had not only failed to offer any help but had also spoken ill of him behind his back. Those harsh words still echoed in his ears.

At this moment, their praise and astonishment sounded like nothing more than hypocritical flattery to Chu Ning.

Chu Ning didn't want to linger. He scanned the crowd, found someone he was slightly more familiar with, and walked over to quietly borrow a small cart.

He laboriously moved the wild boar onto the cart, then, without a word, pushed it towards the county town.

The wheels rumbled on the rough, uneven dirt road, making creaking sounds.

After obtaining the cultivation method, Chu Ning's pace was incredibly fast. In less than two hours, he reached the county town.

Everywhere there were calls of vendors. The streets were lined with many small stalls. Although it appeared prosperous, a closer look revealed that a significant portion of the people wore thin clothing and had an unhealthy sallow complexion.

But none of this concerned Chu Ning. His only thought was to sell the pig, pay off his debts, and then buy medicine to treat Chu Yun's condition.

Dragging such a large black-haired wild boar was naturally eye-catching, but Chu Ning paid it no mind.

This restaurant was elaborately decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, with majestic flying eaves and brackets. The stone lions at the entrance were imposing, exuding an air of luxury.

Chu Ning knew well that this was a place frequented by officials, nobles, and wealthy merchants. Game meat had always been a favorite on their dining tables.

Moreover, his wild boar was robust and well-fed, exuding vigorous qi and blood, even possessing a somewhat astonishing, almost monstrous appearance.

As long as the restaurant owner had good taste, he was sure to get a satisfactory high price.

As expected, after some negotiation, he received a high price of twelve taels.

"Four taels to pay off the Wang family, then buy winter necessities, as well as grain and medicinal herbs, and there will be six taels left."

Chu Ning walked slowly through the city with his head lowered. He had just returned from the Wang family's pawnshop, paid off his debt, and canceled the IOU. But he wouldn't forget the way the Wang family looked at him as if they wanted to devour him.

"Now it's almost time for the autumn tax collection, which will be another expenditure of one tael and five qian..."

As he was lost in thought, an angry shout suddenly reached his ears.

"Stop! Who are you, trying to break into our Thunderclap Martial Hall?"

Chu Ning was startled. He looked up sharply and realized that he had unknowingly walked up to a martial arts hall and was just a few more steps away from stepping inside.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Chu Ning's face. He quickly took a step back, cupped his hands, and apologized with a smile:

"My sincerest apologies. I was momentarily distracted and did not intend to offend."

The person who had shouted was a gatekeeping disciple of the martial hall, dressed in tight-fitting clothes and looking vigilant. Seeing Chu Ning's sincere attitude, his expression softened slightly, but he still pressed on:

"Hmph, this Thunderclap Martial Hall is not a place you can just come and go as you please. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach!"

In this world, once a martial artist successfully cultivates a cultivation method to a certain level, they gain many privileges that ordinary people cannot attain.

Not only could they register with the government and be exempted from heavy taxes, but they also didn't need to kowtow to officials of the seventh rank or below, signifying a significant improvement in their status.

Even more enticingly, they could obtain the qualification to settle in the county town.

This meant Chu Ning could bring his sister out of that remote village, completely bid farewell to the dangerous life of being constantly threatened by wild beasts and monsters, and allow his sister to live a stable life.

He also possessed the Chaos Divine Order. No matter how profound or obscure the cultivation method, as long as he could afford the repayment cost associated with overdrafting, he would definitely be able to successfully master it.

Through three months of hardship and struggle, he had deeply realized that in this real world, lacking strength was like being a lamb to the slaughter, only to be bullied by others, becoming fish meat on a chopping block with no power to resist.

"Enter the martial hall, learn cultivation methods, revive ambitions, avenge blood feud!"

Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat. If he reached a certain level, how could he still worry about the Wang family's retaliation?

And he was precisely looking for a place to learn profound martial arts. This martial hall before him might be an opportunity.

What he could learn in the martial hall was incomparable to the cultivation methods passed down in his own family.

Although his family's "Rough Stone Hardening Technique" could strengthen his physique when practiced, and it was adequate for hunting in the mountains and handling rough work, it was ultimately just a basic external hardening technique.

At best, it only served to strengthen the body; it was impossible for him to reach a certain level and become a martial artist.

Therefore, he took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and said:

"To be honest, I am Chu Ning, and I am devoted to martial arts. I have heard of your martial hall's great reputation, and passing by today, my heart was moved, causing me to lose my composure. I wonder if the martial hall accepts disciples? I am willing to be accepted as a disciple and cultivate diligently."

The gatekeeper sized up Chu Ning, and seeing his worn-out, patched, and thin clothing, his gaze became even more contemptuous.

"Cultivation is for the wealthy, and martial halls are not charity houses. Ten taels for three months, excluding food and lodging. If you wish to cultivate, prepare your silver."

Chu Ning's heart sank upon hearing this. Ten taels of silver for three months was undoubtedly a huge sum for him.

He subconsciously clenched the remaining few taels of silver in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force.

This money was originally intended for his sister's winter clothes, food, and medicinal supplies. If he spent it all on tuition fees for the martial hall, his sister's life would become difficult in the coming days.

He hesitated, and the sallow, thin face of his sister appeared in his mind, as well as their dilapidated home that was full of drafts.

"If I go back and repay the cost of the Rough Stone Hardening Technique, and then get an advance on a archery technique, my hunting speed will be even faster. I can make up the deficit of six taels in at most two months..."

After a moment of thought, Chu Ning slowly raised his head:

"Thank you for telling me. I'll go back and prepare."

With that, he turned and strode away.