Those hidden ailments in his body would probably slowly heal along with it.
At the thought, Jiang Shu's mind drifted.
Jiang Yongyi also closed his eyes in bliss and murmured, "That feels great. Once you become a martial artist, Xiao Shu, your dad's done driving for Didi. I'll go fishing every day and make those guys green with envy!"
"If your mom ever gets tired of running the shop, I'll take her on a trip around the country. We haven't really gone anywhere together since we got married. I'll secretly book the tickets first and surprise her. Ever since she opened the shop, your mom hasn't had a single day off—not even during the New Year. Once you and Xiao Yue have both made something of yourselves, it'll be time for the two of us to take a break."
"But that's still a long way off. Take your time, Xiao Shu. Your mom and I are still young. We can work for a few more years yet. We'll save up some more money and get you a bigger place someday."
"At the very least, we need to save enough for a down payment."
After dinner.
He sat and chatted with his parents and sister for a while. Once everything had been tidied up, he returned to his room, locked the door, and chose to cross over.
Coiling Snake Alley.
The Green Snake Gang's search was still underway. Three to five gang members had gathered at every alley entrance under Poison Fang Hall's jurisdiction, watching every passing pauper and refugee closely.
Anyone with short hair was immediately seized and questioned.
Wearing a wig to pass himself off, Jiang Shu walked straight toward the Inner City without so much as a change in expression.
Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School.
The atmosphere today felt different from usual.
The apprentices in the courtyard had lined both sides, leaving the space in the middle clear.
They huddled together, whispering among themselves.
"Brother Luo, what's going on?"
Jiang Shu walked up to a dark-complexioned young man and asked in a low voice.
He had been practicing martial arts at Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School for nearly a month. Naturally, he hadn't spent all his time with his head down, training.
Luo Yongcheng was the first friend he had made there.
He was twenty-two and had started martial arts late. Though he trained with extraordinary diligence and had practiced for over a year without slacking off, he had only reached minor mastery in Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance and Qi and Blood Transportation.
"Junior Brother Jiang." Seeing him, Luo Yongcheng shifted aside to make room and replied in a low voice, "Right, you haven't been at the school long, so you probably don't know. On the first day of every month, the apprentices at our school draw lots, and Elder Qiu has us fight a match."
"Those senior brothers who've achieved Full Body Vital Energy Circulation are all rewarded with Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine. If a match catches Elder Qiu's eye, they can even become formal disciples on the spot."
"As for those at the Qi and Blood Transportation stage, they can also earn Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine if they win their matches."
"Don't underestimate Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine. What we take every day is only the lowest grade, and it has to be mixed into meat broth. You know I studied medicine for over ten years before taking up martial arts. I can tell that several of the ingredients in the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine are banned in the county."
"With the secret medicine nourishing them, one's qi and blood grow rapidly. It's the fastest way to become a martial artist..."
Luo Yongcheng's voice grew softer and softer.
By then, Elder Qiu had risen and entered the courtyard.
Two senior brothers who had achieved Full Body Vital Energy Circulation stepped onto the platform and clasped their fists.
Tiger Form Three Styles.
Pounce!
Rake!
Scissor!
Their fists and feet cut through the air like wind, dust flying everywhere.
Luo Yongcheng watched the two pairs of figures on the platform, his fists clenched, his eyes full of envy!
"So close! I was just a little short!"
The sparring was brief; half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
Not one of the senior brothers with Full Body Vital Energy Circulation became a formal disciple. Each of them received only a portion of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine.
Luo Yongcheng drew an unlucky lot and faced an apprentice who had achieved Qi and Blood Transportation some time ago. After dozens of exchanges, he lost by a narrow margin.
Watching his opponent cheerfully accept a small bag of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine from a maid, he looked full of frustration and unwillingness.
"Brother Luo, wins and losses are part and parcel of a martial artist's life."
Jiang Shu stepped forward and comforted him in a low voice. Though he had already achieved Qi and Blood Transportation, his foundation came from Horse Stance. He had only reached the entry level in Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance and the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method, and his Tiger Form Three Styles—so important in sparring—hadn't even reached minor mastery.
He naturally wouldn't force his way onto the platform.
That would only be going through the motions. He'd gain nothing and might even draw unwanted attention.
Luo Yongcheng's clenched fist tightened, then loosened. He sighed. "I know. It's just... Junior Brother Jiang, you know my family's situation. If I can't reach Full Body Vital Energy Circulation soon, earn Elder Qiu's favor, and become a formal disciple of the school... my family's medicine shop might..."
"I know Elder Qiu is very strict about taking disciples. The last one he accepted had already achieved Full Body Vital Energy Circulation at twenty. But... this is my only path. In all Pingling County, Elder Qiu is the only one who truly runs a martial arts school through martial arts. The other schools all have powerful families backing them..."
"I'm already twenty-two... I can't afford to wait any longer..."
Jiang Shu fell silent. He had only learned later that, among Pingling County's fifteen martial arts schools, Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School alone had no powerful family backing it. That was why it was tucked away in a remote area, and why it had twenty to thirty percent fewer apprentices coming to seek instruction each month than the other schools.
"Jiang Shu... if... forget it, let's talk about it later. Elder Qiu's going to give pointers on stance and breathing..."
Seeing the other apprentices begin their stances and breathing exercises as they received Elder Qiu's guidance, Luo Yongcheng returned to his place and composed himself.
Ultimately, he had lost because his foundation in Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance and the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method wasn't firm enough. His qi and blood lacked depth, and he couldn't sustain his bursts of power.
After dozens of exchanges, his strength had begun to fade. One strike landed, sending him stumbling back several steps.
If only he had steadier footing in Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance and could sustain the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method a little longer... the outcome might have been different!
Watching Luo Yongcheng's back, Jiang Shu lowered his gaze, crouching like a tiger and breathing like one.
Elder Qiu moved at an unhurried pace. He passed over the apprentices with Full Body Vital Energy Circulation and headed toward those at the Qi and Blood Transportation stage. Before long, he arrived in front of Luo Yongcheng and spoke leisurely. "The best age for a martial artist to begin training is fifteen or sixteen. In the early years, medicinal meals and baths are enough to nourish the body. You started late, and you were born prematurely, with an innate lack of vital essence. Even with medicinal supplements, your future achievements will be limited."
"Elder Qiu..."
"I'm only offering my advice. Whether you continue learning is up to you."
Passing Luo Yongcheng, Elder Qiu strolled over to Little Fatty Zhou Yang, his expression calm. A few breaths later, he looked toward Han Dali beside him and said, "Hmm. Your stance and breathing are both steady. Your progress is good."
"When you started learning martial arts, you said you were naturally strong, with about half again as much strength as an ordinary person?"
"Yes, Elder Qiu."
Han Dali looked up, his face alight with excitement. He hadn't expected Elder Qiu to stop specifically in front of him during today's instruction.
"Your first month of training will be over in a few days, right? If you want to continue next month, pay fifteen taels of silver. But you'll receive an extra serving of Secret Medicine Meat Broth each day. If you reach Qi and Blood Transportation by the middle of next month, I'll reward you with a portion of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine."
"Elder Qiu... Brother Han has already signed with my family's restaurant. He'll be working for my family next month, so he won't be able to train at the school." Before Han Dali could answer, Zhou Yang hurriedly spoke up.
He stopped his stance and breathing exercises, then gave Elder Qiu a sheepish grin, his chubby face bobbing before him.
He had spent half a month working on this and had already signed the contract. Han Dali would surely reach Qi and Blood Transportation next month, making him more than suitable as a guard.
After eating so much meat from his family, it was time for him to pay them back.
"Oh."
Elder Qiu replied coolly and walked toward the next apprentice, leaving Han Dali looking dazed.
Last month, his parents had handed over the savings they'd spent years scraping together to send him to Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School to learn martial arts.
With Elder Qiu's guidance every few days, as well as the meat and fine rice from Zhou Family Restaurant, his progress had been remarkably fast. He had once thought it would take half a year to reach Qi and Blood Transportation; now, it seemed he needed only a little over a month.
He had always felt lucky. Even when he signed the contract with Zhou Family Restaurant a few days ago, he still believed that Zhou Yang, who was training at the same school and had treated him so well, would never hurt him.
His parents were happy, and his future seemed secure.
For someone from a family that was already struggling financially, it really was the best possible outcome.
But now, after hearing the admiration in Elder Qiu's words and seeing Zhou Yang refuse on his behalf,
he suddenly had a vague feeling that he might have made a mistake.
"Hm..."
Elder Qiu suddenly stopped. His voice was soft, but it carried clearly into Jiang Shu's ears.
Jiang Shu's body tensed at once, every hair standing on end, as if a ferocious tiger had fixed its gaze on him.
Sunlight passed through Elder Qiu's figure, and a slender shadow fell before Jiang Shu.
"A new apprentice from last month?"
"Yes."
Forcing himself to hold Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance steady, Jiang Shu raised his head and met his gaze.
"Not bad. A martial artist needs great ambition and great perseverance. If you don't even dare meet my eyes, you'll never amount to anything in your life. The same goes for you: if you want to keep training next month, pay fifteen taels of silver. Two bowls of Secret Medicine Meat Broth every day. If you reach Qi and Blood Transportation by the middle of the month, I'll reward you with a portion of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine."
"Thank you, Elder Qiu."
Elder Qiu's footsteps gradually faded away.
Before you continue