Iron Sword Martial Arts School

In the 23rd Year of Great Xuan, the aftershocks of the chaotic age had yet to subside. Coupled with the vastness of the land, bandits still ran rampant through the mountains and forests of the empire's remote regions, while powerful martial artists secretly controlled entire commanderies and counties.

After the Sect Alliance helped the Profound Emperor bring the chaotic age to an end, the Fourteen Prefectures of Great Xuan came under the Shared Rule of Sects and Court.

Half a month later

Beneath the gates of Qingyan Town, some people carried shoulder poles, some pushed handcarts, and merchant caravans hauled goods in horse-drawn carriages.

Some were entering the city for the market, some were leaving it; people streamed back and forth in every shape and state.

"Qinglin, this place is so lively!" An ox cart slowly approached the city gates.

On the cart were Chen Qinglin and Chen Qingshi, who had come to town to learn martial arts, along with Chen Liangyuan, who was worried about the two of them and had rented the ox cart.

"Yeah, yeah, there are so many people here." Though he answered aloud, this was Chen Qinglin's first time entering a city as well. He had seen grander sights in the past, but this was indeed his first time seeing an ancient city gate.

It was rather novel.

"Uncle, should we go see Second Uncle first?"

"Mm, we'll see your Second Uncle first, then head to the martial arts school. If anything happens to you in the future, you'll have somewhere to go."

Ancient clans placed great importance on helping one another, let alone blood-related cousins from the same family.

Beyond the city gates lay a broad avenue paved with bluestone, with two rows of quaint, antique buildings lining either side.

After turning through several alleys toward the south of town, they arrived at a noodle stall run by Chen Qinglin's Second Uncle, Chen Liangpin.

It was not yet mealtime, but there were still two or three customers eating at the stall.

Chen Liangpin set down a bowl of noodles before a customer. When he turned around, he spotted the three of them standing before the stall.

"Elder Brother, what brings you here?"

"Come in and sit. You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll make you a few bowls of noodles."

"Liangpin, don't fuss over us. We ate this morning. I just brought these two little fellows over to familiarize themselves with the place, so they'll have somewhere to come in the future."

"Qingshi and Qinglin are here? It's been so long since I last saw these two little fellows. Ah, they've grown so tall already."

After chatting for a while, Chen Liangpin waited until the customers had finished eating, packed up the stall, and led the three toward the martial arts school.

Before long, they arrived in front of it. Written on the signboard were the words: "Iron Sword Martial Arts School."

A disciple of the martial arts school was standing guard at the entrance.

The four walked up to the door, and Chen Liangpin clasped his hands toward the guarding disciple.

"Brother Xiao, these are my two nephews. They wish to train at your esteemed martial arts school. Please inform someone for us."

"So it's Boss Chen. Wait here."

"Thank you, Brother Xiao."

After hearing this, the martial arts school disciple headed inside, while the others waited at the entrance.

"Second Uncle, you know people from the martial arts school?" Chen Qingshi asked.

"You know your Second Uncle runs a noodle stall. Disciples from the martial arts school come by for noodles now and then. After enough visits, I got to know a few of them."

Before the time it took to drink a cup of tea had passed, that martial arts school disciple came walking toward them with a youth.

"Everyone, please follow me."

As he spoke, the man from the martial arts school gestured for them to follow him inside.

He led them into the interior of the martial arts school and into a courtyard, where they saw a middle-aged man sitting in a stone chair, holding a teacup as he drank.

A pot of tea sat on the stone table, and two disciples stood respectfully behind the man.

These three were Lin Hua, the steward of the Iron Sword Martial Arts School, and its disciples.

Only after they entered did Lin Hua set down his teacup and ask, "You're the ones who wish to train at my Iron Sword Martial Arts School? Where are you from?"

"Reporting to the steward, we are from Linhe Village and wish to learn some skills at the martial arts school."

"Linhe Village? Mm, it is rare to see such ambition. Do you know the rules of the martial arts school?" Lin Hua nodded. He knew of that village.

The group exchanged glances, and Chen Liangpin finally stepped forward to answer.

"We do not. We ask Master Lin to enlighten us."

"Training at the martial arts school costs two taels of silver a month. Food and lodging are not provided; you may arrange them outside on your own.

"Whether you learn anything or not depends entirely on yourselves. Fees will not be refunded."

"Do you understand?"

"We understand, Master Lin." As he spoke, Chen Liangyuan took out four taels of silver and stepped forward to offer them.

"Since you understand, A-Ming, take them out. Come to the martial arts school tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Master."

Only after leading them out of the room did he say to Chen Qingshi and Chen Qinglin, "Junior Brothers, my name is Shi Ming. If anything comes up in the future, you can seek out your Senior Brother."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." ×2

"Lately, quite a few people from nearby villages have come to our Martial Arts School to train. They're much like you."

"Most of them have rented houses near the Martial Arts School, but you two are Old Chen's Nephews, so there's no need for you to worry about renting a place." Shi Ming said to Chen Liangpin with a smile.

As they chatted and laughed, they had already arrived at the entrance to the Martial Arts School.

"Brother Shi, we'll take our leave here." They cupped their fists to Shi Ming.

"Remember to come to the Martial Arts School tomorrow morning. Master Xie doesn't like waiting for people." Shi Ming waved a hand, then turned and went back into the Martial Arts School.

Chen Liangpin led the three of them away, then found them a small house not far from his own and settled on a rent of one hundred and eighty coins per month.

He also took the three around the town to buy bedding and other necessities. Once everything had been properly arranged, he finally brought the two to his home. Meanwhile, while it was still early, Chen Liangyuan bade them farewell and drove the ox cart back to Linhe Village.

Chen Liangpin led the two around an alley and arrived before a house. He opened the door and went inside.

"This is your Second Uncle's home. I originally wanted you two to stay with me, but your father simply refused."

"Second Uncle, we can take care of ourselves. Besides, we're not far away. If anything comes up, we brothers will come find you."

"That's good, then."

Chen Liangpin entered the house. There was no one else inside at the moment, so after inviting the two to sit, he said, "Your Second Aunt isn't home. Your Elder Sister has married, while your Elder Brother is nearly twenty and still hasn't settled down. He spends every day fooling around everywhere. Sigh."

As Chen Liangpin spoke of this, it seemed as though several more wrinkles had appeared on his brow.

"You two know your family's circumstances well enough. Your parents spent so much effort just to send you here to train in martial arts. You must make something of yourselves, so their painstaking efforts won't be in vain."

As if something had occurred to him, he gave the two another earnest round of advice.

The two repeatedly agreed, then hurriedly comforted Chen Liangpin as well, saying many pleasing words.

The night passed. Before morning had arrived, the two came to the Martial Arts School and entered its training yard. Quite a few disciples were already practicing martial arts in the courtyard.

After some more time passed, more and more people gradually arrived.

At a glance, they were all youths in their teens. A small portion wore hemp or coarse cloth, while most wore cloth and leather garments. Only a scant few had finely made outer robes.

Suddenly, Chen Qinglin saw a stern-faced man in his forties walk into the courtyard.

"What's with all this racket? Get over here and line up!"

Once the Martial Arts School disciples had formed two rows, Xie Feng introduced the newcomers to everyone.

He then rattled off a long list of the Martial Arts School's glorious achievements and reprimanded several sleepy disciples.

Only then did he begin teaching the disciples martial arts.

"Watch carefully. This is our Martial Arts School's Iron Wire Fist. This fist art is broad and open, expansive and poised, its force fierce and powerful. It places great emphasis on strength and momentum..."

After Xie Feng demonstrated the form once, he began instructing everyone in the fist art.

"Practice this fist art until you feel your Blood Qi boiling. Calm your mind and sense it, then attempt to control your Blood Qi. Only then can you be considered initiated."

"Once you have entered the fist art, you will have entered the Body Tempering Realm. What must be done in this realm is to nourish Blood Qi, temper the sinews and bones, and polish the fleshly body..."

As Xie Feng spoke, he corrected the disciples' stances and moves. After guiding the new disciples through it several more times, he called over an older disciple of the Martial Arts School to supervise everyone, then left the courtyard.