Martial Artist's Duty, Moving to a New Home

After guiding Lu Qi through the mistakes in his fist techniques for a while, Lu Lin let him continue practicing alone.

As for himself, he walked far away and began practicing the Mad Ox Strength Fist.

There was no other way; after simplification, it required practicing the fist techniques while imitating cow sounds, which was too embarrassing. Lu Lin didn't want Lu Qi to know about this.

Perhaps it was because the Mad Ox Strength Fist was a foundational martial art, but even though Lu Lin practiced it in the most normal way, the proficiency increased slowly, little by little. It wasn't like the Sky Breaking Thirteen Slashes and Thousand Layered Breathing Technique, where proficiency could increase significantly with Lu Lin's understanding.

After practicing for a while, Lu Lin saw Lu Qi sitting down to rest again and immediately became angry.

He walked over, his face grim, and said, "Get up!"

Although Lu Qi was extremely reluctant, under Lu Lin's stern gaze, he grudgingly stood up.

"Lu Qi, do you think your talent is good enough that you can slack off anytime?"

Lu Qi didn't speak, but his eyes conveyed exactly that.

His talent was not only higher than Lu Lin's, but he was also considered a top student in school. Others needed to practice ten times, while he only needed to practice once.

If Lu Lin hadn't suddenly become a Martial Artist, he would have already had a premonition that he would be the first Martial Artist in the family.

"Hmph, put away those little thoughts of yours, Lu Qi. You only have a bit of talent, and you're already so proud. Do you know that truly talented people become Martial Artists before the Martial Arts Examination?"

"Not to mention far away, just in our Dongshan City, such a small satellite city, there are over fifty Martial Artists who emerged this year for the Martial Arts Examination."

"And you, can you guarantee you'll become a Martial Artist before the Martial Arts Examination?"

"Brother, it's different!"

Lu Qi became impatient with the scolding. He shouted loudly, then retreated under Lu Lin's gaze.

"Brother, I'm different from them. They all come from Martial Artist families and have enough money and resources to cultivate. My talent isn't bad; I just lack resources."

"If I had enough resources, I would definitely become a Martial Artist before the Martial Arts Examination!"

"Nonsense!"

Hearing Lu Qi's continued stubbornness, Lu Lin punched him directly in the chest.

Lu Qi couldn't withstand Lu Lin's strength. Although Lu Lin had held back, he was still forced to retreat repeatedly. Unable to stand, he fell to the ground with a plop.

"You think you can become a Martial Artist with resources?"

"If it were that simple, why would Martial Artists be respected throughout Huaguo?"

"Martial Artists are meant to seize resources from the outside, kill Demonic Beasts, explore the world, and continuously become stronger. Someone like you, even if you eventually become a Martial Artist, would be a parasite to the country, a useless waste."

"And what's so great about being a Martial Artist!"

"The four battle sabers I brought back that night were obtained by killing Martial Artists. Lu Qi, Martial Artists are also people; they die too."

"Becoming a Martial Artist means facing more and more complex dangers than now. Your enemies are not only the visible Demonic Beasts but also the invisible ones – people."

"Grow up, grow up as quickly as possible."

"I'm going out of the city to hunt Demonic Beasts in a while. Relying solely on the meager salary from the Martial Arts Hall, how can I support you?"

"If one day, your big brother dies outside the city, you will have to help me take care of Mom and Dad, don't let them be sad, understand?"

Saying this, Lu Lin suddenly felt a sense of weariness. He patted Lu Qi's shoulder and turned, disappearing into the darkness.

Standing under the dim yellow streetlights, Lu Qi was in a daze, lost in thought.

After Lu Lin became a Martial Artist, he and his parents had selectively ignored the dangers of being a Martial Artist. Perhaps his parents had thought about it but ultimately hid it and didn't say anything. But Lu Qi had truly been immersed in Lu Lin's strength, his benefits, the Demonic Beast meat Lu Lin brought back, and the sumptuous meals at night.

He hadn't realized that Martial Artists, while enjoying the respect and admiration of society, faced terrifying Demonic Beasts and could die in the wilderness at any moment, leaving no trace behind.

Looking at the darkness in the distance, Lu Qi suddenly felt a stifling sensation in his chest that he couldn't release.

He wished Lu Lin could just stay a stable sparring partner forever, never encountering danger.

But he knew it was impossible.

Once Dongshan City encountered danger or had an emergency mission, all Martial Artists within the city would be mobilized, and if necessary, even some disabled Martial Artists and Advanced Martial Disciples would be conscripted.

This was the duty of a Martial Artist.

Martial Artists who dared not fight would be dealt with by military law before even encountering a Demonic Beast.

"Ah—"

Lu Qi let out a yell, wanting to vent.

He struck a pose for the Mad Ox Strength Fist and began practicing it repeatedly.

In his extreme anger, he forgot everything, with only the fist techniques in his heart.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly felt his body become much lighter.

Mad Ox Strength Fist, advanced to the first level!

Seeing Lu Qi's breakthrough, Lu Lin nodded secretly in the darkness.

In the future, he would definitely have to enter the wilderness, enter larger cities, fight Demonic Beasts, and contend with other Martial Artists. If there was no one at home to protect them, he wouldn't feel at ease even when he was away.

Lu Qi, I hope you can grow up quickly.

The next morning, Lu Lin's family hired a moving truck to help them relocate.

There was no need for a moving company; both Lu Lin and Lu Qi were incredibly strong, and Lu Ping's strength was on par with an Advanced Martial Disciple. With the three men helping, the move was incredibly fast.

"Hey, Lu Ping, what are you guys doing? Moving out?"

"Xiao Chen, why are you suddenly moving when you're living so comfortably here?"

"Lu Lin's mom, did you find a better place?"

Having lived in the neighborhood for decades, their neighbors were all familiar faces. Seeing Lu Lin's family bustling about carrying their belongings, they couldn't help but curiously inquire.

At this point, Chen Xiaoyan, who wasn't responsible for the heavy lifting, officially began her performance.

"Sister Li, hello, hello! Yes, we're moving."

"Yes, yes, it's all because of this boy Lu Lin. He usually keeps quiet, but who knew he'd become a contracted Martial Artist at Liu's Martial Arts School! They insisted on giving Lu Lin an apartment, even though they're already nurturing him. How could we possibly refuse?"

"What? Oh, you're asking which neighborhood?"

"It's not some fancy place, just a large flat in Qingyun Garden. It's a bit over 210 square meters. Well, it's enough to live in. If they had given us a villa, my husband and I would have nothing to do all day but clean it for them."

Among the group of women watching the commotion, Chen Xiaoyan felt a rare sense of pride.

Although her words were humble, the underlying boastfulness could probably be felt even outside the neighborhood.

The surrounding women, though incredibly envious, continued to offer their praises outwardly.

Hearing these words, Chen Xiaoyan felt sweeter and happier than if she had eaten honey.

Even her seemingly foolish second son looked handsome and refined in her eyes.

Fortunately, the large furniture didn't need to be moved; it was just clothes and smaller items. They finished packing in less than half an hour. When Lu Ping came to call Chen Xiaoyan to leave, she complained a bit about how quickly they had finished.

Upon arriving at Qingyun Garden, with its elevators, property management, and gardens, Chen Xiaoyan immediately put her previous displeasure behind her and enthusiastically threw herself into organizing their new home.