Private Tutoring

On the training grounds, Instructor Xu stood with several young men in their early twenties. One of them yawned lazily, "Master, why did you call us here so early?"

"Need you ask? He's found another apprentice he likes!"

"Aren't we supposed to be checking out the Seventh Young Master's pages today?"

These young men were all guards at Zhao Manor, but they were more intimately connected with Instructor Xu than the other guards.

Although all the guards at Zhao Manor were trained by Instructor Xu and were nominally his disciples, these few had formally paid their respects and addressed Instructor Xu as Master. One of them was even Instructor Xu's nephew.

With Instructor Xu's patronage, they had developed quickly and were now managing various industries within the Zhao Family, keeping them very busy. If not for Instructor Xu's summons today, it wouldn't have been so easy for them to gather.

At this moment, the group was a little curious about the purpose of Instructor Xu's summons.

"One of the youngsters today has excellent talent. If nothing unexpected happens, he'll be your junior apprentice brother from now on."

"Wait a minute." The young man who had yawned earlier reacted, "The Seventh Young Master's page? Is he willing to do guard duty like us?"

It wasn't that he was looking down on himself. No matter how much Instructor Xu could cover for them, the Seventh Young Master's backing was far greater.

If he was doing a good job as a page, he might even be aiming for a steward position. Who would want to be a tough guard, waking up early and staying out late, braving the wind and rain?

"Is becoming my disciple something shameful? Besides, he has to be able to hold onto his position as a page first!" Hearing this, Instructor Xu snorted, "When he gets kicked out by the Seventh Young Master, I'll just plead with Madam for him."

The young men exchanged glances, all feeling that their Master had a point.

Who in the Zhao Family didn't know the Seventh Young Master's temper?

None of his pages ever lasted long.

"Then, Master, what do you want us to do?"

"Firstly, you should get to know him. If he encounters any trouble in the future, help him out if you can."

"Master, you really value this kid." The first young man to speak pouted and muttered.

"Secondly, that youngster has good talent. I estimate he'll pick up martial arts quickly. I'm afraid he might become arrogant..."

"Got it! We're supposed to give him a scare!"

The young men looked at each other, flexing their hands.

"Who told you to lay hands on him! You just use your words, and from the sidelines, make him realize there are always people better than him."

Now, these young men were truly certain that their Master genuinely valued this yet-to-be-initiated junior apprentice brother, fearing they might injure him.

When Zheng Fa and Gao Yuan arrived at the training grounds, they felt uncomfortable under the probing gazes of several people.

They couldn't hear the whispers of these men:

"Which one, which one?"

"The taller, darker one."

"The other one isn't suitable?"

"His aptitude is poorer, and his father is the Second Branch's Steward Gao. He has his own path. This little fellow from a humble background probably wouldn't be interested."

"This future junior apprentice brother doesn't seem particularly special."

Seeing Zheng Fa and Gao Yuan approach, Instructor Xu couldn't help but explain, "Apart from his superior bone structure, his temperament is steady. He's an excellent prospect. Enough talk!"

When Zheng Fa reached the group, he saw Instructor Xu looking at him with a stern face and a frown, as if displeased.

The young men behind him also had serious expressions.

Today was meant to test the two of them, and with this group looking so solemn, they naturally became more nervous.

They didn't even dare to breathe too loudly.

"You two are late!"

Instructor Xu's first words were a reprimand. The two dared not retort and obediently lowered their heads.

"You two are beginners in martial arts, and this is the time for diligent practice. Why are you late?"

"It was me... I overslept and it made us late," Gao Yuan mumbled.

He had been obsessively studying those few diagrams late into the night for the past few days. He had stayed up late, and being at an age where he could sleep soundly, by the time Zheng Fa called him, it was already too late.

"You? Since you slept so well, your Crane Pine Stance must also be excellent, right? Show me!"

Gao Yuan's face contorted in misery, but his body obediently assumed the Crane Pine Stance.

Zheng Fa watched from the side, seeing him stand rooted to the ground, his shoulders rising and falling with his hips.

From Zheng Fa's current beginner's perspective, Gao Yuan was almost at the entry level!

This surprised him greatly. He knew that without the modern seven days, he might not have reached Gao Yuan's current level.

Moreover, Instructor Xu had clearly said that his own bone structure was superior to Gao Yuan's.

Instructor Xu's eyes also showed some surprise. He walked around Gao Yuan twice, frowned for a long time, and then suddenly asked, "Did your father give you private tutoring?"

"...Yes," Gao Yuan mumbled, a little embarrassed.

"Your posture has the same problem as your father's, your left shoulder is an inch higher! He had a shoulder injury, and you're following suit?" Instructor Xu scoffed, "Relax!"

He patted the left shoulder blade of Gao Yuan.

Gao Yuan unconsciously adjusted his posture. His breathing became smoother, and his stance now embodied the essence of the Crane Pine Stance.

"Alright!" Instructor Xu nodded, "Good, you're improving quickly! Just tell your father to give you less medicine in the future. Practicing too much damages your body, and even tonics can't make up for it!"

Zheng Fa understood at once.

He had been wondering why Gao Yuan had to go out for a while every lunchtime and bring back food every day.

Now, it seemed Gao Yuan was secretly practicing martial arts with his father every day.

Logically, like Zheng Fa, he could only practice the Crane Pine Stance for an hour a day and no more.

But judging by Instructor Xu's words, Gao Yuan also drank tonics daily and could practice for a bit longer than himself.

He's richer than me and works harder than me, that's just unfair.

Gao Yuan seemed embarrassed that Zheng Fa had discovered his secret efforts. When he returned to his spot, he lowered his head, not daring to look at Zheng Fa.

"Your turn!"

Instructor Xu said to Zheng Fa with a stern face, though his eyes held a hint of a smile. "Gao Yuan's aptitude isn't as good as yours, and he's almost mastered it. Let me see how you're doing!"

He was indeed satisfied.

On one hand, Gao Yuan's progress was beyond his expectations.

This child not only came from a good family but was also hardworking.

Even though he knew Gao Yuan wouldn't become his disciple, teaching a good student always made him happy.

On the other hand, he felt that having someone like Gao Yuan to compete with would further motivate Zheng Fa.

Someone with worse aptitude is practicing better than you.

Aren't you worried?

Even calling his few personal disciples over today felt a bit excessive.

Gao Yuan alone was enough to make this kid not dare to underestimate the world!

He had already planned how he would discipline Zheng Fa when his performance fell short of Gao Yuan's.

"Hmm?" Instructor Xu looked at Zheng Fa, who had struck the Crane Pine Stance and seemed lost in his own world. He then glanced back at his own disciples, a look of uncertainty on his face.

The disciples' expressions were also somewhat surprised.

They could all tell that Zheng Fa had already grasped the basics of the Crane Pine Stance.

Instructor Xu held up his fingers, counting one by one as he asked Gao Yuan, who stood beside him, "One day, two days, three days. I taught you both the complete Crane Pine Stance, and it only took three days, right?"

Gao Yuan nodded.

"And he's mastered it?" Instructor Xu pointed at Zheng Fa and continued to ask Gao Yuan with some doubt, "Your father is so good, did he give him special tutoring too?"

Gao Yuan: ... I'm an only child!