Fist Manor

Once Lin Yin and his mother had settled the household affairs, Third Uncle Lin De prepared to take his leave.

"Third Uncle, Lin Yin has a question to ask."

"No need to be formal, just speak your mind."

Lin De, who had just bid farewell to Madam Wang, cast a surprised glance at Lin Yin.

If anyone knew this nephew's temperament best, aside from Madam Wang, it was him.

Lin Yin had been withdrawn before, but now he had suddenly grown steady. Lin De didn't know what had happened to his nephew recently, but compared to the timid youth of before, he was more than happy to see this change.

The old Lin Yin had always been respectful toward him but rarely spoke. Now, Lin Yin carried himself with ease and grace, that effeminate air vanishing without a trace, replaced by the spirited bearing of a young man.

He noted this change and simply felt that Lin Yin had matured after his severe illness.

"Third Uncle, what kind of place is this Fist Manor? Why does it belong to the Lingyun Martial Arts School?"

Lin Yin voiced the question on his mind.

"Fist Manor?"

Lin De suddenly recalled Madam Wang mentioning Lin Yin's intention to learn martial arts, and a peculiar expression crossed his face.

"Nephew, you're not really planning to learn martial arts, are you?"

"Third Uncle, that is indeed my intention."

Lin Yin replied calmly.

No matter what, joining the martial arts school was a certainty. Since he couldn't hide it, he might as well lay it all out.

That way, when he entered the school later, it wouldn't seem so abrupt.

Looking at the resolute Lin Yin before him, Lin De hesitated, opened his mouth as if to speak, then thought better of it and said nothing dissuasive.

"What is a Fist Manor? Naturally, it's a place for boxing."

"Boxing?"

"Martial arts practice is one thing, boxing is another. Whether it's cultivating Basic Stance Practice or offensive techniques, both are indispensable elements of martial training.

A Fist Manor is a specialized venue opened by the martial arts school for its disciples to verify their progress on the martial path!"

"Verify progress on the martial path? A place to test fist and foot techniques?"

Lin Yin asked curiously.

"You could say that, but not entirely. The martial path cannot be pursued in isolation. Corresponding combat skills need to be honed through actual practice, and the Fist Manor is exactly that kind of place."

"So it's essentially a place for the school's apprentices to spar with each other."

Lin Yin mused thoughtfully.

"Exactly. This is the Fist Manor of the Lingyun Martial Arts School.

The Lingyun Martial Arts School has had its share of twists and turns. Other schools keep their Fist Manors and similar Training Grounds within their own premises.

Only this one found a separate location. The ins and outs of it are not well understood by ordinary people, but there must be difficulties involved."

At this point, Lin De instinctively looked at Lin Yin: "If you truly want to join the martial arts school, perhaps you could try the Lingyun Fist Manor."

His voice was hesitant, as if he too was uncertain.

"This Fist Manor takes in apprentices?"

Lin Yin's eyes lit up.

The reason he hadn't acted on joining the martial arts school yet was that it wasn't a simple matter.

He had previously planned to wait until he reached Minor Accomplishment in the Vajra Stake Technique, using that as a key to open the school's door. Now, hearing his Third Uncle's words, it seemed there might be another path.

"Nephew, you must know your own aptitude... To join the martial arts school normally, given your current condition, it's nearly impossible, isn't it?"

Saying this, Lin De deliberately glanced at Lin Yin's expression. Seeing him unfazed, he continued.

"This Lingyun Fist Manor has been recruiting people lately. Perhaps you could take this opportunity..."

Here, Lin De's voice grew heavy, as if this matter wasn't as good as it sounded.

"Third Uncle, speak plainly."

Lin Yin said directly.

"It's just that the apprentices recruited by this Fist Manor don't directly enter the Lingyun Martial Arts School. They're more like... consumables."

"Consumables?"

Lin Yin's brow furrowed deeply.

"They call it recruiting apprentices, but in truth, they're recruiting Living Stakes!"

Lin De's face showed a hint of tension. He looked at Lin Yin's slender frame and felt the odds were slim.

"So-called Living Stakes are essentially targets for the new school apprentices to practice their boxing on. Fixed stakes are practical enough, but nothing beats the flexibility of a live person."

Seeing the grave expression on Lin Yin's face, Lin De looked embarrassed: "I didn't think this through properly on my part. Perhaps there are other ways."

"No, Third Uncle, I think this might actually be a viable method."

"Mm... mm?"

Third Uncle Lin De's eyes flew wide as he stared incredulously at the youth before him. He even wondered if he'd misheard.

"Third Uncle, I want to ask—if I join the martial arts school as a Living Stake, could I obtain the school's resources, or even its martial arts teachings?"

"That goes without saying... I hear there's a decent set of techniques within this Fist Manor. Besides that, I've often heard of Living Stakes who, relying on the Inner Strength Technique provided by Fist Manor, step into the Bright Realm and are accepted as formal disciples."

Lin De stared blankly at Lin Yin, his voice hesitant.

"Nephew, being a Living Stake is no simple matter. I often hear of people in Fist Manor plagued by hidden injuries. You need to think this through carefully."

At this, Lin De felt a pang of secret regret. He thought he shouldn't have brought this up to Lin Yin at all.

Just looking at Lin Yin's frame, as if a single gust of wind could knock him over, he couldn't imagine how long he'd last as a Living Stake if he really entered Fist Manor.

He feared that instead of joining the martial arts school, the boy would end up crippling himself.

With that thought, Lin De's mind jolted. He changed his tone, wanting to persuade Lin Yin to give up, but before he could speak, Lin Yin cut him off.

"Third Uncle... how much longer do you think Langshi Town has of peace?"

Lin Yin looked calmly at the middle-aged man before him.

"..."

Lin De opened his mouth, wanting to convince Lin Yin not to borrow trouble, but thinking of what he'd heard from old friends lately, and recalling his own father's urgent wish to leave Langshi Town, he paused for a long moment and ultimately couldn't say a word.

"For an orphan and a widow like us, if we don't have a place to shelter, do you think we can survive the coming turmoil?"

"..."

Looking at his nephew's inscrutable expression, Lin De completely suppressed his urge to dissuade him.

A thousand words condensed into a single long sigh.

"Lin Yin... it seems you've truly grown up."

"Thank you, Third Uncle!"

Lin Yin said solemnly. He knew Lin De had agreed to his request. He'd guessed that Third Uncle Lin De had some connections in this area, and it turned out he was right.

"This matter, I can only do my best. Whether you can enter Fist Manor still depends on yourself."

After a moment's thought, Lin De didn't make any absolute promises.

"Third Uncle need only do his best. If this nephew successfully enters Fist Manor, I will be forever grateful."

"Good... about three days. In these three days, you'd better prepare well. Mm... eat as much as you can... you're too skinny!"

Third Uncle Lin De's face broke into a smile again. He gently patted his nephew's shoulder, then cupped his hands toward Madam Wang, who had remained silent throughout, and strode away.

Getting Lin Yin into Fist Manor wasn't a simple task either—he had things to prepare as well.