Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School

Early the next morning, Li Xiao slung his bow and arrows over his back, tucked the silver into his clothes, and headed straight into the city.

After finding a restaurant and finishing his meal, Li Xiao began asking around about the martial arts halls in the city.

Taking a master and learning martial arts was no small matter. Relying solely on the physician's words was not reliable enough; it was always better to gather more information.

There were quite a few martial arts halls in the city, large and small, and the strength of their masters varied as well.

The strongest among them was the martial arts hall the physician had mentioned before, the one that taught the Mad Demon Staff Technique. However, its apprenticeship fee was beyond what Li Xiao could afford.

After considering it carefully, Li Xiao decided to visit the Iron Wire Martial Arts School.

This martial arts school taught a martial art called Iron Wire Fist, said to possess considerable power.

Its master was quite renowned in the areas outside the city.

Most importantly, the master of this martial arts school was especially protective of his disciples.

As long as one was his disciple, one would be under his protection. That was the true reason Li Xiao had chosen this martial arts school.

He had never forgotten the grudge between his former self, his Old Dad, and the Lin Family. But the Lin Family had the County Lieutenant behind them, and there was no telling whether they would come after him. Thus, the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School was a good place to go.

He had asked around. This martial arts school charged fifty taels of silver, an amount he could just afford.

After asking for directions all the way there, he arrived at the entrance of the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall. Its two black-lacquered gates stood open, revealing a spacious Martial Arts Training Ground within. More than a dozen men in short, fitted training clothes were practicing their fists.

Shouts rose and fell one after another. Fists slammed into wooden posts with dull thuds, carrying an air of fierce strength.

Seeing someone pause at the entrance to watch, a man dressed in training clothes walked over.

"Brother, what brings you to our martial arts hall?"

"I wish to take a master and learn martial arts."

The burly man looked Li Xiao up and down. Seeing the bow and arrows on his back and his rough hemp clothes, he immediately judged that Li Xiao had a Hunter Background.

In the past, quite a few children from poor families had scrimped and saved to take a master and learn martial arts. Yet, unable to break through and become Martial Masters, they had all left the martial arts hall in dejection.

"Fifty taels of silver. Did you bring the money?"

"I did."

"Good. Come with me. I'll take you to meet Master."

The burly man nodded and turned toward the inside. Li Xiao hurried after him.

The man led Li Xiao through the Martial Arts Training Ground.

More than ten disciples in the field were sparring in pairs. Their fist winds howled, and Internal Force burst forth as their moves exchanged, shaking their sleeves until they snapped in the air.

Li Xiao's heart tightened slightly at the sight. The Iron Wire Fist truly was fierce and powerful.

After circling past the main hall, the two entered the rear courtyard.

There, an Old Man of around fifty reclined sideways in a Grand Master Chair, engrossed in a picture book in his hands.

Upon looking closer, it was actually an Erotic Picture Book. The Old Man was reading with animated delight, not even noticing the two approach.

"Master," the man called with a bow.

The Old Man jolted awake and hurriedly stuffed the picture book into his sleeve. He cleared his throat and put on a stern expression.

"What is it?"

"This brother wishes to take a master and learn martial arts."

Only then did the Old Man raise his eyes to examine Li Xiao. His gaze lingered briefly on the bow and arrows behind Li Xiao's back before he said blandly, "Fifty taels of silver. Have you prepared it all?"

Li Xiao took out his money pouch and respectfully offered it up.

"This disciple is Li Xiao, sincerely seeking instruction."

The Old Man weighed the pouch in his hand, and a faint smile finally appeared on his face. "How old are you this year?"

"Seventeen."

The Old Man nodded.

"A little old, but you've got a decent build. You're from a Hunter Background?"

Li Xiao nodded.

"Come closer. Let me feel your natural aptitude."

The Old Man tucked the money pouch into his clothes.

Li Xiao stepped forward. The Old Man rose to his feet, and his hands swiftly moved across several acupoints on Li Xiao's body.

Wherever the Old Man touched, Li Xiao felt faint threads of heat spread through his body.

After examining him, the Old Man lay back down in the Grand Master Chair.

"Your natural aptitude is average, but if you study diligently and train hard, you may yet become a Martial Master.

These fifty taels of silver will cover half a year at the martial arts hall.

Every day, you can collect a bowl of medicinal soup. After half a year, you'll pay the tuition again.

Of course, if you break through and become a Martial Master within half a year, that will be another matter.

But with your aptitude, I'm afraid that will be difficult."

Li Xiao's expression did not change. Average aptitude did not matter to him. With the Panel, as long as he was willing to grind, none of this would be a problem.

Seeing that Li Xiao showed no discouragement upon hearing "average aptitude," his eyes remaining calm and resolute, the Old Man secretly nodded to himself.

The boy looked young, yet his temperament was far steadier than that of many disciples eager for quick success. He was the sort who could settle down and train.

He sat up straighter and tapped the armrest of the Grand Master Chair with his knuckles, his tone growing solemn.

"Since you've entered my Iron Wire Martial Arts School, there are some things I need to make clear first."

Li Xiao cupped his hands. "Please instruct me, Master."

"What do you think martial arts are?"

The Old Man narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping toward the shouts drifting over from the Martial Arts Training Ground.

"Flowery forms for performing in the streets? Or talking points from the mouths of storytellers in tea houses?"

Li Xiao fell silent for a moment before answering honestly.

"This disciple believes they are for strengthening the body and protecting oneself and others."

"Not entirely right."

The Old Man waved a hand, his tone carrying a trace of cold hardness.

"Strengthening the body? An ordinary farmer can build strength by swinging a hoe.

Protecting oneself and others?

Without skill, you can't even protect yourself. How can you speak of protecting others?"

He paused, speaking each word with force.

"Here, martial arts have only one purpose—killing people."

Li Xiao's heart shook, and he looked up at the Old Man.

"Don't think it sounds unpleasant." The Old Man sneered. "This world is one where the weak are meat and the strong eat.

If your fists are hard, others will fear you.

If you have no ability, anyone can stomp on you.

I teach you Iron Wire Fist. You train your muscles and bones, gather strength, and practice forms—but in the end, it is all so you can defeat others, so that when your life is on the line, you can kill your enemy with a single punch!"

"Master..." The man beside them wanted to persuade him, but the Old Man glared him into silence.

The man helplessly rubbed his forehead. Master was good in every way, except that he talked a little too much, had no dignity for his age, and loved looking at erotic picture books...

"You're from a Hunter Background. You should understand this principle."

The Old Man looked at Li Xiao.

"When hunting, do you draw your bow and fire arrows to make wild beasts obediently listen to you?

No. It is to kill with one arrow. Otherwise, the one falling will be you.

Martial arts are the same. Mercy toward your enemy is cruelty toward yourself."

Yes. This world had never been a place where reason prevailed. Without some ability that could take lives, even living peacefully was difficult.

"This disciple understands," Li Xiao said in a low voice. "Learning martial arts is so that when danger comes, I can stand firm, protect those I wish to protect, and, when necessary, dare to strike with lethal force."

"Mm." Only then did the Old Man reveal some satisfaction. "Good that you understand.

Once you enter, you must follow my rules.

Rise every day at dawn to practice Horse Stance, practice fist forms at noon, spar in the evening, and boil medicinal soup at night to soak your hands.

It'll be bitter, but after half a year, it will give you a few more chances to stay alive."

He pointed at the man beside him.

"This is your Fourth Senior Brother, Zhao Hu.

From now on, learn the basics from him. He will teach you the Entry Level Stance Training of Iron Wire Fist and its first three forms."

Zhao Hu hurriedly stepped forward. "Junior Brother, come with me. I'll first take you to collect your training clothes and medicinal soup."

Li Xiao gave the Old Man a deep bow. "Thank you for your instruction, Master."

As he turned and followed Zhao Hu out, Li Xiao heard the Old Man pick up that picture book again, muttering to himself.

"At my age, looking at some picture books helps me relax. But you can't slack off in training..."

The corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly, but he had already firmly committed the Old Man's words to heart.

Whether it was a killing technique or an art of preserving life, in any case, he wanted to grow stronger.

Strong enough to smash apart all oppression with one punch, strong enough that his family would never suffer the slightest grievance again.