Martial Dao Divisions

Meanwhile, in the Li Family home, Li Yu was decocting medicine for Old Dad. She had deliberately taken the day off today because her little brother, Li Xiao, had entered the city early that morning.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?"

Just as Li Youde was about to answer the door, Li Yu had already come out of the kitchen and reached it.

When she opened the door, a middle-aged woman in an indigo cloth shirt stood outside, her face piled high with smiles and a small cloth bundle in her hand.

It was Granny Wang, the renowned matchmaker from the neighboring village.

"Oh, it's little Yu."

Granny Wang smiled with narrowed eyes, her gaze making a round over Li Yu's body.

"Is your dad home? This old woman came to pay a visit."

Li Yu found it strange. She normally had no dealings with Granny Wang, so why had she suddenly come calling?

Still, she stepped aside to let her in.

"Please come in, Granny Wang. My dad is inside."

Granny Wang entered the house, set the cloth bundle on the table, and opened it. Inside were several pieces of brown sugar and two feet of floral cloth.

"A little something. For your dad to build up his health, and for you to make yourself a new outfit."

Hearing the commotion from the inner room, Li Youde emerged on his cane.

"Granny Wang, what brings you here today?"

"Didn't I hear that your boy had made something of himself? I came to offer congratulations."

Granny Wang sat down, took a sip of the water Li Yu handed her, then changed the subject.

"But I mainly came today because of little Yu."

Li Yu's heart skipped a beat, and a vague sense of unease rose within her.

"I know little Yu is a good girl—hardworking, capable, and pretty besides.

"And she's reached the age to marry.

"Xiao Hua, who's the same age as her, has already given birth to several big, chubby boys.

"So Chen Hu asked me to come and propose marriage to your family."

"Chen Hu?" Li Youde frowned.

Chen Hu was a thug and scoundrel from the neighboring village. His reputation was even worse than Li Xiao's former self.

"Of course."

As if she had not seen Li Youde's expression, Granny Wang continued on her own.

"Chen Hu's family has a great estate and a solid fortune.

"His elder brother is a Headman in a city gang and a Martial Master. I heard he was even taken in as the Vice Gang Leader's adopted son, with a Boundless Future ahead of him.

"With an elder brother like that, who in these parts won't give Chen Hu some face in the future?"

Granny Wang slapped her thigh, her saliva flying as she spoke.

"If little Yu marries over, she'll live in comfort!

"Chen Hu said he'll give fifteen taels as the Bridal Gift, plus two mu of good farmland. I guarantee you father and daughter will never have to worry about food or clothes for the rest of your lives."

Li Youde's face turned livid, and his cane thudded against the floor.

"Granny Wang, don't spout nonsense!

"What kind of thing is Chen Hu? Who within ten villages and eight hamlets doesn't know?

"Fighting, brawling, molesting women—there's no evil he hasn't committed!

"Even if my little Yu never marries for the rest of her life, she must never enter that man's home!"

"Old Li, you're burrowing into a bull's horn!"

Granny Wang's face darkened, and her tone turned threatening.

"Chen Hu's elder brother is now a favorite at the Vice Gang Leader's side. Let alone taking a wife—if he wants your shabby little courtyard, it's just a word from him!

"Are you really going to offend him over this stubborn temper of yours?"

Li Yu clenched her fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms. Her voice trembled, yet it was exceptionally resolute.

"Granny Wang, thank you for making the trip, but I won't agree to this marriage.

"My little brother will be back soon. He won't agree either."

"Your little brother?" Granny Wang gave a scornful laugh.

"Just a hunter. What waves can he possibly stir up?

"You'd better think it over carefully.

"Either carry her over, or..."

She paused, her eyes cold and sinister. "Or don't blame him for being rude!"

With that, she snatched up the brown sugar and floral cloth from the table, slammed the door, and left, leaving the entire room suffocatingly oppressive.

Li Youde trembled with rage.

Li Yu hurried forward and patted his back, tears swirling in her eyes.

Li Youde clutched his chest and took a long while to catch his breath. Looking at the tightly shut door, his eyes were filled with helplessness.

His withered hand gripped his cane tightly, yet he barely had the strength left to smash it down.

"A Martial Master..."

He muttered to himself, his voice carrying an indescribable bitterness.

"They have a Martial Master backing them. What do we have to fight them with?"

Li Yu bit her lip, and at last, she could no longer hold back her tears.

"Dad, I'm not afraid. At worst, I'll just..."

"Nonsense!" Li Youde cut her off, his own eyes reddening. "Dad can't let you suffer like that. But... but Dad is useless..."

Meanwhile, at the Martial Arts Training Ground, Zhao Hu held a steady horse stance and slowly pushed out both fists.

The muscles in his arms rose and fell with each movement, as though iron wires were coiled around them, carrying a calm, weighty force.

"Iron Wire Fist emphasizes 'hard and soft complementing each other, using softness to nurture hardness.' At Entry Level, you first train your stance, stabilize your lower body, then practice the fist forms and temper your muscles and bones."

Zhao Hu demonstrated as he explained to Li Xiao beside him.

"Look at this fist form. It seems fierce and forceful, but it actually hides clever techniques for deflecting force.

"When a punch is thrown, it can send force through three layers instead of simply crashing forward with brute strength."

Li Xiao watched intently and copied each move. Fine sweat soon seeped across his forehead.

He could feel that although Iron Wire Fist looked simple, every movement carried its own intricacies. The slightest lapse would distort the form.

Zhao Hu withdrew his fists and wiped away his sweat.

Seeing the eager light in Li Xiao's eyes, he added, "Once you've trained the basic stance firmly and know the fist forms by heart, when you touch the threshold of Minor Accomplishment in Iron Wire Fist, you can enter the first realm of Martial Dao—the Skin Refining Realm."

"The Skin Refining Realm?"

"That's right." Zhao Hu nodded and reached out to pat his arm.

"At this realm, your skin becomes as tough as old cowhide. Ordinary punches and kicks striking your body will feel like scratching an itch.

"At that point, you can call yourself a Martial Master.

"You'd count as one of the skilled fighters in the Outer City.

"Quite a few Headmen in the Outer City are at this level."

Li Xiao's heart stirred, and he could not help thinking of Lin Yue.

"Then... how long does it take to reach Minor Accomplishment?"

"Hard to say." Zhao Hu pondered. "Those with good aptitude who are willing to put in the hard work can touch the threshold in roughly half a year to a year.

"Those with poorer aptitude may not manage it even in three to five years.

"But your foundation is good. You come from a Hunter Background, your muscles and bones are sturdier than most, and you can endure hardship. I think you can become a Martial Master too."

Li Xiao clenched his fists, his gaze growing even more determined. No matter how long it took, he would keep training.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother." He took a deep breath.

"Minor Accomplishment in Iron Wire Fist is the Skin Refining Realm. That's only the beginning."

Seeing Li Xiao listening with rapt attention, Zhao Hu simply said more. "Once you train the fist forms to the point of complete mastery and can freely shift between hardness and softness within your moves, that is Great Accomplishment in Iron Wire Fist. At that time, you can step into the second realm of Martial Dao—the Muscle Refining Realm."

"The Muscle Refining Realm?"

Li Xiao pressed on, his eyes full of thirst for knowledge.

"Mm. Martial Masters of the Muscle Refining Realm possess muscles and bones far more resilient than ordinary people. Their punches carry the wind, and a single kick can break bluestone."

Zhao Hu gestured as he spoke. "At that stage, ordinary blades and swords can hardly harm you. Even when facing more than a dozen strong men wielding weapons, you can handle them calmly.

"Most Hall Masters of the Outer City gangs are at this level."

Li Xiao silently committed it all to memory.

Seeing his thoughtful expression, Zhao Hu continued, "Beyond that lies Perfection in Iron Wire Fist.

"That step is extremely difficult."

"What is different about the Perfection realm?"

"At Perfection, a faintly visible golden iron wire will emerge along the fist and arm. It is the symbol of Qi and Blood and Fist Intent condensing together."

There was a trace of reverence in Zhao Hu's voice.

"At that point, you can enter the third realm of Martial Dao—the Bone Refining Realm.

"Your bones become like iron, your Qi and Blood like a furnace. One punch can split stone and shatter steles.

"In the entire Outer City, only a scant few can reach this step."

Li Xiao's blood surged as he listened.

(The Skin Refining Realm, Muscle Refining Realm, and Bone Refining Realm are the names of the realms. They can also be called First-Turn Martial Master, Second-Turn Martial Master, and Third-Turn Martial Master.)