Rage

After Zhao Hu left, Li Xiao took a deep breath and assumed the opening stance once more.

This time, he no longer tried to do too much at once, only practicing slowly.

For the first form, Iron Chain Crossing the River, he deliberately slowed down, feeling the coordination between his waist, abdomen, shoulders, and arms. Though still stiff, it was somewhat steadier than before.

Sweat slid down his cheeks, dripping onto the blue stone slabs and spreading into a small wet mark.

Iron Wire Fist Experience Points +1

Iron Wire Fist Experience Points +1

Every punch was accompanied by the muscles'

He gritted his teeth, continuously replaying Zhao Hu's movements in his mind as he tried to correct the way he exerted force.

But his body seemed to have inertia, always slipping back onto the wrong track without him noticing. His shoulders remained rigid, and the force from his waist and abdomen still failed to reach his fists.

When practicing boxing, one practiced Qi and Blood even more.

By the fifth repetition, his arms felt as though they had been filled with lead, too heavy even to raise, while his waist and abdomen ached as if they were about to snap.

"Phew..." Li Xiao braced himself against his knees and panted heavily. His clothes were already soaked through, sticking to his body in a clammy mess.

The seemingly simple twelve forms were actually more exhausting than chasing prey through the mountains for an entire day.

"Again!"

He growled, lowering his stance and setting himself anew.

Iron Wire Fist Experience +1

By the seventh repetition, he could no longer hold on. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.

It felt as though his entire body had been dismantled and put back together. Every inch of muscle screamed with soreness, and even his fingertips trembled faintly.

He gulped down breaths of air, yet he did not feel discouraged. Instead, he felt a thoroughly satisfying exhilaration.

"Junior Brother, it seems you really are putting in the hard work."

At some point, Zhao Hu had come over. Holding a waterskin, he handed it over to him.

"When practicing boxing, you must know when to tighten and when to loosen. Rest when you're tired. Don't force yourself and hurt your body."

Li Xiao took the waterskin and gulped down several mouthfuls. The sweet clear water slid down his throat, easing its dryness somewhat.

He wiped his face and smiled.

"Senior Brother is right. I just wanted to practice a little more and reach Entry Level sooner."

Zhao Hu looked at his soaked clothing, and there was a little more approval in his eyes. "It's good to have that drive, but don't be too eager for quick success.

"Iron Wire Fist tempers one's character.

"Go to the back courtyard and collect your medicinal soup. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, I'll teach you the morning stance."

"Mm!" Li Xiao nodded heavily, struggling to his feet as he headed toward the back courtyard.

"Senior Brother, how long does it usually take the other Senior Brothers in the Martial Arts Hall to reach Entry Level?"

Li Xiao suddenly asked again.

He had gained seven experience points today. Entry Level required one hundred experience points, which meant he could reach it in around half a month.

Zhao Hu was briefly taken aback, then smiled.

"That's hard to say.

"Those with good aptitude who are willing to work hard can reach Entry Level in half a month to a month.

"But if they're lazy and slack off, they might not make it even in half a year."

Li Xiao silently calculated it. He had practiced seven times today and gained seven experience points. If he kept this up, he could reach Entry Level in half a month.

He then nodded and cupped his fists.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for clearing up my doubts."

"Haha, it's nothing. After you collect the medicinal soup, head home early. Once it gets late, the city won't be very safe."

Zhao Hu waved his hand with a smile.

Li Xiao thanked Zhao Hu, then turned and walked toward the back courtyard.

The medicinal soup room was in a corner of the back courtyard. A half-worn medicine stove was bubbling away, brewing herbs, and the medicinal fragrance was so thick it seemed impossible to disperse.

An old woman tending the stove saw him approach and skillfully ladled out a bowl of dark brown medicinal soup for him.

"New here?

"Drink it while it's hot. This medicine promotes blood circulation, disperses bruising, and relieves the fatigue from practicing boxing."

Li Xiao accepted the bowl. The instant his fingertips touched its warm ceramic surface, warmth spread up from his fingers.

He blew on the steam, tipped back his head, and drank the medicinal soup in one go.

The medicine was exceedingly bitter, carrying the astringent taste of grass and wood. Yet not long after it went down his throat, there was faintly a trace of sweetness afterward.

As he was savoring the taste, he suddenly felt a gentle warm current rise within his body.

Wherever it passed, his sore muscles felt as though they had been soaked in warm water. Their tightness gradually eased, and even the stiffness when raising his arms lessened considerably.

"This medicinal soup..." Li Xiao's heart stirred as he lowered his head to look at the empty bowl.

Ordinary blood-circulating herbs could at most slowly ease fatigue. How could they possibly take effect so immediately?

"This medicine was personally formulated by the Master of the Hall. It contains quite a few medicinal ingredients that nourish Qi and Blood, specially used by boxing disciples to condition their bodies."

Seeing his confusion, the old woman smiled and explained, "Practicing boxing consumes Qi and Blood the most. Hard training alone won't do; you need medicinal aid as well. Otherwise, it's easy to wear your body down from training."

Only then did Li Xiao understand. No wonder Zhao Hu had specifically told him to collect the medicinal soup.

How was this ordinary fatigue-relieving medicine? It was clearly medicinal cuisine that could assist cultivation!

It seemed that although the Iron Wire Martial Arts School charged no small fee, it truly did consider its disciples.

Those fifty taels of silver had been well spent.

Li Xiao returned the empty bowl. He felt more than half of the soreness throughout his body fade away, and his arms and legs, which had felt filled with lead, had become much lighter. Even his steps were steadier.

As Li Xiao walked out of the back courtyard, the evening breeze blew over him, making his mind even clearer.

He lowered his head and looked at his palms. The swollen soreness left behind by his boxing practice had nearly vanished, while a faint warmth seeped from his palms instead.

This medicinal soup truly was extraordinary. It could nourish Qi and Blood so quickly. From now on, he would have to make sure to drink this daily bowl of medicinal soup properly.

He slung his bow and arrows over his back and quickened his pace toward the city gates.

The sun was gradually sinking, and there were fewer and fewer pedestrians on the city streets.

Remembering Zhao Hu's words that it would not be safe once it got late, Li Xiao could not help speeding up.

When Li Xiao pushed open the door to his home, the fragrance of rice mixed with the aroma of meat rushed at him, making his stomach, empty all afternoon, rumble at once.

Li Yu was bringing dishes to the table, while Li Youde sat beside it, staring blankly while holding his cane.

"You're back?" Li Yu looked up when she saw him, and a faint smile appeared on her face. But it did not stay there long before worry replaced it.

"Wash your hands and eat. I specially cooked extra fine rice today, and I also reheated the roe deer meat and wild rabbit meat you brought back last time."

Li Xiao set down his bow and arrows and walked over to the table. Sure enough, there was a heaping bowl of white rice, a large plate of glossy stewed roe deer meat, and a small dish of stir-fried wild rabbit, all of it making his appetite surge.

Li Xiao picked up his chopsticks but did not move. His gaze fell on their tightly furrowed brows.

"Eldest Sister... do you have something on your mind?"

Li Youde sighed and set his cane aside.

"Eat. We'll talk while we eat."

Li Yu placed a piece of roe deer meat in Li Xiao's bowl, but her eyes had already reddened. "Little Brother, today... Granny Wang came by."

Li Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and his grip on the chopsticks tightened.

"What did she come for?"

"Chen Hu's marriage proposal," Li Youde said in a low voice, his words carrying suppressed fury.

"That ruffian wants to marry your Eldest Sister. He even said his elder brother is a Martial Master, and that we would have to agree whether we wanted to or not..."

Li Xiao's expression instantly darkened, and the meat in his bowl lost all flavor.

"How dare he!" Li Xiao slammed his palm against the table, making the bowls and chopsticks clatter.

"A ruffian and scoundrel like him dares set his sights on my Eldest Sister!

"So what if his elder brother is a Martial Master?"

"But his elder brother is a Martial Master in the Skin Refining Realm, after all..." Li Youde's voice trembled.

"Dad, don't be afraid." Li Xiao looked at Li Yu. Seeing her lower her head as tears fell onto her lapels, his heart hurt as though needles were piercing it.

"Eldest Sister, don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will lay a single finger on you."