Wang Chen Hu Threatens Granny Wang

After practicing the Iron Wire Fist seven times, every muscle in Li Xiao's body ached, and he could not muster the slightest bit of strength.

The others beside him were in an even sorrier state.

Quite a few of them looked at Li Xiao with a hint of admiration.

They had not been disciples for long either, yet none of them possessed Li Xiao's perseverance to practice so many times.

A few had not even fully memorized the twelve forms of the Iron Wire Fist.

That was also a trait of the Panel. So long as something was recorded, it would be branded deep into Li Xiao's mind.

But admiration was admiration; still, few people came over to befriend him.

There was no other reason. Li Xiao had grown somewhat close to Wang Hai.

Zhao Wenfeng held no small status. He was also a second-realm Martial Master, with formidable strength.

Though Wang Hai was the Golden Sand Gang Leader's son, he had studied under a master for so long without even becoming a Martial Master, showing just how meager his talent was. Moreover, his father had already shown weakness.

Although Wang Hai himself was easygoing and loved making friends, getting too close to him and catching Zhao Wenfeng's eye would be far too poor a bargain.

Wang Hai, beside him, had only practiced two or three times before collapsing onto the ground from exhaustion.

Seeing Li Xiao stop, he turned his fat face over and gave Li Xiao a thumbs-up.

"Junior Brother Li, you're truly hardworking. With perseverance like yours, you'll succeed at anything."

Compared to Junior Brother Li, I've been far too indulgent with myself!

Wang Hai sighed inwardly.

Starting tomorrow, I'll abstain from women. I won't go to Yihongyuan for now. Miss Qing'er, forgive me—when you do it yourself, you'll have food and clothing in abundance!

Li Xiao panted heavily and waved his hand. He was nearly too tired even to speak.

Looking at Wang Hai sprawled on the ground, he could not help tugging at the corner of his mouth. This Fat Senior Brother was certainly straightforward—when he was tired, he simply rested.

Seeing him smile, Wang Hai grinned as well.

"What are you laughing at? I just know how to balance work and rest... Hiss, no, my waist's about to break."

He struggled to sit up, tried twice, then flopped back down again.

"You're still the impressive one. Seven times! If it were me, I'd be face-down after two."

Only after resting for quite a while did Li Xiao slowly walk over and sit beside him. The two watched the center of the Martial Arts Training Ground shoulder to shoulder.

Zhao Hu was still guiding several disciples and correcting their movements. Most of the other disciples had finished practicing and were packing up in groups of two or three, preparing to leave.

"Let's go. Time to collect the medicinal soup."

Li Xiao supported Wang Hai by the arm and pulled him to his feet.

Wang Hai staggered, then patted the dust off his backside.

"Let's go, let's go. This medicinal soup is good stuff. I drank a bowl yesterday, and today my whole body feels great."

The two headed toward the rear courtyard. As they passed the other disciples, many of them instinctively moved aside, their expressions complicated—admiration, sympathy, and above all, the distant aloofness of keeping a respectful distance.

Li Xiao saw it all, yet his heart remained still. He had not come here to make friends. As long as he could practice his fist peacefully and steadily, other people's attitudes were of no consequence.

The medicine furnace in the rear courtyard was still bubbling. When the Old Woman tending it saw them enter, she skillfully ladled out two bowls of medicinal soup.

Li Xiao and Wang Hai took the bowls, blew on the steam, then tipped back their heads and drained them in one gulp.

The bitter medicine slid down their throats, and the familiar warmth soon rose in their Dantians, slowly spreading along their Meridians. The soreness from their fist practice truly eased by quite a bit, and even some of their lost strength returned.

"This medicine really works." Wang Hai smacked his lips and handed the empty bowl back to the Old Woman. "Thank you, Granny."

The Old Woman waved her hand and continued adding firewood and tending the flames.

When the two left the rear courtyard, more than half the Martial Arts Training Ground was already empty. Only Zhao Hu and two disciples remained, putting away the equipment.

Zhao Hu looked up when he saw them and nodded.

"Go back and rest. Be here at dawn tomorrow. Don't be late."

"Yes, Senior Brother Zhao."

By the time they left the Martial Arts Hall, the sun had already passed noon. The streets bustled with people, and cries of vendors rose and fell one after another.

Wang Hai patted Li Xiao on the shoulder.

"My home is on the street ahead. Want to come have some tea?"

Li Xiao shook his head.

"No, Senior Brother. I need to hurry home. They're waiting for me there."

"True. Then I won't hold you up."

Wang Hai smiled. "See you tomorrow."

The two parted at the intersection. Li Xiao watched Wang Hai's plump figure disappear into the crowd, and a sense of steadiness suddenly settled in his heart.

Though this Fat Senior Brother had been absurd in the past, he now carried a rare sincerity.

He stopped thinking about it and quickened his pace toward the outskirts of the city.

Host: Li Xiao

Already Recorded: Herbal Compendium Basic Archery Technique (300/1000 Mastery) Iron Wire Fist (14/100 Entry Level)

Special skill: Herbal Mastery

Limit-Breaking Points: None

He was another step closer to Entry Level.

Li Xiao clenched his fists, and his steps became ever more resolute.

Whether it was Zhao Wenfeng or Chen Hu, as long as his fists were hard enough, his confidence would be strong enough.

Although he had spent these past days practicing fist techniques at the Martial Arts Hall, he had never neglected the Basic Archery Technique. He still kept grinding at it every day after returning home.

As he ate meat without interruption each day and his body grew stronger and stronger, the experience he gained from grinding the Basic Archery Technique had risen to thirty a day. Before long, the Basic Archery Technique would reach the Mastery realm.

When he returned home, Li Youde had already prepared the meal. Li Yu had also listened to Li Xiao and was temporarily staying in the Laundry Room instead of returning.

After recuperating, Li Youde's leg injury had improved somewhat. He was gradually able to do without crutches, though he still limped when he walked.

At the table, there was pure white polished rice paired with tender roe deer meat. Li Xiao ate four huge bowls in one go.

Li Youde stared, dumbfounded. Fortunately, Li Xiao was now able to hunt. Otherwise, even when Li Youde's legs had been healthy, he would not have been able to sustain such an appetite.

At Granny Wang's home in the neighboring village, a bright red handprint marked her fat face.

Yet she did not dare show the slightest anger.

Chen Hu, standing before her, was not someone she could afford to offend.

"Granny Wang, you took three taels of silver from me.

"You swore up and down that you would settle this marriage proposal for me. But what happened in the end?"

Chen Hu sat cross-legged on the edge of the kang bed, idly playing with a dagger. Its blade flashed with cold light beneath the dim oil lamp.

He cast Granny Wang a sidelong glance, the impatience in his voice nearly overflowing.

"Who knows what kind of dog-shit luck Li Xiao stumbled into, actually getting into the Iron Wire Martial Arts School?

"I think you've gone senile. You didn't even catch wind of something this important!"

Granny Wang covered her face, her waist bent like a shrimp, her voice trembling beyond shape.

"Chen... Chen, youngster, please calm your anger. This old woman truly didn't know!

"The Li Family is so poor their home rings with emptiness. Where would they get the silver to study under a master?

"Who could have imagined..."

"Enough nonsense!" Chen Hu slammed the table, jolting the empty bowls on it into the air. "Those three taels of silver weren't spent for nothing!

"If you can't get it done, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Granny Wang shuddered and hurriedly nodded like a chicken pecking at rice. "I'll do it! This old woman will get to work right away!

"That Li Family girl is hiding in the Laundry Room in the city. This old woman will find her tomorrow and make her nod obediently!"

"It had better be so." Chen Hu stood and kicked the stool beside him.

"My elder brother is a Martial Master. So what if it's the Iron Wire Martial Arts School? Can they protect them for a lifetime?

"Tell that girl to be sensible and marry over obediently. Otherwise..."

He sneered, spinning the dagger around his fingertips. "I'll make it impossible for the Li Family to remain in these ten villages and eight hamlets!"