Learning Martial Arts

"Hey, don't think the Lu kid's so tough today. In a few days, if he's not on his knees begging for mercy, that'll be a blessing..."

At those words, a wave of unease washed over Lu Chuan.

He frowned and immediately looked toward the source of the voice.

It was Aunt Wang from the east end of the village, along with another unfamiliar woman. The two were whispering to each other.

Lu Chuan caught up in a few strides and blocked their path:

"Aunt Wang, I just heard you two mention me. 'In a few days, if he's not on his knees...' What does that mean?"

The two women froze, a flicker of embarrassment crossing their faces.

Aunt Wang sighed:

"Chuanzi, it's not that your auntie's cursing you. You did well today, but did you know... that girl Xinghua is already betrothed to a young man from the Liu Family in Liulin Village!"

The other woman couldn't help but chime in, her voice even lower:

"That Liu boy, his name's Liu Biao. He's training at the Martial Arts Hall in town! Word is, his master thinks highly of him. Xinghua's Mother's been bragging to everyone these past few days... You hit Xinghua today and made her family lose face. Once that Liu Biao finds out..."

Aunt Wang patted Lu Chuan's arm, her tone carrying a note of warning:

"Chuanzi, listen to your auntie. These next few days... avoid him if you can. That Martial Arts trainee isn't someone ordinary folks can handle."

With that, the two women hurried past Lu Chuan and left.

Lu Chuan stood there, his expression grim.

The brief satisfaction he'd felt was now shattered by this news.

Martial Arts Hall... Liu Biao...

He'd been in this world for a few days now, and what intrigued him most was the Martial Artist from his memories.

They seemed like a completely different kind of being.

According to legend, true Martial Artists had surging blood and qi, strength enough to lift a tripod, could scale walls and leap across rooftops, and even injure others with their qi alone.

The county constables, the guards of wealthy families, even the elite soldiers in the army—most had some connection to the Martial Way. They were beings ordinary people could hardly hope to match.

He never imagined that today, he'd somehow provoked a potential Martial Artist.

To say he wasn't rattled would be a lie.

He had Eagle Eye and extraordinary reflexes, but his physical condition was far too lacking.

Just like when he dealt with Lu San earlier—he'd had to resort to some less-than-dignified methods.

If he went up against someone truly trained in martial arts, quick reflexes alone probably wouldn't cut it.

Still, he wasn't scared witless by this Liu Biao he'd never even met.

He still had his Bow and Arrow.

If Liu Biao did come looking for him, he'd have the means to fight back.

His Basic Archery, at the minor mastery level, combined with the precision of Eagle Eye, was his greatest source of confidence right now.

But waiting to be attacked was never the best strategy.

"Martial Arts Hall... training in martial arts..." Lu Chuan murmured the words under his breath, his gaze gradually hardening.

His experiences over the past couple of days had taught him a brutal truth: in this world, whoever had the bigger fists made the rules.

He could certainly rely on his past life's memories, save up some capital, and then tinker with soap, paper, Distilled Liquor...

Any one of those could change his family's fate and bring in enormous wealth.

But so what?

If he wasn't strong enough himself, tomorrow some "Zhou Biao" or "Zhao Biao" would come knocking, stripping him of those industries, the formulas, even his life!

An innocent man with a jade is a crime.

Wealth without the power to protect it is nothing but a death warrant.

Most importantly, though, he still had that strange Golden Finger!

Record a weapon, and gain the corresponding martial insights!

With this cheat on his side, even if his talent was poor and his start was late, he could still make something of himself.

With that thought, Lu Chuan's mind settled. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Inside the room, the firelight flickered.

His father and mother were staring at him with expressions that were deeply complicated.

There was relief, shock beyond belief, and a hint of... unfamiliarity.

"Chuanzi..." Lu Danian's voice was hoarse. "When... when did you get so skilled?"

Mother Lu followed up, her eyes still red:

"I was watching through the crack in the door just now, my heart in my throat! That Lu San's fist... how did you dodge it? And then you took him down?"

Neither of them had gone outside, but Mother Lu, unable to stop worrying, had kept her eye pressed to the door crack the whole time.

Originally, seeing that her son was about to be beaten, she was so anxious she nearly rushed out—only for the reversal to come so fast.

Now, looking at the calm, sharp-eyed youth before them, the same thought rose in both their minds:

This... is this still their honest, simple son?

Lu Chuan knew he couldn't hide it, but he also couldn't explain the Eagle Eye, so he had to hedge:

"Dad, Mom, I used to be timid, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. Lu San looks fierce, but his moves aren't even as fast as a wild boar's, and his openings are plenty..."

Lu Danian stayed silent, not speaking, but something else flickered in his eyes.

Mother Lu wiped the corner of her eye, caught between lingering fear and relief: "As long as you're okay, as long as you're okay... You scared your mother half to death."

Taking advantage of the slightly eased atmosphere, Lu Chuan walked over to the fire pit and sat down, then suddenly spoke:

"Dad, Mom, I want to learn martial arts."

The moment those words left his mouth, the room fell silent.

Lu Danian and Mother Lu both looked up: "Learn... martial arts? Chuanzi, you..."

"I've made up my mind." Lu Chuan's tone was firm.

"What happened today wasn't the first time, and it definitely won't be the last. Grandpa could come to rob us, Lu San's Family could come to cause trouble—if I don't learn martial arts... I can't protect this family."

He paused: "Besides, Xinghua's family has now latched onto a Liu Biao who's training at a Martial Arts Hall. After today, they won't let this go easily."

At that, both elders' faces went pale.

A Martial Artist? Their family had actually provoked someone who might become a Martial Artist?

"This... what do we do..." Mother Lu's voice trembled, her eyes full of panic.

Lu Danian was a bit calmer, but his brows were still knotted tight.

"Dad, Mom, I don't want to wait until someone comes knocking at our door to regret being useless."

Lu Danian silently lit his pipe, took a few puffs, and finally rasped:

"Learning martial arts... that costs a lot of money. The apprenticeship gift, monthly fees, food and supplies... where does our family have that kind of money?"

"I'll find a way to get the money," Lu Chuan said immediately.

"That Golden Pheasant should sell for some silver. I can keep hunting too. Once I'm in the door, there'll always be a chance."

Mother Lu grew anxious: "But... I've heard martial training is grueling, and you get hurt easily. What if..."

"Mom," Lu Chuan cut her off, "is farming and hunting at home any less grueling? Any less dangerous? How did Dad get all those injuries?"

That shut Mother Lu up completely.

Lu Danian looked at the unwavering light in his son's eyes, recalling his clean, decisive movements from earlier, and finally let out a heavy sigh.

"You... have you really thought this through?"

"I have," Lu Chuan said without hesitation.

Lu Danian closed his eyes, then opened them a moment later.

"...That Golden Pheasant—have your mother take it to town tomorrow and sell it for the best price she can. As for the rest... your father will think of something."

Lu Chuan felt a weight lift from his chest.