A Grateful Bow to Uncle Fu, Hearing the Martial Way in Detail

Watching his younger brother's cheerful figure disappear through the academy gates, Li Bufan turned and headed toward the market.

At the market, Li Bufan bought some fine tea and pastries, wrapped them carefully in oil paper, and carried the gifts toward the residence of Uncle Fu, the head steward of Lin Manor. It was only proper to visit an elder who had offered guidance.

Arriving outside the small courtyard where Uncle Fu lived, Li Bufan straightened his clothes and gently knocked on the door ring.

After a moment, the door creaked open. Uncle Fu, dressed in a simple cotton robe, saw Li Bufan standing outside. He paused briefly, then a flash of admiration crossed his eyes as he stroked his beard and chuckled. "Oh my, which fine young gentleman is this? This old man almost didn't recognize you."

Li Bufan bowed respectfully. "Uncle Fu flatters me. I am Li Bufan, here specially to thank you for your guidance."

"Come in, come in." Uncle Fu smiled and ushered Li Bufan inside, his gaze sweeping over the new guard uniform. He nodded repeatedly. "Good, good! Clothes make the man, as they say. Dressed like this, you certainly look spirited!"

Once inside, Li Bufan presented the gifts. "A small token of my gratitude. I hope you'll accept it."

Uncle Fu didn't refuse, accepting them with a smile. "You know your manners, lad. Sit."

They took their seats as host and guest. Uncle Fu brewed a pot of tea, then studied Li Bufan carefully, his eyes full of praise. "I heard about it—you didn't even need an assessment, became a Second-Class Guard outright, and even hunted several Snow Foxes? Impressive skills! It seems this old man was meddling before; with your ability, passing the assessment would have been a breeze."

Li Bufan quickly humbled himself. "Uncle Fu, how can you say that! If not for your guidance that day, I'd still be in the dark, not knowing how to advance. I'll always remember that kindness."

Hearing this, Uncle Fu's smile grew even warmer, clearly pleased with Li Bufan's attitude. He took a sip of tea, his tone turning more serious. "Now that you're wearing this uniform, there are a few things this old man must say."

"Please, Uncle Fu, enlighten me." Li Bufan straightened his expression.

"Being a guard isn't like before," Uncle Fu said slowly. "Training in the manor is one thing, but outside, you must watch every word and action. Dress properly, never bring shame to Lin Manor. And most importantly, never grow complacent."

He paused, seeing Li Bufan listening intently, and continued. "You need to understand, lad—Second-Class Guard is just the beginning. Above you are the First-Class Guards, the true elite of Lin Manor. Every one of them is a master of the Tendon Tempering Realm!"

"Tendon Tempering Realm?" Li Bufan's heart stirred. This was the next major realm after Muscle Tempering. He pressed on. "Uncle Fu, how is the Tendon Tempering Realm different from Skin Tempering and Muscle Tempering?"

Uncle Fu laughed heartily and waved a hand. "How would I know the details? I'm just an old man; I've long forgotten most of those martial arts matters. But..."

He lowered his voice, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "I've spent most of my life in Lin Manor and seen plenty. I only know one thing—only by reaching the Tendon Tempering Realm can you truly be called a master! It's a major threshold. Cross it, and you enter a whole new world. As for the specifics, you'll understand when you get there."

Li Bufan knew Uncle Fu's words were vague, but they came from genuine concern. He thanked him solemnly. "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Fu. I will train diligently and never slack off."

"Good, it's good that you have that mindset." Uncle Fu nodded with satisfaction. "I hear the Young Miss also thinks highly of you. That's your fortune—make the most of it. When working in the manor, show your skill, but also know your limits. And... be wary of some people."

The last words carried a deep meaning. Li Bufan immediately understood—this was a warning to watch out for those who might resent his "exceptional promotion."

"I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Fu." Li Bufan thanked him again.

After some more casual chat about family and asking after Ping'an's well-being, Li Bufan saw it was getting late and rose to take his leave.

Uncle Fu saw him to the door and added one last piece of advice. "Remember, in this world, no matter where you are, if you want to stand firm, it's ultimately strength that counts. Everything else is empty."

"I'll keep that in mind." Li Bufan bowed deeply, then turned and left.

Leaving Uncle Fu's residence, he changed direction and headed toward the training grounds for new guards. Dressed in a crisp, dark blue-black guard uniform, a steel blade at his waist, and his hair tied up with a blue band, he cut an impressive figure that stood out against the surroundings.

The moment he stepped into the familiar training yard, the sounds of shouting and practice cut off abruptly, as if strangled. Every new guard's gaze involuntarily fixed on him.

Those gazes were a tangled mess.

There was undisguised envy—envy that someone so young had already broken into the Muscle Tempering Realm, and even more envy that he had hunted several Snow Foxes, earning great merit and skipping the assessment to become a coveted Second-Class Guard. That meant higher status, better treatment, and a brighter future.

There was also jealousy that couldn't be hidden—why him? A newcomer who had only been here a month or two, blessed with such luck and skill?

And some showed deep fear and unease—especially those who had secretly schemed against or openly mocked Li Bufan. Their faces paled, their eyes darted away, terrified that Li Bufan, now in power, might come back to settle old scores.

Li Bufan ignored all these stares. The envy or fear of these people meant nothing to him now. His gaze passed over the crowd and landed directly on Coach Qin, who stood like an iron tower.

Coach Qin saw him too. His bell-like eyes widened, and he first bellowed at the stunned new guards like a thunderclap. "What are you brats staring at! Still slacking off? Want to climb the ladder like Li Bufan? Go hunt in the mountains this season! Bring back five Snow Foxes, and I'll recommend you too! You cowards, get back to practice!"

The roar made everyone flinch. They quickly averted their eyes and pretended to train hard, though their peripheral vision still drifted toward him.

Coach Qin then turned, looked Li Bufan up and down, and broke into a teasing grin. He rubbed his chin with a hand as big as a fan. "Well, well! Who's this flashy fellow? It's you, kid! All dressed up, hair slicked back, wearing such a fancy band—what, heading to the county to be some rich family's son-in-law?"

Li Bufan stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said with a serious expression, "Coach jokes. I'm not yet of age, and my martial arts are far from complete. How could I let myself be distracted? Those other matters are the last thing on my mind. I've come today because there's something I don't understand, and I'd like to ask for your guidance."

"Oh? What is it?" Coach Qin dropped his playful tone, seeing Li Bufan's earnest attitude.

"Earlier, I visited Uncle Fu, and he said that only by reaching the Tendon Tempering Realm can one truly be called a 'master.' I'm dull-witted and don't understand—what is the fundamental difference between the Tendon Tempering Realm and the earlier Skin Tempering and Muscle Tempering Realms? I hope you can enlighten me." Li Bufan asked humbly.

Coach Qin's eyes lit up, and he clicked his tongue in surprise. "Not bad, kid! You've only just stepped into the Muscle Tempering Realm, and you're already thinking about Tendon Tempering? Ambitious! Fine, since you're so eager, I'll lay it out for you!"

He cleared his throat, his voice booming loud enough for both Li Bufan and the eavesdropping new guards to hear.

"In martial arts, you advance step by step. The initial Body Nourishment Realm is just about taking care of your body—eating well, drinking well, practicing basic punches to loosen your joints. You'll naturally step into it."

"Then comes Skin Tempering and Muscle Tempering," Coach Qin pointed at the new guards training their strength. "At their core, they're still about tempering blood and qi, making your fists and feet more agile, your strikes more precise, your muscles and bones stronger. At the peak, say Muscle Tempering Perfection, you might have a few hundred to nearly a thousand jin of strength. But you're still in the mortal realm, relying on brute force and thick skin."

He shifted tone, growing serious. "But the Tendon Tempering Realm—that's a whole different story!"

"Tendon Tempering means guiding blood and qi deep into your body to nourish and refine your major tendons! Longer tendons mean greater strength; tougher tendons mean sharper technique! Once you enter this realm, your agility and explosive power will far surpass the Muscle Tempering Realm! Leaping two or three zhang in a single bound is no problem! Your strength will also increase!"

Coach Qin's eyes gleamed, and his voice grew heavier. "More importantly, only by reaching the Tendon Tempering Realm can you gain enough control over your body—hands, feet, waist, and eyes working in perfect harmony—to truly unleash a weapon's killing potential! Otherwise, even with a treasured blade, you'll just swing it wildly, full of openings. The Tendon Tempering Realm is what gives you real capital to fight in this world!"

Li Bufan's mind shook. So that was it! The Tendon Tempering Realm was a qualitative leap, tied to agility, explosive power, and weapon mastery!

Coach Qin seemed to be on a roll and continued. "As for the later Bone Tempering Realm, that's when blood and qi penetrate deep into your bones, marrow, and blood, causing a massive surge in strength! Those at Bone Tempering Perfection can lift a cauldron—carrying five or six thousand jin is no exaggeration! Bones and tendons ring out, and your movements are like thunder!"

"And the final Blood Tempering Realm," Coach Qin's tone eased, "is when your whole body reaches perfection. Blood and qi become like mercury, and your endurance is limitless! At that level, your entire body is one—bones, tendons, skin, flesh, and organs fused into a single whole. They say you could withstand the force of five horses pulling you apart without injury! That's a true master!"

The words opened a new door for Li Bufan, giving him a clearer picture of the martial path ahead. Tendon Tempering, Bone Tempering, Blood Tempering—each realm had its own wonders and power.

"Thank you for the explanation, Coach!" Li Bufan bowed deeply, his heart full of gratitude and aspiration.

"Enough, drop the formalities." Coach Qin waved a hand. "I've told you the principles, but you have to walk the path yourself. Train hard, kid—I've got my eye on you! Now get out of here and back to your spot. Stop hanging around, distracting these brats from their practice!"

Li Bufan smiled, bowed once more, and only then turned to leave under the gaze of those complicated eyes.

After hearing Coach Qin's description of the higher realms, Li Bufan's heart trembled with shock. A surge of unprecedented longing and fervor churned in his chest.

Lifting objects weighing five or six thousand catties! Being torn apart by five horses yet remaining unharmed! This had already surpassed his understanding of "strength," bordering on the legendary realm of the extraordinary! The path of martial arts was truly vast and boundless—the deeper one went, the more one witnessed its earth-shattering might!

He took a deep breath, pressing down that shock and longing, turning them into a firmer driving force. One step at a time. For now, the goal was to fully stabilize the Minor Achievement stage of Muscle Tempering.

He didn't immediately return to the Second-Class Guard's quarters or his home. Instead, he turned and walked back toward the Official Road outside the city. The brand-new guard uniform on his body, though sharp and neat, was different from the loose, worn clothes he was used to. There was a slight constriction at the shoulders, back, waist, and legs.

"When I'm on duty, carrying out tasks, or even fighting someone, I'll have to wear this outfit," Li Bufan realized. "I have to get used to moving and exerting force in this gear. If it comes down to a critical moment, even the slightest hitch could be a fatal flaw."

He reached the same secluded fork on the Official Road. The cold wind still blew, and the surroundings were empty.

Li Bufan slowly drew the Hundred Refinements Steel Saber from his waist. The cold blade gleamed faintly under the winter sun, its weight solid in his hand—far better than the hunting knife he'd used before or Wu Hai's blade.

First, he ran through the Nameless Fist Technique, carefully feeling how the clothes affected his movements, especially the pull of the fabric when he stretched his arms or exerted force from his waist. He kept adjusting the angles and range of his power, gradually adapting to still unleashing his full strength despite this "restriction."

Next, he practiced the Spirit Monkey Three Leaps footwork—leaping, dodging, spinning, shifting—making sure he could move as if on flat ground even in complex terrain.

Finally, he focused on practicing with the saber. He hadn't learned any advanced saber techniques, so he relied on the power-generation methods of the Mighty Ox Fist and the control from the Nameless Fist Technique to perform the most basic moves: chop, hack, slash, sweep. But even these simplest actions, driven by the immense strength of Minor Achievement Muscle Tempering, produced sharp sounds of cutting air. The blade flashed, and the cold aura was biting.

He needed to familiarize himself with this new weapon—its length, weight, center of gravity—until it moved like an extension of his arm. He also had to get used to swinging the saber without the clothes hindering his arm's motion.

Once. Twice. Three times...

Sweat soaked his inner shirt again, but the outer guard uniform remained crisp. Li Bufan's movements, initially a bit stiff, gradually became smooth and natural. He began to adapt to this outfit, even using the slight tightness of the clothes to better feel the transmission and exertion of his muscles.

Only when the setting sun slanted westward again, and he felt he had initially gotten used to the uniform and the new saber, did Li Bufan sheathe the blade and let out a long breath of white air.