Learning Martial Arts

Chen Yue paused, then explained, "The Wave-Turning Breathing Technique can barely control my internal organs. I'll swallow the pearl into my stomach, then spit it back out after the inspection. They won't be able to find it."

Father Chen and Mother Chen both froze, looking at each other. Swallow the pearl? If anything went wrong, wouldn't that cost him his life?

"Father, Mother, I'm sure of it." Seeing the worry in his parents' eyes, Chen Yue spoke softly.

The couple looked at their son's resolute expression, then recalled the changes in him these past days. In the end, they nodded.

Mother Chen stayed up through the night sewing a small cloth pouch to wear close to the body. She filled it with some dried provisions and copper coins, repeatedly reminding him, "Don't cause trouble after entering the city. Come back as soon as you've bought the medicine. Your mother will be waiting at home."

Early the next morning, Chen Yue swallowed the medium pearl with water. His throat swelled slightly, and as he circulated the Wave-Turning Breathing Technique, a warm, gentle sensation rose in his abdomen and held the pearl firmly in place. There was little discomfort.

After bidding his parents farewell, he carried an empty fish basket on his back and headed toward Pearl Village's entrance.

"Stop!" The moment he reached the village gate, two Sea Shark Gang members with short sabers at their waists blocked him. "Where are you going?"

Chen Yue lowered his head. "My father's leg injury is serious. I'm going into the city to buy herbal medicine."

A tall, skinny man stepped forward and roughly searched him from collar to trouser cuffs. He even turned the fish basket upside down, finding nothing but a few copper coins.

The skinny man kicked Chen Yue's fish basket. "Don't even think about running. Your parents are still in the village."

Chen Yue nodded without saying much and quickly walked out through the village gate. Only after stepping onto the dirt road leading to the county seat did he let out a breath.

The dirt road from Pearl Village to the county seat was not far, taking roughly an hour. Chen Yue's steps were light, and the body of the Skin Refining Realm allowed him to walk without effort. There was barely any sweat on his brow.

As soon as he neared the county seat's gates, he felt an entirely different kind of bustle from Pearl Village.

Pedestrians streamed endlessly along the road: hawkers carrying loaded poles as they shouted their wares, rich young masters dressed in silk and riding fine horses, and merchants with packs slung over their shoulders, hurrying along.

Vendors on either side of the city gate had spread out fruits, vegetables, needles, thread, and other sundries. Their cries mingled with the sounds of bargaining.

Chen Yue tightened his grip on the empty fish basket behind his back and instinctively pulled his washed-faded coarse cloth jacket closer around himself.

He did not linger, following the flow of people into the city. His gaze swept rapidly over his surroundings as he familiarized himself with the place while keeping an eye out for notice boards.

Official notices would occasionally be posted in Pearl Village as well. He knew that such places often gathered many people—and with them, plenty of useful news.

After walking for about the time it took half an incense stick to burn, he saw a great crowd gathered beneath an old pagoda tree at the street corner ahead. Waves of discussion rose and fell.

Chen Yue slowed down and edged closer, standing on tiptoe to peer inside. A yellowed notice had been pasted to the wall, densely covered in inked writing. Unfortunately, he knew few characters and could only vaguely make out words such as recruitment and Iron Mountain Hall.

"Have you heard? Fierce bandits have appeared on Black Wind Ridge west of the city lately. They've been stopping merchants on the road and robbing them. They've already hit several groups," said a burly man with a face full of beard, lowering his voice with a trace of apprehension.

A scholar in a long robe beside him sighed. "Exactly. Those bandits are vicious. Even after taking people's belongings, they still injure them. The great families in the city are panicking now, all hiring guards to watch their homes and estates. The pay isn't low, either."

"What a pity. We don't have that kind of skill. Otherwise, becoming a guard could at least earn some silver to support the family."

Another man who looked like a peddler chimed in, "Speaking of skill, Iron Mountain Hall's master, Zhou Jingfeng, is the real deal. They say his body-hardening kung fu is so formidable that a dozen ordinary men can't even get close to him. The Su Family hired him away for a high price, and Iron Mountain Hall has been shut these past few days."

"Iron Mountain Hall is closed? What about Nantong Martial Hall? I was thinking of sending my boy there to learn a few moves for self-defense."

"Nantong Martial Hall is still open, but the fees aren't cheap..."

The chatter went on without end. Chen Yue silently committed it to memory. The bandits had nothing to do with him for now, but the news that Iron Mountain Hall was closed while Nantong Martial Hall was still accepting disciples sent ripples through his heart.

Once the crowd gradually dispersed, Chen Yue turned into a quiet alley beside the street. No one came or went in its depths; only the weeds at the wall's base swayed in the wind.

He looked around, and after confirming that no one was nearby, circulated the Wave-Turning Breathing Technique and gently pressed his abdomen. A warm, gentle current stirred, and the medium pearl slowly slid up his throat and dropped into his already outstretched palm.

Using the stream water by the alley entrance, Chen Yue carefully wiped the pearl clean. Its lustrous white gleam emerged once more, warm and smooth to the touch.

After putting away the pearl, Chen Yue left the alley and walked to a shop familiar to the original owner's memories. The shop was not large. A plaque reading Gathering Treasure Pavilion hung outside, while several counters stood within.

"Customer, what do you need?" The shopkeeper asked with a smile upon seeing Chen Yue.

"I'm selling a pearl." Chen Yue held out the pearl in his palm.

The shopkeeper took it and examined it carefully against the light. "Its quality is decent—lustrous white and round—but it's a little small."

He paused and lowered his voice. "How about this? Three taels of silver. I can't offer more."

Chen Yue had long expected this. In the original owner's memories, a medium pearl like this could sell for at least four taels of silver.

He shook his head and took back the pearl. "Your price is too low. This pearl has a fine texture and is perfect for jewelry. In Pearl Village outside the city, pearls like this can fetch four and a half taels."

The shopkeeper frowned, inspecting the pearl again. Knowing Chen Yue was no amateur, he relented. "Four taels, no more. Pearl prices have fallen lately, and we aren't making much either."

Chen Yue still shook his head, his tone firm. "At least four taels and eight mace. Otherwise, I'll ask elsewhere. Yours isn't the only shop in the city that buys pearls."

The two deadlocked for a moment before the shopkeeper finally yielded. "Fine, fine. You seem like an honest fellow. Four taels and six mace of silver. Any more than that, and you can find another buyer."

Chen Yue nodded. Four taels and six mace of silver was more than he had expected—enough to buy good herbal medicine for Father Chen, and the remaining money should also be enough to scrape together the martial hall's tuition.

The shopkeeper fetched the silver, wrapped it in cloth, and handed it to Chen Yue. Chen Yue carefully put it away, hiding it close against his chest, then asked, "Shopkeeper, may I ask you something? Where in the city can one learn martial arts? I want to find a martial hall and take a master."

Hearing this, the shopkeeper smiled. "You want to learn martial arts, young man? There were originally two martial halls in the city, but Iron Mountain Hall's master was hired away, and it has been closed these past few days. Only Nantong Martial Hall is still accepting disciples."

He pointed toward the east of the city. "Follow this street straight to the end, then turn left. You'll see Nantong Martial Hall's signboard. It's very conspicuous."

"Thank you, Shopkeeper." Chen Yue quickly cupped his hands in thanks, then turned and left Gathering Treasure Pavilion, striding off in the direction indicated by the shopkeeper.

Before long, Chen Yue saw Nantong Martial Hall's signboard—gold lettering against a black background, strikingly eye-catching. The martial hall's doors stood open, and from within came orderly bursts of punching and shouting, resonant and powerful.