Origin-Returning Finger

"Ah? You misunderstood." Su Yuan wanted to clear things up.

Jiang Yu's voice had already taken on a sobbing note. "Please let me go, all right? I've never provoked you. Don't carve me..."

Su Yuan: "...Why would I carve you?"

Seeing Su Yuan harassing fellow disciples, the young man and woman hurried forward and shielded Jiang Yu.

"Su Yuan, don't think you can bully your fellow disciples just because you have Tie Niu backing you. Young Master said earlier that we should love one another like family." Qin Ming stood before the two young women.

"I just wanted to know why you all bear such hostility toward me. I've never provoked any of you, have I?" Su Yuan shrugged.

"Don't you know your own nickname? Lecherous Carver. When I first saw that face of yours, I thought it was just a rumor. Who knew it was actually true? There are only names given wrongly, never nicknames called wrongly." Qin Ming snorted coldly.

"Lecherous Carver! The one who specializes in carving female figures for Great Liang's young masters? I heard that he only needs to look at a woman once to carve her naked body—" Zhou Xun'er's face drained of color. She hurriedly wrapped her clothes tighter around herself and hid behind Qin Ming.

"They say Lecherous Carver even presents those statues to certain young masters. If a young master takes a fancy to one, he'll come and seize that woman..." Jiang Yu added weakly.

Hearing this, Su Yuan could no longer stay calm. "This is pure slander! I've never done such a thing!"

Though he could peer through bones and observe physiques, that did not mean he had X-ray vision.

Yet the other three wore faces full of disbelief and all backed away.

Liu Chang watched from the side with great relish. Only at the end did he cough lightly. "All right. Do you truly intend to study Great Jing martial arts under me? I advise you to learn Great Liang techniques instead."

What did this old bastard mean? He actually wanted everyone to go over to Chai Lang's side.

"Compared with Great Jing martial arts, Great Liang martial arts progress faster. Cultivation speed is nearly twice that of Great Jing's. But with such rapid advancement, breaking through bottlenecks becomes sharply more difficult.

"Still, I advise you to learn Great Liang martial arts. In these troubled times, raising your strength as quickly as possible is what matters most. Especially for those from ordinary families—they simply cannot endure until the time they reach a bottleneck." Liu Chang carefully explained the differences between the martial arts of the two nations.

But the few present had clearly already made up their minds. No one moved.

Left with no choice, he pulled out two thin booklets. "By the rules, I'll save myself some effort and teach only one technique: Origin-Returning Finger or Arm-Through Fist. Choose for yourselves."

Having said that, he lay back in his chair and narrowed his eyes to rest.

This old bastard clearly wanted to slack off.

"I'll learn Origin-Returning Finger," Su Yuan said.

"Me too," Jiang Yu said softly.

"Xun'er, which one will you practice?" Qin Ming asked.

"I'll go with Sister Jiang Yu."

"Fine, then Origin-Returning Finger. Look through it first and practice according to the postures in the book. I'll guide you afterward." Liu Chang tossed out one booklet.

Su Yuan snatched it first. "You only prepared one copy of the technique?"

Relying on his exceptional memory, he swiftly memorized its contents.

Seeing Su Yuan monopolizing the booklet, Qin Ming wanted to step forward, but Zhou Xun'er gently tugged him back.

"This technique only goes up to Blood Refining? That's a bit too trashy." Hearing its name, Su Yuan had thought it was some profound martial art.

The Golden Horse-Head Technique in his possession at least recorded cultivation up to Vein Splitting, though it was clearly an incomplete copy.

This Origin-Returning Finger, however, seemed to end there.

The two nations also used different names for their realms:

Great Liang called them Blood Condensing, Savage Strength, and Vein Splitting.

Great Jing called them Blood Refining, External Force, and Internal Force.

Still, this finger technique had quite broad applications. It could strike acupoints, sever veins, and kill; it could also push the palaces and move the blood to save lives.

"Fingers travel through gaps in bone, force flows between the veins; return it to its place, restore it to its origin." After reading it once, Su Yuan tossed the booklet back and went aside to practice on his own.

Su Yuan planted his five fingers on the ground, his body held straight, supporting himself entirely in midair with finger strength.

These finger push-ups were like the stance work in the Golden Horse-Head Technique. While training his fingers, they could also mobilize the blood and qi throughout his body.

Seeing Su Yuan's method of training, the other three all frowned.

Was martial arts practiced like this?

That was far too exhausting. He could not hold out for long, could he?

They came from prominent Inner City families and had been pampered since childhood. Not everyone could endure the hardships of martial arts training.

But the world was in chaos. Practicing martial arts was a path forward, and entering the Martial Academy could also let them attach themselves to Liang People nobles.

Great Liang had invaded, and most of the young masters and ladies who came here were Martial Warriors. They also valued Martial Warriors more highly.

The three gathered together and began studying the technique.

No one knew how much time had passed when Qin Ming rubbed his brow, his eyes beginning to blur as he occasionally looked around.

Every time he looked up, he saw Su Yuan supporting himself on his fingers, utterly motionless. "This guy is really good at putting on a show. Every time we rest, he deliberately stays propped up on the ground."

"Brother Ming, I don't think he's gotten up even once," Zhou Xun'er said softly.

Jiang Yu also stole a glance at him. His sweat had already soaked through the clothes on his back, and his arms trembled faintly, yet he still held himself steady.

"He's merely relying on brute strength to force himself through it. Martial arts training isn't better the longer you practice. If his body cannot bear it, he'll only damage his foundation instead. We have medium-grade bones; in the same amount of time, we progress much faster than he does. Why force ourselves?" Qin Ming shook his head, comforting them.

At this moment, Liu Chang slowly woke up and nodded. "That's right. Martial arts training cannot be rushed, especially Great Jing martial arts, which emphasize advancing step by step. Why does Great Liang call it Blood Condensing, while Great Jing calls it Blood Refining?"

"Great Liang seeks speed, so its blood and qi are loose. Great Jing seeks stability, so its blood and qi are refined. To become a Martial Warrior is to twist one's blood and qi into a single rope. That is the strength of Great Jing martial arts."

The three only half understood, but all nodded.

"How long has this kid been holding on?" Liu Chang yawned. He wanted to walk over and guide Su Yuan, only to see that his posture was exceptionally correct.

"Probably two hours," Jiang Yu said quietly.

Only then did everyone realize that so much time had passed.

"This kid hasn't propped himself to death, has he?" Liu Chang was just about to pull Su Yuan up.

Su Yuan suddenly sprang to life, straightened his arms, and shook out his numb fingers.

[Origin-Returning Finger: 99/100 (Beginner)]

[Origin-Returning Finger: 1/500 (Minor Accomplishment)]

"Master Liu, I'm fine. I was merely absorbed in my practice. I've carved wood since childhood, so my fingers are used to this kind of training. That's why I chose this technique," Su Yuan explained.

While practicing just now, he had discovered that because the Golden Horse-Head Technique had progressed quickly, the blood and qi in his body were already sufficient. When he turned back to practice Origin-Returning Finger, it was twice the result with half the effort. He had lost himself in the training and filled up the Beginner stage in two hours, though progress became much slower upon entering Minor Accomplishment.

"Practicing two techniques at once isn't hard at all. Anyone with hands can do it."

But this martial art truly only went up to Blood Refining.

If he filled Minor Accomplishment and advanced to Major Accomplishment, he could become a Martial Warrior. If he filled it to Perfection, he would reach the peak of Blood Condensing.

Though its level was not high, that made it perfect for grinding traits.

Su Yuan had already made his plans.

Liu Chang grabbed his fingers and inspected them closely. "Your finger bones are strong indeed. No wonder you can hold on."

"I actually rested for a while in the middle," Su Yuan added, hurriedly pulling his fingers from those withered hands.

Without fighting, it was actually difficult to determine the depth of a Martial Warrior's realm.

Su Yuan did not want to reveal that he had already practiced martial arts, so he quickly withdrew his hand.

Liu Chang nodded at this. "Good lad. Setting aside all those ugly rumors about you, this dedication to martial arts alone is rare. What a pity you only have low-grade bones."

He turned to Qin Ming. "In three or four months, when spring begins, Great Liang will traditionally hold the Hunting Tournament in celebration. Only Martial Warriors may participate. If you wish to attach yourselves to the Chai Family, you must distinguish yourselves at the tournament. But the prerequisite for all that is becoming Martial Warriors first. If you keep the lazy attitude you had just now, then even with medium-grade bones, you will not become Martial Warriors by then."

The three lowered their heads and accepted the lesson.

"Master Liu, we understand. We will definitely train hard and strive to become Martial Warriors before the tournament."

Liu Chang sat back in his chair. "The four of you will take Su Yuan as your senior brother. Decide the remaining order yourselves. You can learn his dedication to martial arts. As for everything else, there's no need."

Qin Ming was indignant at hearing that Su Yuan would be made senior brother. But seeing that the other could currently hold on for two hours, he certainly could not beat him. Let him swagger for now.

Su Yuan was also stunned. What did he mean, there was no need to learn anything else? "Master Liu, my character is good too. Please don't believe those rumors. Also, with my low-grade bones, can I make it in three or four months?"

Liu Chang shook his head. "Difficult. Almost impossible. Unless you practice Great Liang martial arts and obtain new medicines bestowed by a young master, perhaps you might still have the slightest chance.

Over the next dozen or so days, Su Yuan traveled back and forth between the Martial Academy and home, two points and one line.

At home, he practiced the Golden Horse-Head Technique and made Building Blocks, grinding his skills. At the Martial Academy, he painstakingly cultivated Origin-Returning Finger.

"In a few more days, I'll become a Martial Warrior. Though I can't compare to Tie Niu, I've only trained for a little over a month. Why would I need three months? What a pity I can't reveal it for now."

[Golden Horse-Head Technique: 446/500 (First Layer)]

[Origin-Returning Finger: 201/500 (Minor Accomplishment)]

[Flying Horse Leg: 12/500 (Minor Accomplishment)]

[Grinding: 1221/2000 (Perfection)]

[Painting: 887/2000 (Perfection)]

On the Shan Family's side, although Su Yuan had been sold to the Chai Family, his connection with First Madam had not been severed.

With her taking the lead, he could also meet Yun Xu a few times under the pretext of painting for her. She allowed Su Yuan to continue delaying matters.

He wanted to become a Martial Warrior first, then make contact with Cloud-Striding Martial Hall.

Yet the neighbors' curses had never ceased. The name Lecherous Carver continued spreading, leaving Su Yuan no choice but to close his doors and suspend business, selling Building Blocks only to the merchant guild.

Old Liu was skilled at marketing. Building Blocks were nearly unable to meet demand, touted as refined playthings only nobles could enjoy. Su Yuan also took the chance to offer quite a few to Chai Nian, drawing closer to him.

Though the other carpenters in Ji City all began imitating him, their quality and designs could not compare to Su Yuan's.

But the sheer volume of imitations still affected Su Yuan in the end.

A standard set of Building Blocks now sold for only three taels, but to Su Yuan, it was still a staggering profit.

He took stock of his assets. He had twenty-six taels left in hand. Cash was not plentiful, and entering the Martial Academy required ten taels every month, on top of paying for his and Tie Niu's martial arts training.

However, Tie Niu had not asked him for money lately. He only said that he had found a nominal post outside and no longer needed Su Yuan to support him.

At that moment, knocking sounded from outside the door.

It was still those four children. They had now all changed into brand-new cotton clothes Su Yuan had bought for them.

Amidst the torrents of abuse, only they still came looking for Su Yuan often. That was also a small comfort in his heart.

"Big Brother, this time we found a good piece of wood. Come take a look!" Shen Qingqing held a pitch-black piece of timber in her arms. Her little face was reddened by the cold, but her eyes shone brightly.