With No Women in His Heart, His Fists Will Shine Bright!

The next day.

The morning light had yet to pierce the clouds; only a streak of pale fish-belly white showed on the horizon.

Jiang Ye had already quietly risen in the gatekeeper's room.

He silently felt the flow of qi and blood within him. His brows twitched, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

"After a whole night, the Blood Replenishing Pill's medicinal power... still has a trace of warmth left, slowly nourishing my bones and sinews..."

The rush of heat that had erupted when the pill entered his stomach had subsided, but deep in his marrow and between his organs, a wisp of exceptionally pure, gentle warmth remained.

"While the medicinal power still lingers, I might as well loosen up my bones and sinews."

Jiang Ye pushed open the narrow door and stepped into the cold morning breeze.

In the open space before the door, veiled in a thin mist, he slowly settled into the stance of the Five Animal Fist.

About half an hour later.

The sky had fully brightened, scattering the last wisps of morning mist.

Jiang Ye slowly ended his stance, letting his arms fall naturally at his sides. His breath was full and harmonious. Not only was he not sweating from strenuous exercise, but his skin even seemed to glow faintly with a warm luster—the sign of abundant qi and blood and medicinal power thoroughly absorbed.

Martial art mastered: Five Animal Fist [Minor Accomplishment, 213/500]

After glancing at the system panel, Jiang Ye nodded slightly. At this rate, a few more days of practice would let him break through to Dark Strength.

He looked up at the sky. It was time to go play his part as the old gatekeeper.

"Good morning, Old Man Jiang!"

A hearty greeting, brimming with excitement, broke the morning's stillness.

Just as Jiang Ye had expected, the first person to arrive at the Martial Academy today, stepping through the dew, was Shi Lei.

The bruises on the boy's face were still obvious, especially on his cheekbones and at the corners of his mouth. The purplish-red marks had yet to fade completely.

But his eyes had regained their luster. The lifeless confusion of the day before was gone, replaced by a tempered resolve and a tenacity that seemed intent on wringing every last drop from his time and sweat.

His steps were steadier than yesterday. Though wounded, he held his back straight.

Clearly, after kneeling the night before, he had carved Jiang Ye's words into his bones and found his path again.

Jiang Ye raised his bleary eyelids. His gaze lingered for a moment on the young face where fighting spirit had been rekindled, then he gave a slight nod and uttered a flat, uninflected sound from his throat:

"Mm."

That was his reply.

Shi Lei didn't mind the old man's coolness. He grinned, tugging at the wound at the corner of his mouth and hissing in pain, but his smile didn't fade.

He cupped his fists to Jiang Ye once more, then eagerly turned and stepped into the courtyard.

Jiang Ye withdrew his gaze and sat back down on the little stool, worn smooth and gleaming. He tucked his hands into his sleeves and half-closed his eyes.

As more and more disciples arrived at the Martial Academy, their hushed discussions—tinged with excitement and unease—spread through the morning light like ripples stirred by a stone tossed into a pond.

"Have you heard? Something huge happened last night! Xu Tao from the Wild Wolf Gang—the boss of that gambling house on Changxing Street—was killed!"

"What?! Xu Tao? That Xu Tao, the one at the peak of Bright Strength, notorious for his viciousness? Is that true?"

"Absolutely! My cousin works at the yamen. He passed by this morning and saw it with his own eyes—the gambling house's back courtyard has been sealed off! They say the death was... downright gruesome!"

"Damn—who'd be bold enough? He was a boss in the Wild Wolf Gang!"

"Bold doesn't begin to cover it! My cousin says the room was barely disturbed. Xu Tao looked like... like someone had taken him out with one move! His head was even..."

The speaker lowered his voice further, sounding aghast and disbelieving.

"One move?! Xu Tao was at the peak of Bright Strength, through and through! What level would someone have to be at to take him out in one move?"

"At least a Dark Strength expert did it! And a ruthless one, at that!"

"Serves him right! Xu Tao bullied people and forced women into prostitution. He'd done God knows how many wicked things. He had it coming!"

Someone voiced their approval under their breath, relishing it.

"My guess is that another gang made the move, trying to seize their territory!"

"I heard the Wild Wolf Gang's leader has already vowed to hunt down the killer at any cost and make them pay in blood..."

"Looks like the streets are going to be a mess again these next few days. We'd better be careful when we head home."

All sorts of talk—fearful, curious, secretly pleased, or worried—wove through the Martial Academy's morning air like a fine spiderweb.

Jiang Ye didn't even raise his eyelids. He still looked half asleep, though he gave a derisive chuckle inwardly.

Just as he'd thought, when a gang boss like Xu Tao—who lived by the blade and had enemies everywhere—died violently, ninety-nine out of a hundred people would immediately think of revenge, gangland murders, or a turf war.

Who would ever guess that the person who had taken Xu Tao out with one move was the old gatekeeper right in front of them?

The Outer Courtyard disciples who arrived one after another all looked shocked when they saw Shi Lei already practicing his fist in earnest.

"Junior Brother Shi Lei? He... he got here this early today? And he's practicing so hard?"

"He was just publicly humiliated by Lin Xiaohe yesterday... I thought he'd never recover."

"Looks like we underestimated him. We used to think his aptitude was mediocre and he only knew how to train like a fool by pushing himself to the limit. I never thought he'd be so resilient..."

Their quiet discussions held less of the contempt they might once have felt, and more genuine surprise and a trace of respect.

To get back on his feet so quickly after such a blow and pour all his feelings into training that was almost self-torture—his willpower truly deserved respect.

"Hmph. With a lower-middle aptitude, no matter how desperately he tries, it's all a futile struggle. What could he possibly accomplish?"

Lin Xiaohe had just entered the Outer Courtyard and naturally spotted Shi Lei too.

Her gaze lingered for a moment on his scarred yet intensely focused back. Her willow brows knitted, then she curled her lip. A flash of irritation and disdain crossed her eyes, as though she'd spotted an old, unwanted relic she couldn't get rid of.

But when her gaze shifted toward the main gate, the impatience on her face instantly melted away like snow in spring.

Hu Tian, his face glowing and his steps light, was walking alongside Senior Brother Zhang Xu of the Inner Courtyard, chatting as they went.

Hu Tian had changed into a new fine-cloth outfit and now wore a sachet at his waist. He already carried himself with a certain "air" quite unlike his old self.

Lin Xiaohe's eyes lit up, and a bright, charming smile quickly spread across her face, as if she'd never looked down on Shi Lei at all.

Like a cheerful skylark that had finally spotted the one it was waiting for, she went to meet them with light steps and a sweet, crisp voice.

"Junior Brother Hu! Senior Brother Zhang! Good morning! You're looking especially well today!"

Zhang Xu ignored Lin Xiaohe's greeting. He only turned to say something else to Hu Tian, who nodded repeatedly.

Then Zhang Xu didn't linger. With his usual arrogance and composure, he strode straight through the Outer Courtyard toward the Inner Courtyard, leaving Lin Xiaohe's warm greeting and smile hanging behind him.

Lin Xiaohe's smile stiffened slightly, but only for an instant before returning to normal, as though she didn't mind at all.

She swiftly turned her full attention to Hu Tian, who had stayed behind.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Zhang! I'll work twice as hard and get the Mountain Crushing Fist to the entry level as soon as possible! Then I'll join you in beating people up."

Hu Tian first raised his voice to promise this to Zhang Xu's departing back, his tone respectful and ingratiating.

Only after Zhang Xu had disappeared from view did Hu Tian turn toward Lin Xiaohe, his expression now relaxed, playful, and just a little smug.

"You're up early too, Senior Sister Xiaohe."

His tone was casual. He looked her over for a moment with the familiarity of someone who had just been welcomed into higher circles and now faced an admirer from below, tinged with a hint of superiority.

Lin Xiaohe seemed completely unaware of the subtle shift in his attitude. Smiling brightly, she smoothly picked up the conversation.

"Wasn't it so I could see you earlier and practice with you, Junior Brother Hu?"

"Did you have any interesting experiences when Senior Brother Zhang took you out yesterday? Hurry up and tell me..."

The two gathered together and chatted in low voices.

Hu Tian told his stories with lively gestures, while Lin Xiaohe chimed in with timely gasps and giggles, gazing at him with adoration as if he were the brightest star in the Martial Academy that morning.

Meanwhile, Shi Lei, practicing his fist alone in a corner, paid none of it any mind.

All that occupied his thoughts now was his fist.

Time passed quickly. Three days flew by.

At dawn, Jiang Ye slowly lowered his fists.

Martial art mastered: Five Animal Fist [Minor Accomplishment, 467/500]

"Looks like I can break through to Dark Strength tonight."

The light in Jiang Ye's eyes dimmed slightly, but a deep-seated excitement flickered through them.

Thanks to the nourishment of the Blood Replenishing Pill, he had nearly finished tempering his qi and blood over these three days. All he needed was to achieve mastery in his fist technique tonight, and then he could break through to Dark Strength.

"I'll rest properly during the day and save my strength."

Jiang Ye returned to his post as the old gatekeeper to recuperate.

But though one might wish for stillness, the wind would never cease.

Around noon, a woman's crisp cry of surprise suddenly rang out from the Outer Courtyard, breaking the Martial Academy's usual gloom.

"Junior Brother Hu Tian has reached the entry level in his fist technique!"

The voice belonged to Lin Xiaohe. Her excitement was impossible to hide, and she had deliberately raised her voice, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Then came the Outer Courtyard disciples' cries of astonishment, tinged with envy and jealousy.

"What?! Junior Brother Hu Tian? He's only been here a few days! Not even seven days, all told, right?!"

"My heavens! He reached the entry level in the Mountain Crushing Fist in seven days?! This... this is what superior aptitude looks like?!"

"People really do die comparing themselves to others, and goods really do get tossed aside when compared! I've practiced for almost a month and still haven't even touched the threshold..."

"Ugh, don't compare yourself. Comparing yourself to a genius like that is just asking to feel miserable."

The uproar carried faintly as far as the main gate.

Even Jiang Ye, who had been resting with his eyes closed, shifted his brows almost imperceptibly, a trace of surprise passing through them.

"That kid Hu Tian reached the entry level even faster than Yiyi did back then."

Jiang Ye remembered that Liu Yiyi, who also had superior aptitude, had taken seven or eight days to reach the entry level in her fist technique.

It seemed Hu Tian really did have some potential.

Of course, compared to Jiang Ye's astonishing comprehension—mastering a fist technique in a single second—this sort of talent, startling as it seemed to ordinary people, was nothing more than the glow of a firefly.

The Outer Courtyard's Martial Practice Field was in an uproar.

"Junior Brother Hu Tian really is a genius among geniuses!"

Lin Xiaohe surrounded Hu Tian, who was beaming and brimming with smug satisfaction, like a crowd of stars around the moon.

Her proud excitement was practically spilling out of her.

It was as though she were the one who had reached the entry level in the fist technique.

As she loudly showered him with flattery, the corner of her eye furtively slid toward the silent figure nearby, alone and immersed in his stance—Shi Lei. Her gaze held a trace of provocation and scrutiny.

To her disappointment, Shi Lei seemed not to notice at all. He continued polishing his Mountain Crushing Fist stance, each move steady and powerful. Sweat ran down his temples, his gaze as focused as iron. Hu Tian's breakthrough and the commotion around him drew no response whatsoever, as though Shi Lei had been in another world.

A flash of frustration and disappointment crossed Lin Xiaohe's eyes when her provocation failed. She gave a cold snort, her voice not loud, but just clear enough for a few people nearby to hear.

"Hmph, he probably knows the gap between himself and Junior Brother Hu Tian is like heaven and earth. He's given up and can only bury himself in that pitiful sweat of his."

Word of Hu Tian's breakthrough soon reached the Inner Courtyard, and Liu Qingshi was roused by it. He came to the Outer Courtyard.

Looking at Hu Tian, whose face was flushed and whose excitement was hard to suppress, Liu Qingshi's eyes held a trace of approval. He gave a slight nod.

"Not bad. Reaching the entry level within seven days—your talent is even better than I imagined. Among the Martial Academy's new disciples over the past decade, your aptitude ranks among the very best!"

He paused, his expression turning solemn.

"Hu Tian, from today onward, you are officially my disciple, Liu Qingshi's. You may enter the Inner Courtyard to train. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you can come ask me at any time."

As he spoke, he took a small celadon bottle from his robe and handed it over. "After reaching the entry level in your fist technique, tempering your qi and blood and breaking through to Bright Strength are the most important things. This bottle of Blood Replenishing Pills is your reward. It'll help you stabilize your foundation and break through as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Master!"

Hu Tian accepted the pill with an excited expression.

He had seen Zhang Xu take Blood Replenishing Pills and knew they were expensive. One bottle cost twenty taels of silver.

This wasn't merely a pill—it was a symbol of status and recognition!

Under the many envious or complicated gazes fixed on him, Hu Tian straightened his back and followed Liu Qingshi, striding proudly into the Inner Courtyard, the place that symbolized a higher level.

The Outer Courtyard disciples watched Hu Tian's retreating back, their expressions complicated.

They had known this day would come, but hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly.

Lin Xiaohe, too, felt both happy and worried.

She was happy that the "promising stock" she'd picked had indeed soared in value, and that she'd have someone to rely on in the Inner Courtyard in the future.

But she worried that with Hu Tian progressing so quickly, his horizons would inevitably rise. If she didn't hurry up, she feared...

However, before the commotion Hu Tian had caused had fully died down and everyone's feelings had settled—

About an hour later.

"Junior Brother Shi Lei has reached the entry level in his fist technique too!"

A cry of surprise rang out from an Outer Courtyard disciple.

The news was like a second stone tossed into the lake, but the ripples it stirred were completely different from those caused by the first.

There were no shouts of surprise or uproar across the courtyard. Instead, a quiet settled over the crowd, tinged with complicated feelings. They had expected it, after all.

Shi Lei had been practicing his fist for nearly two months. He was already just one step from the threshold, and everyone had seen his daily, almost self-torturing diligence.

His breakthrough was more like a long-distance runner finally crossing the finish line. It was worthy of respect, but lacked the shock of a genius suddenly appearing out of nowhere.

"Hmph, it took him almost two months to reach the entry level in his fist technique. Compared to a genius like Junior Brother Hu Tian, he's worlds apart."

Lin Xiaohe watched Shi Lei's determined back, her brows tightly furrowed.

Her cold snort carried unmistakable disdain, but if one listened closely, there seemed to be a subtle sourness and unease buried beneath it—feelings she herself refused to acknowledge.

Shi Lei might have been slow, but in the end, he had still crossed this hurdle.

Once he broke through to Bright Strength, he would have truly entered the ranks of martial artists. He would be different from ordinary people...

The Inner Courtyard disciples naturally heard the Outer Courtyard's shouts of surprise too.

"What a lucky day! Our Martial Academy's going to prosper. Two Outer Courtyard disciples reached the entry level in their fist techniques in a single day!"

"Hey, though they reached it on the same day, there's no comparing the two. Hu Tian's a genius. As for Shi Lei... I heard his aptitude is only lower-middle. He struggled for nearly two months."

"I remember Shi Lei. He really does push himself hard in training, but it's a shame his aptitude limits him. Breaking through to Bright Strength is probably the peak of what he'll achieve."

"Being able to reach Bright Strength is already enough to make a living in this world. Not the best, but better than most."

The Inner Courtyard disciples discussed them with interest.

"It really was a coincidence."

Liu Qingshi, who had been instructing Hu Tian on adapting to the training pace of the Inner Courtyard, also rose at the sound of the voice, a faint smile appearing on his face.

He had been about to head to the Outer Courtyard, but then he saw that Shi Lei had already walked in on his own.

There was no great delight at having broken through on Shi Lei's face, only his usual resolve and composure. After days of hard training and injuries, he even seemed a little steadier than others his age.

He walked up to Liu Qingshi and bowed respectfully.

"Master Liu, your disciple Shi Lei has reached the entry level in Mountain Crushing Fist."

"Mm, not bad. I've been keeping an eye on you."

Liu Qingshi looked him over, his gaze carrying scrutiny and a hint of approval that was difficult to detect.

He nodded and said in a deep voice,

"Though your natural endowment is only mediocre, your character and perseverance far surpass those of ordinary people. In the path of martial arts, natural endowment is important, but determination can make up for what fate has withheld. If you keep training diligently, you may yet accomplish something."

As he spoke, he also took a celadon bottle from his robes and handed it to Shi Lei. "Now that you've reached the entry level, you're officially my disciple. This bottle of Blood Replenishing Pills is for you. I hope you'll solidify your foundation, nurture your qi and blood soon, and knock on the gate of Bright Strength!"

"Thank you, Master Liu!"

Shi Lei took it in both hands. His voice was steady, but his gratitude came from the heart.

He knew how precious this bottle of pills was, and understood even more clearly the encouragement and hopes the head instructor had invested in this gesture.

Nearby, Hu Tian had been full of himself, but when he saw Liu Qingshi treat Shi Lei, a disciple with "mediocre natural endowment," no differently and award him the same precious pills, a flicker of resentment flashed through his eyes. He thought to himself,

"Shi Lei's natural endowment is only mediocre. Even if he's reached the entry level in his fist technique, he's nothing special. How could he deserve pills like these?"

"Junior Brother Shi Lei, I hope you'll give me pointers in the future. If there's anything you don't understand, you can come ask me."

Zhao Gang, a good-natured man with a fine reputation in the Inner Courtyard, came over with a simple, kind smile.

"Since we'll be in the Inner Courtyard together, we should look out for each other. If there's anything you're unsure about, don't hesitate to ask me."

Compared with Hu Tian, whose talent was dazzling but who carried a trace of arrogance, Zhao Gang preferred dealing with a junior brother like Shi Lei, who was hardworking and down-to-earth.

Shi Lei hurriedly bowed again in thanks.

That afternoon.

Another piece of news shook the Martial Academy.

Zhang Xu had attempted to break through to Dark Strength—and failed.