Master Deng cleared his throat. The two disciples below had already taken their stances, waiting for him to say, "Begin."
But Master Deng drawled, "Liu Qi, warm a pot of wine. And tell the cook to make a trip to Pine Crane Pavilion and buy me a plate of fried meatballs to go with it."
"Sure, I'll go right away." Liu Qi turned to leave.
"Wait."
Master's Wife gently advised, "It's only a small sparring match today, husband. You'd better not drink. Besides, it's so early in the morning. What are you drinking for?"
"Ah, fine."
Master Deng was a live-in son-in-law, and no proper martial artist to begin with. He had no talents beyond eating, drinking, and having fun, and he was both respectful and timid around Master's Wife.
"Then a pot of tea will do, right? Liu Qi, go."
Liu Qi didn't move. He sneaked a glance at Master's Wife, and when she said nothing, he bowed and replied, "Yes, sir," before turning to brew the tea.
Only then did Master Deng clear his throat and wave toward the courtyard.
"All right, you two. Begin."
The two disciples immediately exchanged blows, fighting one another.
Lu Chen had drawn lot number eight. Jin Ming leaned over and asked, "Brother Lu, what number did you draw?"
"Eight. What about you?"
"Eleven." Jin Ming glanced around. "Wait here. I'll go find out who you're up against."
Before long, Jin Ming returned. "I just found out. You're matched against Li Wen. He drew number eight too. He's no pushover. His family runs an escort agency, so he's a lot harder to deal with than the likes of Wang Ding."
Lu Chen asked, "If he comes from an escort agency, he must have family martial arts. Why come to a martial arts school to learn boxing?"
"His family's Dinghai Escort Agency has only been open for two or three years. They practice the external hard-style Eagle Claw Fist. Hard-style training can temper External Force, but compared with internal-style boxing, it's ultimately much slower."
Lu Chen nodded.
Escort work was a livelihood where one licked blood from the edge of a blade. Outside the city lurked ferocious beasts, monsters, giant insects, and bandits and robbers who killed without batting an eye. Without real skill, you couldn't hold on to that rice bowl.
He sized Li Wen up. The man was short, perhaps five feet tall, and there was a menacing look about his eyes and brows. He clearly wasn't a kind soul.
Li Wen seemed to sense his gaze and glanced over.
Their eyes met. Li Wen gave him a cold, sideways look.
"Brother Lu, be extra careful," Jin Ming whispered. "Besides Plum Blossom Fist, Li Wen also practices Eagle Claw Fist."
External hard-style martial arts had one advantage over internal-style boxing.
Internal styles sought to develop power early. Every move and stance was meant to train power and break through barriers, inevitably leaving out some techniques for killing and self-defense.
External hard styles were the opposite. Fists, kicks, and weapons—all their moves honed the body toward striking like lightning and forging skin like bronze and bones like iron.
Lu Chen said nothing, but silently took extra care.
The first few pairs fought, with each side claiming its share of victories and defeats.
Master Deng watched from his chair, yawning incessantly as his eyelids drooped. He had little interest in all this punching and kicking to begin with.
Master's Wife, on the other hand, watched closely, her gaze following the figures in the courtyard as she gave an occasional slight nod.
Before long, it was Lu Chen's turn.
He stepped forward.
Li Wen was already standing in the middle of the courtyard. He clasped his hands and said coldly, "Please instruct me."
Lu Chen returned the salute. "Please."
Li Wen stepped forward with his right foot and shaped his right hand into a claw, striking straight for Lu Chen's throat, swift and vicious.
Lu Chen didn't dodge. Instead, he raised his left arm to meet the Eagle Claw, allowing his opponent's five fingers to clamp down on his forearm.
Crack!
Li Wen's expression changed.
It felt as if he'd grabbed a hardwood post wrapped in thick cowhide. The force rebounded through his fingers, leaving his knuckles numb.
In the instant he froze, Lu Chen's right fist had already slammed into his chest.
The punch wasn't fast, but it landed with the weight of a swinging iron hammer.
Li Wen only had time to barely raise his left arm to block.
Thud!
The blow lifted Li Wen off his feet and sent him stumbling back three or four steps before he managed to steady himself.
His left arm hung limp, his whole arm trembling, the color drained from his face.
Lu Chen withdrew his fist and shook his left arm, where the claw had left several shallow scratches. His breathing hadn't even changed.
The courtyard fell silent for a moment.
Master's Wife's gaze lingered on Lu Chen before she spoke calmly.
"Next match."
Of the thirty-four disciples in the school, half had been eliminated by noon. The remaining seventeen advanced to the next round.
As expected, Jin Ming lost. He'd taken two solid punches to the chest, and it was some time before he recovered. His face was still a little pale.
Noon.
Master and Master's Wife returned to their room for lunch.
The disciples dispersed as well, heading off in twos and threes to find food and rest.
Jin Ming grabbed Lu Chen by the arm and said warmly, "Brother, you won beautifully today. I absolutely have to treat you to a meal. Let's go to Golden Goblet Pavilion."
Golden Goblet Pavilion was a famous restaurant in East City, grand and imposing.
Lu Chen agreed.
The two rode in the Jin Family's carriage to Golden Goblet Pavilion. They chose a square table in the main hall, and Jin Ming generously ordered a sumptuous spread of food and wine.
After a few cups of wine, Jin Ming grew more talkative, repeatedly raising his cup.
"Brother Lu, you're truly gifted. You've only been at the martial arts school for a few days, yet you easily dealt with Wang Ding, and today you beat Li Wen just as cleanly. I'd say your future is limitless."
Lu Chen smiled and exchanged a few polite words but didn't say much.
Jin Ming drained his cup and set it down, his tone turning more serious.
"I'm not one for fancy clothes, food, or entertainment. The only thing I truly enjoy is making friends. To be honest, Brother Lu, I befriended you because you have a calmness about you that other people lack. You're the kind of person who can accomplish great things and keep your patience."
He paused, his gaze sincere.
"My father always says you have to judge people by their bones. Brother Lu, you're made of the right stuff. I raise this cup to you—not your skill, but you as a person. From now on, whether at the martial arts school or in Wen'an County, if there's ever anything I can do for you, just say the word."
Jin Ming raised his cup again.
"This cup is for you."
"Brother Jin, you're too kind. I hardly deserve it."
Lu Chen hurriedly raised his cup to respond, though inwardly he felt nothing.
As they ate, several richly dressed young gentlemen sauntered into the restaurant. The moment they spotted Jin Ming, they grinned and came over to greet him.
They seemed to know each other well.
After exchanging greetings, they went upstairs to a private room.
A little while later, a young servant hurried downstairs and bowed to Jin Ming. "Young Master Jin, the gentlemen upstairs invite you to join them for a drink. They said it's been a long time and you simply must honor them with a visit."
Jin Ming gave Lu Chen an apologetic smile. "They're old acquaintances, so I can't refuse. I'll go upstairs and make an appearance. I'll be right back."
Lu Chen set down his chopsticks, his expression unchanged. "Go ahead, Brother Jin. Don't mind me."
After Jin Ming followed the servant upstairs, Lu Chen rose from his seat as well. He quietly climbed the stairs and stopped in the shadows beside a pillar outside the private room. Laughter and conversation drifted faintly from within.
"Young Master Jin, that kid drinking with you downstairs—what's his background? I've never seen him before."
Jin Ming gave a scornful laugh. "Him? A little hoodlum from South City. He's got a pretty hard punch, though. I think he might come in handy, so I'm feeding him for now."
A voice laughed. "Young Master Jin, planning to train another good dog?"
Jin Ming took a sip of wine, speaking as if he were discussing an object.
"Hey, people like that are no different from dogs. They're shortsighted and haven't seen much of the world. Call them brother, show them a little kindness, treat them to a few decent meals, and they'll be so delighted they won't know which way is up. They'll think they've met some great benefactor."
Someone chimed in with a laugh. "Young Master Jin, don't feed him too much. Be careful he doesn't bite you back."
Jin Ming said smugly,
"Don't worry. Training dogs is my specialty. You have to mix kindness with威. Give them a full meal, but knock them around now and then too, so they remember who's master.
"When I take over the family business and start collecting and transporting grain outside the city, I'll need a good dog like that up front, one who dares to charge and bite, to clear the way and take the blade for me. A little kindness now will come in handy later."
Someone took a sip of wine and sneered.
"Hmph. I can't stand people who don't know their place. Give them a few scraps and they want to climb the social ladder. Do they really think they can sit at the same table as us?"
A knowing burst of laughter rang out from the private room.
Outside, Lu Chen stood silently. After a moment, he went back downstairs.
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