Lin Qing crossed the Outer City, a place of clamor and confusion.
The roads here were narrow and muddy, with filthy water running everywhere.
Low, dilapidated shacks crowded both sides, and the air was thick with a sour, rancid stench of sweat and urine.
Barefoot children played in the muck, while washed-out clothes hung drying on bamboo poles, dripping water.
But the moment one stepped into the Inner City, the scene changed completely.
The streets, paved with bluestone, were broad and clean, with shops lining both sides, their signs bright and eye-catching.
The pedestrians were much better dressed; one could even see wealthy households traveling in sedan chairs and carriages.
The lingering stench in the air had also faded.
In its place came the faint scent of sandalwood and the sweet aroma drifting from pastry shops.
The difference between inside and outside was like heaven and earth.
The Iron Thread Fist Martial Hall stood on a relatively quiet street in the Inner City. Its vermilion gates were imposing, and two mighty stone lions crouched before them, lending the place an air of grandeur.
Lin Qing straightened his rather plain clothes and stepped forward to knock on the door ring.
A small side door opened in response. A sturdy, broad-shouldered man in a short jacket leaned out and looked Lin Qing over.
Seeing that he was dressed ordinarily and did not look like the son of a wealthy family, the man asked brusquely, "What brings you here? Are you looking to take a master and learn martial arts? Do you have someone to recommend you?"
Lin Qing clasped his fists and followed his older sister's instructions. "Senior brother, my name is Lin Qing. My father is Lin Qing—he was once Master Hong's junior fellow disciple. Our family runs the Benevolent World Hall apothecary. I've come especially to pay my respects to Master Hong."
At the mention of the Benevolent World Hall, the man seemed to recall something. He looked Lin Qing over again, then nodded. "So you're Physician Lin's son. Wait here while I go announce you."
With that, he closed the door and went inside.
Before long, the side door opened again. The man's manner had grown much more courteous. "Young Master Lin, the master will see you."
Lin Qing thanked him and followed him into the martial hall.
The instant he entered, a wave of scorching heat washed over him.
On the spacious training ground, more than a dozen sturdy men stood bare-chested, their muscles knotted and bulging.
Dozens of dark iron rings were stacked around their forearms. As their fists rose and fell, the rings clashed together with ringing clangs.
The men were practicing their fist techniques, their movements fierce and violent. Every punch cut through the air with a whoosh, while the iron rings on their arms rattled, adding to their imposing presence.
Their steps were steady, and their shouts rose and fell like waves, making Lin Qing's eardrums buzz and his blood surge.
The fierce, masculine aura washing over him made Lin Qing's heart tighten. This was the true bearing of a martial family!
At the edge of the training ground stood an elderly man with graying temples, dressed in a short vest and jacket, his hands clasped behind his back as he slowly surveyed the scene.
He was not particularly tall and even seemed slightly stooped, but he stood there like an old pine rooted deep in the earth, his presence as steady as a mountain. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes whenever they opened, and he commanded respect without needing to raise his voice. This was the hall's master, Hong Yuan.
The man who had led Lin Qing over brought him before Hong Yuan and said respectfully, "Master, Young Master Lin has arrived."
Hong Yuan turned around. His gaze fell on Lin Qing like a bolt of lightning, and his voice rang out like a great bell. "You're Lin Qing's son?"
Lin Qing hurriedly bowed. "This junior, Lin Qing, pays his respects to Uncle Hong."
"My father often spoke of how much he benefited from learning under your esteemed father at the martial hall. He said the Hong family's Iron Wire Fist was unrivaled in its ferocity, and that learning even a single move or half a stance would serve a person for life."
"Seeing the martial hall today, I know my father spoke the truth."
Flattery slipped through every crack.
At Lin Qing's words, a smile appeared on Hong Yuan's stern, rigid face. He was clearly pleased by the praise.
He waved a hand. "That was all ancient history. Why bring it up now? Lin Qing was an honest man. Now he's been conscripted as an army physician. What a pity..."
"Enough. What brings you to see me today, lad?"
Lin Qing straightened and said solemnly, "Master Hong, this junior wishes to join the martial hall and learn martial arts to strengthen himself, so he can protect the family business."
"Oh?"
Hong Yuan looked somewhat surprised and examined him from head to toe.
"Learning martial arts? Do you know the rules?"
"Tuition is five taels of silver a month, and that's only the basic fee. If you want medicinal baths to temper your body, the cost of the decoctions is extra."
"With the Benevolent World Hall in its current state, can your family afford it?"
Lin Qing stepped forward and lowered his voice. "Master Hong, I have other plans for the tuition."
"It's just that I have a precious medicinal herb with me, and it wouldn't be convenient to show it to everyone here..."
Hong Yuan raised an eyebrow, a glint flashing in his eyes. Then he laughed, his voice shaking the roof tiles. "In my Iron Thread Fist Martial Hall, with me here, which little scoundrel would dare harbor crooked thoughts? Take it out without worry!"
With those words, Lin Qing felt reassured.
He hesitated no longer. Carefully, he took the oil-paper package from his robes and unwrapped it layer by layer, revealing a dark-red Red Blood Ganoderma, its surface patterned with swirling cloudlike veins.
"Red Blood Ganoderma?"
Hong Yuan was a man of wide experience. He recognized the herb at a glance, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
"It looks to be at least thirty years old."
"Lin, I never expected your family to have something this fine tucked away."
"Tell me, what do you intend to do with it?"
Lin Qing replied respectfully, "I'd like Master Hong to appraise it and tell me how long it would cover my training at the martial hall."
Hong Yuan picked up the Red Blood Ganoderma and examined it closely for a moment before saying thoughtfully, "It's in excellent condition, has matured for plenty of years, and its medicinal properties have been well preserved. On the market, it should be worth thirty to forty taels of silver."
"At five taels a month, with your decoction fees waived, it would cover more than half a year of training."
A great weight lifted from Lin Qing's heart, but he put on a troubled expression. "Master Hong, to be honest, the shop has run into some trouble recently and urgently needs cash."
"Could I draw five taels in silver from its value in advance? Or, if I use the herb to offset the cost, could I collect some of the medicinal ingredients the martial hall needs to make up the difference?"
Hong Yuan looked at him but did not answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his robes, took out a prescription, and handed it to him. "Take a look. Can your shop supply all the ingredients listed here? Or do you have a way to acquire them?"
Lin Qing took the prescription and scanned it quickly.
Most of the ingredients were for strengthening the bones, invigorating the blood, and replenishing the body's vital energy.
His father had often prepared several of them for the martial hall. The others were less common.
But thanks to his thorough knowledge of medicine, he knew he could buy them from the mountain folk at the market.
He nodded. "We have most of them. I'm confident I can gather the few missing ingredients before the next delivery."
Hong Yuan's face lit up with satisfaction. "Good. Since you're willing, we'll do it that way. I'll value the Red Blood Ganoderma at thirty-five taels, which will cover seven months of training, with all decoction fees waived."
"The five taels in silver you asked for can be deducted from the payment for the medicinal ingredients you'll provide next month. How does that sound?"
Lin Qing was overjoyed and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master Hong, for making this possible!"
The two parties drew up a written agreement on the spot and finalized their arrangement.
Holding the agreement and carrying the deposit Hong Yuan had advanced, Lin Qing left the side hall. He looked up at the rare patch of blue sky above Qingping County and let out a long breath.
At last, he had something to look forward to.
A senior brother at the martial hall gave him a brand-new gray martial uniform and a pair of sturdy, thick-soled cloth shoes.
After changing into his new clothes and shoes, Lin Qing felt as though his whole bearing had been renewed.
Then he was led before Hong Yuan for an examination of his bone structure before formally entering the martial hall.
Hong Yuan's callused hands pressed and kneaded the major joints and vulnerable bones throughout Lin Qing's body, sometimes applying force to test them, sometimes focusing as he sensed their condition.
Lin Qing felt a cool force travel through his body. A mixture of aches, numbness, and swelling washed over him, but he did not dare move even a little.
A moment later, Hong Yuan withdrew his hands and stroked his short, grizzled beard. "Your bone structure is average—not exceptional, but not poor either. You have the aptitude of an ordinary person. Seven or eight out of every ten martial artists in the world are much the same."
"But you needn't look down on yourself. In the martial path, bone structure matters, but perseverance, temperament, and resources matter even more."
"With diligence and medicinal support, you have a good chance of breaking through to the Second Barrier Realm, the Tendon Opening stage."
Lin Qing felt little disappointment at Hong Yuan's words.
He was no peerless genius to begin with. To have average aptitude was already good enough, especially since he had the Heavenly Dao Record to help him.
As long as he worked hard, he would be rewarded. That alone was an advantage beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Seizing the opportunity, he asked respectfully, "Master Hong, I know very little about the stages of martial cultivation. I beg you to enlighten me."
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