Unforgettable

Steward Fang's expression shifted from casual to subtle change, then finally to solemnity.

He actually remembered it?!

He had performed the first two forms of the Tiger Python Force, consisting of twenty movements, without a single error; only the execution was slightly lacking in precision.

Not only was the young master a martial arts prodigy, but his memory was also this extraordinary?!

Now onto the third form...

The more he watched, the more shocked Steward Fang became.

In the center of the courtyard.

Chu Ming kicked out with his left leg with all his might, and a sense of powerlessness instantly spread throughout his entire body.

"It's no good. Although I remember all the movements, my stamina is no longer enough to support me in continuing further."

He retracted his leg and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Steward Fang, whose face had been tense, suddenly let out a sigh of relief.

Having reached the third form, it seemed the young master had forgotten the subsequent movements.

But to remember three forms in such a short time after only watching twice—the young master's memory was truly astonishing...

Thinking back to when he first learned the Tiger Python Force, it had taken him a full two months of diligent daily practice to barely memorize and perform twelve forms.

The Tiger Python Force became increasingly difficult as one progressed; at the young master's speed, he might be able to memorize them all within a month, and with daily practice to correct his form, he might truly be able to lay the foundation within half a year to cultivate body-tempering methods.

Although the chances were slim, there was hope.

He walked to the center of the courtyard with a smile on his face: "Young master has a good memory. Being able to remember three forms and perform them nearly correctly is already far superior to this old servant back in the day."

At this moment, Xiao Shan also ran over: "Young master, are you alright? Let me help you into the house to rest."

Helping again?

Steward Fang's facial muscles twitched slightly.

"Alright." Chu Ming did not refuse this time, because he truly had no strength left.

Upon entering the house, he did not actually rest, because there was still [Reading] to grind.

Reading consumed mental energy, but he could sit and recover his physical stamina.

[Reading (Minor Accomplishment): Photographic Memory]

[Progress: 52/100]

[Progress: 53/100]

"The young master isn't resting; he's reading poetry and books again."

"Sigh... if the young master had been this diligent before, how could he have fallen to this state?" Steward Fang's gaze was profound as he stood with his hands behind his back.

"Grandpa Fang, stop acting like a master." Seeing Steward Fang like this, Xiao Shan didn't give him any face at all, biting her lip as she said: "The young master's constitution is weak, and the doctor said he has at most half a year to live. How could you still bring him to practice martial arts?"

"Is that any way to speak to your elder?" Steward Fang laughed in spite of himself: "The Tiger Python Force I taught the young master is the introductory foundation for a body-tempering method. If the young master can master it, he might be able to repair his body..."

"I don't believe it. If that Tiger Python Force were really useful, why are your legs and feet even less agile despite practicing it every day?"

Xiao Shan often watched Steward Fang practice that set of movements.

"..."

"It's impossible to make sense with a little girl like you."

"By the way, stop trying to help people walk at every turn. Grandpa Fang's legs and feet are perfectly fine!"

He had only said his legs were stiff yesterday as an excuse because he couldn't save face; how did this little girl take it seriously?

The next day.

Chu Ming woke up early, finished his meat porridge, and began practicing [Wind-Slapping Palm].

[Progress (Minor Accomplishment): 11/100]

[Progress: 12/100]

After practicing for two and a half hours, the progress reached 35.

During a break, Steward Fang stepped forward and said: "Is the young master not practicing the Tiger Python Force?"

"I'll practice it now."

If it were a few days ago, he would have had to stop and rest for half an hour every time he practiced [Wind-Slapping Palm] for half an hour.

But waking up this morning, he discovered that his mental state and physical fitness seemed to have increased significantly; he had practiced continuously for an hour, only resting for a quarter of an hour in the middle.

Thinking about it, it must have been the effect of the Tiger Python Force taught by Steward Fang; it was truly worthy of being a body-strengthening method.

Contemplating this in his heart, he stood up and prepared to practice the Tiger Python Force.

"Let this old servant demonstrate the movements for you once more, Young Master."

Although the Young Master had executed three forms yesterday, after a full night, he might have forgotten some of the nuances.

"No need."

Chu Ming waved his hand and immediately assumed the starting stance to practice.

Steward Fang's expression remained unchanged as he chuckled softly, "Then when you reach the fourth form, Young Master, this old servant will demonstrate again."

Chu Ming performed the movements one by one.

[Tiger Python Force (Entry Level)]

[Progress: 11/100]

[Progress: 12/100]

Just as he approached the point where he had stopped yesterday due to exhaustion, Steward Fang slowly stood up: "Young Master, let this old servant demonstrate for you now..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the old steward watched as the fourth form and those following it were executed by his Young Master one after another, the movements so standard it was as if he had practiced them countless times.

Then came the fifth form, the sixth, the seventh...

Gulp...

By the time all twelve forms were completed, Steward Fang's mouth hung slightly open, the wrinkles on his face bunching together, and his usually profound eyes appearing momentarily dazed.

"Young Master, didn't you only manage three forms yesterday...?"

Chu Ming let his arms hang at his sides. The process of practicing Tiger Python Force was exhausting, yet after finishing all twelve forms, his body did not feel as fatigued as he had imagined.

It seemed he could even go again.

At the same time, the progress of his Tiger Python Force had been grinded up to 36.

One full set of movements yielded nearly thirty points of progress; if he grinded it a few times a day, he would be able to advance soon.

"I didn't have the strength yesterday, but I remembered the movements," he replied distractedly, drinking a large bowl of water before continuing his practice.

Tiger Python Force could enhance his physical constitution; this was worth prioritizing over [Reading] and [Wind-Slapping Palm].

Steward Fang watched Chu Ming, who had begun practicing the Tiger Python Force again, feeling his heart and mind shaken.

After only two demonstrations, the Young Master had memorized all twelve forms—a full one hundred and twenty complex movements?!

And today, he had successfully completed them all in one go!

In other words, the Young Master had taken only two days... no, one day, to accomplish what had taken him two months to achieve?!

He silently left the small courtyard and went to his own room, pulling out silver and a book from beneath the floorboards, the words Tiger Python Body-Forging Technique written on the cover.

"I had originally intended to take Xiao Shan and this silver to leave Willow Town after the Young Master departed, to find a place where no one knows us and spend my final days there..."

Steward Fang murmured, "But the talent the Young Master has displayed is too astonishing. If I pretend to ignore it, how could I ever repay the grace of the Mistress who saved my life all those years ago..."

"The Young Master's body is currently too weak to withstand medicinal baths for tempering, so I shall take this time to find a way to earn more silver..."

"I hope the Young Master can truly succeed in tempering his body and cultivating the Tiger Python Body-Forging Technique."

Willow Town, Constabulary.

"Brother Fang Xiao, you've been here for over a year, and I've invited you no less than ten times. What made you suddenly change your mind?" asked a middle-aged man dressed in a black constable's uniform with a long saber at his waist.

Steward Fang picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and smiled: "Isn't it because I was moved by Head Constable Hou's persistent spirit..."

"No, are you being serious?" Head Constable Hou's expression turned solemn.

This old man, who appeared to have graying hair and some years on him, had a background that was far from simple. Back in the day, his mastery of fist techniques had been divine, and even now, despite his age, there were few in all of Willow Town who could be his match.

If he truly joined the Constabulary, his own life would become much easier.

Fang Xiao sipped his tea in silence.

"Haha, good, good! Brother Fang Xiao, drink your tea, drink your tea."