"I asked."
"What did he say?" Liang Yuan asked curiously.
"..." Ning Hao's hand paused as he raised his brush. He sighed and said, "Master Shen isn't willing to teach me."
"Why?"
"Master Shen said that if he taught me, I wouldn't be able to pass the monthly exams, the Academy Promotion Exam, or even the County Exam."
"Huh?" The more Liang Yuan heard, the more confused he became.
"You're not the only one confused. I am too." Ning Hao glanced toward Chu Ming's room. "Master Shen said Junior Brother Chu is clever."
"Junior Brother Chu is clever?" Liang Yuan recalled how clumsy Chu Ming had been when practicing painting and shook his head with a laugh. "How come I can't see it at all?"
Inside the room.
Chu Ming sat at his desk, quickly flipping through Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy.
After reading for two hours, he began to close his eyes and work through the technique. The progress of [Tiger Python Blood-Refining Technique: Vital Blood (Great Accomplishment)] slowly increased.
23...24...25...
After working through it a few times, he began practicing the martial skill [Blood Wind Palm].
Since he'd fused [Blood Wind Palm], its progress had fallen furthest behind.
There was nothing he could do about it. After helping Steward Fang deal with the Blood Fiend Cult, he'd rushed to Baiyuan County and hadn't rested for even half a day. There simply wasn't enough time.
After practicing it a dozen times, the palm technique's progress stopped at 15.
Chu Ming wiped the sweat from his forehead and picked up the teapot, taking a few swallows.
He looked outside, his gaze flickering.
It was only his second day at Baiyuan Academy, but he already missed the little courtyard on West Street in Willow Town.
He could practice martial arts