Superior Bone Structure

As the Golden Crow sank behind the western hills, a thin streak of blood-red light lingered in the western sky. Grandpa and Second Uncle returned from the fields as well.

Li Pingsheng took the initiative to serve them rice and pour them water. His thoughtful gesture left Second Uncle quite astonished.

The previous owner had relied on his talent to demand whatever he wanted from the family, while showing them little respect. Second Uncle never said so aloud, but deep down, he had more or less formed an opinion of his nephew. On top of that, the old man had borrowed ten taels of silver from the Black Water Gang, practically staking the lives of the whole family.

How could he not have his own thoughts about it?

Seeing Li Pingsheng act so solicitously, he drew his own conclusions, and his expression darkened.

Since the family was poor, they ate in the dark, relying on the firelight from the stove, which hadn't yet gone out, to make out their food.

Madam Li and Second Aunt told the old man about Master Qin's visit. He grunted a couple of times and paid it no mind, merely encouraging Li Pingsheng to work hard.

Li Pingsheng fell silent for a moment. Thinking of the bone assessment five days away, he knew that although he had the beginner specialty [Blood Strengthening], he couldn't guarantee it would still affect the bone assessor once the man was prepared. It would be best to use these five days to hurry and light up [Tiger Bone]. Then he would be certain to leave nothing to chance.

"Grandpa, I want to go all out these next few days. Could I have an extra dose of Blood Strengthening Powder each day?"

One dose of Blood Strengthening Powder cost one tael of silver. Five days would cost five taels.

As soon as he said that, Second Uncle's face turned completely black. He slapped his chopsticks down on the table with a sharp crack and said in a low voice:

"Dear nephew, the family really can't—"

The old man cut him off.

"Fine!"

In the night, the old man's words, heavy with damp air, fell like iron.

"Second, tomorrow, take my thin coffin out and sell it. It should fetch a tael or so."

Second Uncle panicked.

"Dad!"

The old man had worked himself to the bone his whole life, saving only enough for this coffin. And now he was ready to spend it all.

"That's enough. If Pingsheng can get into the Azure Cloud Martial Hall, what does this little sacrifice matter?"

Li Pingsheng hadn't expected the old man to go this far. His throat bobbed, and he forced out a hoarse reply.

"Your grandson will work hard!"

The next day.

Li Pingsheng went to the Azure Cloud Martial Hall as usual. He was met with countless disdainful looks, but ignored them all.

After all, he had begged shamelessly for these clothes and the Health Preservation Stance. A few dirty looks were nothing to be ashamed of.

The instructor wouldn't give him any special guidance, so he stood off to the side, practicing while he watched. With the [Blood Strengthening] specialty as his foundation, he had no fear of hurting himself.

For five days straight, Li Pingsheng kept to the same route between the martial hall and home. During that time, he took seven doses of Blood Strengthening Powder. At last, on the morning of the sixth day, he lit up the [Tiger Bone] specialty.

Now everything was ready. All that remained was the final push!

"Pingsheng, don't be nervous. Just let everything go as usual."

On the day of the bone assessment, the old man and Second Uncle stayed home. Together with Madam Li and Second Aunt Li, they saw Li Pingsheng off.

The sky was clear that day, and the sun shone bright.

Standing at the entrance to the dilapidated shack, Li Pingsheng glanced back at the familiar, beloved faces. He let out a long breath, determination in his eyes, and said simply:

"I'm off. Wait for my good news."

Meanwhile, a crowd of curious onlookers had gathered outside the Azure Cloud Martial Hall. They murmured among themselves, none daring to raise their voices.

"I heard this superior bone structure came from the Wealthy District. Can a godforsaken place like that really produce a genius?"

"What do you know? The martial hall's bone assessor already said the kid isn't superior bone structure at all. He used despicable tricks to draw attention to himself. After today, he'll be a rat crossing the street, with everyone after him!"

"Really?"

Master Qin arrived at the martial hall with two underlings. The three of them squeezed to the front. A vicious look twisted Master Qin's gaunt, hollow-cheeked face as he whispered to his men:

"Stay sharp. Once the matter's settled, get to the Wealthy District and grab the whole Li family before they can run!"

One of the underlings jiggled the rolls of fat on his face.

"Understood. We'll sell the women into the brothels and send the men to work on the Sea Embankment Construction. Master Qin won't lose a copper!"

Amid the crowd's wildly differing reactions and watchful stares, Li Pingsheng arrived at the Azure Cloud Martial Hall, dressed in a fitted white robe.

Under countless watchful eyes, he pushed open the door and walked inside. He acted no differently than when he used to come here to sit in on lessons and practice his punches. The martial hall's disciples, however, all watched him at their leisure.

At the center of the training ground stood a square-faced, upright-looking old instructor. There was no one else.

At that, anyone with eyes could see what was going on.

Ordinarily, if the hall accepted a disciple with superior bone structure, the Hall Master should have appeared. The fact that he was nowhere to be seen meant he didn't think much of Li Pingsheng.

"Come on. Stop dawdling."

Master Pei frowned and barked at him. He had no fondness for the refined-looking, well-mannered young man before him. Last time, taking medicine had thrown his qi and blood into disarray, nearly ruining his reputation.

Li Pingsheng stood calmly, his expression composed and his posture steady, without the slightest trace of fear.

Master Pei gave a cold snort, thinking that some people just wouldn't give up until they saw the coffin.

Whoosh—

He slammed a heavy palm toward Li Pingsheng's chest, then eased up just before it made contact, using a gentle force to stir the qi and blood inside him.

He placed his other hand on Li Pingsheng's wrist, closed his eyes, and focused, carefully sensing what lay beneath.

The next moment.

The upright old instructor flew into a rage and roared:

"You've got some nerve! Last time, you took medicine and threw your qi and blood into disarray, interfering with my judgment. Now you're pulling the same trick again! Do you really take me for a fool?"

Those words were a spark, setting everyone ablaze.

"Well, would you look at that. This kid's got guts. A trick might work once, but you can't pull it every time. He's offended Master Pei, so there's no way he'll get by in Qingyun County now."

Master Qin reacted at once and shouted:

"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and tie up the Li family! That little beast—he's going to be the death of me!"

The two underlings took off running.

Doubt, mockery, and laughter poured into Li Pingsheng's ears, buzzing like a swarm of flies. He looked calmly at the furious old man and said in an even voice:

"I wouldn't dare. Please, Master Pei, examine me again!"

Pei Guang was about to yell at him, but something felt wrong.

During the last bone assessment, he'd been certain Li Pingsheng had taken medicine. The medicine had thrown his qi and blood into disarray, making them scattered and unstable.

But now, when he felt Li Pingsheng's pulse, it was deep and powerful. Listening closely, he could even hear the qi and blood surging through Li Pingsheng's body.

This was clearly qi and blood strengthened to the point that it roared like a beast!

Only then did Pei Guang realize he had let his first impression lead him to wrong the boy. Now he was caught between a rock and a hard place, and could only grit his teeth and start feeling Li Pingsheng's bones.

After examining him from head to toe, his eyes trembled. In a hoarse voice, he called out:

"That's right. Superior bone structure!"

His voice was soft, yet weighty—heavy enough to crush the doubts and laughter filling the martial hall and its grounds, and heavy enough to make Master Qin's vision go black.

Inwardly, he cried out, "Old Pei, you've ruined me!"

But his underlings had already run far off. There was no way to call them back now. At the thought of it, Master Qin felt like crying.

Offending someone with superior bone structure was serious. Offending someone with superior bone structure and qi and blood as fierce as a wolf's was a matter of life and death.

Li Pingsheng withdrew his hand, clasped his fists, and bowed respectfully.

"Thank you for the bone assessment, Master Pei. May I ask when I can join the hall?"

Pei Guang was mortified. The young man had suffered his humiliation without losing his manners. Pei Guang had always thought of himself as fair and just, yet now he'd done something truly rotten. At the thought, he cleared his throat.

"Wait a moment. I'll personally take you to meet the Hall Master!"

Li Pingsheng turned around and looked at Master Qin through the crowd. Seeing that he had no one beside him, he narrowed his eyes and said softly:

"Please make it quick. My family must be waiting to hear my good news!"