Chen Yuan left the scene of sycophantic ingratiation without a change in his expression and went to a corner of the courtyard, where he continued practicing the Rock-Solid Stance Technique.
[Insight: 10]
[Constitution: 44]
[Cultivation: None]
[Techniques]
[Rock-Solid Stance Technique (Beginner): 279/500]
[Six Harmonies Mind Boxing (Beginner): 221/500]
[Dao of Survival Points: 6]
[Evaluation: You keep a low profile, avoid making enemies, and understand the principle of biding your time. You have just begun to grasp the way of survival. Dao of Survival Points +3 daily]
For half a month, he had continued to put his Dao of Survival Points into his constitution.
His most important task now was to build up his qi and blood as quickly as possible and break through the Skin Realm. The better his constitution, the faster he would improve, while diligence could make up for any shortfall in technique progress.
Once he broke through the Skin Realm, he could invest points in insight and try to comprehend Clear Force.
It was obvious that, with his improved constitution and the boost from meat and medicinal supplements, his technique progress had sped up by a full fifty percent compared to the previous month.
At this rate, perhaps both would bloom next month. All he had to do was keep his head down!
After practicing the stance twice, Chen Yuan went to the pavilion to rest. He had just taken a gulp of water when a young man came over to ask him for guidance on the Rock-Solid Stance Technique.
The sight reminded him of how Liu Jin had gone to ask Song Qiao for guidance a month and a half ago.
The world was ever-changing, yet it went round and round.
Chen Yuan said mildly, "Show me a set."
He had nothing better to do, so there was no harm in offering a few pointers.
The boy's face lit up at once. He cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."
He had probably been turned away by the other senior brothers.
After giving him some pointers, Chen Yuan stretched his limbs and found someone to spar with in the Six Harmonies Mind Boxing.
Although Xu Heng looked down on him, his progress at Huo Academy was already above average. And since he was hardworking and mild-mannered, he had made a few friends.
Night fell over the Chen Family home on Lotus Lane.
The family of four sat around the dining table. There were four dishes, one with meat and three vegetable dishes. It was already a decent meal.
Chen Kai picked through the food, taking all the meat for himself. As he ate, he complained, "Mother, why is there still so little meat? It feels like there's even less than before. I'm at a crucial point in building up my qi and blood, and I need more and more meat."
Li wore a face full of worry and sighed. "Kai, you've had to put up with so much. But that Qian Bao from the Black Dragon Gang raised the protection money again this month..."
With one person practicing martial arts, the entire burden fell on the other three.
Tuition cost money, and every month they also had to pay two taels of silver to buy Body Strengthening Soup at the Martial Hall. On top of that, they had to prepare meat.
The savings the Chen father and son had built up over the years were draining away fast.
Chen Kai snorted. "Black Dragon Gang, once I break through, let's see if you still dare throw your weight around."
Chen Dahai had even stopped smoking his dry tobacco. The lines on his face had deepened as he sighed.
"Kai, you have to make us proud. You're all we've got."
Chen Kai waved a hand and grumbled, "Grandpa, if I had enough meat and another tael of silver each month, I'd be confident I could break through within two and a half months."
At this, both men—Chen Dahai and Chen Dashan—fell silent.
The cruel truth was that they couldn't afford it.
If Chen Yuan were still around, things might be a little easier. They could have him sign on as a long-term dockworker for a few years and take an advance on his wages.
Thinking of this, Chen Dashan seethed. Chen Yuan, that ungrateful beast, actually had some ability. He had heard the boy was doing remarkably well for himself now.
A gleam flashed in Chen Kai's eyes. "Father, Chen Yuan gets five taels of silver every month now, doesn't he? If we could get him to loosen his grip and spare me two taels, wouldn't that be great? That worthless wretch doesn't deserve to have so much money anyway."
Li immediately shook her head, her face full of worry. "That Chen Yuan is a madman now. Kai, what if something happens to you... Better not provoke him."
Chen Dashan flared up and snorted. "That's a woman's foolish view. You're already scared? I refuse to believe that rebellious brat would dare do anything too outrageous. I'll beat him to death!"
Chen Kai nodded repeatedly, backing him up. "Father's right. Chen Yuan's just trying to scare you. Who does he think he is? He'd dare cripple me? Does he even have the ability? The authorities aren't just sitting on their hands!"
Worry deepened on Chen Dahai's face. He tried to talk them out of it. "Let's not make a scene. Little Yuan's having a hard time too. If we talk it over with him, perhaps he'll change his mind... That's our best option."
He couldn't understand it. Both his grandsons had the aptitude for martial arts.
If they joined forces and supported one another, producing two martial artists and bringing honor to the family would be a sure thing. The Chen Family might even grow into a small lineage.
Why did it have to come to a fight to the death...?
Chen Kai laughed coldly. "Grandpa, you think too highly of Chen Yuan. He's the sort of person who cuts off his family over a small matter, with no loyalty or affection. Even if he becomes a martial artist, he won't remember anything you've done for him. He might even turn around and bite the hand that fed him."
Chen Dahai let out a heavy sigh and fell silent.
Chen Dashan slapped the table and roared, "We raised that ungrateful brat all these years, and two taels and four qian are supposed to settle the score? We could make more than ten taels selling him to the docks. I'll go settle accounts with him myself tomorrow!"
Then he turned to Li and instructed her, "Tomorrow, go to the Cheng Family on Hundred Herb Lane and collect the debt. They want to get a worker for free? What kind of deal is that? Don't give in for less than five taels of silver."
Seeing how determined Chen Dashan was, and with her son's reassurances still ringing in her ears, Li regained her old confidence.
She nodded firmly. "Kai, focus on your training. Tomorrow, Mother will get your silver back."
It was another ordinary day.
Training was grueling and monotonous. It was especially hard when there was no visible progress; that was when people were most likely to doubt themselves and grow slack.
Chen Yuan trained hard every day. Part of it came from his strong will, and part from the fact that he could see his progress at any moment, keeping him in a virtuous cycle.
At dinner that day, someone called his name again and said there was a visitor outside the courtyard.
Chen Yuan frowned slightly. The last time this had happened, Li had come to make a scene.
Had she come again?
He stepped outside and saw Chen Dashan standing there with a dark expression. His brows furrowed even more.
"Oh, you're still alive?" Chen Yuan greeted him politely.
The words made Chen Dashan's face flush.
He was already so furious he could barely contain himself. He shouted, "You ungrateful brat! You dare curse me dead? I'll beat you to death!"
As he spoke, he strode forward and swung his fan-sized palm at Chen Yuan's face.
He had to dominate him from the outset. Besides, he didn't believe Chen Yuan would dare hit back. He was his father, after all!
Chen Yuan smiled. How impulsive. He'd taken the bait with a single word, just as Chen Yuan had hoped.
He stepped in too, spreading the fingers of his left hand and rounding his thumb and forefinger like an eagle's talons as he precisely clamped down on Chen Dashan's wrist.
Feeling the tremendous force and pain in his wrist, Chen Dashan was stunned. That ungrateful brat really dared to hit him!
Chen Yuan twisted at the waist and turned, then flung Chen Dashan's trapped right hand hard to the side. Chen Dashan's world spun. He crashed to the ground with a thud, stars flashing before his eyes.
His wrist throbbed with unbearable pain. It had been dislocated.
Furious and alarmed, Chen Dashan bellowed, "Chen Yuan! You're no son of mine! You even dare hit your own father! I'll report you to the authorities!"
Chen Yuan sneered. "I cut ties with you long ago. At most, you're a thug who picked a fight and attacked me first. Who do you think the authorities will arrest—you or me?"
The old man guarding the gate could testify, after all.
Chen Yuan said coolly, "Uncle Wang, from now on, if he comes looking for me, treat him like that woman and send him away."
Seeing that Chen Yuan didn't even want to entertain him, Chen Dashan roared, "You ungrateful brat! You think leaving the family with nothing means it's all settled? You still owe me for everything I've done for you. If you don't pay at least ten taels of silver, just wait until your reputation is in tatters!"
Chen Yuan's expression turned cold. "I remember making myself perfectly clear to Li. Don't threaten me again!"
He thought the couple were both ridiculous and stupid. They were trying every way they could to squeeze money out of him, even if it meant making an enemy of him.
Had all those years of living together given them some kind of fixed impression of him?
If so, he had nothing left to say. He tossed out a cold remark:
"If you want to make trouble, I'll gladly oblige."
Then he turned and walked back into the courtyard, his eyes going utterly cold.
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