Challenging at Your Doorstep (Seeking Follow-ups!)

After finishing his meal in the dining hall, Chen Yuan took the initiative to seek out Zhang Shi, with whom he had a decent relationship.

Seeing him approach, Zhang Shi wore a simple, honest smile. "Junior Brother Chen, looking to spar?"

Chen Yuan waved his hand slightly and said with a serious expression, "Senior Brother Zhang, how much do you know about the rules for visiting other martial halls to issue a challenge?"

Acting in the shadows carried the risk of being investigated, and Chen Yuan did not want to take such a gamble.

However, a word once spoken could not be overtaken by a team of four horses; if he wanted to resolve the scourge that was the Chen Family, he had to strike with force.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shi's tone grew more solemn.

"Regarding door-to-door challenges, every martial hall and academy has relevant rules. First, the target of the challenge cannot be weaker than oneself. Second, one must be courteous and refrain from any insulting gestures. Third, the challenger must complete three full matches before they can step down, with a quarter-hour break in between. Furthermore, fists and feet have no eyes; one is responsible for their own injuries or death."

He looked deeply at Chen Yuan, offering a reminder: "Junior Brother Chen, although issuing a challenge is within the rules, people usually don't do it without a grievance. For one, the risk of injury from three consecutive fights is high, and the challenged party will not hold back. For another, it invites unnecessary trouble. If you intend to do this, it is best to inform Master Huo first."

"Many thanks for the information, Senior Brother." Knowing that he would be allowed to strike with heavy force, Chen Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and headed toward where Senior Brother Tao Ping was located.

After stating his intentions, Tao Ping was quite surprised. He had not expected that the usually diligent and steady Junior Brother Chen would propose something as contrary to his personality as a formal challenge.

"I will take you to see Master."

Knowing he could not make the decision himself, he led Chen Yuan toward the inner courtyard.

Under the night sky, the inner courtyard was somewhat quiet, with Master Huo sitting leisurely in a pavilion, sipping tea.

In the yard, Xu Heng was practicing his boxing under the moonlight. His movements were like flowing water, and every punch whistled with force.

Chen Yuan watched quietly from the side.

Having broken through the Skin Barrier, Xu Heng was indeed vastly different, and his progress in the Six Harmonies Mind Boxing was a cut above his own.

He estimated that in another half-month, Xu Heng would grasp the Bright Force, elevating his combat power once more to reach the standard of an entry-level martial artist.

According to Senior Brother Zhang Shi, only entry-level martial artists who had mastered both the Skin Barrier and Bright Force were qualified to hold positions in other factions and earn a monthly stipend.

"Hmm? What brings you here?" Master Huo sipped his tea and said indifferently.

Tao Ping bowed slightly. "Master, Junior Brother Chen has something he wishes to discuss with you."

Huo Lin glanced at Chen Yuan; compared to when he first arrived, the boy was indeed much sturdier.

He had a decent impression of Chen Yuan. Although his talent was average, he was hardworking, his progress in stance training was good, and he had started learning the Six Harmonies Mind Boxing at the same time as Xu Heng.

Even so, in just over a month and a half, a significant gap had already opened between them.

"Speak, what do you need?" Huo Lin asked calmly.

With Xu Heng as his personal disciple, he had been in a good mood lately, especially since yesterday was the day Xu Heng had achieved his breakthrough.

Chen Yuan cupped his hands and said, "Master Huo, I intend to visit the Kaishan Martial Hall to issue a challenge. May I have your permission?"

Huo Lin was stunned, then raised an eyebrow slightly.

This kid surprised him; he hadn't even mastered the basics of his own kung fu, yet he was already thinking about issuing challenges.

He asked, "Do you know the rules? The risks are not small."

Chen Yuan nodded. "I have a general understanding."

"Must you go?" Huo Lin asked again.

Chen Yuan replied solemnly, "I could choose not to, but going will clear my mind."

Huo Lin suddenly laughed. "A fine 'clearing of the mind.' Since your heart is set, then go. But I will say this first: if you are beaten to death or crippled, I will not step in for you."

Chen Yuan bowed. "That is only natural. Many thanks for your permission, Master Huo."

Huo Lin gave a slight grunt of acknowledgment.

Although he only wanted to focus on cultivating Xu Heng and didn't want any complications, Chen Yuan was a disciple who hadn't even broken the Skin Barrier; he wouldn't be able to stir up any real trouble.

It was just a minor scuffle.

Moreover, his own philosophy prioritized actual combat. A formal challenge was different from sparring within the hall; it was a genuine contest where blood and injury were common occurrences.

Fighting a few matches might even prove beneficial.

He instructed Tao Ping, "Take Chen Yuan to the Kaishan Martial Hall tomorrow. See that he minds the rules."

That would be safer.

Tao Ping nodded and led Chen Yuan away.

In the courtyard, Xu Heng finished a set of Six Harmonies Mind Boxing and walked toward Huo Lin, bowing.

"Master, when will I be allowed to issue a challenge?"

Clearly, he had heard the entire conversation; young and full of vigor, he was already itching to try his hand.

Huo Lin shook his head with a smile, "Set your mind at ease and focus on your cultivation. For you, the bone and muscle gates of blood-qi and the hidden force of technique are not major obstacles. Only after you have mastered them all will it be time to challenge others."

Xu Heng remained unreconciled, "Master, I still want to try. Sparring with experts of my generation might help me progress even faster!"

Huo Lin scoffed and sighed, "Xu Heng, you are different. You are my personal disciple; your challenging others carries a completely different significance than Chen Yuan going out to do so. Besides, Master has quite a few deadly rivals out there, and they won't show any mercy when they play dirty."

Thinking of the grudges and grievances of the past, his expression turned solemn and complex.

Stepping through the fragmented moonlight back to his aunt's house, Chen Yuan learned from her that Li had come by in the evening to demand money.

His aunt said with great indignation, "How truly shameless! To dare come here asking for money, and she had the nerve to demand ten taels of silver... Hmph, it's a mercy I haven't gone to find trouble with her myself."

The result, naturally, was a loud argument that ended on bad terms.

It seemed Li's actions had angered his aunt quite deeply.

Chen Yuan listened silently, then said softly, "Aunt, I've caused you trouble. I will resolve this properly."

"It's no matter. She won't get the better of me here. You just focus on your martial arts and don't let this distract you. Once you've mastered your skills, they won't dare to act so wantonly," his aunt comforted him.

Chen Yuan did not argue, simply nodding before heading off to sleep.

Admittedly, if he endured for another month or two, those people would likely no longer have the guts to jump around in front of him.

That was the safest way to resolve the matter.

However, he was not a turtle. Since he had the ability now, taking a few risks was worth it.

He did not want his aunt and uncle to suffer the harassment and provocations of the Chen Family couple in vain just because of his forbearance.

As the poem goes: I wish to buy osmanthus flowers and carry wine together, but in the end, it is not like the wanderings of youth.

Even if this action were judged as inconsistent with the principles of the Dao of Survival, Chen Yuan would not regret it.

His principles as a human stood above the system's principles! He was the user of the system, not a slave to the panel.

The next day, a settlement comment appeared on the panel:

[Congratulations to the host. You did not put the cart before the horse, nor did you survive just for the sake of surviving. The true meaning of the Dao of Survival is to survive in order to realize the meaning of your life. When the two conflict, the Dao of Survival will make way for the matters that are more important in your heart. Dao of Survival points +50.]

A smile appeared on Chen Yuan's face.

This system was quite humane, generously granting him 50 points, equivalent to half a month of accumulation.

He did not hesitate, and together with the 6 Dao of Survival points remaining from yesterday, he poured them all into Six Harmonies Mind Boxing!