Marriage Proposal

Ever since the Inner Courtyard disciples had gone to the gathering, the entire Martial Hall had become much quieter.

Li Chuan rarely got to enjoy such peaceful days, and he practiced martial arts to his heart's content.

The Inner Courtyard disciples were not completely cut off from them either.

At the very least, Li Chuan still heard plenty of news about the gathering every few days.

For instance, Qin Feng had displayed tremendous prowess, defeating the Final Disciples of two Martial Halls in succession before losing by a single move to a veteran Dark Force martial artist.

Even so, that record was more than impressive enough.

After all, he had only broken through to Dark Force not long ago.

Thus, word had it that Qin Feng had earned the County Magistrate's appreciation and had even been invited into the Magistrate's Mansion for a candlelit late-night talk.

Perhaps because of that, Liang Hangzhou wore a brilliant smile every time he returned.

Even his attitude toward Outer Courtyard disciples like them had improved considerably.

Yet where there was glory, there was naturally cruelty as well.

Lin Zhe of the Inner Courtyard had reportedly had one arm broken by someone from an opposing Martial Hall. Even after it had been set back in place, it was nowhere near as good as before.

It could be said that without great medicines to aid him, his path in martial arts had come to an end.

Li Chuan could not help sighing at his own wise choice.

His martial prowess was not particularly outstanding. If he had truly gone to exchange pointers at the gathering, fists and feet had no eyes!

If he injured himself somewhere, taking a month or two to recover would already be the lighter outcome!

How could that compare to quietly devoting himself to martial arts in the Martial Arts Arena?

During this period, Li Chuan was either at the Martial Hall or at the Luo Family Pharmacy.

After the previous incident, Luo Houping's vigilance over the medicine deliveries had risen another level.

He strengthened the scouting of the routes and added more manpower.

In the following medicine deliveries, Li Chuan never again encountered the kind of danger he had faced the first time.

At most, there were a few mountain bandits and wandering outlaws, mere small-time skirmishes that were easily dealt with.

Naturally, the silver he earned was no longer as much as before.

Still, with two medicine deliveries a month, he could earn an average of four taels of silver every month.

Besides eating donkey meat, he could occasionally add something extra to his meals and buy some venison.

The days passed one after another.

Two months later.

Bang!

The sound of fists colliding was especially piercing in the empty Martial Arts Arena.

Two bare-chested figures traded blows amid the vast white snowfield.

One threw a punch, the other kicked back. It was a lively sight!

After a while, Li Chuan steadied himself and cupped his fists. "Senior Brother Yu, your skill is exceptional. I am ashamed to admit I am inferior."

Yu Sinian smiled. "Junior Brother Li, you are being modest again. I have been at Bright Force for nearly a year now, so naturally my qi and blood surpass yours by far."

"Besides, your improvement is plain for the eye to see. Two months ago, I could defeat you with ease, but now we have to remain locked in a stalemate for half the time it takes an incense stick to burn before a winner can be decided."

A trace of envy appeared in his eyes.

"I truly do not know how you do it. How do you improve every single day? I am often treading water, and sometimes I even regress."

Li Chuan glanced at the panel without giving anything away.

[Primordial Jade Record]

[Effect: Record skills; study diligently and train hard, and success is inevitable!]

[Host: Li Chuan]

[Mountain-Holding Stance (Minor Mastery)]

[Proficiency: 830/2000]

[Through-Arm Fist (Minor Mastery)]

[Proficiency: 710/2000]

Two months of grueling cultivation had brought the Mountain-Holding Stance's proficiency close to the thousand mark, while the Through-Arm Fist was not far behind.

Li Chuan said modestly, "It is naturally because Senior Brother Yu taught me well."

Those words were not entirely flattery.

Yu Sinian had entered Bright Force long ago, and his understanding of both the Mountain-Holding Stance and the Through-Arm Fist surpassed Li Chuan's.

When the two sparred, Li Chuan was actually the one who benefited more.

It was precisely because Yu Sinian was there that he accumulated proficiency faster than he could by practicing alone.

Yu Sinian gave a bitter smile. "Junior Brother Li, do not say that. Sparring with you has also given me many new insights. We are improving together; there is no question of who is teaching whom."

Li Chuan put on his clothes, his gaze drifting.

Hu Yuan had left two months ago.

But perhaps Yu Sinian had noticed how diligent and hardworking he was. He had taken the initiative to approach Li Chuan, make friends with him, and suggest that they practice martial arts together.

Li Chuan had naturally agreed with delight.

Yu Sinian was also someone fiercely devoted to martial arts.

He went with Li Chuan in the early morning and returned with him late at night.

Only later did Li Chuan learn this.

Yu Sinian actually had quite a reputation in the Outer Courtyard.

He had long since earned the title of "Martial Arts Maniac."

After spending so much time with him, Li Chuan had gradually become known as the second Martial Arts Maniac.

Yu Sinian put on his clothes. "Junior Brother Li, everyone calls me a Martial Arts Maniac, but I know I cannot compare to you. The year is drawing to a close, and I should return home. When will you be going back?"

Li Chuan was slightly dazed.

He had immersed himself in martial arts for these past two months and had not returned home even once.

It seemed he should go back too.

After calculating it, he realized he had actually been in this world for half a year already.

Time really flew.

After bidding Li Chuan farewell, Yu Sinian left carrying his luggage.

A moment later, Luo Zheng came over and patted Li Chuan on the shoulder. "You brat, it is almost New Year's Eve. Why are you still practicing?"

"Senior Brother Luo, my Low-Grade Bone Constitution cannot compare to yours. I have to put in twice the effort just to barely catch up." Li Chuan made a joke.

Luo Zheng shook his head repeatedly. "I think it is not that you want to practice martial arts. It is that you have nothing to do when you go home!"

This time, Li Chuan did not hurry to deny it. After thinking about it, that really was the case.

In his previous life, some of his coworkers had never tired of working overtime.

When asked why, they had actually said they had nothing to do at home anyway.

Back then, he had scoffed at them. Even going home to play video games was better than working overtime!

Who would have thought that as time turned its wheel, he too had become that kind of person?

Luo Zheng gave him a hard pat. "Look at me. I have already taken one wife and one concubine, and now I am preparing to take a second concubine. Yet you do not even have a wife!"

Li Chuan's eyes widened. "Right now, I only want to build up my qi and blood as soon as possible, break through to Dark Force, and pass the Martial Exam. I have no mind for such matters."

Luo Zheng revealed the knowing smile of a man. "Have you even experienced it before you say that? You have no mind for it? Once you have tasted the marrow, you know its flavor. Understand?"

Li Chuan grumbled inwardly, In my previous life, I had at least watched countless films. How could I count as a virgin?

Luo Zheng continued persuading him. "There are three forms of unfilial conduct, and having no descendants is the greatest. Think about your mother."

Li Chuan thought back carefully and indeed remembered his mother mentioning several times that she wanted to hold a grandson.

"Just give it a try. It will not waste much of your time, and if you find a good family, they can even provide you with plenty of help on the martial path!"

Li Chuan reluctantly said, "All right..."

Luo Zheng smiled knowingly and swiftly pulled several portraits from his pocket.

"Miss Lin from the Lin family in the east of the city, the daughter of South City Fan Winery—there is everything you could want!"

Li Chuan said, "You had these prepared already?!"

Luo Zheng looked pleased with himself. "How could I not concern myself with such an important matter as your marriage?"

Li Chuan picked up the portraits and examined them.

Luo Zheng stepped behind him at just the right moment. "I recommend this one: Fan Wanyu, the daughter of South City Fan Winery. Wine and women have been the most profitable businesses since ancient times. Her father has run that winery for at least a dozen years. Who knows how much Snowflake Silver he has amassed? If you can marry her, why would you need to worry about martial arts resources in the future?"

"Then this one." Li Chuan handed the portrait to Luo Zheng. "Though she may not necessarily think much of my circumstances."

Luo Zheng patted his chest. "Even if it is dead, your Brother Luo can make it come alive. Do not worry!"