Arranging a Marriage

Ever since the inner courtyard disciples left for the small gathering, the entire martial arts hall had become much quieter.

Li Chuan also rarely enjoyed this peaceful time, practicing his martial arts in self-contentment.

The inner courtyard disciples were not entirely cut off from them, however.

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

For instance, Qin Feng had displayed great prowess, defeating the closed-door disciples of two martial arts halls in succession, only to lose by a single move to a veteran practitioner of Dark Force.

Even so, this record was impressive enough.

One had to remember, he had only recently broken through to the Dark Force stage.

Therefore, it was also said that Qin Feng had gained the appreciation of the county magistrate, who had even invited him into the magistrate's residence for a candlelit conversation late into the night.

Perhaps for this reason, every time Liang Hangzhou returned, one could see a brilliant smile on his face.

He even treated them, the Outer Courtyard disciples, with a much better attitude.

But where there was a bright side, there was naturally a cruel one.

It was said that Lin Zhe of the inner courtyard had an arm broken by a rival martial arts hall's disciple, and even if it were reattached, it would never be as good as before.

It could be said that without the assistance of potent medicine, his path in martial arts was effectively severed.

Li Chuan could not help but sigh at his own wise choice.

His martial prowess was not particularly outstanding; if he had really gone to the gathering to exchange blows, fists and feet had no eyes!

If he were injured anywhere, a month or so of recovery would be the least of his worries!

How could that compare to the comfort of practicing diligently in the training grounds?

During this period, Li Chuan spent his time either at the martial arts hall or at the Luo Family Pharmacy.

Ever since the last incident, Luo Houping had raised his vigilance regarding the delivery of medicine to another level.

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

In the subsequent deliveries, Li Chuan had not encountered the same kind of danger as the first time.

At most, there were some mountain bandits and drifters, small-time trouble that was easily resolved.

The silver was naturally not as much as the last time.

But by delivering medicine twice a month, he could earn an average of four taels of silver per month.

Beyond eating donkey meat, he could occasionally treat himself to a meal of venison.

Days passed by just like that.

Two months later.

"Bang!"

The sound of fists colliding was particularly jarring in the empty training grounds.

Two bare-chested figures were sparring against each other in the vast, snow-covered field.

One punch, one kick—it was quite a lively scene!

After a while, Li Chuan steadied his stance and cupped his fists.

"Senior Brother Yu, your skills are excellent; I am ashamed to admit I am no match for you."

Yu Sinian laughed.

"Junior Brother Li, you are being humble again. I broke through to the Bright Force stage nearly a year ago, so my vitality is naturally far superior to yours."

"Moreover, your progress is visible to the naked eye. Two months ago, I could easily defeat you, but now it takes half a quarter of an hour to determine the winner."

A hint of envy appeared in his eyes.

"I really don't know how you manage to improve every single day? I often feel like I'm standing still, or sometimes even regressing."

Li Chuan glanced at his panel without leaving a trace.

[Primordial Jade Record]

[Effect: Record techniques; diligent study and hard practice will surely lead to success!]

[Host: Li Chuan]

[Mountain-Holding Stance (Minor Achievement)]

[Proficiency: 830/2000]

[Through-Arm Fist (Minor Achievement)]

[Proficiency: 710/2000]

Two months of hard training had brought the proficiency of his Mountain-Holding Stance close to the one-thousand mark, and his Through-Arm Fist was not far behind.

Li Chuan said modestly:

"It is only because Senior Brother Yu taught me well."

His words were not entirely flattery.

Yu Sinian had been in the Bright Force stage for a long time, and his understanding of the Mountain-Holding Stance and the Through-Arm Fist was superior to his own.

When the two of them sparred, it was actually he who benefited more.

It was precisely because of Yu Sinian's presence that his proficiency accumulated faster than when he practiced alone.

Yu Sinian smiled bitterly:

"Junior Brother Li, don't say that. I've also gained many new insights from sparring with you. We are improving together; there's no question of who is teaching whom."

Li Chuan put on his clothes, his gaze drifting.

Two months ago, Hu Yuan had left.

But perhaps because Yu Sinian had noticed his diligence and hard work, he had taken the initiative to strike up a conversation and proposed that they practice martial arts together.

Li Chuan had naturally agreed with pleasure.

Yu Sinian was also a man who practiced martial arts with great intensity.

He would go with Li Chuan in the early morning and return with him late at night.

It was only later that Li Chuan learned the truth.

It turned out that Yu Sinian had quite a reputation in the Outer Courtyard.

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

By being with him, Li Chuan had gradually become known as the second Martial Arts Maniac.

Yu Sinian put on his clothes:

"Junior Brother Li, others call me the Martial Arts Maniac, but I know I can't compare to you. With the end of the year approaching, I should head home. When will you be going back?"

Li Chuan felt a bit dazed.

He had been so focused on his martial arts training over these past two months that he hadn't gone back once.

It seemed it was time to return.

He calculated that he had been in this world for half a year already.

Time really flew by.

After bidding farewell to Li Chuan, Yu Sinian picked up his luggage and left.

A moment later, Luo Zheng came over and patted Li Chuan on the shoulder:

"You kid, it's almost New Year's Eve, why are you still practicing!"

"Senior Brother Luo, my inferior aptitude can't compare to yours. I have to put in double the effort just to barely keep up!" Li Chuan joked.

Luo Zheng shook his head repeatedly:

"I don't think it's that you want to practice martial arts, but rather that you have nothing to do at home!"

Li Chuan didn't rush to deny it this time; he thought about it and realized it was indeed true.

In his past life, some of his colleagues were tireless when it came to working overtime.

When asked why, they would actually say they had nothing to do at home.

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

He never imagined that as time passed, he would become one of those people himself.

Luo Zheng gave him a hard pat:

"Look at me, I've already taken a wife and a concubine, and now I'm preparing to take a second concubine, yet you don't even have a wife!"

Li Chuan widened his eyes:

"Right now, I'm only thinking about accumulating enough blood and qi as quickly as possible to break through to the Dark Force so I can pass the Martial Exam. I have no mind for such things."

Luo Zheng revealed a smile that every man understood:

"How can you say you have no mind for it when you haven't even experienced it? Do you understand what it means to 'get a taste of the marrow'!"

Li Chuan muttered to himself:

In my past life, I had at least 'watched countless films,' how could I be considered a novice!

Luo Zheng continued to persuade him:

"Of the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the greatest. Think about your mother."

Li Chuan recalled carefully and indeed remembered his mother mentioning many times that she wanted to hold a grandson.

"Just give it a try, it won't waste much of your time. Besides, if you can find a good family, they might even be able to provide you with a lot of help in your martial path!"

Li Chuan reluctantly agreed: "Alright..."

Luo Zheng smiled knowingly and hurriedly pulled several portraits out of his pocket:

"Miss Lin from the east of the city, the daughter of the winery owner in the south of the city—we have everything you could want!"

Li Chuan:

"You were prepared for this all along?!"

Luo Zheng wore a smug expression.

"How could I not worry about your marriage prospects?"

Li Chuan picked up a few portraits to examine them.

Luo Zheng stepped up behind him at the perfect moment.

"I recommend this one: Fan Wanyu, the daughter of the South City Fan Winery. Wine and beauty 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 silver they've hoarded? If you can take her as your wife, you'll never have to worry about resources for your martial arts training again!"

"Then let's go with this one," Li Chuan said, handing the portrait back to Luo Zheng. "She might not necessarily look favorably upon my circumstances."

Luo Zheng patted his chest.

"Even if it were a dead end, your Brother Luo could make it work for you. Rest easy!"