After dinner, Li Chuan called Li Qing over to an open patch of ground.
The Martial Hall's martial arts could not be taught in private, so he could only teach Li Qing a few methods for tempering his strength.
After thinking for a moment, Li Chuan decided to teach Li Qing how to lift stones.
Lifting stones was a commonly used method of training at the Martial Hall. It did not count as one of the Martial Hall's secret arts and could be taught.
Li Chuan picked up a small stone and said to Li Qing:
"Big Brother, there is a knack to lifting stones. Like this—bend your knees, spread your hands, slowly and steadily raise the stone above your head, hold it for ten breaths, then put it down. Repeat the motion."
"Whenever you have free time each day, you can practice this. There are also a few more tricks..."
In the distance, everyone watched Li Chuan and Li Qing chatting and laughing.
Qin Sanfeng wiped her eyes.
"Father, I was speaking in anger earlier. A-Chuan is a good child. I support him learning martial arts."
Li Nian's lips moved, and in the end, he said:
"You and A-Qing have suffered."
Qin Sanfeng shook her head.
"If A-Chuan can earn scholarly honors, he will be exempt from taxes and corvée labor. Then we will enjoy the blessings as well."
Qin Sanfeng meant every word.
Anning County levied a twenty-percent tax on them, and there were often constables who ate breakfast without paying.
From time to time, they also came to collect "shop fees," "wastewater fees," and "administration fees."
After layer upon layer of exploitation, the breakfast shop that appeared so bustling did not have much left over each month.
If Li Chuan could earn scholarly honors, all those fees would be waived.
The family's life would become much easier as well.
Watching the usually quiet Li Qing conscientiously lift stones according to Li Chuan's instructions, Qin Sanfeng could not help but smile.
"That foolish child."
The small trace of hostility she had held toward Li Chuan also vanished completely.
After teaching Li Qing, it was time for Li Chuan to return to the Martial Hall.
At the entrance of their home.
The family saw Li Chuan off.
Li Qing said earnestly:
"A-Chuan, take care of yourself. Study martial arts well. I will earn enough money for you."
Li Nian said with a cheerful laugh:
"A-Chuan, do not slack off after you get to the Martial Hall. Strive to knock on the gate as soon as possible."
Wang Xiumei stepped forward and took Li Chuan's hand.
"Chuan'er, just do your best with martial arts. Do not listen to whatever your grandfather says. Never hurt your body. Even if you fail, come back—the breakfast shop can still earn you a bite to eat."
Li Chuan nodded with a smile, waved, and turned to leave.
In his hand, he held a pouch containing one tael of silver.
It was the food money his entire family had scraped together through frugality, carrying all their hopes.
Held in his hand, it felt somewhat heavy.
His family did not understand the ways of martial arts. They always thought that once he entered the Martial Hall, he would become someone.
Just like the college entrance examination in his previous life—they always thought that getting into a good university meant the rest of one's life would be secure.
But that was merely the first step.
There would still be further education, work, houses, carriages, wedding feasts, and pressure from every direction.
Pass after pass was hard to cross, yet pass after pass had to be crossed.
Li Chuan shook his head and stopped thinking so far ahead.
He began calculating his next plans in his mind.
As he walked, Li Chuan caught sight of several familiar figures from the corner of his eye.
Liu Hu?
And several of his lackeys.
Why were they here?
Li Chuan frowned, lowered his head, and quickened his pace, wanting to avoid them.
With his current strength, it was best not to run into this god of plague.
Ten steps.
Five steps.
Three steps.
Li Chuan passed Liu Hu's side, but Liu Hu did not react.
Li Chuan let out a sigh of relief.
The next second.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Liu Hu, tall and built like an iron tower, threw an arm around him, blocking out part of the sun.
With a smile, he said:
"Little Brother Li, where are you heading?"
Li Chuan's heartbeat quickened, but he did his utmost to keep his expression steady.
"To Pine Wind Martial Hall."
Upon hearing the Martial Hall's name, Liu Hu restrained himself slightly and lowered his hand.
He smiled.
"Little Brother Li, tell me, what use is martial arts? If you cannot knock on the gate, you are not much stronger than me. Why not give me the silver instead? I will teach you a few moves."
The lackeys beside Liu Hu burst into laughter when they heard that.
Seeing that Li Chuan did not respond, Liu Hu curled his lip, finding no amusement in his own joke.
He continued asking:
"How has your grandfather considered it?"
"He is still considering it."
Liu Hu narrowed his eyes and offered a kindly warning:
"Little Brother Li, persuade your grandfather more. He is already so old, and his body is weak. He cannot withstand much tossing about."
Li Chuan did not reply. He quickened his pace and walked away.
His eyelids lowered, cold light flickering in his eyes.
If he had achieved success in martial arts, this would have been the moment to say, "You have chosen the road to death."
Unfortunately, he was still too weak.
"Fuck your mother, you stole my wife!"
"So what if I stole her?"
"I'll fucking kill you!"
The two groups started fighting at the slightest disagreement.
The situation immediately spiraled out of control.
In the blink of an eye, red and white matter splattered everywhere as though it cost nothing.
"The Black Bear Gang and the Iron Tiger Gang are fighting again. Who do you think will win this time?"
"The Iron Tiger Gang won last time. I reckon it will be about the same this time."
Quite a few commoners hid in the shadows and whispered among themselves.
"No fighting within the city!"
A dozen or so constables carrying blades shouted angrily as they rushed forward.
The members of both gangs immediately scattered like birds and beasts.
Li Chuan tightened his clothes and hurried around from the side, lest he be swept into the turmoil.
Anning County's urban area was divided into the Outer City and the Inner City. Gangs stood thick as forests in the Outer City, and thieves were everywhere.
The Inner City was where the masters lived, and public security was good.
The world was growing ever more chaotic, and disturbances in the Outer City were becoming increasingly frequent.
Everyone could feel that the smell of gunpowder was growing thicker and thicker.
No one knew when it would build to its limit, exploding with a roar and shattering order.
"In this world, only fists hard enough can gain a foothold."
Li Chuan passed through the many onlookers and stepped into Pine Wind Martial Hall.
The earlier clamor and noise seemed to have nothing to do with this place.
A single gate divided inside and outside into two different worlds.
No matter how things changed outside, no matter which gang became king, Pine Wind Martial Hall stood unmoved.
The hall master, Gu Fengbo, was a Transforming Force martial artist from the Inner City. In this Outer City, he counted as one of the rare experts.
Under his protection, the Martial Hall was as fine as an ivory tower.
Even though dusk was near, many disciples in embroidered robes still walked through it, eagerly discussing which restaurant they would visit next and where they would go to listen to music.
"Li Chuan? Why are you back so late? Didn't I tell you yesterday that Tingting wanted to try the new lion's head meatballs at Flying Swallow Pavilion?"
"One tael and five mace of silver per plate. Maybe it will win Jiang Ting a smile!"
"Hurry, hurry! Don't keep Tingting waiting too long!"
The two raised their brows, wicked grins on their faces.
In the past, whenever they mentioned Jiang Ting's name, Li Chuan would eagerly rush to treat them and flaunt his wealth.
They would get a few bites to eat as well.
Yet to their surprise, Li Chuan did not look as excited and warm as before.
He merely declined calmly.
"I have some matters to attend to, so I will not be going."
The two looked at him in surprise, wondering why this person had suddenly changed his nature.
Even Jiang Ting could no longer stir his heart?
After exchanging glances, they stopped paying attention to Li Chuan and turned to leave.
Li Chuan was merely an insignificant character in their world.
After putting away his luggage, Li Chuan arrived at the empty Martial Arts Arena.
It was nearly dark, and there were not many people in the Martial Arts Arena.
Those still practicing at this hour were mostly dressed in ordinary clothes and came from average families.
Only those whose families could not support them would regard martial arts as their sole hope and devote themselves to bitter training.
It had been the same in both his past and present lives.
The rich went abroad; the poor devoured one another in endless competition.
After steadying himself, Li Chuan cast the distracting thoughts from his mind.
Following the cultivation method for the Mountain-Holding Stance from his memories,
he formed his hands into palms, placed his left foot against his right knee, and lowered his body into a squat.
Not long after.
[Mountain-Holding Stance Proficiency +1]
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