Aptitude

Chen Wang set down his bowl of water, turned, and ran for the inner courtyard. His foot caught on the threshold, and he nearly took a tumble.

"Mas... Master!" He staggered into the inner courtyard, his voice cracking. "Junior Brother Xu has held the stance! He's entered the gate of the Three Talents Stake!"

Zhao Yan sat upright in his grandmaster's chair, drinking tea. At this, he did not even raise his eyelids, merely saying blandly, "So he held the stance. What's so remarkable about entering the gate of the Three Talents Stake?"

He assumed some disciple from the outer courtyard had improved in Stake Training and Chen Wang had come running to report the good news. It never crossed his mind that it could be Xu Qing.

Chen Wang swallowed, secretly full of admiration. Master truly had extraordinary composure. Hearing that a newly arrived junior brother had entered the gate of Stake Training in less than one incense stick's time, he did not even bat an eye.

Then again, what kind of sights had Master not seen?

He caught his breath and added, "I'd only taught Junior Brother Xu Stake Training for half an incense stick's time when he entered the gate. Master, is he really of middling-to-poor bone structure?"

"Who did you say?" Zhao Yan's hand holding the teacup abruptly froze. "Xu Qing? The one who just arrived?"

Those gleaming eyes suddenly flew open, like an old tiger startled awake from a nap.

"Yes, Master, Junior Brother Xu Qing." Chen Wang shuddered all over under that gaze, and even his words became clumsy. "Didn't you tell me to teach him Stake Training? I demonstrated the stance, explained the essentials, and had him hold it himself... but after only half an incense stick's time, he... he entered the gate..."

Zhao Yan stared at him for a long while. The corner of his mouth seemed to twitch, though it was impossible to tell whether he wanted to laugh or simply found it unbelievable. Yet he swiftly returned to normal, lifted his teacup, and took a sip as though nothing had happened.

"Mm. I understand," he said lightly.

Chen Wang scratched his head, standing there in utter confusion.

Just now, Master had clearly looked as though he'd been struck by lightning. How had he turned into someone utterly unfazed in the blink of an eye?

"Mas... Master, is Junior Brother Xu really of middling-to-poor bone structure?" he could not help asking again.

This time, Zhao Yan merely gave a quiet "Mm."

He believed his bone-reading could not possibly be wrong.

But if what Chen Wang said was true, if Xu Qing had brought his Stake Training to the entry level in only half an incense stick's time, then there was only one explanation: the boy possessed exceptional comprehension.

Seeing Chen Wang still looking baffled, Zhao Yan said softly, "His bone structure is middling-to-poor. There can be no mistake."

Then his tone shifted. "But bone structure is merely the rice bowl Heaven grants a person. Some hold golden bowls; some hold rough porcelain bowls."

He paused, and his gaze grew distant. It was as though he spoke to himself, yet also to the disciple before him. "But in this world, countless people have starved to death while holding golden bowls. Whether you can hold it steady, how long you can hold it, and what you can make of it—the thing that matters has never been only the bowl."

Chen Wang was left dumbfounded, scarcely daring to breathe loudly.

"I told all of you long ago: though the martial path values bone structure, it also values temperament and comprehension." Zhao Yan's voice deepened. "Xu Qing entered the gate of Stake Training in half an incense stick's time. His comprehension is exceptional. Though his bone structure is lacking, he can still make a living from martial arts."

"Since he has held the stance, teach him striking techniques. Go on." He set down his teacup and waved a hand.

As he spoke, his gaze lowered to the teacup.

A trace of desolation inadvertently surfaced in his eyes.

"This disciple understands!" Chen Wang had good instincts. Seeing that his master had once again recalled those old events, he said no more, bowed, and quickly withdrew to the outer courtyard.

It was not as though Zhao Yan had never taken disciples with good comprehension.

He had even had disciples whose bone structure and comprehension were both outstanding.

And more than one.

There had been two.

Two young faces rose in his mind. One had smiled with pure brightness; the other had always carried a touch of pride between his brows.

For both of them, he had poured out his heart and blood. He had taught them hand in hand, fed them every move and every stance, wishing he could stuff all his skills into their very bones.

But what had become of them?

One had had his foot tendons severed because of him. From then on, he had walked with a limp, and barring a miracle, could never advance further on the martial path.

The other... the other had learned all he could teach, only to betray the sect in the end, becoming the most painful thorn in Zhao Yan's life.

"Master, the tea has gone cold. This disciple will replace it with a fresh pot."

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

No sooner had Chen Wang left than a young man in a blue fitted martial outfit approached.

He was handsome, with smiling eyes and brows, the sort who looked talkative and cheerful at a glance. Yet there was something strange about the way he walked—his left foot dragged slightly when it touched the ground, and he limped with every step, as though it had little strength.

Zhao Yan suddenly came back to himself. His gaze instantly softened, and he smiled as he said gently, "Ah, good."

The young man picked up the teapot and turned toward the rear hall.

Zhao Yan watched that limping back, and the smile on his face gradually stiffened. His old eyes reddened, filled with self-reproach, guilt, and heartache, as if needles were pricking him again and again.

At this moment, he was no longer the Force Transformation expert whose fists could kill a tiger.

He was merely a powerless, lonely old man.

"A Yun, your master has wronged you..."

He mouthed the words soundlessly, his lips moving faintly, but no sound emerged.

When he saw the limping man turn around with the teapot, he hurriedly drew a deep breath, swept away all the desolation around him in one stroke, and put on a smiling face again, as though nothing had happened.

By the outer courtyard's training ground, several disciples rested against the weapon racks.

Zhou Wen sidled up to Xu Qing, tipped his chin toward Xu Qing's direction, and lowered his voice. "Xu Qing, that stinking fishmonger brat seems to have found the trick to Stake Training?"

"How long has he even been standing? And he can already hold steady? It took me a full seven days before I could hold the stance. What about you? How many days did you take?"

"Just a blind cat stumbling upon a dead rat." Xu Qing curled his lip, refusing to mention that he himself had still not entered the gate after ten days.

He gave a disdainful snort, then added, "Learning martial arts isn't just about holding stances. You also need medicinal supplements and meat."

"The hall only provides enough food to fill your belly. It doesn't provide those things, and buying them costs extra. With his family as poor as that, the apprenticeship fee probably already emptied them out. Without supplements and meat, he'll wear out his body. Let's see how he keeps holding that stance then. If he can stay in the hall peacefully for a full three months, that'll be a real skill!"

After a pause, he added, "Once the three months are up, he'll still go back to wherever he came from. A lowborn fishmonger wants to turn his life around through martial arts? Wishful thinking."

"That's true." Zhou Wen laughed and echoed him. "Our families all have shops supporting us, yet martial arts still leave us robbing Peter to pay Paul. Those country mud-leggers in the hall—aren't they tightening their belts every day just to hold stances and practice fists?"

"Ah, enough of that." Zhou Wen glanced into the distance, then suddenly tugged Xu Qing's sleeve. "Senior Brother Wu is done practicing. Let's go over."

His mouth kept moving as his voice dropped even lower. "Senior Brother Wu has invited Senior Sister Tao, Senior Brother Cao, and Senior Brother Ye out for dinner tonight. We agreed, right? This time, it's your treat..."

Xu Qing's expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly forced a smile. "Leave it to me."

He touched his money pouch. It was somewhat flat. Secretly, he calculated that once the banquet was over and he got home, he would ask his mother for more silver.

The sky gradually darkened.

Bang!

Xu Qing drove a Crushing Fist into the wooden training dummy. The force behind it was not great, but the form was convincing enough.

Before he could retract his fist, Chen Wang called out loudly, "Junior brothers and sisters, that's enough for today! The kitchen has finished cooking. Those who want to eat in the hall, go wash up in the washroom."

Before Chen Wang had finished speaking, Qin Liang was already walking toward Xu Qing. "Junior Brother Xu, let's go. I'll take you to the washroom. Tonight's staple is white-flour steamed buns, so make sure you eat your fill!"

There were more than ten rooms in the outer courtyard, and Xu Qing had been assigned to share one with Qin Liang.

Since they were roommates, and Chen Wang had specifically asked him to look after Xu Qing, Qin Liang naturally gave his junior brother extra care.

By the time they had washed up, the courtyard had already served white-flour steamed buns and large basins of food. It was only ordinary cabbage stewed with tofu and some vermicelli, but the dozen or so people still ate until they were thoroughly satisfied.

Those who stayed behind for food and lodging were not young masters and ladies from wealthy families.

There was a saying in Qinghe County: "The east is noble, the west is lowly." If truly rich and powerful families wanted to learn martial arts, they either had family teachings or entered the great martial halls in the eastern district. Being able to join the Zhao Family Martial Hall already said much about one's household circumstances.

After Xu Qing had eaten, he let Chen Wang and Qin Liang know, then headed once more to his aunt's home.

He was not thinking about getting an extra meal at his aunt's place. He simply felt he should tell his aunt and uncle that he had settled down safely to train at the martial hall, so they would not worry about him.

In less than two quarters of an hour, he spotted his uncle's bun shop.

Outside the shop, Xu Cheng kept glancing toward the street corner.

The moment he saw Xu Qing, delight spread across his face. He hurried over and said with a smile, "A-Qing, why did you come so late? Your aunt stewed mutton for you! Hurry, get inside and eat some meat!"

"Thank you, Uncle." Xu Qing smiled and quickly stepped closer.

He did not stand on ceremony. Martial arts training consumed a great deal, and he ought to eat meat.

He had clearly eaten until his stomach was full earlier, but at the very mention of "mutton," his belly started rumbling uncooperatively again.

Xu Cheng led Xu Qing into the back room, where Xu Yan had already served the mutton. There was a whole small basin of it, steaming hot and fragrant enough to make one's mouth water.

Xu Yan affectionately patted Xu Qing's head. "Qing'er, eat as much as you want! Whenever you feel like having meat, come to your little aunt's home, understand?"

Xu Cheng smiled beside her. "A-Qing, don't ever be distant with your uncle. Come whenever you want meat. Your uncle's family doesn't have much money, but we can still afford a meat meal every three to five days."

Xu Qing ate the mutton in great mouthfuls, answering through his food as he slowly spoke about what had happened at the martial hall.

When Xu Qing said he had entered the gate of Stake Training, Xu Cheng and Xu Yan were first stunned, then their faces blossomed with heartfelt delight.

"Good! Wonderful!" Xu Cheng slapped his thigh, grinning so widely his mouth could not close. "I knew our Qing'er was no ordinary person!"

Xu Yan's eyes reddened slightly, but she scolded with a smile, "Look how happy you are, as if you'd passed the provincial examination yourself."

"Isn't this even happier than passing the provincial examination?" Xu Cheng replied with complete confidence.

Laughter filled the room. The steam from the mutton billowed warmly, keeping the chill of the autumn night outside the door.