Reading

When the steaming dishes were brought to the table in the courtyard, father and son tacitly refrained from bringing up the matter again.

Zhao Feng brought out a jar of fine yellow wine he had bought from a restaurant, broke open the clay seal, and poured Zhao Youlin a cup.

Zhao Youlin carefully took a sip. His clouded eyes immediately lit up, and he repeatedly praised it as good wine.

He felt deeply gratified. Without his son, he would never have tasted such fine wine in his life.

Zhao Feng then took out fruit drink he had bought in the inner city and poured everyone a cup. "What is this?" After tasting it, the family all exclaimed over how delicious it was. Bao'er and Zihuai in particular could not take their eyes off the fruit drink.

After they had eaten heartily for a while,

"Father, Mother, Aunt, Sister-in-law, I have something I'd like to discuss with you," he said.

Everyone set down their chopsticks in unison and looked at him.

"I want Qiao'er, Bao'er, and Zihuai to attend school and learn to read. I'll cover the tuition, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Whether they learn martial arts or pursue some other path in the future, they must first know how to read." As soon as he finished speaking,

the family's breathing grew hurried. Qiao'er and the two children in particular looked full of anticipation.

"Good! I want to learn martial arts, just like Second Uncle!" Zhao Bao'er and Zhao Zihuai shouted.

"Can Qiao'er really go to school?" Zhao Youfang asked in a trembling voice.

"Of course. The Great Yan Dynasty does not forbid women from studying or practicing martial arts, so why couldn't she? Whether Qiao'er and Bao'er choose martial arts or take the female official examinations in the future, they'll need to be literate and educated. Zihuai even more so," Zhao Feng said.

"If that's possible, then that would be wonderful." Zhao Youfang could not help wiping away tears again.

"But your uncle-in-law's family..." She was somewhat worried. Her husband's family had her and her daughter work at the embroidery workshop to earn more money for the household. If Qiao'er stopped working, she would bring home less money. They probably would not agree.

"Don't worry. I'll speak to Uncle-in-law," Zhao Feng said calmly.

"Thank you, Cousin!" Qiao'er cheered joyfully. She could finally learn to read and write, and read storybooks with words in them.

"Aunt, I think Qiao'er can stay here while she attends school. There are empty rooms," Zhao Feng said to Zhao Youfang.

His uncle-in-law, Tao Qing, had actually wanted to sell Qiao'er. It stirred an inexplicable anger in him. Besides, if his cousin remained in that household, she would have too much work to do. Where would she find time to study?

"Feng'er, but the tuition..." Zhao Youlin asked.

"Father, don't worry." Seeing how tense his family was, Zhao Feng could not help laughing. People said poverty bred scholars and wealth bred martial artists, but merely learning to read and write, including the cost of brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and tuition, would not cost much at all. Two taels of silver would be more than enough, nowhere near the expense of martial arts tuition.

"The question now is whether I should arrange for Qiao'er to attend a private school in the county, while Bao'er and Zihuai study here in the county as well, or attend the private school in the village." Zhao Feng sought his mother and sister-in-law's opinions.

"The children are still young and can't be separated from their mother. Let them study at the village school," Zhao Youlin said.

Yang Shi and his sister-in-law had no objections. Only the two little ones were somewhat unhappy, as they thought the county town was livelier.

"It's only temporary. Later, when we all move to the county town, you can study here," Zhao Feng said, pinching their little cheeks.

Zhao Youfang nodded and secretly wiped away tears. Half were tears of joy for her daughter, while the other half came from sorrow over that household. Yet she still had not made up her mind to seek a divorce.

Zhao Feng sighed inwardly. His aunt had suffered too much, and he knew he had to give her time. In this era, a married woman followed her husband. His aunt had to come to her own realization and make her own decision about her marriage. All he needed to do was support her.

After the meal, Zhao Feng took his family around the county town's market and temple fair to have some fun. The next day, after buying enough rice, flour, and meat, he hired a carriage to send them back to the village. Still worried about their safety, he personally escorted them home.

Upon reaching the village, Zhao Feng unloaded the rice, flour, meat, and other supplies, then left behind another seven or eight taels of silver.

"Father, Mother, Sister-in-law, if anything happens, have Uncle Ding send word to me at the martial arts school."

"In a few days, send Zihuai and Bao'er to the private school."

He gave them these instructions.

Then, under his family's reluctant gazes, he boarded the carriage and returned to the county town.

After Zhao Feng returned to the county town, he first went to speak to his uncle-in-law about Qiao'er attending school. There was no obstacle in talking with Tao Qing. Although Tao Qing's parents muttered things like, "Why should a girl study? Our eldest grandson hasn't even gone to school yet," Zhao Feng ignored them. He was there to inform them, not ask for permission. Tao Qing's family could only agree.

With the lingering troubles left by the Black Tiger Gang and the matter of his cousin, Bao'er, and Zihuai attending school all settled, Zhao Feng devoted all his attention to martial arts training in preparation for the martial examination.

As the martial examination drew closer, the atmosphere within the Huo Family Martial Arts School grew increasingly tense.

Not only were the core Dark Force disciples training desperately for the examination, but quite a few Bright Force disciples were also holding their breath, preparing to register.

They knew their own limits. They understood that even at the peak of Bright Force, they could not make the rankings. But the martial examination was the best public opportunity to make a name for themselves. As long as they performed brilliantly, even if they lost, they might catch the eye of wealthy families and powerful clans, greatly improving their circumstances.

"Master!"

"Good morning, Master!"

Huo Shan entered through the main gate, passed by the apprentices, and went straight to the area where the Bright Force disciples practiced their forms.

"You've tensed this stance too much!"

"I told you, Cross Force guards the center!"

"Raise your left fist two inches!"

He paused briefly before several disciples at the peak of Bright Force, correcting and instructing them. Just as he was about to head directly into the rear courtyard, he turned and saw Zhao Feng. Only then did he remember that Zhao Feng was still accustomed to practicing in the front courtyard. He therefore turned back and watched for a while.

"Your combination of the Sky-Piercing Cone and Tiger Pounce just now was not bad. But there's one more thing to note. This is a double layer of Dark Force, so when you unleash the Sky-Piercing Cone, you need to gather your strength first!"

Huo Shan demonstrated personally. He raised his hand—Smack!—drove the tip of his elbow upward, then immediately pounced downward to attack the lower body. The two moves flowed together seamlessly. The air cracked in rapid succession.

"Did you see that clearly? Show me again."

He patiently guided Zhao Feng until Zhao Feng had nearly grasped it, then nodded in satisfaction.

"Use this prescription to prepare a medicinal bath." He took out another sheet of paper.

"I worked this prescription out last night based on your condition. It can further improve your vitality, blood, sinews, bones, and physical strength in a short period. Remember, take a medicinal bath once every two days. Do not be greedy, or you'll not only be forcing growth but also damaging your body. If you lack money, go find your mistress."

"Thank you, Master." Zhao Feng's heart warmed. Clearly, Huo Shan regarded him far more highly than before.

Seeing Huo Shan patiently instruct Zhao Feng, the disciples began whispering among themselves.

"Senior Brother Zhao Feng has improved so quickly."

"He also succeeded in breaking through on his first attempt, just like Senior Brother Chu."

"And he was only two months later than Senior Brother Chu. Could he make the rankings in this martial examination?"

"I don't think so. Senior Brother Chu still has the best chance."

After finishing his instruction, Huo Shan went to the rear courtyard. Though calm on the surface, he was anxious inside. This was his martial arts school's first time participating in the martial examination. They had to make an impact. At least one disciple had to make the rankings for the school to be considered established in Big Stone County. Thus, he placed great importance on the Dark Force disciples and patiently instructed each of them.

But at present, Chu Fan had the greatest chance. Though he was somewhat impetuous, his natural aptitude was the best, and he had already touched the threshold of late-stage Dark Force. Moreover, he had previously rendered meritorious service in the patrol force and had a good relationship with the county magistrate. Therefore, he had the highest chance of making the rankings.

For this reason, Huo Shan placed his greatest hopes on Chu Fan and gave him special instruction.

As for Zhao Feng, although Huo Shan valued him far more than before, he only hoped Zhao Feng could make a good showing this year and strive to enter the rankings next year. He had no expectations for him this year, since he had only recently broken through to Dark Force.

"All those registering for the martial examination, come sign up with me," his mistress said as she came out.

The county-level martial examination was drawing ever closer.