Yu Hu Becomes a Disciple

After the evil ghost mask leveled up to five, it began to undergo a complete transformation. It could even disguise its appearance while worn.

Buzz!

The Omni-Codex flickered with fluorescence, and Xu Qing vaguely saw the scene of the evil ghost mask being reforged again. It was still a dark, deep, and strange environment, still the same shaman, and still animal flesh and blood.

The same scene replayed.

However.

This time, the shaman became more focused and serious while making the evil ghost mask, investing a lot of thought into it, no longer being so crude as before.

Swish!

A flash of white light.

The evil ghost mask in Xu Qing's hand subtly changed again, becoming more exquisite, with its patterns and carvings becoming softer.

[Evil Ghost Mask LV6: 242/320 (This is a mask made by a shaman who worships spirits and gods, using animal skin and flesh. It possesses the functions of disguise and altering one's aura. Due to the investment of effort and meticulous craftsmanship, it is not easily seen through.)]

"Good."

Xu Qing nodded with satisfaction. He examined the evil ghost mask in his hand, a slight smile on his lips. "In one night, the evil ghost mask has been upgraded by four levels."

"Not bad, not bad."

"If I wear it for another night, I can upgrade it again tomorrow."

Immediately.

Xu Qing put the evil ghost mask on his face. The mask transformed, flowing over his face like a liquid.

Before long.

Xu Qing's appearance changed, as did his aura, making him look fierce and brutish, transforming into a rugged middle-aged man.

Afterward.

Xu Qing fetched a basin of water and looked at his reflection. His appearance had indeed changed drastically, but his physique remained the same.

"Still missing something."

Xu Qing mused to himself. "I'm only sixteen this year, and coupled with sixteen years of begging, my body hasn't fully developed. My height is only 1.65 meters."

"Fortunately."

"During this period, I've been practicing Eight Extremities Fist and even raised it to level six, mastering Dark Force, which has caused my muscles and bones to develop further."

"My current height has reached 1.7 meters."

"However, my physique is still a bit too thin. This rugged appearance doesn't quite match my current build."

"I still need to keep upgrading the evil ghost mask."

Next.

Xu Qing washed his face and brushed his teeth, then fried a piece of Tai Sui Spirit Meat to medium-rare. He began to devour it, finishing it in a flash.

As the pound of Tai Sui Spirit Meat went down, a slight warmth spread through his abdomen, giving Xu Qing a comfortable feeling. He then began practicing Eight Extremities Fist in his room.

[Experience +1]

Ten minutes later.

Xu Qing had finished one round of practice.

Thump! Thump!

Just then.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

Xu Qing stopped.

"Brother Xu Qing, it's me! It's Yu Chen!"

Yu Chen's voice came from outside the door. "Zhao Ge is here too."

"Yu Chen, Zhao Jingyuan."

Xu Qing was taken aback. "Come in."

"Alright."

The door opened.

Yu Chen and Zhao Jingyuan stood outside. However, Xu Qing also saw a sturdy-looking young man, who didn't seem older than twelve or thirteen.

In reality.

In this world.

There were no age restrictions for practicing martial arts. Even if you were seventy or eighty, you could still practice martial arts, though the chances of achieving much were slim.

Also.

The earlier you start practicing martial arts, the better. However, when one is too young, they cannot start directly. They need to consume large amounts of tonics and secret medicines to nourish their bodies and cleanse their meridians.

"Huzi, hurry up and greet Uncle Xu."

Yu Chen lightly smacked the head of the sturdy, energetic young man.

Clearly.

This sturdy, energetic young man was Yu Chen's biological son, whose real name was Yu Hu. He had just turned twelve, making him four years younger than Xu Qing.

"Hello... Uncle Xu!"

Yu Hu had no choice but to bow and greet Xu Qing.

"Mhm."

Xu Qing nodded and asked, "What is it?"

"Cough... cough..."

Zhao Jingyuan cleared his throat and said, "Uh... Brother Xu, it's like this. I heard you officially joined the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School yesterday, so I came specifically to congratulate you."

"This is a congratulatory gift for you."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Zhao Jingyuan took out a small purple sandalwood box from his embrace.

"Brother Zhao, you're too formal."

Xu Qing waved his hand and said, "Your presence is enough; why bring a gift? If you keep doing this, I'll genuinely get angry."

However.

As Xu Qing spoke, he accepted Zhao Jingyuan's congratulatory gift.

He secretly opened it.

Swish!

A faint golden light emanated from within.

There were at least five gold bars.

"Brother Zhao, please sit, sit."

Xu Qing quickly put away the wooden box, a wide smile on his face. He even brought a stool for Zhao Jingyuan. "I'm truly sorry, my home is simple, and there's nowhere to sit. You'll have to make do, Brother Zhao."

"It's fine, it's fine."

Zhao Jingyuan waved his hand.

"Brother Zhao, if you have something you need, just say it. I promise to help you."

Xu Qing patted his chest.

"It's like this."

Zhao Jingyuan spoke directly, "It's about that matter last time. The Azure Hawk Martial Arts School has a secret medicine called 'Spirit Cloud Powder.' I hope Brother Xu can buy it for me. I'll be eternally grateful."

"This is a small matter."

Xu Qing said, "I specifically asked yesterday. The Azure Hawk Martial Arts School does indeed have the secret medicine 'Spirit Cloud Powder,' I just don't know the exact price."

"Don't worry, Brother Zhao, leave this matter to me."

"Then thank you, Brother Xu."

Zhao Jingyuan cupped his fists.

"Brother Zhao, I told you, Brother Xu is definitely a loyal and righteous person."

Yu Chen said.

"Brother Xu, are you still doing the night patrol duty?"

Zhao Jingyuan asked.

"No more."

Xu Qing waved his hand. "My Master asked me to manage the Spring Breeze Pavilion on Hongye Street. From now on, I'll be stationed at the Spring Breeze Pavilion."

"Congratulations, Brother Xu, congratulations."

Zhao Jingyuan cupped his fists again.

"Hahaha..."

Yu Chen laughed heartily and teased, "From now on, Brother Xu will be able to enjoy happiness and fulfillment every day."

"How can a martial artist indulge in lust?"

Xu Qing pouted.

"Yu Chen, speak. What did you need?"

Xu Qing asked.

"It's definitely to congratulate you on officially joining the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School yesterday!"

Yu Chen said.

"Get to the point," Xu Qing said impatiently.

"It's mainly about my son," Yu Chen replied with a fawning expression. "I mentioned last time that I wanted my son to apprentice under you, and you agreed. So, I've brought him today."

"Yu Hu, kneel!" Yu Chen commanded.

"..." Yu Hu was quite afraid of his father. At Yu Chen's shout, he immediately knelt before Xu Qing, leaving Xu Qing speechless.

"What about the apprenticeship fee?" Xu Qing asked.

"Haha," Yu Chen chuckled. "I've already prepared it."

As he spoke, Yu Chen took out the bank notes he was holding.

No more, no less.

It was exactly one thousand taels of silver in bank notes.

"Alright," Xu Qing accepted the apprenticeship fee and then asked, "What about the IOU?"

"It's here," Yu Chen replied, a little taken aback.

"This is one hundred taels of silver," Xu Qing took out a bank note, a one-hundred-tael note. This was a gift from Ye Langtian, who had given him five hundred taels in total, which came in five one-hundred-tael notes.

"This..." Yu Chen hesitated, unsure whether to accept it or not.

Because accepting this IOU meant that the previous favor would be used up. Xu Qing's intention was that he would accept Yu Hu and teach him Eight Extremities Fist.

However, from this point on, the previous favor would be considered repaid.

To be honest, this was also because Xu Qing was a person of great loyalty and righteousness. In his most desperate times, he needed an opportunity. Huo Yi had given Xu Qing an opportunity, and Yu Chen had given him an Eight Extremities Fist manual, which gave Xu Qing the strength to defeat Pang De.

Therefore, Xu Qing had remembered this favor. Although others might not consider it a significant favor, Xu Qing still remembered it.

"Okay," Yu Chen glanced at Yu Hu, took out the IOU, and handed it to Xu Qing. He didn't accept the one hundred taels of silver from Xu Qing. "You don't need the hundred taels. Consider it part of the apprenticeship fee."

"Fine," Xu Qing didn't force the money on Yu Chen. He nodded in agreement and took back the IOU.

Next, Yu Hu kowtowed three times to Xu Qing and offered a cup of tea.

Thus, Yu Hu became the first disciple Xu Qing had taken in this world.

As for how much importance this disciple held in Xu Qing's heart, it wasn't much at the moment. Perhaps if Yu Hu performed well in the future, his importance might increase slightly.

"Starting tomorrow, have Yu Hu come before six in the evening," Xu Qing said. "I need the rest of the time for practicing martial arts."

"Okay," Yu Chen nodded. "Yu Hu, aren't you going to thank your Master?"

"Thank you, Master," Yu Hu said.

After a few more pleasantries, Yu Chen and his two companions left. Xu Qing was alone in the room again, and he began practicing Eight Extremities Fist once more.

[Experience +1]

[Experience +1]

[Experience +1]

Meanwhile.

"Yu Chen, why didn't you send Yu Hu to a martial arts school?"

Zhao Jingyuan asked, "Although Xu Qing is already a Bright Force martial artist, he's still quite a bit behind the instructors at the martial arts schools, and Xu Qing can't teach Yu Hu body refinement methods either." "And you actually paid a full thousand taels as a tuition fee."

"Haha..."

Yu Chen chuckled a few times, "I just like having Yu Hu apprentice under Xu Qing."

"..."

Zhao Jingyuan didn't say anything further.

In fact.

It was probably only Yu Chen who knew just how terrifying Xu Qing's talent was, because Xu Qing hadn't truly risen yet and was still lying low.

Therefore.

Only at this time could Yu Hu be accepted as a disciple by Xu Qing.

Perhaps in a few more years.

Yu Chen feared he wouldn't even have the qualifications to meet Xu Qing.

"Hoo..."

Yu Chen took a deep breath and looked back at Xu Qing, "I didn't expect Xu Qing to actually accept Yu Hu. This person is indeed loyal and righteous. He clearly has the momentum to rise, yet he hasn't forgotten that small favor from back then."

Unconsciously.

Yu Chen felt genuine admiration from the bottom of his heart for Xu Qing.