Joining Azure Hawk Martial Arts School

"Xu Qing! Xu Qing! Xu Qing!!!"

"..."

Suddenly.

No one knew who it was.

But among the spectators, someone suddenly began shouting Xu Qing's name, and the other spectators joined in, shouting along with him.

Thus.

Throughout the underground black-fist arena, the name "Xu Qing" rang out in every direction. At that moment, Xu Qing became the brightest star fighter of the entire underground black-fist circuit.

"How could this be?"

At this moment.

Fan Yanbin stood frozen in place. He had never imagined that Xu Qing could truly defeat Pang De, and that the battle just now would be so clean and decisive, without the slightest bit of dragging things out.

One punch.

Just one punch.

Pang De had been crushed by Xu Qing.

"Hahaha..."

Yu Chen burst out laughing and looked at Fan Yanbin. "Looks like even you can misjudge someone. Didn't you say Xu Qing could only withstand three punches? And what happened? Pang De couldn't even withstand one punch from Xu Qing."

"Xu Qing."

Fan Yanbin's expression darkened slightly. He stared deeply at Xu Qing, let out a cold snort, said nothing more, and left directly.

In truth.

Fan Yanbin had also placed a bet on this match, and he had wagered one hundred taels of silver. The result was that he lost everything; all one hundred taels had gone down the drain.

"This Xu Qing is no simple man!"

Lu Wei said.

"Of course."

Yu Chen replied.

The match ended.

Although the many spectators had lost everything, no one shouted about a fixed match or demanded their money back as before. That was because Xu Qing had shown them his true strength and made them lose with wholehearted conviction.

The scene shifted.

Inside Xu Qing's room in the underground black-fist venue.

"Xu Qing."

Yu Chen took out another money pouch and handed it to Xu Qing. "This is yours. There are sixty taels of silver in total, plus the thirty taels you won from your own bet and your original stake."

"That makes ninety-three taels of silver altogether."

"Thank you."

Xu Qing smiled and put all the money away.

"Xu Qing, I truly never expected this. You actually defeated Pang De. That was Pang De! You've really made me see you in a new light."

Yu Chen sighed with deep emotion.

"It was just luck."

Xu Qing said.

"What do you plan to do next?"

Yu Chen asked.

"Now that your strength has been exposed, it won't be so easy for you to make this much money in one go through underground black-fist matches. A lot of people will bet on you."

Yu Chen continued, "So even if you keep fighting underground black-fist matches, at most you'll only earn an appearance fee."

"I'm planning to join Azure Hawk Martial Arts School."

Xu Qing said.

"Of course."

Yu Chen nodded in sudden realization. "With your talent, you mastered the Eight Extremities Fist I gave you yesterday in just one day. If you join Azure Hawk Martial Arts School and learn its true skills, wouldn't that be like a hidden dragon leaving the abyss—impossible to stop once it took off?"

"Haha..."

Xu Qing laughed a few times. "Then I'll borrow your auspicious words."

"You're the person I've seen spend the shortest time in the underground black-fist circuit."

Yu Chen sighed again. "Just yesterday and today—not even two full days."

In the blink of an eye.

That afternoon.

Xu Qing spent a few taels of silver to change into a clean, neat set of clothes. After washing his hair and body, he seemed like an entirely different person as he headed for Azure Hawk Martial Arts School.

At the entrance to the martial arts school.

Xu Qing saw the martial arts school students from yesterday again.

"Who are you?"

One of them stopped Xu Qing.

"I'm here to take a master."

Xu Qing said.

"Take a master?"

The two martial arts school students exchanged a glance, then suddenly froze. They had clearly recognized Xu Qing, and they said in astonishment, "It's you! That beggar from yesterday! How did you today...?"

"Is there a problem?"

Xu Qing's tone was calm.

"This... you..."

Shock.

Astonishment.

Disbelief.

These two martial arts school students never could have imagined that in less than two days, Xu Qing would undergo such a rebirth-like transformation. It shocked them badly.

Moreover.

They had originally thought Xu Qing would be beaten to death in the underground black-fist arena. Yet not only had he not died, he had changed so much that they had almost failed to recognize him.

"Lead the way."

Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

"Did you bring money?"

One of them asked.

"Of course."

Xu Qing said.

"Then follow me."

The student said.

Entering the martial arts school.

Xu Qing followed the student inward, passing through the outer courtyard and inner courtyard. Those in the outer courtyard were students who had only recently joined Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, and they were the most numerous.

The inner courtyard was different.

Those who could enter the inner courtyard were students acknowledged by Azure Hawk Martial Arts School's master, Du Cangying. They could be considered formal disciples of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School.

The inner courtyard.

"Senior Disciple Brother."

Xu Qing saw Huo Yi again. After reaching the inner courtyard, the student leading the way did not dare go any farther. He stopped and bowed respectfully to Huo Yi.

"What is it?"

Huo Yi asked.

"Someone wishes to take a master."

The student said.

"Take a master?"

Huo Yi looked toward Xu Qing. His expression also froze for a moment, and he even looked somewhat startled. His gaze swept Xu Qing from top to bottom for quite a while. "Xu Qing, it's you."

"Mm."

Xu Qing nodded.

Surprise.

Huo Yi was indeed surprised.

Although Huo Yi had opened the underground black-fist venue, he basically did not manage it. He only needed to check the accounts each month and take away his proper share of the profits.

Therefore.

Huo Yi still did not know about Xu Qing's affairs.

"Have you prepared the money?"

Huo Yi asked.

"I have."

Xu Qing nodded.

"Then follow me."

Huo Yi said.

"Yes."

Xu Qing followed Huo Yi once more toward the main courtyard of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. Those who could enter this courtyard were all true disciples of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, just like Huo Yi.

"Master."

Outside the door.

Huo Yi bowed respectfully. "Someone has come today to take a master."

"Bring him in."

A dignified, aged voice came from within the room.

"Yes."

Huo Yi nodded, gestured to Xu Qing, then pushed open the door and led Xu Qing inside.

Inside the room.

Xu Qing saw an elderly man whose temples had already turned more than half white. Though he was no longer young and sat in a chair holding a teacup, the aura he gave off made Xu Qing feel as if he were facing a terrifying beast.

This was Du Cangying, the master of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School.

It could be said.

That throughout Qingbei Town's outer city, this martial arts school master ranked among the strongest. Azure Hawk Martial Arts School's business was located in the outer city, which was why it had not entered the inner city.

"You're the one who wishes to take a master?"

Du Cangying glanced at Xu Qing and asked.

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded.

"Times are different now."

Du Cangying said, "Starting today, joining Azure Hawk Martial Arts School requires you to pay three months of tuition in full at once. One month costs ten taels of silver, making thirty taels altogether."

"Thirty taels."

Xu Qing froze for a moment, but he still took out thirty taels of silver from his clothes and respectfully handed them to Du Cangying. "This is my tuition. Please count it."

"Oh."

Du Cangying was slightly surprised. He signaled to Huo Yi with his eyes, and Huo Yi immediately understood, taking Xu Qing's thirty taels of silver.

"Good."

Du Cangying smiled and nodded. "From today onward, you are a student of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School. Over the next three months, Azure Hawk Martial Arts School will teach you the most basic martial arts. If you still cannot even enter the door after three months, that means you have no Martial Talent at all, and you should give up early."

"Of course."

"If you insist on continuing to learn, that is fine too. As long as you pay."

"This disciple, Xu Qing, pays respects to Master."

Xu Qing was about to bow.

"You are not qualified to call me Master yet."

Du Cangying interrupted Xu Qing.

Afterward.

Du Cangying had someone give Xu Qing a set of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School student clothing, then dismissed him. Xu Qing then went to the outer courtyard of Azure Hawk Martial Arts School.

Here.

At least three or four hundred people were practicing martial arts together.

"You're the newcomer?"

In the outer courtyard.

Xu Qing met Zhang He, the outer courtyard instructor. He was a bald, burly man who looked Xu Qing over from head to toe. Other students nearby were also observing Xu Qing.

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded, cupped his hands and bowed to Zhang He, then secretly slipped one tael of silver into Zhang He's hand. "Greetings, Outer Courtyard Instructor."

"Easy enough, easy enough."

Zhang He felt the unusual object in his hand and discovered it was one tael of silver. A smile immediately appeared on his face. He had originally planned to leave Xu Qing hanging for a few days, but now became extremely warm and enthusiastic.

"After joining Azure Hawk Martial Arts School, you are qualified to cultivate our school's training method, Azure Hawk Force."

Zhang He said slowly, "Of course, Azure Hawk Force is not something you can practice the moment you walk through the door. You must first nourish your body and possess sufficient physical fitness before you can cultivate it."

"Additionally."

"Besides Azure Hawk Force, you can also practice its matching combat technique, called Eagle Claw Skill."

"Before that."

"I needed to properly explain to you what combat methods were, what training methods were, and what the Fundamental Method was. These were the paramount priorities for us martial artists."

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded. "I ask Instructor Zhang He to clear up my confusion."

Time passed.

Before he knew it,

it was already nearing evening.

Zhang He carefully explained to Xu Qing what combat methods were, what training methods were, and what the Fundamental Method was, benefiting Xu Qing immensely.

"For martial artists, the first step into the martial path was the 'Force Realm.' This realm was further divided into: Bright Force, Hidden Force, Transforming Force, and Dan Force."

"Only upon reaching the level of 'Dan Force' would one be qualified to come into contact with the Fundamental Method. As long as one could master the Fundamental Method, one could reach the 'Aura Realm.'"

"Our headmaster was a true Aura Realm martial artist. Throughout Qingbei Town's outer city, he was one of the very best. This also proved that our Azure Hawk Martial Arts School possessed a genuine Fundamental Method."

"So."

"You only spent ten taels of silver to enter the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School—that was your good fortune. As long as you showed sufficient talent and cultivated 'Bright Force' within a month, you could become an official disciple of the Azure Hawk Martial Arts School."