Apprenticing to Learn Martial Arts

"Grandfather, I mean it. I'm borrowing five taels of silver because I truly want to learn martial arts!"

Cheng Heng furrowed his brow deeply. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

The courtyard fell silent once more.

His second uncle, Cheng Fugui, was first taken aback, then sneered.

"Cheng Heng, martial arts aren't for just anyone. You're already too old, your bones have set. Don't waste the silver."

His second aunt added, "With that scrawny frame of yours, you'd be better off learning your grandfather's carpentry and honestly supporting a family!"

Cheng Songtai's expression darkened as he rebuked him, "Cheng Heng, the path of martial arts isn't suited to you. Stop making trouble here."

Cheng Heng had never imagined things would turn out like this. He had thought that, no matter how bad it got, for his father's sake, they would at least lend him a few taels of silver.

He still remembered the sight of his second uncle clinging to his father's leg and begging bitterly, while his father had remained silent and taken his second uncle's corvée labor in his stead.

By now, Cheng Heng no longer held out any hope. The road ahead could only be walked by himself!

No matter what, even if blade mountains and seas of fire lay ahead, he could not let a single chance to learn martial arts slip away.

This was his only hope of turning his life around!

As Cheng Heng walked down the street, his heart was somewhat heavy, yet it did not affect him. Instead, it only strengthened his resolve to learn martial arts.

"Ah Heng! Ah Heng, slow down!"

Cheng Heng turned his head and saw that it was his neighbor, Zhang Xiaohu.

Zhang Xiaohu was fifteen this year, only two years younger than Cheng Heng. Since their homes were close together, the two families often visited one another.

"Brother Heng, I heard you wanted to learn martial arts?"

Seeing Cheng Heng stop, Zhang Xiaohu hurried over, panting heavily as he asked.

"That's right. What is it, Xiaohu? Do you know of some way?"

Cheng Heng asked doubtfully.

"That's right. My cousin is learning martial arts at a martial academy. Their fees are cheap, only half what the other academies charge."

There were five major martial academies in Gaoyang County: Prosperity Martial Academy, Tiger Crane Martial Academy, Penetrating Arm Martial Academy, Rushing Thunder Martial Academy, and Startling Wind Martial Academy.

These five major martial academies were strict in accepting disciples, and their tuition was exorbitant. Usually, only wealthy households in the Inner City could afford them.

No wonder Cheng Qi's entry into Thunderclap Martial Academy had given his second uncle such cause to boast!

"Brother Heng, you don't know this, but very few of us Outer City folk can enter those five major martial academies. Even if we get in, few can keep going."

"The martial academy my cousin joined only charges three taels of silver for the first three months. It's on the eastern side of the Outer City. Its master was originally a military examination graduate, but he was injured a few years ago and returned from the prefectural city."

"If you're willing, Brother Heng, come with me and we'll pay him a visit. We'll see whether he'll take you."

Hearing this, Cheng Heng was overjoyed. Just when the willows had darkened, another village had appeared; at last, there was hope for learning martial arts.

"Xiaohu, I really have to thank you this time. If this works out, I'll definitely treat you to wine!"

Seeing Cheng Heng's delight, Zhang Xiaohu could not help but smile as well.

"Brother Heng, you're treating me like an outsider. When Uncle was still around, he helped our family plenty. What's this little favor?"

As the two chatted, they soon arrived in the eastern Outer City, where a courtyard came into view.

A plaque hung above its gate, bearing the name "Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall"!

Cheng Heng and Zhang Xiaohu entered the courtyard. The small compound was divided into two sections. The outer courtyard held many weapons—sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, polearms, hooks, forks, and more.

On the open ground nearby, over a dozen youths were practicing stance work. Their clothes were plain and shabby, making it obvious that they were all children from poor families. Yet every one of them was full of spirit and vigor, practicing their stances with exceptional effort.

As the two watched in fascination, a tall, upright man around fifty approached them.

"What are you two doing here? If you have no business here, leave at once!"

This man was Wu Zhong, the master of Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall.

Cheng Heng hurried forward and said, "This junior is Cheng Heng. I heard Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall was accepting disciples, so I wished to learn some skills from you."

Wu Zhong looked Cheng Heng over, then asked, "How old are you?"

Cheng Heng quickly replied, "I'll be seventeen in two months."

Wu Zhong then felt Cheng Heng's bones from head to toe. Martial artists were indeed immensely strong; Cheng Heng grimaced in pain, but he stubbornly did not cry out once.

"You're somewhat old, and your bones are already rather stiff. Your innate talent is merely inferior. Even if you learn martial arts, I fear you won't pass the first three-month threshold!"

Wu Zhong pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

There was no shortage of youths like Cheng Heng who came to learn martial arts on a sudden whim.

Those in the Outer City were already poor, with little family wealth, and most lacked talent for martial arts. Therefore, whenever Wu Zhong could dissuade someone, he would remind them not to waste their money.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Heng hurriedly said, "Please give me a chance, Hall Master. This junior sincerely wishes to learn martial arts."

Wu Zhong nodded lightly, then said sternly.

"I've already laid the ugly words before you. Apprenticing to learn martial arts requires tuition. Though my fees are cheap, the first three months still cost three taels of silver."

"If you fail to pay on time afterward, or fail to cross the threshold within the first three months, I will still expel you from the martial hall. Have you thought this through?"

At fifty, Wu Zhong knew Heaven's mandate and still carried kindness in his heart. That was why he had opened a martial hall in the Outer City of Gaoyang County.

Though he had goodwill, he still had to make the rules clear, lest trouble arise later.

He then carefully asked about Cheng Heng's family circumstances before finally stopping.

Cheng Heng silently thought that the matter of becoming an apprentice had finally succeeded. He hurriedly took the three taels of silver from his clothes, then cupped his hands in salute.

"I ask that Hall Master accept me into the hall and teach me martial arts."

Wu Zhong accepted the silver and tucked it away. "I've already explained the rules for entering the hall. Since you sincerely wish to learn, you may begin today."

"As for how much mastery you can attain, that depends entirely on your own effort. If you can develop some genuine skill, earning a living will never be difficult."

Only after seeing Wu Zhong put away the silver did Cheng Heng finally breathe a sigh of relief. He then clasped his fists and said.

"This disciple will certainly train diligently and not disappoint Master's painstaking efforts!"

Wu Zhong waved a hand and said, "Fourth, take Cheng Heng around our martial hall and explain the rules to him clearly."

"Yes, Master!"

At Wu Zhong's call, a sturdy young man with an honest-looking face walked over.

"My name is Zhao Wei. From now on, I'm your Fourth Senior Brother. Come with me and get familiar with our martial hall."

Zhao Wei then led Cheng Heng on a tour of the not-too-large courtyard.

The outer courtyard was where disciples who had only recently joined the martial hall stayed, and it was also the training ground. The inner courtyard was where the formal disciples and Master lived; outsiders were not permitted inside.

The outer courtyard had everything—bathing facilities, a kitchen, living quarters, and more.

"These are our martial hall's training clothes. Let me also explain the rules of our martial hall."

As he spoke, Zhao Wei handed a set of training clothes to Cheng Heng and continued.

"We don't have many rules here. Just remember a few iron laws."

"First, do not stir up trouble or commit evil deeds."

"Second, respect your master and honor the Way. Fellow disciples must not harm one another."

"Third, as long as we weren't the ones who started it, if anyone bullies us, you may declare the name of our martial hall. Master will naturally stand up for us!"

Cheng Heng silently committed these rules to heart, then nodded heavily.

Afterward, since it was already late, Cheng Heng returned home with Zhang Xiaohu. Starting tomorrow, he would officially begin learning martial arts.

Beneath the lingering glow of the setting sun, Cheng Heng's heart remained unsettled for a long time. He had truly come to the right place at Tiger-Subduing Martial Hall. These few rules alone showed that Wu Zhong was a martial master who fiercely protected his own and possessed a kind heart.

With his [Heaven Rewards Diligence] golden finger, he would surely make a name for himself in this world!