Mastering Fist Arts, Collecting Wages

"Brother Luo, hello."

Li Xian withdrew his fists and stood upright, replying with a smile.

"Brother Li, it's not that I want to criticize you. I'm busy with many affairs, and when I get busy, I tend to forget things."

"You should be more proactive yourself. If there's anything you don't understand, come ask me. Don't be afraid of disturbing me."

Luo Tongyun spoke earnestly, as though he truly had Li Xian's best interests at heart.

"Of course, of course." Li Xian wore an awkward smile, but he understood perfectly well.

Luo Tongyun had thoroughly grasped the essence of the Four Directions Fist. He looked gentle on the outside, but beneath that was a slick and calculating nature. He spoke pleasantly, yet acted despicably.

Li Xian knew this man harbored ill intentions. Perhaps Luo Tongyun simply disliked him, or perhaps it was something else. In any case, he absolutely did not want Li Xian to have an easy time.

If Li Xian sought his guidance, he would surely gain nothing.

He might as well study diligently and train hard on his own.

"You, honestly. Perform the fist art once and let me see how skilled you are now." Luo Tongyun shook his head and sighed.

"Alright."

Li Xian threw stiff punches, deliberately exposing flaws in his movements.

"Stop!"

Luo Tongyun was secretly delighted. Excellent. At this rate, another ten days and it'll be a complete success.

Yet aloud, he said with a disappointed look:

"No progress at all, no progress at all. At this rate, even I'm getting anxious for you."

"Fine, then. Everyone has their own natural talent, and such things cannot be forced.

"Even if I had told you earlier to bury your head in training, you probably would have ended up the same. You might as well put aside the fist art for now and focus on tempering your body."

Li Xian said, "Brother Luo, but Commander Pang's assessment..."

"It's no problem. Just listen to my arrangements. I'll explain things to Commander Pang."

Luo Tongyun patted Li Xian on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Little Li, you must work hard. If you fail the assessment, I'll lose face too."

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Luo."

Li Xian cupped his fist in salute.

After Luo Tongyun left, Li Xian's eyes flickered as he continued practicing his fist art.

No matter how difficult his situation was, only by mastering the fist art as quickly as possible could he break through it completely!

Pang Long was the chief commander of the guards, chiefly responsible for the safety of One Accord Manor.

There were two patrols each day, one in the morning and one at night. The rest of the time, he stayed at his own residence, diligently studying martial arts.

"Some time ago, Madam graciously rewarded me with some medicinal broth. I drank two portions and distributed the remaining five to the brothers."

"After finishing the broth, I vaguely sensed that my body had indeed changed somewhat. Could it be... that I'm about to reach the state Madam spoke of?"

Pang Long practiced his fist art, palm art, and movement art once each. All had reached bottlenecks, and his daily hard training merely ensured that his realm did not decline.

A martial artist...

Once one embarked on the path, it became a lifelong pursuit. Skip martial training for one day, and half a month's hard work went to waste. Fishing for three days and drying nets for two would never lead to mastery.

What mattered even more was one's martial talent, comprehension, and natural physique. Pang Long's Air-Splitting Palm had seen little improvement for several years.

His intuition told him that his talent was limiting him.

"That's right. That boy has been a guard for five or six days already. I wonder how he's doing now."

Pang Long wiped away his sweat and put on his clothes. He sent someone to summon Luo Tongyun, then asked directly:

"Little Luo, how is that boy doing now?"

Luo Tongyun said, "He... he's quite obedient, but... but..."

"If his talent is a little lacking but he's willing to work hard, that's no matter." Pang Long's brow relaxed slightly.

He was only a guard. High talent was naturally good, but low talent did not matter much. What Pang Long could not stand were people who cheated, slacked off, and sought shortcuts.

Luo Tongyun said:

"His talent is actually decent. It's just that... he's somewhat undisciplined. Over the past five days, he's rarely come to ask me for instruction."

"Every time, I've had to go inspect him myself. I don't even know whether he took my guidance to heart. From what I can see, his fist art has progressed rather slowly."

There was not a single falsehood to be found in his words.

"Hm?" Pang Long frowned. "Could it be that after becoming a guard, he has grown complacent?"

He had seen far too many people like that. They could endure bitter cold and hunger, yet could not withstand sweet words and comfort.

"Fine. In another ten days, if he still fails to meet my standards, send him back where he came from."

Pang Long waved his hand dismissively.

Seeing that his plan was proceeding smoothly and that Lord Pang had no special relationship with the boy, Luo Tongyun could not help but feel delighted. He became even bolder in causing trouble behind the scenes.

Another four days passed in the blink of an eye.

After morning training, Li Xian, as steady as ever, chose a secluded spot and diligently practiced his fist art.

[Four Directions Fist]

[Proficiency: 319/1000 Mastery]

[Description: Take the body as the center and strike in all four directions. Its fist wind is plain and rigid, yet it conceals profound mysteries. Even when enemies come from all sides, you will not fear.]

[Skill: Running]

[Proficiency: 450/1000 Mastery]

[Description: You run through mountains and wilderness with light steps, and your speed is already quite impressive.]

Li Xian had grown a little taller, and his body had become much sturdier. During the daily morning runs, his speed and endurance had already reached above-average levels.

If he ran for his life, with the resilience trait derived from [Weeding] assisting him, among several hundred guards, only a handful could likely outrun him.

Li Xian could feel that the warm current in his dantian had grown as thick as two fingers.

Dripping water pierced stone. His inner strength was accumulating bit by bit.

Winter had arrived by then. Once his inner strength circulated, it could drive away the cold, making it extremely useful.

Li Xian thought:

If I can truly make something of myself one day, I want to venture into the martial world too.

"Fourth Brother, still practicing your fists?"

Zhao Han slung an arm around Li Xian's shoulders, clearly in an excellent mood.

"Eldest Brother, you're so happy today. Did something good happen?" Li Xian had just assumed his stance when he saw Zhao Han, Wang Chun, and Zhuo Yilie approaching. He lowered his stance and asked curiously.

Wang Chun said, "See? I told you Fourth Brother had gone stupid from practicing fists. He could even forget such an important day."

"Fourth Brother, today is payday." Zhao Han said with a grin.

"Ah! So that's what it is." Li Xian counted the days and said, "But I haven't been in the manor for a full month. Do I collect mine today too?"

"Of course, of course. Forget training—let's collect our wages." Zhao Han kept his arm around Li Xian's shoulders and practically dragged him away.

Thus, the four men sharing the same room headed together for the accounting office.

A long line had formed outside the accounting office. After waiting half an hour, it was finally Li Xian and the others' turn.

"Li Xian, formerly a menial servant, monthly wages of fifty copper coins. Now a Grade D guard, monthly wages of one hundred and fifty copper coins."

"During your time as a menial servant, your performance was good. You received a total reward of thirty-seven copper coins. This month's wages come to one hundred and seventeen copper coins."

The accountant could not help giving him an extra look.

From menial servant to guard... that was quite rare. He had some impression of this boy. At the end of autumn, when Li Xian signed his indenture contract, his handwriting had been rather good.

"Here are your wages. Take them carefully."

A green cloth pouch held over a hundred copper coins. After Li Xian took it, he lightly weighed it in his hand and could not help smiling.

A single penny could stump a hero.

He finally had money in his pocket!

In this world, in these times... money was simply too important!

"Zhao Han, Grade C guard, monthly wages of two hundred and twenty copper coins. Full attendance on patrol duty, another fifty copper coins..."

After adding up all the miscellaneous sums, Zhao Han's wages came to a full three hundred copper coins.

It was nearly three times Li Xian's amount.

Li Xian sighed inwardly. Even in Qingning County, not many people earn three hundred copper coins a month.

"Madam truly is rich. It would be wonderful if I had that much money too."