Martial Arts School

Fortunately, Chen Shaojun had long mastered the methods of martial arts cultivation. Through the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror, he did not lack pills either.

What he truly needed was merely a pretext for learning martial arts.

A reason that could convince everyone why he had changed.

The district where the Lin Clan Pawnshop stood was not the liveliest part of Shengjing City. On the contrary, it was somewhat quiet and desolate.

Nearby were bookstores and clothing shops. Only after walking some distance would one find restaurants and teahouses.

As for martial arts schools, they were even farther away.

Chen Shaojun was in no hurry.

He strolled along, looking around. On the bustling streets, all manner of things strange and novel to his eyes continuously appeared. The clothing worn by the passing crowds also came in all kinds of styles, all of them far more bright and splendid than his dull gray pawnshop servant's uniform.

This was his first time leaving the pawnshop, and everything filled him with curiosity.

"Treasure Medicine Hall, Auspicious Study, Brotherhood Hall, Five Peaks Teahouse, Welcoming Inn, Red Vine Flower House..."

Chen Shaojun looked at the shops one after another, feeling dazzled.

Especially when he passed Red Vine Flower House, the faint waft of sweet fragrance truly gave him the urge to enter and see what lay within.

It was not that his thoughts were wandering.

He simply wanted to broaden his horizons and satisfy his curiosity.

It was also worth mentioning that there were street vendors and peddlers throughout the streets as well—soup, flatbread, eggs, candy, tofu... all kinds of things.

Whenever the mood struck him, he would spend a few copper coins to try something new.

Only after quite some time did he arrive before a martial arts school.

"Iron Wire Fist School!"

Chen Shaojun's eyes lit up.

He had finally found the martial arts school.

Though the martial arts school stood in a somewhat secluded area, it occupied a considerable amount of land. Two stone tigers crouched at the entrance, looking exceedingly fierce.

The main gates stood open. Inside was a white wall resembling a screen, commonly known as a wind-blocking wall, or a baleful-intent-blocking wall. Only by going around it could one truly step into the inner courtyard.

Even standing at the entrance, Chen Shaojun could already hear shouts coming from within the courtyard.

Clearly, people inside were practicing martial arts.

Chen Shaojun walked in. Before him lay a spacious open yard, where twenty or thirty people were practicing fist techniques with meticulous precision. Their movements were orderly, and their bearing was rather imposing.

"What are you here for?"

As he watched, a burly middle-aged man dressed in black training clothes walked over.

"Um, I want to learn martial arts. What are the arrangements here?"

Chen Shaojun hurriedly stepped forward and asked.

"Three taels of silver per month, paid once every three months.

"If you pay for half a year at once, it will only cost fifteen taels of silver."

Seeing that he had come to learn martial arts, the middle-aged man's expression softened as he explained.

"Paid once every three months?"

Chen Shaojun was startled. He thought of how he had originally possessed only six taels of silver. If the shopkeeper had not allowed him to draw ten taels, it truly would not have been enough.

"Our Iron Wire Fist School's tuition is considered low throughout all of Shengjing City.

"As long as you pay, you can become an official apprentice of our Iron Wire Fist School.

"Then someone will naturally teach you the basic entry-level martial art of our Iron Wire Fist School, the Ironwood Stake Skill.

"Though the Ironwood Stake Skill is merely a stake skill, it is a genuine beginner's method for training force.

"Furthermore, our martial arts school has Snake-Blood Spirit Salve, specially formulated to accompany fist practice, increase qi and blood, and aid martial arts training.

"This is our martial arts school's exclusive secret formula.

"Each portion is worth one tael of silver.

"However, if you become an apprentice of our martial arts school, you can buy it at eighty percent of the price.

"This is one of the internal benefits enjoyed by those in our school.

"Of course, to prevent apprentices from profiting from this, we limit the supply. Each apprentice can only buy three portions each month. After those three portions, the price will return to the same as outside."

Thinking Chen Shaojun found the price too high, the middle-aged man hurriedly explained.

"Fine.

"Then I'll pay for half a year first."

Seeing that the other party seemed to have misunderstood, Chen Shaojun did not explain. Instead, he decisively took out fifteen taels of silver.

As for the Snake-Blood Spirit Salve, it might truly help with martial arts practice, but in his eyes, it could not compare to the Blood-Qi Pills rewarded by the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror.

So he did not care much about it.

After some registration and record-keeping, Chen Shaojun was officially entered into the rolls of the Iron Wire Fist School.

Only then did he learn that this middle-aged man was not one of the school's masters, but Mao Qiuyang, one of Master Hong Zhankong's official disciples. Ranked fifth, he was called Fifth Senior Brother by the apprentices.

Apart from him, the one leading the disciples in martial arts practice was the school's Second Senior Brother, Qian Feng.

As for the master, he was said to generally remain in the inner residence and only occasionally show himself.

"Have you learned martial arts before?"

Now that Chen Shaojun had officially registered, Mao Qiuyang became much more casual. He brought Chen Shaojun into the martial arts school courtyard and asked offhandedly.

"No."

Chen Shaojun shook his head.

"At your age, starting martial arts training is actually somewhat late.

"But it is not too late yet.

"Just use more Snake-Blood Spirit Salve to nourish yourself.

"I'll first teach you the Ironwood Stake Skill.

"Though the Ironwood Stake Skill is basic, it is extremely important. It can strengthen your qi and blood and unify your force.

"Once force is formed, your strength will be entirely different. Only then can you be called a Martial Warrior and be considered one of the jianghu.

"Without forming force, no matter how great your physical strength is, you are merely a brawler."

"Also, I must remind you that the Ironwood Stake Skill belongs to our Iron Wire Fist School and must not be passed on to others. Once discovered... hehe, do not blame our school for showing no mercy."

"The Ironwood Stake Skill is nothing more than a stake skill. Its postures are simple, and you will learn them after watching them a few times.

"What truly matters in this stake skill is the method of circulating force within it."

"First, master the key points of the movements.

"Once you are proficient, I will transmit force to you and let you familiarize yourself with how force circulates through the stake skill.

"For the first three days, I will transmit a strand of force to guide you each day.

"After three days, if you still have not sensed force beginning to arise, it means your body is weak. You will need to exercise more and nourish yourself with medicine.

"Also, at the beginning, middle, and end of every month, Master will appear to offer guidance on the apprentices' martial arts.

"If you have any questions, you may raise them then.

"At other times, you may cultivate on your own at home or come to the martial arts school to practice. There are no special requirements."

Mao Qiuyang talked a great deal, scattered and rambling, yet he had already explained all manner of precautions and cultivation essentials for the Ironwood Stake Skill, as well as the school's rules and affairs.

By the time he returned to the pawnshop, the sky had already darkened.

Chen Shaojun also felt that he had gained much.

Though he had joined the martial arts school only to deceive the eye, Mao Qiuyang's many explanations had indeed given him a clearer understanding of many principles regarding martial arts and cultivation.

The only thing that puzzled him was this.

The Tiger Demon Body-Tempering Fist rewarded to him by the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror seemed somewhat different from the martial arts taught at the Iron Wire Fist School.

Some people may not be satisfied with these chapters. I'll speed up the pace as soon as possible.

.