Martial Arts School

Fortunately, Chen Shaojun had long mastered the methods of martial cultivation. With the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror, he even had no shortage of pills.

What he truly needed was merely the name of someone learning martial arts.

A reason that could convince everyone why he had changed.

The district where the Lin Clan Pawnshop stood was not among the liveliest places in Shengjing City. If anything, it was rather quiet and desolate.

Nearby were bookshops and clothing stores. Only after some distance did one find restaurants and teahouses.

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

Chen Shaojun was in no hurry.

He strolled and looked around. On the bustling streets, all sorts of things he found novel kept appearing before his eyes, and the clothes worn by the passersby each had their own styles and characteristics. Without exception, they were far brighter and more splendid than his dull gray servant's clothes.

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 and felt his eyes grow dazzled.

Especially when he passed the Red Vine Flower House, the faint fragrance drifting out nearly gave him the urge to go inside and see what was what.

It was not because his thoughts had begun to wander.

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

It was also worth mentioning that there were street vendors everywhere, selling soup, pancakes, eggs, sweets, tofu... all manner 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 school was somewhat remote, it covered a considerable area. Two stone tigers crouched at the entrance, looking exceedingly fierce.

The main gates stood wide 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 enter the inner courtyard.

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

Clearly, people inside were practicing martial arts.

Chen Shaojun walked in. Before him lay a broad, level training ground, where twenty or thirty people were methodically practicing fist techniques. Their movements were precise, and their bearing was impressive.

"What are you here for?"

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

"Well, I want to learn martial arts. What are the terms here?"

Chen Shaojun quickly stepped forward and asked.

"Three taels of silver per month, paid 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 eased as he explained.

"Paid 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 spoken up and let him draw ten taels, he truly would not have had enough.

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

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

"Then someone will naturally teach you our school's basic introductory martial art, the Ironwood Stake Skill.

"Though the Ironwood Stake Skill is merely a staking skill, it is a genuine introductory method for cultivating force.

"Besides that, our school also has Snake-Blood Spirit Salve, specially used to accompany fist practice, build qi and blood, and aid martial cultivation.

"This is an exclusive secret formula of our school.

"Each portion is worth one tael of silver.

"But if you become an apprentice of our school, you need only pay eighty percent of the price to buy it.

"That is an internal benefit for those of our school.

"Of course, to prevent apprentices from profiting off it, we limit the supply. Each apprentice may only buy three portions a month. After those three portions, the price returns to the same as outside."

Thinking Chen Shaojun found it too expensive, the middle-aged man hurriedly explained.

"Fine.

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

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

As for the Snake-Blood Spirit Salve, perhaps it truly helped with martial cultivation, but in his view, it could never compare with the Blood-Qi Pills rewarded by the Spirit-Seeking Treasure Mirror.

So he did not pay it much mind.

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 formal disciples. He ranked fifth, and the apprentices all called him Fifth Senior Brother.

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

As for their master, it was said that he usually remained in the inner residence and only showed himself occasionally.

"Have you had any foundation in martial arts before?"

After Chen Shaojun was formally registered, Mao Qiuyang became much more casual. He led Chen Shaojun into the schoolyard and asked offhandedly.

"No."

Chen Shaojun shook his head.

"Actually, at your age, you are already somewhat late to begin martial practice.

"But it is not too late.

"You only need to 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 becomes entirely different. Only then can you be called a martial artist and count as someone of the jianghu.

"If you cannot form force, then no matter how strong you are, you are merely a brute."

"Another thing I must remind you: the Ironwood Stake Skill belongs to our Iron Wire Fist School and must not be passed on to others. Once you are discovered... heh heh, don't blame our school for showing no mercy."

"The Ironwood Stake Skill is, after all, just a staking skill. Its stances are simple enough that you can learn them after watching a few times.

"What truly matters in this staking 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 the circulation of force in the staking skill.

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

"After three days, if you still have not sensed force beginning to arise, that means your body is weak. You will need more exercise and medicinal nourishment.

"Also, at the beginning, middle, and end of each month, Master will appear to guide the apprentices in their martial arts.

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

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

Mao Qiuyang was quite talkative. Though his words came in scattered bits and pieces, he had already explained all manner of precautions and key points for cultivating 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 felt that he had gained much from the trip.

Though he had joined the martial arts school only to deceive others, Mao Qiuyang's explanations had indeed helped him understand many principles concerning martial arts and cultivation.

The only thing that left him somewhat puzzled was this.

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

These past few chapters may have dissatisfied some readers. I'll speed up the pace as soon as possible.

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