The Way of Being Human!

At this moment, the registered disciples in the courtyard had split into two clearly distinct little circles.

The largest group surrounded Zhang Shaojiu, all of them well-off children from wealthy families.

The other group squatted in the shade by the wooden-stake area in the farthest corner, like sparrows huddled beneath the eaves to escape the rain.

This was where Zhou Chen was. Registered disciples from poor families like his were all gathered here.

Around Zhang Shaojiu, people fawned and flattered him from every side. The reason was simple: less than half a month after arriving at the martial hall, Zhang Shaojiu had broken through in his Stake-Standing Exercise and officially become a First-Rank Martial Artist. Today, he had also trained the Wild Bull Fist to Minor Accomplishment, once again stunning everyone in the courtyard.

Breaking through in half a month and bringing a fist art to Minor Accomplishment in one month—such progress rivaled even Zhao Tianhong, the most talented Third Senior Brother among the Direct Disciples.

After Master Zheng came to see it himself, he happily said "good" several times in a row.

Anyone with eyes could see that, barring surprises, Zhang Shaojiu would undoubtedly become a Direct Disciple in the future. Some even said that Master Zheng might take Zhang Shaojiu as his final disciple, to care for him in old age and fend off fists for him.

The flatterers swarmed like flies chasing filth, surrounding him three layers deep inside and three layers out. Some offered water, some smiled along, some specifically picked up his words, and quite a few female disciples cast coy glances his way.

Others watched those silver-tongued people, scratched their heads, and brimmed with envy. They simply could not force out a single pretty phrase themselves.

After all, not everyone possessed the skill of flattering people.

Surrounded by the crowd, Zhang Shaojiu felt as if he were walking on clouds, so light-headed he was nearly about to fly. Especially when his gaze casually swept across the outskirts of the crowd and landed on those poor disciples squatting in the shade in old clothes washed pale white, the superiority and pride in his eyes nearly overflowed.

Yet when he saw the brocade clothes worn by the wealthy children flattering him, then looked at his own tattered hemp garments and recalled the timid, cringing way he had acted before everyone when he first arrived at the martial hall, a strange irritation suddenly rose in Zhang Shaojiu's heart.

Zhou Chen, meanwhile, felt no ripples in his heart. Flattery was all false; only his own strength was real!

"Ha ha ha, congratulations, Junior Brother Zhang! I said long ago that you possessed outstanding talent. Becoming a Direct Disciple is just around the corner! Let me congratulate you in advance, and give you a small gift besides."

A hearty laugh rang out as Shen Ao emerged from the inner courtyard. A servant followed behind him, carrying a set of white silk clothes.

When the people around saw Shen Ao arrive, they quickly and tactfully dispersed. Shen Trading House was one of the foremost trading houses in the Outer City, and Shen Ao in particular carried the oppressive air of one in power. They felt constrained before him and did not dare exchange even one extra word.

"Senior Brother Shen!"

Seeing Shen Ao come specially to deliver a gift, Zhang Shaojiu was deeply moved. Instinctively, he wanted to bow as he usually did, but for some reason, his body trembled slightly without bending down. Instead, he simply looked Shen Ao straight in the eye.

"Ah, no need to say more, Junior Brother. Go change into the clothes first."

Shen Ao draped an arm around Zhang Shaojiu's shoulders and led him into his own resting room in the inner courtyard. Once Zhang Shaojiu emerged after changing, the other disciples crowded around him again, one flattering remark after another spilling forth.

"Fine clothes make the man, just as a good saddle makes the horse. After changing clothes, Senior Brother Zhang truly looks radiant and extraordinary!"

"Exactly, exactly! The instant Senior Brother Zhang stepped out just now, it seemed to us that even the sky had turned a few shades bluer! We could not help but feel ashamed of our own inferiority!"

Patting Zhang Shaojiu on the shoulder, Shen Ao said, "Train your fist art well. If there is anything you do not understand in the future, feel free to ask me. Once the hall closes later, Senior Brother will take you out to broaden your horizons. You surely have never seen the city's dazzling world."

"Alright, thank you, Senior Brother!"

Zhang Shaojiu nodded excitedly, with far less awkwardness in his words. Master Zheng's encouragement and the flattery from those around him today had already caused something within him to change.

As Shen Ao left, he deliberately glanced at Lian Taoze, who was sitting there teasing crickets with a blade of grass. A trace of mockery showed in Shen Ao's eyes, as if he were saying, See that? A few days of currying favor, and I have already subdued a loyal hound with superior natural talent.

And you? You mingle with everyone, but what use is that? They are all nothing but stinking fish and rotten shrimp!

"Ah, when will I become a Direct Disciple too? When that day comes, I'll see who dares not buy my family's flatbreads!"

Du Song was full of envy. Squatting on the ground, he could not resist rubbing the gaps between his toes with a finger, digging out some dirt, rolling it into a ball, and flicking it away.

Zhou Chen caught sight of it and shuddered inwardly, thinking that if Du Song ever brought him flatbreads in the future, he would definitely have to find an excuse to refuse them.

"Ah, right, Brother Zhou, when are you planning to get married?"

Du Song suddenly asked.

"I haven't thought about it."

Zhou Chen shook his head.

"Heh heh, you should start thinking about it. During this time practicing martial arts, I've figured it out too—I'm simply not cut out for it. I might as well marry Xiaocui early!"

The Xiaocui he spoke of was the youngest daughter of the Xu Family next door. They had grown up together as childhood sweethearts. At present, she was working as a maidservant in a wealthy household, and once her term was up, she would come out and marry him. Together, they would run a flatbread stall.

Zhou Chen frowned deeply at these words, but Du Song continued, saying that the wealthy household treated Xiaocui quite well. Unfortunately, the mistress had not conceived for many years. What a pity.

Well then, the prize pool was still stacking...

While they were speaking, Old Zheng, whom they had not seen for some time, came over looking radiant with happiness. He gave a cough, and Lian Taoze, quick to read the room, promptly brought over a grand armchair and set it down for him.

"Bring snacks!"

"Yes!"

Lian Taoze turned to leave, but Old Zheng glared at him. "Don't bring them yourself. Go call your Chun'er over to feed me."

"Alright!"

Lian Taoze nodded.

Before long, a maidservant came over carrying a box of food and began feeding Old Zheng. After Old Zheng ate a piece of pastry, Zhou Chen and the others gathered around at Lian Taoze's call.

Clearly, Old Zheng had something to instruct them on.

Zhou Chen stood below in anticipation, only to see Old Zheng smack his lips and say, "Today's pastries are a little too sweet."

Fortunately, after Old Zheng finished rambling about this and that, he finally began speaking of serious matters.

"Watching you spar today, quite a few of you have already managed to fight with your own styles. Not bad." Old Zheng stood up, while the maidservant followed behind him, feeding him grapes one after another. "Since that is the case, I will explain the essentials of actual combat to you again. Many of you cannot even recognize a single written character, much less understand any principles. Only your master is willing to say a few more words to you."

"The first point of actual combat is not fighting. It is the way of being human."

"The way of being human?" Zhou Chen was puzzled. What did that have to do with actual combat? Old Zheng usually looked lecherous and unreliable, but he would never speak nonsense. Zhou Chen pricked up his ears and listened intently.