Leaving the Martial Academy

The clamor and filth of the Black Market were completely shut away behind them once the two of them climbed the stairs.

They each found a room again and changed back into the clothes they had worn before.

As they tidied their clothes and headed outside, Wang Yuan glanced at the large bundle on Lin Qing's back but did not ask about it. He merely cautioned him:

"Lin Qing, try not to come to the Black Market alone in the future. This place is a chaotic mix of dragons and snakes, with people from every walk of life gathered here. Losing some money would be a minor matter. What's frightening is running into ruthless people and losing your life for nothing.

"I've come here a few times before, but always with my father. I would never dare come alone."

Lin Qing nodded at his words, then asked in confusion:

"Then why did you dare bring me here this time? If something really happened, the two of us would be powerless to deal with it."

Wang Yuan explained slowly:

"What you don't know is that although Xiao the Centurion woke up long ago, it will still take several days for him to fully recover. That is why Lord Qin Cang, the Thousand Commander, did not leave immediately after the ferocious beast incident ended.

"The Black Market has been especially lively these past few days, and the Martial Suppression Office is uneasy about it as well. So Lord Qin has personally been stationed in the Black Market these past two days, with many Martial Suppression Office personnel deployed around the perimeter.

"Anyone with a shred of sense would not cause trouble at a time like this, so there is no need to worry too much about safety here these days."

Lin Qing nodded. The two said no more and quickly headed out of the maze of alleys.

By the time Lin Qing returned to his small courtyard, midnight was nearly over. After putting away the things he had bought from the Black Market and washing up briefly, he went to bed.

The next day, Lin Qing still took a drop of Earthheart Marrow before heading to the martial academy. Unfortunately, just like yesterday, an entire morning of cultivation only added 36 points of progress to the Bedrock Stance Art, bringing the panel's progress to 355 points.

After cultivation ended, Lin Qing did not head to the dining hall immediately. Instead, he went straight to the martial academy's main house and sought out the academy master, Shi Jian.

After knocking on the door of the main house, he heard a "Come in" from within and pushed the door open. Shi Jian still sat behind that massive stone desk. He glanced up at Lin Qing and asked calmly:

"Speak. What do you need from me?"

Shi Jian had already forgotten Lin Qing's name, even though he had praised Lin Qing's solid physical foundation more than twenty days ago.

Zhao Lei and several other senior brothers usually led the training drills. Shi Jian spent most of his time in the main house, only occasionally coming out in the mornings to inspect the disciples' practice. The last time he had spoken with Lin Qing was during registration, so naturally he could no longer recall his name.

Lin Qing took a deep breath and bowed.

"Academy Master, I have come today to take my leave. This disciple cannot continue cultivating at the martial academy."

Lin Qing had even prepared some excuses. If Shi Jian asked why, he would say that he was going to seek refuge with relatives or something of the sort. Yet Shi Jian did not ask further. He simply nodded faintly.

"Fine. Go to the steward and complete the formalities."

That composure and indifference instead caught Lin Qing somewhat by surprise. But in truth, it was not that Shi Jian was heartless. He had simply seen such scenes far too many times.

Although this was a world where martial arts flourished, most people ultimately could not escape the fate of ordinary folk.

Some disciples arrived at the martial academy full of excitement, carrying the savings their parents had amassed over half a lifetime. They wanted to cultivate martial arts and rise above the crowd. Yet their comprehension was lacking, and after struggling in the academy for several months, they could not even step through the gate of stance arts. They could only leave, find work that put food on the table, marry and have children. Ten or twenty years later, they would hand their own savings to their children and send them into a martial academy to study under a master once more.

Other disciples possessed decent comprehension. After cultivating at the martial academy for several months, they brought their stance art to the entry level, perhaps even minor accomplishment. Yet their meager family funds could not support their ever-growing appetites, let alone ferocious beast meat and Blood-Qi Potions. In the end, they too could only leave the martial academy helplessly and seek out odd jobs.

When their purses were full, they would practice their stance art several more times and grit their teeth to buy a Blood-Qi Potion to aid cultivation. When money ran tight, they would stop cultivating altogether and rely on ordinary meals merely to stay fed. Most martial artists in the world were like this, frittering away ten or twenty years before barely reaching the level of the First or Second Tier.

The final group had decent comprehension and wealthy families, enough to support their cultivation needs. Yet their innate bones were insufficient, and they remained stuck at a certain realm for life, unable to advance any further.

Shi Jian himself was one such example. His Bedrock Stance Art had long since reached perfection, yet no matter how diligently he cultivated, once his Qi and Blood Realm reached a certain point, it no longer increased. Without a heaven-defying opportunity, he could only remain trapped in the First Tier for life. Thus, he returned to Azure Sun County and inherited this Bedrock Martial Academy.

After receiving Shi Jian's affirmative reply, Lin Qing bowed deeply to him once more.

"Thank you, Academy Master, for taking me in during this time. This disciple will remember it in his heart."

Shi Jian waved a hand and said nothing further, signaling that he could leave. Lin Qing did not linger and turned to walk out of the main house.

After leaving the main house, Lin Qing first found Wang Yuan, then sought out Zhao Lei, the second senior brother who usually took great care of the disciples, and invited them.

"Wang Yuan, Senior Brother Zhao, I would like to invite the two of you to a small gathering at Fortune Tower tonight. I hope you will both honor me with your presence."

Zhao Lei was an open and cheerful man. Upon hearing Lin Qing's invitation, he immediately agreed with a laugh. "Sure. I have nothing to do tonight anyway. I'll definitely be there on time."

Wang Yuan looked at Lin Qing. Though his eyes held some confusion, he nodded as well. He and Lin Qing had arrived at the martial academy on the same day and interacted often, so naturally he would not refuse.

Lin Qing then found the steward and completed the formalities.

As dusk descended, the two arrived as promised. Although Fortune Tower was the finest restaurant in the county town, its prices were not so high as to make people recoil at the sight of them.

The three found an ordinary private room and ordered a stew made with First Tier ferocious beast meat, two stir-fried dishes, two cold dishes, a serving of mapo tofu, and a pot of clear wine.

The lamplight in the private room was warm, driving away the darkness beyond the windows. Zhao Lei lifted his wine cup and looked at Lin Qing.

"Lin Qing, you suddenly invited the two of us today. Is there something you want to discuss with us? Just say it if there is. If it is within my ability, I will lend you a hand!"

Zhao Lei was as warmhearted as ever.

Wang Yuan also looked at Lin Qing with concern in his eyes. He felt that Lin Qing's expression today was somewhat more complicated than usual. It did not look like the expression of someone with happy news.

Lin Qing looked at the two men before him, warmth surging through his heart.

During his time at the martial academy, Zhao Lei often took the initiative to approach him and ask whether there was anything about the stance art that he did not understand, taking great care of him.

Wang Yuan had also provided him with much information about martial artists and even brought him to the Black Market. Without realizing it, he had given Lin Qing a great deal of help.

Lin Qing picked up the wine pot from the table, filled the cups before the two men, then poured himself a cup as well. Raising his wine cup, his expression gradually turned solemn.

"Actually, there is no major matter in inviting you both here today. I am simply about to leave the martial academy. I am grateful for the care the two of you have shown me, and I wish to thank you properly."

The smile on Zhao Lei's face vanished in an instant. However, like Shi Jian, he had long grown accustomed to such matters and did not ask further. Wang Yuan, on the other hand, suddenly spoke anxiously.

"Why leave the martial academy when things are going well? Have you encountered some difficulty in cultivation? If there is any trouble, tell us. Let me see if I can think of a way to solve it with you."

Lin Qing shook his head and explained softly.

"It is not that I have encountered any difficulty. I simply have another cultivation plan, and it is unsuitable for me to remain at the martial academy. I need to leave and find a path better suited to myself."

Lin Qing did not explain in detail, and the two of them did not press him excessively.

The three no longer dwelled on parting. As they ate and chatted, the atmosphere at the table gradually grew lively. There was no sorrow of farewell, only the ease and comfort of friends gathered together.

After eating and drinking their fill, Lin Qing rose and raised his cup once more.

"No feast under heaven lasts forever. May your martial fortunes flourish. We shall meet again in the martial world!"

The two rose and clinked cups with him.

Outside Fortune Tower, after a simple farewell, the three headed off in different directions, their figures gradually vanishing into the night.