Life-Nourishing Art

The party pressed onward beneath the morning light. The mountain dirt road was far from level, and Lin Qing gradually fell to the back of the group.

His body had always been frail, and he had never walked such a long distance before. After less than half an hour, fine beads of sweat had already seeped from his temples.

He gritted his teeth and forced himself onward, clutching the pack on his back tightly in his hands. His gaze remained fixed on the party ahead, afraid that he would be left behind for being too slow.

A young apprentice in the group moved over to Lin Qing's side. He was about the same age as Lin Qing, his voice still somewhat boyish, his face retaining traces of childishness.

"Brother, you're so thin. Can you still keep going?"

The apprentice's tone was kind, with no hint of mockery toward Lin Qing.

"We still have more than half a day's journey before we reach the county town. If you're tired, you can walk a little slower. We're not in any great hurry anyway."

Lin Qing relaxed slightly. The apprentice meant that no one minded waiting for him a little. He gave a grateful smile.

"Thank you for your concern. I'll do my best to keep up with everyone."

The apprentice smiled kindly and walked shoulder to shoulder with him, casually asking,

"Brother, you don't seem very old. Why are you heading to Azure Sun City alone?"

At the mention of his purpose for this trip, determination flashed through Lin Qing's eyes. He did not choose to conceal it. At his age, going to the city to learn martial arts was perfectly normal.

"I plan to find a martial academy in the county town and take a master, to see whether I can become a martial artist."

The apprentice looked over Lin Qing's thin, weak body, surprise appearing on his face. In his eyes, Lin Qing truly did not look like promising martial material. Still, he did not say it outright, merely asking further,

"Learn martial arts? There are quite a few martial academies in the county town, but training has always been arduous. Can your body endure it?"

"I'll try my best to persevere."

Lin Qing's tone was firm. It seemed as though he were answering the apprentice, yet also telling himself. Taking the opportunity, he asked the apprentice for information about the martial academies.

"I grew up in the village and know nothing about the city. Do you know which reliable martial academies there are in the county town?"

"I do know the names of a few. Their apprentices often come to our shop to buy potions. The four with a real reputation are Thunderstrike Martial Academy, Qingyun Martial Academy, Bedrock Martial Academy, and Drifting Cloud Martial Academy."

Lin Qing silently committed the four martial academies to memory. Just as he was about to ask for further details, a burly guard responsible for watching the packhorses stopped. He had clearly overheard their conversation.

This guard was broad and powerfully built, obviously someone who had practiced his fists and legs. He asked Lin Qing,

"Kid, you're going into the city to learn martial arts? And you're asking about those four martial academies?"

"That is correct. I hope Uncle will enlighten me."

Lin Qing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to the burly man, his attitude respectful.

The few of them continued forward slowly with the party as the burly man explained in detail.

"You need to know that the core of a martial academy is its stance art. The stance arts taught by these four academies have entirely different styles, so if you want to learn martial arts, you must choose carefully."

"First, Thunderstrike Martial Academy's Thunderstrike Stance. It stresses being still as a maiden, moving like thunder. The shifts between stillness and motion are extremely frequent, making it highly damaging to the body and demanding exceptionally much from one's physique."

"Then there's Qingyun Martial Academy. You should forget about that one. Its tuition is exorbitant, and everyone who enters is the child of a wealthy family. Their apprentices not only replenish themselves with Blood-Qi Potions every day, but also use medicinal baths to nurture their bodies. Even if you could pay the tuition to enter, you wouldn't be able to afford the later expenses."

"Bedrock Martial Academy is much better in that regard. The Bedrock Stance Art emphasizes being as solid as bedrock. Though the art cannot be considered top-tier, its tuition is low and it places no harsh demands on its disciples. Anyone willing to endure hardship can learn it. Many laborers and escort guards in the city have picked up a few moves at that academy."

"Lastly, Drifting Cloud Martial Academy follows a nimble path. It does not train fierce, forceful power, focusing instead on speed and adaptability. It suits people with small, thin builds, but its killing power is somewhat weak. It is sufficient for self-defense, but using it to forcefully rise above others would be difficult."

Lin Qing listened with utmost attention, committing every word of the burly man's explanation to heart as he weighed the strengths and weaknesses of the four martial academies.

The burly man looked him over from head to toe again and could not help sighing. He spoke bluntly.

"Kid, I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but with that little body of yours, even your frame hasn't fully grown. No matter which martial academy you enter, you'll suffer greatly in the beginning."

"To practice martial arts, you first train the body. Your physique is far too poor. Forget stance arts—you probably could not even persist through the most basic morning runs or carrying wooden posts. One careless mistake, and you could be left with a lingering ailment."

Though the burly man's words were blunt, they were sincere. What he meant was for Lin Qing to think things over more carefully.

Lin Qing naturally understood what the burly man meant. But with the system in hand, he was definitely going to practice martial arts. He cupped his hands and thanked the man.

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle."

While the two were talking, the elderly apothecary leading the group had also been listening. At this moment, he slowed his steps and turned around, looking gently at Lin Qing.

"Young man, this guard is right. To practice martial arts, one must first strengthen the body. Your body is currently depleted and weak. Rashly practicing stance arts will only produce the opposite of what you intend."

The apothecary clearly had more to say. Lin Qing hurriedly bent forward in salute.

"I ask Senior to instruct me. This junior is determined to learn martial arts, yet I do not know where to begin."

The apothecary stroked his beard, his tone mild.

"I see that you have a steady temperament. You seem capable of accomplishing things. In my opinion, you need not rush into a martial academy to train. Why not first find a basic Life-Nourishing Art and spend a few months restoring your body?"

"The power of a Life-Nourishing Art is naturally inferior to a stance art, but it can slowly nourish your five organs and six bowels, allowing your frail body to completely shake off its depleted state and reach a condition where your qi and blood are harmonious and your whole body is healthy."

"Once you have laid a solid foundation for your body, entering a martial academy afterward will let you achieve twice the result with half the effort, whether you train fierce, powerful arts or nimble movement techniques."

Lin Qing was overjoyed upon hearing this. Truly, having an elder in the family was like having a treasure. The old apothecary's words made perfect sense the moment he heard them, and he hurriedly asked for more guidance.

"May I ask where one can learn this Life-Nourishing Art?"

Seeing that Lin Qing had clearly taken his words to heart, the apothecary nodded in satisfaction.

"These arts are not particularly precious. Some of the larger bookshops sell them, at roughly a few qian of silver per copy."

Warmth welled up in Lin Qing's heart. He had entered the city alone, already filled with confusion about the path of martial arts. Now, the apothecary's guidance was like a beacon illuminating the way through darkness.

He deeply bowed to the old apothecary once more and said earnestly,

"Thank you for your instruction, Senior. This junior is endlessly grateful!"

"No need for such ceremony. So long as you listened, my goodwill has not been wasted."

The apothecary smiled and stroked his beard. He said no more, turning back toward the front of the party to continue leading the way.

After less than half a day, the road ahead gradually widened. The outline of Azure Sun County Town came into Lin Qing's view. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, spilling over the road and over the youth's thin yet upright body.