Entering the Martial Academy

Following the directions in his memory, Lin Qing made his way onward and reached the western part of the city after roughly half an hour.

Though this area was not as bustling as the marketplace, it was still lively—most passersby were martial artists carrying cloth packs over their shoulders and short blades at their waists. A few shops selling bruise salves and medicinal plasters dotted the roadside, and now and then came the crisp clang of weapons striking, steeping the place in a rich martial atmosphere.

Bedrock Martial Academy stood at the heart of this district, not adjoining any of the other miscellaneous shops, claiming a broad stretch of open ground for itself.

Before the academy ran a bluestone road about two zhang wide. Its surface had been worn smooth and bright by martial artists passing over it year after year. At the road's end stood the academy gates. On either side of them crouched a majestic stone lion half a man's height, their patterns clearly carved, their claws and fangs sharp, seated firmly upon stone bases and radiating a steady, intimidating presence.

The academy was built mainly from blue-gray bricks and stone, without the slightest bit of gaudy ornamentation. Its overall form was square and solid, resembling an enormous boulder crouched upon the earth.

At that moment, the pair of solid wooden gates, each a full half-foot thick, stood wide open. The doors were clad in polished bronze, burnished until they shone. Above the lintel hung a black plaque bearing gold characters, the four bold words "Bedrock Martial Academy" written with vigorous strokes.

Crossing the threshold, he found a broad bluestone training ground before him. At present, several dozen academy disciples dressed in matching gray training uniforms were practicing a stance art under the lead of a young man at the front. It was presumably the Bedrock Stance Art.

The young man was around twenty-three or twenty-four, tall and powerfully built, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He wore a fitted gray cloth outfit. His skin was slightly dark, his facial lines hard and angular, and his jaw sharply defined.

Lin Qing stood at the edge of the training ground, watching the disciples practice their stances with utter focus, unable to suppress the anticipation in his heart.

After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the stance practice ended. The disciples stretched their bodies, and the young man leading them walked toward Lin Qing.

"Little brother, have you come to seek a master?"

The man's voice was calm and steady, carrying the particular deep resonance of a martial practitioner.

Lin Qing hurriedly cupped his fists in salute and said respectfully:

"My name is Lin Qing. Having long heard of Bedrock Martial Academy's great reputation, I came here especially in hopes of being fortunate enough to enter the academy and cultivate the martial path."

The man was not surprised. He looked Lin Qing up and down—though Lin Qing was not particularly burly, he stood straight, and his eyes were clear and resolute. The man smiled and nodded.

"I am the second senior brother of Bedrock Martial Academy. My surname is Zhao, so you may call me Senior Brother Zhao. Master is in the main hall. I'll take you to meet him."

Lin Qing gave a slight bow.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhao."

Senior Brother Zhao waved a hand, then led him across the training ground. Quite a few disciples raised their eyes to examine Lin Qing.

Senior Brother Zhao quietly explained:

"The academy's rules are that every morning until before noon is when the disciples practice stance arts."

Lin Qing listened intently, committing it to memory as he followed Senior Brother Zhao to the entrance of the main hall.

Senior Brother Zhao stepped forward, lightly knocked on the hall door, and called out clearly:

"Master, your disciple Zhao Lei has brought a youth named Lin Qing to seek apprenticeship. He is currently waiting outside."

A low, powerful voice came from within. It was not loud, yet it carried an authority that needed no anger to command respect. "Come in."

Senior Brother Zhao turned and gestured to Lin Qing before pushing open the door and entering first. Lin Qing straightened his clothes and followed close behind into the main hall.

The furnishings inside were simple. In the center, a bluestone desk stood in a prominent spot, and behind it sat a middle-aged man. His hair was cut unusually short, his features resolute, and a faint scar lay between his brows, adding several degrees of majesty to his presence.

"This junior, Lin Qing, greets the Academy Master." Lin Qing did not dare be negligent. He bowed with utmost respect, his movements standard and proper.

Shi Jian slowly set down the book in his hand, his gaze settling upon Lin Qing as he examined him carefully.

After only a few breaths, Shi Jian withdrew his scrutinizing gaze. A trace of barely perceptible approval colored his voice as he spoke.

"Not bad. Your breathing is steady, your breath long and deep. Though your build is rather slight, your foundation is better than that of quite a few new disciples. You are good material for cultivation."

Lin Qing cupped his fists. "Thank you for your praise, Academy Master."

His fingertips lightly tapping the desk, Shi Jian slowly said:

"Our Bedrock Martial Academy chiefly cultivates the Bedrock Stance Art, taking its meaning from being as solid as a boulder. Using this stance art as a foundation to temper the body, once one breaks through to become a martial artist, one's defense will be particularly outstanding."

He paused, then continued:

"The tuition for entering the academy is one tael of silver per month, paid three months at a time. The academy provides disciples only with lunch, not lodging. In addition, the academy provides Blood-Qi Potions and medicinal bath packets for recovery, which must be purchased separately. After entering, you must observe three rules: first, practice stances together at the training ground every day at the hour of the dragon, with no absences allowed; second, fellow disciples must live in harmony and must not use strength to bully the weak; third, you must devote yourself wholeheartedly to practice and must not be lazy or slack. Whoever violates these rules will be expelled from the academy."

Lin Qing had long since made up his mind. Without the slightest hesitation, he solemnly saluted. "This disciple understands!"

Shi Jian looked at the determination in Lin Qing's eyes and nodded. "Good. Since your mind is made up, from today onward, you are a registered disciple of Bedrock Martial Academy. Report to the training ground punctually at the hour of the dragon tomorrow to practice stances. Zhao Lei, take your Junior Brother Lin to see the steward."

Zhao Lei cupped his fists and answered, "Yes." After saluting, the two withdrew from the hall. Zhao Lei smiled and said:

"Junior Brother Lin Qing, congratulations on formally entering the academy! If there is anything you do not understand while practicing stances in the future, feel free to come find me. I will teach you everything one by one."

Lin Qing hurriedly thanked him. Zhao Lei then took him to a steward surnamed Wang to register. He paid three taels of silver and received two sets of gray training clothes.

Zhao Lei said to Lin Qing:

"Junior Brother Lin, I wonder whether you have any other arrangements. It is still early before noon. If you have nothing to do, why not stay and observe the other senior brothers and sisters practicing the stance art?"

"Then I'll impose upon you." Lin Qing cupped his fists and accepted.

Thus, Lin Qing spent the entire morning standing at the edge of the training ground, watching the disciples practice the Bedrock Stance Art over and over again. To his disappointment, this method could not directly record the technique onto his panel.

Still, this was within his expectations. Stance arts did not merely involve movements; they also required breathing rhythms coordinated with different actions. Trying to memorize that simply through observation was difficult.

Thus, Lin Qing did not linger any longer and bade Zhao Lei farewell before leaving.

After returning home, cooking and eating lunch, he began cultivating the Harmonious Essence-Nourishing Art once more.