The Fist Manual in Hand, Trouble at the Door

Qin Tieya did not look down on those of lowly status.

These days, demonic disasters were breaking out one after another, and the martial academy urgently needed fresh blood. It accepted disciples regardless of background.

But Chen Mu was already rather old at twenty.

Ordinary martial apprentices began taking medicinal supplements at twelve or thirteen, supplementing them with external boxing practice. They spent two or three years pushing their Blood Essence to the Hundred-Blood Trial.

Those with superior talent could begin formally practicing stance work at fifteen or sixteen, before even reaching adulthood, becoming Martial Masters of the Body Tempering Realm.

Chen Mu was now twenty and born into utter poverty. Even if he entered the academy, he likely would not go far in the future.

At that moment, Qin Tieya composed himself and stood solemnly, asking Chen Mu in a deep voice:

"Chen Mu, was it? Have you heard the saying, 'Poor families raise scholars, rich families raise martial artists'?"

"I see that you come from a lowly registry. Could you possibly have saved up a hundred taels of patterned silver?"

"Without the apprenticeship fee, did you expect Master to pay out of his own pocket for your medicinal soups and Body Tempering?"

As he spoke, he stared intently at Chen Mu's expression.

Chen Mu showed no timidity. He retrieved the bundle he carried from the edge of the grounds and handed it over. "Senior Brother, please inspect it."

"Oh?" Qin Tieya took it and weighed it in his hand.

Silver clinked and rustled within. By rough estimate, there were exactly one hundred taels.

Surprise filled his eyes.

The boy wore such shabby clothes, yet he had unexpectedly prepared the apprenticeship fee in advance.

He had put some thought into it, though the origins of this money were likely quite questionable.

Qin Tieya could not be bothered to dwell on it. He called over a servant to collect the silver, then said to Chen Mu:

"Since you have such resolve, take your things and return home to wait."

With a flick of his sleeve, he tossed over a small cloth pouch and ordered in a low voice, "Catch."

Chen Mu immediately raised his hand to catch it. It felt slightly heavy.

There seemed to be a palm-sized iron token inside, along with a small booklet.

Qin Tieya shed his solemn expression and replaced it with a lazy tone, waving him away.

"Take my token back with you and practice that copy of 'Rampaging Bull Force' properly. If you achieve something in three days, I will accept you on Master's behalf as a registered disciple."

"Remember, if you cannot find the way in, the money will not be returned, and do not mention entering the academy again."

Having said that, he turned and entered the main house to the north of the courtyard, with no intention of seeing Chen Mu off.

Hearing that he had been granted a genuine martial arts cultivation method, Chen Mu's heart surged with excitement. Naturally, he had no objections.

He respectfully said, "This disciple will remember," then eagerly opened the bundle in his hands.

There were two items inside.

The first was a dark iron token the color of black iron.

On the front was an image of a savage beast with a blue face and bared fangs. On the back were engraved the words "Azure Dragon."

It should have been an identity token for martial academy disciples, nothing particularly special.

Chen Mu tucked the token close to his body, then looked at the other item.

It was a small booklet a finger thick.

Its cover was blue and its pages yellowed. When he held it in his hand, the title on the cover stood out clearly:

"Rampaging Bull Force"

Chen Mu rapidly flipped through it once, and excitement immediately appeared in his eyes.

This was a complete fist manual!

It contained a complete breathing method and stance forms. Practicing it allowed one to circulate Blood Essence, and it also came with nine sets of boxing techniques.

Though it was only marked as the lowest Yellow Grade Low-Tier martial art, Chen Mu was already completely satisfied.

Most people of the lowly registries would never have a way to come into contact with a proper martial arts cultivation method in their entire lives.

Today, he had spent one hundred taels as an apprenticeship fee in exchange for such a method. It was worth it!

"Three days is enough."

Suppressing his stray thoughts, Chen Mu did not wish to linger for even a moment. He swiftly left Azure Dragon Martial Academy through the side gate.

He knew that since Qin Tieya had given him this deadline, anyone with passable talent should be able to get started with this fist manual within three days.

What was more, Chen Mu had long since made his plans. After killing Huang Silang, he had accumulated a bit of Karmic Slaughter.

And since Karmic Slaughter could be consumed to directly add points and make breakthroughs in martial arts, it was time to give it a try.

With these thoughts in mind, Chen Mu strode down the long street, his gaze fixed straight ahead as he headed west.

He wanted to tell A-Ning this good news.

Just as his heart brimmed with joy, a white-haired old man suddenly staggered toward him from up ahead.

The old man was covered in filthy water and mud, his face spattered with blood. The moment he spotted Chen Mu from afar, he immediately shouted hoarsely:

"Little Mu! Little Mu! I finally found you!"

"Go home quickly! If you're any later, Tiger Boy will be beaten to death!"

"Uncle Old Wu?"

Chen Mu was startled. "What happened to Tiger Boy?"

He stepped forward to support the old man, patting his back to help him catch his breath.

This man was Old Wu. He lived opposite Chen Mu's family, and the two households interacted often. He had a pretty little daughter named Xi'er, whom A-Ning loved to tease and play with.

The moment he caught his breath, he waved his hands repeatedly and urged him anxiously:

"Little Mu, don't worry about me. Hurry, hurry home."

"Tiger Boy is fighting a group of ruffians outside your door. It seems to be Ma San's gang! If you're any later, he may really be beaten to death."

"He's courting death!"

The moment Chen Mu heard Ma San's name, rage exploded within him. He did not dare delay any longer. After thanking Uncle Old Wu, he shot away and raced toward Rubble Ward.

Fortunately, he had already crossed Grass River earlier. Cutting through the alleys by a shortcut, he reached the gate of his home in only two or three minutes.

The moment Chen Mu saw the scene before him, his Blood Essence surged upward.

In the dim alley, more than a dozen thugs armed with blades and clubs blocked the entrance to his courtyard.

Tiger Boy lay on the ground, drenched in blood. No matter how the group kicked and beat him, he refused to move aside.

"If you have the guts, beat me to death! Otherwise, don't even think about entering Brother Mu's home!"

He screamed hoarsely from the ground, then took another vicious kick.

Chen Mu had already been unable to contain his rage. He charged forward, snatched up the clothesline pole by the door, and swung it down viciously.

"Die!"

The water-soaked wooden pole slammed heavily into the back of the ruffian's head as he was kicking Tiger Boy. His neck snapped crooked on the spot, and he crashed face-first to the ground.

The thugs who had been laughing and beating people were startled, turning their heads one after another.

They saw Chen Mu, his eyes bloodshot, advancing step by step with a bloodstained club in hand.

"Master Ma! This is the brat who killed Huang Si!"

One ruffian immediately pointed at Chen Mu, hopping in fury.

Following his gaze, Chen Mu saw a scar-faced man in blue cloth martial attire step out from the crowd.

The man was broad and powerfully built, with bronze skin. Holding a curved blade, he asked in a gloomy voice:

"Boy, I heard you don't put me, Ma San, in your eyes?"

"You dared kill my man. I think you truly don't know how the word 'death' is written."

Chen Mu's expression darkened as well. He had never expected Ma San to move so quickly.

But no matter how fiercely his anger burned, he knew that forcing a fight now would be nothing but a road to death.

The other side had strength in numbers and blades in hand. What did he have to fight them with?

"What are you all standing around for? Go up there and break this brat's arms and legs. I'll play with him slowly."

Ma San bellowed and directly ordered the people around him to make their move.

Seeing this, Chen Mu knew he had to reveal his trump card. He planted the wooden pole into the ground and roared:

"Who dares?!"

He poured the force of his Blood Essence into that roar. It boomed like thunder, instantly intimidating the restless thugs.

"Hmm?"

Ma San's gaze turned cold, then he mocked, "I thought you had some skill. So you've merely just touched the threshold of Hundred Blood."

"If this is what you're relying on, then the little woman in your house will probably have to serve the dozens of brothers under me today."

"Get him together. Use your blades. Leave him one breath—I want him to watch us play that little woman to death!"

He gave a sinister laugh and waved for the crowd to continue closing in, clearly determined to torment Chen Mu to death.

Hearing him insult A-Ning, killing intent surged wildly in Chen Mu's eyes.

But circumstances were stronger than men. He forcibly suppressed his fury and spoke coldly:

"Ma San, was it? Listen carefully. I, Chen Mu, was the one who killed him. Come at me if you have something to settle."

"But before you make a move, wipe your dog eyes clean and look carefully! Do you recognize this token?!"

As he spoke, Chen Mu displayed the Azure Dragon Token. The savage beast engraved on its surface looked especially ferocious beneath the dim daylight.

Ma San's expression changed abruptly as he recognized it as the identity token of a martial academy disciple.

"Everyone, stop!"

He roared, halting the group with a dark expression.

"You actually have a martial academy identity token!"

Chen Mu sneered and put the token away, rebuking him without the slightest courtesy. "Get the hell out immediately! If you're too slow, be careful that you may not be able to leave!"