Homecoming

"This is exhausting, and it's only the first day!"

"Martial arts are for the rich. If you want to get anywhere, you need plenty of tonics to build your blood and vitality. At the very least, you need meat at every meal. Live on coarse buns every day, and you'll ruin your body sooner or later!"

"Exactly. We won't last long like this. And from the sound of it, we've got to work tomorrow morning too!"

At the Martial Arts Arena, the workers talked over one another without end.

They all came from poor families. Who among them had money for tonics? They could only grit their teeth and bear it. Lin Qing was no different.

He frowned slightly, wondering how he could get hold of some tonics and eat a little better.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the seven youths in fine clothes handing out pills not far away.

One of them, a young man with a long face, had a particularly loud, grating voice. "Where would those peasants get the money for Blood-Strengthening Pills? They'll all have ruined themselves in less than half a month!"

"Haha, Young Master Han is right!" someone chimed in.

Many of the people around Lin Qing bristled.

"Who is he? Why does he have to talk like that? I'd love to punch him!"

"Shh. From the sound of it, he's probably from the Han Family in the Inner City. He's not like us. He paid to get in, so he doesn't have to put in years of hard work before learning martial arts. He even has a chance to become an officer."

"Damn it. This world isn't fair."

"Fair? You should've been born into a better family!"

Listening to the discussion around him, Lin Qing realized that all seven were from wealthy families. No wonder they had pills to take.

He took it in stride. If he didn't have any, he would find a way to get some. There was no need to envy anyone else.

The next day.

Early that morning, Lin Qing went to Shen Lian to request leave instead of reporting to work.

Workers had two days off each month to use as they pleased, and he had yet to use his.

After signing the register in the general affairs room, Lin Qing strode out through the gate.

Before long, he was walking down a street in Jiangyin County. Shops lined both sides: a smithy, a general store, a teahouse, and a brothel. The whole place had an old-world charm.

Lin Qing carried two pounds of yellow rice wine in his left hand and tucked a pale blue padded coat under his right arm.

He had bought the gifts for his family with his two taels of silver while passing a wine shop and a cloth store.

He had gone home twice over the past month or so. His predecessor's family had treated him well, and he had seen it and taken it to heart. He truly thought of them as his own family now.

Before long, he stood outside his home, an old courtyard house tucked into West City Alley.

Lin Qing's family was not well-off. His parents ran a small General Store and were among the many poor households in Jiangyin County.

He pushed the door open. The first person he saw was a slightly stooped man sitting to one side, sharpening a knife.

The man's face bore some resemblance to Lin Qing's, though it had more wrinkles and his hair had turned gray.

Hearing the door, he looked up and smiled. "Oh, Ah Qing, you're home!"

"I'm home, Dad. I bought you two pounds of yellow rice wine and Mom a padded coat!" Lin Qing called back.

"What a good son," Lin Cheng said with a smile.

"Ah Qing, wonderful! I'll make you something to eat!" a woman called from the room ahead. It was his mother, Han Ying.

"Sure, Mom. I'll help!" Lin Qing went inside and saw Han Ying washing vegetables, her hands red from the cold. He immediately stepped in to help.

Before long, the family sat down to eat around a wooden table. Their staple was mixed-grain rice, but unlike most days, there was also a bowl of fish soup. It was the first time he had seen meat in the house since arriving a month ago.

The three of them ate and chatted.

"Li Ping from next door brought us the fish. Have some more. He's a generous man, and we should remember his kindness," Han Ying said softly.

"I know, Mom." Lin Qing kept his head down and ate.

"Oh, do you remember Wubing from next door? Zhou Wubing is his full name. He joined the Red Lantern Society before the new year. I hear he's done well at martial arts and become a first-class disciple. He even moved into the Inner City today. Everyone in West City Alley envies him," Han Ying added.

"The Inner City is a fine place. You don't have to worry about criminals there. A few days ago, that woman from the tofu shop, Yang Erniang, hanged herself. At first, people said an evil spirit was involved. Then yesterday, the yamen posted a notice saying a Yinyuan Sect Fiend had been causing trouble, violated her, and driven her to suicide. What kind of world is this? It's chaos out there!" Lin Cheng sighed.

Lin Qing listened, then suddenly said, "Dad, Mom, don't worry. Before long, I'll take you to live in the Inner City. I wanted to surprise you later, but there's no harm in telling you now. I transferred to the Night Patrol Office yesterday. Within six months, I can become an officer!"

Both of them froze, then their faces lit up.

"That's wonderful! I always said our Qing would make something of himself. An officer draws a government salary, at least. That's better than your dad!" Lin Cheng looked proud.

"I've heard officers at the Night Patrol Office often deal with evil spirits. Won't it be dangerous?" Han Ying had been delighted at first, but worry crept into her voice.

"Don't worry, Mom. Collecting bodies is the safest job in the Night Patrol Office. I'll be fine," Lin Qing reassured her.

"That's good." Han Ying nodded, then sighed. "Your sister hasn't written home in a while. I wonder how she's been lately."

Lin Qing also had an older sister who had married and moved far away. He had never met her, but in his predecessor's memories, she was stunningly beautiful.

"Don't worry. The Zhao Family is a prominent clan in Shu. Our girl won't want for food or clothing," Lin Cheng said.

"I know she won't go hungry. I'm afraid they might mistreat her," Han Ying said.

"Don't imagine the worst. Oh, Qing, be careful when you go out tomorrow. The White Wave Society and the Red Lantern Society next door have been fighting again. And Rong Futong is putting together some blasted White Emperor Assembly. Every household has to pay a hundred coins. The bastard." Lin Cheng changed the subject.

Lin Qing nodded. "I know, Dad. I'll find a way to get the money. Don't worry about it."

The outer city was in turmoil, and the yamen did nothing, leaving gangs to run rampant. The White Wave Society controlled this area of West City Alley, and its leader was Rong Futong.

The so-called White Emperor Assembly was supposedly a ceremony to worship the divine White Emperor. In truth, it was just an excuse to squeeze money out of the people.

This world is too chaotic. Evil spirits and gangs are everywhere. If I want to survive, I have to become a powerful martial artist. Lin Qing drained the last of the fish soup from his bowl.

Early the next morning.

Lin Qing returned to the Soul-Calming Office and resumed his usual work grinding bones.

That afternoon.

Lin Qing went with the other twelve youths from the courtyard to the Martial Arts Arena. They practiced until evening before returning.

On the third day, Jiang Baihe appeared again.

"Today, I'll teach you the actual moves of the Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake. Listen carefully. I'll only go through them once!" Jiang Baihe wore his usual genial smile.

"The Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake consists of eight forms, designed specifically to strengthen your blood and vitality."

"First form: Spirit Snake Emerges from Its Hole. Push off with your back foot and punch along the centerline, like a spirit snake darting out its head, swift as lightning..."

"Second form: Spirit Snake Sweeps Its Tail. Twist your waist and turn your hips, whip your leg out, and drive the force through the top of your foot..."

"Third form: Giant Python Coils Around Its Prey. Close in, seize your opponent, and lock them down..."

Jiang Baihe explained each move as he demonstrated it. From a distance, he truly looked like a spirit snake in motion, capturing its form and spirit.

Every move held countless details. Lin Qing found it all tremendously complicated and had no idea how much hard work it would take to master it completely.

Half an hour later, Jiang Baihe slowly finished his demonstration and said with a smile, "The Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake may have only eight forms, but the details are countless. You must practice diligently. If you can become proficient within six months, you can consider yourselves promising.

"As for minor mastery, unless you're a genius, don't even think about it without three to five years of practice."