Back at the Su Residence, a House Guard Takes His Measure

Ninggan Street, Su Residence.

Qin Geng straightened his clothes and made his way to the side gate, as familiar with the route as ever. He cupped his hands to the young servant guarding it.

"Brother Wang, sorry for the trouble."

The servant's name was Wang He. He was leaning against the doorframe, picking his teeth with a toothpick. At the sound, he lazily raised his eyes.

"Well, if it isn't..."

Wang He recognized Qin Geng at once.

But the words "Little Five" caught in his throat before he could say them.

He was astonished.

He remembered Qin Geng: the poor nephew of the Su Family's Seventh Madam, a rickshaw puller who barely scraped by.

Qin Geng had come many times before. Even last month, he had looked chronically underfed—small and thin, with the wary, weary eyes of a man struggling to survive at the bottom.

Today, though, he looked like someone else entirely.

His clothes were still plain, but his frame had clearly filled out. His once-hunched back was straight as a spear.

Most striking were his eyes, dark and bright. One casual glance from them sent a chill down the back of Wang He's neck.

After Qin Geng had thrown that punch against the eerie Paper Person with every ounce of strength in his body and soul, his spirit had undergone a transformation on the brink of death.

Once he broke into Bright Force and his vitality brimmed over, ordinary people would see him as fierce as a dragon and tiger, too imposing to look in the eye.

Wang He was quick-witted. He immediately dropped his lazy manner, and his smile grew more sincere.

"Brother Five, is that you?"

"Brother Five" rolled naturally off his tongue.

Here in Tianjin, whether a man wore a long gown or short work clothes, if he carried an air that made people wary, you called him "sir" or "brother."

No one knew what skills he might have up his sleeve.

"So, here to see the Seventh Madam today?"

Wang He straightened and asked politely.

Last time, Wang He had teased Qin Geng for skipping his rickshaw work to come ask his aunt for silver dollars. This time, he did not dare.

Qin Geng nodded with a warm smile, showing no arrogance at the change in Wang He's attitude. "Yes. It's been a while, and I have something I'd like to ask the Seventh Madam. I also need to see House Guard Zhou. Sorry for the trouble, Brother Wang. Could you let them know?"

"Of course. Please wait here."

Wang He grew serious and called to a younger gateboy inside. "Hey, Xiao Yan'er! Go tell them the Seventh Madam's nephew is here. Brother Five is waiting at the gate. Hurry up, be quick about it."

"Right away!"

The gateboy, Xiao Yan'er, answered and ran inside.

"Have a seat here, Brother Five."

Wang He pointed to a bench beside him. "There are a lot of rules in a house this size. It'll take some time for word to go in and come back out. I hope you won't mind."

"I understand."

Qin Geng sat on the bench without ceremony, his back still straight.

Last time, he had waited a full half hour, squatting at the foot of the wall.

This time, he had a bench. Less than fifteen minutes later, Xiao Yan'er came running back, panting, and whispered a few words in Wang He's ear.

Wang He nodded, then turned and cupped his hands to Qin Geng, looking apologetic. "Brother Five, I'm afraid you've come at a bad time. I asked the maids in the Seventh Madam's courtyard, and they said she isn't at home."

"She's out?"

Qin Geng paused in surprise.

"Yes."

Wang He lowered his voice and leaned close. "Yesterday, she went to Spirit Mountain Temple outside the city to burn incense. Early this morning, she went to St. Mary's Cathedral in the Concession. They say she's praying for a child."

Qin Geng understood.

His aunt had been a concubine for years. Though she was favored, she had never had a child.

In a household like this, a woman without a child to rely on was duckweed without roots. She might be comfortable now, but there was no telling what the future held.

Praying to Buddha one day and a foreign god the next—she must have been desperate.

"If my aunt's out, I won't trouble her."

Qin Geng stood. "But I also came to return something to House Guard Zhou. Is he here?"

"You're looking for Master Zhou?"

Wang He thought for a moment. "He should be at the training ground. Xiao Yan'er, take Brother Five inside, straight to the main training ground."

"Follow me, Brother Five."

Xiao Yan'er answered brightly.

"Thank you."

Qin Geng cupped his hands to Wang He and followed Xiao Yan'er across the threshold of the Su Residence.

They passed through several courtyards. The bustle behind them gradually faded, replaced by low shouts and the sound of weapons cutting through the air.

The Su Residence's main training ground lay beside the stables. It covered a vast area, with thick-packed yellow earth underfoot and stone locks, stone barbells, wooden training dummies, and other equipment arranged around its edges.

The moment Qin Geng entered, the air of fierce men hit him full in the face.

Seven or eight brawny men were hardening their bodies on the training ground.

Some lifted stone locks weighing hundreds of pounds, their muscles bulging and sweat pouring down like rain;

others sparred, fists and feet meeting with sharp thuds.

Every one of them had fierce eyes and bulging temples. They were clearly trained fighters with real skill.

One glance told Qin Geng they were not Zhou Yonghe's disciples.

Their every move was ruthless, and they carried the wildness of men who lived by the rules of the martial world. They were plainly experts.

These were the Su Family's House Guards.

A "House Guard" was a top enforcer and head guard kept by a wealthy household.

They were well fed and well housed, with no need to do odd jobs. But when it mattered, they had to stake their lives to take bullets for their employers and settle their troubles.

"Master Zhou isn't here."

Xiao Yan'er looked around without spotting Zhou Yonghe, then shrank back a little. He was plainly afraid of these men, who looked like demons come to life.

Qin Geng remained calm. He walked straight up to a man wiping down a stone lock and cupped his hands. "Greetings, sir. I'm Qin Geng. I came to return something to Chief House Guard Zhou. Might you know where he is?"

The bare-chested man stopped and looked Qin Geng up and down.

He was the Su Family's second-ranked House Guard, and he had a keen eye.

He did not look at Qin Geng's face or clothes first.

He looked at his legs, then his hands.

The muscles in his legs were smoothly defined and taut with strength. His feet seemed rooted to the ground; though he stood casually, his balance was exceptionally steady.

His knuckles were broad, with calluses between thumb and forefinger. They were not the calluses left by weapons, though. They looked more like the marks of gripping a handle for years.

A Carriage Driver, perhaps.

But one who had practiced martial arts, though he had not yet reached a higher level.

"You've trained?"

The second-ranked House Guard raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying the courtesy one practitioner gave another.

The young man had not developed Bright Force, but there was no faking that spirit or the solid work behind his stance.

He had put in the hard hours of a martial artist.

"Just practiced a little here and there."

Qin Geng answered modestly.

"The chief went out on business. He won't be back until noon."

The second-ranked House Guard pointed toward the weapon rack. "If it's important, you can tell us and we'll pass it along. If you'd rather not, you can wait here."

Privately, he wondered about Qin Geng's background.

Someone who had come to return something to Zhou Yonghe must know him well.

Could this be a new disciple of House Guard Zhou's?

"I'll wait, then."

Qin Geng considered briefly and made his choice.

The copy of Xingyi Dragon and Tiger tucked inside his clothes was handwritten, but it was still a secret not meant to be passed on.

When Zhou Yonghe had given it to him, he had warned him in no uncertain terms: "If you lose it, bring me your head."

Qin Geng knew it was probably meant to scare him, but the book was too valuable. If something went wrong after he handed it to someone else, selling himself would not cover the loss—and he would have offended an expert for nothing.

"Suit yourself."

The second-ranked House Guard asked no more. He nodded and went back to lifting his stone lock.

Qin Geng walked to a large locust tree at the edge of the training ground.

Waiting idly would be a waste of time.

Skill grows through diligence. I can't afford to let it go to waste.

At the thought, Qin Geng set his stance beneath the shade of the tree.

He spread his feet shoulder-width apart, bent his knees slightly, held his hands loosely before his chest, pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth, and sank his breath to his dantian.

It was the core Stance Training of Xingyi Dragon and Tiger—the Three-Body Stance.

An expert's first move told you whether he had the goods.

As soon as Qin Geng took his stance, the House Guards who had been training slowed a little. Their gazes drifted toward him.

He stood like a sturdy pine, perfectly still.

His breathing was deep and long. His chest and belly rose and fell with the rhythm of the stance, as though he had become part of the world around him.

His feet, in particular, seemed sunk deep into the earth despite the soft yellow soil beneath them. It felt as though even a charging ox could not shift him an inch.

"Well now. That Stance Training is something."

The second-ranked House Guard took a closer look and praised him inwardly.

"His form is right!"

"He must have had a skilled teacher and put in at least a year of hard work. Otherwise, he'd never have that kind of bearing."

"He's young, too. That much focus is rare."

"A disciple of House Guard Zhou's?"

The other House Guards thought much the same.

They might have sold their services for money, but they were genuine martial artists.

There was nothing purer than martial arts.

You could not fake the slightest part of it.

Step by step, every drop of sweat you shed and every hardship you endured showed in each movement and every stance you held.

Seeing Qin Geng's concentration and steady stance, the last trace of disdain in their eyes vanished, replaced by genuine respect.

Time passed, little by little.

The sun slowly climbed from the east to overhead.

Qin Geng stood for a full four hours without taking a sip of water. His body did not sway once.

By then, sweat had soaked him through, and thin white steam rose from his head, lingering in the air.

His breathing had grown heavy as an ox's. Each exhale stirred the falling locust leaves in front of him.

Holding such an intense Stance Training took an enormous toll on his strength.

That long-absent hunger, deep in his bones, surged over him again like a tide.

But along with the hunger came a welcome chime in his mind.

[Ding!]

[Profession: Martial Artist (Level 3). Experience +3]

[Experience threshold reached. Level up!]

[Profession: Martial Artist (Level 4)]

[Experience: 1/40]

Boom!

As his level rose, a surge of heat, stronger than before, climbed from his spine and swept through his body.

Qin Geng could feel his muscles being kneaded and compressed by an invisible hand, becoming denser and tougher.

His bones gave faint clicks, as if growing denser too.

The tendons and bones that had ached unbearably from holding the stance for so long recovered in an instant under the warmth. More than that, they filled with explosive strength.

"Level four..."

Qin Geng slowly released the stance and let out a long breath.

He had not unlocked a new talent, but he could clearly feel his stamina, strength, and ability to withstand blows improving in every respect.

"Going by what Shopkeeper Lu said, level ten should correspond to Bright Force."

"Once I reach level ten, I'll truly enter Bright Force and become a martial artist of some standing. Then I can earn money with my fighting skills."

Qin Geng clenched his fist, feeling the strength pulsing in his palm. Anticipation filled him.

"Not bad."

A voice of praise interrupted Qin Geng's thoughts.

The second-ranked House Guard came over, admiration plain in his eyes. "Young brother, that's fine discipline. You've captured the essence of the Three-Body Stance."

"You flatter me, sir."

Qin Geng cupped his hands modestly.

"Keep waiting. I expect he'll be back soon."

"Time to eat!"

At the second-ranked House Guard's call, the men who had trained all morning stopped and headed in a noisy crowd toward a side courtyard beside the training ground.

That was where meals were prepared for the House Guards.

The Su Family spared no expense on that front. These were fierce men who risked their lives for pay, after all, and they ate exceptionally well.

When the wind blew, Qin Geng caught the rich scent of meat. The glutton in his belly clamored for it.

Just then, footsteps sounded at the entrance to the training ground.

Qin Geng turned and saw Zhou Yonghe walk in, wearing a long blue-cloth gown with his hands clasped behind his back.

A girl of seventeen or eighteen followed him.

She wore a white training uniform and had her hair tied in a ponytail. Her skin was not the pallid white of a sheltered young lady, but a healthy wheat-brown.

Tall and athletic, she walked as if she carried the wind with her. Light glimmered deep in her large eyes, along with a hint of valor.

Qin Geng's eyelid twitched.

This girl was an expert.

Judging by her stride and the rhythm of her breathing, she had likely reached Bright Force long ago, perhaps even gone beyond it.

"House Guard Zhou!"

Qin Geng hurried over to greet him.

Zhou Yonghe stopped and looked at Qin Geng.

After watching Qin Geng take only a few steps toward him, Zhou Yonghe's pupils contracted slightly.

An outsider watched the spectacle; an expert saw the technique.

Qin Geng's steps were far too steady.

His feet landed without a sound. The length of each stride was as precise as if measured with a ruler, and his center of gravity barely rose or fell.

Clearly, his lower-body training had reached a profound level.

"Qin Geng?"

Surprise flashed in Zhou Yonghe's eyes. "What happened to you...?"

The last time Zhou Yonghe had seen him, Qin Geng had struck him as a Carriage Driver with a little nerve and composure but a rather frail body.

The Qin Geng before him now might as well have been a different person from the one he had met a month ago.

How could this be the result of a month's unguided practice?

If someone had told Zhou Yonghe that Qin Geng had spent a year drilling stances under a master's guidance, he would have believed it!

"House Guard Zhou, I came to return the book."

Qin Geng took the handwritten copy of "Xingyi Dragon and Tiger" from inside his coat. It was wrapped snugly in oiled paper, and he offered it with both hands.

"Mm."

Zhou Yonghe accepted the book, glanced at the oiled paper, and nodded in approval.

"Looking at your energy and bearing, I'd say you've practiced plenty of what's in this book."

"Diligence can make up for clumsiness. I haven't dared slack off for a single day."

Qin Geng spoke respectfully.

"Diligence can make up for clumsiness..."

Zhou Yonghe turned the words over in his mind, then suddenly asked, "Qin Geng, may I feel your bones?"

The young girl beside him shot her master a startled look.

Her master's standards were sky-high. Usually, even people who offered him gold bars for a little guidance could not get the time of day from him. Yet today he had offered to examine someone's bones?

"Of course. Sorry for the trouble, House Guard Zhou."

Qin Geng did not hesitate. He spread his arms wide.

Zhou Yonghe stepped forward without ceremony. His callused hands closed around Qin Geng's shoulders like iron pincers.

"Bear with it."

Before the words had left his mouth, Zhou Yonghe's fingers suddenly tightened.

"Hiss—"

Qin Geng sucked in a breath through his teeth. It felt as though the bones in his shoulders were about to be crushed.

But he gritted his teeth and made no sound.

Zhou Yonghe's hands worked down from his shoulders, feeling his spine, ribs, and hips, then his thighs and calves. He did not spare even his ankles or the soles of his feet.

He even reached into Qin Geng's crotch with an extremely professional technique, leaving Qin Geng's face bright red.

By the time the examination was over, Qin Geng was breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain. It felt as though someone had taken his bones apart and put them back together.

"Whew..."

Zhou Yonghe withdrew his hands, his expression giving nothing away.

"No hidden ailments or deficiencies. Your frame is sturdy enough."

He spoke mildly. "Just keep training step by step."

"Thank you for the guidance, House Guard Zhou."

Qin Geng rubbed his aching shoulders and cupped his hands again. "Now that the book's back with its rightful owner, I'll be off."

"All right. Go on."

Zhou Yonghe waved a hand and did not ask him to stay.

Qin Geng turned and left the training ground with steady steps.

Once Qin Geng had disappeared beyond the courtyard gate, the girl who had been holding back her questions, Xia Jingyi, could no longer contain herself.

She sidled up to Zhou Yonghe with a grin. "Master, what did you find? Are you planning to take him on as a new disciple? Am I getting a junior apprentice brother?"

"I saw his Xingyi form just now. He's trained it really well. Especially those eyes—tsk, tsk. He's weathered a few storms."

"Our Xingyi boxing is all about 'killing with a single punch.' I think he's got the makings for it. If I'd known it looked so impressive, I would've practiced Xingyi properly too."

Xia Jingyi spoke.

"Wipe that grin off your face!"

Zhou Yonghe glared at her and snapped, "He earned that presence by risking his life. What the hell would a girl like you know about it?"

"Then tell me, how are his bones?"

Xia Jingyi pressed curiously.

"Ordinary."

Zhou Yonghe shook his head and answered honestly. "His frame isn't particularly large. His tendons and fascia are tough, but his natural gifts are limited. He's of middling talent. He won't be your junior apprentice brother."

"Oh..."

Xia Jingyi drew out the word, looking disappointed. "Master, your standards are just too high. Don't you always say your own bones were ordinary back then? Grandmaster took you in anyway. Why won't you give a young person today a chance?"

"Shut up!"

Caught between laughter and exasperation, Zhou Yonghe raised a hand as if to smack her. "In martial arts, hard study and dedication matter more, but you know the art I pass down isn't on the same level as what your grandmaster taught out on the street."

"That manual I fished out of the water—without exceptional bones and comprehension, practicing it is a waste of time. Worse, it'll hurt you."

"You might not even master it yourself, let alone a Carriage Driver with ordinary bones."

Zhou Yonghe shook his head.

"If you don't want to take him as a disciple, why give him 'Xingyi Dragon and Tiger'?"

Xia Jingyi argued, unconvinced. "Aren't you contradicting yourself?"

"I owed his aunt a favor."

Zhou Yonghe sighed and looked in the direction Qin Geng had gone. His gaze grew distant.

"Besides... I didn't teach him."

"What do you mean, you didn't teach him?"

"He's only practiced for a month, and he did it on his own. All I gave him was the 'Xingyi Dragon and Tiger' manual."

Zhou Yonghe sounded impressed.

In martial arts, instruction from a master mattered.

Why?

Because when you held a stance, you could neither see nor feel what you were doing wrong.

A master guiding you at your side, hand over hand, kept you from making mistakes.

"He practiced on his own for one month?!"

Xia Jingyi's eyes went wide, and she cried out, "Master, you're joking, right? That lower-body skill, that form, that energy and bearing—and you're telling me he's practiced for one month? He actually got somewhere without giving himself hidden injuries?"

She was an expert herself. She knew exactly what that meant.

Xingyi boxing focused on tempering the sinews and bones and building strength. Its moves were steeped in killing intent.

For an ordinary young man, even with a master teaching him hand over hand, a month of diligent practice would barely be enough to get his form right.

To show the mountain-steady presence Qin Geng had just displayed, even someone taught personally by a renowned master would need at least a year or so of grueling work!

"That's why I find it strange."

Zhou Yonghe rubbed the stiff stubble on his chin, thought glinting in his eyes.

"Ordinary bones, yet astonishing progress."

"Could there really be a rare talent whose bones are nothing remarkable, but whose comprehension reaches the heavens? Or someone especially suited to a particular school of boxing?"

He thought again of Qin Geng's feet, planted as though they had taken root in the earth.

"They say Li Shuwen of the Divine Spear, Guo Yunshen of the Crushing Fist, and Sun Lutang of the Eight Steps to Catch a Cicada... Before those grandmasters made their names, they were all Carriage Drivers. They developed their skills by running on their own two legs."

"A Carriage Driver has to run steadily and quickly, all while carrying a load."

"That has something in common with Stance Training and footwork."

Zhou Yonghe murmured to himself, as though he had worked out something important.

"A mediocre person bites off more than he can chew."

"But for a genius, no skill is a burden. Walking, standing, sitting, lying down—all of it is training."

At that, Zhou Yonghe suddenly turned and looked his disciple up and down. Though gifted, Xia Jingyi had been pampered all her life and always lacked a little steadiness.

His stare made Xia Jingyi uneasy. She instinctively took a step back. "M-Master, why are you looking at me like that?"

Zhou Yonghe broke into a grin, showing a row of white teeth. "Jingyi, your master's just had an idea."

"Tomorrow, I'll get you a rickshaw."

"Stop waving your arms around the training ground. Go to a county town outside Tianjin and pull passengers instead."

"Huh?!"

Xia Jingyi was utterly dumbfounded. Her mouth formed a little O as she stood there, reeling in the wind.

Pull... a rickshaw?!