Taking a Master, Learning the Craft, Master Ye

Xu Chun was a northerner, tall and broad-shouldered, standing well over six feet.

Qin Geng had started out slight and had never been particularly tall.

But now, standing together, they found themselves eye to eye.

"I have grown a bit."

Qin Geng smiled and rolled his shoulders.

He knew better than anyone why it had happened.

First, his relentless martial training had spurred his body's growth. Second, he had plenty of meat to eat, along with Tiger Bone Powder and Dragon-Tiger Decoction; he was getting more than enough nourishment. Third, the talents of [Dragon Spine Through the Back] and [Sickly Tiger Bones] had played their part.

Dragon Tendon stretched his spine, Tiger Bone broadened his frame, and his surging blood and vital energy nourished both. How could he not have grown?

"I need to earn more money."

Xu Chun looked at Qin Geng, his eyes full of longing. "I've got to bring my kid here from the village. Even if the child can't train to your level, learning a move or two for self-defense would beat scratching a living from the dirt."

"You can do it, Uncle Xu."

Qin Geng smiled. "We've got something to look forward to now. Let's save up a little more. In a few months, we can rent a decent-sized courtyard and bring our families over. In the city, anyone willing to work has better prospects than they would in the village."

"That's the truth of it."

Xu Chun grinned, deep creases spreading across his face. "Even if you go hungry in the city, at least there are more chances. Back in the village, you're stuck with that little patch of land... Ah, with war and chaos everywhere these days, land in the village isn't worth much. Neither is a life."

He paused, then asked, "Going out for another run this afternoon? Weather's good today."

"No."

Qin Geng shook his head, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. "I need to leave now. There's something important I have to do."

"All right, then. Get going."

The letter of recommendation Shopkeeper Lu had given him had been tucked inside his robe for days.

Now that he had achieved Bright Force and had his talents behind him, it was time to seek admission to a master's school.

Crouching Ox Alley, in the north of Jinmen City.

This part of town had neither the noise and grime of South City nor the foreign luxury of the concessions. It held the quiet air of old Tianjin, settled deep over the years.

Gray-tiled roofs rose above blue-brick walls and secluded lanes. Most of the residents were long-established families with some property or a trade to their name.

Qin Geng had changed into a clean dark-blue jacket and cloth shoes with thick layered soles. Following the street signs, he found number thirty-eight, Crouching Ox Alley.

It was a large residence with two courtyards.

Its black-lacquered front doors were shut tight. Two small stone lions, worn smooth, crouched outside. There was no plaque above the entrance, giving the place an understated air.

Qin Geng stepped forward, took hold of the bronze door ring, and knocked three times, neither too hard nor too softly.

Knock, knock, knock.

After about half the time it took to drink a cup of tea, steady footsteps sounded behind the door.

Creak—

The side door opened a crack, and a man in short working clothes poked his head out.

He looked to be in his twenties, with dark skin and sharp eyes. He gave Qin Geng a look up and down.

"Who are you looking for?"

The question caught Qin Geng off guard.

He froze for a moment before remembering that Shopkeeper Lu had given him only a letter and an address. He had never mentioned the owner's name, much less which martial school this was.

What kind of arrangement is this?

When Qin Geng said nothing, the man raised an eyebrow. "Here to see Master Ye?"

"Yes."

Qin Geng felt more certain. He took the carefully preserved letter from inside his robe and offered it over. "Sorry for the trouble, but could you announce me? This is a letter of recommendation from Lu Xingmin, Shopkeeper Lu. He asked me to pay a visit."

"Shopkeeper Lu? A letter of recommendation?"

The man did not take the letter at once. He looked Qin Geng over again, and his expression grew more serious at the sight of Qin Geng's sturdy build.

"Come in with me, then. The old master's in the rear courtyard."

He stepped aside. "Close the door behind you."

The courtyard was spotless. Several old locust trees grew by the wall, and neat blue bricks paved the ground.

The man led Qin Geng through a flower-hung gate to the main hall.

"Please wait here."

He poured Qin Geng a bowl of plain water, said nothing more, and went to announce him in the rear courtyard.

Qin Geng sat upright in an armchair, his back straight. He neither peered around nor seemed ill at ease.

Before long, the curtain to the rear hall lifted.

An elderly man emerged.

He wore a gray jacket, and every strand of his silver hair had been combed neatly into place.

His face suggested sixty or seventy years, yet he walked with wind beneath his feet, his steps light and quick. There was nothing frail about him; in motion, he seemed barely past middle age.

The dark-faced man who had opened the door followed behind him, standing with his hands at his sides like a silent post.

Qin Geng rose at once and cupped his fists. "I am Qin Geng. Greetings, senior."

"Sit."

The elder addressed as Master Ye waved a hand and went straight to the seat of honor. His voice was resonant, with a rasp beneath it. "Let me see the letter of recommendation."

Qin Geng stepped forward and presented it with both hands.

The envelope still looked new. The small red seal stamped "sealed" across the flap was intact, without so much as a crease.

Master Ye took the letter. His eyes went first to the seal. Seeing no sign that the envelope had been steamed open, he gave a slight nod, his expression easing.

"At least you know the rules."

With that, he tore open the envelope, took out the letter, and scanned it swiftly.

The main hall fell silent except for the faint rustle of paper.

Only then did Qin Geng realize that if he had secretly read the letter, he would likely have been thrown straight out.

After a moment, Master Ye put the letter away, folded it neatly, and laid it on the table. Then he looked up at Qin Geng, his gaze sharp as lightning.

"Qin Geng. Qin Xiao Wu. You scrape out a living in Ping'an County Town?"

"Yes."

Qin Geng answered without servility or arrogance.

"..."

Master Ye tapped the tabletop with one finger in a steady rhythm.

"Here's what we'll do."

Master Ye withdrew his gaze. "Work here for a few months. Come early every morning and stay until noon. No wages, but you'll get a meal."

"All right."

Qin Geng knew this was a chance to show whether he was willing to work and sincere about learning.

Those months would also give him time to practice Bright Force techniques. The Tiger Bone decoction was still working in his body, so he could keep gaining experience.

Life was about to get busy, though.

He would have to go to Shopkeeper Zheng's for medicinal baths and training, come here to work, and pull his rickshaw to earn money.

Still, he had not expected this old master to test his willingness to work before even looking at his Tiger Bone and Dragon Tendon.

On reflection, it made sense. Good character and resolve mattered more than a strong foundation.

If he could not endure even these dull chores, then no matter how fine his foundation or how great his talent, this old senior would probably consider him unfit for anything important.

"Mm."

Master Ye nodded slightly and took a sip from his tea bowl. "Xiao Wei, show Qin Geng the work."

The dark-faced man who had remained silent all this time was Xiao Wei.

Qin Geng turned and cupped his fists toward him. "Brother Wei, sorry for the trouble."

"Come with me."

Brother Wei glanced at Qin Geng, an odd look crossing his face.

It vanished at once. He said nothing more and headed for the rear courtyard's side door.

Qin Geng caught the look and wondered about it, but he did not slow down. He strode after him.

As long as he could learn real skills and send his Martial Artist experience soaring, he would do more than chores. Even if this path led up a mountain of blades, he would take it!