"Silver?" The two brothers asked in unison, "You have to pay silver to learn martial arts?"
Fourth Master Wen's expression changed drastically. He slapped the brush in his hand onto the table with a smack and snapped, "Who would teach you if you don't pay silver? Looking at you two, could it be that you're toying with me?"
The Zhang brothers hurriedly said they would not dare, and then Zhang Xiaohu explained how the guard from Misty Manor had told them to come here. Only then did Fourth Master Wen's anger ease slightly. He picked up the teacup from the table, took a sip, and said, "It seems the gate guard made a mistake. You can't be blamed for this."
Zhang Xiaohu asked curiously, "May I ask, Fourth Master, where exactly was the mistake?"
Seeing Zhang Xiaohu's respectful manner, Fourth Master Wen cleared his throat and assumed the air of someone fond of teaching. "Since you've come from afar, I'll explain it to you simply."
"Those who take on masters and learn skills generally go to martial academies. You must pay tuition, and if you eat and live at the academy, naturally you must also pay for food and lodging. In Pingyang City, our Lotus Escort Agency stands alone at the top, so we never opened a separate martial academy. Our escort agency also serves the function of one, and we usually accept people who come to learn martial arts. But you were wrong to go to Misty Manor to learn martial arts. Martial academies do not restrict age when taking students; they look at one's martial foundation and aptitude, and generally can accept anyone suitable. Still, the best age to begin martial training is five or six years old. If you start later, it will be difficult to become