Thanks for the Invite, Learning Martial Arts with Hua, Aspiring to Open the Heavens with Martial Arts

"That would be the martial arts school, a place to learn how to protect yourself and defeat bad guys," Chang Yuan explained to Airi, stroking his chin.

"Protect myself, defeat bad guys... Chang Yuan, let's go learn too."

Remembering the injury Chang Yuan sustained a year ago because of her, Airi wanted to learn some way to protect herself.

"Sure, but this kind of training usually takes a long time, so our trip might have to be postponed."

"It's okay, we've never been short on time, have we?" Airi smiled at his words.

Travel was important, but so was personal safety. She didn't want to see Chang Yuan injured again and wanted to gain more strength to protect herself.

"Then let's go. We'll pay them a visit and see if they're still accepting disciples."

Leading the way, Chang Yuan walked step by step to the entrance of the martial arts school.

Knock, knock, knock—!

"Is anyone here? We've come to apprentice."

Click!

"Apprentices? Come in with me, I'll take you to my father."

A young girl with light gray hair, who had opened the door, said. She then moved aside, making way for Chang Yuan and Airi to enter.

"Thank you for your trouble." Chang Yuan expressed his gratitude and walked in. Airi followed closely behind.

Seeing that both of them had entered, the gray-haired girl closed the door. Then she walked in front of them and began to lead the way.

Eventually, they arrived at a courtyard. This courtyard was very spacious, with wooden stakes, targets, and more. It had almost everything for training. A middle-aged man who looked like an uncle stood up from his lounge chair.

"Hua, are these the ones seeking to learn?"

"Yes, Father. Since I've brought them, I'll go back to training now."

Nodding, Hua then moved to the side and continued practicing her family's martial art, Cun Xin Quan Fa.

"Young man, before we talk about tuition fees for learning these skills, can you handle the hardship involved?"

"...I can."

After glancing at Airi, Chang Yuan made his decision. If he didn't have some martial arts skills to rely on, he feared he wouldn't even have the right to stand by her side in the future. If he learned, perhaps he could even fight against Mortals. As for the Honkai Beasts above them, those were beyond his capabilities; he didn't have that kind of talent. Ancestor Kevin, who could defeat a Tank-class Honkai Beast with just a baseball bat, was truly one of a kind. Of course, the even more formidable Qianjie was an exception; he was the first to tear apart a Herrscher with his bare hands.

"Good. You should know that martial arts won't manifest in the useless. You'll start training tomorrow. Do you have a place to stay? The martial arts school can provide accommodation and daily meals."

"Okay, how much will it be for two months?"

"Are you the only one learning?"

"I want to learn too. I want to learn archery."

"For two people for two months, it'll be 10,000, including accommodation and meals."

Finally, Hua's father gave them a discount. Hearing this, Chang Yuan took out a stack of money from his backpack. Since he didn't have an ID, he could only carry his money with him. Seeing this, Hua's father accepted the money without verification.

"Hua, take these two to the accommodation and arrange a double room for them."

"Mm."

Nodding, Hua looked at the two.

"Please follow me, I'll take you to your accommodation."

"Okay."

Following Hua, the two arrived at the place to stay. It wasn't particularly luxurious, but it was much better than those shady inns outside.

After finding a double room for the two of them, Hua handed the room key to them.

Then, he took the two to the cafeteria.

"Hua, are it just you and Airi at our martial arts school?"

"...Yes, the school isn't doing well, fewer and fewer people are studying."

Hua had no intention of hiding this, or rather, she was too honest and didn't know what lying was.

"Alright, it is quite deserted then."

Chang Yuan nodded and smiled.

"By the way, if you need anything else, please tell me promptly. We will do our best to ensure the quality of life for our students."

"I understand, thank you for your trouble."

"In that case, I'll take my leave. Remember to be at the place we were just at tomorrow morning at 6 AM. I will be responsible for teaching you."

"Wait, you're teaching us?"

Airi was a bit taken aback by this.

It wasn't that she looked down on Hua, but she was curious that Hua would be the one teaching them.

She looked about the same height and age as them.

"Don't worry, I've been learning from my father since I was young. Anything my father can teach, I can teach."

Thinking Airi didn't believe she could teach them, Hua offered an explanation.

However, Airi wasn't thinking that at all; she was just surprised.

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm just shocked. At the same age, you've learned all this, while we haven't learned anything. I'm just surprised."

"That's quite normal. We come from a family of martial artists, so we've been learning basically since we could walk."

Seeing that Airi was curious about this matter, Hua offered an explanation.

"Amazing. I've heard that martial arts training is very tough. It must have been even tougher for you, practicing martial arts since you were a child?"

"It was like that at first. I didn't understand why my father made me do it, but when my body became better than others my age, I understood.

So, from then on, I had no complaints and trained and practiced voluntarily every day."

Hua nodded, then shook her head as she spoke.

At first, she really didn't understand why her father made her do that. She was just a child then, and that kind of training was torture to her.

But when she gained a physique far superior to her peers, she knew her father had done it for her own good, even if that love was a bit heavy and tiring.

"Alright, I need to continue training. You two should also make plans. Tomorrow will be very tough."

After delivering this final piece of advice, Hua turned and left.

The spacious room was instantly left with only Chang Yuan and Airi.

"Mmmhmm~? Chang Yuan, the beds here are so comfortable."

Choosing the bed on the right, Airi lay down on it.

In an instant, the soft texture of the bed conquered Airi.

The softness of this bed was much better than the dingy hotels they had stayed in before.

"Comfortable is comfortable, but starting tomorrow, it's going to be tough. Don't give up halfway, okay?"

"Hmph hmph~? I'm not the type to give up halfway. Rather, Chang Yuan, you, a boy, have less stamina than me, a girl."

"..."

Am I really comparing stamina with you? Even if you haven't fully awakened your special abilities due to the Honkai, you're still a Herrscher. How can I compare?

Chang Yuan thought to himself, but he didn't say it out loud.