Learning Martial Arts with Hua, Determined to Break Open the Heavens Through Martial Prowess

"That should be a martial arts school—a place where people learn to protect themselves and defeat bad guys."

Chang Yuan stroked his chin as he explained it to Airi.

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

Thinking of the injuries Chang Yuan had suffered because of her a year ago, Airi wanted to learn some ways to protect herself.

"Sure, but this sort of thing usually takes a long time to learn. Our journey might have to be put on hold for now."

"It's fine. We've never been short on time, have we?"

Airi smiled at that.

Traveling mattered, but so did their safety.

She didn't want to see Chang Yuan get hurt again, and she also wanted the strength to protect herself better.

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

Chang Yuan led the way, making his way step by step to the martial arts school's entrance.

Knock, knock, knock—!

"Is anyone there? We're here to study under a master."

Click!

"Study under a master? Come in with me. I'll take you to my father."

A light gray-haired girl who had opened the door said.

She then stepped aside to let Chang Yuan and Airi enter.

"Sorry to trouble you."

Chang Yuan thanked her and walked inside.

Airi followed close behind.

Once both of them had entered, the gray-haired girl closed the door.

Then she walked ahead of them and led the way.

They eventually arrived at a courtyard. It was quite spacious, with wooden posts, targets, and more.

It had practically everything needed for training.

A middle-aged man rose from a recliner.

"Hua, are these the people who came to study?"

"Yes, Father. Since I've brought them here, I'll continue my training."

After nodding, Hua resumed practicing her family's martial art, Cun Xin Quan Fa, on the other side of the courtyard.

"Kid, I won't talk about tuition first. Can you endure the hardships of this path alone?"

"...I can."

Chang Yuan glanced at Airi and made up his mind.

Without some martial skill to protect himself, he feared that someday he wouldn't even be qualified to stand at her side.

If he learned it, perhaps he could even put up a fight against the undead. As for Honkai Beasts above that level, they were beyond what he could handle. He didn't have that kind of talent.

People like Kevin, who could take down a Chariot-class Honkai Beast with a baseball bat, were practically one of a kind.

Of course, Qianjie was even more formidable. He had been the first person to tear apart a Herrscher with his bare hands.

"Good. You should know that martial arts will never appear in the hands of trash. Start training tomorrow. Do you have a place to stay? The school can provide lodging and daily meals."

"Alright. How much would it be for two months?"

"Only you will be learning?"

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

"For two people for two months, I'll charge you ten thousand. Lodging and meals included."

In the end, Hua's father still gave them a discount.

Hearing that, Chang Yuan took out a stack of cash from the backpack behind him. Since he didn't have an ID, he could only carry his money with him.

Seeing this, Hua's father accepted the money without checking it.

"Hua, take the two of them to the dormitory and arrange a double room."

"Mm."

After nodding, Hua looked at the two of them.

"Please follow me. I'll take you to the accommodations."

"Alright."

Following Hua, the two arrived at the dormitory.

It wasn't particularly luxurious, but it was far better than those shady inns outside.

After finding them a double room, Hua handed them the key.

She then took them to the cafeteria.

"Hua, are Airi and I the only people at this martial arts school?"

"...Mm. Business hasn't been good. Fewer and fewer people are willing to learn."

Hua had no intention of hiding that. Or perhaps she was simply too honest to know how to lie.

"Alright. It does seem rather quiet."

Chang Yuan nodded with a smile.

"Oh, right. If you need anything else, please tell me promptly. We'll do our best to ensure our students' quality of life."

"I understand. Sorry to trouble you."

"In that case, I'll be leaving first. Remember to go to the place from earlier at six tomorrow morning. I'll be responsible for teaching you."

"Wait, you'll be teaching us?"

Airi was somewhat taken aback.

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

Hua looked about the same height as them, and was probably around their age as well.

"Don't worry. I've learned from my father since I was little. Everything Father can teach, I can teach too."

Thinking Airi doubted her ability to teach them, Hua gave an explanation.

But that hadn't been what Airi meant at all. She had merely been surprised.

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm just amazed. You're the same age as us, yet you've learned all this while we haven't learned anything. That's all."

"That's normal. We're a martial arts family, so we started learning as soon as we could walk."

Seeing that Airi was curious about this, Hua explained further.

"Impressive. I've heard martial arts training is very difficult. Since you've trained since childhood, it must have been even harder for you, right?"

"It was at first. I didn't understand why Father made me do it, but when I gained a better body than others my age, I understood.

"So after that, I had no complaints. I trained and practiced willingly every day."

Hua nodded, then shook her head as she spoke.

At first, she truly hadn't understood why her father made her do it. She had still been a child then, and that training had been nothing less than torture to her.

But once she gained a physique far surpassing those of her peers, she understood that her father had been doing it for her own good, even if that love was somewhat heavy and exhausting.

"Alright, I need to continue training. You should prepare yourselves too. Tomorrow will be difficult."

After that final reminder, Hua turned and left.

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

"Mm-hm~? Chang Yuan, the bed here is so comfortable."

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

In an instant, the bed's soft texture won Airi over.

It was far softer than the beds in those shady inns they had stayed at before.

"Comfortable as it is, things will start getting rough tomorrow. Don't give up halfway through."

"Hehe~? I'm not someone who likes giving up halfway through. If anything, Chang Yuan, you're a boy, yet your stamina isn't even as good as mine, a girl's."

"..."

Compete with you in stamina? Even if the Honkai hadn't completely awakened your special nature, you're still a Herrscher. How am I supposed to compete with you?

Chang Yuan grumbled inwardly but didn't say it aloud.