Chapter 20: Moving House

A moment later.

Having finished his practice, Hong Zhengdao asked, "How many moves did you memorize?"

Zhang Lingshan replied, "Reporting to Master, your disciple has memorized eighteen moves."

"Not bad. The Red Line Fist consists of thirty-six moves in total. Being able to remember half is quite impressive." Hong Zhengdao nodded in satisfaction.

Zhang Lingshan said, "Because these eighteen moves share similarities with the Hunyuan Zhenyang Stance, I was able to memorize them in one go."

Hong Zhengdao grew even more pleased. "To be able to see the connection—you truly are destined for the Red Line Fist. Very good, very good. I will perform it once more; make sure you memorize the remaining eighteen moves properly."

"Yes!"

Zhang Lingshan secretly checked his panel.

He discovered that the Red Line Fist had not yet been recorded. It was clear that the panel would only record the technique once he had completely mastered its practice.

As he expected, after Hong Zhengdao performed the sequence several more times and personally guided Zhang Lingshan through a practice session, Zhang Lingshan finally memorized the entire method of the Red Line Fist.

At that moment, the panel changed.

Name: Zhang Lingshan Martial Arts: Red Line Fist (Not Yet Entered), Hunyuan Zhenyang Stance (Great Success) Energy: 0

"Alright, I see you have learned enough for today. Go back tonight and consolidate what you've learned; you should have mastered it by tomorrow. Practice diligently thereafter, and before long, you will be able to perform the entire sequence smoothly. Once you can do that, you will have officially entered the gate."

Hong Zhengdao waved his hand, telling Zhang Lingshan to rest and accompany him for lunch.

Soon, the servants brought out the meal.

A plate of meat, a plate of vegetables, and two bowls of rice.

It looked a bit meager.

However, the moment Zhang Lingshan ate the meat, he was instantly struck by a profound sense of fullness.

Taking a bite of the vegetables provided a sensation as refreshing as water.

The two sensations merged without placing any burden on his stomach; instead, they neutralized each other, making both the meat and the vegetables much easier to digest.

In just the time it took to eat this meal, Zhang Lingshan checked his panel and found that he had already accumulated 0.5 energy points!

'This is too fast!'

He could hardly believe it. It was incredible.

If he could eat meals like this every day, he wouldn't have to worry about accumulating energy.

"How is the taste?"

Seeing Zhang Lingshan eating intently, Hong Zhengdao asked with a smile.

Zhang Lingshan nodded repeatedly.

Only after he had eaten every last scrap did he ask curiously, "Master, what kind of meat is this?"

"Hehe. You can't get this stuff from the outside. If I told you what it was, you might not want to eat it anymore."

Hong Zhengdao gave a mysterious smile.

Zhang Lingshan thought to himself that it was impossible for him not to want to eat it. As long as it could rapidly increase his energy, he would find it as sweet as honey even if it were filth.

"It's getting late. Xiaoshan, you should head home. If you stay out any later, you might run into danger."

Hong Zhengdao waved him off.

Zhang Lingshan said, "Master, your disciple has an unreasonable request."

"Speak."

"Your disciple feels that traveling back and forth is a waste of time. I wish to move to Hongwu Street. I wonder if Master could help me find a residence so that I can move my mother and sister here as well."

"I can do that."

Hong Zhengdao had wondered what the "unreasonable request" was; such a small matter could be handled with a flick of his finger.

"Thank you, Master. But as for the rent, for the time being, I..."

"I can give you a three-month grace period. If you can practice the Red Line Fist until it reaches your upper arms within three months, I will waive your rent for those three months," Hong Zhengdao said indifferently.

In truth, he wasn't short on money, and three months of rent wasn't worth much, but he said it to motivate Zhang Lingshan.

"Thank you, Master! Your disciple will certainly work hard!"

Zhang Lingshan was overjoyed.

With the panel, let alone three months, he could do it in one. If he had the chance to eat with Master Hong, he wouldn't even need a month. Unfortunately, such opportunities were rare.

After bidding farewell to Hong Zhengdao, Zhang Lingshan had just stepped out of the courtyard when he saw an acquaintance.

It was Tie Feng, whom he had met when he first joined the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall as an apprentice.

He still remembered how Tie Feng had swindled him out of two taels of silver with dried tiger meat back then.

However, thanks to that swindle, he had learned that dried tiger meat could replenish energy. Since he had been busy practicing, he hadn't held the matter to heart.

Tie Feng hurried forward, bowing and scraping. "Senior Brother, this is the two taels of silver I earned from selling you that dried tiger meat. I never dared to spend it, knowing that you are not a common man. I've been saving it for you."

As he spoke, he pressed the silver into Zhang Lingshan's hand.

Zhang Lingshan weighed it and said in surprise, "This is more than two taels. You gave me too much."

"Oh, it's just the interest! Just take it, Senior Brother. I'll be going now!"

Fearing Zhang Lingshan might say more, Tie Feng hurried away.

Zhang Lingshan toyed with the silver in his hand, feeling secretly amused.

Who would have thought that money spent could return to his hands, and even generate interest? And all because he had broken through to become a formal disciple.

This was the wealth brought about by a change in status.

Having more than two taels of silver on hand, Zhang Lingshan did not spend it recklessly. He only bought some Spirit Root Grass to accumulate energy. The rest was kept for hiring a cart for the move tomorrow.

That night, Zhang Lingshan did not sleep, staying on guard all night for fear of any accidents.

The next day, they successfully moved to Hongwu Street.

"Brother, I didn't think you'd actually do it! To move us to Hongwu Street so quickly. The sunlight here is much better than our old street, and the Yang energy is strong. Everyone living here is a martial artist from the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall."

Upon arriving at the new home, Zhang Lingyu bounced around with excitement, wiping down the window frames and tables.

Mother Zhang also said with relief, "In a place like this, even if the Li Fu family has a great grudge, they wouldn't dare come easily. We can finally have some peace. It's just the rent..."

"Don't worry, Mother. Rent isn't an issue. I am a favorite in Master's eyes now. This is just the beginning; the good days are yet to come."

"Mhm, my son is truly making something of himself."

Mother Zhang felt deeply gratified.

Over the next few days, just as Mother Zhang and Zhang Lingyu had said, the Yang energy of Hongwu Street was indeed heavy. Their family of three could sleep soundly every night, and no strange occurrences happened again.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lingshan's panel energy accumulated steadily during these peaceful days.

Although he didn't have much money left to buy more dried tiger meat or medicinal herbs, things had improved since becoming a formal disciple. The food was better; two meals could accumulate 0.4 energy, and every four days, they received a bowl of Four-Harmony Soup.

This Four-Harmony Soup was the same medicinal soup Shi Lei had brought him before, but it was thicker and more potent. It was evident that Shi Lei had been diluting his leftovers with water, as a bowl of that only added 0.2 energy. This bowl of Four-Harmony Soup, however, added 1 full point of energy—a significant difference.

Counting the energy from eating with his Master on the first day, as well as the remaining medicinal herbs and dried tiger meat he had on hand, a change finally occurred on the panel.

Name: Zhang Lingshan Martial Arts: Red Line Fist (Not Yet Entered+), Hunyuan Zhenyang Stance (Great Success) Energy: 9.6

'Finally, I can add points again...'