Chapter 10: Helping Out

"Which level?"

Shi Lei found it somewhat laughable. He had only mastered the Zhengyang Stance, which merely gave him a better physique than an average person—hardly a "level" worth speaking of.

What an ignorant kid.

However, he didn't dare mock him to his face. Instead, he weighed his words and said, "Let's put it this way: whether it's the Zhengyang Stance or the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance, they are both just foundations for the body. To become a martial artist, you must at least master one form of combat."

"Combat?"

"Correct. Martial arts are divided into training methods and combat methods. Training methods are for personal tempering, toughening the body, and strengthening oneself. Combat methods, on the other hand, involve sparring with an opponent to find openings and weaken the enemy."

Having said that, Shi Lei spoke earnestly, "Junior Brother Zhang, with your talent, you will eventually enter the inner courtyard and formally become the Master's disciple. As for the specifics, let the Master explain it to you; I can't make it clear in just a few words."

"Understood. I'm home. Would you like to come in and sit for a while, Senior Brother?"

"No need. See you later."

Shi Lei hurried away.

Had he known that escorting Zhang Lingshan home meant walking through Qinghe Road, he never would have agreed to it.

That was a sinister place where the Zhao family tragedy had occurred.

Heaven knows if the yamen had actually cleared out the evil spirits; what if he just happened to be the unlucky one to run into one?

Therefore, he was determined never to escort him again.

Even if he had to, he would make sure to pick up his pace and return home before dark.

The people living in Jin City had summarized a rule at the cost of their predecessors' lives: as long as you closed your doors and windows tightly when you got home at night, the probability of encountering a lethal evil spirit would drop significantly.

If you were looking for death, then by all means, wander around at night.

Thus, the nights in Jin City were quiet nights.

In a way, the existence of evil spirits didn't seem entirely like a bad thing.

"Xiaoshan."

Before Zhang Lingshan could enter his door, the neighbor next door, Uncle Fu, suddenly called out.

"Oh, Uncle Fu," Zhang Lingshan greeted him.

He saw Uncle Fu rubbing his hands together, looking somewhat awkward as he said, "We made roast goose at home today, and we couldn't finish it all. Why don't you bring your mother and sister over to have some?"

His expression was unnatural; he seemed to be trying to maintain the dignity of an elder toward a fifteen-year-old, yet he also appeared somewhat servile.

'Roast goose?'

Zhang Lingshan was slightly surprised.

Although Uncle Fu wasn't short of money, he wasn't exactly wealthy either. Today wasn't any special occasion, so why make roast goose?

And to invite them over for no reason at all.

The stingy old man had suddenly changed his tune for no apparent reason—nothing good could come of this!

So, Zhang Lingshan smiled and declined, "No need, Uncle Fu. We've all had upset stomachs these past few days, so we won't bother you."

With that, he pushed open his courtyard gate with a creak.

"Upset stomachs? I happen to know a physician who specializes in that."

Uncle Fu followed him inside, shouting, "Sister Zhang, I heard Xiaoshan has joined the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall. That's a great cause for celebration! We happened to make roast goose today, so let's all go over and eat together."

"Oh, Brother Li."

Mother Zhang walked out of the kitchen, looking incredibly surprised. She hadn't expected this stingy old man, Li Fu, to break precedent and invite them to dinner.

And he had even rushed into their home to do it.

It was unbelievable.

"Sister Zhang, you look perfectly fine to me. Xiaoshan said you had an upset stomach, but you look great. Come on, stop cooking and bring the two children over to eat, or the goose will get cold."

Li Fu urged.

Mother Zhang glanced at Zhang Lingshan, feeling indecisive.

Free roast goose was truly tempting; it would be a waste not to eat it.

But she felt something was wrong.

Zhang Lingshan was the only man in the house now, and her son had been quite thoughtful over the past six months; he should be the one to make the decision.

"Sigh, Uncle Fu, just tell me what's going on."

Zhang Lingshan felt helpless.

This old man kept standing in his house and wouldn't leave, and he was waiting to take his medicine and practice his stance to replenish his energy; he didn't have time to waste with him.

Seeing Zhang Lingshan get straight to the point, a look of embarrassment immediately appeared on Li Fu's face. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Xiaoshan, you've really grown up. Sister Zhang, you are truly blessed.

"It's just... my child is unfilial and didn't learn well; he was caught cheating at the Sanjiang Gambling House.

"Now they want me to pay twenty taels of silver, or they'll chop off my child's hand!

"But where would I get that much money?

"Xiaoshan, you've joined the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall now, you have ability.

"Could you please help me out and go to the Sanjiang Gambling House to mediate? With the prestige of the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall, they will definitely let Xiaodong go."

Zhang Lingshan frowned upon hearing this.

He didn't have any prestige.

The Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall was the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall, and he was just him.

He was currently only a registered disciple; he wasn't even qualified to wear the Hong Clan uniform. How could he go and mediate? Where would he get that kind of influence?

Besides, as the saying goes: don't be a middleman, don't be a guarantor, and don't be a matchmaker, and your family will be fine for three generations.

Asking him to mediate—unless he had a hole in his head, he wouldn't do such a thankless task.

"Uncle Fu, you really overestimate me. I just joined the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall; my status is low and my words carry no weight. Any Hong Clan disciple could bully me. I really don't have that ability. Please head back."

Zhang Lingshan opened the door to see him out.

Thump!

Li Fu suddenly knelt on the ground, grabbed Zhang Lingshan's feet, and cried, "Xiaoshan, I really have no other choice. Please, save my Xiaodong. Xiaodong is a good boy; you two even played together when you were kids."

"I'm sorry, I really don't have that ability."

"Save Xiaodong, please save Xiaodong. I'll kowtow to you. That Hong Clan disciple just personally escorted you home; I saw it! You aren't low-status at all, you can definitely save Xiaodong."

Li Fu shouted while kowtowing.

In the blink of an eye, the neighbors from all around gathered, whispering and discussing.

"That man just now was wearing the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall training uniform; he must be a formal disciple."

"A formal disciple actually escorted Xiaoshan home? They're so close; Xiaoshan has really made something of himself."

"The Zhangs raised a good son; they'll be able to enjoy their lives now."

"The main thing is that Xiaoshan has a good head on his shoulders. He made up his mind to learn martial arts and can endure the hardship of training. My own blockhead doesn't have that kind of drive."

"What's going on with Old Li?"

"It's that good-for-nothing son of his."

"Xiaoshan is so capable now; as neighbors, he really should help out."

"Yes, yes, he should help. Old Li even helped carry water for your family back in the day."

The chatter of the crowd gave Zhang Lingshan a headache; he wished he could drive them all away with a stick.

However, this wasn't outside the city.

If a real scene were made, it would be nothing but trouble, and it would definitely affect his training.

He thought for a moment and decided to play along, "Uncle Fu, get up first."

"You agree?"

Li Fu asked, pleasantly surprised.

Zhang Lingshan shook his head, "I'll think of a way first. I can't make any promises, but I'll ask Senior Brother Shi tomorrow."

"Good, good, good, that's great! Xiaoshan, Sister Zhang, I'll bring the roast goose over for you right now."

Li Fu looked eager and excited.

Zhang Lingshan...

(End of chapter)