Chapter 11: Shi Lei's Answer

The roast goose tasted good, quite succulent.

Mother Zhang, however, didn't take a single bite. Worried, she said, "Xiaoshan, 'he who takes gifts is beholden, he who eats is soft-spoken.' You’ve only just joined the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall, and now you’re taking on such a big favor for someone else. Won't the martial arts hall think we’re just causing trouble? Maybe you should take the roast goose back to Old Man Li."

"Just eat it, Mother. It’s just a roast goose, it’s no big deal. I didn't make any firm promises to him anyway. If it really comes down to it, we can just buy another one and give it back to him."

Zhang Lingshan smiled and reassured her.

His younger sister, Zhang Lingyu, gnawed on a goose leg and nodded emphatically. "Exactly. His son, Li Dong, owes people twenty taels of silver; thinking he can get us to help just with a roast goose? As if it’s that easy."

"How much is a roast goose worth, anyway?"

"Before, when my brother hit his head and got hurt, I don't know how many people were talking behind our backs."

"That stinking old man Li Fu even bragged about how his son, Li Dong, might be a good-for-nothing, but at least he wouldn't self-harm by smashing his head. He mocked us for the longest time."

"Now that he sees my brother is better, he’s back here with a thick face. He really has some nerve."

"I think this is just karma. His son Li Dong deserves this disaster."

Zhang Lingyu said this with resentment, then tore off a piece of goose meat and swallowed it with satisfaction.

Zhang Lingshan laughed. "See? Xiaoyu is the sensible one. Mother, just eat in peace. My talent for martial arts is quite good, and the Master of the Hong Clan Hall is personally keeping an eye on me. If all goes well, in a few days, I’ll be able to become an official disciple and wear the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall’s training uniform."

"Good, good. It’s just a pity your father isn't home; otherwise, I don't know how happy he would be."

Mother Zhang was very gratified.

"Don't worry, Father will be back in half a year. He’ll be even happier when he sees how much we’ve changed."

"You two go ahead and eat. I already ate at the hall and I’m still quite full. I’m going to go brew some medicine to nourish myself."

"Finish the goose, don't save any for me. I have a bright future in martial arts now, and the good days are still ahead."

Zhang Lingshan said with a smile.

Then, he began his routine of testing medicine and practicing his stance.

Over the past few days, he had tested almost all the medicinal herbs on hand. Next, he would need to purchase specific herbs to maximize the efficiency of accumulating energy.

That night.

As usual, Zhang Lingshan persisted in his room, testing medicine, eating tiger meat strips, and practicing his stance until he was so exhausted he collapsed to sleep.

In his dreams, he saw himself with arms growing out of his chest again.

But unlike before, this time, his expression was much more dazed.

When he woke up the next day, the pain in his body had lessened compared to the past.

Zhang Lingshan was overjoyed!

The *Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance* was indeed a complete, upgraded version of the *Zhengyang Stance*; the effects were truly extraordinary.

Even just at the entry level, it was already more effective than the *Zhengyang Stance* at the mastery level.

It seemed that it wouldn't be long before his physique and blood energy grew stronger as his *Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance* improved, and the red marks on his body would disappear completely.

A good omen.

Arriving at the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall, Zhang Lingshan began practicing his stance without a moment's delay.

With the guidance of Shi Lei, an official disciple, he achieved twice the result with half the effort.

Zhang Lingshan could clearly feel the changes in his body. Every time he finished a set of the *Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance*, his body felt a little warmer, and he didn't feel tired at all—in fact, he felt more energized.

He had a feeling that even without using energy to level up, as long as he kept practicing like this, he would be able to break through the *Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance* smoothly.

It would just take a lot of time.

After all, this was a process of grinding.

So, if possible, he still needed to add points to speed up his progress so he could become an official disciple and learn real martial arts.

"Junior Brother Shan, take a break. Too much of a good thing can be counterproductive."

Shi Lei was becoming exhausted just watching Zhang Lingshan’s drive, and he couldn't help but advise him.

Zhang Lingshan nodded.

The two walked to the side and sat on stone stools to rest.

Taking the opportunity, Zhang Lingshan asked, "Senior Brother, let me ask you something. Do you know the Sanjiang Gambling House?"

"I do. I go there often. Why? Are you a fellow enthusiast?" Shi Lei asked, pleasantly surprised.

Zhang Lingshan quickly shook his head. "Senior Brother, you’ve misunderstood. I’ve never played, but a neighbor of mine was caught cheating at the Sanjiang Gambling House. The house wants twenty taels of silver, or they’ll chop off his hands. His father saw you drop me off yesterday and wanted to ask me to beg you for a favor."

"Ask me to beg for a favor?" Shi Lei was stunned, then said, "Is that neighbor very close to you?"

"Not really, we barely speak a few words usually," Zhang Lingshan answered truthfully.

Shi Lei laughed. "I see. So, if he wants me to help, how much is he planning to pay me?"

Zhang Lingshan said, "A roast goose?"

"Haha, in his dreams! A roast goose to get me to settle this for him? He’s dreaming! Go tell him: if he wants my help, fine—twenty taels of silver. And that’s only because of you; otherwise, twenty taels wouldn't even cover it."

Shi Lei scoffed.

Zhang Lingshan asked in surprise, "I don't quite understand, Senior Brother. Isn't the twenty taels what the gambling house wants? If you also want twenty taels, wouldn't it be easier for them to just give it to the gambling house?"

Shi Lei chuckled. "Junior Brother Shan, you’re still young, and you’ve never been to a gambling house, so you don't understand."

"That twenty taels is just the price to redeem the person."

"What kind of people do you think run gambling houses? You cheat and wreck their place, and you think twenty taels will send them away?"

"Twenty taels is just to get the person out so his son doesn't suffer, but by the time his son was being beaten, he had already signed IOUs for who knows how much money."

"After that, it’s interest upon interest. If the gambling house doesn't bleed his family dry, then my name isn't Shi Lei!"

"In short: once you provoke a gambling house, your family is ruined."

"But they’re lucky they found you, Junior Brother Shan. For your sake, I’m willing to help. Twenty taels will settle the matter once and for all."

"Junior Brother Shan, just go tell them that."

"If they aren't willing to pay, tell them to get lost as far as they can."

"But gambling houses don't keep freeloaders. If they drag it out for a few more days, who knows if his son will even have a breath left in him. Heh."

Shi Lei sneered mockingly.

In his heart, he thought his junior brother was still young, inexperienced, and naive. He didn't know the dirty tricks of gambling houses, nor did he realize how prestigious the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall’s reputation was in this area.

In truth, he didn't even need twenty taels—he could have settled it for nothing.

But if he could earn a little extra, why not? It wasn't coming out of Junior Brother Shan’s pocket, and he wasn't offending him, so what was there to fear?

"I understand."

Zhang Lingshan nodded.

Since that was the case, he would tell Li Fu what Shi Lei had said and let Li Fu make his own choice.

He had eaten a roast goose and acted as a bridge; he had done all he could.

Soon.

The day's training ended, and upon returning home, Zhang Lingshan saw Li Fu waiting at his door.

When Li Fu saw Zhang Lingshan return, a look of disappointment crossed his face. He asked tentatively, "Xiaoshan, why didn't that senior brother of yours in the training uniform come today?"

Zhang Lingshan said, "Senior Brother Shi is an official disciple and is very busy. But even though he didn't come, I told him about the matter. He said..."

A moment later.

Li Fu returned home, looking utterly dejected, muttering to himself, "Twenty taels, twenty taels... where am I going to get twenty taels?"

"Old man, how did it go? Can Zhang Lingshan solve it?"

His wife rushed out of the room, asking with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

Li Fu shook his head in agony.

Under his wife's questioning, he told her everything, and the two of them hugged and wept.

After a long while.

His wife said bitterly, "I knew that brat wasn't sincere about helping us. He just made up some excuse to fool us. What a waste of my roast goose."