Chapter 28: Wang Jin's Study

Jiang Ning did not believe that he could meet the requirements to enter the Inspectorate within three months.

He understood completely; it was only natural.

After all, his time practicing martial arts had been far too short.

What could one even accomplish in three months?

To become Wang Jin's true disciple, one had to master any single posture of the Five Animal Fist within six months as part of the true disciple test.

This went to show just how difficult martial arts were.

Even his eldest brother, who had practiced for many years, had only reached the level of great success in blood and qi, with his limbs fully connected.

To meet the requirements for joining the Inspectorate, however, one had to achieve a ranked martial grade and be under the age of thirty.

In Luoshui County, anyone who could achieve this was either a martial arts genius or someone from a wealthy or noble family—a martial artist built from piles of money.

A smile appeared on Jiang Ning's face, his expression full of confidence. "Don't worry, Master! The day I master the Five Animal Fist won't be far off!!"

"Good! That is the kind of confidence I expect!" Wang Jin praised him once more.

He then looked up slightly at the moonlight. "It is getting late! These old bones of mine won't be tossing and turning with a young man like you! I am going back to rest! It is also not suitable for you to practice boxing tonight; you pushed yourself a bit too hard just now. Go back to your room and rest well to recuperate so you can practice again tomorrow!"

Jiang Ning nodded. "This disciple understands!"

Then, Jiang Ning spoke again. "This disciple has an unreasonable request to make of Master."

"Don't be so hesitant and wordy. Just say it!" Wang Jin said.

"This disciple wishes to borrow some books from Master's study. It is still early before the midnight hour, so I could use the time to read. Furthermore, I can read to increase my knowledge during the downtime when I am recovering my strength or resting between training sessions!" Jiang Ning said.

"You're that driven?" Wang Jin was somewhat stunned. His intention had been for Jiang Ning to go back and rest early tonight.

He never expected that Jiang Ning would be thinking about using the remaining time to borrow and read books.

Jiang Ning scratched his head. "A child from a poor family has no choice but to strive! How else can one change their destiny? Besides, Master knows that the reason I requested to stay long-term at the martial arts hall is that there are people outside who wish me harm! I also hope to participate in the imperial examinations next spring to gain official status; only then can I achieve true peace."

"You need official status to achieve peace?" Wang Jin asked, somewhat surprised. "Does the pressure stem from being an official?"

Jiang Ning replied, "It is not a true official position, but it is better than one."

"I see!" Wang Jin nodded slightly but did not press further. He then said, "To have such ambition is truly commendable. Being proficient in both literature and martial arts is indeed very important! A true powerhouse has never been someone who is merely invincible in strength or intellect, but someone who possesses both! A true master of the martial path is never someone who is illiterate."

Jiang Ning nodded in agreement. "I quite agree with what Master says!"

Wang Jin nodded again. "Since you have such ambition, how can I not support you! From now on, you may enter my study as you please. Just go to Auntie Sun in a moment to get a key!"

"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Ning's expression was serious as he cupped his hands in a salute.

*Knock, knock, knock—*

A knocking sound rang out.

"Coming! I'm coming!"

As the voice sounded, a series of heavy footsteps echoed near Jiang Ning's ears, steadily approaching.

*Creak—*

As the courtyard door opened, Auntie Sun's somewhat burly figure was revealed.

"I knew it was you, kid!" Auntie Sun spoke.

A smile appeared on Jiang Ning's face. "Big Sister, I'm sorry to disturb you so late!"

"Hah! What disturbance! I haven't even gone to sleep yet!" Auntie Sun waved her hand, then added, "You're not practicing at this hour, yet you suddenly come looking for me. Is something the matter?"

Jiang Ning said, "I overexerted my body today, and since I don't have any wild ginseng to replenish my physical exhaustion, I can't practice anymore! So I just spoke to the Hall Master about borrowing some books from the study. Once he agreed, he told me to come to you for the key!"

"I see!" Auntie Sun nodded in realization. "Wait for me here! I'll go get you a key to the study!"

"Mm-hmm!" Jiang Ning nodded repeatedly.

A moment later, Auntie Sun hurried back to Jiang Ning.

"Here's the key! Don't lose it!"

"Don't worry, Big Sister!" Jiang Ning smiled as he took the key from her.

Then he added, "By the way, Big Sister."

"What is it?"

Jiang Ning said, "The Hall Master just said that starting tomorrow, I can have a bowl of medicinal soup every morning, noon, and night."

"Not bad! Little guy! I didn't expect Hall Master Wang to value you so much that he upgraded your benefits to those of a true disciple! Even that kid Xiao Peng only reached that level when he became a true disciple today!" Auntie Sun said happily, giving Jiang Ning a heavy pat on the shoulder.

She continued, "I heard just now that you don't have wild ginseng to replenish your energy from training, and I was worried you might push yourself until your body breaks! After all, of all the children I've seen in this martial arts hall over the years, you are the most hardworking one."

Jiang Ning smiled but said nothing.

He had heard how diligent he was many times before.

But with the panel, every bit of effort yielded results. He could see his progress bit by bit and feel his physique constantly growing. Who wouldn't be diligent?

The reason people are often not diligent or hardworking is that they cannot see any results; their efforts go unrewarded.

Especially when stuck at a bottleneck—if one works hard for a week, a month, or a year and still fails to make any progress, how many people can continue to persist?

After saying goodbye to Auntie Sun, Jiang Ning walked quickly toward the study.

The collection in Wang Jin's martial arts hall was bound to be much larger than his own at home, and it might even contain martial arts manuals and secret techniques. Because of his recent performance, his status in Wang Jin's heart had risen, and he had gained access to the study, which filled him with anticipation.

Arriving at the study, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.

After lighting the candle, the layout of the entire study came into view.

Three sides of the study were lined with large bookshelves, each neatly filled with books.

Holding a book, Jiang Ning approached the bookshelf on the right. At a glance, he saw row upon row of medical and pharmacological texts.

As the saying goes, medicine and martial arts are inseparable.

Martial arts involve the mysteries of various parts of the human body. For those who create martial arts techniques, they must possess extremely vast knowledge and a profound understanding of human anatomy.

The same applied to herbs.

The path of martial arts is closely related to various medicinal herbs and is difficult to separate from them.

Without the assistance of medicine, a person's lifelong martial achievements would inevitably be greatly limited, and their rate of progress would slow down significantly.

One must know that the golden age for learning martial arts begins at fifteen. After the bones and body have matured, the period from age fifteen to around thirty-five is the peak golden age, where progress is greatest and fastest.

From about forty years old, a practitioner's strength will gradually decline, and their blood and qi will continuously decay.

At that time, let alone advancing in martial arts, it is difficult even to maintain one's current strength.

Unless one cultivates martial arts to a profound level, strengthening the internal organs to extend bodily functions, one can enjoy a longer golden age to further their martial path.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Jiang Ning's gaze quickly scanned the titles on the bookshelves as he moved forward.