Chapter 7: Shixiong

Chen Yuan was focused on practicing his fist techniques in the courtyard. It wasn't until near noon, when his hunger became unbearable, that he finally stopped.

Practicing martial arts requires strengthening the internal *qi* within the body, which consumes a tremendous amount of energy and vitality. One must replenish it with more food; this is one of the reasons why "the pen is for the poor, and the sword is for the rich."

Chen Yuan washed away the sweat, changed into a short yellow cloth tunic, grabbed his food box, and prepared to head to the kitchen courtyard for a meal.

Just as he was about to leave, Zhao Shan hurried back, and the two ended up walking together.

Chen Yuan’s appetite was much larger than yesterday’s. He asked Xiao Liu for ten white flour flatbreads, two large bowls of stewed meat, and a bowl of green vegetables.

Steward Sun was not in the kitchen courtyard today, so there was no need to deal with him. Zhao Shan was noticeably more relaxed, chatting happily with the group of gray-clad apprentices and even introducing Chen Yuan to them.

On the surface, Chen Yuan maintained his simple, honest smile, but privately, he was calmly observing everyone and their attitudes toward Zhao Shan.

From the moment they entered the kitchen courtyard until they left with their food boxes filled, less than half a quarter of an hour had passed. During that time, over thirty gray-clad apprentices came to get food, along with a few yellow-clad apprentices. All of them knew Zhao Shan and treated him with considerable respect.

Seeing that Zhao Shan was so well-liked, Chen Yuan’s guard lowered slightly.

When he first arrived at the Hundred Weapons Hall, he had encountered the ill-intentioned Steward Li, so he hadn't dared to trust the seemingly warm and kind Zhao Shan.

But now it appeared that Zhao Shan was very popular and surely treated others with kindness in his daily life.

Combined with their interactions over the past two days, Chen Yuan was able to conclude that Zhao Shan was indeed a good-hearted person.

Of course, one can know a person’s face but not their heart. Chen Yuan would not drop his facade, nor would he reveal his progress in martial arts to Zhao Shan.

However, if Zhao Shan truly treated him as a junior brother, then if he were to succeed in his martial arts in the future, he would certainly not treat his senior brother Zhao Shan poorly.

……

After lunch, Zhao Shan brought Chen Yuan to Steward Li’s residence.

The Li residence was a large, three-courtyard mansion located not far behind the Hundred Weapons Hall.

Chen Yuan learned from Zhao Shan that the area where the Hundred Weapons Hall was located was called Xingye Ward, and all the courtyards and mansions in the ward were properties of the Hundred Weapons Hall.

Both the small courtyard where they lived and Steward Li’s residence belonged to the Hall.

The gatekeeper of the Li residence was very familiar with Zhao Shan, so he let them in without announcing them.

The two arrived at the main hall, and Zhao Shan bowed respectfully

"Zhao Shan greets Master."

Chen Yuan followed suit

"Er Niu greets Master."

Steward Li sat on a grand armchair, with Wang Cong standing respectfully by his side.

Steward Li stroked his beard and chuckled

"You’ve come. Er Niu, demonstrate the Tiger-Subduing Fist once for me to see."

"Yes, Master."

Chen Yuan responded respectfully and then performed the Tiger-Subduing Fist, though he slowed his speed down significantly.

After Chen Yuan finished, Steward Li nodded with satisfaction and said

"To be able to practice the Tiger-Subduing Fist to this level on your first attempt at martial arts—not bad, not bad at all."

Chen Yuan smiled foolishly

"This is all thanks to Senior Brother Zhao’s good teaching..."

"Junior Brother Chen, watch your tongue!"

Before Chen Yuan could finish, Wang Cong suddenly barked a reprimand

"You are Master’s disciple. Junior Brother Zhao is merely teaching on Master’s behalf. It is Master’s teaching that is good!"

Chen Yuan was startled and quickly corrected himself

"I misspoke. It is Master’s teaching that is good!"

Steward Li nodded slightly, appearing quite pleased, and looked at Zhao Shan

"You have also put in the effort. Go to the accounts tomorrow and collect one tael of silver."

Zhao Shan said gratefully

"Thank you for the reward, Master!"

Steward Li looked at Chen Yuan again

"Er Niu, after you go back, focus on your martial arts. Reach the Skin-Refining Realm as soon as possible; I still have important uses for you... Wang Cong, see Er Niu out."

"Yes, Master!"

Chen Yuan responded respectfully and followed Wang Cong out.

Behind him, Steward Li said to Zhao Shan

"Has there been any movement from the guard team today?"

"Reporting to Master..."

Wang Cong walked Chen Yuan to the courtyard gate and suddenly said

"Junior Brother Chen, do you remember Master’s instructions?"

Chen Yuan smiled foolishly

"I remember. Master told me to practice hard and reach the Skin-Refining Realm as soon as possible."

Wang Cong nodded

"As long as you remember. Master is kind-hearted; he took you in as a disciple and taught you martial arts, but that doesn't mean you are here for a free ride. Within one year, you must reach the Skin-Refining Realm, otherwise, I will certainly persuade Master to demote you to a servant!"

Chen Yuan’s expression changed in alarm, and he said fearfully

"Yes, Senior Brother, I will definitely practice hard!"

Wang Cong stared at Chen Yuan’s face, and only after seeing that his expression didn't seem feigned did he smile

"Very good. 'A teacher for a day is a father for life.' Since we have been taken in as disciples, we must repay Master. Think about the life you lived in the countryside, and then think about the life you’ve had these past two days. It is Master who allows you to be well-fed. Do not let down Master’s kindness."

Chen Yuan’s eyes reddened, and he nodded heavily

"It is Master who allows me to eat meat every day. Don't worry, Senior Brother, Er Niu is not an ungrateful person!"

Wang Cong nodded with satisfaction

"Go on. From now on, come to the residence to pay your respects to Master every day at noon. Spend the rest of your time focusing on martial arts. Once you reach the Skin-Refining Realm, I will arrange tasks for you."

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

Wang Cong waved his hand and turned to walk back into the Li residence.

Chen Yuan watched Wang Cong’s back. The look of fear and anxiety on his face vanished, his reddened eyes returned to normal, and a trace of mockery flashed in his gaze before he turned and left.

Playing the good cop and bad cop again—they really took him for a foolish country boy.

However, he could focus on practicing martial arts for this year, which was good news.

Having gained a sense of *qi* after just one round of the fist technique, Chen Yuan had no doubt that he could reach the Skin-Refining Realm.

Moreover, judging by the deadline Wang Cong gave, Steward Li also believed he could reach the Skin-Refining Realm within a year, so that shouldn't be a problem.

But the Skin-Refining Realm alone was not enough. Chen Yuan did not know how intense the conflict between Steward Li and Zhang Jinkui was, nor what kind of tasks they would assign him or how much risk they would entail.

He had to make good use of this year to improve his strength as much as possible.

……

In the afternoon, Chen Yuan continued to practice the Tiger-Subduing Fist, and the internal *qi* in his body grew rapidly.

At dusk, Zhao Shan did not return, so he went to the kitchen courtyard alone to get food and ran into Steward Sun, which inevitably led to some small talk.

Seeing Chen Yuan’s greatly increased appetite, Steward Sun said knowingly

"So, Little Brother Chen has started learning martial arts?"

Chen Yuan said embarrassedly

"Am I eating too much?"

Steward Sun was taken aback and laughed

"The kitchen’s duty is to provide meals for the apprentices and servants of the Hall. No matter how much you eat, Little Brother Chen, it is only right."

Chen Yuan smiled foolishly

"I’m afraid that if I eat too much now, I won't be able to eat meat later."

Steward Sun was amused

"Haha, Little Brother Chen, you worry too much. How could someone practicing martial arts not have a big appetite!"

Chen Yuan’s eyes flickered, and he smiled foolishly

"Then I can rest easy..."

……

After Chen Yuan finished eating, he practiced the Tiger-Subduing Fist for another hour before Zhao Shan returned to the small courtyard.

Seeing Chen Yuan covered in sweat, his face flushed, and his breathing heavy, Zhao Shan frowned

"Junior Brother, have you been practicing from the afternoon until now?"

Chen Yuan nodded. Zhao Shan’s frown deepened, and he said sternly

"Nonsense! When first starting martial arts, you should practice for at most three hours before becoming exhausted. How could you force yourself to continue until now while dragging a tired body? This will damage your meridians and your physical body!"

With that, he stepped forward, extended three fingers to pinch Chen Yuan’s wrist, and began to examine him carefully.

Chen Yuan said in surprise

"But I don't feel exhausted..."

Zhao Shan looked up, astonished

"Strange, you’ve practiced for so long, why is your pulse still so strong and vigorous?"

Chen Yuan scratched his head

"I’m not sure either. After seeing Master at noon, Senior Brother Wang told me to practice hard to repay Master. I didn't dare to slack off, so I started practicing the Tiger-Subduing Fist as soon as I got back, until now..."

Zhao Shan nodded slowly, thoughtfully

"An ordinary person practicing like you would definitely not be able to handle it. It must be that your physical strength is superior to others, allowing you to bear the burden that martial arts training places on the body."

Chen Yuan nodded, half-understanding

"Then can I continue practicing the Tiger-Subduing Fist?"

Zhao Shan smiled

"It should be fine. It seems you are a martial arts prodigy, Junior Brother. Although you didn't gain *qi* in a single day, your training capacity far exceeds that of ordinary people. If this continues, you might just achieve something."

Chen Yuan said with a bitter smile

"Senior Brother Wang said I have to break through to the Skin-Refining Realm within a year, or he’ll demote me to a servant. I don't want to be a servant, so I have to practice with all my might."

Zhao Shan’s expression changed

"Wang Cong actually dared to say that? I’m going to report this to Master right now!"

Chen Yuan quickly stopped him

"I think Senior Brother Wang is right. Master took me in as a disciple and has shown me great kindness; of course, I must practice with all my might to repay him in the future."

Zhao Shan’s expression softened

"That is true, but Wang Cong usually relies on Master’s favor to bully the apprentices, and today he bullied you—it’s simply too much. I must go and demand an explanation from him!"

A trace of fear flashed across Chen Yuan’s face

"Master hasn't said anything; will it be of any use if you go to him?"

Zhao Shan sighed deeply

"Master is just too kind-hearted. He is kept in the dark by a treacherous villain like Wang Cong, who deceives those above and bullies those below. It’s truly detestable!"

He was still indignant, but he no longer mentioned going to demand an explanation from Wang Cong.

Chen Yuan wore a bitter smile on his face, but inwardly, he shook his head.

He had already said as much as he could, yet Zhao Shan still firmly believed that Steward Li was kind-hearted and that only Wang Cong was treacherous.

Zhao Shan changed the subject

"Junior Brother, since your body can handle the burden, don't waste time—practice hard. Although Wang Cong is treacherous, he is very favored by Master. If you cannot break through to the Skin-Refining Realm within a year, he might really persuade Master to demote you to a servant."

"Yes, Senior Brother, I will definitely not slack off!"

Chen Yuan responded solemnly, but then he rubbed his stomach and said sheepishly

"I’ve been practicing for this hour, and I’m hungry again..."

Zhao Shan laughed

"That’s easy to fix. Tomorrow I’ll go to Steward Sun and have him prepare an extra food box so you can have an extra portion to eat at night."

Chen Yuan was overjoyed

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

"It’s a small matter. Come, let’s go get something to eat so you don't have to sleep on an empty stomach."

Chen Yuan stood up

"Wait a moment, Senior Brother, I’ll go get the money."

Zhao Shan waved his hand

"No need. If it weren't for you, Master wouldn't have rewarded me with a tael of silver today. My treat."

"This... I’m putting you to expense, Senior Brother."

"Haha, we are brothers; why be so polite? Let’s go, let’s go. You haven't been to an eatery yet, have you? There’s a Zhang’s Eatery nearby, their twice-cooked pork is quite good. I’ll take you to try it..."