Chapter 3: Training the Tendons, Bones, and Skin

……

“I know him too?”

Lin Zheyu was somewhat surprised.

He hadn’t been in Songyi City for long, and he only knew a handful of people; none of them, to his knowledge, practiced martial arts.

“Yes.”

“He is a regular at our teahouse. He used to come by often to listen to stories and pass the time.”

“Ever since you started storytelling here, I’ve seen him almost every single day.”

“When I watch him listening, he often laughs heartily. It’s clear he really enjoys the stories you tell,” Manager Wu said.

“Would he be willing to teach me?”

Lin Zheyu asked nervously.

He had heard that many martial arts were passed down only to sons and never to daughters, let alone outsiders.

“Hmm, he should be willing.”

“I’ve seen quite a few people learn martial arts from him.”

“Since he likes your storytelling so much, he should be willing to teach you a thing or two,” Manager Wu said.

He didn’t keep him in suspense and continued, “The man’s name is Liang Song. He looks to be about fifty, has a limp, and often sits at the table by the window,” Wu Yinghe said.

“The one who is so incredibly generous with his tips?!”

Lin Zheyu exclaimed in surprise.

He remembered this man because he was exceptionally generous with his tips—he was currently the top donor.

However, Liang Song looked quite ordinary, and with his limp, he didn’t look like someone with great strength at all.

“Yes, that’s him.”

“Don’t let his limp fool you; Liang Song’s strength is formidable.”

“A few years ago, someone in the teahouse was harassing a woman. Liang Song didn’t even look up; he just flicked his hand, and his chopsticks pierced through the palms of three burly men like sharp arrows.”

Manager Wu took a sip of tea.

“Impressive!”

Lin Zheyu marveled.

To be able to pierce through the palms of three men with chopsticks without even looking up required incredibly sharp perception and immense power.

The two ate and chatted, and time flew by.

It was time for the storytelling.

Over the past ten days or so, the stories Lin Zheyu told had spread through word of mouth, growing more popular by the day.

As his reputation grew, more and more young masters came to the Bidan Teahouse to hear him speak.

These young masters were much more generous with their tips than the others.

Today, Lin Zheyu earned over three hundred wen, much more than usual.

His base pay was still one hundred wen for a two-hour session, but the tips had reached over two hundred wen.

It was mostly because when he reached the climax of the story, the guests were so excited they tipped wildly.

Seeing the enthusiastic tips, Lin Zheyu felt a surge of passion and ended up speaking for an extra ten minutes.

“Look, Liang Song is here today too.”

Wu Yinghe pointed to Liang Song, who was sitting alone by the window.

He was a man who looked to be in his fifties, with long, shoulder-length hair that was messy and unkempt, and a face full of scruffy stubble.

After the story, the man seemed to be in a good mood.

He drank a few cups of wine and looked out the window, admiring the scenery with a faint smile on his face.

Lin Zheyu straightened his clothes and walked over, carrying a small jug of wine.

The wine was called "General’s Tears," a very famous brand.

General’s Tears wasn't high in alcohol content, but it was potent and hit the head quickly.

Manager Wu had said this was the wine Liang Song liked to order most.

“Greetings, Master Liang. I am Lin Zheyu, the storyteller at Bidan Teahouse.”

“This is a little wine I brought; please, have a taste.”

Lin Zheyu filled Liang Song’s cup, speaking very politely.

Liang Song looked at him with a smile, said nothing, and continued to admire the view outside the window.

Lin Zheyu didn’t interrupt his leisure. He ordered a few side dishes from the waiter and sat with him, silently watching the scenery.

He had nothing important to do besides storytelling anyway.

A long time passed.

The two watched the scenery for over an hour until the sky grew dim, and Liang Song finally spoke.

“Speak. What is it?”

Liang Song seemed to have had his fill of the view and looked at Lin Zheyu.

He raised his cup and downed it in one gulp, the spicy heat flowing down his throat into his belly.

“Ah~~”

Liang Song let out a satisfied sound, his demeanor bold and unrestrained.

“I am Lin Zheyu, a refugee from Jiunan City. I was separated from my parents and kin on the road, and now I am alone in Songyi City with no one to rely on.”

“It is easy to be bullied when wandering alone without support. I heard your martial arts are excellent, and I wish to learn a craft from you.”

“Please, Master Liang, teach me!”

Lin Zheyu filled Liang Song’s cup and bowed with cupped hands, pleading.

“Learning martial arts is bitter work, much harder than studying books. You have a talent for literature; why not continue your studies and aim for an official position?” Liang Song said indifferently.

“Great chaos is coming. If I cannot even protect myself, how can I study for an official position with peace of mind?” Lin Zheyu shook his head.

Liang Song looked Lin Zheyu up and down and shook his head slightly.

“It’s not that I can’t teach you, but you are older now; it’s a bit late to start practicing martial arts.”

“In the path of martial arts, one trains the muscles, bones, and skin on the outside, and the breath on the inside.”

“Training the muscles, bones, and skin needs to start from childhood, and it requires high standards for one’s natural constitution. One must soak in medicinal baths from a young age to temper the bones and lay a solid foundation.”

“Once you are older, your body has fully grown and your bones have set. Tempering them becomes a hundred times harder, and if you aren't careful, you’ll leave behind hidden injuries.”

Liang Song said, “If you start now, you’ll put in twice the effort for half the result. It’s highly likely you won’t achieve much. Are you sure you want to learn?”

“It’s fine. I don’t fear hardship, and I can endure suffering. As long as I can learn martial arts, that’s enough!” Lin Zheyu said hurriedly.

“Well, I’m idle anyway, so I’ll teach you.”

“I really like the character Yan Chixia you told us about. Tell more stories about characters like that in the future,” Liang Song said with a smile.

“Understood, thank you, Master Liang!”

“I will write a story specifically for you in the future!”

Lin Zheyu was overjoyed.

He waved his hand, called the waiter, and ordered a few more side dishes.

“Now that you’ve said your piece, get going. Don’t be an eyesore in front of me. Come find me at 33 Jindong Street tomorrow morning.”

Liang Song shooed him away as if he were a fly.

“Understood. I won’t disturb your leisure any longer, Master Liang. Enjoy your meal!”

Lin Zheyu stood up.

As he turned, he excitedly clenched his fists, his face beaming with joy.

Things had gone more smoothly than he imagined. Master Liang had agreed directly without even mentioning money.

But then again, it made sense.

He was the big spender who frequently tipped Lin Zheyu; he clearly wasn't short on money.

……

On the way back, Lin Zheyu bought some meat and vegetables to nourish his body.

When he lived in the Baishan district, he hadn't dared to buy much meat for fear of attracting unwanted attention.

This time, Lin Zheyu bought half a catty of pork belly, planning to braise it when he got home. He hadn't had braised meat in a long time.

*Slurp—*

Early morning.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and Lin Zheyu woke up early.

After moving into his new home, he realized the rooster kept by his neighbor had ruined its voice; it sounded hoarse and unpleasant, lacking the clear, bright tone of other roosters, which was quite grating to the ears.

After washing up, he had a hearty meal of the braised meat he’d cooked the night before with some congee.

He was starting his martial arts training today, so he needed to ensure his body had enough nutrition.

Having experienced hunger and sleeping in the open, his body was extremely weak, thin to the point of being skin and bones.

Over the last ten days, he had earned quite a bit of money from storytelling and was finally willing to spend it on food, so his body had recovered somewhat.

But he was still weak; he had to stop and rest after running just a few miles.

He changed into a set of tight-fitting clothes suitable for martial arts, tied up his long hair, and looked incredibly capable, shedding some of the scholarly air he usually carried.

Once he stepped outside, there were already many pedestrians on the road.

Because there wasn't much entertainment, people in this world went to bed early and rose early.

Lin Zheyu hadn't been used to it when he first arrived, but after a few days, he found it so boring that he started going to bed early every night.

The insomnia he suffered from in his past life, where he couldn't sleep at night and felt sleepy during the day, had vanished.

He had developed the good habit of going to bed early and rising early.

(End of chapter)