Chapter 10: The Heart of Martial Arts

"Dad, I'm not afraid of her, but are we really going to give her that money?" This was what Nanshuang was most worried about right now.

She knew her father still cared about Nanxing, and she couldn't exactly tell him about the things that happened in the original owner's past life.

"We will." Wen Hao nodded. "It's just that my precious daughter will have to suffer a little for now." He would give it to her once he sold the goods he had on hand; he would just borrow from Liangzi's share for the time being.

He could just make a few more trips to the big city later.

Nanshuang was still young, and Wen Hao carried the weight of all the family matters on his shoulders, just wanting to provide her with a quiet environment for her studies.

The main purpose of coming to the city was for the children's education; he couldn't let adult matters affect the children.

Compared to Wen Hao, who remembered his original intention for coming to the city, Jiang Li had forgotten it long ago.

Having been frustrated by the father and daughter, she took her anger out on Nanxing as soon as she got home.

Nanxing was used to it.

He just let it go in one ear and out the other.

In a short time, Nanxing had become sensible and mature.

Looking at his silent son, Jiang Li felt an inexplicable rage from out of nowhere and began to strike Nanxing directly.

Nanxing didn't cry or make a scene, silently enduring it the whole time.

Only when Jiang Li had vented enough did Nanxing loosen his protective stance.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry Nanxing, it's Mommy's fault. Did I hurt you?" Coming back to her senses from her frenzied state, Jiang Li hugged Nanxing tightly.

Nanxing had protected his face and head well, so he wasn't injured there.

The injuries were all in places invisible to the average person.

"I'm fine." Nanxing knew that now that his mother had calmed down, she wouldn't hit him again, but she would cry for a long time. If he didn't respond to her, then...

"Mom, did something happen today?" If she hadn't been provoked by something, she wouldn't have hit him when she got back.

"It's all that ungrateful wretch's fault. Nanxing, you must strive to do better in the future, you must make Mommy proud." Jiang Li's eyes were filled with hatred; if Nanshuang were in front of her right now, she would have eaten her alive.

"Mom, did Big Sister make you angry again?" In Nanxing's heart, his sister wouldn't make his mother angry; on the contrary, it was his mother who always liked to hit his sister, constantly scolding and beating her at the slightest provocation.

"Do you know? Your father used our money to buy a house in the city." After calming down, Jiang Li began to tell her son about Wen Hao's actions.

She didn't consider Nanxing's feelings at all.

Nanxing was already used to this situation.

It was the only way to stop his mother from hitting him.

In his past life, Nanshuang had been there to take the brunt of it at home, so even if something happened, Nanshuang was the one who suffered. Nanxing had always been well-protected by Jiang Li. But now, without Nanshuang as a shield, Nanxing's life was worse than it had been in his past life.

Listening to his mother use the most vicious words to curse his father and sister, he could do nothing but agree. If he didn't speak up, or if he tried to defend his sister and father, another brutal beating awaited him.

Nanshuang knew nothing of Nanxing's life; she was currently entirely focused on her cultivation.

Taking advantage of this situation, Nanshuang suggested she wanted to learn martial arts. Wen Hao was an omnipotent father; if his daughter wanted it, he certainly wouldn't refuse.

He also felt that it would be good for his daughter to learn martial arts so she wouldn't be bullied.

If he had to go on a long trip or was busy, he would feel much more at ease.

"Dad will help you look for a good master." When Nanshuang suggested it, she felt a bit uncertain.

She never expected her father to agree immediately.

"Dad, do we have people like that in our county?" Even if there were, they probably wouldn't dare to take on an apprentice.

Wen Hao shook his head. "Don't worry, our county is big enough; we can still find one or two people who know martial arts." What he was worried about was whether they would be willing to take an apprentice.

He wouldn't mind paying extra money.

"It's fine, we'll look slowly." Hearing that there really were people who knew martial arts, Nanshuang breathed a sigh of relief.

In the future, if she displayed some martial arts skills, she wouldn't have to worry about being suspected.

"That's right, we'll look slowly. But for this, we still need to ask your Uncle Liangzi; he has wide connections in this area." At the dinner table, Wen Hao said thoughtfully.

"Mm, then I'll trouble Dad and Uncle Liangzi." After saying this, Nanshuang helped her father pick up a piece of meat.

The father and daughter didn't let Jiang Li's arrival dampen their spirits during the meal.

On the contrary, because of the martial arts matter, Nanshuang even ate two extra bowls of rice.

Days passed, and Wen Hao and Liangzi found the person they needed in the county.

When they met the man, Wen Hao was a bit skeptical because the old gentleman in front of him didn't look like a martial artist at all.

"Brother, don't underestimate the old master. His skills are quite famous in this circle." Being able to find him was all thanks to his brothers from the past.

However, this old master was a stubborn one who didn't care about anything. But when it came to martial arts, he was extremely serious. And so, when he heard them say they wanted a little girl to learn martial arts, he refused without a second thought.

In the dilapidated courtyard, after the old master refused, he went back to drinking his tea, ignoring the two people whispering to each other.

At his level, he did as he pleased and wouldn't compromise himself.

If it weren't for that guy Xiao Long, he wouldn't have even met them.

If Liangzi hadn't saved Xiao Long once in the past, he wouldn't have even let the two of them through the door.

After hearing Liangzi's explanation, Wen Hao felt tempted.

"Old Master, my daughter is so pitiful, she's always being bullied..." Wen Hao turned and began to play the sympathy card with the old man who had no relation to them.

Liangzi was so shocked his jaw almost dropped.

But thinking about it, Nanshuang really did have a hard time in that house.

"Old Master, please take my niece as your student. Let her learn a move or two so she can protect herself." Liangzi also joined in the persuasion.

But the old master remained unmoved.

Finally, with no other choice, Wen Hao brought out his trump card. "Old Master, if you are willing to teach my daughter, I will give you one hundred yuan every month." This was his absolute limit.

In an era where the average monthly income was less than one hundred, it was rare for Wen Hao to be willing to spend such a large sum for Nanshuang.

He thought the old master would remain unmoved.

But when Wen Hao stated the price, the old master moved.

He straightened up. "Is that true?" After saying that, he didn't forget to ask, "Really, just learning a move or two?"

Heh, this old man had a bit of character.

"If you don't mind teaching us a little more, we wouldn't mind either." Liangzi laughed.

"You brat, keep dreaming. Being able to learn a move or two from me is enough to dominate this county. You want to learn more? How old are you, don't you have any sense of your own limits?"

Martial arts are bitter and exhausting, but those aren't the foundations of martial arts. One must start tempering their bones and muscles from a young age, otherwise, their lifelong achievements won't be very high.

Furthermore, one must have talent; otherwise, what they learn is just for show.

There was no need for him to explain these things to them.

The old master was a calculating man.

If it weren't for the sake of making a living, he wouldn't intend to teach what he knew to people whose backgrounds he didn't know.

Even Xiao Long, a child he had watched grow up, he had only taught him the basics.

Otherwise, that kid's ego would have reached the heavens.

Dear readers, get those votes moving; the new book needs your care.

(End of chapter)