#17 - Chapter 17: Martial Arts School

Qingxi County was divided into an inner city and an outer city. The outer city was a mixed bag, with various gangs and all sorts of shady characters.

The inner city was different, being the domain of wealthy merchants and gentry, and naturally much cleaner.

As the saying goes, 'The county magistrate changes like flowing water, but the clerks remain steadfast.'

A county magistrate might be transferred away for good performance, but the clerks were different.

They were mostly locals, either wealthy merchants, gentry related by marriage, or relatives.

Without some connections, one might not hear news unfavorable to oneself, which would be a considerable loss.

In normal times it wouldn't matter, but during turbulent periods, a slight misstep could result in paying silver to avert disaster, or even the destruction of one's family.

Where does this experience come from? The families and forces that have survived and continue to exist in Qingxi County are proof enough.

Cheng Feng had come to the county town this time to find a martial arts school to learn martial arts.

The autumn harvest was over, and the family had everything they needed. The third child couldn't go fishing in the river anymore and was helping with chores at home.

In the countryside, when people are idle, they are truly idle, not knowing what to do.

They gather in small groups to chat and find out which family has more food, rice, or noodles to exchange or borrow, to be repaid next year.

Cheng Feng had his own plans and could only ask his third brother to be patient and wait.

He told his family that he had business in the county town, said a word, and went out.

The family was very reassured about their second son.

They asked when he would return, and Cheng Feng dealt with them hastily.

Before leaving, he asked his third brother to run more, practicing four times in the morning and four times in the evening, about 100 meters each time, as well as simple exercises like push-ups to improve his physical fitness.

He told the eldest to keep an eye on him, saying that at the latest, next year, the third brother would have a chance to learn martial arts.

When Old Cheng heard this, he looked at Cheng Feng with a strange expression.

Some time ago, his wife's younger brother sent news that he was doing well, having become a mid-level member of a gang.

At that time, he had thought of sending the second son over there, which would be a way out, at least not having to live a窝囊 life in this mountain valley for the rest of his life.

But gang fights were deadly, and Cheng's father was reluctant to let his son risk his life.

But his own second son was also promising.

The money he had earned in the past six months had completely changed the family inside and out.

All new furniture.

The old ones were going to be thrown away, but Old Cheng couldn't bear to part with them.

Cheng Feng took this opportunity to say that he would build a basement, and it should be deep and large, so that all the furniture could be put in it.

Otherwise, there would be no place to put it.

The Cheng family's house was built of earth, stone, and wooden boards, with three rooms and a large courtyard surrounded by a fence.

The facts were there, and Cheng's father agreed to the suggestion.

Cheng's father and Cheng Shu were digging the cellar when they heard Cheng Feng's instructions to the third child.

Cheng's father knew that learning martial arts was an even better way out, but it required money, money that an average family could not afford in a lifetime.

Cheng's father had no objection to Cheng Feng's proposal. The changes in the family over the past six months were all because of Cheng Feng. Talented people are tolerated everywhere.

Not to mention that they bring convenience to their own family.

He only kept a closer eye on the third child.

Dare to be lazy in training?

Cheng's father would be the first to disagree.

If the second son was really so capable and could arrange for the third son's future.

Cheng's father could really die with a smile.

At least he could say something to the ancestors.

Cheng Feng didn't know what Old Cheng was thinking, nor did he know that his uncle was involved in gangs.

He was just taking steps according to his own plan, laying a good foundation for his future.

The first thing was definitely to learn martial arts, at least to find out whether learning martial arts required maintaining virginity.

This condition was related to Cheng Feng's second step.

According to the information Cheng Feng had gathered, there were a total of six martial arts schools in the county town, Yingyue Martial Arts School, which specializes in women, was the preferred place for the young ladies of wealthy families, and two were related to gangs, Black Tiger Martial Arts School and Red Snake Martial Arts School.

The remaining three specialized in boxing, legs, and sabers, respectively.

Cheng Feng had obtained a saber technique manual from the skeleton.

Naturally, he was prepared to learn the saber.

The full name of the saber school was Tieshan Saber School. Two stone lions guarded the door, with red sandalwood pillars and stone ironwood doors, creating an impressive sight.

The plaque on the lintel should have been the four characters 'Tieshan Martial Arts School,' but unfortunately, Cheng Feng couldn't read and could only look at it.

Cheng Feng stepped forward and knocked on the door. Half of the door was pushed open from the inside, and a strong, capable-looking young man sized up Cheng Feng and said, "What do you want?"

Cheng Feng quickly clasped his fists and bowed: "Excuse me, I want to learn martial arts. I don't know how to learn?"

Hearing that it was business coming to his door, the man softened his expression: "Two taels a month for minors, five taels a month for adults. If you quit the martial arts school within three months without mastering even the most basic skills, the money will not be refunded."

Although Cheng Feng had inquired about it before, he didn't expect it to be so expensive.

Two taels of silver was enough for a rural family to eat for half a year, and that was eating well.

Five taels was basically the living expenses for more than a year, and that was at the best level.

Fortunately, Cheng Feng had a bottom line in his heart, so he didn't panic, he was just confirming.

"Excuse me, big brother, I won't be an adult until after the New Year. Does that mean it's calculated at two taels a month, right?"

"Don't think about cheating. We'll check your bones when the time comes. If you're not an adult, we'll calculate it as a minor," the young man warned.

"I understand. My family is preparing to introduce me to a marriage. Will doing that during my martial arts training have any impact?" Cheng Feng asked, with a slightly nervous look on his face.

"That won't. It's just that marital relations shouldn't be excessive, otherwise it will affect your training progress."

Hearing the man's answer made Cheng Feng feel a lot more relaxed.

The second step had been settled.

"Then I'll learn. What's the process after paying the silver?" Cheng Feng asked with a curious look, his face even showing some eagerness.

The young man wasn't in a hurry to answer at this time, but first introduced himself, "I am Zhang Zhuo. Little brother, you can call me senior brother after you enter the door. Accepting disciples requires the master's approval. Come in first and let the master take a look."

Saying that, he stepped aside, letting Cheng Feng enter the door.

Entering the door was a large stone screen. Turning past it was a large corridor. After passing the corridor, there was a large martial arts field, with no fewer than fifty people practicing inside, both big and small.

Some were naked to the waist and not afraid of the autumn cold.

Some were sparring back and forth, creating a lively scene.

With just a turn, Cheng Feng encountered a different scene.

Seeing Cheng Feng stunned, Zhang Zhuo didn't care and reminded him: "The master is in the inner courtyard. The outer courtyard is where the disciples who are honing their skills stay."

Seeing Zhang Zhuo saying half and leaving half, Cheng Feng felt a little nervous. It was obvious that he had to be seen by the master before he could be considered to have entered the door.

Cheng Feng's posture was even lower.

It seemed like going to see an interviewer.

Cheng Feng cheered himself up.

Entering the inner courtyard, he saw an old man with a strong physique and muscles all over his body wielding a large saber.

His whole body exuded heat, and Zhang Zhuo didn't say much, just waited.

Cheng Feng also imitated him in a decent manner.

After finishing a set of combos, the old man stopped, picked up the towel next to him, and wiped his sweat.

"Is that Old Ninth? Is this a newcomer?" Cheng Feng saw the old man glance over with his peripheral vision.

His body trembled slightly. The old man's eyes seemed to contain a saber light within them.

His scrutiny was also accompanied by momentum. Cheng Feng felt so insecure for the first time.

The time he encountered the big snake was also at a distance, and he could run.

In front of this old man, Cheng Feng's body told him that he couldn't run at all.

That was the oppression of the upper echelons of the food chain.

And this oppression made Cheng Feng even more eager.

That was power.

Cheng Feng wanted to be as powerful as this old man.