CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 25: THE EFFECT OF THE SECRET POTION, SPARRING NEXT MONTH (PLEASE FOLLOW)

"So close! Just so close!"

Sparring time was brief; half an hour passed in a flash.

Not one of the senior brothers who had achieved Great Qi and Blood Circulation became an official Disciple. They all merely obtained a portion of the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine.

Due to an unlucky draw, Luo Yongcheng faced an apprentice who had already achieved Qi Blood Transport. After dozens of moves, he suffered a regrettable defeat on the spot.

Watching the other apprentice jubilantly receive a small bag of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine from the Maid, his eyes filled with frustration and unwillingness.

"Brother Luo, victory and defeat are common for a Martial Artist," Jiang Shu stepped forward and whispered comfortingly. Although I’ve achieved Qi Blood Transport, my foundation was built on the Horse Stance. I’ve only practiced the entry-level Hungry Tiger Cave Sitting Pile and Hungry Tiger Breathing Technique, and I haven’t even reached the Small Success Realm in the crucial Tiger Form Three Styles of boxing. I naturally wouldn’t force myself onto the stage. Otherwise, it would just be a formality. I’d get nothing and might draw unwanted attention.

Luo Yongcheng’s clenched fists tightened and then relaxed. He sighed and said, "I know. It’s just... Jiang, you know my family’s situation... If I don’t reach Great Qi and Blood Circulation soon and get noticed by Elder Qiu, to become an official Disciple of the Martial Hall... my family’s medicine shop might..."

"I also know that Elder Qiu is very strict about accepting Disciples. The last one he accepted was twenty years old and had already achieved Great Qi and Blood Circulation. But... this is the only path for me. In all of Pingling County, only Elder Qiu truly runs his Martial Hall based on martial arts; other Martial Halls are all backed by prominent families..."

"I’m twenty-two already... I can’t delay any longer..."

Jiang Shu remained silent. It wasn’t until later that I learned that among the fifteen Martial Halls in Pingling County, only the Hungry Tiger Martial Hall didn’t rely on the backing of a prominent family. That’s why it was located in a more remote area, and the number of apprentices seeking mentorship each month was twenty to thirty percent fewer than at other Martial Halls.

"Jiang Shu... if... Never mind, we’ll talk about it later. Elder Qiu is about to give guidance on stance and breathing progress..."

Seeing the other few apprentices begin their stance practice and breathing exercises to receive Elder Qiu’s guidance, Luo Yongcheng returned to his spot to compose himself.

Losing the sparring match ultimately came down to my insufficiently solid foundation in the Hungry Tiger Cave Sitting Pile and the Hungry Tiger Breathing Technique. My qi and blood weren’t potent enough to sustain continuous bursts of power. After dozens of moves, my strength began to wane, and a single hit sent me reeling back several steps. If only my Hungry Tiger Cave Sitting Pile had been a bit more stable, and my Hungry Tiger Breathing Technique a bit more enduring... the outcome might have been different!

Watching Luo Yongcheng’s back, Jiang Shu focused his gaze, crouching like a tiger, breathing like a tiger.

Elder Qiu moved slowly, passing over the apprentices who had achieved Great Qi and Blood Circulation and heading towards those at the Qi Blood Transport stage. Soon enough, he arrived before Luo Yongcheng and said slowly, "The prime age for a Martial Artist to train is fifteen or sixteen. In the early stages, medicinal food and medicinal baths are sufficient to nourish the body. You began your training late. Coupled with being born prematurely and having insufficient vital essence, even with medicinal supplements, your future achievements will be limited."

"Elder Qiu..."

"I am merely offering a suggestion. Whether you continue to learn or not is your decision."

Passing Luo Yongcheng, Elder Qiu slowly walked up to the plump Zhou Yang, his expression calm. After a few breaths, he looked at Han Dali beside him and said, "Hmm, your stance and breathing are stable. Your progress is satisfactory."

"When you began studying martial arts, you said you were naturally strong, possessing about one and a half times the strength of an ordinary person?"

"Yes, Elder Qiu!" Han Dali looked up, his expression excited. He hadn’t expected Elder Qiu to pause specifically before him today during the guidance.

"In a few days, your one-month training period will be over, correct? If you wish to continue training next month, the fee is fifteen taels of silver. However, you will receive an extra portion of secret medicine broth daily. If you can break through to Qi Blood Transport by the middle of next month, I’ll reward you with another portion of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine," said Elder Qiu.

"Elder Qiu... Brother Han has already signed with our Zhou Family’s tavern. He’ll be registered there next month and won’t be able to train at the Martial Hall," Zhou Yang quickly interjected before Han Dali could respond.

He stopped his Pile Breathing exercises, a sheepish grin on his face, his plump cheeks jiggling before Elder Qiu.

I’ve been working on this for over half a month, and the contract is already signed. Han Dali is sure to reach Qi Blood Transport next month; he’ll make a fine Protector. After eating so much of our family’s food, it’s time for him to repay the favor.

"Oh," Elder Qiu responded indifferently and walked towards the next apprentice, leaving a slightly stunned Han Dali behind.

Last month, my parents used savings accumulated over several years to send me to the Hungry Tiger Martial Hall to train. With Elder Qiu’s guidance every few days, plus the meat and fine rice from the Zhou Family’s tavern, my progress on the Martial Path was rapid. The Qi Blood Transport stage, which I thought would take at least half a year to achieve, now seems achievable in just over a month. I always felt lucky, even after signing the contract with the Zhou Family tavern a few days ago. I also believed that since Zhou Yang and I were both at the Martial Hall, and he was so good to me, he would absolutely not harm me. My parents were happy, and my future seemed secure. For someone like me, from a family that wasn’t well-off, this was truly an excellent outcome. But now, hearing Elder Qiu’s appreciative words and Zhou Yang’s refusal on my behalf... I suddenly have a vague feeling that I might have done something wrong.

"Hmm?" Elder Qiu suddenly stopped, his voice very soft, yet it clearly reached Jiang Shu’s ears.

For a moment, Jiang Shu’s body tensed, the hairs on his skin standing on end as if he were being targeted by a fierce tiger.

The sunlight filtered past Elder Qiu’s figure, casting a lean shadow right before him.

"A new apprentice from last month?"

"Yes."

Forcing himself to remain stable in the Hungry Tiger Cave Sitting Pile, Jiang Shu lifted his head, meeting Elder Qiu’s gaze directly.

"Good. A Martial Artist must possess great spirit and great determination. If you don’t even dare to meet my gaze, you’ll amount to nothing in your life. The same applies to you: if you want to continue training next month, pay fifteen taels of silver. You will receive two bowls of secret medicine broth daily. If you reach Qi Blood Transport by the middle of the month, I’ll reward you with a portion of Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine."

"Thank you, Elder Qiu."

The sound of Elder Qiu’s footsteps gradually faded.

As if sensing someone watching him, Jiang Shu turned his head and met Luo Yongcheng’s complex gaze.

「One month later.」

Jiang Shu—

Da Jing Dynasty Language/Writing: Small Success (16/1000)

Horse Stance: Great Success (200/1000)

Hungry Tiger Cave Sitting Pile: Small Success (525/1000)

Hungry Tiger Breathing Technique: Small Success (525/1000)

Tiger Form Three Styles: Small Success (230/1000)

The Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine is truly miraculous! Now that I’ve achieved Qi Blood Transport, after taking the medicine, the soreness in my muscles and tendons has decreased significantly. I can stand for two more hours a day! The effect lasts for three to five days. If I could take it every three to five days, my martial arts progress should improve by about fifty percent! It’s just a pity that only official Disciples receive such treatment. I wonder how the Heaven and Earth Treasure Medicine and exotic beast meats at the Xia Country Academy will compare to the Hungry Tiger Secret Medicine?

Thinking these thoughts, Jiang Shu paid over half a qian of silver and walked out of Qu She Alley.

Over the past month, in the outer city of Pingling County, the Green Snake Gang and the Black Water Gang had clashed frequently over territory. The commoners and refugees living within the areas controlled by the two gangs were terrified and resentful; complaints were rampant.

The monthly protection fee also increased from fifty wen to sixty wen, but still, no one dared to resist.

Jiang Shu followed the crowd into the inner city.

The Hungry Tiger Martial Hall.

The apprentices had already arrived.

Today was the once-a-month Martial Hall sparring day.