CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: FIERCE!

It was mid-October, and the signs of autumn were pronounced. Yellow leaves twirled through the air, carried by the wind, eventually settling on the apprentices’ garments.

In the spacious training ground behind the Medicine King Hall, Chen Ku stood his ground, watching Jiang Shaoyou walk directly toward him. He couldn’t help but clasp his hands in greeting.

"Senior Brother Jiang, do you wish for me to spar with you?"

Chen Ku hadn’t yet figured out why Jiang Shaoyou wanted to befriend him, but he couldn’t deny the benefits he’d received from Jiang Shaoyou, which made him speak more kindly and politely.

"I’m afraid I’m not capable of that..."

This wasn’t false modesty, but the simple truth.

After all, having been at the Medicine King Hall for two or three months, he knew well that children from wealthy county families, like Jiang Shaoyou, had started martial arts training early in life. They were also typically a few years older than him. With all these advantages, as long as they weren’t too incompetent, they were merely one step away from reaching Inner Qi. In other words, they were individuals with both strength and background—not mindless second-generation heirs. Their entrance into the Medicine King Hall was to pursue ’advanced studies’ in its Secret Fighting Methods, Fundamental Diagrams, Qigong, and other inheritances.

"Junior Brother Chen, don’t be too modest," Jiang Shaoyou said, smiling at Chen Ku. Jiang Shaoyou was dressed as a Medicine King Hall Apprentice, yet he couldn’t hide his princely and affluent demeanor. "I saw you drawing the bow the other day. I could tell you have a strong Root Bone; even if your Realm isn’t sufficient, your Divine Power can compensate for it. Besides, that little Spirit Ape must be of some use to you, right? Let’s not be strangers; we’ll just spar lightly. How does that sound?"

When Chen Ku heard Jiang Shaoyou mention the Spirit Ape, he knew he couldn’t refuse further. Doing so would seem ungracious. So, he clasped his hands and said, "Then please, Senior Brother Jiang, go easy on me."

Not far away, on a two- or three-tiered wooden platform in the training field, Ke Yansheng was closely watching Chen Ku. When he saw Chen Ku actually squaring off against the young master from the Jinshi Academy, he frowned.

Has this kid offended the young master from Tongwen House?

The Daji Dynasty had a population of over several billion. Baojiao County was a large county, with a total of 100,000 households. At least 10,000 of these households were within the ten-li radius of the county town, and only 1,000 households resided in the Inner City. Those who could establish homes in the outer city were, at a minimum, skilled artisans capable of supporting themselves; otherwise, they couldn’t afford to live in the city at all. Those residing in the Inner City could be considered modestly wealthy. Without several hundred taels of silver, one couldn’t afford the expensive properties there. But these were merely the moderately wealthy, small households.

So, what defined a truly affluent and influential family—a great household? These were establishments like Tongwen House, Heyuan Escort Agency, Hongyan Tower, Medicine King Hall, the Fish and Dragon Association, and the Firewood Iron Shop, among others—colossi, each monopolizing a certain industry. Among them, the Medicine King Hall, the Fish and Dragon Association, and the Firewood Iron Shop were especially renowned for their Martial Arts prowess. While Tongwen House, the Heyuan Escort Agency, and Hongyan Tower might not match these three giants in terms of Martial Arts foundation, their financial strength was something ordinary people could scarcely imagine in a lifetime.

Take Tongwen House, for example. It practically owned an entire street in Baojiao County dedicated to ’literary antiques, calligraphy, and paintings,’ making it the undisputed leader—the Sect Leader, so to speak—of this industry. If one were to ignore liquid cash and only consider the value of its holdings, the vast wealth of Tongwen House would undoubtedly make it the wealthiest in Baojiao County. If all the items on that street were converted into silver, their assets would be worth tens of millions of taels. That Baojiao County could be so opulently rich was largely due to its geographical position and abundant natural resources.

So, why would the young masters of families already possessing such wealth still learn Martial Arts? This was due to a sort of unspoken rule. The Imperial Court held imperial examinations. Passing them could grant one the Merit of a Scholar. In the Daji Dynasty, martial prowess was valued over literary skills. Simply passing the ’Martial Student’ examination—also known as becoming a Military Scholar—allowed a Martial Artist to gain the Merit of a Scholar. This status enabled a ’tax exemption on thousands of taels.’ Literary students, however, needed the Merit of a Scholar to qualify for such exemptions. Thus, how could wealthy families not hope for their children to become Scholars or Military Scholars, thereby exempting themselves from hefty taxes? So, even if some children were prodigals, these affluent families would choose at least one child to strive for Merit for the family’s sake!

However, don’t assume that securing a spot as a Military Scholar was easy. Not only was there a limit on spots—each county could only produce ten ’Military Scholars’ per year—but there were also restrictions based on age and skill. These were: under twenty years of age, and possessing strength at or above the Inner Qi Realm. This barrier alone was enough to stump ninety percent of ordinary aspirants. Furthermore, the final unified ’martial examination’ held by the county government office, which only selected ten individuals, eliminated another large swathe of candidates.

...

Ke Yansheng stared menacingly at Jiang Shaoyou, who had already positioned himself opposite Chen Ku. Tongwen House, no matter how rich you are, I hope this boy of yours isn’t some spoiled brat. Otherwise, if he dares to bully a True Seedling of my Butcher Court, I’ll definitely teach him a lesson!

Jiang Shaoyou stood on the packed yellow earth, smiling at Chen Ku, who was about three zhang away.

"Junior Brother Chen, rest assured. With my family’s Martial Arts, I’ve already achieved the ’Unity of Intent and Force.’ More recently, I acquired the Spirit Ape, and in this past month, I’ve also comprehended the Fundamental Diagram of our Medicine King Hall’s ’Spiritual Monkey Through-The-Back Fist.’ Logically speaking, I’m about two minor Realms higher than you. So, this time, I’m just looking to spar with you for fun, without any killing intent."

"Please!"

After saying this, he signaled for Chen Ku to make the first move. After all, he already held advantages in Realm, Force Power, and Cultivation. To make the first move now wouldn’t be sparring, but intentional suppression.

Just sparring for fun? Is he trying to see my foundation? To gauge whether I’m worth further acquaintance?

This thought flashed through Chen Ku’s mind. Then, he thought: I also want to see what level of opponent I can handle under fair conditions.

His gaze hardened slightly. Alright, let’s try it then.

"Please, Senior Brother, enlighten me!"

As soon as he finished speaking—BANG! His canvas shoe stamped the ground, toes twisting, power surging up from the earth. He stomped the packed soil, creating a shallow pit as mud splattered. Then, kicking his legs and swinging his waist, he instantly sprang forward three zhang to face Jiang Shaoyou. His spine undulated like a mountain range as power exploded from his hand, his fingers like a blade, slashing towards Jiang Shaoyou’s neck. This move, using his hand as a blade, was the ’Side Flip Force Chop’ from the Bone-chopping Butcher Blade style.

SWOOSH—

The air seemed to part with a sharp hum. Combined with the speed of Chen Ku’s skinny dog-like pounce, and the sudden burst of over four thousand jin of power, all transmitted into his palm—it was as if a towering, blood-soaked butcher had raised a great cleaver, treating Jiang Shaoyou like meat on a block—fierce and tyrannical!

Jiang Shaoyou’s eyes widened. Force Power at Great Achievement? He only became an Apprentice a month ago, and he’s already reached Great Achievement in Force Power? His whole body interconnected, able to direct force at will? Jiang Shaoyou felt the terrifying hum of displaced air before his neck. His mind raced, and then, sensing something more, his expression shifted slightly. Wait... this hand-blade? How many jin of Force Power is this? Why is it so ferocious?!

Ke Yansheng, still watching Chen Ku and Jiang Shaoyou closely, was both surprised and delighted by the results of Cultivation evident in the explosive momentum of Chen Ku’s startling attack. He... I just made a casual guess that day... Turns out, he really achieved Great Achievement in Force Power within a month, fully connecting it throughout his body? This kid! Is he truly such a genius?

Jiang Shaoyou, however, had no time to ponder such things. Facing Chen Ku’s fierce hand-blade, he narrowed his eyes. In a flash, his right leg stepped back slightly, creating space and evading the strike aimed at his neck. Simultaneously, he squatted, his posture taking on the ’Ape Squatting Stance.’ His body’s Force Power surged as his right hand scooped upwards from below.

BOOM! The air in front of his chest seemed to explode outwards!

It was the ’White Ape Scooping the Moon’! Like a cannonball, his fist shot towards Chen Ku’s hand-blade, clearly intending a head-on collision.

But which would prove superior? Chen Ku’s explosive Root Bone, backed by over four thousand jin of power, or Jiang Shaoyou’s more established Realm and higher Cultivation?