Chen Qing frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Is there something special about the Li Family Nursing Home?"
Cheng Ming patiently explained from the side, "This is something you wouldn't know. Gaolin County has a total of five great Noble Families: the Huang, Han, Li, Zhu, and Luo. And these Five Great Noble Families have very high requirements for recruiting for their Nursing Homes. The minimum is Manifest Force Cultivation."
"Oh?"
Chen Qing was somewhat surprised. He knew very well that in an ordinary wealthy household, a Manifest Force Martial Artist was qualified enough to serve as the Hospital Guard Leader. He never expected that in the Five Great Noble Families, they could only be an ordinary member of the Nursing Home.
On second thought, it did make sense.
The Five Great Noble Families of Gaolin County had a near-monopoly on all the county's main businesses, like rice, flour, oil, grain, cloth, and tea. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they controlled the economic lifeblood of the entire Gaolin County.
In the eyes of the local commoners, these Five Great Noble Families were the true uncrowned kings.
Cheng Ming continued, "Zhu Ming's Sea-breaking Fist is indeed impressive, but he's still a long way from reaching Great Success."
Reaching Great Success in a Fist Technique wasn't easy. It required not only extremely high comprehension but also time.
Throughout the entire Zhou Institute, only Zhou Liang had cultivated his Long Arm Fist to the stage of Great Success.
Chen Qing silently estimated that if he wanted to cultivate his own Long Arm Fist to Great Success, even if he maintained the intensity of training ten times a day, it would take at least half a year.
Cheng Ming turned to Chen Qing, his eyes filled with encouragement. "Ah Qing, want to go up and test your skills?"
Chen Qing rubbed his hands together, a flash of eagerness in his eyes.
This kind of practical sparring could not only build experience but also deepen his understanding of Long Arm Fist.
Besides, the combat experience of these Patrols was far beyond what the disciples of the Zhou Institute could compare to.
"I am Chen Qing. I practice Long Arm Fist!"
Chen Qing then walked onto the fighting stage and cupped his fist toward the Sea-breaking Fist expert.
The burly man also smiled and cupped his fist. "Zhu Ming, Sea-breaking Fist!"
"Long Arm Fist? Could he be a disciple of Zhou Liang!?"
"Zhou Liang is no simple character. This kid looks very young. I wonder how much of the True Inheritance he has received."
The surrounding Patrols all turned to look.
Chen Qing's feet took root as he sank his waist and hips, assuming the standard opening stance of Long Arm Fist.
His left arm shot out like a Spiritual Snake emerging from its cave. His five fingers were slightly spread, the tips whistling sharply through the air like the end of a whip as they aimed straight for Zhu Ming's face.
This Spirit Snake Path-finding move seemed light, but it actually contained the essence of Long Arm Fist's Long-Range Attack and Cold, Crispy, and Quick principles. Moreover, it was backed by the formidable Power of Manifest Force. The move was both a probe and a hidden killing blow. If it landed squarely, it could instantly paralyze the nerves.
"Good kid!"
Zhu Ming was inwardly startled. Seeing Chen Qing's young and honest appearance, he hadn't expected his attack to be so ferocious.
He neither dodged nor evaded. A sharp glint flared in his eyes as his right fist spiraled out from his waist. The tearing force of the wind it generated was already enough to make Chen Qing's extended arm falter slightly.
SMACK!
Zhu Ming's fist accurately smashed toward the wrist joint of Chen Qing's outstretched left arm. He intended to use absolute, unyielding power to forcefully 'break' Chen Qing's long, snakelike arm.
Chen Qing could feel that his opponent's Fist Force was incomparably fierce; taking it head-on would surely be a losing move.
The next moment, his left arm seemed to lose its bones as it suddenly sank and circled around, like a monkey nimbly dodging a falling log.
At the same time, he used the momentum to spin to the side, his right arm whipping out from an incredible angle. With a sharp CRACK, the Reverse Arm Whip Hand lashed straight for Zhu Ming's right ribs.
This combination of Monkey Around Branch into Reverse Arm Whip Hand perfectly showcased the Softening and Firm Emission and Cunning, Ruthless, and Fierce aspects of Long Arm Fist.
Many of the Patrols who saw this felt a cold sweat run down their spines.
Seeing Chen Qing neutralize his attack and counter, Zhu Ming's right fist hit empty air, but his left was already coiled and ready. He stomped his left foot, twisted his waist and hips, and sent his left fist surging upward with the force of his entire body. Like a giant mountain-cleaving axe, it smashed toward the vital points of Chen Qing's shoulder and neck.
This was the Mountain-Breaking Technique of Sea-breaking Fist. Its momentum was majestic and unstoppable, seeking to decide the outcome in a single blow.
However, at the brief instant his power peaked and his Power became unbalanced, his center of gravity inevitably tilted forward just slightly. Beneath the fury of his Fist Momentum, an opening was exposed along the centerline of his chest and abdomen.
Chen Qing's keen perception caught this fleeting flaw. Facing the ferocious Mountain-Breaking Technique, he didn't meet it head-on. Instead, he pushed the 'long' aspect of Long Arm Fist to its absolute limit.
He drifted back half a step, narrowly avoiding the fierce gust of the fist. At the same time, using the momentum of his retreat, his flexible, whip-like right arm, before its previous force had dissipated, shot out a second time with a SWOOSH, as if spring-loaded.
Not a fist, not a palm, but fingers joined like a sword!
His fingertips condensed with penetrating Inch Force. Fast as lightning, they pierced through the imperceptible gap in Zhu Ming's ferocious Fist Momentum, thrusting straight for his heart.
Chen Qing's fingertips stopped abruptly just an inch from Zhu Ming's Danzhong Acupoint, his Power contained and unreleased.
The wind stirred by his fingertips was already enough to make the skin over Zhu Ming's heart feel a bone-chilling cold.
And Zhu Ming's incomparably mighty Mountain-Breaking Technique froze in mid-air, still half a foot from Chen Qing's shoulder.
"Brother Chen, you are so young, yet your skills are so remarkable."
Zhu Ming shook his head and sighed in admiration. "I'm thoroughly impressed!"
Chen Qing said humbly, "Brother Zhu had already fought a match, so your stamina was drained. That's the only reason this little brother was lucky enough to gain an advantage."
Zhu Ming smiled without a word.
He had indeed used up some stamina, but Chen Qing's Fist Technique was agile and versatile, his moves flowing together as smoothly as water. It was nothing like the rigid routines of an ordinary apprentice.
Next, Chen Qing sparred with a few more Patrols, practicing their fist and foot Cultivation Techniques and greatly enriching his combat experience and skills.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Qing began his Patrol as usual.
The docks were bustling with noise. The shouts of vendors rose and fell, and pedestrians rubbed shoulders as they walked.
"Ah Qing!"
As Chen Qing was on patrol with his saber at his hip, he suddenly heard someone call him from behind.
Turning to look, he saw Xiaochun standing not far away, waving at him.
"Brother Xiaochun, what a coincidence." Chen Qing smiled and walked over to him.
Xiaochun rubbed his hands and chuckled sheepishly. "Not a coincidence. I came here specifically to find you."
A hint of confusion appeared on Chen Qing's face. "To find me?"
Xiaochun glanced around, then lowered his voice. "It's not convenient to talk here. Let's find somewhere more private."
With that, he pulled Chen Qing into a quiet corner.
"Ah Qing, I... something's happened. It's a good thing, a really great thing!"
Xiaochun's voice dropped even lower as he said excitedly, "You know Miss Ah Cui from the floating houses on the river, right? The one with eyes like autumn pools and a voice that outshines an oriole's song!"
'What could he possibly know about that!?' Chen Qing had a vague idea of what this was about and didn't respond.
Xiaochun didn't even wait for a reply, rushing on with his own story. "She has feelings for me! Really! Ah Qing, you don't know, but every time I go to listen to her sing, her eyes are only on me. She smiles at me! Those oafish boatmen, what do they know about cherishing her? Only I... only I understand her worth!"
He swallowed, as if savoring a memory, his tone turning both sweet and pained. "That damn Madam of the floating house is a greedy monster who only cares about money! Ah Cui is being forced into this life. She secretly told me last night how much she's suffering, and how she's just hoping I can take her away! All it takes is thirty taels of silver! Thirty taels! That's enough to buy her freedom and rescue her from this sea of misery!"
Xiaochun grabbed Chen Qing's arm fiercely. "Ah Qing, we grew up together! Help me, just this once! Ten taels of silver is enough! Ah Cui said that as soon as her freedom is bought, she'll leave with me and we'll build a good life together. When that time comes, I'll sell everything I own, I'll work like a horse and ox, but I'll definitely pay you back! I swear!"
'Ten taels of silver isn't much?!' Chen Qing sighed inwardly as he looked at Xiaochun. 'This isn't buying someone's freedom. He's clearly just been bewitched by that boat girl.'
He shook his head, keeping his tone as calm as possible. "Brother Xiaochun, you know I'm studying martial arts right now. Where would I get that kind of spare cash?"
'What's the use of learning martial arts! Can it compare to one of Ah Cui's smiles?' Xiaochun grumbled inwardly, but his face remained a mask of desperate pleading. "What about five taels then? Ah Qing, five taels would work! We can buy half her freedom first, let her suffer a little less. If that's too much, three taels will do! I'll go scrape together the rest. I'm sure I can get enough! Ah Cui can't wait much longer, I'm afraid..."
'Buy half her freedom!?' It sounded like a joke.
Chen Qing still shook his head. "I really don't have it. I only have a few coins."
Xiaochun immediately seized the opportunity, as if grasping at a final lifeline. "Then lend me one tael! I can at least buy Ah Cui some rouge and powder to let her know I'm thinking of her! We've been friends since we were kids. Can you really bear to watch me... to watch Ah Cui suffer in hell?"
His voice was already tinged with tears.
Chen Qing: "..."
In the end, Xiaochun managed to wheedle 300 copper coins out of Chen Qing, swearing an oath. "Don't worry, Ah Qing! When I buy Ah Cui's freedom, the two of us will pay you back together! With interest! We'll pay you back one tael! No, two taels!"
"Oh, right."
Before leaving, Xiaochun repeatedly warned him, "Don't you dare tell anyone about this, especially not my dad. If he found out, he'd worry himself sick... He doesn't understand. He doesn't understand that Ah Cui and I are truly in love!"
After speaking, he pocketed the copper coins and hurried away, as if he weren't carrying copper coins, but the key to happiness.
Chen Qing watched Xiaochun's retreating figure and sighed, shaking his head.
The lights of the floating houses on the river reflected in the water, swaying gently.
He continued his Patrol duty, but his heart felt heavy.
「About an hour later.」
Chen Qing was getting ready to report back to the River Department.
Suddenly, a commotion and a woman's scolding voice erupted from the direction of the floating houses. A pathetic figure was thrown out by several vicious-looking thugs, who punched and kicked him until he collapsed onto the muddy riverbank.
"Pah! A toad lusting after a swan's flesh! Miss Ah Cui said to get lost! The sight of you makes her sick!"
"A pathetic pauper like you has the nerve to show up with 300 copper coins? You can't even afford one box of Miss Ah Cui's rouge!"
"If you dare come pestering her again, we'll break your legs! Get lost!"
Bruised and swollen, Xiaochun struggled to get up from the ground. Half his face was caked in mud, his eyes were blackened, blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his clothes were torn.
He miserably wiped his face with his sleeve. When he looked up, his eyes met Chen Qing's complicated, knowing gaze. He froze on the spot, the color draining from his face.
"Brother Xiaochun, you're..."
Chen Qing looked at his bruised eyes and bleeding mouth, but swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
Xiaochun forced a smile that was uglier than a grimace. "Ah Qing, d-don't misunderstand... it was that Madam forcing Ah Cui... Ah Cui definitely has feelings for me... I'll work hard copying books in my spare time tomorrow to earn money..."
Hearing this, Chen Qing looked at Xiaochun in astonishment. The words that followed made him utterly speechless.
"...Ah Cui said that a man is only truly sincere if he's willing to spend money on her."
Xiaochun said with a look of longing, "Once I've saved up enough money, I'll take her back to Mute Bay, plant a few acres of water caltrops, and raise a couple of egg-laying ducks."
Chen Qing: "..."
He didn't say much more. After all, what's the use in trying to reason with a "simp" who's been completely bewitched?
'Right now, Xiaochun's mind is probably still full of thoughts of that "Miss Ah Cui" who looked down on even 300 copper coins, isn't it?'