After settling various matters, Bai Qi felt much lighter in his heart, as if a not-too-big, not-too-small stone had landed.
He finally understood why those top-notch practitioners wanted to establish Martial Arts Halls and recruit many disciples.
If one can't achieve a life free from production, being supported by others, and also having a stable source of income...
How could one be at ease honing their strength and practicing martial arts?
Worrying all day about food and drink, clothing and daily needs, would inevitably lead to scattered energy and difficulty focusing.
No matter how skilled the practitioner, they probably wouldn't improve their craft!
"So, only by becoming part of the leisure class can one truly master martial arts."
Bai Qi understood this in his heart.
The vast Black River County has distinctly separated upper and lower classes, with obvious barriers in between.
For those born from humble origins to break free from constraints and step over the threshold into the gate is indeed extremely difficult.
Even martial arts, considered by countless fishermen and woodcutters as one of the ways out, is fraught with hurdles and thorns.
From paying respects with tea upon entry, buying medicine to advance in training, pleasing senior brothers and masters in hopes of being taught genuine skills...
Struggling step by step to get by, who knows how many pitfalls one must navigate to reach the other side.
"Ah Qi, stay for a meal. You've worked hard till now; it's not polite.
My wife has no other skills, but she's exceptional at cooking!"
Uncle Changshun gave Aunt Zhou a look, signaling her to cook.
"Yes, yes, I'll kill the two silver carps we've been keeping in the water tank and pick some wild vegetables for a quick fry and soup!"
Aunt Zhou hurriedly got up, making Xiaotou stay and accompany the guests, seemingly afraid Bai Qi might leave.
This is the simplest way for villagers to express gratitude.
Doing their best to serve a good meal to guests!
"I'm craving Aunt's cooked fish! I remember when I used to go down to the river with Xiaotou, I'd purposely linger at the door just to wait for smoke from your house and mooch a meal!"
Bai Qi patted his stomach, deliberately acting greedy, instantly lightening the atmosphere inside.
Uncle Changshun, Aunt Zhou, and Xiaotou all laughed, reminiscing about embarrassing stories and funny incidents from the past.
Everyone's relationship seemed a little closer.
Soon, the food was served.
Two silver carps were plated, one clear-braised and one red-cooked, with plenty of ginger-garlic mince and peppers, looking colorful, aromatic, and flavorful.
The greatest sincerity when poor families entertain guests is being generous with seasonings.
Because they are rarer and more expensive than oil and salt.
Two dishes of wild vegetables, one stir-fried and one in soup.
With flavorful oil residue and minced meat at the bottom.
At first glance, it seemed like there were both meat and vegetables, quite plentiful.
"Aunt's cooking is undeniably good, haven't had such a satisfying meal in a long time."
Bai Qi gobbled up several bowls until his stomach was round.
"A big appetite builds strength! Xiaotou, learn from this!"
Prompting Aunt Zhou to keep serving more food, thoroughly pleased.
"Ah Qi has practiced martial arts and knows how to do stances, I've not even started as an apprentice yet, can't compare!"
Skinny monkey-like Xiaotou pursed his lips, face full of bitterness.
No matter where, being compared by parents to "other people's kids" is always bothersome.
Before leaving, Bai Qi didn't forget to impart words:
"Uncle Changshun, we've settled on partnering to fish.
But don't rush to work, take a couple of days to recuperate and start once you're fully healed."
Uncle Changshun chuckled foolishly:
"I know, having someone take care of you is such a blessing, I sure want to relax some more."
Aunt Zhou feeding him on the bedside lightly pinched him:
"Stop kidding, as if I've ever treated you poorly!"
Bai Qi no longer wished to watch the husband and wife show affection and quickly dragged Xiaotou out the door.
Tonight, a rare round moon hung high, casting lights on the ridges like scattered salt.
Upon arrival, Xiaotou walked in front.
On the way back, he walked behind.
After holding it in for a while, he quietly said:
"Ah Qi, this time... thank you."
Bai Qi shook his head:
"What for? I was delirious from a cold for a long time, Ah Di said you secretly took ginger from Song Aijiao's garden to make soup for me, almost got bit by a dog.
We're good brothers, no need for formality."
As they walked, Xiaotou kept his head down, kicking weeds beside the path:
"Glad you're okay, you pulled through.
Among so many young fishermen at Black Water River, you, Ah Xie, and a few of us have the best bond.
Ever since he sold himself to be a groom, we haven't heard from him, wonder how he's doing."
Bai Qi looked up at the moon, eyes flashing with a sense of longing, like a wanderer thinking of home:
"Everyone has their path, don't worry too much.
After joining the Songshan Sect, you should train hard.
Without real skills, it's difficult to live comfortably in Black River County.
I hope you and Ah Xie can one day lead decent, comfortable lives."
Xiaotou clenched his fist tightly, swinging it in the air:
"I won't let Wang Laizi and the others bully my parents anymore!"
The two young men, under the round moon, over the ridges, carried dreams ranging from big to small.
Only the shimmering Black Water River flowed slowly, silently witnessing.
...
...
Five days later, at the East Market Shop.
In the spacious ground of the backyard, Bai Qi shed his half-body short attire and was doing martial arts stance.
He pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, with his arms hanging down and his feet apart.
Neither too narrow nor too wide, shoulder-width apart.
His waist, chest, abdomen, and back kept moving incessantly.
His entire frame seemed to be lifted by invisible giant hands, forcefully rising upward.
His breathing alternated between calm and intense rhythms.
A thick rope-like circulation of qi and blood moved quickly throughout his limbs.
Like threads tightly intertwined, yet resembling crude blocks purged of impurities.
Making Bai Qi's bronze body appear reddish and hot, akin to a cooked prawn.
The increasingly ample and robust qi and blood within the strong muscles and bones.
Repeatedly tightened and tempered, forming a stronger power!
"Tsk tsk, how astoundingly unbelievable! It's only been a few days, and he's about to reach refined power!"
Liang Laoshu sat in a rocking chair, sipping tea and eating snacks, his eyes revealing undisguised astonishment.
"In the top three martial arts halls in Inner City of Black River County, he'd absolutely be seen as a promising direct disciple!"
Five days to achieve refined power!
For a humble fisherman without the aid of potent supplements or direct guidance, it's indeed very rare.
"Dad, the fish soup is ready. Have a bowl first, I'll save some for Ah Qi."
Liang Sanshui brought a large bowl and squatted beside the old man, the thick soup steaming hot.
"A two-pound Silver Sand Carp, though not as good as the last one, it's sufficient to help with your ailment."
Liang Laoshu's expression was complex as he spoke sincerely:
"As the saying goes, the mouth softens from taking food, the hand shortens from receiving gifts.
Never expected this lad to repeatedly catch treasure fish.
What's in this bowl is not just soup, but a clear twenty taels of silver.
The favor keeps growing, what should we do?
Sanshui, the only option seems to send you fishing and take Ah Qi as a son."
Liang Sanshui trembled at the words, glancing at his father's expression and realizing it was a joke, he finally relaxed:
"Dad, doesn't the shop's warehouse still have several unused bundles of herbs?
Originally prepared for my martial arts, they're just sitting there now, better give them to Ah Qi."
Liang Laoshu lowered his eyelids, taking small sips of the piping hot treasure fish soup:
"You're generous, why not strive harder in martial arts!
Those herbs cost nearly half your dad's savings, a few hundred taels of silver!
You've got the warehouse keys, do as you see fit, don't consult me.
Better not rush, refined power can wait, but shouldn't be rushed."
Liang Sanshui chuckled, knowing his dad didn't outright refuse, which was tantamount to consent.
"Dad, tell me, exactly how good is Ah Qi's talent?"
Liang Laoshu smacked his lips, seemingly unsatisfied after the fish soup:
"Probably, a hundred of your kind wouldn't match him."
Liang Sanshui froze, then smiled wryly:
"What's that supposed to mean? I can't endure hardship, don't have the patience for the tedium of martial arts practice, naturally I'm not as good as Ah Qi."
Liang Laoshu raised his sparse eyebrows, incredibly earnest:
"You don't understand a thing! Weak will, difficulty persisting, wanting to quit when there's no visible reward, that's all human nature!
Precisely because of that, diligence, hard work, dedication, and perseverance are rare qualities, and scarce talents.
Excellence amid hundreds is truly extraordinary talent!"
Liang Sanshui's expression was rich, shocked yet delighted:
"That impressive? Hey, dad, why don't you take Ah Qi as a godson, since he calls me 'Brother Shui,' there's no hierarchy difference.
When he prospers in the future, I could enjoy some benefits."
Liang Laoshu almost laughed in exasperation, waving his hand:
"Get lost, you bothersome thing!
Ah Qi, buried under the stigma of lesser status.
Starting martial arts late, ideally five or six years sooner would be best.
Begin the foundation at twelve, potentially achieving major breakthroughs!"
Liang Sanshui sighed in regret, muttering:
"Such is fate, but thankfully Ah Qi made a name for himself.
The rarest thing is, as he gains skills, he also understands gratitude.
Just because Changshun the Black River fisherman lent two bowls of rice.
He cherished the bond, helping to resolve Wang Laizi's extortion.
Villagers happily praised his righteousness."
Liang Laoshu's weathered face softened involuntarily:
"Ah Qi is a good boy, waive his stall fees in the future.
Charge what's owed from our shop.
Having feasted on his fish, benefitting from his respect, one must do something real."
Liang Sanshui nodded in agreement.
In the backyard.
Father and son fell silent, no longer chatting, both focused on the stance of Bai Qi.
Suddenly, Liang Laoshu rose up:
"It's done!"
They saw Bai Qi, bare to the waist, his arm, chest, back, and abdominal muscles vigorously shaking, seemingly exceedingly tense.
He exhaled a lengthy breath through his nose, lasting about fifty counts.
Then his pores dilated, instantly releasing large amounts of sweat, as if he just emerged from water.
"Inner strength combined with outer training, that's real health building!
Strength like iron, now you're truly initiated!
So this is Golden Core Great Strength, the real meaning of donning an iron shirt?!"