Hei Hu stood with his hands behind his back, chest puffed out. He had expected Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family to plead with him, but she just stood there silently, waiting for him to go in first.
'This woman truly doesn't understand how the world works,' he thought. 'If she had played the victim and begged me, I might have thrown her a bone.'
Though the Hei Clan wasn't a powerful Noble Family, they were minor landlords with plenty of good farmland they could rent out to commoners like her.
Moreover, he had already developed Fist Force. Tomorrow, he would be formally accepted as Guo Wei's disciple and receive his recommendation to become a candidate for the Daoist Examination in two years.
His status was already leagues apart from hers.
In the future, if he passed the exam to become a Martial Scholar, he could even become a Chief Constable at the County Yamen. That would be the difference between a commoner and an official.
Too bad Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family didn't seize the opportunity.
He didn't want to waste another glance on such a foolish old woman.
Only after Hei Hu had gone inside did Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family slowly straighten her back. She sighed internally, seemingly having accepted her reality.
She made up her mind. After finishing her work for the day, she would find Guo Wei and resign.
"Second Aunt!"
Suddenly, a voice called out to Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family. It was Chu Lingguang.
He had arrived just a moment after Hei Hu and had seen everything that just happened clearly.
Seeing Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family struggling under the weight of a large basin of wet clothes, Chu Lingguang moved to take the wooden basin from her.
But Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family shook her head and said, "Don't touch it. Hurry inside and practice your fist techniques."
"Okay."
Chu Lingguang realized his aunt was worried that if she handed the clothes to him, people would gossip. They would say her Qi Power was weak, making it harder for her to find an employer in the future.
"Oh, right, Second Aunt. After you finish your work, remember to come to the Inner Courtyard and watch me practice. I haven't shown you my fist techniques yet."
Chu Lingguang said, looking back as he crossed the threshold.
"Okay."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family's eyes reddened. She was going to leave the Martial Arts Hall after today's work was done. Chu Lingguang's one-year term would also be over tomorrow. In the end, this was no place for an aunt and her nephew.
It would be a good chance to see what Chu Lingguang had learned at the Martial Arts Hall this past year.
"I'm heading in then."
Chu Lingguang arrived at the Inner Courtyard and found that many of his fellow disciples were already practicing their fist techniques, performing Pile Skill, or lifting Stone Locks. Shouts and grunts rose and fell in succession.
He knew that with Guo Wei back from his trip, everyone was acting more diligent than usual.
He was used to this kind of posturing.
He went to a corner. This time, he didn't practice his fist techniques; instead, he began his Pile Skill training.
Iron Mountain Fist was an external Fist Technique. Even after developing Fist Force, it demanded an extremely stable lower body, and Pile Skill was the fundamental exercise for strengthening it.
Before, Chu Lingguang had been so eager to develop Fist Force that he had spent every day practicing his forms, running through them dozens, even hundreds of times a day, but had barely practiced his Pile Skill at all.
Now that he had developed Fist Force, Chu Lingguang finally realized the importance of his lower body's foundation.
During the Daoist Examination, the examiners also paid close attention to each candidate's lower body strength. Only with a stable foundation would one's punches be more than just for show.
After settling into his stance, Chu Lingguang calmed his mind and began to cultivate using the Basic Breathing Technique.
The so-called Breathing Technique was not merely about Breathing and Exhaling. The key was to successfully retain the inhaled air within the body while expelling the turbid air. This cycle, repeated over and over, allowed one's body and Qi Blood to evolve.
It strengthened the body and enhanced one's Qi Blood.
Some advanced breathing techniques, if practiced continuously, could not only evolve one's Qi Blood but also keep the internal organs constantly invigorated, allowing a Martial Artist's lifespan to exceed one hundred years.
Take Guo Wei, for example. He was nearly sixty, yet he looked as energetic as a man in his thirties.
Previously, Chu Lingguang hadn't understood. He had assumed Guo Wei's powerful physique was built through his fists alone. It wasn't until he obtained the Basic Breathing Technique and felt the changes in his own body that he realized the importance of cultivating both inside and out.
It was safe to say his recent progress with the Iron Mountain Fist was inextricably linked to the Basic Breathing Technique.
"Master."
"Master Guo."
Just then, Guo Wei walked into the Inner Courtyard.
Two new students carried a lounge chair from the back courtyard into the Inner Courtyard.
Guo Wei waved his hand, signaling for everyone to continue practicing. He had been away for ten days, and this was his first time back in the Inner Courtyard to watch the students train their fists and Pile Skill.
He lay down on the lounge chair, rocking it slightly. A student brought him a bowl of grapes and placed a stool beside him.
Guo Wei watched the students practice their techniques while rocking the chair, occasionally popping a few grapes into his mouth. If a student's form was wrong or their Qi Power insufficient, he would spit a mouthful of grape seeds at them.
At once, everyone began practicing their techniques with even greater effort.
"Master, I had a new insight while practicing the Iron Mountain Fist last night. I'd like to ask for your guidance."
Hei Hu came to Guo Wei's side and bowed.
"Show me a few moves."
Guo Wei was lying on his side. He casually grabbed three grapes and stuffed them into his mouth.
"Yes!"
Hei Hu was overjoyed. He was eager to show off in front of the new students, especially to let everyone see how highly Guo Wei regarded him.
He immediately moved to the most open area in the Inner Courtyard.
Many students stopped what they were doing and stood to the sides to watch Hei Hu.
Feeling all eyes on him, Hei Hu took a deep breath.
CRACK!
He executed an Iron Mountain Fist Descending Technique, moving like a fierce tiger descending a mountain.
BANG!
Then came a Mountain Ascending Technique, like an Iron Bull Smashing Mountain. The force in his fist gathered to its peak.
BOOM!
He followed with another punch, thrown with all his might.
A wave of Fist Force boomed from his fist. The deafening sound made the eyes of the new students in the Martial Arts Hall light up, and they couldn't help but applaud and cheer.
Hei Hu retracted his fist and stood straight. Inwardly, he was bursting with pride, but he put on a look of shame. "Master, it seems I failed to grasp the feeling I had last night."
Ptooey!
Guo Wei spat a mouthful of grape seeds onto Hei Hu's face, then stood up and scolded, "Your Pile Skill is pathetic, and your Qi Blood is unstable. You think you can become a Martial Scholar like this? Hmph! Get over there and hold the Stone Locks for an hour without moving."
He had seen right through him. Hei Hu's claim of a new insight was false; his true intention was to show off for the new students.
Impatience and eagerness for quick success were the greatest taboos in martial arts. He had half a mind to slap Hei Hu across the face.
"Yes, this disciple knows his mistake!"
Hei Hu wished he could find a hole to crawl into. Realizing his little trick had been seen through, he hurried to a corner, settled into a firm horse stance, and lifted two Stone Locks of appropriate weight above his head.
"What are you all gawking at? Do you want to be punished with him?"
Guo Wei roared when he saw everyone still frozen in place.
"HYAH! HUP!"
Everyone jumped in fright. Those practicing their fists returned to their fists, and those practicing Pile Skill returned to their stances. The Inner Courtyard instantly became a hive of activity.
Just then, Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family finished hanging the laundry and specially brewed a pot of tea for Guo Wei.
She searched among the students and finally spotted Chu Lingguang in a corner, practicing his Pile Skill. She smiled and gave a small nod.
Guo Wei picked up the tea, took a sip, and lay back down.
Chu Lingguang released his stance, exhaled the turbid air from his body, and nodded to his Second Aunt. Then, he walked swiftly toward the center of the Inner Courtyard.
BOOM!
An Iron Mountain Fist Mountain Ascending Technique resounded through the courtyard.