"Li Yang?"
The government constables uncovered the faces of the three men.
Chu Lingguang saw that the man he had nearly killed with the Heavenward Force was none other than Li Yang. He finally understood why the man had tried to stab him in the heart with a dagger the moment he'd turned his back.
First, he had recognized Chu Lingguang from his training at the Guo Wei Martial Arts Hall and didn't dare hold back. Second, he was likely trying to get revenge for his mother.
They were caught red-handed with the stolen goods.
Besides, with Chu Lingguang's connection to Guo Wei, the Government Office didn't give him any trouble.
The next morning, Chu Lingguang went to the Martial Arts Hall to practice the Iron Mountain Saber Technique.
These were not peaceful times.
Robberies were a common occurrence.
The news of Chun Ju's robbery last night had only spread through the villages near his Second Aunt's home. No one at the Martial Arts Hall knew that Chu Lingguang had used the Iron Mountain Saber Technique to sever the tendons in the arms and legs of two amateur robbers.
Chu Lingguang's life was not affected.
Yesterday, the Iron Mountain Saber Technique had been successfully recorded.
He had even gained a point. This morning, when Chu Lingguang practiced the Iron Mountain Saber Technique, he finally felt a difference. He could at last perform the Twelve Knife Skills smoothly.
If he practiced a few more times each day, he might just be able to produce a Sword Sound in the future.
However, this Saber Technique was for the Daoist Examination in just over a year, so he had to master the Sword Sound before then.
"Junior Brother, you can finally perform the complete Saber Technique."
Hei Hu said with a smile.
When he arrived at the Martial Arts Hall, Chu Lingguang had already run through the Iron Mountain Saber Technique more than a dozen times. He was a little surprised to see that Chu Lingguang could finally execute the complete Twelve Knife Skills.
"I had an Enlightenment yesterday, but I'm still far behind you, Senior Brother,"
Chu Lingguang said.
"Don't be discouraged, Junior Brother. Master often says your will is unyielding and that you're destined for great things. I have faith in you! Come on, let's practice together."
Hei Hu said enthusiastically.
He took down his usual broadsword, and the two began practicing the Iron Mountain Saber Technique together in the Inner Courtyard.
Compared to Chu Lingguang, Hei Hu could not only perform the Iron Mountain Saber Technique smoothly, but his strikes were also far more powerful. He executed the entire set of movements like flowing water, looking every bit the expert next to Chu Lingguang.
"Your Saber Technique is superb, Senior Brother. I can't even hope to catch up."
Knowing what Hei Hu was thinking, Chu Lingguang spoke with sincere admiration.
"You flatter me, Junior Brother. Unlike you, I can't focus on cultivating a single Cultivation Technique. Maybe you'll be the first one to achieve the Sword Sound."
Hei Hu said, slinging an arm over Chu Lingguang's shoulder.
Just then, he saw Guo Wei walking in and exclaimed excitedly, "Master, Junior Brother can now perform the complete Saber Technique!"
"I saw."
Guo Wei had been at the Martial Arts Hall all along and had noticed Chu Lingguang practicing the Saber Technique in the Inner Courtyard early in the morning. Seeing that he could finally perform the complete Twelve Knife Skills, Guo Wei felt happy for him.
'But what a shame his progress is so slow,' Guo Wei thought. 'At this rate, it will be difficult for Chu Lingguang to produce a Sword Sound in the little over a year he has left!'
'If I want to help him pass the exam to become a Martial Scholar, I'm afraid I'll have to have him switch to a different Kung Fu as soon as possible.'
But Guo Wei worried that even if he switched, Chu Lingguang's cultivation speed would remain just as slow.
It took him a whole year of practicing the Iron Mountain Fist to generate Fist Force.
He'd shown no aptitude for the Heavenward Force at first, either. It was only after his Enlightenment, combined with persistent training, that he finally surpassed Hei Hu.
'However, with Hei Hu's talent, it shouldn't be difficult for him to use the Heavenward Force to cultivate his strength to three hundred and fifty jin in the remaining time.'
'Plus, Hei Hu has already grasped the knack of the Saber Technique and should be able to produce a Sword Sound within a year. He's also very talented with the Spear Technique; achieving the Gun Form before the exam should be no problem for him.'
'And for the Daoist Examination, you only need an A Class rank in four categories to pass.'
'Hei Hu just needs to train one more Kung Fu to an A Class rank, and he can become a Martial Scholar.'
'In contrast, even if Chu Lingguang gets an A Class rank in the Qiao Pass and succeeds with his Saber Technique as hoped, he would still need to achieve good scores in several other subjects to become a Martial Scholar.'
'But at his current pace, Chu Lingguang simply doesn't have enough time left to practice other types of Kung Fu.'
Therefore, after some thought, Guo Wei decided to change his strategy.
He said, "Lin Guang, your aptitude is poor. If you keep practicing Kung Fu like this, you'll struggle to see results. Starting today, spend one shichen a day sparring with Hei Hu. See if you can grasp the knack of the Saber Technique through combat."
"Yes."
This was exactly what Chu Lingguang had been hoping for.
It was through combat last night that he'd had his Enlightenment and recorded the Saber Technique on his panel.
"Heh heh, Junior Brother, swords and sabers have no eyes. If I accidentally hurt you, don't blame me,"
Hei Hu said with a laugh, running a hand over the back of his blade.
He had always wanted to find someone to practice with, and Chu Lingguang was the perfect candidate.
DONG DONG DONG! CLANG CLANG CLANG!
Just as Chu Lingguang was about to reply, the sound of gongs and drums erupted from outside the Martial Arts Hall. It sounded like a wedding procession was heading their way.
The drumming grew denser, and the cymbals clanged rhythmically, followed by the sound of firecrackers and celebratory cannons.
Finally, the sounds seemed to stop right at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.
The students practicing in the Inner Courtyard thought a wealthy family was holding a wedding and ran out to watch, hoping to get some lucky money.
"That's odd. Just this morning, my dad said this isn't a good time for moving or weddings. What's with all the gongs and drums outside?"
Hei Hu said with a frown.
Guo Wei was also puzzled.
If a prominent family in the area were moving or holding a wedding, the head of the house would always invite him to attend to add to their prestige. Although he couldn't attend every event, he would usually send a formal note or have a disciple attend in his place.
And judging by the scale of the celebratory cannons, even if the host wasn't a local magnate, they had to be from a wealthy family. How could they set off cannons right at the Martial Arts Hall's entrance without informing him beforehand?
Chu Lingguang, standing to the side, also frowned. 'Who would dare disrespect Master like this?' he wondered.
"Dad, come quickly! Butcher Hu from North City is here to thank you!"
Just as the three were wondering what was going on, Guo Fang ran in and shouted.
"Thank me? What's going on?"
Guo Wei froze. So all that noise with the gongs, drums, and cannons at his door was for him.
Hearing the name "Butcher Hu," Chu Lingguang's eyes lit up.
"I can't explain it all, just hurry outside! They're waiting for you at the gate!"
Guo Fang didn't know the reason and urged him anxiously.
Growing even more curious, Guo Wei had no choice but to go out and see, taking Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu with him.
When he got outside, he saw Butcher Hu standing at the entrance with his wife. Behind them was a troupe of gong-and-drum beaters and seven farmers carrying shoulder poles. The poles were laden with all sorts of gifts: pastries, white flour, white rice, and silks. There was even a large white pig, weighing seventy or eighty jin, that had been gutted and cleaned, now resting on a long bench.
In addition to all that,
two government constables were also standing at the entrance.
"Master Guo!"
Upon seeing Guo Wei emerge,
the burly Butcher Hu signaled for the drums and gongs to stop. Then, pulling Chun Ju with him, he knelt before Guo Wei.
"Hu, what are you doing? Get up, quickly!"
Guo Wei was completely baffled. He thought Butcher Hu wanted to become his disciple, but at his age, it would be useless even if a Grandmaster came to teach him!
"Master Guo, you've taught a fine disciple! It was you and your disciple who saved my wife and child!"
Butcher Hu was overwhelmed with gratitude and, pulling Chun Ju along, was about to kowtow to Guo Wei.
"Hu, you must be mistaken. I'm not aware of any disciple of mine saving your wife and child."
Guo Wei was even more confused.
His few accomplished disciples each had their own duties and were making their way in the world. They had grown distant over the years, returning to see him only once a year. How could one of them have saved Butcher Hu's wife and child?