Chapter 6, Boxing Gym

You are thinking too simplistically. Tang Jingcheng is a down-to-earth person who never harbors unrealistic fantasies

Hou Xiangshan felt that if he were to learn, it should be from Zhang Tianliu, after all, Zhang Tianliu appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old. Although that is still considered too old for martial arts training, it is certainly better than someone like Tang Jingcheng, who is around thirty

Having signed the contract and paid the money, Hou Xiangshan glanced at Zhang Tianliu and said to Tang Jingcheng: "This young brother truly does not study?"

As long as you do not cause me any trouble, that is already a significant contribution

Master Zhao has referred to you as a hero; you surely cannot turn a blind eye. I will assist you in punishing the wicked and eliminating evil, and in return, you will reduce my sentence. It is a win-win situation.

Therefore, I said: "The owner of the establishment need not worry, I understand the rules, the accommodation and meals count as two portions."

That would be great. Hou Xiangshan secretly hoped that Tang Jingcheng would be willing to learn; if he didn't recruit a few more students soon, he would be on the verge of running out of food!

Zhang Tianliu chuckled softly and said, "Although the world has changed, you have not. You have always kept the matters of the Zhao family in your heart. The reason for dealing with the bandits is not for the Zhao family, but for them. Am I right?"

The young man let out a bitter laugh and stood up weakly.

Tang Jingcheng remained unmoved and said: "There is no need for you to arrange anything; I have my own decisions to make"

Tang Jingcheng inquired and learned that the mainstays of these families had been killed by mountain bandits, leaving their wives, children, and elderly without care. The only way out was for the widows to enter brothels, for the children to sell themselves into servitude, and for the elderly to fend for themselves

Tang Jingcheng remained silent for a moment and said: "However, to resolve the matter, the power of the government is indispensable; otherwise, it would merely be a change of person exploiting the situation."

Apologies. The tall man spoke in a deep voice as he stepped into the hall, bending down to reach out and pull the child up

Hou Xiangshan nodded: "It is difficult to achieve success"

"Leave it." Zhang Tianliu said

Zhang Tianliu was right behind him, and the two of them had changed into coarse cloth garments, with their hair tied up, indistinguishable from the common people of the Pilgrim Nation.

Meeting the saint may seem easy, but how many can do it under heaven

"Get up, there are no rules or boundaries." The man shouted sternly

Before Xiao Tong could wake up, a young man stepped out from behind the big man and said to him with a friendly smile: "Don't be afraid, we are here to learn martial arts."

"I am not as great as you imagine, I am not a hero," Tang Jingcheng shook his head

It is truly quite desolate, not even a disciple is here for morning practice. As the young man spoke, he had already seated himself on a chair, crossing his legs and surveying the surroundings.

The reality of the situation is something that Tang Jingcheng cannot accept; he desperately wants to do something, but what can he actually do

Many times, he is unable to fathom Zhang Tianliu's heart, and can only judge and speculate through certain actions

Zhang Tianliu understood; no wonder there are few people here. The conditions are too harsh, poor children cannot afford to learn, and rich children disdain to study.

After collecting an additional 10 taels of silver as miscellaneous fees, Hou Xiangshan happily accommodated the two guests.

After listening to Zhang Tianliu's words, Tang Jingcheng felt a bit uneasy and asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"

Hou Xiangshan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed heartily and shook his head, saying: "No, no, no, learning martial arts is certainly not a problem; it is something I have long desired. It is just..."

Seeing him hesitate a bit, Zhang Tianliu smiled and said, "Money is not an issue"

Compared to the prosperity near the main road, this place is as barren as withered grass beneath blooming peonies. The area near the alley is filled with dilapidated houses with broken eaves and tiles, where many emaciated elderly people live without anyone to care for them

Learning martial arts... oh, learning martial arts! The young boy breathed a sigh of relief, as he was truly afraid that someone had come to challenge the dojo

After a short wait, a middle-aged man dressed in a long robe hurriedly walked out. Once he reached the hall, he felt that his attire was disheveled, so he slowed his pace and tidied himself for a moment. Only then did he clear his throat and appear before Zhang and Tang. Upon seeing their ages, he was momentarily taken aback, but quickly clasped his fists and smiled, saying: "Hehe, I am Hou Xiangshan, the master of this Sword Fist Hall. May I ask the honorable names of you two brothers and the purpose of your visit to my Sword Fist Hall?"

I am Tang Jingcheng. There is no need for this Zhang Tianliu, the owner of the hall, to pay any attention. Only I and the - picture - book are here to learn martial arts.

This person is indeed Zhang Tianliu, and the man can only be Tang Jingcheng.

Zhang Tianliu narrowed his eyes and then asked, "Is it not possible to practice when one is older?"

The next day, as the doors of the Sword Fist Hall opened, a disheveled young boy inside was about to step out with a broom when suddenly everything went dark before his eyes. When he came to his senses, he found a tall and sturdy man standing at the entrance like a door god. Startled, he dropped the broom and fell to the ground, exclaiming, "Ah!"

Expenses for food and accommodation, training attire, medication, and practice routines, among others, amount to at least 17 or 18 taels a year, and can go as high as 10 or even 100 gold pieces, primarily depending on how much the student is willing to spend. The term "open awareness" at the age of 10 that he mentioned refers to the highest level of configuration, and one cannot expect to achieve this without at least 300 gold pieces a year, along with superior aptitude; for those with average aptitude, it may take an additional two to three years.

I never engage in simple matters. Zhang Tianliu smiled with satisfaction and continued, I have inquired and found that there is a martial arts school on Zhengbei Road not far away, with an annual tuition fee of merely ten taels of silver. Zhao Yongdang has given you ten taels of gold, which is enough for you to study for several years.

"What exactly is your purpose?" As soon as Zhang Tianliu spoke, Tang Jingcheng felt that there was some kind of conspiracy.

"Is there a problem?" Tang Jingcheng asked

Zhang Tianliu chuckled a few times and said: "You are quite clear about it, but I did not say I wouldn't take advantage of them. Oh, I apologize, old habit! When I say to borrow their strength, it is just that we are not at that step yet. Chess must be played step by step; one cannot checkmate on the first move. Without the ability, one must adhere to the rules. Our strength is weak, so you really need to find a way to practice your true energy, which will also help you re-enter the officialdom and resume your old profession, as that is where your heart lies, though it may not be of much use! If you truly care for the common people, you should climb step by step until you can meet the sovereign, and reveal the true nature of this world to the ruler. If he ignores you, then you should take the initiative."

Zhang Tianliu smiled and said, "To make up for one's mistakes with achievements"

"Is it really from learning martial arts?" Hou Xiangshan said in disbelief

Hmm, it smells really good

We are limited in our capabilities, but others are not. Intelligence indicates that the family crest is a symbol of nobility in this continent. The Lü family is a prominent clan in Lushi, deeply rooted in the local power structure. Local gentry are far superior to local government officials, and relying on the local authorities to deal with bandits is a fool's errand. The local power brokers are different; as long as we clarify whether they have any vested interests.

Tang Jingcheng insisted, "Rest assured, Master of the Pavilion, I will have no complaints regardless of how I fare in my studies"

Hou Xiangshan naturally does not oppose this; the income from the boxing gym is merely small, while the miscellaneous expenses constitute the larger portion.

The front hall of the boxing gym is not large, but the backyard is quite spacious. However, there are only eight students practicing boxing, all of whom appear listless and lacking in energy. This is not surprising, as they are merely children, at the age when they are weary of and distracted by their studies. The oldest among them is no more than eleven years old. Judging by their titles, he is the eldest son of Hou Xiangshan, and there is also one boy and one girl, both of whom are his children. Thus, when calculated, there are only five children who are actually paying to learn boxing.

No, no, no," Hou Xiangshan shook his head and then sighed lightly, saying, "Let me clarify. Practicing martial arts requires a gradual process of building strength from a young age. At three years old, one practices form; at five, one practices tendons; at eight, one practices breath. Additionally, various supplementary medicines are needed to maintain health in order to hope to achieve 'awakening' by the age of ten. The latest one can hope for is by sixteen. You two are not young anymore, especially you, my dear brother, who are almost thirty! At this point, practicing martial arts is somewhat...

How could he know the concerns of Tang Jingcheng? If Zhang Tianliu were to learn, he would fear that no one would be able to control him!

In the dark alley under the bright moon, the sounds of lamentation and groans occasionally pierced into Tang Jingcheng's ears. He looked around, momentarily at a loss as to where to go.

Tang Jingcheng remained silent; he did not deny his desire to intervene

The hair bun is fake; this world is filled with strange beasts, and it is quite easy to make a wig from the hide of a beast with long black fur

This alley, no, it is the hundreds of households in this area that have become the darkness beneath the glamorous surface of Lianshan City

"Please wait a moment, I will go and invite the master." The young boy got up and ran towards the back hall

Why do you always say this? I am helping you. If you say no, then I will not care. Tomorrow we will leave the city and find a place where you can ignore me for twenty years, how about that?