Chapter 5: Apprenticeship at Jingwu School

Mr. Xin, is this too much?" Huo Tingen was somewhat shocked, unsure whether to accept this money

A Biao curled his lip and said: "What friends? They are just a bunch of rats trying to challenge our Jingwu School to gain some fame now that the master has just left. Alright, you stay here and watch, I still need to go to the front gate to receive the guests"

A disciple came forward to receive the gifts from Xin Han, the gift money: "Oh, Senior Brother, look."

He is not foolish; he knows how to take advantage of the situation. Immediately, he clasped his hands in salute and said: "Greetings, Senior Brother."

Huo Laosi's disciple, Xin Han, stepped forward to kneel in reverence. As Nong Jinsun was the only elder present and a friend of Huo Yuanjia, he took the place of Huo Yuanjia to drink the master-tea.

I have an ungracious request; I wonder if I may take Master Huo as my teacher and perform the disciple's rite of kneeling in reverence.

Xin Han: "I, Xin Han, have returned from abroad specifically to pay my respects to Master Huo and to learn martial arts. I did not expect such an incident to occur with Master Huo, which is why I have come to express my condolences"

Huo Ting'en and Nong Jinsun were both taken aback at the same time; not only were the gifts sent by Xin Han complete, but the cash gift was also substantial. They saw a thick stack of banknotes, featuring the image of an unfamiliar foreign old man.

This is not acceptable; my father has already passed away. This..." Huoting'en was taken aback and was about to refuse when he was stopped by Nong Jinsun beside him

This person is named Axiang. Knowing the hardships of the plot, he is aware that Axiang is the traitor within Jingwumen and has no fondness for him at all, merely nodding without saying a word

Oh? I wonder what Mr. Xin has to say, please feel free to speak directly." Huo Ting'en felt that Xin Han did not seem to be causing trouble, but he could not guess Xin Han's intentions.

Upon leaving the medical clinic, Xin Han looked contentedly at the stitched wound on his leg. It must be said that the rickshaw puller found a truly excellent clinic; the combination of Chinese and Western medicine was surprisingly effective in stitching up the wound, allowing him to recover in just a few days.

"Brother A Biao, is this Master Ni a friend of the Master? Why does he look so menacing?" Xin Han asked softly from behind the crowd

Welcome, esteemed guests, please come in

Ah, let's discuss the matter of the gift later. Since we are here to pay respects to Yuan Jia, let this brother offer incense to Yuan Jia first.

Because all the people of Shanghai know that the invincible Master Huo of Tianjin was defeated, defeated by the Japanese.

Nong Jinsun inhaled sharply: "This is the pound, the currency of the United Kingdom"

After looking at his tattered clothes, Xin Han first found a Western-style clothing store. Under the gaze of the shop assistant, who looked at him like a homeless person, he placed several pounds on the counter and immediately received the treatment of a deity. Soon after, he changed into a suitable suit.

"Wait a moment, I have something to say before offering incense."

Extra! Extra! The renowned hero Huo Yuanjia is being laid to rest today. The famous martial artist has issued a challenge to Jingwu School.

Xin Han greeted all the senior brothers and sisters. After performing the apprenticeship ceremony, Xin Han was considered a member of the Jingwu School. The group of senior brothers treated him warmly and arranged accommodation for him

Horting looked at the pound in his hand and remembered the woman he liked was still waiting for money to secure her release. Since he had come in his father's name, it was reasonable to take on a disciple on behalf of his father

The disciple saw that Xin Han was dressed in a suit and looked like a person of status, and the fact that he had come to pay his respects to the master gave him a good impression. He politely responded, "So it is Mr. Xin. You can just call me A Biao. I am a disciple of Jingwu School. Please come in, and I will introduce you to my senior brother."

At this moment, Xin Han was not paying attention to how Huo Ting'en and Master Ni were conversing, but rather his gaze occasionally swept towards the entrance, for he knew that Chen Zhen was about to return

In the center of the hall, there is a portrait of Huo Yuanjia, surrounded by swirling incense and candles. Among a group of disciples, a young and handsome man stands in the middle, beside him is a middle-aged man dressed as a merchant, who looks at him with a puzzled expression. He knows that these two are Huo Ting'en and Nong Jingsun.

In the bitter cold, he respectfully bowed three times before the portrait of Huo Yuanjia, lit three incense sticks, and knelt in worship without any inner resistance. Not to mention the national hero, even Huo Gong's martial spirit alone was worthy of these three bows.

His crying immediately affected many people, and many disciples could not help but cry along with him, simultaneously forming an exceptionally good impression of Xin Han

Xin Han's warm personality quickly won the favor of his fellow disciples, and both Huo Ting'en and Nong Jinsun regarded him with newfound respect

The young man who attacked the overweight Japanese individual last night was none other than Xin Han, who had just arrived in this world. He had sustained an injury to his leg, but lacking the funds for treatment, he could only resort to some acts of robbing the rich to help the poor. Moreover, he could not go to Jingwumen to seek a master empty-handed; he needed to have some form of monetary offering. Thus, the Japanese became the primary target.

There is nothing to hesitate about; since the young brother is sincere, you may take him as a disciple on behalf of your father, allowing him to stay and practice martial arts at Jingwu School.

After a night of rest, coupled with the fact that his wounds have been stitched up, walking is no longer so difficult for him; even a leisurely stroll would not raise any suspicion.

When Xin Han arrived at Jingwu Gate, a white sail was hanging at the entrance, and only one disciple stood at the door with his head down, looking dejected. Upon seeing someone visiting, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "May I ask who you are?"

A disciple curiously asked: "Is British currency very valuable?"

What is this? Houghton was somewhat puzzled; what kind of gift money is this?

Nong Jinsun's face revealed a look of realization; knowing the astonishing amount of the gift money, he was certain that this young man had more to say.

At this moment, Jingwumen is in a critical situation, as the original disciples have left and there are fundamentally no new students coming to learn martial arts. Therefore, it can be said that there is no economic source. This sum of money is just enough to help Jingwumen get through this difficult period. As for whether it can be collected, it will depend on the intentions of the young people coming here

"Why is it not possible? I see that this young man has had a tough time. He traveled thousands of miles from abroad specifically to return, and he even sold his family assets. Are you really going to send him back?" Nong Jinsun shook his head, feeling that Huo Ting'en did not know how to be flexible.

On the third day after he joined the Jingwu Gate, the leader of the Ni family boxing from Hebei came to pay a visit

Although it is merely the world of cinema, Xin Han still feels regret for the death of Huo Yuanjia, as the grandmaster ultimately could not escape the treachery of the Japanese.

This is the person who delivered the challenge a few days ago; those who come are not well-intentioned, and those with good intentions do not come. The female disciple, Xiao Hui, sighed, her eyes filled with concern

The death of Huo Yuanjia on the Bund in Shanghai was a significant event, yet apart from his lifelong friends, it can be said that the once prosperous Jingwu School is now desolate.

Xinhanshan really wants to hug this old man and give him a few passionate kisses, he is so impressive, wouldn't that make them like brothers in arms, just like Chen Zhen

Knowing that Xin Han had injured his thigh, Huo Ting'en specifically took out the medicinal ointment from Jingwu Gate to redress his wound. Two days later, the wound had basically healed, and he began to assist his fellow disciples in attending to some old friends of Huo Yuanjia who had come from afar

Xin Han clasped his hands and said: "I, Xin Han, have long admired Master Huo's esteemed reputation. I did not expect to hear the news of Master Huo's passing just after returning to the country. Alas..."

Looking at the much more spirited version of himself in the mirror, Xin Han smiled with satisfaction

Alright, today I will take you as my father's closed-door disciple, following in the footsteps of my father, Huo Yuanjia. From now on, you shall stay and learn martial arts. This gift money will be considered as tuition.

Please accept my condolences. Xin Han rubbed his eyes with fingers that had previously been dipped in chili water, causing both eyes to turn immediately red, and tears began to fall profusely without restraint

Uncertain of what to bring to a funeral in this era, Xin Han still purchased some joss paper and incense candles. He inquired with passersby to confirm the location of Jingwumen and chose to visit after the burial of Huo Yuanjia.

Please offer incense! A disciple presented the incense and candles. According to the rules, those who come to pay their respects must offer three sticks of incense and bow three times. Only after the family members respond to the greeting is the ceremony considered complete

That Japanese fat man is truly worth a fortune, surprisingly without any dollars or yen on him, just a thick stack of pounds, roughly counting to no less than 20,000. I have no idea what that fat man does, but it has nothing to do with me. Anyway, it's just what that little Japanese deserves. A steel baton forged from solid steel is not to be taken lightly. The important thing now is to go to Jingwu Gate to seek a master and learn the art.

I had heard of Master Huo's reputation while I was in the United Kingdom. Back then, he had defeated the strongmen of both England and Russia, gaining fame abroad. I had long harbored admiration for him, and this time, I even sold my possessions to return home specifically to seek Master Huo as my teacher and learn martial arts.

Is it still too late? Looking at the newspaper in hand, Xin Han furrowed her brows slightly. She originally wanted to prevent Huo Yuanjia from participating in the duel, but it seems that once one enters this world, the plot begins. Chen Zhen should have received news in Japan by now, and he will return to Shanghai in a few days

"It is very valuable, enough to buy several Jingwu Schools." As Nong Jinsun spoke, the other disciples simultaneously gasped.

"Master Brother, a gentleman from abroad has come to pay his respects to the Master." Upon entering the Jingwu Gate, Ah Biao asked Xin Han to wait a moment while he went to report.

"Kid, be smart and see how the senior brother teaches him a lesson later." The speaker patted Xin Han on the chest

As he recounted the remarkable achievements of Huo Yuanjia's life, the disciples of Jingwumen felt a sense of pride, and Huo Ting'en's admiration for Xin Han grew significantly

Xin Han knew that the one speaking was definitely Huo Yuanjia's son, Huo Ting'en. Whether he could enter Jingwu Gate to practice martial arts depended on his decision. He immediately tidied up his clothes and walked into the hall of Jingwu Gate, carrying the gift.

However ... ...