At first, Chu Lingguang thought he was hallucinating. Why would a line of text suddenly appear before his eyes?
After the line of text disappeared and a status panel appeared in its place, Chu Lingguang was shocked to realize he had awakened a Transmigrator's special ability.
Favor Points: 40
Basic Breathing Technique (0-100)
Iron Mountain Fist (0-100)
(Remaining Lifespan: 23 years)
Chu Lingguang was stunned at first, then overjoyed.
He was considered to have poor aptitude. After practicing the Iron Mountain Fist for nearly a year with no progress, he had resigned himself to his fate. He was all set to take Guo Wei's letter of recommendation and become a long-term laborer for the Li Family of North City. But now, he undoubtedly saw a glimmer of hope.
With this special ability.
As long as he handled his social interactions well and earned enough Favor Points, he too could participate in the Martial Arts Examination, achieve fame, and make a name for himself!
But when he saw he only had 23 years of life left, Chu Lingguang's heart clenched. He had worked himself to death on an assembly line in his past life; was he destined to die young in this life as well?
He looked utterly dejected.
'Just twenty-some years. Even if I make a name for myself, what's the point?'
He looked at the 40 Favor Points.
After a moment's thought, he allocated twenty points to the Basic Breathing Technique and twenty to the Iron Mountain Fist.
Favor Points: 0
Basic Breathing Technique (20-100)
Iron Mountain Fist (20-100)
(Remaining Lifespan: 31 years)
'Eight more years.'
'This is great! My lifespan can be increased.'
Chu Lingguang felt a wave of relief, his heart pounding with excitement. So his lifespan increased along with his strength. 'Does that mean... if I become strong enough, I can live forever?'
Chu Lingguang was startled by this thought.
Who wouldn't want to live a few more days, let alone forever?
Suppressing his excitement, he went to the student training area, wanting to see what had changed about his Iron Mountain Fist.
"Hey, have any of you seen a small pouch? I think I left it here when I was training yesterday."
Guo Fang asked as she suddenly walked in.
"Senior Sister, was there anything valuable in the pouch?"
Hei Hu asked hurriedly.
"Just some cosmetics, nothing valuable. But the pouch was embroidered by my grandmother herself."
Guo Fang explained.
"Everyone, stop what you're doing and help Senior Sister look for it."
Hei Hu ordered.
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
Everyone readily agreed.
"Thank you, Junior Brother."
Guo Fang said gratefully. She knew Hei Hu had developed Fist Force and would soon become her father's formal disciple. If he passed the Martial Arts Examination and became a Martial Scholar in the future, it would bring honor to the Guo Family.
Everyone was helping Guo Fang search for her pouch, so Chu Lingguang couldn't just stand by and do nothing. He'd have to wait a while longer to check for any changes in his Iron Mountain Fist.
Like everyone else, he began searching carefully in a corner.
Suddenly, on the ground between two Stone Locks, Chu Lingguang saw something pink.
He went over and picked it up, realizing it was Guo Fang's lost pouch. He dusted it off and called out, "Senior Sister Guo, your pouch is over here."
"Oh, you found it!"
Guo Fang saw that it was indeed her pouch.
"Senior Sister, is anything missing from inside?"
Hei Hu reminded her.
"No."
Guo Fang checked it, shook her head, and said to Hei Hu, "Thank you for today. After my father returns and formally accepts you as his disciple, I'll treat you to a drink."
"Great, thank you, Senior Sister,"
Hei Hu said happily.
"I'll be going then."
"Take care, Senior Sister."
Chu Lingguang watched Guo Fang leave, but no new text appeared. A bitter taste filled his mouth. He was the one who found the pouch, but Guo Fang hadn't even said a single word of thanks to him.
That favor should have been his, but in the end, Hei Hu got all the credit. And everyone acted like it was the most natural thing in the world, as if Hei Hu himself had found the pouch for Guo Fang.
'Guo Fang must think I only helped find the pouch because I was following Hei Hu's orders. If I had developed Fist Force like him, she would definitely treat me differently.'
'If I want to achieve longevity and earn more Favor Points, I have no choice but to become stronger. Only then will the favors I offer not be ignored. Only then will they be seen as valuable to others.'
A realization dawned on Chu Lingguang.
He had originally thought that he could earn Favor Points just by keeping a low profile and sincerely helping others. But now it seemed that without power and status to back him up, the favors he offered might be ignored, just like today. He might even end up paving the way for someone else.
Such is human nature; not everyone is grateful.
He sighed and went to a corner to practice the Iron Mountain Fist.
'Hmm, I'm starting to feel it.'
After performing two sets of the Fist Technique, Chu Lingguang finally perceived it—Qi Sensitivity.
It was as if he had found the knack. The more he practiced, the stronger the feeling of qi became, and it seemed like he might even develop Fist Force in a few more days.
He was ecstatic, but his face remained impassive. He stayed in his corner, practicing the Iron Mountain Fist over and over again.
Everyone's attention was on Hei Hu. Besides, Master Guo had already declared that Chu Lingguang's constitution was exceptionally poor and unsuitable for cultivation. So, no one paid him any mind or noticed anything different about him today.
This allowed Chu Lingguang to practice without being disturbed.
He seized this final opportunity, practicing the Iron Mountain Fist with even greater diligence, determined to develop Fist Force before his time was up.
And so, for the last few days, Chu Lingguang was the first to arrive at the Martial Arts Hall and the last to leave.
「Ten days later.」
Guo Wei returned from his trip. When he learned that Chu Lingguang hadn't gone to the Li Family to work as a laborer, he simply assumed the boy was making a final, desperate struggle, as his deadline was only two days away.
Chu Lingguang wasn't thinking about that. He composed himself and was the last to leave the Martial Arts Hall. But just as he stepped out the door, he saw his Second Aunt, Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family, hiding in a corner and wiping away tears.
"Second Aunt, what's wrong?"
Chu Lingguang asked.
He wondered if Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had been bullied.
"Guang'er, you're done with your practice."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family jumped, startled. She hastily wiped her tears, and when she turned around, she was wearing a smile.
"Second Aunt, did someone bully you? Or did something happen at home?"
Chu Lingguang inquired.
"No, nothing's wrong. Come on, let's go home for dinner."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family said, shaking her head.
"If you tell me, Second Aunt, maybe I can help."
Chu Lingguang said earnestly.
"Guang'er, it's nothing important. Worst case, I'll just have to find another job."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family said with a forced smile.
"But aren't things going well for you at the Martial Arts Hall, Second Aunt? Why would you need to find another job?"
Chu Lingguang frowned.
"Let's talk as we walk."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family was afraid someone would overhear and start gossiping.
From her explanation, Chu Lingguang finally understood what had happened.
It turned out that before Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family came to the Martial Arts Hall, a woman named Li Erniang had also wanted the job of laundress, but Mrs. Chu had beaten her to it.
As it happened, Li Erniang's son had recently gotten close with Hei Hu. He had warned Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family to pack up and leave immediately, or else he would ask Hei Hu to get Guo Fang to fire her.
After finally getting settled at the Martial Arts Hall, Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family wasn't willing to just give up.
But if she didn't resign voluntarily and was instead driven out by Guo Fang, the gossip in and out of the village would be different, and it wouldn't be so easy to find work in a large household again.
That was why she had been crying in the corner, feeling wronged.
"Second Aunt, you're a serious and diligent worker. I can see that Master Guo is very satisfied with you. If I go and tell him the truth, he definitely won't let you go."
Chu Lingguang turned to go find Guo Wei.
"Don't! If you go to Master Guo, your uncle's job at the tile factory will be at risk."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family said, grabbing Chu Lingguang's arm.
From her explanation, Chu Lingguang learned that the tile factory where Zhang Da worked was run by one of Hei Hu's uncles. Firing Zhang Da would be as easy as flipping a hand.