"If I can't stay at the Martial Arts Hall, I can still take in laundry to wash at home and earn a little money. But if your uncle can't keep his job at the tile factory, we won't be able to afford next year's taxes at all, and your two cousins won't be able to attend private school."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family said helplessly.
Chu Lingguang was at a loss for words. The Great Yuan Dynasty's taxes were harsh. After paying them, commoners had barely any grain left. His Second Aunt's family had three children, and his two cousins were both attending private school. The only reason they could get by was mainly thanks to Zhang Da's job and his Second Aunt's tireless work to supplement their income.
If Zhang Da was fired from the tile factory, his Second Aunt's family would lose their entire source of income.
"Don't worry about me. I'll explain things clearly to Master Guo tomorrow. Come on, come home with your Second Aunt for dinner."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family said gently, not wanting to worry Chu Lingguang.
"No thank you, Second Aunt. I made an extra half-pot of congee this morning. If I don't go back and eat it soon, it'll spoil. I'll be going now."
Chu Lingguang found an excuse and slipped away.
'Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family's household wasn't well-off to begin with. If she lost her job, life would only get harder. Besides, with an extra pair of chopsticks at the table, Zhang Da wouldn't be happy to see me.'
"Guang'Er..."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family called out after him, only giving up when she saw Chu Lingguang getting farther and farther away.
'Times are tough. I can barely support myself, let alone Second Aunt and her family.'
Chu Lingguang sat in his kitchen and saw that the coarse rice in the jar would only last for seven more days at most. Ever since he had gained Qi Sensitivity, his appetite had grown. He now had to eat several bowls of rice at each meal, two to three times his usual amount.
'If I pass the exam and become a Martial Scholar, I'll have an official title and be exempt from taxes. Maybe then I could help Second Aunt out. And if I become a Martial Arts Scholar in the future, with an official post, I could even get her whole family exempted from taxes.'
Chu Lingguang mused.
He had sold his land, but he still had to pay the annual taxes as usual. Part of the silver taels he received went to Guo Wei, and another part went to taxes. After a year of expenses, compounded by his recently increased appetite, the remaining money was nearly gone.
The only path before him was to develop Fist Force, become a disciple of Guo Wei, and receive his recommendation to participate in the Daoist Examination. Whether or not he could become a Martial Scholar, just being a candidate would mean he wouldn't have to worry about tax collectors for the next two years.
The Martial Arts Hall would also take care of his food.
Thinking of this, Chu Lingguang checked his training progress for the Iron Mountain Fist and the Basic Breathing Technique.
Iron Mountain Fist (22/100)
Basic Breathing Technique (25/100)
Ever since he had mastered the Basic Breathing Technique and gained that Qi Sensitivity, Chu Lingguang's training was finally no longer in vain. Both the Iron Mountain Fist and the Basic Breathing Technique now had progress bars.
From the looks of it, the training speed for the Basic Breathing Technique was much faster than for the Iron Mountain Fist.
Moreover, whenever Chu Lingguang finished practicing his fist technique and then cultivated the Basic Breathing Technique once, his spent stamina would rapidly recover. Ever since he had the support of the Breathing Technique, he was full of vigor and fighting spirit every day.
Of course, if he had nourishing meat to eat, Chu Lingguang's condition would be even better.
A short while later, smoke began to rise from the kitchen chimney.
Chu Lingguang cooked a large pot of coarse rice, accompanied by a bowl of vegetable-leaf soup. Then, he scooped out half a spoonful of lard and mixed it into the rice.
He stirred it back and forth with his chopsticks.
He only began to eat in large mouthfuls when the coarse rice in the pot started to glisten with oil.
Once the inside of the iron pot was scraped sparkling clean, Chu Lingguang poured the large bowl of vegetable-leaf soup into it. Seeing the specks of oil glisten on the surface of the soup, he finally felt satisfied and drank the entire bowl.
"BURP!"
Chu Lingguang let out a full-sounding burp.
In truth, he wasn't full at all. But seeing the pot without a single grain of rice left and completely devoid of oil, he felt he had to let out a burp to match the scene.
Then, somewhat reluctantly, he began to practice the Basic Breathing Technique.
This Skill helped him recover stamina and strengthen his Qi Blood. It also aided digestion, which meant that if he kept practicing, he would soon feel hungry again.
But in order to develop Fist Force, Chu Lingguang could only endure it.
Two hours later, Chu Lingguang got up and began practicing his fist technique in the courtyard.
The Qi Sensitivity felt like blood circulating through Chu Lingguang's body. He had never so clearly felt a power within him, traveling throughout his entire body along with the movements of his Fist Technique.
His fists moved faster and faster, and gradually, the sound of them slicing through the air filled the courtyard. Chu Lingguang felt as if there were a thin barrier before him. If he could just be a little faster, a little stronger, he could break through that barrier and successfully develop Fist Force.
Slowly, Chu Lingguang felt what seemed to be a warm current gathering in his waist and abdomen.
This warm current flowed along his veins to his fists.
Chu Lingguang threw a punch.
It was the Mountain Ascending Technique of the Iron Mountain Fist.
"BOOM!"
An explosive roar echoed through the courtyard. It was the middle of the night, and the surrounding courtyards were lit only by scattered candlelight. The sound of his Fist Force was exceptionally deafening.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, the scattered candlelight in the surrounding courtyards went out. It seemed the neighbors thought someone was being robbed and, fearing trouble, had extinguished their lights and bolted their doors and windows.
"I've finally developed Fist Force."
Chu Lingguang's breathing was ragged, and he had the urge to roar to the heavens. It was only when he realized his surroundings had plunged into darkness, and the sounds of crowing chickens and barking dogs erupted everywhere, that he returned to his house, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Just like his neighbors, he bolted his doors and windows and put out his candle.
The next day, Chu Lingguang woke up early to boil water and cook.
Looking at the coarse rice in the jar, which was only enough for a few more days, he hesitated for a moment before pouring out what used to be a two-day supply.
His appetite had greatly increased, and each meal was now two to three times what he used to eat.
Plus, he was going to the Martial Arts Hall later to demonstrate his Fist Force in front of everyone. To be on the safe side, Chu Lingguang ate even more this morning than he had been recently.
After the large pot of coarse rice was cooked, he took out the bowl of lard Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had given him, scraped a huge spoonful out, and mixed it with the rice.
He had to ensure it was a surefire success so he could become a disciple of Guo Wei.
After he had emptied the rice, he poured half a ladle of boiled water into the pot and drank down the water, now full of floating oil droplets.
"BURP!"
This time, he let out a truly satisfying burp.
Seeing that it was still early, he sat in the kitchen and began practicing the Basic Breathing Technique, converting the coarse rice he had eaten into Qi Blood Power.
When it was time, Chu Lingguang went to the Martial Arts Hall.
"Hu, my mother spent all night braising a pork knuckle. She sent me to invite you over for drinks tonight."
"Didn't I say there was no need? Why would you let your mother go to such trouble and expense?"
"My mother just wants us brothers to get together more often. I'm heading to Wine Street to buy some good wine first. Hu, don't forget to bring the guys over tonight for drinks."
"Alright, see you tonight."
Li Yang had been waiting at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall since early in the morning. He finally saw Hei Hu approaching and spoke to him enthusiastically. Only after getting Hei Hu's promise did he leave, satisfied.
He had only taken a few steps when he ran into Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family, who was carrying a large basin of clothes. She had just finished washing them at the river and was about to bring them into the Martial Arts Hall to dry.
"Hmph!"
Li Yang didn't give Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family a pleasant look. With a cold snort, he stalked away.
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family's expression showed neither joy nor sorrow. Cradling the wooden basin, she saw Hei Hu still standing at the entrance. She stopped and gave him a slight nod.