"It was your newest disciple, Chu."
Butcher Hu, tears streaming down his face, pointed to Chu Lingguang, who was standing to the side.
"Huh?"
Guo Wei was completely caught off guard.
Hei Hu, standing nearby, was also dumbfounded. Guo Fang was stunned as well. The two of them almost couldn't stop themselves from blurting out, 'You must have the wrong person!'
"Congratulations, Master Guo, on accepting such a fine disciple."
One of the two government constables who had come with Butcher Hu stepped forward and said, "Last night, Butcher Hu's wife was on her way back from her parents' home when she encountered three robbers. It was your disciple who righteously stepped in to help. Using the Kung Fu he has learned, he threw the leader to the ground, severely injuring him, and severed the tendons in the arms and legs of the other two. That's how Butcher Hu's wife escaped disaster."
"What?"
Guo Wei stared at Chu Lingguang in disbelief.
"Chu, if it weren't for you last night, my Hu clan's line would have ended."
Butcher Hu knelt on the ground, faced Chu Lingguang, and cried out.
"Thank you, Young Master Chu, for saving me last night. My husband and I are willing to provide you with all the meat you need until you pass the examinations."
Chun Ju said softly.
Her gaze toward Chu Lingguang was filled with surprise and a hint of embarrassment. She had, of course, recognized him. She hadn't expected that he would successfully become Guo Wei's disciple, let alone save her life last night.
"Hu, quickly help your wife up. Be careful, you might disturb the pregnancy."
Chu Lingguang could tell that Chun Ju was pregnant.
Butcher Hu had been widowed in his middle age, with no children. After marrying Chun Ju, his wife had finally become pregnant. If not for Chu Lingguang last night, both his wife and the child in her womb would likely have been done for.
That was why Butcher Hu was so overwhelmingly grateful and had made such a huge scene today.
As for why he chose to come to the Guo Wei Martial Arts Hall to express his thanks instead of going to Chu Lingguang's home, the reason was simple: the Great Yuan Dynasty deeply revered masters and their teachings. When a disciple made a name for themselves, people would always ask who their master was.
Moreover, Chu Lingguang had joined the Guo Wei Martial Arts Hall to one day pass the examinations and earn a title. Butcher Hu knew that if today's show of gratitude brought honor to Guo Wei, Guo Wei would surely teach Chu Lingguang his true skills in the future.
At the same time, he also had a selfish motive: he could use this opportunity to build a connection with an important figure like Guo Wei.
"Chu is right. Darling, let me help you up."
Hearing this, Butcher Hu quickly helped Chun Ju up from the ground.
"Master Guo's Martial Arts are famous far and wide. To think that a disciple he taught for just two short months could take down the Li Brothers and rid the people of a menace!"
"A great master produces a skilled disciple. In next year's Daoist Examination, Master Guo's disciple is sure to pass with flying colors."
The two government constables said respectfully.
"Hahaha, that boy Lin Guang is a diligent and dedicated student. He certainly has some of my old flair."
Guo Wei couldn't help but laugh.
His disciple had punished evil and promoted good, yet the reputation fell to him. Although he didn't much care for such empty fame, being praised by everyone in the surrounding area still made Guo Wei beam with joy.
"It is all thanks to Master's excellent guidance!"
Chu Lingguang understood the social etiquette of the situation and quickly replied with sincerity.
"You said just now that my junior brother severed their arm and leg tendons. Is that true?"
Hei Hu asked the government constable.
It felt a bit unrealistic. 'Chu Lingguang has that kind of Kung Fu?'
"Not only did he sever their tendons, Young Master Chu also threw a man weighing nearly 170 pounds and almost killed him."
The government constable said with admiration.
"Lin Guang, recount the events of last night in detail. As your master, I'll listen and see what you should pay attention to when fighting scoundrels."
Guo Wei said.
"As I recall..."
Chu Lingguang nodded and recounted the previous night's events to everyone in detail. He understood the hidden meaning in Guo Wei's words, so he deliberately fabricated a few problems in his story for Guo Wei to comment on.
As Guo Wei made his critiques, Chu Lingguang listened attentively. He secretly wracked his brains, feeling he had to elevate the story. So, as he concluded, he used what little scholarly knowledge he had and said, "To be honest, I wanted to run away at first. But then I remembered what Master taught me: a student of Martial Arts serves the country above and the common people below. So I just rushed in headfirst. Thankfully, I did not bring shame to our school."
"Well said, and well done!"
Guo Wei said, his voice filled with excitement.
'I never thought that while Chu Lingguang's talent for Martial Arts is mediocre, his mind is surprisingly quick.'
"Master Guo's guidance is excellent! It was you who saved my wife and child."
Butcher Hu cupped his fists and knelt again.
"Hu, get up, quickly."
Guo Wei, quick and nimble, hurried to pull Butcher Hu up by the arm.
"Master Guo has taught a fine disciple!"
"Both master and disciple are righteous and warm-hearted."
"A great master produces a skilled disciple."
"The common folk are fortunate!"
...
The neighbors all chimed in with praise.
Guo Wei was flattered. He had Chu Lingguang invite Butcher Hu, his wife, and the two government constables into the Martial Arts Hall. After the couple left, expressing their profuse thanks, Guo Wei had Guo Fang discreetly give the two constables a few large coins.
After receiving the reward money, the two men even more energetically spread the word about Guo Wei's excellent teaching and how a great master produces a skilled disciple.
After the neighbors had dispersed and the sound of gongs, drums, and celebratory cannons had faded, Guo Wei looked at the gifts Butcher Hu had sent, including the large white pig. He called Chu Lingguang over and said, "Lin Guang, your master has benefited from your glory today. Butcher Hu sent these things for you, merely passing them through my hands. Remember to take them all with you when you go home tonight."
"Master, I cannot accept these. The Martial Arts I used to save those people last night were taught by you. My three meals a day are also provided by you. What's more, it was Master who saved my life last night."
Chu Lingguang may not have been well-read, but he knew how to handle this kind of situation.
"That last thing you said... I didn't quite understand."
Guo Wei asked with great interest.
"If Master had not taught me Martial Arts, I wouldn't have even been able to escape from the Li Brothers yesterday."
Chu Lingguang explained.
"That was all your own good fortune."
Hearing this, Guo Wei sighed with a smile.
He truly hadn't expected that the slow-witted Chu Lingguang would bring him such great honor today. He then said, "Since you eat all your meals at the Martial Arts Hall, leave the white pig. I'll have your senior sister cure it into preserved meat to supplement your Qi Blood in the future. As for the rice, flour, and the two bolts of silk, leave half here at the Hall and take the rest back with you."
"Master, I don't need..."
"It's settled."
Chu Lingguang tried to refuse again, but Guo Wei didn't want to beat around the bush. He turned to Hei Hu, who was standing in the corner, and shouted, "Hei Hu, you and Lin Guang will spar right now. Both of you use the Iron Mountain Saber Technique."
"Yes!"
Hei Hu replied absentmindedly.
He considered his own talent to be miles ahead of Chu Lingguang's, so why was Chu Lingguang always the one in the spotlight?
He knew that from this day forward, even if Chu Lingguang were a block of wood, Guo Wei would teach him with all his heart. He, on the other hand, would probably no longer receive the special attention from Guo Wei he had before.
"Lin Guang, in a moment, use the moves from last night. Let your master see just how you severed that man's tendons."
Guo Wei added, speaking to Chu Lingguang.
"Yes!"
Chu Lingguang was startled for a moment, then nodded firmly.
"Huh?"
Hei Hu, on the other hand, jumped in fright.
Ever since Chu Lingguang had gained real combat experience and successfully scored three kills, a shadow had formed in Hei Hu's heart. He no longer dared to think he could instantly crush Chu Lingguang in Saber Technique as he had before.