Free Web NovelChapter 146: Chapter 145: Taking a Master, Please Instruct Me
Three cars drove past the boy, one after another. The sight made the boy, who was munching on a bun, stare wide-eyed, his jaw frozen mid-chew.
The cars stopped a short distance away. A handsome Young Master in a suit stepped out of the middle vehicle and, surrounded by a large entourage, turned into an alley under the trees. The boy only snapped out of his daze once the group had nearly disappeared from view.
"Dad!"
The boy took a fierce bite of his bun, unable to stop himself from saying, "That man... He’s so impressive."
The burly man beside him also stared in the direction of the cars, a glint in his eyes.
He watched for a long time before slowly looking away. Patting the boy’s shoulder, he spoke in a low voice that carried a heavy conviction, "Wait until I win the title of Martial Champion. After that... we’ll be just as impressive."
"Uh-huh!"
The boy looked up at the man, his face full of adoration, and nodded vigorously.
’In his heart, his dad was the greatest martial artist in the world. Before, he was the only one who knew, but it wouldn’t be long before all of Shenghai knew too.’
.....
Training Ground Street, Zhenwu Road, and Quanyong Lane.
Over eighty percent of Shenghai’s Martial Arts Halls and Escort Agencies were clustered in these three places. Training Ground Street alone was home to dozens of Martial Arts Halls, large and small.
Fu Juemin walked through the back alleys, listening to Big Cat’s report.
"...This Ye Zhenren is from the Shuangguang region. His family has practiced Martial Arts for generations. They were originally quite wealthy, so he was considered something of a young master.
But during those early years of constant warfare, his ancestral home was seized by a local Warlord, and his entire family fortune was stolen.
He couldn’t stomach it, so he snuck into the Warlord’s residence one night and killed several people. He’s been a wanted man ever since. Unable to remain in Shuangguang, he brought his entire family to Shenghai..."
As Fu Juemin listened to the story of this Five Beasts Skill successor named Ye Zhenren, it sounded increasingly familiar. He couldn’t help but click his tongue.
’How is his story so similar to my own? A wealthy local family gets bullied by a Warlord, kills someone in a fit of rage, and then has to flee with their entire household...’
"How is he doing now?"
Fu Juemin couldn’t help but ask.
Big Cat answered, "Not well.
He’s living hand to mouth, often having to buy rice and flour on credit just to survive."
Fu Juemin was a little surprised. "He’s in such dire straits, yet he refused to take money to teach his skills and insisted I formally become his disciple?"
Big Cat shook his head, indicating that he didn’t understand the reason either.
Fu Juemin said no more, and the group rounded the corner of the alley.
Soon, a dilapidated little courtyard of blue-green brick and gray tile came into view.
At the base of the mottled courtyard wall, two people were squatting over a basket, muttering and haggling as if in the middle of a transaction.
The small courtyard gate faced Fu Juemin and his men. A plaque hung on the lintel above it.
Fu Juemin glanced up at the old plaque. The four large, peeling words read: "Five Victories Boxing Hall." He couldn’t help but remark, "Looks like... this Master Ye really isn’t doing too well for himself."
He casually gestured for one of the Qinglian Gang men to go knock on the door.
But before the man could knock twice, a hurried voice called out from nearby. "Who are you looking for?"
Fu Juemin turned toward the voice and saw one of the two people who had been squatting by the wall. The man had scrambled to his feet and was now hurrying toward them.
When the man reached them, Fu Juemin looked him up and down.
He was a middle-aged man, perhaps in his forties, with a medium build, slightly dark skin, and a thoroughly unremarkable face.
He held a small basket of fresh eggs and wore a long, black cotton gown that had been washed to a faded gray. A tear at the waist revealed the cotton padding spilling from within.
"We’re looking for Master Ye Zhenren..."
the Qinglian Gang member said loudly. "Do you know him? If you do, be a sport and get Master Ye for us."
The man sized up the group, his gaze finally resting on Fu Juemin. His eyes suddenly lit up. "Are you here to formally request discipleship?"
"We are."
Fu Juemin looked at the man, a knowing smile on his face as he nodded. He seemed to have guessed something.
"Please, come in, come in."
The man hurried forward, pushed open the courtyard gate, and ushered the group inside.
Inside was a small, messy backyard. Several chickens strutted about an open patch of dirt, and a pile of freshly chopped firewood was stacked in one corner.
"The place is a bit of a mess..."
After coming in, the man set down his small basket of eggs, picked up a broom, and began to sweep, explaining, "I thought you’d be coming in through the front."
"You’re Master Ye Zhenren?!"
Someone couldn’t help but ask.
"Yes, yes."
The man nodded, an embarrassed smile on his face. His hands, however, didn’t stop, continuing to sweep away the chicken droppings on the ground.
With the exception of Fu Juemin and Big Cat, all the Qinglian Gang members wore indescribably strange expressions.
They, of course, knew the purpose of their visit.
Their Young Master was a martial arts enthusiast and had reportedly offered a fortune for the Five Beasts Complete Skill. The man, however, had insisted that their Young Master come in person and formally become his disciple before he would pass on the art.
They had expected some legendary, awe-inspiring master, but what they got... was this pathetic-looking fellow who had to haggle with an old woman just to buy a few eggs?!
"Young Master..."
One of the Qinglian Gang members couldn’t hold back any longer. He leaned close to Fu Juemin and whispered, "Maybe... maybe we should just go.
This guy... he doesn’t look like much of a master..."
"It seems you have a keen eye... Why don’t you teach me instead?"
Fu Juemin shot him a cool glance. The man’s expression froze, and he immediately retreated to the side, abashed.
"Master Ye..."
Fu Juemin turned to the sweeping man.
"Oh, right, right."
Before Fu Juemin could finish, the man slapped his own forehead and gave a wry smile. "Look at me, what was I thinking? You’re here for the discipleship ceremony."
He tossed the broom aside and hurried to lead them into the house. "What am I doing sweeping... We’re going to miss the auspicious hour."
"Master Ye."
But Fu Juemin stopped him.
"The discipleship ceremony can wait."
Fu Juemin looked at the man before him, slowly and deliberately unfastening the buttons of his suit jacket one by one. "As you know, I am here specifically for the Five Beasts Skill.
If you are not proficient in the Five Beasts, then this ceremony would be a waste of time..."
Fu Juemin took off his jacket and handed it to Big Cat. His voice was calm but carried an invisible weight. "You should... understand what I mean, shouldn’t you?"
The man was stunned for a moment when he heard this.
Then, he quickly nodded meekly.
"To test the master’s worth before becoming his disciple...
That’s only right. It’s as it should be."
As he spoke, he began to roll up the sleeves of his long gown.
He carefully rolled both sleeves up to his elbows. With each fold, the air of the flustered, hard-pressed commoner began to fade.
Then, with a solemn expression, he looked at Fu Juemin and slowly assumed a stance from the Tiger Form of the Five Beasts Qigong.
"Ye Zhenren,"
he said, his voice transformed, his entire demeanor a world apart from moments before. "I await your instruction."
Feeling the man’s aura suddenly condense, becoming heavy and whole, a look of satisfaction finally spread across Fu Juemin’s face.
He strolled casually toward the man, speaking as he went.
"My name is Fu Lingjun...
Master Ye, you’d best be careful."
...
Meanwhile, in the front yard just on the other side of the house.
A long bench sat in the middle of the yard, directly facing the main gate.
A young man in his twenties, who looked older than his years, sat bolt upright on the bench. He was surrounded by a dozen or so young men and women.
"Alright, listen up! When that guy comes in for the ceremony, we’re going to block his path and put him in his place!
This ’final and most favored disciple’ nonsense is bullshit! Even if Master agrees to take him, I, Xing Ergou, will be the first to reject him!
We’ll only ever have one Eldest Senior Brother! And that’s Senior Brother Liu!"
