Observing Wanfa from the martial arts school servants

Chapter 6 Measuring Root Bones

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Lin Mu arrived at the martial arts school.

He first went to the backyard to boil water, and then took a broom and swept the front yard carefully.

Once the dust on the ground had all settled, the old handyman yawned as he came out of the side room.

He instructed Lin Mu to bring out a long table from the storeroom and place it directly opposite the main entrance.

A red cloth was laid on the table, and incense burner, fruit, and a portrait of the patriarch were placed on it.

The old servant then brought out a sandalwood box from the inner room and opened it.

Inside was a palm-sized, bluish-black stone with a smooth surface and a faint bluish sheen.

He carefully placed the stone in the center of the table and covered it with a red cloth.

"This is a martial arts stone."

"It's very precious, don't touch it carelessly."

Lin Mu responded and continued moving chairs.

The old handyman fiddled with the incense burner while giving instructions:

"When you're taking on apprentices later, you can stand over there and serve them tea and water."

Lin Mu nodded in agreement.

Seeing that Lin Mu was obedient, the old servant felt relieved and went to the backyard to fetch the things.

After his footsteps faded into the distance, Lin Mu glanced at the doorway again to make sure no one was around before lifting the red cloth and placing his right hand on the martial arts stone.

The stone was cold.

After a few breaths, a faint blue color slowly appeared on the surface.

Lin Mu withdrew his hand expressionlessly, covered the red cloth, and turned to continue moving the chair.

When the old handyman returned, everything seemed normal.

As the hour of Si (9-11 AM) approached, the area in front of the martial arts school gradually became lively.

Master Hu changed into a clean navy blue robe and walked out from the inner courtyard.

The coach followed behind him, his gaze sweeping over the crowd gathered at the entrance.

A dozen or so people had already gathered at the entrance, mostly teenagers from the town and nearby villages, accompanied by their elders.

Some were dressed in silk, while others were dressed in coarse cloth.

In addition, a large number of onlookers gathered.

There were neighbors from the town, an old man squatting by the wall basking in the sun, and an old woman carrying a basket to the market but attracted by the apprenticeship ceremony.

And there's also the peddler Lin Wu~

He craned his neck and caught sight of Lin Mu standing to the side, serving tea and water. He muttered something under his breath.

"So you were here."

However, his attention was quickly drawn to the ceremony.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

Coach Hu stood up and sang loudly.

The first boy stepped forward; he was fair-skinned and dressed in an indigo silk robe, followed by a butler.

"Place your hands on the martial arts stone," Coach Hu said.

The boy placed his right hand on the stone. After a few breaths, a faint blue color appeared on the stone.

"Inferior bone." Instructor Hu nodded to Master Hu.

Lin Mu held the teapot, his gaze falling on the rock.

The shade of blue was almost identical to the one I had secretly measured earlier.

Therefore, he was also of inferior quality, but still qualified to enter the martial arts school.

If one can become a formal apprentice at the martial arts school, the village chief's forced renting of the house will be easily resolved.

He can also practice boxing during the day to speed up his progress.

Moreover, the punishment for stealing a master's skills is extremely severe in this world. If he can legitimately practice the Long Wind Fist, it will greatly benefit his martial arts progress.

He touched the eighty coins in his purse and sighed softly.

Even a penny can make a hero.

In the end, Master Hu asked a few questions and accepted Zhou Yu, a young man with the same martial arts talent as him.

Then we tested seven or eight more.

Some stones showed no reaction, while others were extremely pale in color; all of them were dismissed by Coach Hu with a wave of his hand.

When it was the last boy's turn, he was dark-skinned and thin, wearing a worn-out coarse cloth short coat, and his straw sandals were almost worn out.

Behind him followed a farmer with rough hands.

The boy placed his hand on the stone, and a bluish-green color, similar to that of Zhou Yu, appeared.

"Inferior bone. What's your name?"

"Chen Yuan."

Master Hu glanced at him: "Ten taels of silver for repairs."

Chen Yuan's father took out an oil-stained cloth bag from his pocket, opened it, and found it full of loose silver and copper coins. After counting for a long time, it came to exactly ten taels.

"Move over there."

Chen Yuan responded and stood next to Zhou Yu.

Test complete.

Eight people applied for the job today, but only two were accepted—Zhou Yu and Chen Yuan.

Thus, the martial arts school now has eight apprentices from Xihe Town, seven former apprentices, and Yan Hua, for a total of sixteen current disciples.

Lin Mu vaguely sensed a strange atmosphere forming between the old and new disciples.

The new disciples, who were originally suppressed by the old disciples, quickly won over Zhou Yu and Chen Yuan, and subtly showed a posture of rivalry.

However, this has nothing to do with him.

He quickly tidied up the tables and chairs and prepared the surrounding chores.

When the instructor began teaching the new disciples, he started to carefully wipe the weapon rack.

Since Zhou Yu and Chen Yuan are beginners, the instructor will definitely teach them in greater depth.

"In Changfeng Fist, the most important thing is stance training. If the stance is not stable, the fist will be weak."

"Punching isn't just about using your arm; you need to use your waist, hips, and legs. Only when the power of your whole body is transferred to your fist can you unleash your full strength."

"Breathing should be coordinated with movement; inhale to build up momentum, and exhale to exert force."

......

The instructor explained in detail, and Lin Mu listened even more attentively.

He kept every word in his heart.

Meanwhile, in Liuye Village.

Under the old locust tree, several idle men were gathered around a middle-aged man carrying a load of goods, listening to the commotion.

The peddler was Lin Wu, who had just returned from town, spitting as he spoke.

"You didn't see it, the scene at Changfeng Martial Arts Academy's apprentice recruitment today—"

"Lin Wu, you're bragging again," someone laughed and scolded.

"Hey, I saw it with my own eyes!" Lin Wu slapped his thigh. "They just put those martial arts stones on the table, and if you have the aptitude, they glow!"

"Alright, alright, get to the point." A lazy voice came from behind.

Lin Wu turned around, and the smugness on his face vanished instantly.

Lin San appeared behind him at some point, arms crossed, with a half-smile in his eyes.

"Third, Third Brother..." Lin Wu quickly said with a smile, "I was just saying."

"You just mentioned Changfeng Martial Arts School?" Lin San took half a step forward. "Did you see Lin Mu?"

Lin Wu was taken aback, then nodded: "I saw it, I saw it. That kid was serving tea and water and running around in the martial arts school. I have a sharp eye, I definitely wouldn't be mistaken."

"What does he do at the martial arts gym?"

"Well... I don't know the specifics, but he does odd jobs." Lin Wu scratched his head. "But he's wearing coarse cloth clothes, so he doesn't look like he can afford the repair fee. He's probably a handyman."

Lin San didn't say anything more. He squinted and thought for a moment before turning around and leaving.

Lin Wensheng, the follower, quickly caught up.

After walking a long distance, Lin Sancai finally spoke: "No wonder that kid was so stubborn last night, it turns out he's managed to get in touch with Changfeng Martial Arts School."

Lin Wensheng chimed in, "Third Brother, even if someone is just a handyman at the martial arts school, it's not easy to get along with them once they become familiar with the apprentices."

"We can't afford to offend the people from the martial arts school."

"Hmm." Lin San nodded, his face somewhat gloomy. "Let's hold off for now and see how things go. There's no rush to take possession of the house."

"Third Brother is wise."

......

Lin Mu was unaware of these things happening in the village.

His mind was filled with thoughts of the Long Wind Fist.

During the day at the martial arts school, he kept every word his instructor said in mind;

At night, he would close the courtyard gate and practice repeatedly by the moonlight.

The progress of the booklet is also gradually increasing.

【35/100】、【46/100】、【73/100】.......

Ten days later.

Moonlight as water.

He assumed a fighting stance in the courtyard, stepping forward with his left foot, loosely clenching his right fist, lowering his shoulders, twisting his waist, and exhaling to generate power—

"call!"

The force of the punch swept past a withered branch in front of him, causing the branch to sway.

Lin Mu withdrew his fist, closed his eyes, and looked at the booklet.

【Long Wind Fist: 99/100 (Unripe)】

Just one last step.

He took a deep breath and threw another punch.

Once, twice, three times...

I practiced until the moon was high in the sky, my whole body was drenched in sweat, and my arms were so sore that I couldn't lift them.

But that last little bit remained completely still.

Lin Mu frowned, leaning against the wall and panting heavily.

In five days, it will be the day Lin San comes to collect the old house.

If one can break through to the beginner level of Changfeng Fist before then, one will have more leverage.

Even a novice martial artist who hasn't yet developed Ming Jin (a type of internal strength) can easily take on three to five strong men.