Shi Yu had a simple and honest appearance, with features that were distinct as if crafted by an artisan.
At this mont, he was being led into Shanyao Hall together with the quick-witted Lu Yang by his side.
He rembered Lu Yang telling him just before entering the hall that the selection for Shanyao Hall was extrely strict because there were truly high-level martial artists in the hall!
Once selected as an apprentice, it was possible to learn so martial arts.
Shi Yu didn’t quite understand what a high-level martial artist was, but he thought they must be like the heroes described in plays, soaring high and leaping four to five stories with ease!
The reason he was sent here to be an apprentice was simple: there were too many younger brothers and sisters at ho.
When he was chosen and pressed his handprint, his father told the female manager from Shanyao Hall, "If the child is disobedient, feel free to beat him. If he dies, consider it a ball!"
His mother, on the other hand, held his hand and gave a multitude of nagging cautions, roughly aning that the hall was not like ho, and he should behave with humility.
Shi Yu understood this!
Just like Sandanzi, the young apprentice from the blacksmith shop at the end of the street, hadn’t he been beaten from childhood by his master and mistress, senior apprentices, and even the master’s daughter?
"Have you two arrived?"
He entered the hall with his head down, along with his little brother Lu Yang, only to see the female manager who seed to wield great authority.
"Now that you’re here, I’ll take you to the backyard to et the master."
Wei Hongyao looked at the two and felt sowhat emotional.
There was no longer a reputation for Shanyao Gang in Jianghu, but Shanyao Hall could still have a next generation.
It was only a matter of ti before they could take revenge.
But people in the martial arts world, as long as the lineage doesn’t disappear, they’ll always rember the hatred.
Even if they couldn’t avenge it in their generation, there would be the next generation, and the one after that!
Unaware of the lady’s heavy heart, Shi Yu was led to the backyard in a daze and casually assigned a room.
"There’s one more vacant room here; it’s fully equipped with bedding, though soone has died in it. But you two half-grown boys shouldn’t mind that..."
Wei Hongyao deliberately said that and, seeing the frightened expressions of the two lads, she then smiled warmly and led them to a main room.
Inside, Wei Baizhu sat sprawled like a warlord, fiddling with two walnuts in his hand.
Lu Yang, with sharp eyes, recognized him as the owner of Shanyao Hall and imdiately knelt to pay respects, "This servant pays homage to the great master!"
He also raised a purse high, although it contained only a few silver beans, but it was still a gesture of good will.
In comparison, Shi Yu seed much more bewildered, needing to watch Lu Yang’s actions before belatedly kneeling down as well.
"Hmm..."
Wei Baizhu put on airs at the mont, drinking tea in an unhurried manner without even glancing at Lu Yang’s offering, and cleared his throat, "Our Shanyao Hall was once a martial arts sect in Jianghu, and we must abide by the rules of Jianghu. Once you have entered our sect, in life you belong to Shanyao Hall, and in death, you will be the ghosts of Shanyao Hall! We will teach you martial arts, provide for you, and you must also inherit the feuds of Jianghu, understand?"
"This servant will surely brave any danger for the Hall Master; it is my duty."
Lu Yang promptly promised.
"Hmm-hmm, you’re very good," Wei Baizhu nodded slightly, "Your na is Lu Yang, right? Then take as your master!"
"Disciple bows to the master!"
Lu Yang was overjoyed. He had gone to so much trouble on his way here just to find a good master and learn martial arts, hadn’t he?
This Hall Master was the owner of the entire Shanyao Hall, certainly his biggest support!
"Mmm, stand up."
Wei Baizhu waved his hand, and Lu Yang stood up happily, standing by the side, looking at Shi Yu with a tinge of pity in his eyes.
This junior brother lacked awareness, skill in dealing with situations, and failed to offer gifts; he feared the boy was in for a rough ti.
"Where’s Liu Yi?"
Wei Baizhu waited a mont longer, then asked Wei Hongyao, who was by his side.
"Perhaps the junior brother is preoccupied, I’ll go inquire..." Wei Hongyao answered, ready to fetch him.
At that mont, Zhong Shenxiu strolled in leisurely from outside: "I was cultivating earlier and achieved so insights, so I am a bit late. My apologies..."
"Cultivating is crucial, the most important task. Our matter here is trivial in comparison... Let’s just have these two youngsters pay respects to the ancestral master of the Shanyao Gang, and that will suffice for their initiation."
Wei Baizhu spoke cheerfully, his tone so kind, completely different from before, which left Lu Yang sowhat puzzled.
Wasn’t their master supposed to be the most powerful in Shanyao Hall?
"And there’s this disciple nad Shi Yu, what do you think?" Wei Baizhu pushed Shi Yu forward, seemingly wanting Zhong Shenxiu to personally feel his bones.
This was a common thod in Jianghu for assessing a person’s aptitude.
Zhong Shenxiu, however, didn’t take the asure, rely giving the boy a glance. Seeing that Shi Yumao had abundant Qi and showed no signs of hidden illnesses, he nodded casually, "He’ll do, I’m busy with other matters and won’t follow the usual procedures..."
With that, he turned and left.
He truly was occupied with other business.
Ever since absorbing the Qi from an outsider the last ti, the Inner Strength within him had surged like he had taken a potent tonic. Coupled with self-cultivation over the past few days, early this morning, he broke through to the Third Level of the Five Elents Thief Palm—the Five Elents Unity Realm!
This palm technique could now be considered greatly accomplished.
Moreover, with the Qi in his viscera robustly stirring his Qi-Blood, it was a sign he was ready to tackle the very first challenge in Martial Arts—the realm of blood replacent!
Even Zhong Shenxiu took this step seriously, sothing that needed his full attention to confront.
’Based on my observations, this so-called "replacent of blood" isn’t about changing all the blood in one’s body but rather continuously replenishing one’s life force, gradually causing a qualitative change... That’s why Martial Artists at the cusp of this threshold must not engage in combat lightly but instead need to keep consuming tonic foods... to nourish Qi-Blood and strengthen their physical foundation.’
’In the Five Elents Thief Palm technique, the stage of blood replacent is breached fiercely with the Five Elents Combined Power. To draw in life force is easy, if one doesn’t want to practice hard on their own, just swallow the Qi of others... Just like the disciples of the Five Poison Sect, a few more of them, and one could quickly cross over...’
However, in the vicinity of Anshan City, although there was no shortage of heinous individuals, it was the rare few who were also outstanding in Martial Arts, healthy in physique, and preferably young.
Most of them were part of the Nine Elents Sect or the Divine Capture Sect.
Zhong Shenxiu felt that it was better to be honest and patiently wait for his natural replacent of blood to complete. This approach might be slower but was more stable.
...
On the other hand, under the guidance of Wei Baizhu, Lu Yang and Shi Yu knelt and kowtowed three tis to the portrait of the ancestor of the Shanyao Gang, the forr Gang Leader, officially becoming disciples.
In his heart, Lu Yang still felt sorry for Shi Yu, having such an unreliable master; the boy would likely learn nothing of value.
After all these procedures were concluded, seeing that they were tired, Wei Baizhu sent them to rest and eat, intending to start their learning of recognizing herbs, reading, and writing, and physical training the next day.
Lu Yang and Shi Yu had no objections and held their bowls filled with food, their mouths watering at the braised at inside.
Both dared not sit at the table and found a corner to squat.
At this point, they overheard a conversation from the other side of the wall, seemingly Wei Hongyao’s voice: "Dad, when you checked his bones, you clearly said that Shi had slightly better aptitude..."
"This you do not understand, if I don’t let your junior brother pick one with good aptitude, what if he gets displeased? Our entire Shanyao Hall relies on him. You should also put more effort into it, nd his clothes, and offer care and concern... that’s always right."
Wei Baizhu’s chiding voice faded away, while Lu Yang appeared sowhat dazed, looking at his little friend next to him, not quite knowing what to say...
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