"Young Xu, would you be willing to call Master?"
Xu Ning was taken aback, roughly understanding Zhao Datou's aning. A master and disciple were like father and son. This was also a way to alleviate the regret that Xu Ning wasn't his son.
Without any hesitation, Xu Ning knelt down. "I am deeply grateful for Master's kindness in taking in and teaching martial arts. I have no way to repay this kindness, and I am willing to beco your disciple and strive to repay all your kindness."
Zhao Datou nodded gently. "Good, good! Disciple, please rise!"
There was no formal apprenticeship ceremony, but the affection between them surpassed everything.
Winter arrived, heavy snow fell, and the roads were closed.
Besides practicing his martial arts, Xu Ning had nothing else to do.
This suited Xu Ning perfectly, because his three martial arts were almost at the first level. He could use the winter's cold to stimulate his practice and believed that he would reach the first level by spring.
Snowflakes fell, landing on Xu Ning's bare upper body.
Xu Ning remained unmoved, standing firmly in a horse stance amidst the snow, which was already above his calves.
Tie Dan was frolicking and rolling around in the snow, leaving a ss behind.
At that mont, a graceful figure slowly approached through the white snow, her red robe standing out starkly against the white backdrop.
Upon seeing her, Tie Dan imdiately took off running towards her.
Indeed, it was Lin Lu.
Reaching out to pat Tie Dan's head, Lin Lu subconsciously turned to look at Xu Ning, her eyes imdiately flashing with surprise.
This was the first ti she knew Xu Ning practiced martial arts. She had always assud he was a scholar.
After all, Xu Ning's appearance was so deceptive, and his penchant for white made him seem like a scholar.
"Xu Ning, aren't you cold?" Lin Lu couldn't help but ask as she approached.
Xu Ning finished her practice. "It's alright!"
At this mont, Xu Ning's bare upper body was even more clearly displayed in front of Lin Lu, causing her to blush involuntarily.
Seeing that Lin Lu didn't speak, Xu Ning couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing here in this snowy weather?"
Lin Lu wanted to say that she ca to see Tie Dan, but she felt that this excuse was too unconvincing after using it so many tis.
After thinking for a while, she finally spoke. "It's like this. I heard that your firewood burns particularly well, and my family didn't prepare much firewood this winter, so I wanted to co and ask you to buy so!"
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
How could she refuse money that was offered to her? Xu Ning quickly said, "This way, I'll take you to see it!"
Lin Lu was a little uncomfortable with Xu Ning's sudden attentiveness, but she still quickly followed Xu Ning to the mountain of firewood.
Xu Ning began his introduction. "These small ones are fifty coins."
Lin Lu looked at the tree root that was more than twice the size and asked, "What about the big ones?"
Xu Ning shook his head. "These aren't for sale!"
Of course, those were roots from top-grade trees, cultivated by Xu Ning recently. They were exceptionally durable. Xu Ning had tested them, and even a single small root could burn for two hours.
This stuff was far beyond ordinary comprehension, so Xu Ning naturally wouldn't dare sell it.
If he weren't worried about not having enough small ones for the winter and keeping them as a backup, Xu Ning would have been swallowed by the manure bucket.
Lin Lu was also puzzled. "Why not sell them?"
Xu Ning said, "Of course, I'm keeping them for myself!"
Lin Lu finally had no choice but to nod. "Alright! Then give two small ones. I'll take them ho and try them out!"
Xu Ning said, "Okay, buddy, co help Miss Lin carry them back!"
Upon hearing Xu Ning's call, Tie Dan imdiately ran over.
Xu Ning, carrying one tree root in each hand, placed them on Tie Dan's back and tied them securely. Then, he looked at Lin Lu and rubbed his hands together, saying, "Um, the money..."
Lin Lu wasn't in a hurry, but instead looked at Xu Ning and asked, "Are you really short of money?"
Xu Ning nodded. "Yes, extrely short!"
Lin Lu's eyes lit up. "My dad said I'm an only child, and whoever marries will have all the money in my family!"
Xu Ning was imdiately surprised. "Ah! I wonder who will be so lucky!"
Lin Lu said, "Don't you want to be that person?"
Xu Ning was stunned for a mont, then his face imdiately turned angry. "Miss Lin, you don't an you don't want to pay, do you?"
Lin Lu's mouth gaped open, unable to recover for a long ti.
Finally, she angrily pulled a handful of copper coins from her pocket and threw them at Xu Ning. "Consider the rest a gift!"
With that, she took Tie Dan and left.
Xu Ning quickly started counting, and after a while, he looked up and said, "Miss Lin, you're still two coins short!"
Lin Lu turned around, glared at Xu Ning, and walked away.
Xu Ning was speechless. "You're even short two coins!"
"You're the sa way, you want two coins too!" The axe standing by the woodpile couldn't help but say.
It was exasperated with Xu Ning's cluelessness. The girl had already explained things so clearly, yet he still didn't understand her feelings.
Xu Ning glared at the axe. "If you're so capable, upgrade it yourself next ti! Is pig iron free? You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household."
The axe imdiately shut up, afraid that next ti it would be like the iron pot, it wouldn't get a share.
For the next few days, with nothing to do, Xu Ning imrsed himself in practicing his skills.
And on this day, Lin Lu ca again, braving the heavy snow.
"Xu Ning, could you sell so more firewood?" Lin Lu couldn't help but ask as soon as she arrived.
Buying firewood last ti was just an excuse. However, after bringing it ho, she discovered it burned exceptionally well.
Her parents, seeing this, asked Lin Lu to co and buy so more.
Xu Ning said, "Sure! How many?"
Lin Lu said, "Five!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Ning imdiately called out to Tie Dan, who was playing nearby. "Old Tie, co and get to work!"
After Tie Dan ran over, Xu Ning placed five tree roots on Tie Dan and tied them up.
On the way, Lin Lu said hesitantly, "Xu Ning, my mom says you're a nice person! She likes you a lot."
Xu Ning nodded earnestly. "I think so too!"
Lin Lu asked in surprise, "Don't you have any other thoughts?"
Xu Ning said, "It's a pity I was born too late, otherwise I might be your father!"
Lin Lu imdiately turned ashen with anger. "You bastard!"
With that, she stord off with Tie Dan.
Xu Ning quickly said, "Brother, you haven't paid yet!"
Lin Lu turned his head. "Can I pay you later?"
They were neighbors, so Xu Ning didn't say anything and could only nod. "Okay!"
Lin Lu didn't co over again after that, which worried Xu Ning terribly—his two hundred and fifty coins!
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
One day, while Xu Ning was practicing outside, a series of muffled thuds suddenly ca from his body.
This imdiately startled Zhao Datou inside the house, who quickly opened the door and looked at Xu Ning. "You've broken through?"
Xu Ning felt the changes in his body and nodded. "Yes, I've finally reached the first level."
Zhao Datou said, "Great! The first level!"
Xu Ning asked expectantly, "How do I compare to those martial arts masters now?"
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