"Brother Luo, hello."
Li Xian retracted his fists and stood still, smiling as he responded.
"Brother Li, it's not that Brother Luo is criticizing you. I have a lot of matters on my plate, and when I get busy, I tend to forget things."
"You should be more proactive. If there's anything you don't understand, come to me voluntarily. Don't be afraid of disturbing me."
Luo Tongyun spoke earnestly, seemingly considering Li Xian's well-being.
"Of course, of course." Li Xian forced a smile, while he was actually well aware.
This Luo Tongyun had mastered the essence of the "Four Directions Fist", appearing gentle on the outside but cunning inside. His words were pleasant, but his actions were dirty.
Li Xian knew this person harbored evil intentions. Whether it was because he looked down on him or for other reasons, he definitely didn't want him to succeed.
But seeking his guidance would yield nothing.
He might as well just practice diligently on his own.
"Alright, show me your fist technique, let me see how your skills have developed." Luo Tongyun shook his head and sighed.
"Okay."
Li Xian punched clumsily, deliberately revealing flaws in his moves.
"Stop!"
Luo Tongyun felt pleased, thinking, "Great, if this continues, in ten days, everything will be in place."
Yet he said sternly:
"No progress at all, no progress at all, if this goes on, I'm worried for you."
"Well then, it's already come to this, everyone has their own natural talent, this can't be forced.
"Even if I had told you to practice diligently earlier, it would've been the same. Better to put aside the fist techniques and focus on strengthening your body first."
Li Xian said: "But Brother Luo, Commander Pang's assessment..."
"No worries, just follow my instructions. I'll explain to Commander Pang on your behalf."
Luo Tongyun patted Li Xian's shoulder, said earnestly, "Little Li, you must work hard. If you don't pass the assessment, it will be a loss of face for me too."
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Luo."
Li Xian cupped his fists.
After Luo Tongyun left, Li Xian's eyes flashed, and he continued practicing his fists.
No matter how difficult the situation, only by quickly mastering the fist technique can he break through the predicament!
...
Pang Long was the Grand Commander of the Nursing Home, mainly responsible for the peace of Yihetang Manor.
There were two patrols every day, in the morning and at night. Otherwise, he practiced martial arts at his residence.
"Some time ago, I was fortunate enough to receive a tonic from the madam, I drank twenty percent and shared fifty percent with the brothers."
"After drinking the tonic, I subtly felt some changes in my body. Could it be... approaching the state madam mentioned?"
Pang Long practiced his fist techniques, palm techniques, and body movements. All had reached a bottleneck, and the daily practice was merely to ensure that his skills didn't deteriorate.
Martial Artist…
Once embarked on this path, it's a lifelong commitment. A day without practicing might as well be half a month wasted. Practicing sporadically leads to no results.
More emphasis is placed on martial arts talent, perception, and fundamental qualities. Pang Long's Void Palm has shown little progress for several years.
Intuition tells him it's due to a limitation in his talent.
"Yes, that boy has been in the Nursing Home for five or six days, I wonder how he is now."
Pang Long wiped off his sweat, got dressed, and sent someone to bring Luo Tongyun over, asking straightforwardly:
"Little Luo, what's the situation with that boy now?"
Luo Tongyun said: "He... he's obedient, but... but..."
"If his talent is a bit lacking but he is willing to work hard, it doesn't matter." Pang Long's brow slightly relaxed.
After all, it's just the Nursing Home. It is good if the talent is high, and if not, it's also fine. But Pang Long can't stand those who are deceitful and lazy.
Luo Tongyun said:
"His talent is alright, just... he is a bit lax. During these five days, he seldom asked for my guidance."
"Every time I have to inspect him, I'm not sure if he's taken my advice. So far, his fist technique progress is rather slow."
There wasn't a word of falsehood in his comments.
"Hmm?" Pang Long's brow furrowed, "Could it be he became complacent after joining the Nursing Home?"
Such people, he has seen too many. They can endure cold and hunger but can't resist sweet words.
"Well, then, ten days more, and if he doesn't meet my standards, where he came from, let him return to."
Pang Long waved his hand dismissively.
Luo Tongyun saw his plan progressing smoothly, knowing that Pang Long had no special relationship with this kid, felt delighted and even dared to work more secretly.
...
Another four days passed.
After morning training, Li Xian persistently chose a secluded place to practice his fist technique.
[Four Directions Fist]
[Skill Level: 319/1000 Mastery]
[Description: Use the body as the core, strike in all directions. The fist is simple and antiquated, containing the wonders of the universe, fearless of enemies from all directions.]
...
[Skill: Running]
[Skill Level: 450/1000 Mastery]
[Description: You run in the wilderness, your step is light, your speed quite considerable.]
Li Xian had grown a bit taller, his body becoming more robust. The "morning run" during the daily training had improved his speed and stamina to the upper-middle range.
If sprinting desperately, with the tenacity trait derived from [Weeding], only a few hundred at the Nursing Home could outrun him.
Li Xian felt that the warm flow in his Dantian had grown as wide as two fingers.
Water wears away stone; inner strength accumulates bit by bit.
It was already winter. The circulation of inner strength could disperse the cold, which was very handy.
Li Xian thought:
"If I can really train to a satisfactory level, I also want to explore Jianghu."
"Old Fourth, still practicing your fists?"
Zhao Han patted Li Xian on the shoulder, in high spirits.
"Boss, you're so happy today, is there some happy event?" Li Xian had just set up his fist stance when he saw Zhao Han, Wang Chun, and Zhuo Yilei approaching, he put away his stance and asked curiously.
Wang Chun said: "I told you, Old Fourth trained his mind to mush, forgetting such an important day."
"Old Fourth, today is the day we receive our monthly salary." Zhao Han said with a smile.
"Oh! So that's it." Li Xian counted the days and said: "But I haven't been at the manor for a full month yet. Do I receive it today too?"
"Of course, of course, forget about practicing martial arts, let's go get the salary now." Zhao Han said, almost dragging Li Xian away forcefully by the shoulder.
So the four of them, sharing the same dwelling, set off together toward the accountant's office.
There was a long line outside the accountant's office, and after waiting for half an hour, it was finally Li Xian and the others' turn.
"Li Xian, originally a servant, monthly salary fifty Wen, now a D-class Nursing Home, monthly salary is one hundred fifty Wen."
"During your time as a servant, you performed well and received a reward of thirty-seven Wen. This month's salary totals up to one hundred seventeen Wen coins."
The accountant couldn't help giving him another glance.
From a servant to the Nursing Home... that's quite rare. He remembered this young man somewhat. At the end of autumn, he signed an indenture contract, and his handwriting was neat.
"Here is your salary, keep it well."
A green cloth pouch held over a hundred copper coins. Li Xian took it, gently weighed it, and couldn't help but smile.
A penny can thwart even a hero.
Finally, there was some money in his pocket!
This world, this era... money is extremely important!
"Zhao Han, C-class Nursing Home, monthly salary two hundred twenty Wen, full attendance in patrol shift, an additional fifty Wen..."
Calculating all the miscellaneous factors, Zhao Han's salary amounted to three hundred Wen coins.
Nearly three times that of Li Xian's.
Li Xian felt emotional: "Even in Qingning County, having a monthly salary of three hundred Wen is not common."
"The madam of the manor is truly wealthy, I wish I could have that much money too."