Chu Lingguang handed Liu Quan over to Guo Fang and then went into the back courtyard to practice his Spear Technique.
The Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques had yet to be recorded by his panel. Chu Lingguang worried it was because his practice wasn't good enough, so he had been training even more diligently than before. When Guo Wei saw him working so hard without any progress, he sometimes wondered if there was a problem with his own teaching methods.
After lunch, Chu Lingguang took a short rest. As he passed through the Inner Courtyard, he saw Liu Quan practicing his Pile Skill. Pile Skill was a fundamental exercise, the very first lesson every new student at the Martial Arts Hall had to learn.
Liu Quan's form was standard and correct, with no obvious flaws. To be able to do this much from the start showed he had decent talent.
Chu Lingguang didn't disturb him.
But when Liu Quan saw Chu Lingguang just walk away, his mouth moved as if he wanted to speak but stopped himself.
In the afternoon, Liu Quan left with a group of students. Chu Lingguang, however, stayed and had dinner at the Martial Arts Hall. He had wanted to practice a while longer, but thinking about last night's events, he felt it might be dangerous to go home too late.
The last time he ran into the Li Brothers trying to rob him, it had also been after dark.
These were troubled times.
So, after finishing his meal, Chu Lingguang returned to the village early.
"He didn't take you to see Master Guo?"
Liu Quan went home and told Liu Lishi what had happened that day.
Liu Lishi's expression turned ugly. No matter how you put it, he was the top man in the village. Besides, he had even sent Chu Lingguang a three-jin package of pork knuckle. Just asking Chu Lingguang to take his son to say a few words to Guo Wei wasn't an excessive request.
"This afternoon, when I was practicing, he saw me but pretended he didn't. I originally thought he would come over and give me a few pointers."
Liu Quan said resentfully.
"Perhaps it wasn't convenient for him to say anything at first. For now, just do as he said. Focus on performing well and don't be impatient."
Though Liu Lishi said this, he felt displeased inside.
'Chu Lingguang hasn't even passed the exam to become a Martial Scholar, yet he's already treating the words of me, the Village Chief, as if they were nothing but wind.'
「Early the next morning.」
After a quick wash, Chu Lingguang was about to head to the Martial Arts Hall, but unexpectedly, Liu Lishi was waiting for him at his door. Upon seeing him, Liu Lishi smiled and said, "Linguang, in a little over a year, you'll be taking the Daoist Examination. Your aunt was worried about your Qi Blood consumption, so she had me go to Butcher Hu's and get five jin of hind leg meat for you to replenish it."
Liu Lishi walked forward, carrying the pork.
Having someone deliver meat to his door first thing in the morning should have been a good thing.
But as Chu Lingguang stared, no Favor Points appeared. He instantly understood: Liu Lishi hadn't brought the pork this early to thank him for handling things properly yesterday.
Instead, it was because his handling of the situation had failed to satisfy the father and son. That was why he had brought another five jin of pork so early, to pressure him.
Therefore, he tried to stop him, saying, "Master Liu, you absolutely mustn't."
"What's there to 'mustn't'? If you can pass the examinations in the future, our whole village will share in the glory. This is really just a small token from everyone. I'll just hang it in your kitchen for you."
Liu Lishi gave Chu Lingguang no chance to refuse.
"Master Liu!"
Chu Lingguang called out to him, his tone sharp.
"Oh, I forgot you like braised meat. I'll take it back and have your aunt braise it for you. I'll bring it back tonight."
With his back to Chu Lingguang, Liu Lishi's expression stiffened. When he turned around, his face was once again wreathed in smiles.
"Master Liu, you've misunderstood. Please, listen to me. Liu Quan's aptitude is quite good. As long as he's willing to work hard, he'll definitely be able to become my master's disciple in the future. Rather than having me recommend him, it would be better to let him shine on his own and attract my master's attention himself."
Chu Lingguang said meaningfully.
"This..."
Liu Lishi's expression turned ugly again.
"Master Liu, I still have to go to the Martial Arts Hall to practice. Forgive me for not keeping you company."
"Linguang, I... I didn't mean anything else by it."
Liu Lishi watched Chu Lingguang leave.
He glanced at the pork in his hand and finally stomped home in a huff. He knew Chu Lingguang had clearly refused him and would not recommend Liu Quan to Guo Wei.
He had wasted a package of pork knuckle for nothing.
On the way to the Martial Arts Hall, Chu Lingguang wasn't in a good mood either. He had originally planned to recommend Liu Quan to Guo Wei after Master Guo's birthday. By then, Liu Quan would surely be more composed when meeting Master Guo, which would not only prevent trouble for Chu Lingguang but also allow him to gain Guo Wei's appreciation.
Unfortunately, the Liu father and son were too impatient.
If he had accepted the five jin of hind leg meat today and things didn't turn out to their satisfaction, they would have surely pestered him endlessly later on. Besides, he had personally taken Liu Quan to see Guo Fang yesterday, ensuring he would be looked after, yet the father and son hadn't shown the slightest gratitude. No Favor Points had appeared.
It was best to shake off people like that as soon as possible.
As for the three-jin package of pork knuckle they had sent, Chu Lingguang had already eaten half of it last night, so returning it was impossible. Buying another one to give back would seem a bit cold and ungracious. It seemed the only option was to give Liu Quan a few pointers and consider the favor repaid.
'The Martial Arts Hall has guests?'
A short while later, Chu Lingguang arrived at the Martial Arts Hall and saw two horse-drawn carriages parked at the entrance, with two coachmen waiting by the door.
Chu Lingguang was puzzled. Who would be visiting Guo Wei so early in the morning?
"It's truly a blessing for our fellow townsfolk that Baiyang County has Master Guo watching over it."
"Cai Touli was a notorious bandit with over a dozen lives on his hands. When he came to Baiyang County to commit his crimes, he threw the common people into a panic. Thank goodness Master Guo taught such a fine disciple who finished him off personally."
"The townsfolk can finally have a few days of peace."
...
Guo Wei was receiving two gentlemen of the local gentry in the main hall.
Hei Hu had arrived earlier than Chu Lingguang today and was waiting on them at the side.
"Master, your disciple pays his respects."
Chu Lingguang said as he bowed. This was the proper etiquette between master and disciple. Every day he came, he would first pay his respects to Guo Wei, as would Hei Hu.
"Master Guo still has to instruct his disciples in their training, so we won't disturb you any longer."
"We will come again to offer our congratulations on Master Guo's birthday."
"Take care, gentlemen."
After seeing the gentlemen off, Guo Wei sat down to eat with Chu Lingguang and the others.
"Master, how many years did Wang study under you? He even killed that notorious bandit, Cai Touli."
Hei Hu asked curiously.
"Wang was only with my father for five years. He used to come back often, but we've seen less of him these past two years. That last time, you two..."
Guo Fang said as she ladled congee for Guo Wei.
"AHEM!"
Guo Wei coughed twice, cutting Guo Fang off.
"Master, let's eat our congee!"
Hei Hu sensed something was amiss and quickly changed the subject.
Guo Wei nodded and was the first to pick up his chopsticks. Only after he had taken two bites did Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu begin to eat.
From what Hei Hu said, Chu Lingguang realized that all the credit for killing Cai Touli had been claimed by Wang Chao alone. Both the reward and the fame now belonged to him.
To be honest, Chu Lingguang didn't care much for the fame—after all, being too famous wasn't necessarily a good thing. But the ten-tael reward and the favor owed for saving Wang Chao's life were things he had to get back, no matter what.
When Wang Chao returned for the birthday celebration, he would definitely demand an explanation from him.
「The days passed quickly.」
Three days later, the Martial Arts Hall was bustling with excitement. It was Guo Wei's birthday, and several of his disciples who served as officials in the imperial court were on their way back to celebrate.
The County Magistrate of Baiyang County arrived at the Guo Wei Martial Arts Hall a step ahead of the others, bringing Wang Chao with him.