Gao Wu: My martial arts training relies solely on hard work

Chapter 14 Martial Arts Academy
"Boss, I'm here to return the bow."

When Zhao Xuan rushed to Shangtang Market after finishing his busy work, it was already past noon.

He first went to the blacksmith's shop to return the bow.

When the blacksmith shop owner saw him, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes and he glanced at the old man.

The old man nodded slightly, indicating that he had found the Yamen servant.

The boss knew what he was thinking and asked calmly: "Brother, it's only been three days, have you collected enough money?"

Zhao Xuan shook his head: "No, this horn bow is too expensive, I don't want to buy it."

The boss's expression froze. You don't want to buy it?

I tried my best to find the yamen servant, and planned to snatch your bow away today. How can you play with it if you don’t buy it?
He laughed dryly: "The butcher shop owners said that you have made a lot of gains recently, how can you not afford it?"

"Besides, I'm not asking you to give me the money right away. If you keep it on credit for a few more days, you'll definitely be able to afford it. If that doesn't work, I'll give you another discount."

The stage has been set up, but what if the protagonist runs away?
Zhao Xuan scratched his head: "Boss, let me tell you the truth. The eldest brother from the same village found me a job with a wealthy family in the city. I was given two taels of silver a month and the income was guaranteed during droughts and floods."

"I won't hunt anymore. There's no point in buying it. According to the agreement, I'll pay you a penny."

He didn't dare to tell the other party that he was going to the martial arts academy to further his studies.

Doesn’t that mean that you have more than two taels of silver on you?

First, wealth cannot be revealed.

Second, you already have two taels of silver, so how can you say that you can't afford a bow worth one tael of silver and want to return it.

After saying that, he took the bow and money and handed them to the blacksmith shop owner.

Only then did the blacksmith shop owner notice that there were two bundles at Zhao Xuan's feet.

"Brother, you have to think about it carefully. It is not easy to serve a wealthy family. You are often beaten and scolded. How can you hunt and make money and be free and easy?"

Zhao Xuan could only go on and on, saying that hunting was not easy, it was exposed to wind and sun.

Any introduction from a fellow villager would not deceive him.

The owner of the blacksmith shop had something in his mind and didn't dare to hold on to it.

If Zhao Xuan was robbed when he went back, there would definitely be suspicion on his head.

That's not solicitation, it's enmity.

He could only smile happily and said: "Okay, I wish you a bright future."

"Leave this bow here. When you want to come back one day, you can come and get it at any time."

……

Saying goodbye to the blacksmith shop owner, Zhao Xuan came to the inn.

You can charter a car at the inn, or you can share a car with other people.

Taking a car is very expensive these days. Chartering a car to the county town costs [-] cents, and you can leave at any time.

There are at least four people and a maximum of eight people in the carpool. The fare is 120 yuan, which is shared equally by everyone and everyone sets off together.

Zhao Xuan wanted to save money, but he didn't see anyone who carpooled. He didn't know how long he would have to wait, so he had no choice but to charter a car.

Seeing him alone at the inn, he deliberately chose a small carriage.

Of course, money is essential.

It was more than enough for Zhao Xuan to sit alone. With his legs curled up, he could barely sleep lying down.

To his satisfaction, although the mattress in the carriage was old and white, there was no peculiar smell.

The speed of the ox cart is not fast, not even as fast as Zhao Xuan's two legs.

But there was nothing he could do. He didn't know the way to the county town. He didn't want to take a bullock cart. He had to rely on himself and didn't know where to turn.

The other thing is safety.

Zhao Xuan, who had been stopped by a government officer once in the morning, really did not dare to compliment the public security of this era.

If you go on the road alone, who knows how many strongmen you will attract who will rob your home.

The driver was an uncle about 50 years old. He couldn't sit still and took Zhao Xuan to chat along the way.

Zhao Xuan couldn't sit still, chatting with his uncle through the curtain.

Four hours later, before dark, we finally arrived at the county seat.

The eight-meter-high city wall, the blazing crossbows mounted on the wall, and the soldiers wrapped in armor.

It allowed Zhao Xuan to see what Leng Weapon's city looked like.

It costs one copper to enter the city.

It is not allowed to enter the city after dark.

Zhao Xuan had no choice but to find an inn to stay outside the city.

According to the driver's uncle, the inns and restaurants in the city are either old, shabby, or expensive and not as affordable as those outside the city.

The hotel Zhao Xuan found only cost ten coins for a night's stay, and two bowls of porridge were given for free for breakfast.

Diagonally across the street was a charming flower shop. He was short of money, bah, he looked upright and didn't even look at it.

...Early on the next morning, Zhao Xuan asked questions while walking and arrived at the Wuyuan smoothly.

I was stopped before I even entered the door.

The guard guarding the martial arts academy glanced at Zhao Xuan, who was wearing rough clothes and cheap cloth shoes. He raised his head slightly and asked, "What are you doing?"

Zhao Xuan coughed lightly: "I'm here to learn martial arts."

The guard looked surprised: "A martial arts student?"

Although Zhao Xuan doesn't look like it, the martial arts academy has regulations.

He didn't dare to neglect, so he said "wait here" and hurried to report.

After a while, the courtyard door opened, and an old man in well-dressed clothes walked towards him with blazing eyes: "Who wants to sign up?"

Zhao Xuan raised his hand: "Me."

The old man glanced at him: "Have you brought any money?"

Zhao Xuan opened the cloth bag and presented the broken silver in front of the old man: "Please... take a look."

The old man grabbed the silver and said, "My surname is Li Mingyan, and I am a martial arts master in the martial arts academy. Once you pay the tuition, you are now a disciple of my martial arts academy, and you can call me Master Li."

"Come in with me, and I will register you."

……

"Name?"

"Zhao Xuan."

"age?"

"fifteen."

"Nation?"

"Low mountain village."

Li Yan stopped writing: "Where is Low Mountain Village?"

This time Zhao Xuan was stopped.

Low mountain village is in low mountain village.

However, a young man next to me replied: "I remember that I was in Shiqiao Town."

Li Yan looked at the confused Zhao Xuan and ordered: "Li He, go and get the "Geographical Chronicles" and check it out."

After confirming, he was surprised: "He actually comes from a mountain village."

"Li He, how long has it been since the martial arts academy received students from mountain villages?"

The young man named Li He thought for a moment and shook his head: "Disciple assisted Master Li in charge of internal affairs three years ago. In my impression, this junior brother is the first."

"One every three years, interesting."

Li Yan smiled and handed the paper with Zhao Xuan's information to Li He: "You go to the county government office to register him as a martial artist, and I will take him to the outer courtyard to find a master."

Li He took the order and left. Zhao Xuan asked curiously: "May I ask Master Li, what is a military qualification?"

Li Yan chuckled: "That is something more important than your life."

"You came to practice martial arts, but you want to compete in martial arts?"

Zhao Xuan nodded, "If you don't take the martial arts exam, who would be a decent person to spend two taels of silver to come to the martial arts academy?"

Li Yan said slowly: "If you don't have a martial arts certificate, you are not allowed to take part in the county examination."

Zhao Xuan suddenly realized.

No wonder the fee is so expensive. It turns out that you have the ticket to the upper level.

He followed Li Yan into a courtyard with a plaque that read "Chunlai Courtyard Five Groups".

In the yard, there were about twenty shirtless men with bulging muscles.

Some are holding stones to practice strength, some are practicing pile kung fu, and some are practicing boxing and kicking kung fu.

In the pavilion, a skinny old man with a goatee sat on a stone bench, holding a tea cup and slowly sipping tea with a leisurely expression.

Li Yan introduced: "This is Master Wu, the master of the fifth group of Chunlai Academy. Next, you can practice martial arts with him."

Zhao Xuan quickly clasped his fists: "I have met Master Wu."

Master Wu slowly put down the tea cup and glanced at Zhao Xuan: "How did you come here?"

Zhao Xuangang wanted to return the money he had paid to enter, but he felt something was wrong. Aren't they all paid to enter?

Is there anything different?

Li Yan coughed lightly and reminded: "Master Wu is asking you what kind of car you took to get to the martial arts academy."

Zhao Xuan understood instantly.

Isn't this the same as when his nephew went to kindergarten and the teacher asked him to fill in the nature of his parents' work income?
Is the martial arts academy as realistic?

(End of this chapter)