novelraw Chapter 3 : Meeting Again
Chapter 3 : Meeting Again
Chapter 3: Meeting Again
Passing through the front courtyard, under the guidance of the burly man, the group quickly arrived at the back courtyard of the Martial Hall.
Artificial hills and strange rocks stood tall, flowing water trickled melodiously, several stalks of green bamboo vied for spring’s vitality, and to one side, three pomegranate trees drooped with hanging branches.
In the courtyard, a thick and sturdy crabapple tree shaded a large patch of sunlight. Its lush green leaves and bright red petals were dazzling and varied, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance.
Beneath the shade, an old man around fifty years of age, with a long beard, leaned against a rattan chair, gently waving a palm-leaf fan in his hand, looking leisurely and at ease.
Beside him stood a tall woman dressed in sky-blue clothing, her hair tied in a ponytail. She appeared spirited and radiant, with a heroic sharpness between her brows and eyes.
“Greetings, Hall Master Liu.”
Elder Xu clasped his fists with both hands as he spoke.
At the side, Li Yunqing also imitated Elder Xu’s manner and said, “Greetings, Hall Master Liu.”
The old man opened his eyes, nodded slightly at Elder Xu, then turned his gaze toward Li Yunqing, his brows faintly knitting together in an almost imperceptible frown.
Her qi and blood were extremely weak, her figure delicate, her bone frame small, and her demeanor calm—she looked like a quiet little girl.
But such a girl was clearly not suited for martial practice.
Those truly suited for martial arts were instead people with larger bone structures and naturally active temperaments.
‘That brat from the Jiang Family is here…’
As if thinking of something, Hall Master Liu’s brows relaxed, showing a trace of understanding.
Although Qingzhou City was vast, news of movements among these families spread quickly. Just yesterday, word had circulated that Jiang Yu of the Jiang Family was negotiating a marriage with the Li Family’s young lady.
And today, this Li Family young lady had come to the Martial Hall—clearly not for serious martial training.
Moreover, with such aptitude, even if she trained wholeheartedly, she likely would not achieve much.
Thinking this, Hall Master Liu paid her little mind and said to the woman beside him, “Xue Ling, take the Li Family young lady to the study and give her the Mingyu Fist manual to read.”
“After she finishes reading it, teach her the Mingyu Fist Art.”
Having said this, Hall Master Liu closed his eyes again and gently waved his fan, as if he had not taken Li Yunqing to heart at all.
It made sense—young ladies from such families rarely endured the hardships of martial training.
At most, they practiced a few sets of fist techniques and relied on medicinal supplements to nourish their qi and blood, maintaining good health.
If they were not geniuses, he would not pay them much attention, yet he could not completely disregard those families’ prestige.
“Yes!” Xue Ling responded respectfully. Her gaze fell upon Li Yunqing as she smiled. “Miss Li, please follow me!”
“My name is Xue Ling.”
After leaving the back courtyard, Xue Ling smiled and said, “From now on, you can call me Senior Sister Xue!”
“My name is Li Yunqing. Senior Sister Xue can just call me Yunqing.”
Li Yunqing smiled, then pointed to Xiaolan beside her. “This is my personal maid, Xiaolan.”
Xue Ling nodded slightly and continued, “Mingyu Fist is the foundational technique of Mingyu Martial Hall. Once you enter the basics, it can strengthen qi and blood and nourish the body.”
“If you can cultivate it to great mastery within half a year and generate Mingyu Force, then after passing Master’s assessment, you can become a true disciple.”
When speaking of true disciples, a trace of pride clearly appeared on Xue Ling’s face.
Being able to become Hall Master Liu’s true disciple had greatly elevated her status. Even members of prominent families did not dare treat her lightly.
Although Hall Master Liu’s strength was not among the very top in Qingzhou, he possessed a deeper level of identity.
Even the commander of the Demon Suppression Division in Qingzhou treated Hall Master Liu with courtesy.
Once one became a true disciple, it meant one was destined to achieve something in martial cultivation—at the very least reaching the upper tier of the Initial Realm.
In Qingzhou, such strength already qualified as that of an expert.
Li Yunqing nodded slightly, having some understanding of martial cultivation as well.
The Initial Realm was divided into three tiers: upper, middle, and lower.
Practicing techniques to strengthen qi and blood counted as entering the basics.
When qi and blood became full and circulated throughout the body, giving rise to force, that marked great mastery of the technique.
Using that force to temper the skin and flesh marked entry into the ranks of martial artists, also called lower-tier martial artists.
When the tempering of skin and flesh was complete, one began tempering the tendons and bones, becoming a middle-tier martial artist.
When tendons and bones were perfected, one tempered the internal organs, becoming an upper-tier martial artist.
Once skin, bones, and organs were all fully tempered and unified into a complete whole, that was the perfection of the Initial Realm.
At that level, one was already considered an expert in Qingzhou. Even gang leaders of the outer city or heads of small families might not possess such strength.
Once one broke through to the Qi Realm, internal force transformed into true qi, becoming a Qi Realm martial artist.
Qi Realm martial artists were major figures throughout Qingzhou City.
In particular, a single strand of true qi unleashed by a Qi Realm martial artist could turn even grass and wood into lethal weapons.
It was enough to split gold, shatter stone, pierce iron armor, and even when surrounded by a thousand-man martial formation, one could leave calmly—worthy of being called a match for a thousand.
The heads of the great families in the inner city and the masters of Martial Halls were almost all at this level.
Before long, the three arrived at a small courtyard in a corner of the Martial Hall.
“Wait outside,” Xue Ling said, taking out a key to unlock the study door before stepping inside.
Watching Xue Ling’s figure, Li Yunqing felt anticipation fill her heart.
A martial technique was about to fall into her hands—and it was even a ranked, low-grade technique.
From what she knew, the techniques of some small families were not even ranked. Even the Li Family’s techniques were the same.
From books, she had also learned that if a Martial Hall had ties to hidden sects, then these ranked techniques were merely tests.
Once one achieved results, one could access true inheritances.
If one’s talent was sufficient, one might even be recommended to those hidden sects.
“Creak!”
In just over ten breaths, the study door opened again.
“This is the Mingyu Fist manual.”
Xue Ling held a slightly yellowed book and handed it to Li Yunqing. “For the next few days, memorize the contents of the manual carefully. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me or consult Hall Master Liu.”
“Remember, the manual cannot be taken out of the Martial Hall. Before leaving each day, you must return it to me.”
“Once you’ve memorized it, you can come to me, and I’ll demonstrate the fist technique for you.”
Li Yunqing nodded slightly. “Thank you, Senior Sister Xue.”
As she spoke, she gently opened the manual. With her ability of photographic memory, combined with her mastery of Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, it would not take long.
However, Xiaolan beside her would likely need a few days, so she said nothing more.
The manual was not thick, only a little over ten pages. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, she had already committed all its contents to memory.
Closing her eyes slightly, the contents of the manual appeared in her mind like a scroll, each word crystal clear.
“Mingyu Fist takes its meaning from jade hidden within stone—upright and balanced, bearing all things, extracting their essence to refine oneself.”
“Strength, agility, speed, and lightness are not outstanding individually, but they are extremely well-balanced.”
After pondering the essence of the manual and trying to adjust her breathing using the recorded breathing method, Li Yunqing handed the manual to Xiaolan.
“Study well. This young lady is counting on you to protect me!”
Xiaolan received the manual with a solemn expression, as if taking on a heavy responsibility. “Miss, don’t worry. I will study well.”
Li Yunqing smiled and said nothing more. Before her eyes, the panel manifested.
“Name: Li Yunqing.”
“Lifespan: 15/∞”
“Skills: Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting (Mastery) Traits: Single-Minded Focus, Photographic Memory, Vigorous Spirit, Natural Spiritual Grace, Eight Tones Enter the Soul, Unparalleled Comprehension.”
“Mingyu Fist (Not Yet Initiated 0/10) Traits: None.”
Xue Ling, who had not yet left, twitched the corner of her mouth upon seeing this.
In such a short time, it was probably only enough to flip through the manual once.
No wonder Master had not paid much attention—this Li Family young lady truly was not here to learn martial arts.
But she did not interfere. Everyone had their own thoughts and fate; there was no need to force anything and invite unnecessary trouble.
“Tap, tap, tap…”
At that moment, the sound of footsteps approached from afar.
In the next instant, a figure appeared in the small courtyard.
The newcomer was eighteen or nineteen years old, with handsome features and gentle brows. Dressed in a black long robe, his figure appeared even more upright and vigorous.
Looking at Li Yunqing, a warm smile appeared on his face.
“Miss Yunqing, we meet again.”