A Martial Saint Among Men: From Joining a Martial Arts School

15. Blood-nourishing pills

Chu Xuan glanced at his own panel.

[Energy Value: 93/100]

[Introduction to Yin-Yang Stance (981/1000)]

[Bajiquan Introduction (571/1000)]

He considered it in his mind.

There are less than two weeks left until the deadline.

For him, mastering the Two Elements Stance to perfection was not difficult.

The most difficult thing now is actually increasing the essence value.

As the game progressed, I don't know if it was because his energy consumption increased or what, but the increase in his essence value became slower than before.

Chu Xuan jumped off the wooden stake and, without any ceremony, grabbed a piece of baked flatbread and ate it in large bites, while answering Ren Yan, "Do you know where those who left the martial arts school went?"

"Where did you go?" Ren Yan asked.

Chu Xuan looked at the young men who were training hard in the distance and said, "If they fail to pass the test, their path as martial artists will be over. They will either have to join a gang, become bodyguards for wealthy families, or work as bodyguards for a security escort agency."

"Isn't this good too?" Ren Yan asked, puzzled.

"Is that good?" Chu Xuan said indifferently, "You should have heard how brutal the gang battles are in the outer city. People die every day! Joining a gang means you might get hacked to death one day, and your family might be implicated!"

"As for bodyguards and镖师 (bodyguards/escorts), the former sell themselves into servitude, while the latter risk their lives. That's how my father disappeared..."

Ren Yan remained silent, suddenly feeling that the baked bun in his mouth no longer tasted so good.

Chu Xuan continued, "You live in the inner city and have never had to worry about food or clothing since you were a child. Even if you don't become a martial artist, you can still go home and inherit the family business. You can't understand the hardships of people at the bottom!"

"My time is running out. If I can't become a martial artist, I'll have to sell myself into servitude as a bodyguard or a镖师 (bodyguard/escort). I might even die outside the city one day, and my body won't even be found!"

After saying that, Chu Xuan finished burning the fire in a few bites and continued practicing his standing meditation.

in the afternoon.

Ren Yan ran to Chu Xuan again: "Brother Xuan, someone outside is looking for you."

"Looking for me?"

Chu Xuan jumped off the wooden stake and walked out of the martial arts hall with some confusion. When he saw who it was, he couldn't help but show a surprised expression: "Auntie, what brings you here?"

The person who arrived was none other than Chu Xuan's aunt, Zeng Hong!

"I was just delivering goods to the inner city today, and I thought I'd drop by to see you, my dear nephew." Zeng Hong smiled and nodded at Chu Xuan. "You're doing well; you've grown taller and stronger than before. Thankfully, your face hasn't gotten ugly. I was worried that if you started practicing martial arts, you'd end up looking like your uncle."

Chu Xuan was speechless.

"Alright, alright!" Zeng Hong waved her hand and handed a porcelain bottle to Chu Xuan. "I know you're short on time, so I won't keep you any longer. Here, take this."

"Auntie, what's this...?"

Chu Xuan was somewhat surprised; there was actually a pill inside.

"I think it's called something like 'Blood-Replenishing Pill.' I heard from Seventh Young Mistress that it helps with martial arts training, so I bought you one," Zeng Hong said with a smile. "Even your aunt can only afford one, so don't think it's too little!"

"Blood-replenishing pills?"

Chu Xuan was greatly surprised.

He had heard of this stuff before. It was a great thing for increasing blood and qi, much more effective than the blood-nourishing soup distributed by the martial arts school.

The only downside is that it's expensive, costing seven or eight taels of silver per piece.

This is for martial artists with the Ming Jin (明劲) skill.

Only the young masters and ladies of the inner city, as well as the senior brothers of the inner academy, are willing to use it.

"Auntie, this is too precious. I can't accept it!" Chu Xuan quickly refused and was about to return the porcelain vase to Zeng Hong.

My aunt's family was well-off, but only compared to ordinary people in the outer city. Seven or eight taels of silver was roughly half a year's income for them.

"What are you doing? Why are you being so polite with your aunt?!" Zeng Hong glared at her, annoyed. "Besides, even if you give it back to me, what use is it to me? Do you expect me to return it to her?"

Medicine is different from other things. Once you buy it, you can't return it! Because nobody knows if you've tampered with it.

After a moment of silence, Chu Xuan asked, "Does your uncle know about this?"

"Know!"

Hu Dazhi's voice suddenly rang out from behind Chu Xuan, almost startling him.

At this moment, Hu Dazhi was still carrying several kilograms of pork offal and wearing a meat-cutting apron. Clearly, he had just come from the pork stall.

He smiled憨厚ly at Chu Xuan and said, "Xiao Xuan, your aunt bought this for you, so just accept it. Don't let your aunt's good intentions go to waste. Take this too, and have the kitchen cook it for you to nourish your body."

Zeng Hong looked at Chu Xuan and chuckled, "Nephew, are you relieved now?"

"Okay! I'll accept it! Thank you, Auntie, thank you, Uncle." Chu Xuan said solemnly.

"Alright, alright! We're family, no need for all this thanks. I'm leaving!"

Zeng Hong waved her hand, then pulled Hu Dazhi away.

……

night.

Chu Xuan dragged his exhausted body home.

"Brother, you're back!"

When the little maid Chu He saw Chu Xuan, she immediately jumped out to greet him, and then brought out a pot of stewed chicken soup from the woodshed like a treasure.

"Brother, are you hungry? Eat up! Mother spent all afternoon stewing this." The little girl pinched her earlobe, burning her ears, and urged him on.

They all knew that Chu Xuan was at a crucial moment and needed to replenish his energy.

"Mother, you and Xiaohe should eat together too," Chu Xuan said.

Zeng Ke smiled and said, "You eat, Xiao He and I have already eaten."

Chu He nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, brother. Mom and I have already eaten."

This is the only hen in the family. Chu Xuan bought it to lay eggs so that Chu He could get better health.

The chickens in the basin are whole, so what can they eat?

Chu Xuan didn't expose their clumsy lies, nor did he try to persuade them further. He silently grabbed a chicken and began to eat it heartily, as if trying to absorb every last bit of energy into his body.

"The eldest daughter's..."

Just as Chu Xuan finished the whole chicken, chewing up all the bones and swallowing them, an old voice sounded from outside the door.

Soon, Old Master Chu appeared at the door, carrying a pipe.

"Father, what brings you here?"

Zeng Ke saw the person who came and asked with some curiosity.

Since their unpleasant dinner last time, the two sides have not been in contact.

"Grandpa..." x2!

Chu Xuan and Chu He also stood up to greet them.

"Oh, Xuan'er is back too?"

Old Chu responded and sat down on the stool Zeng Ke had brought over. "You're here just in time. This matter is also related to you."

"It has something to do with me?" Chu Xuan asked in surprise.

Old Master Chu didn't keep them in suspense and said directly, "Ming'er is at a crucial moment in his journey and urgently needs to replenish his qi and blood. I heard that there are blood-replenishing pills for sale in the inner city."

Chu Xuan nodded and said, "Blood-replenishing pills, I know, they do exist! But they cost seven or eight taels of silver each!"

Upon hearing this, Zeng Ke immediately understood Old Master Chu's purpose. Her face darkened as she said, "Father, you know our family's situation! Xuan'er was able to learn martial arts thanks to the Bai family's support. Where would we get the money to help Chu Ming buy some blood-tonifying pills?"

"I know!"

Old Chu frowned and said, "Didn't we not ask you for money?"

"Then why did you come here...?" Zeng Ke looked at Chu Laoguo with some suspicion.

Old Master Chu said, "The blood-nourishing pills are too expensive, we can't afford them! I was thinking, Xuan'er is learning martial arts at the martial arts school, and the school gives out a bowl of blood-nourishing soup every day, right?"

"Xuan'er shouldn't drink it anymore. Bring it back for Ming'er to replenish his energy and blood..."