Starting with photographic memory, I've worked my way up to become a martial arts immortal.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan's ears twitched, and he gave a wry smile: "Shopkeeper, that's not what I meant. I'm just worried about whether the apprenticeship fee is too high, and whether I can afford it with my limited funds."

After spending so much time together, Jiang Yuan had a pretty good grasp of the old man's personality. He was just like a child, and most of what he said was true.

"It probably isn't higher than the Kaishan Martial Arts School," the old man said, scratching his face. "I haven't inquired about it. If you're interested, you can go and take a look."

"Okay." Jiang Yuan nodded in response, "But the Feathered Gate you mentioned earlier..."

"Ah, did I say that?" The old man stared in surprise, shaking his head. "You're so young and your hearing is already failing."

"I did say that."

No, I don't think I said that.

Jiang Yuan felt helpless, knowing that the old man clearly didn't want to tell him.

"Their martial arts school owner is named Wei Xuan, and the school is located at..."

As he spoke, the old man found paper and pen and began to write furiously.

Although Jiang Yuan was curious, he couldn't just peek directly.

After a short while, the old man put down his pen, blew on the ink to dry it, stuffed what he had written into the envelope, and began to speak:

"I have some connections with the elders of that restaurant owner. If you take this letter over, they might be able to help you out."

Jiang Yuan was taken aback. He looked at the envelope in front of him, wanting to take it but not quite.

"What, you don't want it?" The old man twitched his beard.

"Of course I want to! I just don't understand why the shopkeeper is treating me like this..."

"Don't overthink it. I'm neither lusting after your body nor am I going to take you in as my godchild for no reason."

Jiang Yuan was immediately speechless.

"It's just that you're to my liking, so I did it on a whim. Of course, it might not even make a difference; it all depends on you."

Jiang Yuan gave the old man a deep look, respectfully accepted the envelope, and then bowed deeply: "Shopkeeper, you are a good person. I will definitely repay this kindness in the future."

"A good person?"

The old man sighed inwardly, "Foolish boy, where are there any truly good people in this world?"

······

Anningfang.

Jiang Yuan walked to the end of the long street and saw a three-courtyard house with high walls and black tiles.

Above the door hangs a plaque engraved with cloud patterns, inscribed with the words "White Crane".

After leaving the bookstore, he found a broker in the city and spent some copper coins to inquire about the White Crane Martial Arts School. He found that the information matched the old man's description, and only then did he decide to come.

A servant was sweeping the floor at the entrance of the martial arts school. When he saw Jiang Yuan approaching, his eyes lit up, and he bowed, asking, "Have you come to become my disciple?"

"Yes," Jiang Yuan quickly returned the greeting.

"Follow me." The servant put down his broom and skipped ahead to lead the way.

In the courtyard, many stone balls and stone locks were scattered on the ground.

There are several rows of weapon racks along the wall, with various knives, spears, clubs and other weapons neatly arranged inside.

"Ha! Ha!"

A powerful shout came crashing down, making one's ears hurt.

More than a dozen men were scattered in the courtyard, practicing their martial arts.

"Dong Erbao, I'm teaching you to practice explosive power, not to roll around like a dog! Remember the mantra 'Dog Technique Landing Lotus Cart'?"

In the center of the courtyard, a middle-aged man dressed in a white robe and with a long beard stood with his hands behind his back, frowning and scolding.

This person is Wei Xuan, the master of the White Crane Martial Arts School.

The servant walked over quickly, whispered a few words, and Wei Xuan nodded.

Jiang Yuan took two quick steps forward and bowed solemnly: "I have long admired Master Wei's great name, and have come here to become his disciple."

Wei Xuan narrowed his phoenix eyes, scrutinizing him carefully, and said in a gentle tone, "Your appearance is quite respectable. Where are you from?"

"I am Jiang Yuan, from Pingkangfang," Jiang Yuan said respectfully.

"What year is it?"

"I just turned eighteen last month."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Wei Xuan's eyes, but his tone remained flat: "You're getting old. What did you do for a living before?"

"I used to work as a laborer at the docks."

"coolie……"

"So you know, nine taels of silver can cover three months of martial arts training at the school, plus one tael for daily lunch. If you want to use the accompanying herbal medicine, you'll need an additional two taels per month. Is that alright?"

"No." Jiang Yuan shook his head.

Wei Xuan stood up, walked around him once, and said, "Take off your shirt, I'll check your physique."

Jiang Yuan did not hesitate and took off his shirt as instructed.

"Bear with it."

Wei Xuan raised his right arm, his sleeve slipped down to his forearm, revealing his slender, fair right hand.

"These hands are like jade."

Jiang Yuan's gaze was instantly drawn to it, but before he could think further, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his shoulder blade.

"hiss……"

He gasped, feeling as if he had been stabbed with a blunt object.

The pain then shifted to the wrist bones, spine, and ankle bones.

Jiang Yuan grimaced in pain, but didn't utter a sound.

"His physical constitution is average, but he's getting old, and a lot of his bones and fascia have died. He'll have to suffer a lot if he wants to practice boxing."

Wei Xuan finally turned to face him and stared into his eyes.

Jiang Yuan immediately replied, "This disciple is not afraid of hardship."

"Not bad." Wei Xuan seemed quite satisfied with the answer, and took the teacup brought by the servant without saying anything more.

Jiang Yuanfu was moved and took out the apprenticeship fee he had prepared long ago from his pocket.

"Master, this is your offering as a token of my respect."

Wei Xuan took the bag of silver and weighed it in his hand: "Then keep it. You must study hard for the next three months."

"This disciple will certainly work hard," Jiang Yuan said in a deep voice.

Wei Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then his expression suddenly turned serious. He said sternly, "Today I will accept you as a disciple. This martial arts school has several rules that you must memorize. Anyone who violates even one of them will be expelled from the school and never be employed again."

"The first rule is to respect teachers and value their teachings; one must not deceive one's teacher or betray one's ancestors."

"Secondly, what is learned in the martial arts school must not be passed on to others."

"The third rule is that brothers should be friendly and respectful to each other, and fellow disciples should not kill each other."

"There is also a fourth rule: when disciples are on duty outside the martial arts school, they must not use the school's name, lest they bring disaster upon the school."

Jiang Yuan carefully wrote it down and said loudly, "This disciple will always remember this and will never disobey it."

"Okay." Wei Xuan nodded slightly.

"Later, go with Xiao Chong who brought you in to the storeroom to get a training uniform. Have him show you around the courtyard. Come back early tomorrow, and I will personally teach you."

After Wei Xuan finished speaking, he prepared to turn around and go back into the house.

"Master..." Jiang Yuan called out, reaching into his robes to pull out an envelope.

"Is there anything else?" Wei Xuan asked, his gaze falling on the item in Jiang Yuan's hand. "Letter of introduction? Let me see it."

He took the envelope from Jiang Yuan, opened it, glanced at the letter, and said in a deep voice, "Come with me."

Seeing the two figures disappear into the house, the people in the courtyard stopped what they were doing and looked at each other.

"Oh, is this someone with connections who's come here?"

"Connections are useless. A distant relative of Master's came to the courtyard a while ago. He was lazy and good-for-nothing, and he was kicked out."

"Exactly, what kind of relationship could a laborer possibly have with his master?"

"Let's see how it goes; we might even make some acquaintances."

After discussing it for a while, they went back to practicing their skills.

Inside the room, Wei Xuan sat in a grand chair, with Jiang Yuanjiao's tuition fee placed on the table.

"Since you have a letter of recommendation, why didn't you bring it out sooner?" Wei Xuan asked scrutinizingly.

"I'm afraid Master will look down on me, so I want to try on my own. I plan to only bring it up again if it fails," Jiang Yuan said, bowing his head.

"That's honest enough."

Wei Xuan pondered for a moment, then pushed the silver on the table away:

"Take the money back. The apprenticeship agreement is null and void."