A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

"That's a perfect solution," Sun Congzhou said with a smile, looking Chen Che up and down. "But, nephew, are you willing to agree to three rules?"

Sun Congzhou is the apprentice of "Sword Immortal" Li Jinglin. For Chen Che, this is an opportunity that fell from the sky, and he cannot miss it no matter what.

"I'd agree to thirty, let alone three," Chen Che said with a smile.

Sun Congzhou continued, "Firstly, those who practice martial arts should put their words into action. Our master forbade us to be close to women and to places of debauchery and pleasure, which I cannot do."

"Secondly, I am breaking through to the 'Pulse Forging' realm. Every day from midnight to dawn, I must practice my internal energy alone, and no one else is allowed to enter or leave my room."

"Thirdly, I can protect your safety, but if you bully others..." Sun Congzhou's expression turned serious. He looked at Chen Qichuan apologetically and said, "Then not only can I not help you, I might also have to protect others."

The situation was a little awkward, so Chen Qichuan quickly smoothed things over by saying, "Of course, of course, it is my son's good fortune to have Brother Zhou looking after him."

After saying that, he chatted casually with Sun Congzhou about old times. Chen Che, knowing the situation, bowed deeply to Sun Congzhou and withdrew.

In the following days, Chen Che was cautious in his words and actions. He never went out and did not treat Sun Congzhou as a bodyguard at all. He paid his respects to him morning and evening, served him delicious food and tonics on time every day, and had massages from the Xingrentang master. All of this was to help Sun Congzhou break through his cultivation level.

This is almost on par with the way Cao Cao treated Guan Yu.

Nearly a month later, Chen Che served Sun Congzhou with lavish meals and clothes while trying to find ways to help himself continue to improve his skills.

The various attributes slowly improved a bit more, but the speed stopped increasing after reaching 2.0, and the text "[Speed: 2.0]" on the panel turned gray.

Name: Chen Che

【Life: 1.4】

【Strength: 1.9】

Speed: 2.0 (Gray)

【Spirit: 1.5】

April 11th.

The Chen family mansion was extremely large, facing south, with an imposing presence, and its layout subtly conformed to the principles of feng shui.

The south side is the front courtyard, with a row of towering blue brick walls facing the street, including the main gate and side gates; the east side is where the study, accounting room and private reception room are located; the west side is the living quarters and dining room of the inner family, the courtyard is slightly smaller, but more exquisite; the north side is the main hall and the rear hall, the courtyard is planted only with pine and cypress trees, there is a Taihu stone rockery and an exquisitely carved octagonal pavilion.

Sun Congzhou was the only one in the courtyard, sitting in the pavilion with his eyes closed, resting.

Chen Che cautiously walked to Sun Congzhou's side.

Sun Congzhou smiled at him: "Nephew, what brings you to the courtyard?"

The accompanying maid, Xiyu, brewed a pot of fine West Lake Longjing tea for the two of them and then tactfully withdrew.

"Uncle Sun," Chen Che said, his voice tinged with unease after nearly a month of preparation, now that everything hinged on this moment. "I have something I'd like to ask of you."

Sun Congzhou smiled slightly upon hearing this. For the past month, the Chen family had treated him as an honored guest, and he knew in his heart that this day would soon arrive.

"What is it, my dear nephew?"

"I want to learn martial arts from you."

"..." Sun Congzhou didn't seem particularly surprised.

Since adding attribute points, Chen Che's skeletal structure seems to have been reforged and sculpted by an invisible craftsman, both upright and straight. His muscles are firm, and his skin has an ivory-like sheen. His eyes, which were once always sleepy, are now as clear and deep as black mercury.

Chen Che's aptitude had long been evident to Sun Congzhou.

"Come with me." Sun Congzhou finished his Longjing tea in one gulp and stood up.

The two went to the back room.

In the southeast corner of the back hall, there was another side courtyard, separated from the inner courtyard by an elm wood door covered with iron. This was the living quarters for the servants and guards. Although it was not as exquisitely decorated as the main courtyard, it was still neat and tidy.

Passing through a moon gate, one arrives at the territory of the martial arts guards. The room is filled with the stale smell of sweat and herbs that has seeped into the wooden floor and rammed earth walls. Three or five shirtless guards are practicing their martial arts, exhaling and shouting "Hey!" "Ha!" as they seep into the room. Upon seeing Chen Che, they all greet him, "Young Master."

Chen Che smiled and waved, and everyone withdrew.

"Nephew, do you usually practice martial arts to strengthen your body? Tell me the truth so I can make the right judgment," Sun Congzhou said.

"It's just lifting stones to improve physical fitness and running to train the legs; it hasn't even entered the realm of martial arts yet."

"Try punching this sandbag with all your might," Sun Congzhou said, pointing to a sandbag hanging on the beam.

Chen Che simply stretched his limbs, then used all his strength, without any fancy moves, and instinctively punched the sandbag.

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, the sandbag, weighing over a hundred pounds, dented and swung off its hook, hurtling straight toward the roof beam.

"About 120 jin of strength." This was even better than Sun Congzhou had expected. His expression changed slightly, and he said, "Twice the strength of a strong man."

Next, Sun Congzhou tested Chen Che's speed and endurance (vitality).

His conclusion was: "His physique is exceptionally refined, and his aptitude is extremely high. However, it's a bit late for him to start learning martial arts now; his meridians have already fully developed."

Chen Che concluded that the speed of 2.0 is about twice the average, and the vitality of 1.4 is 1.4 times the average.

"Nephew, you shall practice your skills here from now on."

Sun Congzhou looked around and said, "Have someone clean it up later and replace the stone locks with heavier ones."

Chen Che nodded, and then heard Sun Congzhou say, "Becoming my disciple means becoming a member of the Central Martial Arts Academy. From now on, you must not only be careful in your words and actions, but also respect your teacher and the Way."

"We can discuss the formal apprenticeship ceremony later. Right now, I'll teach you a set of 'Meridian Stance' techniques. Come on, get into stance!"

Before Chen Che could react, he felt Sun Congzhou grab him by the collar, carrying his weight of over 140 pounds, and easily leap onto the plum blossom stake, which was taller than a person, in the center of the room.

"The human body has a natural 'meridian'." Sun Congzhou grabbed Chen Che's hand and placed it on his back.

Through his thin shirt, a straight, knife-carved shadow was visible along the center seam of his back. This shadow stretched from his coccyx to his occipital bone.

Sun Congzhou bent low and sat in a half-squat, his feet neither too far apart nor too far apart, his toes pointing inwards and landing precisely on either side of the meridian; his arms were loosely wrapped around his body, as if he were holding an invisible full moon.

The texture of his clothes undulated slightly with a profound rhythm, as if an undercurrent was flowing beneath his skin.

"Standing exercises should normally begin on flat ground, but since you have exceptional talent, let's start on these plum blossom stakes."

Chen Che quickly imitated Sun Congzhou's posture, searching for his own meridian, and embracing the moon with an open heart.

Before half an incense stick's time had passed, cold sweat began to trickle down his temples.

The soreness first emanated from the gaps in the ankle bones, like countless tiny needles pricking upwards along the tendons. The knees were even more uncontrollable, trembling like leaves, with cracking sounds coming from the joints. The muscles on the upper thighs twitched and spasmed, the soreness reaching its peak.

Chen Che only relaxed his stance when he was about to fall off the plum blossom stakes.

Only about a minute had passed.

At this moment, Sun Congzhou stood behind Chen Che, pinched his neck bone with one hand, and then pinched from his shoulder blade, spine, all the way down to his thigh bone.

Upon touching him, Chen Che felt a scorching and powerful current of energy emanating from Sun Congzhou's palm, flowing down his spine and through his body.

Where the airflow passed, the soreness, numbness, swelling, and pain were greatly relieved.

This is better than the massage skills of the master masseur at Xingrentang, who has been practicing for decades, Chen Che thought to himself.