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

In the early years of the Xin Dynasty, Shanghai had a population of approximately three to four million. However, there were no more than ten thousand telephones. Due to the high costs of installation and maintenance, only wealthy households, businesses, or government agencies had them.

Chen Che, still wrapped in his pajamas, jogged to the living room and saw that the gym door was open, so Chen San must already be practicing.

He picked up the phone: "Feed?"

"Mr. Chen, a Mr. Sun from Tianjin is calling. Would you like me to transfer you?" the operator on the other end of the phone asked politely.

"Quickly take it." It must be Sun Congzhou from Tianjin.

"Master!" Chen Che exclaimed happily, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement.

A familiar deep voice came from the other end of the phone: "Che'er, how have you been?"

Chen Che nodded vigorously, as if Sun Congzhou could see him through the phone: "Everything is fine. How about Master? When can I see you again?"

Chen Che recounted his experiences in Shanghai over the past two days to Sun Congzhou. Of course, he intentionally omitted the details about the Green Gang and Su Yanqing.

"Che'er, listen to me." After exchanging pleasantries, Sun Congzhou's voice became serious. "The Central Martial Arts Academy has some trivial matters to attend to recently, and Master is temporarily unable to leave."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I spoke with Master Ren, and he said you have great talent, but you progressed too quickly in the early stages and your basic skills are not solid enough."

"I suggest you spend a few months mastering the basics, especially practicing the double stick techniques that Master Ren specially created for you. You should know that he is known as the 'Weapon Master' at the Central Martial Arts Academy, and his knowledge of various martial arts techniques far surpasses that of your teacher. Your diligent practice will greatly benefit your future martial arts path."

Sun Congzhou's suggestion coincided with Chen San's statement, and Chen Che repeatedly agreed. After Sun Congzhou finished giving his instructions, he asked, "Regarding the 'true form' of that water monkey last time, did Master notice anything unusual?"

Sun Congzhou paused for a moment, then said, "There are indeed some unusual things." He paused again, then continued, "However, we can't draw conclusions yet. The reason I'm staying in Tianjin is precisely because of this."

"Che'er," Sun Congzhou's voice was full of good intentions, "You come from a good family and have high talent. You should be able to go further than your master on the path of martial arts. Remember, never be impatient. Take it one step at a time. Once you have mastered the staff technique, then go to Master Ren. I have already told him everything."

"Thank you, Master. I understand," Chen Che replied.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Che picked up the cordyceps and ginseng soup that was delivered to him every morning, tilted his head back, and gulped it down. A familiar warm current seeped into his stomach, flowing straight to his limbs and bones. The fatigue from practicing for several hours straight last night seemed to have subsided considerably.

"Third Brother, let's do it again!" Chen Che shouted as he walked into the gym.

In the gym, Chen San was squatting, holding a 20-kilogram dumbbell in each hand and carrying a weightlifting bar with 200-kilogram weight plates on his shoulder.

He had been squatting for an unknown amount of time; his arms and legs were trembling slightly. He said to Chen Che, "Young Master, this foreign thing is really something. Squatting like this for fifteen minutes is more tiring than squatting for an hour normally."

Upon hearing Chen San's words, Chen Che's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had thought of something: "Third Brother, do you have any quick-learning low-level stance training methods or external martial arts techniques that you can teach me?"

Chen San trembled violently, as if he were nearing his limit. Yet, he gritted his teeth and persisted, "Yes. They're all introductory techniques from various martial arts schools. What does Young Master wish to learn them for?"

"It's nothing, there's no harm in learning. Don't worry, Third Brother, it won't affect my practice of basic weapon skills." Chen Che leaned against the weightlifting rack, a mischievous grin on his face, wanting to see how long Chen San could last.

Five minutes later, Chen San finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed, the weightlifting bar slamming heavily onto the safety bar with a loud "thud!"

Chen Che helped Chen San up: "Third Brother, are you alright?"

"No problem." Chen San was panting, his face covered in large beads of sweat. "Let's go, onto the ring, and continue practicing our stick swings."

This practice session differed from last night's in two major ways. First, Chen San taught Chen Che a very basic stance from the Miscellaneous School, called the "Bow and Arrow Stance," with the left leg bent and the right leg extended. Apart from the toes being turned inward, it was no different from the bow stance required for practicing the "Nameless Staff Technique."

Then, Chen San taught Chen Che a rudimentary leg technique called the "Springing Leg." The practice method involves squatting with one leg like a squatting post, keeping the upper body still, and then kicking forward with the other leg like a slingshot.

Standing in the center of the arena, Chen Che first took a lunge stance, with his feet turned inward to form a "bow and arrow stake" position. Then, he swung his tactical staff in the air according to the four movements of the "Nameless Staff Technique": thrust, chop, sweep, and flick. Finally, he kicked out a "Tan Leg" as he retracted the staff.

Therefore, in terms of results, Chen Che is now practicing two sets of exercises and one set of stance training simultaneously.

Chen San wasn't idle either. He squatted down next to Chen Che, his movements almost identical. The only difference was that he was holding a short blade.

When someone is next to you, even the closest friend, you can't help but feel the urge to compete.

Neither of them was willing to admit defeat, and their moves were both standard and powerful.

Sweating profusely, two small puddles soon appeared on the ground where the two were standing.

Time passed by, and soon an hour had gone by.

Chen Che's stomach rumbled, and he realized he hadn't eaten breakfast yet.

Chen Che's stomach growled, and Chen San's stomach also rumbled. The two looked at each other and burst out laughing at the same time.

"Let's eat first." Chen Che put away his stance and jumped off the stage. You see, martial arts training is ultimately a drain on the body. If you don't have anything to fill your stomach, it might actually damage your internal organs, which would be a losing proposition.

Chen Che shook his slightly sore arms. He truly understood the weight of the words "basic skills". Not only did he feel more comfortable swinging the [Nameless Staff Technique] in the air, but he also felt that the movements of the [Archery Posture] and [Tan Leg] that he practiced together had formed physical memory.

"Hehe." Only Chen Che knew what he was thinking. "I have the talent of [interdisciplinary learning], which allows me to convert max-level stance training and martial arts techniques into free attribute points. The more martial arts techniques that are easy to max out, the more free attribute points I can get."

In the living room, the medicinal meals that Uncle Qian arranged for Chen Che and Chen San every day were already laid out:

Deer tendon jelly with wolfberry sprouts: Deer tendon from sika deer paired with Ningxia wolfberries, strengthens bones and muscles and nourishes joints;

Tiger Bone Stewed with Mountain Turtle Skirt: Tiger bone is combined with Clematis chinensis and Clematis armandii to unblock meridians and repair hidden injuries;

Astragalus and Red Date Stewed Partridge: Astragalus, Ruoqiang red dates, fresh partridge, and ginger replenish lost vital energy and enhance physical strength;

Steamed Deer Blood Cake with Placenta: Deer blood and placenta are ground into powder and mixed with egg white. It is used to replenish deficiencies and nourish essence and blood.

Stir-fried Pork Tenderloin with Dipsacus and Eucommia: Pork tenderloin, Dipsacus, Eucommia, and walnut kernels. This dish strengthens the waist and kidneys, and promotes bone healing and strengthening.

Five Treasures Rice with Beef Tendon: Beef tendon, sea cucumber, abalone, scallops, and Jinhua ham are stewed together with glutinous rice. It nourishes yin and yang and replenishes energy.

Stewed Oxtail with Polygonum multiflorum and Black Beans: Polygonum multiflorum, black beans, and oxtail with skin: It can darken hair, strengthen bones, nourish marrow and replenish essence, and consolidate the foundation and cultivate vitality.

After finishing the meal, there were also protein powder, vitamins, and seal oil tablets prepared according to a Western recipe.

This meal would cost at least twenty taels of silver, which is equivalent to two or three months' wages for an average family.