Breaking Limits in Martial Arts: Grinding Your Way to Becoming a Martial Saint in a Chaotic Era

Zhao Family Martial Arts School is a large courtyard with two sections.

The outer courtyard was inhabited by ordinary disciples, whose highest cultivation level was no more than Ming Jin. At night, there were snoring, teeth grinding, sleep talking... it was noisy and chaotic.

The inner courtyard was much quieter. Besides Ning Yun, three other disciples with internal strength resided there. However, the three of them didn't return often, only occasionally showing themselves at night.

Peng Yue came back to stay last night.

He was awakened by the birdsong. His master kept several cages of thrushes, which would chirp and chatter merrily at this time of day.

Peng Yue sat up abruptly, his head throbbing, his mouth dry, and his throat feeling like it was stuffed with cotton. He had been drinking until midnight last night, and he couldn't remember how much he had drunk. He only remembered that when he came back, his junior brother, who had been practicing his boxing so hard in the courtyard, was nowhere to be seen.

He got out of bed, scooped up a ladle of cold water and poured it down his throat, then washed his face before he felt a little more awake.

After quickly tidying up, I hurried out to greet my master. It wouldn't look good to keep him waiting after a late night from a hangover.

"Master." Peng Yue greeted him with a smile, the bow perfectly angled. But when he looked up, he saw that his master's expression was not good.

Zhao Yan didn't look at Peng Yue, his gaze fixed on the thrushes under the corridor. His voice was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger: "Peng Yue, the people in the outer courtyard are all your junior brothers and sisters. As a senior brother, you should care for your junior brothers and sisters. Don't say anything that would be detrimental to unity in the future."

Peng Yue shrank back slightly, and the smile on his face froze for a moment.

He didn't dare to talk back or argue. He knew what his master was referring to. It was the matter he had mentioned about Xu Qing's aptitude some time ago. He knew that these words would eventually reach his master's ears. The martial arts school was only so big; secrets don't stay hidden forever.

He just didn't expect that his master would specifically reprimand him to his face.

He was actually resentful.

Peng Yue possessed genuine internal strength (暗劲), having endured two years of hardship and toil at the martial arts school, his palms covered in layers of calluses. Only after breaking through to the internal strength level did his master grant him the privilege of medicinal soup. Xu Qing, on the other hand, was just a lower-middle-class student from the outer courtyard, not even at the external strength level. Why should he be given meat and medicine from the moment he entered? Why?

Besides, he felt he was telling the truth. If someone's natural talent isn't good enough, why can't they say so?

But he dared not say these words. His master's expression was clear; to say anything more would be asking for a beating. Zhao Yan rarely lost his temper, but once he did, the entire martial arts school would fall silent.

"Disciple knows he was wrong." Peng Yue bowed deeply, his face filled with a sincere expression of remorse. "Disciple will definitely be more careful in his words and deeds in the future and set an example for his junior brothers and sisters."

Zhao Yan glanced at him and waved his hand: "Go do your thing."

Peng Yue straightened up, bent over, took two steps back, and then turned to walk out.

As soon as they stepped out of the inner courtyard, they saw Chen Wang bringing Xu Qing over.

"Senior Brother Peng." Chen Wang hurriedly greeted him, bowing nimbly. Xu Qing followed behind, imitating him, and called out "Senior Brother Peng."

Peng Yue smiled at the two of them, a faint smile as thin as frost. He didn't say anything, and started walking towards the courtyard gate. But after taking two steps, he couldn't help but look back.

The junior brother named Xu Qing, dressed in a light blue outfit, was following Chen Wang inside. His back was ramrod straight, and his steps were steady and firm.

Peng Yue's gaze lingered on Xu Qing for a moment before returning to its original position.

He turned around and strode out of the martial arts gym. His steps were hurried and heavy, as if he wanted to crush something.

Xu Qing followed Chen Wang through the moon gate.

It was his first time entering the inner courtyard, and he couldn't help but take a few more glances.

The inner courtyard was much quieter than the outer courtyard. The ground was paved with blue bricks, and fine moss grew in the cracks, making it soft to walk on.

Several clumps of bamboo grew in the corner of the wall, their leaves emerald green, rustling softly in the wind.

Next to the bamboo was a martial arts training ground. The plum blossom stakes and wooden dummy stakes were similar to those in the outer courtyard, but no one was practicing martial arts there.

On the north side, there is a small pavilion with upturned eaves. Under the pavilion, there is a stone table, a grand chair, and several stone stools. On the table is a tea set, and the spout of the white porcelain teapot is still emitting wisps of white steam.

Several cages of thrushes hung under the eaves, chirping softly and melodiously, adding a touch of life to the scene.

Compared to the School of Foreign Languages, this place feels like another world.

There was no muffled thud from the wooden dummy, no thud from the stone weights hitting the ground, no shouts from the fellow apprentices, only the sounds of the wind, bamboo, and birds.

Zhao Yan sat in the pavilion, with a young man standing beside him.

The man was dressed in a moon-white long robe, with a handsome face, gentle eyes and brows, and a faint smile on his lips. His posture was different from ordinary people; his body was slightly tilted to the left.

Xu Qing had heard Chen Wang talk about the inner courtyard, and at a glance, he recognized this person—Senior Brother Ning Yun, a genius with excellent physique and high comprehension, who entered the Dark Force realm in less than half a year. Later, when he participated in the martial arts training, his Achilles tendon was broken, and he could no longer practice advanced kung fu.

He didn't look at it much, kept his head down, and stood with Chen Wang beside the pavilion.

"Master, Junior Brother Xu has arrived. I'll head back to the outer courtyard now." Chen Wang chuckled, and seeing Zhao Yan wave his hand, he bowed and left.

Zhao Yan didn't speak. He looked Xu Qing up and down. His gaze wasn't as sharp as before; it was gentler, like an old man looking at his junior.

"Master." Xu Qing bowed his head and stepped forward to give a respectful salute.

This was the third time he had seen Zhao Yan.

The first time was when I became an apprentice. At that time, my master said that his aptitude was below average, and his tone was flat, without any emotion.

The second time was when he returned from his vacation and killed Liu San. His master was teaching stance training, and when his gaze swept over him, he felt as if he were being stared at by a tiger, as if it could see right through him from head to toe. His heart pounded like a drum, and his palms were sweaty. That one glance felt like an eternity.

This is the third time.

This time, he didn't feel any pressure. This was related to his breakthrough to the Ming Jin realm, and also because Zhao Yan's gaze had indeed softened.

"You've mastered the Ming Jin skill in twenty days, that's quite good." Zhao Yan nodded, his voice neither hurried nor slow. "I've seen your progress. Although your aptitude is below average, you have comprehension and are willing to put in the effort, and that's enough."

He paused, then said, "You've broken through to the Ming Jin level and are qualified to participate in next year's martial arts exam, but with your current foundation, it's pointless to take the exam; you'll just be a stepping stone for others."

"I called you here today to discuss something else. You've qualified for a temporary post. A temporary post will provide some income each month and broaden your horizons."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing slightly raised his eyelids.

He was worried about his income. He had spent almost all his money, and only a little over one tael of loose silver remained.

The meat and medicinal soups provided by the martial arts school were no longer sufficient to meet his training needs. Now that he had broken through to the Ming Jin level, his demand for meat and medicinal soups would only increase. This, of course, would require even more money.

The martial arts school provided him with meat and medicinal soup just three days after he started training. He was grateful and dared not ask for more. Now, his master has offered him a temporary position, which is another helping hand to him.

"What are your thoughts? Tell me. Would you be willing to go out and take up a temporary post?" Zhao Yan asked again.

"This disciple is willing!" Xu Qing bowed, his voice filled with earnest gratitude. "I just don't know where this disciple should take up the post, or how to do so?"

Zhao Yan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "Escort agencies, gambling dens, fish markets, grain shops, docks, government offices... all these places are willing to give me some face. The stipends for temporary posts are all about the same. If you prefer any particular place, I'll write a letter, and you can take it there."

Xu Qing didn't rush to answer. He lowered his head and began to carefully consider things in his mind.

Escort agencies travel all over the country, gaining experience and exposure to the world, but a trip can last for ten days to half a month. This interferes with martial arts training and leaves little time for family. Gambling dens, fish markets, grain shops, and docks are teeming with all sorts of people, dominated by gangs and wealthy families; getting involved with them can easily lead to trouble.

yamen......

Xu Qing's heart skipped a beat.

By holding a nominal post in the government office, he gained a quasi-official status. He wasn't a real official, but with a badge hanging from his waist, everyone looked at him with respect. With this identity, he could legitimately manage those gangsters and thugs.

He had never worked as a policeman, but he was very familiar with the methods of doing so.

Disturbing the peace, resisting arrest, obstructing officials, assaulting officials... there are countless pretexts for dealing with hooligans and thugs. Even murder has a respectable reason, no longer requiring clandestine actions.

If the people from Qingjiao Hall dare to cause trouble at Xiaogu's steamed bun shop again, he can take direct action without hesitation or pretense.

Moreover—the government offices are well-informed and know many things that are unknown to the outside world. He needs these things.

"Master," Xu Qing raised his head, his gaze steady, "this disciple wishes to take a temporary post in the government office."

Zhao Yan glanced at him, nodded, and without asking why, got up and went into the study.

Xu Qing stood outside the pavilion waiting. His gaze involuntarily fell on Ning Yun.

Ning Yun smiled gently at him, a smile like the winter sun—not scorching, but warm. Xu Qing bowed respectfully, and Ning Yun smiled and nodded. Neither of them spoke.

Zhao Yan came out of the study with a letter in his hand.

"This is a letter for Constable Qi at the yamen. Take it to him tomorrow, and he'll make arrangements for you." Zhao Yan handed over the letter, his tone indifferent. "The yamen is not like a martial arts school; there are many rules, and people are complicated. When you get there, speak less and do more. If there's anything you can't handle, come back and tell me."

Xu Qing accepted the letter with both hands and bowed respectfully. This bow was deeper than before; he bent over deeply and it took him a long time to straighten up: "Thank you, Master."

Zhao Yan waved his hand: "Go ahead."

Xu Qing carefully tucked the letter into his body and turned to leave. His pace was neither fast nor slow, and as he reached the moon gate, Ning Yun's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Junior Brother Xu."

Xu Qing stopped and turned around.

Ning Yun stood in the pavilion, the sunlight casting a long shadow on him. His slightly lame left leg cast a crooked shadow on the ground.

"Do a good job." Ning Yun smiled, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze, as if speaking to his younger brother. "Don't let Master down."

Xu Qing nodded and smiled sincerely, "I know, thank you, Senior Brother Ning."

He turned and left the inner courtyard, his steps lighter than when he came.

Back in the outer courtyard, he put the letter away and strode towards the training ground.

You must stand in the stance and practice your fists; you can't miss a single day.

The temporary assignment is for tomorrow; today is the time to work hard.