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

Chen Wang put down the bowl of water, turned around and ran towards the inner courtyard, almost tripping over the threshold.

"Master...Master!" He rushed into the inner courtyard, his voice trembling, "Junior Brother Xu, you've mastered the Three Talents Stance!"

Zhao Yan was sitting upright in his armchair drinking tea. Hearing this, he didn't even lift his eyelids and said indifferently, "So what if you stop? What's so surprising about starting the Three Talents Stance?"

He didn't even consider Chen Wang's words to refer to Xu Qing. He simply assumed that one of the outer disciples had made progress in his stance training, and Chen Wang had come to report the good news.

Chen Wang swallowed hard, secretly praising his master: "Master's self-control is truly remarkable. He didn't even lift his eyelids when he heard that the new junior brother had mastered the basics of stance training in less than an incense stick's time."

That's true, what hasn't Master seen?

He took a breath and said, "I've only been teaching Junior Brother Xu stance training for half an incense stick's time, and he's already mastered it. Master, is he of below-average talent?"

"Who did you say?! Xu Qing, the one who just arrived?!" Zhao Yan's hand holding the teacup suddenly stopped, and his bright eyes snapped open, like a dozing tiger suddenly awakened.

"Yes, Master, it's Junior Brother Xu Qing." Chen Wang shuddered under that gaze, his words faltering. "Master, didn't you ask me to teach him stance training? I demonstrated it to him, explained the key points, and had him practice on his own. And in just half an incense stick's time, he... he'd already mastered it..."

Zhao Yan stared at him for a long time, his lips seemed to twitch, whether he wanted to laugh or found it unbelievable, but he quickly returned to normal, picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if nothing had happened.

"Okay, I understand," he said casually.

Chen Wang scratched his head, standing there completely bewildered.

Just now, Master looked like he'd been struck by lightning, but how come he's acting like nothing happened in the blink of an eye?

"Master...Master, is Junior Brother Xu really of average or below-average talent?" He couldn't help but ask again.

This time, Zhao Yan simply gave a faint "hmm".

He was convinced that his bone reading was absolutely correct.

But if what Chen Wang said is true, that Xu Qing mastered the stance training in just half an incense stick's time, then there is only one explanation: this child has exceptional comprehension.

Seeing that Chen Wang still looked confused, Zhao Yan said softly, "He has below-average talent, there's no mistake about that."

He then changed the subject, saying, "However, innate talent is just a gift from heaven. Some people have golden bowls, while others have rough porcelain bowls."

He paused, his gaze becoming more profound, as if speaking to himself, or perhaps to the apprentice before him: "But in this world, there are countless people who starve to death while holding a golden bowl. Whether one can hold it steadily, for how long, and what achievements one makes depends on more than just the bowl itself."

Chen Wang was stunned and didn't dare to breathe.

"I told you before, martial arts emphasizes not only physical constitution but also temperament and comprehension." Zhao Yan paused. "Xu Qing was able to master stance training in half an incense stick's time, which shows his excellent comprehension. Even though his physical constitution is not good, he can still make a living by practicing martial arts."

"Now that he has established a firm foothold, you should teach him the proper techniques. Go on." He put down his teacup and waved his hand.

Having said that, he lowered his gaze and placed it on the teacup.

A hint of desolation and loneliness inadvertently slipped into his eyes.

"Disciple understands!" Chen Wang was very perceptive and could tell that his master had thought of those old things again, so he said no more, bowed, and quickly retreated to the outer courtyard.

Zhao Yan has had disciples with good comprehension before.

There have been those who possessed both excellent innate talent and comprehension.

More than one.

There are two people.

Those two young faces, one with a pure and bright smile, the other with a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

He poured his heart and soul into both of them, teaching them step by step and feeding them every move, wishing he could instill all his skills into their very being.

But the result?

One of them had his Achilles tendon severed, and he has been walking with a limp ever since. If nothing unexpected happens, he will never be able to make any further progress in martial arts.

Another one... another one learned a lot of skills, but in the end, he betrayed his master and became the most painful thorn in his side for the rest of his life.

"Master, the tea has gone cold. I'll get you a fresh pot."

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

As soon as Chen Wang left, a young man in a light blue outfit walked over.

He was handsome, with smiling eyes, and seemed like a talkative and cheerful person. However, his gait was a little unusual—his left foot dragged slightly when it landed, and he limped, as if he wasn't putting much effort into it.

Zhao Yan snapped out of his daze, his gaze softening instantly, and he smiled softly, saying, "Okay."

The young man, carrying the teapot, turned and went to the back room.

As Zhao Yan watched the limping figure from behind, the smile on his face gradually froze.

His old eyes were red, filled with heartache and guilt, as if he had been pricked with needles again and again.

At this moment, he was no longer the powerful expert who could kill a tiger with a single punch.

He was just a powerless, lonely old man.

"Ah Yun, I'm so sorry..."

He murmured silently, his lips moving slightly, but no sound came out.

Seeing the limping man turn around carrying the teapot, he quickly took a deep breath, sweeping away all his loneliness, and put on a smile as if nothing had happened.

......

Several disciples were resting against the weapon racks by the training ground of the outer courtyard.

Zhou Wen sidled up to Xu Qing, gestured towards Xu Qing's direction with his lip, and whispered, "Xu Qing, that stinky fisherman seems to have figured out the knack of stance training?"

"How long has he been standing there? He can already stand still? It took me a full seven days to get a foothold. How many days did it take you?"

"It was just a lucky break," Xu Qing said with a sneer, making no mention of how he hadn't even mastered the basics in the previous ten days.

He chuckled dismissively and said, "Learning martial arts isn't just about standing in a stance; you also need to take tonics and eat meat."

"The courtyard only provides enough food, but no tonics or meat. If he wants anything else, he has to pay extra. Given his family's poverty, the apprenticeship fee has probably already emptied their savings. Without tonics and meat, he'll suffer health problems. Let's see how he can stay in the courtyard for three months. That'll be quite an achievement!"

He paused, then added, "When the three months are up, he'll go back to where he came from. A lowly fisherman like him, thinking he can turn his life around by learning martial arts? Wishful thinking."

"That's true," Zhou Wen laughed and chimed in. "We all have shops to support us, and we're still struggling to make ends meet when it comes to martial arts practice. Those country bumpkins in the yard, aren't they always tightening their belts to practice their stances and boxing?"

"Hey, never mind." Zhou Wen glanced into the distance, then suddenly tugged at Xu Qing's sleeve. "Senior Brother Wu has finished his boxing practice. Let's go over there."

He kept talking, then lowered his voice and said, "Senior Brother Wu has invited Senior Sister Tao, as well as Senior Brother Cao and Senior Brother Ye, to go out for dinner together tonight. It's settled then, so it's your turn to treat this time..."

Xu Qing's expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly forced a smile and said, "Leave it to me."

He touched his money pouch and found it was somewhat empty. He secretly planned to ask his mother for some more money after the banquet.

......

It was getting dark.

Bang!

Xu Qingyi's Bengquan (a type of punch) landed on the wooden dummy. The punch wasn't very powerful, but it was quite effective.

Before he could even retract his fist, he heard Chen Wang loudly proclaim, "Fellow junior brothers and sisters, that's enough for today's training! The kitchen has prepared the meal; if you wish to eat in the courtyard, go to the washroom to wash up."

Before Chen Wang could finish speaking, Qin Liang had already walked over to Xu Qing: "Junior Brother Xu, let's go, I'll take you to the washroom. Tonight's main dish is steamed buns, so make sure you eat your fill!"

There were more than a dozen rooms in the outer courtyard, and Xu Qing was assigned to share a room with Qin Liang.

Since he was her roommate and Chen Wang had specifically instructed him to take care of her, Qin Liang, as her senior, naturally had to look after her a bit more.

After washing up, steamed buns and a large bowl of vegetables were served in the yard. It was just ordinary cabbage stew with tofu and some glass noodles, but it was enough to satisfy the dozen or so people.

Those who stayed to eat and stay were not sons or daughters of wealthy families.

There's a saying in Qinghe County: "East is noble, west is lowly." Those wealthy families who wanted to learn martial arts either had a family tradition or had entered a large martial arts school in the east of the city. Being able to enter the Zhao family martial arts school itself demonstrated their family's status.

After finishing her meal, Xu Qing informed Chen Wang and Qin Liang, and then went to her aunt's house.

He wasn't thinking about the extra meals at his aunt's house; he just felt he should tell his aunt and uncle that he was now training steadily at the martial arts school, so they wouldn't worry about him.

In less than a quarter of an hour, he spotted his uncle's steamed bun shop.

In front of the shop, Xu Cheng was glancing towards the street corner from time to time.

Upon seeing Xu Qing, Xu Cheng's face lit up with joy. He hurried over and said with a smile, "Qing, why are you so late? Your aunt made you some stewed mutton! Come on in and have some!"

"Thank you, Uncle." Xu Qing smiled and quickly approached.

He wasn't being coy; he knew that martial arts training was very taxing, so he should eat meat.

I was full just now, but as soon as I heard the word "mutton," my stomach started growling again.

Xu Cheng pulled Xu Qing into the inner room, where Xu Yan had already served out a small bowl of mutton, steaming hot and with a wonderful aroma.

Xu Yan affectionately patted Xu Qing's head: "Qing'er, eat as much as you want! Whenever you want to eat meat, come to your aunt's house, understand?"

Xu Cheng chuckled from the side, "Aqing, don't be distant with your uncle. Come whenever you want meat. Your uncle's family isn't rich, but we can afford to eat meat every three to five days."

Xu Qing ate the mutton with gusto, responding as he slowly began to talk about the events at the martial arts school.

Upon hearing Xu Qing say that he had mastered the basics of stance training, Xu Cheng and Xu Yan were initially taken aback, but then their faces lit up with genuine joy.

"Great! Great!" Xu Cheng slapped his thigh, grinning from ear to ear. "I knew it! Our Qing'er is no ordinary person!"

Xu Yan's eyes were a little red, but she laughed and scolded, "Look at how happy you are, like you've passed the imperial examination."

"Isn't that even more exciting than passing the imperial examination?" Xu Cheng replied confidently.

Laughter filled the room, and the steaming mutton kept the chill of the autumn night outside.