Complete one practice method every day

All the apprentices have practiced this style of boxing, so they can naturally tell the difference between good and bad.

Chen Yue's boxing routine seemed to be even smoother than when the bodyguard who taught him boxing demonstrated it before.

Liu Jing stood at the edge of the crowd, his expression complex.

He looked at the figure in the arena, genuinely happy that his friend had finally shown his talent, but a trace of loneliness inevitably rose in the depths of his eyes.

After finishing his punches, Chen Yue stood up, his breathing even and his eyes bright.

The last trace of doubt in Chen Lin's eyes vanished. Although he wasn't skilled in martial arts, he had seen a lot and had a discerning eye. Chen Yue's fist technique, with its flowing power and vigorous blood and qi, was indeed a manifestation of the Skin Refining Realm.

However, Chen Lin still looked at Liu Tang beside him.

Liu Tang nodded and said in a deep voice, "Reporting to the steward, it is indeed the Skin Refining Realm. His fist stance is steady, his strength is just beginning to develop, and his breath circulation has also entered the basics. He has only recently broken through, but his foundation is very solid."

Liu Tang was also a little surprised. When ordinary apprentices broke through to the Skin Refining Realm, their aura was usually weak and they needed time to consolidate it. But Chen Yue's state was as if he had been practicing hard for a long time.

"good!"

A smile appeared on Chen Lin's face, a smile that was more genuine than any he had ever shown before.

He clapped his hands, raising his voice slightly: "Chen Yue, now that you have broken through to the Skin Refining Realm through your own diligence, according to the rules of the pharmacy, from today onwards, you will be no longer an apprentice and will become a guard of the pharmacy!"

Chen Lin paused, then continued his announcement, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet backyard: "Your monthly allowance will be increased to one tael. Your living quarters will also be moved immediately to the guardhouse in the west wing of the front yard. Liu Tang will inform you of your specific duties later."

One tael of silver! Guardhouse!

These words struck the hearts of every apprentice like a heavy hammer.

Their gazes toward Chen Yue instantly became incredibly complex, a mixture of envy, jealousy, disbelief, and disbelief...

Just a few days ago, Chen Yue was doing the dirtiest and most tiring work in the backyard, just like them, earning the meager wages, and sleeping in a crowded and dirty dormitory.

In the blink of an eye, he rose through the ranks, becoming a bodyguard they looked up to. This sudden change in status had a tremendous impact.

This kid really managed to... break free from the mire.

Just then, the light and shadow at the backyard entrance dimmed.

Manager Tu Shan walked in slowly, his hands behind his back. He had clearly heard Chen Lin's last words and seen the gazes of everyone in the courtyard focused on Chen Yue.

He paused slightly, his fair face expressionless, only his slightly drooping eyes lingering on Chen Yue for a moment.

His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The wood is done.

The announcement was made publicly, the guards confirmed it, and Chen Lin personally approved it. At this point, anything he said would only embarrass Chen Lin. It wasn't worth it for an apprentice.

In his eyes, apprentices were nothing more than laborers he could manipulate at will. Guards, of course, held a higher status, but that was about it. The pharmacy had plenty of guards; whether Chen Yue was there or not made little difference.

However... this feeling of being out of control, and the value that Chen Yue suddenly displayed, made him feel a slight displeasure.

Tu Shan's face returned to its usual indifference as he walked straight towards his room where he handled affairs, only nodding slightly as he passed Chen Lin, which was considered a greeting.

Chen Yue took in Tu Shan's fleeting, subtle expression, but showed no emotion on his face. He simply bowed respectfully to Chen Lin.

"Thank you for the promotion, Manager Chen! I, Chen Yue, will do my utmost to protect the pharmacy."

The apprentice's drab apprentice clothes were replaced, and Chen Yue was now wearing a navy blue outfit made of thick cotton and linen, which was durable and dirt-resistant, with the cuffs and trouser legs cinched tightly.

Although the clothes were not luxurious, they were clean and neat, and they had a spirit that was completely different from that of the servants and apprentices.

Liu Tang led Chen Yue around the front yard and several key locations near the street, briefly explaining the guards' daily duties: regular patrols, guarding the warehouse, night watch, and escorting valuable medicinal materials or responding to emergencies when necessary.

The work wasn't easy, especially the night shift, which was mentally taxing, but compared to the endless grinding and chopping of herbs in the backyard, it was much freer and more dignified.

Finally, Liu Tang led Chen Yue to a separate wing room on the east side of the front yard. This room was much more spacious and tidy than the apprentices' room, and there were two common green plants in front of the door, indicating the different status of the residents.

"It's Li Tou inside."

Liu Tang lowered his voice and became more serious. "Among us guards, apart from Steward Chen who is in charge, the daily training and assignment of duties are all under the jurisdiction of Head Li. The Mountain-Turning Technique that you are about to learn is much more advanced than the Iron Mountain Fist, and it is also personally taught by Head Li."

When you go over there later, be sure to be polite and don't overstep your bounds.

Chen Yue nodded to indicate that he understood, and Liu Tang then stepped forward and tapped the door three times with his fingers.

"Tap, tap, tap."

A slightly deep voice came from inside: "Come in."

Liu Tang pushed open the door, and Chen Yue followed him into the room.

The room was small and simply furnished with a table, a chair, and a couch.

A man who looked to be about thirty-five or thirty-six years old was sitting behind a table, holding a whetstone in his hand, slowly wiping the blade of a broadsword.

The man wasn't particularly tall, but he had broad shoulders and a thick back, and his gaze was sharp as a knife, as if it could peel off a layer of skin.

He was the head of the guards, Li Lie.

Hearing the noise, Li Lie didn't even look up, remaining focused on his work, the whetstone rubbing against the blade, producing a steady "shh" sound.

Only after polishing the last section of the blade did he casually toss the whetstone onto the table, raise his eyelids, and glance at Liu Tang and Chen Yue.

"What are you doing?"

Liu Tang immediately put on a smile, stepped forward, and said respectfully, "Chief Li, this is Chen Yue, a guard who was just promoted today. Manager Chen instructed me to show him around, and he will be working under you from now on."

As he spoke, he slightly stepped aside to let Chen Yue move to the front.

Chen Yue dared not be negligent. He stepped forward and, following the etiquette Liu Tang had reminded him of, bowed and said, "Chen Yue greets Inspector Li. In the days to come, I hope Inspector Li will take good care of me. Chen Yue will definitely work hard and cultivate diligently."

Li Lie glanced at Chen Yue, observing his bowing posture and eyes, and gave a barely audible "hmm" in response.

He picked up the broadsword again, tested the blade with his finger, and said calmly, "I'm busy today. Did you tell him all the rules?"

The next sentence is a question to Liu Tang.

"I already told you, I've explained everything," Liu Tang said hurriedly.

"OK,"

Li Lie put down his knife and finally looked at Chen Yue directly. "In a few days, after the patrol schedule is finalized, come find me when you have time, and I'll teach you the 'Fan Yue Jue' (a martial arts technique)."

After saying that, without waiting for Chen Yue's response, he waved his hand, indicating that the two of them could leave, and then picked up a soft cloth from the table and began to wipe the scabbard.

"Yes, thank you, Chief Li." Chen Yue bowed again, and left the room with Liu Tang, gently closing the door behind them.

After walking a distance from the house, Liu Tang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He turned to look at Chen Yue, clicked his tongue, and lowered his voice to say:

"Chen Yue, we're destined to meet, so let me give you a word of advice. Li Tou is a man of his word... you can learn real skills from him. However, the Flipping Mountain Technique is not like the Iron Mountain Fist; it has many intricacies. If you practice blindly without careful guidance, you might make mistakes."

Liu Tang paused, then gave Chen Yue a meaningful look: "You absolutely must not miss any of the proper courtesies."

Li Tou usually doesn't concern himself with these trivial matters, but if you show the necessary consideration... he'll remember it, and when you're teaching, he might offer a few more crucial pointers. The difference here is huge.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue understood.

This refers not just to the usual formalities of greeting, but to "show one's respect."

He has just become a guard, and his monthly salary has increased to one or two taels, which sounds like a lot, but he had almost no savings when he was an apprentice, so he is indeed short of money right now.

Chen Yue hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Brother Liu is right, but I'm new here and don't know the rules. Generally... how much would be appropriate?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Tang laughed and patted Chen Yue on the shoulder, but instead of answering directly, he changed the subject: "Well... it depends on the sentiment. Li Tou isn't the type to care about such things; it's mainly about the attitude."

Alright, since you just moved in, go and settle into your room. It's the third room in the west wing; it's already been cleared out for you. I'll let you know when the schedule comes out.

Seeing that Liu Tang was unwilling to explain, Chen Yue did not press the matter further, thanked him, but felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

It seems this courtesy will be no small sum, and even Liu Tang is unwilling to say it outright. Money has become the first problem at hand.