A Long River Myth

Jinshui Street.

It was still early, just past noon.

There were significantly more pedestrians on the streets than before.

Even some young girls and unmarried women dared to go out on the streets.

These days, because of Qin Si's "disappearance," Huang Lin's gang has been slow to send someone to "fill the gap."

This led to the long-lost peaceful atmosphere returning to Jinshui Street.

Street vendors that had disappeared due to excessive fees are now seizing the opportunity to set up stalls again.

Li Hong walked down the street, feeling a refreshing sensation throughout his body.

The lively atmosphere on both sides of the street adds to the overall enjoyment.

I just don't know how many more days I can live like this.

As long as these gangs are not eradicated, they will always hang like a heavy dark cloud over the heads of the nearby people.

Even if the clouds occasionally part, it probably won't last long.

............

Fulin Grocery Store.

Yao was chatting with some neighbors at the door, while Li Fulin sat on a low stool next to her, fanning himself with a palm leaf fan.

"Grandpa, Mom, I'm home!"

Li Hong carried the small white note, his steps were quick, but his breathing was long and deep.

"Hong'er, why are you back so early?"

Both of them said in unison that they were surprised to see Li Hong at this time.

Li Fulin, naturally possessing some knowledge, felt a sudden tightness in his chest, as he knew a little about what was happening at the martial arts academy.

An eight-month period... Could it be that my own grandson is...?

However, just as the old man's heart began to race, he heard Li Hong say in a deep voice:

"Grandpa, Mother, I have successfully completed my mission today. I will report to the West Courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall tomorrow."

"What?"

This sudden remark startled Li Fulin for a moment, and Yao was also taken aback.

The long-awaited wish of the whole family for more than a year came out of Li Hong's mouth without any warning.

I could hardly believe my ears!

After all, the two of them had long since lost count of how many nights they had dreamed of similar scenes.

"What? Brother Hong has become incredibly strong from practicing martial arts?"

The neighbors who knew him were the first to react, and they were all stunned, scrutinizing Li Hong from head to toe.

The look of envy cannot be hidden.

Then, of course, the necessary compliments were also indispensable:

"Wow! My goodness, Lao Li, you're so lucky!"

"I knew it! Li Hong was destined for greatness. I've always felt this kid was extraordinary!"

"Congratulations, Uncle Li! You'll have to throw a couple of tables later!"

...............

In the evening, the delicious aroma of stewed fish filled the courtyard.

"Dad, our Hong'er has really made something of himself!"

"If you have eyes, please bless our son so that he may have a smooth and successful martial arts journey, and overcome all dangers in the future..."

In the side room, Madam Yao was muttering incantations before her husband's memorial tablet. She had cried countless times until her tears had dried up.

Li Fulin was also in the courtyard, leaning against the wall of the main room.

He was like a bamboo that had been bent over for many years, suddenly relieved of its burden and sprang straight.

He couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth; they seemed to be pulled upwards by a string, so he simply let them curve upwards to an uncontrollable degree.

Li Fulin naturally already knew what "external strength" meant.

Upon entering the west courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall, his eldest grandson was already considered a regular disciple of the hall.

Even if I join the army in the future, I will start as a junior officer, which is much better than the treatment of a regular soldier.

That gives me a safety net!

Moreover, if one can achieve internal strength within a year, there will be an even greater chance of being selected as a martial arts performer in the future.

This is a symbol of a complete turnaround. Once you are awarded the title, even if it is only as a second-class martial arts student, you will have the honor of a 30% tax exemption.

If one advances to the rank of first-class martial arts student before the age of twenty-five, one is still eligible to participate in the martial arts examination!

That's an unimaginable path to heaven for ordinary people!

And now... all of this has a chance!

After a long-cherished wish was fulfilled, Li Fulin felt as if a thin mist had veiled his eyes.

Too many intense emotions were stuck in his chest, unable to be released for a long time.

..........

The next day, early morning.

The west courtyard of the martial arts hall.

This place is much larger than the East Courtyard. Behind the main gate and the inner wall is a training ground with swords, bows, and halberds.

There were even two military horses outside the courtyard.

The side door leads to a corridor that goes directly to the council hall at the back, which is the residence of the instructors of the martial arts academy.

There are always a dozen or so guards in the courtyard.

There are also nearly a hundred disciples who have progressed from external to internal strength.

Li Hong arrived at the west courtyard early. After being informed by the guard, He Song came out and led him into the west courtyard.

The training ground in the front hall of the west wing.

More than thirty people have already gathered, all of them full of energy, some practicing alone, and some exchanging skills.

These people are all disciples of the Outer Strength Training School, and their physical qualities can be identified at a glance.

"Huh? Look! There's a newcomer, isn't that... Li Hong?"

"Who?"

"It's... that little sycophant who used to follow Young Master Yang around like a bootlicker..."

Li Hong following behind He Song naturally attracted attention, and then some people looked at each other in bewilderment.

They were all somewhat taken aback.

Yang Chen, especially, was utterly astonished when he saw Li Hong's figure in the corner!

"Even Li Hong can develop such a strong physique?"

While nothing is more outrageous than seeing pigs fly, it still baffled him.

There were more than a dozen people in the West Courtyard who were Li Hong's fellow trainees. After a wave of discussion, the news gradually spread.

Only after He Song glanced at them did they all shrink back.

A moment later, Li Hong changed into a new set of martial arts uniform and returned to the training ground alone.

He quietly began to focus on practicing his skills.

Achieving the Outer Strength and entering the West Academy is only the first step on the path of martial arts.

Internal strength is the prerequisite for determining whether one can overcome obstacles and achieve great things in the future.

The martial arts academy is just one of many ways to learn martial arts, similar to a weaker version of a military academy in my previous life, and it is mostly attended by poor people.

Ultimately, it all comes down to whether one can be recognized as a martial arts performer.

Only by becoming a martial arts student can one further study martial arts and continue to delve deeper into its essence.

Otherwise, his ultimate fate at the martial arts academy would have been to join the army.

Even if he were to join the army as a junior officer, that would not be Li Hong's goal.

To join the army in a world where martial arts can lead to divine intervention, how could one possibly be so foolish?

Thinking about it, he found the plum blossom stakes here and continued his arduous training.

He Song had already told him on the way that he couldn't relax yet after just mastering the external strength training; he needed some time to solidify his foundation.

Several days have passed in the blink of an eye...

The West Courtyard disciples gradually forgot about his amusing "comeback" story.

The seven-month-old baby was still a person who entered the West Wing at the designated time, and he didn't attract any attention here.

Some of the disciples who had been there for a long time understood that the future achievements of a disciple with Li Hong's talent could be seen at a glance.

Therefore, no one was eager to have any interaction with Li Hong.

Li Hong was happy to accept this arrangement, as he had come here specifically to practice martial arts.

Only one of Li Hong's disciples, Shi Liang, was instructed by He Song to give him guidance a few times.

I briefly went through the teaching content that I had missed.

This Shi Liang is a decent person, not arrogant at all. Although his family isn't well-off, he's very ambitious.

I heard he was one of the best trainees last year.

Currently, I am at the early stage of internal strength, and in two more months I will have a good chance of being selected as a martial arts performer.

As for Yang Chen, another "old acquaintance" in the West Courtyard, he took the initiative to come up and talk to Li Hong these past two days.

It's clear that even this young master from the Yang family in the outer city isn't in a good position in the West Courtyard.

Almost no one paid any attention to him; he huddled in a corner every day.

In Li Hong's memory, if he hadn't come from a large family with abundant resources, he probably wouldn't have been able to become a powerful figure on his own.

Given this ecological niche, Yang Chen naturally prefers to get closer to people he is familiar with.