A miraculous doctor descended from the heavens.

Just as Shi Yurou was filled with wild guesses and Gu Feng was feeling utterly bored, the doorbell rang.

Upon going outside, I saw Chu Hanliang carrying large and small bags in both hands.

Without a doubt, this fellow has come to formally formally become an apprentice. When Gu Feng saw him, a smile finally appeared on his face—he was just worried that he couldn't fight against so many women by himself, and now, his shield had delivered itself to his doorstep.

As soon as Chu Hanliang entered, he observed the situation and was relieved to find that his master seemed to be in a good mood today. The anxiety he had felt all the way here finally eased, and he greeted him affectionately like a lapdog, "Master."

"Okay, come in," Gu Feng replied casually. What kind of master wouldn't act like one if they didn't put on airs?

Chu Hanliang followed behind with his tail between his legs into the house. As soon as he looked up, he saw a stunningly beautiful young woman tidying up the dishes in the side hall. He could faintly hear women laughing and joking upstairs. He couldn't help but gasp: It turns out that this cheap master of his is not very old, but he is quite lucky with women. He has a whole harem at home.

"Xiao Liang, are you here today to formally become my apprentice, or just dropping by for a visit?" Gu Feng asked casually.

The man, who was in his thirties but was being called "Xiao Liang" by a nineteen-year-old, was feeling a bit uneasy. Just as he was about to reply, his master, who was acting like an old man but was actually not old at all, continued the conversation on his own.

"If you're just here for a casual visit, then I'm really sorry, I don't have the time to entertain you. But if you're here to formally become my apprentice, then even if I'm too busy, I'll still have to give you a chance."

Although Gu Feng was in a good mood when he saw Chu Hanliang, his tone was as rude as ever.

"I...I've come to become your apprentice," Chu Hanliang answered with some difficulty.

"Oh, becoming an apprentice is different."

Gu Feng's expression instantly changed, and he beamed with joy.

However, he was happy not because he was about to have a disciple who was a full twelve years older than him, but because after all the trouble of this whole apprenticeship ceremony, he could at least wait until those women left.

Seeing his master happy, Chu Hanliang was also happy. You see, after knowing Gu Feng for so long, this was the first time he had ever seen a good look on his face.

Of course, if he knew that his sincere desire to learn from a master was being used as a pastime to pass the time, he probably wouldn't feel good about it.

When it came time for the formal apprenticeship ceremony, Gu Feng finally dropped his joking expression and became serious, even somewhat solemn, saying, "Xiao Liang, my mentor—who is also your grandmaster—took me as his disciple when I was at my poorest and most helpless, passing on his martial arts skills and superb medical expertise to me. He also taught me how to survive in a world of war and chaos, where people were suffering, through my own abilities and wisdom. Even though we are now separated by death, I will never forget my master's kindness."

As he recalled the past, a pang of sadness welled up in his heart. His master had taught him countless skills to make a living, yet he had never repaid him in the slightest.

He stared intently at Chu Hanliang: "So, you are truly sincere in accepting me as your master, and I will never treat this lightly. I will definitely do my utmost to teach you. I will never forget my master's kindness in this lifetime. And when I became a disciple, the ceremony was quite complicated and rather conventional." Gu Feng thought for a moment and then said, "Although we live in a civilized society now, in order to respect our teachers and honor our master's spirit in heaven, let's try to follow the old customs as much as possible."

"Mmm-hmm." Chu Hanliang nodded vigorously. Since he had already pledged allegiance to you, he would naturally do whatever you said.

After clearing away the dishes, Shi Yurou didn't go upstairs to join the fun. Instead, she lazily lay on the sofa, watching Gu Feng and Chu Hanliang with great interest. The drama on this side was quite lively as well.

"Alright, according to the rules, if you want to become an apprentice, you must first submit an apprenticeship certificate." Gu Feng said in a normal tone.

Presenting a letter of apprenticeship? Chu Hanliang's eyes widened, and he almost reminded Gu Feng: Boss, I'm here to become your apprentice, not to challenge you. You only need to issue a challenge letter to challenge someone, right?

"Why are you looking at me like that? A country has its laws, a family has its rules, and a teacher has his instructions. Without rules, how can anything be accomplished? Hurry up and write me a letter of apprenticeship." Gu Feng's face darkened.

"Master... but I don't know how to write an apprenticeship certificate." Chu Hanliang had only ever written invitations for others, and he was completely clueless about how to write an apprenticeship certificate.

"Were you born knowing how to walk? Couldn't you write or learn? And remember this: this is a formal apprenticeship agreement, not some random thing. This is a very serious matter, and you must be serious and careful. If you continue to talk nonsense and act so rudely, your teacher will get angry," Gu Feng reprimanded with a stern face.

"I understand," Chu Hanliang nodded with a bitter face. He had only said something casually and had been scolded for half a day. How was he going to get through this? But what could he do? He was genuinely there to learn some real skills.

Shi Yurou found it amusing. She knew this Detective Chu; his scandalous affairs and heroic deeds of catching thieves and criminals would frequently appear on local Shenzhen forums.

She never expected that this man, so imposing and indomitable outside, a role model in the police force, would become so meek and submissive in front of the stern-faced man that he wouldn't dare utter a single word. This scene was truly amusing.

But now she finally understood: if such a legendary hero was so submissive in front of him, no wonder she felt such heavy pressure when facing him.

Seeing Chu Hanliang's humble attitude, Gu Feng nodded in satisfaction.

To be a master, one must have the authority of a master; to be a disciple, one should also act like a disciple—at the very least, one must learn to keep a low profile.

Afterwards, Gu Feng went into the study to fetch a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. He spread a sheet of red Xuan paper on the table and said to Chu Hanliang, "Now let's begin the first item: writing the apprenticeship certificate. Originally, this certificate should have been written at home in advance and brought by your parents, to be read aloud in public during the apprenticeship ceremony. Since you are completely unprepared, we'll make an exception for now. Rules are rules, but people are flexible."

Chu Hanliang quickly seized the opportunity to flatter him: "Yes, yes, Master is wise. My admiration for you is like a surging river, flowing endlessly..."

"Stop flowing! If you keep flowing, the water will flood Jinshan Temple!" Gu Feng gave him a sharp rap on the head and shouted, "Now, I'll talk, you write."

Chu Hanliang rubbed the bump on his forehead where he had been hit. Did he dare to say a single word of dissent?

"The way of the master is truly great. Entering a school to impart knowledge and skills, and to pass on the way of martial arts, is a strategy for strengthening the body, eliminating evil and maintaining peace, and protecting the home and country. It has been passed down through generations with solemn etiquette. Now, Chu Hanliang wishes to become a disciple of Gu Feng, to learn Chinese martial arts for life. During the course of his studies, his income will go to his master, and he will be responsible for his own food and clothing..."

"Master... Master, wait, wait. Does this 'income' refer to my salary?" Chu Hanliang asked hesitantly.

"Of course not. Look at you, you're dirt poor. If I deduct your salary, what will you live on? I'm referring to the profits you generate using the martial arts I teach you in the future." Gu Feng glared at him.

"Oh." Chu Hanliang nodded blankly, but inwardly he was unconvinced. What kind of profit could learning martial arts possibly generate? Without further hesitation, he picked up his pen and wrote the sentence down.

But later, when he won the national Sanda competition, he regretted it to the core—all of the one million yuan prize money went into Gu Feng's pocket, including the pure gold trophy.

"...Life and death, fortune and misfortune, natural disasters and man-made calamities, being run over by vehicles or horses, drowning or hanging oneself, each is subject to fate, and has nothing to do with the master. From now on, although we are separated as master and disciple, our relationship is like that of father and son. You should be respectful to your master's school. I will never forget your teachings. This comes from my heart, and I will never go back on my word. Empty words are not enough; I solemnly write this down to show my seriousness. Alright, now, sign and date it."

Chu Hanliang broke out in a cold sweat and his wrist went limp as he wrote.

This is hardly an apprenticeship invitation; it's more like a contract of servitude.

After finally finishing writing the post, Chu Hanliang wiped his sweat and asked, "Master, now... can I officially be considered your disciple?"

"Is that all? The ceremony is far from over." Gu Feng's words almost made Chu Hanliang collapse on the spot.

"What...what else?"

"Formally becoming a disciple requires three bows and nine kowtows, that's indispensable," Gu Feng said calmly.

Upon hearing this, not only was Chu Hanliang so shocked that his jaw almost dislocated, but even Shi Yurou, who had been watching the commotion from the sofa, widened her eyes in surprise.

A man's knees are worth their weight in gold. Chu Hanliang would kneel to heaven, earth, his father, and his mother without hesitation, but to kneel to a mere nineteen-year-old boy was something he found very difficult to bend.

Shi Yurou also felt that this was absolutely impossible. Although the apprenticeship ceremony was carried out in a very serious manner, the age difference between the two was too great, making the whole thing seem like a joke. Now, they even had to imitate the ancients by performing the kneeling ceremony. She secretly guessed in her heart: No matter how obedient Chu Hanliang was, he would not be willing to do this, right?

"Master... could we skip the kneeling ceremony?" Chu Hanliang asked hesitantly.

"No. Everything else can be waived, but this is absolutely essential." Gu Feng's attitude was resolute. He stared intently at Chu Hanliang: "Perhaps in your heart, you treat this as a game, just to learn some kung fu and get by. But I can tell you clearly, I, Gu Feng, am not someone who can be easily fooled. If you try to fool me, you'll only end up fooling yourself. The three bows and nine kowtows are absolutely indispensable, not even one less. Because these kowtows are a test of your sincerity, a test of whether you have the will to learn, and whether you truly consider me your master."

"This..." Chu Hanliang only realized at this moment that Gu Feng was indeed not easy to fool, and was even so powerful that he could not be fooled at all.

Finally, Gu Feng coldly retorted, "If you haven't made up your mind yet, you can go back first and come back when you've thought it through."