Chapter 18: Chapter 16: Martial Arts Prodigy
Most people wouldn’t even get a chance to offer him gifts.
He wasn’t short on money, either.
"I have only ever practiced the *Turtle Breath Qi Cultivation Technique* and no other combat-focused Cultivation Techniques. It’s just that I’ve practiced this Health Cultivation Technique for a long time, day and night without fail."
"If Master Shan doesn’t believe me, I can demonstrate it for you."
Wei Tu fell silent for a moment before giving the explanation he had long since prepared.
As he spoke, Wei Tu took the illustrated manual for the *Turtle Breath Qi Cultivation Technique* from his robes and handed it to Shan Wuju with both hands.
Back at the Li Mansion, some time after his Health Cultivation Technique had reached Minor Success, he had gained the confidence to participate in the Military Examination and earn a title.
That wasn’t him being arrogant or making baseless claims; he had compared himself to the average Martial Artist in the County Town.
Three hundred jin of strength—most Martial Artists really didn’t possess that much power.
They were merely a bit stronger than common people and more proficient with weapons.
That was all.
Although a typical Martial Artist’s training in Martial Arts could increase their strength, it was the result of grueling training day and night. They didn’t have the subtle, warm current of a Health Cultivation Technique that could remold the body.
If the Military Examination were truly that easy to pass, most Martial Artists wouldn’t have been reduced to serving as estate guards for wealthy households.
Furthermore, upon reaching Minor Success in his Health Cultivation Technique, Wei Tu’s strength had already reached three hundred jin.
A few nights ago, his Health Cultivation Technique had broken through to Great Success. His current strength definitely exceeded three hundred jin.
Wei Tu estimated that his strength was now around four hundred jin.
"Practicing the Health Cultivation Technique day and night without fail..." Shan Wuju’s expression softened upon hearing this. As he accepted the manual for the Health Cultivation Technique, he uttered a single word: "Good."
Over the past few days, he had been observing Wei Tu and had indeed noticed signs that he practiced the Health Cultivation Technique every night.
It was just that the light in the front courtyard was dim, so he couldn’t see very clearly.
Having received Shan Wuju’s permission, Wei Tu no longer hesitated. He took a staggered stance, adjusted his breathing for a moment, settled into his form, and began to demonstrate the Pile Skill of the *Turtle Breath Qi Cultivation Technique*.
Wei Tu had long since memorized the thirty-two forms of the *Turtle Breath Qi Cultivation Technique*’s Pile Skill until he knew them by heart. After practicing day and night, muscle memory had taken over. When he performed them, there was not the slightest hesitation; his movements were exceptionally fluid.
’The way he performs this Pile Skill...’
In the courtyard, Shan Wuju’s brows were tightly knit. His gaze followed the shifts between movement and stillness, substance and void, in Wei Tu’s Pile Skill, not blinking for an instant.
It was just as he had judged earlier.
Every form of the Pile Skill Wei Tu performed was no weaker than his own when he was young.
The fist fears the young and strong!
When he was young, he was far more famous than he was now—a renowned Martial Artist in Qingmu County!
’To think that just one Health Cultivation Technique, practiced day and night, could yield such results...’
After Wei Tu finished his demonstration, Shan Wuju casually flipped through the Cultivation Technique manual in his hand, comparing it to what he had just seen. A look of amazement appeared on his face.
At first, Shan Wuju had thought Wei Tu’s claim of only knowing the Health Cultivation Technique was just an excuse, a deliberate attempt to deceive him.
That he had another master.
But now, after watching Wei Tu demonstrate the Pile Skill, Shan Wuju overturned his previous thoughts.
A genuinely solid Pile Skill could not lie.
To perform the Health Cultivation Technique with such proficiency would be nearly impossible without several years of Hard Work.
’His background is known. I was overthinking things,’ Shan Wuju thought for a moment, his doubts dispelled.
"Alright, I’ve seen enough. You don’t need to demonstrate the Health Cultivation Technique again," Shan Wuju said, stopping Wei Tu, who had started a second round.
"How many years have you been practicing this Health Cultivation Technique?"
He asked curiously.
"A little over two years. About two and a half years," Wei Tu replied honestly.
"To reach this level of mastery in just over two years shows your aptitude is excellent, but it’s also a testament to your perseverance..."
Shan Wuju nodded slightly, a smile on his face as he offered his praise.
Judging solely by his mastery of the Health Cultivation Technique, Wei Tu’s talent and temperament were both top-tier. Even in all of Qingshan County, he was a one-in-ten-thousand Martial Arts prodigy.
"From this day forward, you are my Disciple. You no longer need to be a hired hand in the front courtyard."
"Leave the work of sun-drying grain and feeding the horses to Deng Anx."
Shan Wuju said in a deep voice.
As he finished speaking, Shan Wuju glanced at Mrs. Gao of the Shan Family, who was coming out of the main hall, and said, "Go prepare the ceremonial tea. Also, make a few dishes. I am accepting a disciple today."
During his days at the Shan Family estate, he had seen and taken note of Wei Tu’s respectful and obedient nature.
Anyone who can be a good hired hand without annoying his masters will not make any major mistakes in the future, whether he obtains a title and becomes an official or remains a commoner.
Of course, his obedience was only a minor reason for accepting Wei Tu as his disciple. More importantly, Wei Tu had the aptitude for martial arts and the potential to pass the Military Examination.
A Disciple who passed the Military Examination could not only carry on his Inheritance but also look after his descendants.
What reason was there not to?
"Yes, Master," Mrs. Gao of the Shan Family replied, then called a maid from the courtyard to go to the kitchen with her.
「A short while later.」
A maidservant brought the tea of respect.
"Offer this bowl of tea, and you will be my Disciple. I will teach you martial arts, and you must care for me in my old age and see to my burial..."
"Of course, I have sons and daughters, so I don’t need you to worry about it. But... you must have that intention in your heart!"
"Understand?"
Shan Wuju sat on a straight-backed chair, looking at Wei Tu kneeling before him, and spoke deliberately, word by word.
"I understand."
Wei Tu nodded in response.
Martial techniques are a Martial Artist’s livelihood, just like an Artisan’s craft. Once learned, they can support you for a lifetime.
But there is also a saying: "Teach your apprentice everything, and you’ll starve your master."
A disciple taken in like a son, one who learns a craft from their master, was expected by the old customs and social morals of the time to care for their master in old age and see to their burial.
This principle held true everywhere.
’Given Shan Wuju’s family fortune, I’ll likely never have the chance to be the one giving him a bite to eat...’
But as Shan Wuju had said, no matter what, he had to maintain that sense of filial piety.
"Good. Offer the tea of respect, and the master-disciple ceremony will be complete," Shan Wuju said, a satisfied look on his face after hearing Wei Tu’s reply.
Hearing this, Wei Tu no longer hesitated. He took the large porcelain bowl, filled to the brim with tea, from the maidservant. Kneeling on the ground, he respectfully offered the tea of respect to Shan Wuju.
Shan Wuju drained the tea in one gulp.
Next, Shan Wuju led Wei Tu into the third courtyard and to his personal living quarters.
Against a wall in the living quarters stood an altar table, flanked by two sets of straight-backed chairs.
On the altar, two incense candles burned before an ebony memorial tablet. Inscribed on the tablet were the three large, gilt words: "Late Master Shii Ming."
"When I was young, I became a disciple of the Golden Saber Hero, Shii Ming, and studied Martial Arts under him."
"The Golden Saber Hero was my master, which makes him your grandmaster..."
Shan Wuju lit a bundle of incense and placed it in the censer. Then, with a nostalgic expression, he began to speak of his master-disciple lineage.
’The Golden Saber Hero?’ Wei Tu silently committed the name "Golden Saber Hero Shii Ming" to memory.
’A man who could train a Disciple to pass the Military Examination couldn’t possibly be a nobody.’
