Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Practicing Martial Arts
The sky had yet to brighten when Liang Cheng left home, carrying coarse flour pancakes.
The sign for the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall was black with gold lettering. Inside the courtyard, shouts echoed continuously as a dozen or so men trained.
A young man with a dark complexion approached him. "Here to learn?"
"Yes, Senior Brother," Liang Cheng replied, cupping his fists.
The young man led him into the Main Hall, where the hall master, Yang Wei, sat upright on a chair. His gaze swept over Liang Cheng, seeming to see right through him.
"How old are you? What do you do?"
"Sixteen. I move goods at the docks."
"Do you know the rules?" Yang Wei’s voice was hoarse.
Liang Cheng presented an oilskin pouch. Yang Wei counted the contents in front of him: two taels of silver and 320 copper coins.
"The two taels of silver are for one month’s tuition. The 320 coins are for room and board. If you want to stay after a month, you’ll have to pay again."
After speaking, Yang Wei rose and squeezed Liang Cheng’s arms, shoulders, back, and legs. His grip was heavy.
"Your frame is decent, but you suffered from deficiencies in your early years. You have hidden injuries in your waist and knees, and your Root Bone is about thirty percent damaged." He sat back down, his tone flat. "Are you sure you still want to learn?"
"I do," Liang Cheng answered without hesitation.
"Mm." Yang Wei said to the dark-faced young man, "Zhou Hu, get him settled in. Explain the rules clearly. You will teach him the Mixed Element Stance."
"Yes, Master."
Zhou Hu led Liang Cheng to the dormitory. It was a large room with a shared sleeping platform—simple, but clean.
Zhou Hu concisely explained the rules, finally adding, "Junior Brother Liang, one’s Root Bone is destined, but the Mixed Element Stance is a Foundation Establishment skill. If you master it, you can make up for your past deficiencies. Since you’ve paid your fee, you should focus on nothing else for this month."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother," Liang Cheng said earnestly.
He hadn’t brought any luggage, so he followed Zhou Hu directly back to the front courtyard. Seven or eight youths practicing the Posture Stance looked over. Seeing his shabby clothes, they began to whisper among themselves.
Zhou Hu ignored them and called Liang Cheng to the side.
"Watch carefully. This is the Mixed Element Stance."
He assumed the stance, his feet seeming to root into the ground. His arms formed a loose embrace in front of him, and he was as steady as a mountain.
"Your feet must be planted, your knees pushed out, and your hips sunk. Keep your back straight but not stiff. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth and breathe naturally."
Liang Cheng mimicked the posture. It was manageable at first, but after a dozen breaths, his thighs began to tremble and his body pitched forward.
Snickers came from the side.
"Your back is collapsing! Sink your shoulders!" Zhou Hu corrected, pressing a hand on Liang Cheng’s back.
Liang Cheng gritted his teeth and adjusted his stance. Sweat quickly beaded on his skin. His legs felt like lead, and his back prickled as if with needles.
"There is no secret to Pile Skill, only persistence," Zhou Hu’s voice sounded beside him. "The soreness, numbness, and aching pain are all signs that your Qi Blood is returning to its place and your body is being remolded. Endure this, and everything else can follow."
Liang Cheng stared intently at a single floor tile. Sweat trickled into his eyes, stinging them, but he didn’t even blink. He focused his entire will on fighting his body’s trembling and the screaming thought in his mind to give up.
Just when he felt he couldn’t hold on any longer, the dormant Mayfly Mark deep within his consciousness trembled faintly.
An indescribable clarity flooded his mind, and the extreme pain in his body seemed to recede, as if separated by a thin barrier.
He could vaguely ’see’ several minor errors in his stiff posture correcting themselves.
[A mayfly is born at dawn and dies at dusk, yet with its last breath, it still dances toward the light.]
[Though your body is but a speck of dust, your will can reach the clouds. Strive relentlessly, and you will surely achieve greatness.]
[Mixed Element Stance: Beginner Level (1/100)]
Following the insight from the Mayfly Mark, Liang Cheng subtly adjusted his posture. He relaxed his left hip, gripped the ground with his toes, and the stiffness in his lower back silently vanished.
A peculiar sense of stability settled over him. His legs were still sore and numb, but his center of gravity felt substantial. His feet seemed to take root, his head felt as if suspended from above, and his entire frame became steady.
Even his breathing unconsciously deepened, syncing with the subtle rhythm of tension and release in his body.
Zhou Hu was instructing the other youths when he glanced back at Liang Cheng and faltered in his steps.
’This kid...’
’A moment ago, he was just mimicking the form. How does he already have the essence of a rooted stance? His Root Bone is poor, so how can his comprehension be this good?’
Zhou Hu walked closer to inspect him. He confirmed his observation, and though he was inwardly astonished, his face remained impassive.
Liang Cheng was completely immersed in this feeling of connection. A faint warmth washed over the old injuries in his waist and knees, which actually felt rather pleasant.
"Release!"
At Zhou Hu’s command, the other students collapsed in a heap. Liang Cheng, however, slowly exhaled, his eyes bright.
’I’ve reached the Beginner Level of the Mixed Element Stance.’
Zhou Hu gave him a long, deep look. "Same time tomorrow."
With that, he turned and left, his pace a little faster than usual.
Under the eaves of the Main Hall, Yang Wei was standing—it was unclear when he had arrived. Zhou Hu approached and whispered a few words to him.
Yang Wei’s gaze swept across the courtyard and fell upon Liang Cheng. "Though his Root Bone is damaged, his comprehension is decent," he said lightly. "Keep a close eye on him."
"Yes."
As evening approached, Liang Cheng asked for leave to go home and collect his belongings. While walking, he unconsciously applied the strength from his Pile Skill training, and every step felt much steadier.
When he pushed open the door to his home, Lady Ning immediately set aside her needlework. "Cheng’er, did Martial Arts Hall Master Yang accept you?"
"He did." Liang Cheng smiled and took out his token from the Martial Arts Hall. "Mom, I’m an apprentice at the hall now. From now on, I’ll be eating and sleeping there."
The rims of Lady Ning’s eyes turned red. She repeatedly said, "Good, that’s good," and turned to pack his bedding.
"The hall provides meals, but I worry you’ll get hungry at night. Remember to get along with your senior brothers, don’t be stingy..." she rambled on while packing.
Just then, shouts came from outside as Big Head, Er Gou, and San Ya ran in. They all froze when they saw his Martial Arts Hall token.
"Brother Cheng! You really got into the Martial Arts Hall?" Big Head’s eyes shone.
"Yeah, I just went today."
"Come on, let’s go! Let’s talk by the sea!"
Er Gou, the impatient one, grabbed him and started to leave.
The four of them went to the rocky beach outside of town. The sun was halfway below the horizon, painting the sea in shades of gold and red.
"Hurry up and tell us, is it true that Martial Arts Hall Master Yang can kill someone with a glare?" Big Head asked eagerly.
Liang Cheng told them what he could about the Martial Arts Hall, but he omitted the part about his Root Bone and the fact that he’d already reached the Beginner Level with his Pile Skill.
The three listened, captivated. To them, the Martial Arts Hall seemed as distant as another world.
"Lady Ning really went all out this time!" Big Head said with a click of his tongue. "Two whole taels of silver... Brother Cheng, you have to make it worth it!"
San Ya asked softly, "Liang Cheng, is the food at the Martial Arts Hall really good?"
"There should be more meat and oil than usual. After all, training consumes a lot of energy," Liang Cheng said.
Big Head slapped his thigh. "When Brother Cheng finishes his training and comes back to the docks, we’ll see who dares to short our wages! Even that old bastard Steward Wang will have to think twice!"
Er Gou grew excited too. "Yeah, that’s right! Brother Cheng, you train hard. We’re all counting on you now. Let’s see who dares to bully us then!"
Liang Cheng looked at his friends’ eager expressions, faced the sea breeze, and simply hummed in agreement.
’I won’t be training for just one month.’ But he couldn’t say that now. Great things are accomplished in secret.
The sea breeze grew cooler as the sun sank completely beneath the waves.
"I should get back. I have to be at the Martial Arts Hall tomorrow morning," Liang Cheng said, getting to his feet.
The three walked him to his door, offering more words of encouragement before finally leaving.
Inside, under the glow of an oil lamp, Lady Ning carefully tied the bundle and handed it to Liang Cheng. "I don’t understand martial arts," she said, "but I know that you have to be dedicated. Once you’re there, focus on your training and don’t worry about home."
This time, she didn’t say "after one month," but "when you’ve completed your training." Though she had initially disagreed, she was now wholeheartedly supporting her son.
A warmth spread through Liang Cheng’s chest. He nodded firmly. "Don’t worry, Mom."
He slept very soundly that night.
At 3:00 AM the next day, with the sky still pitch-black, Liang Cheng shouldered his bag and stepped back into the morning mist. Down by the coast, the lamps of the fishing boats were already out on the water.
With firm steps, Liang Cheng walked on. Before long, the black-lacquered gates of the Martial Arts Hall came into view.
Liang Cheng raised his foot and stepped over the threshold.
...
