Chapter Ten: The Art of Martial Training

A burning sting spread across his face, and the man rubbed it fiercely with his hand. Watching his father’s retreating figure, the anger in his eyes deepened, and the hatred he harbored toward Yu Qi blazed to its peak.

Yu Qi, unaware of the man’s feelings, was now strolling down a street with little Lian, his eyes constantly scanning the shops as if searching for something.

“Candied hawthorns! Sweet and delicious candied hawthorns!” the vendor’s call reached their ears. Yu Qi quickly approached, bought a skewer, and handed it to little Lian.

With the candied hawthorn in hand, the fright that had clouded little Lian’s face gradually vanished, replaced by pure happiness.

After wandering the street for a while, Yu Qi arrived at the entrance of a shop—precisely the place he had been seeking.

“Martial Hall,” Yu Qi murmured the name, then stepped inside with little Lian.

“Welcome, sir. How may I assist you?” As soon as he entered, a clerk approached. Yet beneath the polite exterior, the man felt a surge of disdain. Judging by Yu Qi’s humble attire, he was just another poor soul trying to glimpse martial arts for free.

The Martial Hall, as its name suggests, sold martial arts manuals. However, the prices were exorbitant—beyond the reach of ordinary folk. Thus, many impoverished dreamers would often wander in to browse aimlessly. The clerk, having dealt with countless such customers, was thoroughly irritated but adhered to the owner’s instructions on how to treat guests.

“Do you have any sword manuals?” Yu Qi asked quietly.

“Yes, right this way.” The clerk led him to a shelf, outwardly respectful but inwardly cursing, “Another broke fool pretending to be interested, wasting my time. If he doesn’t buy something soon, I’ll have to teach him a lesson.”

Yu Qi brought little Lian to the shelf and gazed at the sword manuals arranged above. Prices ranged from fifty to a hundred taels, but all were mediocre sword techniques. It made sense; if these were top-tier sword arts, they wouldn’t be displayed in such a place.

“The Seven-Sounds Sword Technique.” Yu Qi picked up a manual priced at a hundred taels. According to its description, mastering this technique would produce seven distinct ringing sounds—one per strike—each more powerful than the last.

“You’ve got good taste, young sir,” the clerk remarked, “This technique is quite famous. Jian Li, the world’s foremost Sword Saint, once practiced it and spoke highly of it.” Beneath his breath, he sneered, “Who the hell knows Jian Li? Let me educate you.”

As a sword cultivator, Yu Qi knew Jian Li well. The current world’s top Sword Saint, his swordsmanship had reached unparalleled heights. If anyone claimed second place in swordsmanship, none would dare claim first but Jian Li himself.

Indeed, Jian Li had once studied the Seven-Sounds Sword as a beginner’s technique. The clerk’s praise was merely a sales gimmick to boost sales.

Yu Qi glanced over the other manuals but found none superior. He settled on the Seven-Sounds Sword manual and produced a hundred-tael silver note, tossing it to the clerk.

“Remember this: don’t look down on others with contempt. If you meet someone hot-tempered, your life might be forfeit,” Yu Qi said as he tucked the manual into his bosom and left with little Lian, leaving the clerk stunned, still clutching the silver.

From the moment Yu Qi entered, the clerk’s disdain was evident. Fortunately, Yu Qi was no ruthless man, so he paid it no mind. Had the clerk encountered someone more volatile, he might have met his end. In this ruthless world, strength was the only truth.

“Brother Yu, why did you buy the sword manual?” Little Lian asked, munching on her candied hawthorn.

“You wanted to learn martial arts, didn’t you? I bought it for you,” Yu Qi said with a gentle smile.

Truthfully, he had never intended to teach little Lian martial arts. He didn’t want her to step into this bloody, violent world. What changed his mind was the incident in front of the pawnshop. Fortunately, he was there to prevent her from harm. But he couldn’t always protect her, so he resolved to teach her to defend herself.

Upon hearing she could learn martial arts, little Lian’s excitement surged, and she cheered, “Wonderful! Thank you, Brother Yu!”

Yu Qi ruffled her hair, smiling. “Come on, I’ll buy some meat and then we’ll head home. Aunt Li will be worried.”

As noon approached, Yu Qi and little Lian emerged from town. Yu Qi held a large chunk of beef, and he carried little Lian on his back. They sped home together.

Outside the house, Aunt Li was watering her cultivated vegetable patch, and on a nearby rack, Yu Qi’s worn robes hung to dry.

“Mother, we’re home!” little Lian called as she ran inside.

Hearing the voice, Aunt Li turned around and saw Yu Qi carrying the beef. She immediately said, “Yu Qi, why did you buy so much beef?”

Yu Qi sensed the embarrassment beneath her words. To ease her guilt, he quickly replied, “Aunt Li, it’s nothing. It’s been a while since I had beef, and I suddenly craved it, so I bought some.”

Aunt Li looked at the hefty chunk of beef in his hands, unsure what to say. Beef was expensive, and their family only ate it occasionally.

She wanted to decline, but Yu Qi said firmly, “Aunt Li, don’t say that. Look at little Lian—she’s still growing. If we don’t let her eat more, how will she grow tall?”

Aunt Li glanced at little Lian who had already run inside and nodded. “Thank you for your trouble.”

Yu Qi smiled. “It’s no trouble at all. You saved me; it’s only right I help you. By the way, I’m not great at cooking—so I’ll leave the beef to you.”

At noon, after Aunt Li cooked the beef, she called everyone to the table.

Li Changchu didn’t hesitate as Aunt Li did. Seeing the spread of beef, he took a bite and said, “Yu Qi, I feel bad that you’ve spent so much, but since you’ve bought it, I won’t refuse.”

“No worries, Uncle Li. Little Lian is still growing, so I bought extra to help her get stronger.” Yu Qi watched them eat happily, feeling content.

“By the way, Uncle Li, there’s something I want to ask your opinion about,” Yu Qi suddenly said.

“What is it? Tell me. If you need my help, just say so,” Li Changchu swallowed the meat and looked at Yu Qi.

Yu Qi glanced at Li Changchu, then at Aunt Li, and quietly said, “I want to teach little Lian martial arts.”

“Martial arts?” Li Changchu was taken aback, exchanging looks with Aunt Li.

Although learning martial arts was beneficial, it inevitably involved fighting. Li Changchu didn’t want his daughter entangled in such dangers; he only wished for her to live a simple, happy life.