Chapter 5 - 4: Hungry Tiger Martial Arts_2

Chapter 5: Chapter 4: Hungry Tiger Martial Arts_2One of the gang members nearby, quick on his feet, hurried over to massage Zhao Tai’s shoulders and flattered, "Brother Zhao, you’re really honoring him too much. It’s his good fortune to crawl between your legs. Is that a place just anyone is worthy of crawling through? A few days ago, I saw a courtesan at Skylark Square—now *she* had style! *She’s* the kind who’s fit to crawl under your pants, Brother Zhao." "Dammit! I tell you guys to read more books, but you never listen. The women at Skylark Square aren’t just any courtesans. That place is a gold melting cave! If you don’t have a hefty sum of silver on you, you can’t even afford tea there," Zhao Tai said, looking at the clueless gang members surrounding him. He felt quite pleased with himself and added with pride, "Of course, a place like that... I’ve been there once." "Ah, Brother Zhao is truly wise and valiant! I don’t have your abilities, Brother. I’m still a novice. I’ve just been thinking of saving up some money to have some fun in the alleys. Which courtesan is good? Please, Brother Zhao, give me some guidance." "Tch, we’re all brothers here, what’s there to guide? There’s a courtesan I know in Bicao Lane, though it’s been a while, and I’ve grown a bit tired of her. Come with me later; I’ll take you, a greenhorn, to experience what ’two dragons playing with a pearl’ is like." "Brother Zhao, you’re so generous! But I’m on duty at the gambling den this afternoon. I won’t be able to get over there until after the Hour of Xu," the member said. "Dammit, going to the gambling den is going to the gambling den. What’s this ’on duty’ crap? You think you’re on the government’s payroll? Fine, I’ll head over later too. It’s the third room from the end in Bicao Lane. I’ll leave the door unlocked for you," Zhao Tai said. The members of the Green Snake Gang roared with laughter, completely oblivious to what was happening behind them. Jiang Shu, whom Old Man Li had pulled out of the crowd, stood to the side. He lingered for a good while, listening intently until he had heard every word of their conversation. "Little Brother Jiang, don’t take Boss Zhao’s words to heart today. Even if you do, don’t let it show on your face. Tomorrow, just go with this old man to sweep the floors and empty the chamber pots in the hall. This old man knows you’re a scholar and can’t do such demeaning work. I’ll do it. You just need to make an appearance. If Boss Zhao asks, just say you were the one who emptied the chamber pots," Old Man Li said, tugging at Jiang Shu’s sleeve and whispering while rubbing his own calves. He had fled from a famine in another county. He’d only taken a nap on the road, but when he woke up, his daughter was gone. As for his son, he had been lost long before the famine even began... If his son were still around, would his grandson be like Little Brother Jiang, respectful and fond of reading... Tears welled in Old Man Li’s eyes. He clearly remembered his first encounter with Jiang Shu. That day, he woke up early as usual. Surprisingly, the door of the usually vacant mud-brick house opposite his was open. A young man with the air of a scholar emerged and greeted him, "Old Sir." For a refugee like him, even a small gesture of respect was unforgettable. "Old Sir Li, you should have just left today. You shouldn’t have stopped me," Jiang Shu sighed. In his eyes, Zhao Tai’s incessant provocations were nothing a single punch couldn’t solve. He could kill Zhao Tai and flee instantly. Even if the Green Snake Gang mobilized all its forces to search for him, as long as he headed towards the inner city, he could safely return to Xuanxing within about twelve hours. But when Old Man Li turned back, he couldn’t bring himself to throw that punch. He could leave, but Old Man Li might lose his life here. "Kid, I had to stop you. If you didn’t crawl, Boss Zhao really would have beaten you. They whip people with leather strips soaked in saltwater. You don’t know; you haven’t seen it. Your tender flesh can’t withstand such a brutal beating," he said. Having lived in Qu She Alley for so many years, he knew exactly what kind of people the Green Snake Gang members were. When such things happened to others, he would just meekly pretend not to see. That’s how the world worked, and what could an old refugee like him do? But Little Brother Jiang... his kindness over these past two months was genuine. He never showed any disdain and would even occasionally bring this old man wine and food from the outer city. How could he bear to let a good young man like Jiang Shu empty chamber pots for those scoundrels? He could just go himself. Besides, he wasn’t from any respectable background; he’d done such tasks countless times. Feeling the concern in Old Man Li’s voice, Jiang Shu stood there, many words left unspoken. "Kid, if you don’t want to go to the Green Snake Gang, then don’t. Just go and study. Your time with Teacher Qin is precious, however much or little is left. Cherish it," Old Man Li said. "Alright," Jiang Shu replied. Old Man Li didn’t take his usual path to the escort agency. Jiang Shu watched Old Man Li depart, then took one last, long look back at the entrance of Qu She Alley before heading towards the inner city. Pingling County was divided into an inner and an outer city. The outer city was Pingling County’s slum, mostly populated by the county’s common folk and refugees from other places. The county yamen and prominent families couldn’t be bothered with this "mosquito meat," so they simply delegated the administration of the outer city to the gangs. The inner city was the true Pingling County. A formidable city wall, constructed entirely of green bricks, loomed high like a crouching behemoth. Outside the wall, a moat fully ten meters wide created a clear separation from the outer city. It was now Chen hour. Jiang Shu moved quickly, crossing the drawbridge and entering the inner city. Unlike the narrow, filthy alleys of the outer city, the streets of the inner city were paved with stone bricks, wide and clean. On both sides of the long street, some street vendors had already set up their stalls, selling various daily necessities and unusual items rarely seen in the outer city. Far in the distance, at the end of the street, lay a vast plaza. In the center of the plaza stood an enormous stone stele, engraved with all the major events that had occurred in Pingling County from its founding to the present day. Jiang Shu paused. He didn’t look at the county’s major events but instead at a corner of the stele where a simple map of the inner city was etched. After confirming his direction, he headed east. Jiang Shu had learned of seven martial arts academies in the inner city. Each specialized in its own area. The White Crane Martial Arts Hall taught the White Crane Breathing Method and the White Crane Cloud Entry Stance. Prolonged practice would result in a light physique and movements as ethereal as a crane. The Twist Turtle Martial Arts Hall taught the Twist Turtle Breathing Method and the Twist Turtle Mountain-Bearing Stance. Prolonged practice would lead to enduring breath and promote longevity. The Antelope Martial Arts Hall taught the Antelope Breathing Method and the Antelope Leaping Gorge Stance. Prolonged practice would result in swift speed and astonishing leaping ability. Unlike the Martial Arts of Xuanxing, the stances here were paired with breathing methods, enabling faster cultivation of strength and entry into true Martial Arts. White Crane, Twist Turtle, Antelope—all were excellent martial arts schools. The breathing methods and stances they taught should all be superior to the Horse Stance he currently practiced. Especially the White Crane and Twist Turtle methods: one was ethereal, possessing an Immortal aura, while the other could potentially extend one’s lifespan by several years. But no matter how elegant the image or how long the life... What could compare to real combat skills! The image of Old Man Li’s faltering steps as he departed earlier flashed through his mind, along with the memory of how Old Man Li had nearly knelt to beg Zhao Tai for mercy. Jiang Shu narrowed his eyes, his pace quickening. After crossing three streets and a small square, a sprawling, single-story compound at the far eastern end came into view. Even from more than twenty paces away, waves of shouts from vigorous training could already be heard. "Enrollment fee: ten taels of silver." A boy of about ten years old stood at the entrance. On a white banner attached to a black pole, eight characters were written. Beside him, a scale was placed, ready to weigh the silver brought by applicants. Jiang Shu glanced at the four characters on the academy’s signboard, confirming it was the right place. He carefully took out several pieces of fragmented silver from his inner jacket. The boy took the silver, weighed out exactly ten taels of the fragments, then took out a certificate from the side, waiting for Jiang Shu to sign and mark it with his fingerprint. Jiang Shu took the brush, dipped it in ink, and signed his name with practiced ease. He stepped into the martial arts academy. Hungry Tiger Martial Arts School. It taught the Hungry Tiger Breathing Method and the Hungry Tiger Sitting in Cave Stance. Prolonged practice would lead to surging breath and ferocious punches and kicks.