48: Iron Bone Martial Arts School, and its down-on-his-luck young master!
After obtaining the information he needed, Li Qing finished the last sip of clear tea from his bowl.
Tieshan Martial Arts School, Feiyun Martial Arts Hall, Benlei Martial Arts School.
These martial arts schools were well-known and had many rules; there was likely no shortage of internal strife among their Disciples.
What he needed now wasn't a powerful backer, but a small martial arts school where he could freely absorb nourishment without drawing attention.
Among the fragments of idle chatter, there was one name that was always accompanied by a sigh when mentioned.
West of the City, Iron Bone Martial Arts School.
Li Qing paid for his tea and stood up to leave.
He didn't return to his courtyard in the South of the City, but instead crossed several streets and headed toward the west side of Jinling City.
The west side of the city appeared more dilapidated than the south, and the streets were much narrower.
After turning a few corners, Li Qing found the place at the end of a secluded alley.
Iron Bone Martial Arts School.
The three large characters on the plaque still retained their Aura, but they were covered in a thick layer of dust, and the corners were already cracked.
The vermilion-lacquered gate was heavily faded; one side was half-closed, while the other's hinge seemed broken, leaning crookedly against the doorframe.
The entrance was deserted, but it was kept quite clean.
He heard the faint sound of martial arts practice coming from inside.
Li Qing pushed open the half-closed door and walked in.
The courtyard wasn't small; although there were a few weeds on the ground, it was overall tidy.
On the weapon rack to the east, several rusty sabers and swords were inserted haphazardly.
In the western corner, a row of stone locks lay lonely on the ground, the largest ones covered in moss.
In the center of the courtyard, a youth was holding a horse stance, his fists tightly clenched.
He looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, about 1.8 meters tall.
His complexion was sallow, and his frame was thin.
This physique didn't look like that of a Martial Artist.
Instead, it bore some resemblance to his own.
Except for the height, of course.
The youth's eyes revealed a stubborn spirit that refused to admit defeat.
Behind him were six more children; the oldest was only seven or eight, while the youngest was just five or six.
They mimicked the youth, holding wobbly horse stances with serious expressions.
Hearing footsteps, the youth suddenly turned his head, looking warily at Li Qing, the uninvited guest.
“Who are you?”
Li Qing's appearance caused the children to stop as well, timidly hiding behind the youth.
“My name is Li Qing, and I've come to the martial arts school to learn martial arts.”
Li Qing's answer was very direct.
The youth, Xiao Chen, was stunned.
He suspected he had misheard.
Learn martial arts?
Come to the Iron Bone Martial Arts School to learn martial arts?
Since his father's accident three years ago and the subsequent harassment from the Jingtao Martial Arts School, the name 'Iron Bone Martial Arts School' had become a joke in the West of the City.
Everyone said the Iron Bone Martial Arts School was finished.
In these three years, let alone new Disciples, even the original Senior Brothers had all left.
He had sold everything of value in his home and even worked as a porter at the docks just to barely keep this empty shell running until now, giving these homeless orphans a place of shelter.
Today, someone actually came to the door of their own accord, saying they wanted to join?
“You... what did you say?” Xiao Chen asked again, uncertain.
“I want to join the Iron Bone Martial Arts School,” Li Qing repeated.
Xiao Chen scrutinized Li Qing carefully.
The young man before him was half a head shorter than him; though his frame was thin, his stance was steady and his breathing was even.
The old clothes he wore didn't look shabby on him; instead, they gave off an air of neatness.
This wasn't a joke.
Xiao Chen's heart warmed, and he sniffled.
“Have you thought this through?”
“I can't teach you anything here.”
His voice grew low.
“My father, the Old School Master, hasn't returned since three years ago.”
“The school's signature Cultivation Technique, the 'Iron Body Art,' was also... also snatched away by the people from the Jingtao Martial Arts School.”
At the mention of the Jingtao Martial Arts School, Xiao Chen's fists instantly clenched tight.
Those bandits!
“The current Iron Bone Martial Arts School is just an empty shell.”
“I'm struggling every day for survival with these young orphan Junior Brothers.”
Although Xiao Chen really wanted to accept Li Qing, he still spoke the truth.
Li Qing listened quietly.
These circumstances were similar to what he had inquired about.
Even worse, actually.
But for him, this was the best news.
A secluded location and a school master with a good heart.
More importantly, Xiao Chen still remembered that 'Iron Body Art' in his head.
Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals can be stolen, but things engraved in the mind cannot.
“It's fine, I know,” Li Qing spoke.
Xiao Chen was stunned again.
“I am willing to join the Iron Bone Martial Arts School.”
Li Qing continued.
“I don't need you to provide food or lodging either; I have my own place to stay and can handle my own meals.”
He looked at Xiao Chen and added one last thing.
“I can help you by providing some food for daily martial arts practice.”
Xiao Chen was completely dumbfounded.
He looked at Li Qing in disbelief, his mind going blank.
Even after he had said all that, the youth before him still wanted to join.
And was even willing to bring in his own resources.
One must know that practicing martial arts is inseparable from energy-rich food.
And all of that costs money.
Normally, as a Martial Artist in the Middle Stage of the Body Tempering Realm, he would have no problem supporting himself.
But he had six Apprentices under him, and meat was essential for their three meals a day.
He also had to teach those children martial arts.
Although he felt inadequate, he had no choice for the sake of the school's future.
Was there really such a good thing in this world?
In these three years, he had suffered enough cold shoulders and insults, tasting all the highs and lows of human nature.
He had long understood that there is no kindness in this world without a reason.
But he didn't ask, regardless of the reason.
The resources Li Qing promised to provide could allow the children behind him to grow quickly.
These were all orphans with excellent character whom he had found.
Their talent might not be that great, but their character was definitely up to standard.
Li Qing stood quietly in place, letting him scrutinize him.
Although he had held back his strength with that punch in the alley, given Zhao Hu's miserable state, the Jingtao Martial Arts School would definitely not let the matter rest.
He already had a grudge against the Jingtao Martial Arts School, and then there were the contrasting styles of the two schools.
He also quite liked the fighting spirit of the youth before him.
He possessed various talents, and his future path would not be confined to this small Jinling City.
After a long time, the wariness in Xiao Chen's eyes slowly faded, replaced by a complex mix of emotions.
There was excitement, expectation, and even a hint of a gambler's madness.
He already had nothing; what else was there to lose?
“Fine!”
Xiao Chen spoke word by word, his voice clear.
He straightened his thin back, solemnly cupped his fists toward Li Qing, and gave a deep bow.
“I am Xiao Chen. From today onward, you are a member of my Iron Bone Martial Arts School!”
He raised his head, his eyes rimmed with red.