"You want to practice martial arts?"
Wu Hai looked surprised and sized up Fang Zheng.
"Yes." Fang Zheng felt a jolt in his heart:
"Is it not possible?"
"Of course, it's possible." Wu Hai shook his head:
"It's just that Brother Fang is not young anymore, your tendons and bones have set. Martial arts emphasize foundation, and even if you train now, it's difficult to achieve great success."
"It doesn't matter." Fang Zheng quickly said:
"As long as I can practice martial arts, I'm not aiming to become an expert."
Martial Arts!
This world actually has real martial arts!
Originally, I thought the greatest benefit of traveling to this otherworld was to become a rich man by trading between two worlds, but now it seems the benefits go beyond that.
To be honest,
money can be earned again if lost, it's just a matter of how much, but martial arts are merely rumors in modern society.
Something unattainable!
"If it's just an introduction, then it's possible." Wu Hai nodded.
"Where can I learn martial arts?" Fang Zheng rubbed his hands, pursuing further:
"A martial arts school? Or do I need to join a sect? Why don't you teach me, Brother Wu, the price can be negotiated, and I promise you will be satisfied."
"I can't." Wu Hai waved his hands repeatedly:
"What I've practiced is battlefield skills, suitable for charging in battle but not for strong health."
"Sects are very strict about accepting disciples; I'm afraid Brother Fang doesn't meet the requirements. There are martial arts schools in the city; however, learning real skills requires not just money but also a certain foundation."
After thinking for a moment, he said:
"If Brother Fang truly wants to practice martial arts, you can inquire at a Daoist temple."
"A Daoist temple?"
Fang Zheng was taken aback.
A Daoist temple and martial arts, these two seem unrelated.
"Yes." Wu Hai nodded:
"The Daoist Canon contains all methods, and Daoist temples are spread throughout cities. The Daoist temple in Gu'an County is overseen by a Daoist from Pure Yang Palace. I've heard in the army that the Daoist from Pure Yang Palace is best at Foundation Establishment methods."
"Of course, these are just hearsay. It's best if Brother Fang personally goes to inquire."
"Daoist temple..." Fang Zheng spoke:
"Would it be inappropriate to directly ask for martial arts?"
"You can seek out Young Master Yu." Wu Hai coughed lightly and whispered:
"Miss Sun has been married for several years without conceiving, so Young Master Yu often goes to the Daoist temple to seek spirit talismans, and he is a regular there."
He explained further:
"I'm not prying into others' business; many people know about this."
"Then let's go to the Daoist temple." Fang Zheng grabbed the other's arm:
"Come on, let's find Young Master Yu!"
"Huh?" Wu Hai looked bewildered:
"Your new house hasn't been set up yet..."
"No rush." Fang Zheng said:
"The priority is to seek martial arts."
This world is too dangerous, and I've been in precarious situations twice. If I can learn martial arts, I'll have some means of self-defense.
Moreover…
These are real martial arts!
Fang Zheng has already decided to first go to the Daoist temple to check the situation. If it doesn't work out, he'll go to a martial arts school, and it doesn't matter how much money it costs.
He is confident that he can make big money by trading between two worlds.
*
*
*
Three Purities Temple.
A branch of Pure Yang Palace.
The County Government Office stands to the north, the Daoist temple to the south, responding to each other from north to south; the County Government Office governs the hearts of the people, and the Daoist temple guards against impurities, each performing their duties.
Unfortunately, compared to the ever-increasing power of the County Government Office, the Daoist temple has long been in decline.
The Daoist temple is not large, with traces of its former grandeur, though now it is quite dilapidated.
The backyard.
Iron Crown Daoist squinted slightly, watching his two apprentices busy sorting things, a look of contentment on his face.
Suddenly, someone rushed over urgently:
"Martial Uncle."
"What's the matter?" Iron Crown Daoist opened his eyes, with a hint of impatience in his voice.
"Young Master Yu from Sun Family seeks an audience. He brought someone who wishes to acquire Foundation Establishment Martial Arts, and the person is willing to offer two hundred taels of silver," the person reported.
"Two hundred taels of silver!" Iron Crown Daoist's expression slightly changed, and he slowly sat up straight:
"Please!"
He's about to return to the mountain soon. Though he has accumulated some wealth over the years, no one would ever think they have too much money.
Taking more money back ensures a stable life in his later years.
......
"Fang Zheng, greetings to the two Daoists!"
Fang Zheng walked into the room and respectfully bowed to the two.
Iron Crown Daoist was short in stature, his face covered with old wrinkles, likely in his seventies or eighties, yet his eyes were still bright.
The other was a young Daoist of celestial demeanor, presumably Zhang Mingrui, the Daoist from Yu Yanghong's words.
The Daoist in charge of Three Purities Temple changes every few years; this year, it's Iron Crown Daoist's turn to return to Pure Yang Palace, with Daoist Zhang succeeding him.
I just wonder who can provide what I need?
"Greetings Scholar Fang."
Iron Crown Daoist's eyes flickered:
"I heard that Scholar wishes to practice martial arts?"
"Indeed." Fang Zheng cupped his hands:
"I hope the Daoist can help fulfill this request."
"The Scholar's age is quite advanced; practicing martial arts is unlikely to yield results." Iron Crown Daoist shook his head repeatedly:
"It's not that this poor Daoist is unwilling, but even if I agree to teach, it might not reach the expectations in your heart, leading to inevitable disappointment."
"Daoist," Fang Zheng spoke up:
"I do not seek mastery, just the entry-level. Having fled to this place, I realize the importance of martial arts for self-support."
"If I can obtain a cultivation technique, even if I can't learn it myself, I can pass it down to future generations for the protection of the family."
"Hmm..." Iron Crown Daoist gently stroked his beard:
"There's truth to this."
These years of continuous natural disasters and human calamities have caused many once-wealthy households to decline across the four prefectures and thirteen counties. It seems the person in front of him is one of those.
There's a distinct lack of foundation compared to aristocratic families!
The children of such families practice martial arts and seek the Way from a young age, and with the supplementation of great medicine, each can fight ten men, even a hundred. They have the strength to resist adversity.
Ordinary families, without several generations of prosperity, cannot accumulate such a foundation.
To seek a cultivation technique for future generations is indeed appropriate.
Fang Zheng was observing the other's expressions closely. Seeing this, he couldn't help but feel relieved; it seems there's hope, thanks to Yu Yanghong's guidance.
"The Daoist temple has the duty of educating the masses. With such ambition, this poor Daoist has no reason to refuse." Iron Crown Daoist said:
"However, teachings are not easily imparted…"
"I am willing to offer two hundred taels of silver." Fang Zheng removed his satchel and placed it on the central table, with a sincere expression:
"As a show of sincerity!"
"Clattering..."
The sound of heavy objects hitting the table caused hearts to tremble.
Daoist Zhang stepped forward, opened the satchel for a look, and his expression instantly became wonderfully colorful. He then nodded toward Iron Crown Daoist.
For this endeavor, Fang Zheng had spent a fortune to obtain two fifteen-kilogram silver bars, which were melted into fragmented silver to bring three hundred taels over.
In this one go, most of it was gone.
"Good!"
Iron Crown Daoist had a smile on his face:
"There are regulations within the palace; non-disciples of Pure Yang Palace are not allowed to cultivate the Pure Yang Righteous Skill. However, this poor Daoist has a Hundred-Day Foundation Establishment Method, a fragment acquired from the Celestial Palace Treasure."
"In terms of the wonders of foundation establishment, it is not inferior to the Pure Yang Heart Technique."
He then took out a booklet, handed it to Daoist Zhang to pass to Fang Zheng, and said:
"But if you wish to use this method to establish a Martial Dao foundation, you will need the assistance of great medicine, which will certainly cost a lot. It's best to be prepared for this, Scholar Fang."
"Yes."
Fang Zheng was somewhat bewildered as he received the booklet, seemingly unable to believe that something he had been longing for was so easily obtained.
"Uncle," Daoist Zhang interjected at the right time:
"Let me escort Scholar Fang."
"Alright."
Outside, in the front yard, Fang Zheng still hadn't fully collected his thoughts.
"Scholar Fang." Daoist Zhang's eyes twinkled as he spoke softly:
"The great medicine needed for foundation establishment is not easy to concoct; if you have no experience in this area, you can easily waste the ingredients. I can help."
Hmm?
Fang Zheng turned his head to look.
"And it's not just the medicine." Daoist Zhang grinned:
"I happen to have Pure Yang Palace's secret Bone Strengthening Pills, which can strengthen muscles and bones; they are indispensable treasure medicine for martial artists."
"How much?"
"Three taels of silver per pill!"