"Alright. If there's anything you need my help with, Senior Brother, please don't hesitate to ask."
Chu Lingguang never intended to clash with Hei Hu. Seeing his friendly attitude, he responded with even greater sincerity.
"HAHAHA, of course! Come on, I'll treat you to a drink."
Hei Hu pulled Chu Lingguang along toward a tavern.
Chu Lingguang couldn't very well refuse, but he made a mental note of the treat. He would have to return the favor one day.
"What are you looking for?"
When Zhang Da returned from the tile factory, he found Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had turned the house upside down. Exhausted from a long day's work, he was feeling irritable.
"I'm looking for the bracelet my mother gave me when we got married."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family said as she continued to rummage.
"What do you need the bracelet for? My back is killing me. I want to take a bath, so go heat up some water for me."
Zhang Da sat barefoot on a stool, pounding his shoulders.
"I want to sell the bracelet to get Lin Guang a couple of decent outfits."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family found a small box behind the wardrobe, a sigh of relief finally crossing her face.
"Woman, why are you always siding with an outsider? He can't even keep his place at the Martial Arts Hall, and you're willing to make him clothes!"
Hearing this, Zhang Da exploded, kicking his stool over in a fit of anger.
"My job is safe now. Lin Guang helped me."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family explained as she took out the bracelet and wiped it carefully.
Zhang Da froze. He reluctantly righted the stool and said, "Even so, you don't need to sell your bracelet to make him clothes. We've helped him plenty over the years. How about this: we'll treat him to a meal tomorrow and give him half a pound of lard. But let's forget about the clothes."
"The reason I can keep working at the Martial Arts Hall is that Lin Guang has developed Fist Force. Master Guo is very pleased and is having Lin Guang and Hei Hu formally become his disciples tomorrow."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family said to Zhang Da.
Zhang Da was completely stunned. He sat on the stool for a long time without saying a word. Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family understood his reaction; when she saw Chu Lingguang produce Fist Force at the Martial Arts Hall earlier, she had been just as dumbfounded as Zhang Da, and it had taken her a long while to come to her senses.
After a moment, Zhang Da got up from the stool and walked toward the door.
"Where are you going?"
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family asked, confused.
"Use your head! Lin Guang is becoming a disciple tomorrow. Are you going to let him go see Master Guo empty-handed?"
Zhang Da said hotly.
"I heard from Miss Guo that Master Guo is very fond of corn cakes,"
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family reminded him.
"I know."
Zhang Da's impatient voice came from the doorway.
By the time the neighbors were blowing out their candles, Chu Lingguang had finally returned home. Hei Hu had been generous, ordering three pounds of pig's head meat, a pot of pickled vegetables stewed with tofu, and two large pork ribs.
It was the most sumptuous meal Chu Lingguang had eaten since he'd transmigrated.
He ate with delight, though the thought of the expense pained him. He would have to return the favor for this meal one day, and the spread couldn't be any less grand than tonight's. He couldn't let Hei Hu think he was being slighted.
Reeking of alcohol, he sat on his bed, rubbing his stomach.
It had been a long time since Chu Lingguang had experienced this feeling of being stuffed with meat and wine. He couldn't bear to use his Breathing Technique to dispel the sensation.
But after a moment's hesitation, he used the Breathing Technique to dispel the effects of the alcohol and the feeling of fullness. In this chaotic world, he had to remain vigilant at all times.
Waking early the next day, Chu Lingguang heated water, burned incense, and bathed. He was to become Guo Wei's disciple, so he had to be in high spirits. Poor in wealth, perhaps, but not in ambition. He couldn't bring shame to Guo Wei.
After breakfast, Chu Lingguang headed for the Martial Arts Hall.
He had only taken a few steps out of his courtyard when he saw Zhang Da approaching, carrying something.
"Uncle."
Chu Lingguang called out.
"Lin Guang, I heard from your Second Aunt that you developed Fist Force yesterday and will be accepted as Master Guo's disciple today. I went and got a little something for you. Take this to Master Guo later. We can't show up empty-handed."
Zhang Da handed the items to Chu Lingguang.
"Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Second Aunt."
Chu Lingguang didn't refuse. Zhang Da was right; how could he present himself on the day of the ceremony without a gift? Even if Guo Wei was too polite to say anything about his poverty, he would surely feel displeased.
"It's getting late, and I have to get to work at the tile factory. I'll be off, then. Come over for dinner tonight."
Zhang Da rubbed his hands together. He felt a little awkward facing Chu Lingguang now, so he left with just those few words.
"Take care, Uncle."
Chu Lingguang watched Zhang Da leave.
[Helped Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family keep her job at the Martial Arts Hall. Gained 26 Favor Points.]
After Zhang Da left, another line of text appeared before Chu Lingguang.
Chu Lingguang knew what these gifts represented. It was partly Zhang Da's fear that Chu Lingguang would give him the cold shoulder after becoming successful, and partly his gratitude for the help given to Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family. It was also a hope that he would look after their family in the future.
Chu Lingguang took it to heart.
He checked his status panel.
Favors: 29
Iron Mountain Fist (32/100)
Basic Breathing Technique (27/100)
(Remaining Lifespan: 39)
Ever since he had successfully developed Fist Force, his Iron Mountain Fist value had surpassed that of his Basic Breathing Technique, and his lifespan had increased again.
'I'll add nine points to Iron Mountain Fist and the rest to Basic Breathing Technique. I feel like the stronger my Basic Breathing Technique gets, the faster my Iron Mountain Fist progresses. But after developing Fist Force, Iron Mountain Fist seems to have hit a bottleneck. It needs a little push from my points.'
Favors: 0
Iron Mountain Fist (41/100)
Basic Breathing Technique (47/100)
(Remaining Lifespan: 43)
Seeing the changes in his stats, Chu Lingguang was satisfied. He picked up the gifts and headed for the Martial Arts Hall.
Today, Guo Wei was accepting disciples, so the Martial Arts Hall was bustling with activity.
Two sedan chairs were parked at the entrance, and two tawny horses were tied to the hitching post.
When Chu Lingguang entered, he saw that quite a few people had gathered in the front courtyard.
A large, square eight-immortals table was piled high with gifts.
Hei Hu, dressed in ceremonial robes, stood behind a rugged-looking middle-aged man. This man was richly dressed and wore a thick Jade Ring on his right thumb. He cupped his fist toward Guo Wei and said, "Master Guo, for my son to become your disciple is a blessing the Hei Clan has earned from a past life. If this boy doesn't perform well in the future, don't hold back on my account. Even if you have to break his arms and legs, I won't so much as frown."
"You exaggerate," Guo Wei said mildly. "Since Hei Hu is becoming my disciple, I will naturally teach him with care. If he truly makes a mistake, I have many ways to discipline him, but I would certainly never break his arms and legs."
"You're right, of course. I'm just a coarse man. If I've said anything out of place, I hope you won't take offense," Hei Hu's father said with a laugh.
Guo Wei nodded. Seeing Chu Lingguang arrive alone, he felt a wave of relief. He hated dealing with his disciples' families.
Especially the ones who tried to curry favor.
"Lin Guang, come here."
He beckoned to Chu Lingguang.
"Master."
Chu Lingguang first placed his gifts on the eight-immortals table. He saw the gifts prepared by Hei Hu's family were many and varied: fine wines, lanterns, cosmetics like rouge and powder, a whole roasted suckling pig, and various pastries and fruits.
Compared to what he had brought, their gifts were both abundant and extravagant.
'I can't imagine what would have happened if I'd come empty-handed,' Chu Lingguang thought. 'How would everyone have looked at me? How could Master Guo have faced them?' At that moment, he felt immensely grateful to Zhang Da.