Martial Saint through Reading-Chapter 39: Young Master Chu, You Shouldn’t Give Up
"Young Master Chu Ming, if you ask me, you ought to join our Criminal Defense Bureau and train your body. What’s the use of reading books? When the enemy comes, can you only talk to them?"
"Your body is too weak."
"In our Great Qin Dynasty, there should be more martial artists going to battle. Scholars are fine as they are; more of them only lead to conflict."
Shao Pengshu leaned against the shed, wearing a sun-shading conical hat, one hand holding a horse whip, the other resting on his raised leg, appearing relaxed and at ease.
However, from his tone, it was clear this Arresting Captain from the Criminal Defense Bureau seemed to have little regard for scholars.
"Hmm, it is too thin." voiced Chu Ming from inside, somewhat perfunctory.
Although he had already condensed seven paths of Qi Blood, outwardly his body indeed appeared frail, far from comparable to a seasoned martial artist like Shao Pengshu.
Shao Pengshu, invigorated by the response, tilted his head back slightly and lowered his voice to ask, "Young Master Chu Ming, didn’t Instructor Fang teach you a few moves?"
The sound of pages turning came from inside the carriage, "Poetry, Politics, and Military" was laid flat on his leg, and Chu Ming was quickly skimming through it. "He did."
"Tiger and Python Strength?"
"Yes."
"Hard to learn, can’t train well?"
"..." Chu Ming paused briefly, then replied calmly, "Just trained for a few days, didn’t continue afterward."
In a few days, he achieved great success with Tiger and Python Strength and began to evolve and optimize a new Body Refining Technique. If you think about it, he did only practice Tiger and Python Strength for a few days.
"Young Master Chu Ming, there’s something I should say, but don’t know if I should," Shao Pengshu’s gaze shifted.
"Please go ahead, Captain Shao."
"Martial arts training is tough, much harder than reading books. Young Master Chu Ming just trained for a few days; maybe didn’t even memorize the moves, so why give up?"
"But the Tiger and Python Strength taught by Instructor Fang is a Body Refining Technique of the Tiger Armor Army from Xirong County; mastering it not only strengthens the body but also grants strength comparable to a ferocious tiger. Ordinary folks can’t even learn it."
"Does Young Master Chu Ming know how long it took me to learn Tiger and Python Strength?"
"How long?" Chu Ming flipped to the next page, his gaze never leaving "Poetry, Politics, and Military."
Shao Pengshu puffed out his chest slightly, with a touch of pride on his face. "Young Master Chu Ming hasn’t seen the dawn at the crow of the rooster or the quiet night after midnight, has he?"
His chin also lifted with it, "It took two whole months of diligent practice every day, often getting exhausted to the point of collapse, eventually mastering Tiger and Python Strength, reaching Minor Success."
"Two months, huh..." Chu Ming gently lifted his gaze, glimpsed the scenery swiftly retreating beyond the window, then lowered his head to continue reading, "Captain Shao, your perseverance is remarkable."
Achieving Minor Success with Tiger and Python Strength in two months was indeed a matter of pride.
"Yah!"
The wheels rolled, dust flying everywhere.
Shao Pengshu sat upright, composed his expression, cleared his throat, and declared sternly, "Young Master Chu Ming, you shouldn’t give up."
"Fine, I’ll practice some more," replied Chu Ming, "Thank you, Captain Shao." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"Does Young Master Chu Ming have any questions, feel free to ask. I believe I’ve encountered it all."
"...Not at the moment, will consult Captain Shao if there’s a chance."
"Whoa~" Shao Pengshu tightened the reins abruptly, halting the horse, causing the carriage to brake suddenly.
"Captain Shao?" Luckily, Chu Ming sat firmly as his Qi Blood surged; an ordinary person might have been thrown off.
Shao Pengshu whipped open the curtain, his expression rigid, first casting a contemptuous glance at the thick "Poetry, Politics, and Military," then locked eyes with Chu Ming.
"Young Master Chu Ming, let’s not wait for a chance; let’s do it now."
"Although my skills may not match Instructor Fang’s, I teach Tiger and Python Strength far better than him."
His gaze was earnest, fixating on Chu Ming, "Because I understand those things Instructor Fang finds simple and doesn’t teach, yet one struggles to comprehend."
With that, Shao Pengshu jumped off the carriage, stood at the horse’s head, and pointed to the woods by the roadside: "Young Master Chu Ming, the little grove awaits you."
Then, he made his way in, leaving Chu Ming dumbfounded in the carriage.
The person is oddly enthusiastic...
Just, what does ’things Instructor Fang finds simple and doesn’t teach’ mean... Could the Arresting Captain from the Criminal Defense Bureau misunderstand something?
As he was pondering, Shao Pengshu popped his head out from the woods: "Young Master Chu Ming, come, rest assured, no one’s watching."
"..."
The little grove, two men, no one’s watching...
Whoever wants to go can go.
At this moment, behind the carriage, Tan Hong and Hou Wuchun walked over.
"Brother Chu, what’s going on here?" Hou Wuchun approached the carriage asking, while Tan Hong went to the roadside, looking at Shao Pengshu: "Lord Shao, we’re still some distance from Baiyuan County, why suddenly stop?"
Shao Pengshu saw the two coming over, emerged from the woods, his eyes moved, and he whispered, "Wanted to guide the Young Master from Instructor Fang’s family in Tiger and Python Strength, but he’s lazy, unwilling to come down."
"Tan Hong, tell him how I taught you Tiger and Python Strength, and the effect it had?" This was spoken loudly, not whispered.
Hou Wuchun was taken aback, what does it mean? The Bureau is teaching Brother Chu Tiger and Python Strength?
Should Brother Chu teach it?
Tan Hong listened, and couldn’t help but understand what Shao Pengshu meant.
He walked over to the carriage, pulling the still contemplating Hou Wuchun aside, speaking to Chu Ming inside:
"Young Master Chu Ming, though you are under Instructor Fang’s protection, he can’t protect you forever."
"We men should be like Lord Shao, myself, and Kid Hou, train in martial arts to strengthen our bodies. Reading, in the end, will be reduced to a pawn of court power tactics."
It was clear the Deputy Arresting Captain from the Criminal Defense Bureau also held disdain for scholars, even somewhat resistant.
"Lord Shao isn’t as formidable as Instructor Fang, but his research in Tiger and Python Strength absolutely surpasses him. Young Master Chu Ming only needs to practice once; Lord Shao can pinpoint mistakes and correct them."
"Young Master Chu Ming need not worry about being laughed at for errors; we’ve all been through it, Young Master Chu Ming, just come down."
"Back in the day, I made many basic mistakes, but couldn’t realize them myself. Later, thanks to Lord Shao’s guidance, I improved rapidly."
Chu Ming looked at the stern Tan Hong, then at the expectant Shao Pengshu by the roadside.
It’s certain, they genuinely wanted him to get off and train.
But...
"Deputy Captain Tan, Captain Shao, I’ve been jolted all morning in the carriage, and feeling quite... hungry, could we eat something first?"
"Sure."
With a look from Shao Pengshu, Tan Hong ran to the rear carriage, fetching pots and bowls, lighting a fire under the pot...
These items were naturally stashed by Hou Wuchun’s mother, proving useful.
Soon enough, the aroma of meat wafted into the carriage.
"Young Master Chu Ming, eat then."
Hou Wuchun holding a bowl big enough to fit a face, squatted on a large rock, eating diligently.
Shao Pengshu and Tan Hong were less particular, eating right on the ground. The bowls weren’t as large, but their eating was fierce.
Chu Ming exited the carriage, sitting by the iron pot, eating slowly.
The meal wasn’t as exquisite as Little Shan’s cooking, but the large pot had plenty inside, mostly meat, with a decent taste.
Hou Wuchun devoured three large bowls, relaxed his stomach, and lay flat on a large stone.
Shao Pengshu and Tan Hong had smaller bowls, each served seven or eight times before stopping.
"Young Master Chu Ming, a man should be like us, eat meat heartily, drink... water... in big bowls..."
