Under the dim light of an oil lamp, Wei Tao's heart stirred as he looked up at his aged and weary father. Half a year had provided him with valuable insights, including the mention of a revered teacher.
In this world, there truly existed Martial Artists who possessed extraordinary power beyond the capabilities of ordinary individuals. Wei Tao had witnessed firsthand the boss of the mountain's medicine gang displaying incredible martial skills, effortlessly defeating multiple opponents. This Martial Artist had amassed a group of followers and controlled the herbal business in the outer city through his connections with a noble in the inner city.
Wei Tao had chanced upon this opportunity when he helped a Martial master find rare herbs in the mountains. As a result, the monthly tributes they had to provide to the medicine gang were significantly reduced. No longer did the family have to endure the hardships of venturing into the dangerous mountains to collect wood and herbs.
This incident led Father Wei to reconsider his plans for Wei Tao's education. Instead of continuing to pay for private schooling, he contemplated training his son in martial arts. Father Wei believed that in an increasingly chaotic world, possessing martial skills would provide a more stable livelihood. Even if Wei Tao couldn't become a Martial Master, he might secure a position as a housekeeper for a noble family in the inner city.
Wei Mu, Wei Tao's mother, retrieved a jar from under the bed and counted the copper coins and broken silver within. She noted that they were still a little short. Wei Hong, his elder sister, took out a small cloth bag from her clothes and added some broken silver to contribute to the funds.
The next morning, Wei Tao carefully guarded his money bag as he arrived at the entrance of a large courtyard near the inner city. Vibrant shouts emanated from within the courtyard walls, indicating the intense training taking place. This marked his first visit to the training hall, unlike his previous encounters where he merely handed over medicinal herbs to the servants employed by Martial Master Zhou.
Wei Tao stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a brief moment, a tall, robust man emerged. "I am Wei Tao, the herb collector, and I've come to meet Master Zhou."
"Is it time for the herb delivery again today? Just hand it over to the steward upfront," the man replied.
"No, I'm here to learn boxing from Master Zhou," Wei Tao insisted.
"Learn boxing... Come in then," the man conceded, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Wei Tao. He then turned and led the way inside.
Inside the courtyard, over thirty men and women of varying heights were engaged in vigorous training. In their midst stood a massive iron pot filled with iron sand, heated by a charcoal fire beneath it. They repeatedly inserted their hands into the scorching sand, flipping it, their arms drenched in sweat, glowing a reddish hue, and emitting faint white steam.
Wei Tao walked through the Martial Training Stage and entered the inner courtyard's main hall. A middle-aged man with a long black beard sat reclined in an Imperial Tutor chair, squinting with his eyes closed. Upon hearing the footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fixing upon Wei Tao.
Wei Tao respectfully cupped his fists together and saluted, "Master Zhou..."
"Are you truly determined to learn boxing from me?" the middle-aged man questioned, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Yes," Wei Tao affirmed.
Master Zhou stroked his beard, contemplating for a moment. "While I might accept you, I must caution you. Given your physique and apparent lack of vitality, it might be more beneficial for you to save up this silver to pursue an official examination for government positions."
Wei Tao fell into silence, bowing deeply once again.
"Very well. Have you brought the tea money for your teacher?" Master Zhou asked, waiting briefly before closing his eyes once more.
"This is the tea money from your devoted disciple," Wei Tao said, presenting the bag of money with both hands and offering a cup of clear tea simultaneously.
Master Zhou accepted the tea and took a sip. "Since you have stepped through the door, even if you become an honorary disciple, you will train alongside other honorary disciples. Whether you can ultimately become an Official Disciple, learning the true Red Line Fist of our sect, will depend on your performance and contributions."
With those words, Master Zhou raised his head, scanning the surroundings until his gaze settled on the Brawny Man standing nearby. "Little Fifth, come and take him to practice. Start with the fundamentals of external training."
As the sun began to set, casting a warm reddish glow over the entire Cangyuan City, Wei Tao withdrew his arms from the cauldron in front of him. They were now red from his fingertips to his elbows, with broken skin stained by the remnants of densely packed medicine powder, causing a hot and painful sensation.
The Martial Training Stage was filled with many individuals like Wei Tao, both men and women, each practicing in their own cauldrons. There was little interaction among the crowd as they focused solely on their training. Their goal was to meet the entry standards and advance from honorary disciples to become official disciples who could freely enter the inner courtyard.
Becoming an official disciple not only granted access to the secrets of the Red Line Fist but also elevated one's status. In most areas of the outer city, being a direct disciple of the Red Line Fist was a prestigious symbol that provided significant security and benefits to oneself and even their family.
"Fifth Senior Brother."
"Hello, Fifth Senior Brother."
"It's an honor to meet you, Fifth Senior Brother."
In a series of respectful greetings, Brawny Man, whom Wei Tao had met in the morning, approached while holding a bottle of pale-yellow potion. Even before he got closer, the strong and pungent smell permeated the air.
"Junior Brother Wei, go to the well and wash your arms. Today is your first external practice, and the teacher has asked me to teach you how to apply the medicine," Fifth Senior Brother said.
"Thank you very much, Fifth Senior Brother," Wei Tao replied, taking deep breaths to endure the burning pain. He watched as his hands and forearms gradually turned an earthy color, and the itching sensation intensified, as if countless ants were gnawing at his heart, making him resist the urge to scratch his skin vigorously.
"Don't move. Endure it, and it will pass," advised Fifth Senior Brother, rolling up his sleeves and approaching. "I was the same way when I started. I couldn't resist scratching hard, and I ended up tearing off a large piece of skin. I still have a scar from it."
After evenly applying the entire bottle of potion, Fifth Senior Brother exhaled heavily, releasing a mouthful of impure air. "Let's go. Your first day of external training consumes a lot of energy. After meeting the teacher, hurry back and rest."
A little while later, Wei Tao entered the inner hall and saw Master Zhou sitting there, once again enjoying his tea.
"Come here," Master Zhou opened his eyes and beckoned Wei Tao.
"Hold out your hand."
Wei Tao followed the instructions, raising his hands, but suddenly, everything seemed to blur before him.
Before he could react, he felt a pricking sensation, as if needles were piercing the tiger mouth positions of his left and right hands.
All the pain vanished, replaced by numbness. He couldn't even feel his arms anymore.
As time passed, Wei Tao was filled with a warm sensation. Compared to the burning pain from the flame earlier and the sudden numbness, it felt like transitioning from hell to heaven.
Consciously, he looked down and saw that the palms of his hands were bright red, resembling steamed prawns.
"Remember?" Master Zhou's voice sounded in Wei Tao's ears, breaking his trance.
Wei Tao suddenly snapped back to reality, and it was only then that he realized a faint surge of heat within his hands. Everywhere he touched, the skin turned even redder, as if it were becoming jade.
Before he could respond, Master Zhou continued, "It's normal if you don't remember. As you continue your practice, you will gradually experience that when your palms turn as scarlet as blood and feel as smooth as jade, it means you have truly entered the realm of the Red Line Fist."
"Alright, it's getting dark now. You should head back. Remember to come here on time at dawn tomorrow."
"Thank you, Master," Wei Tao hurriedly bowed. "Then, Disciple will take his leave."
"Wait a moment."
Master Zhou took a sip from his tea cup, opened his previously closed eyes, and halted Wei Tao once more. "Lately, there has been some unrest in the outer city, and since today is your first day of training, let Little Fifth accompany you back."