Jiang Ning didn't believe that Wang Jin could meet the conditions to enter the Inspection Office within three months.
He understood very well, which was quite normal.
After all, his training in martial arts had been too brief.
What could he achieve in just three months?
Judging by the challenge for Wang Jin's true disciples, achieving great success with any stance of the Five Element Fist within six months was sufficient to become his true disciple.
This showed how difficult training in martial arts was.
His elder brother had trained for many years and had only managed to achieve great Qi-Blood and coordination in his limbs.
And to meet the requirements for joining the Inspection Office, one needed to reach the Martial Arts Entry, and be under thirty years old.
In Luoshui County, anyone who could achieve this was either a martial arts genius or wealthy and noble, using money to mold themselves into a martial artist.
Jiang Ning displayed a smile on his face, his expression brimming with confidence, "Master, don't worry! It won't be long before I master the Five Animals Fist!"
"Good! That's the confidence you should have!" Wang Jin praised again.
He then slightly looked up at the moon, "It's getting late! I, an old man, shall not trouble you, the young, further! I need to go rest! You shouldn't practice your fist anymore tonight, you went a bit too far just now. Go back to your room and rest well, conserve your energy and continue tomorrow!"
Jiang Ning nodded, "Disciple understands!"
Then Jiang Ning spoke again, "Disciple has an impolite request to discuss with Master."
"Stop beating around the bush, just say it!" Wang Jin said.
"Disciple wishes to borrow books from Master's study. It's still early until midnight; I could read for a while. Plus, normally when I recover my physical strength and rest during spare time, reading can help me gain more knowledge," Jiang Ning said.
"You are this diligent?" Wang Jin was a bit stunned, his original intention was for Jiang Ning to rest early that night.
But to his surprise, Jiang Ning was thinking of utilizing the early hours to borrow and read books.
Jiang Ning scratched his head, "As a child from a poor family, I must strive hard! How else can I change my fate? And teacher, you know that my reason for asking to stay in the Martial Arts Hall long-term is because there are people outside who mean me harm! Next spring, I hope to participate in the imperial examination, gain scholarly honor, and thus gain real peace."
"Scholarly honor is needed for peace?" Wang Jin asked, surprised, "Is the pressure from becoming an official?"
Jiang Ning replied, "It's not truly being an official, but it's akin to it."
"I see!" Wang Jin nodded slightly, but did not delve further. Then he said, "For you to have such aspirations is commendable. It is crucial to excel in both literary and martial arts! A true strong man is never just invincible in strength or intelligence alone, but in both. A true martial arts master is never illiterate."
Jiang Ning nodded in agreement, "I fully agree with the Master!"
Wang Jin nodded again, "With such aspirations, how could I not support you! From now on, feel free to enter my study, and later you can get a key from Aunt Sun!"
"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Ning said gravely, bowing in respect.
...
Thud, thud, thud—
A knocking sound arose.
"Coming! Coming!"
The sound echoed, followed by a series of heavy footsteps drawing nearer to Jiang Ning's ears.
Creeeak—
As the courtyard door opened, it revealed the slightly burly figure of Aunt Sun.
"I knew it was you, youngster!" Aunt Sun spoke.
Jiang Ning also showed a smile, "Sister Sun, sorry to disturb you so late!"
"Hey! What disturbance! I haven't even gone to bed yet," Aunt Sun waved her hand and then spoke again, "You're not practicing at this hour and suddenly coming to see me, what's the matter?"
Jiang Ning said, "Today I overexerted my body and don't have any wild ginseng to replenish my exhausted energy, so I can't train anymore! Hence, I just spoke to the Master and asked if I could borrow some books from the library, and after he agreed, he asked me to get the keys from Sister Sun!"
"That's so!" Aunt Sun nodded in realization. "Wait here! I'll get you the keys to the library!"
"Uh-huh!" Jiang Ning nodded repeatedly.
It was only a short moment.
Aunt Sun came rushing over to Jiang Ning.
"Here are the keys! Don't lose them!"
"Don't worry, Sister!" Jiang Ning smiled, taking the keys from Aunt Sun.
Then he spoke again, "By the way, Sister."
"What is it?"
Jiang Ning said, "The Master just mentioned that starting tomorrow, I can have a bowl of medicinal soup morning, noon, and night."
"Not bad, young one! I didn't expect Master Wang to hold you in such high regard, even elevating your status to that of a true disciple! Even Xiao Peng, who became a true disciple today, gets no more!"
Aunt Sun exclaimed happily, giving Jiang Ning a hearty slap on the back.
Then she continued, "I just heard you don't have wild ginseng to sustain your training, and I was worried you might overtrain and harm your body! After all, you're one of the hardest working kids I've seen training here at the martial arts hall over the years."
Jiang Ning just smiled, not speaking.
He had heard praises of his diligence many times before.
But when there was a clear pathway, every effort yielded returns, he could see his progress bit by bit, and feel his body growing stronger—who wouldn't be diligent?
People tend to lack diligence because they see no returns—efforts made without reward.
Especially when stuck at a bottleneck, struggling for a week, a month, a year, and still unable to make progress—who could continue persevering?
...
After saying goodbye to Aunt Sun, Jiang Ning quickly headed toward the library.
The collection of books at Wang Jin's Martial Arts Hall was surely more extensive than his own home, potentially even including secret martial arts skills. Now, due to his recent performance, his status in the eyes of Wang Jin had improved, granting him access to the library, something he greatly anticipated.
When he arrived at the library door.
He unlocked it, then stepped inside.
After lighting the candlestick, the whole layout of the library came into view.
On three sides of the library, there were large bookcases, each neatly lined with books.
Holding the books, Jiang Ning approached the bookcase on the right which contained medical books and pharmacology.
As the saying goes, medicine and martial arts are inseparable.
Martial arts involve understanding the mysteries of the human body. Those who pioneered martial arts skills had to be extremely knowledgeable and deeply understand the human anatomy.
The same goes for medicinal herbs.
The path of martial arts is closely linked to various herbs, inseparable.
Without the aid of medicines, a person's martial arts achievements would inevitably be greatly limited, and their progress significantly slowed.
It is well-known that the best age to start martial arts is fifteen when bones and bodies are mature, and up to about thirty-five is the golden age—when improvements are the largest and fastest.
From around forty, martial artists would gradually decline, and their Qi-blood would continuously weaken.
At that time, it's not only difficult to advance in martial arts skills, but even maintaining strength would be challenging.
Unless one practices martial arts to a high level, strengthening the organs with inner strength and prolonging bodily functions, then a longer golden age could be possible for advancing in martial arts.
With these thoughts flickering through his mind, Jiang Ning's gaze swiftly scanned the names on the books as he moved forward slowly.