Chapter 7: Martial Arts
Chen Yuan looked at the martial arts school plaque, feeling a bit of anticipation in his heart.
Yan Chi Martial Arts Hall is the place he chose to apprentice and practice martial arts.
As for the reason? It's cheap.
This martial arts school was established by a retired veteran from the Fengguo army. The owner of the martial arts school is named Li Yue.
Because he also came from a poor family in his early years, the tuition he charged was the lowest in the West City, only twenty-five taels of silver.
In fact, most of the apprentices here are also impoverished children from the West City.
Chen Yuan had never seriously engaged with martial arts, so he was unaware of the distinctions within it.
In his opinion, being able to open a martial arts hall in the city, the master should not have low strength among the martial artists of Yunshan City. Naturally, it means the inheritance won't be too bad.
For someone who is just beginning to learn martial arts, it's already enough.
Given his current situation, saving some silver coins is a good idea. Approaching the courtyard gate, Chen Yuan heard the intermittent shouts of young boys coming from inside the courtyard.
Slightly calming his emotions, he stepped forward and knocked.
'Knock, knock, knock…'
The sound of knocking on the door was heard, and the wooden door was pulled open from the inside, revealing the fierce face of a rough-looking man.
Through the gap in the courtyard door, Chen Yuan could just see the scene inside the courtyard.
The inner courtyard was spacious, and one could see a dozen or so bare-armed youths of varying ages throwing stone locks, honing their strength.
In the corner, there were a few more young men practicing their footwork on the plum blossom poles.
The man looked Chen Yuan up and down and asked, "Here to apprentice, are you?"
"Yes."
"Got money?"
"Yes."
"Come in then." The man stepped aside, inviting Chen Yuan inside.
Walked into the courtyard, Chen Yuan glanced around a few times, his gaze first drawn to the young boys practicing their strength, but eventually landing on an old man lying on a recliner at the entrance of a side room in the courtyard.
The old man was short in stature, with gray hair and beard, holding a fan, lying on the chair, gently swaying, with his eyes half-closed, resting.
The man who opened the door ignored Chen Yuan and quickly walked over to the old man, whispering, "Master, a kid has come to seek apprenticeship."
The old man immediately opened his eyes and looked over.
At this moment, Chen Yuan was observing the old man, and their gazes met just as the old man turned his eyes.
In an instant, Chen Yuan felt as if the other person's gaze was like a knife, and his brow couldn't help but twitch.
He guessed the old man's identity. Suppressing all the distracting thoughts in his mind, he walked over and bowed, saying, "I am Chen Yuan, paying my respects to Elder Li."
The old man withdrew his gaze from Chen Yuan and did not stand up.
Gently shaking his fan, he asked, "Are the rules clear?" Chen Yuan understood.
He took out the twenty-five taels of silver he had prepared earlier from his pocket and offered them, saying, "Please accept this, Elder Li."
The old man gestured for the man beside him to take it.
Then he waved to Chen Yuan and said, "Come forward."
Chen Yuan was slightly stunned, somewhat confused.
But he didn't say much and obediently stepped forward. He had just walked up to the rocking chair when the old man suddenly raised his large, knotted left hand and fiercely grabbed Chen Yuan's arm.
Before Chen Yuan could react, a tremendous pulling force yanked him off balance, causing him to bend over involuntarily.
He was startled. Chen Yuan felt the old man's large hand again, moving along his arm joints, all the way up.
Passing through the elbow, shoulder, and then to the back of the neck.
Then, following the spine, it traveled all the way down to the tailbone, where it suddenly struck and withdrew. Chen Yuan was somewhat caught off guard, but with the old man's slap, he felt a jolt and involuntarily stood up straight.
"The foundation is decent, but unfortunately, you're a bit too old." The old man's voice carried a hint of disappointment.
Chen Yuan finally understood what the old man had just done; he had been feeling his bones. "At seventeen or eighteen, what do you need to learn martial arts for? Even if you join a martial arts school, you'll just gain some strength. It's better to use this money to eat more meat; the effect will be the same. Go back."
Chen Yuan was taken aback upon hearing this. He had only heard that the martial arts schools in Yunshan City accepted disciples without considering their qualifications; as long as you had the money, it was fine.
Why were they still looking at conditions? Realizing it, he understood the old man's intentions.
The other party should have good intentions, seeing that he was not young and wouldn't be able to learn much.
Seeing his worn-out clothes, they could tell that his family conditions were probably not good, and they were kindly advising him.
The other party's attitude made Chen Yuan feel that he hadn't come to the wrong place. In this day and age, when you apprentice to learn martial arts, you can't avoid being driven by your master.
Having a teacher with a sense of humanity is a good thing.
"Young man sincerely wishes to learn some martial arts, hoping for Elder Li's kindness." The old man glanced at him, shook his head, and said, "Alright then."
After finishing his words, he no longer looked at Chen Yuan, closed his eyes, and casually said, "Xiao He, help him with the arrangements."
"Yes, Master." The man beside him quickly responded.
Seeing this, Chen Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief.
Although this old man didn't seem to think much of him and he had also received the bad news about his poor innate talent from the other party, at least he had managed to stay.
"May I ask how to address you, Senior Brother?"
Inside the martial arts school, Chen Yuan walked out of a storage room carrying a bundle.