Chapter 14: Talent_2
However, as time passed…
Chen Yuan's concerns gradually materialized as time went on.
Initially, when he completed the thirty-six movements of the Little Swallow Wing Fist under Li Yue's adjustments for the first time, everything seemed fine.
Although his performance in adapting to the adjustments wasn't as fast as Li Yue had anticipated, the latter simply assumed that Chen Yuan was still getting used to the new stances and hadn't fully unleashed his potential.
However, when Li Yue asked Chen Yuan to practice independently and pointed out mistakes for him to correct on his own, the cracks in his supposed "innate talent" began to show.
Chen Yuan's speed in understanding and executing the so-called "standard" movements betrayed his struggles.
Li Yue's brows furrowed deeply.
"Master, I…" Chen Yuan hesitated, wanting to explain.
Li Yue waved him off, pacing thoughtfully.
After a short moment, Li Yue stopped in front of Chen Yuan and spoke with a complex tone:
"I've taught countless disciples—if not a thousand, then certainly hundreds—and I've never encountered a situation quite like yours."
"You managed to memorize all thirty-six movements of the Little Swallow Wing Fist in a single night. By all accounts, your aptitude for martial arts should be outstanding. Yet now, when it comes to refining your stances, your progress is painstakingly slow, even lagging behind those with average comprehension."
"This could be because of your age—your body is less flexible, your physical foundation already set—but your initial ease in picking up the routine shouldn't align with such difficulties…"
He sighed, waving the matter off. "I've taught you the full foundational practice of the Little Swallow Wing Fist. For now, you can practice it on your own. Continue training with Xiao He in this courtyard for the time being; it's as good a place as any."
Chen Yuan inwardly sighed as well, realizing that Li Yue's intention to formally accept him as a disciple had likely wavered.
Still, he wasn't overly disheartened.
For one, he had anticipated this outcome.
For another, following Li Yue's adjustments had felt uncomfortable and counterintuitive to him, far less effective than practicing according to the guidance of the Yellow Court Jade Manual.
If he couldn't become a formal disciple, avoiding excessive scrutiny from Li Yue might actually work in his favor.
Suppressing his mixed thoughts, Chen Yuan bowed respectfully and said, "I regret troubling you during your rest, Master. This disciple feels deeply ashamed."
Hearing this, Li Yue's expression softened. He refrained from commenting further on Chen Yuan's performance and said, "Perhaps it's your set physical foundation making it hard to correct your movements. Still, your memory is quite remarkable. Continue practicing here and consult your senior brothers and sisters when needed. With your capacity for retention, progressing to the strength cultivation phase shouldn't be too difficult in the future."
Chen Yuan bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master."
Li Yue nodded slightly. "Go and call your senior brother Zhao He."
Acknowledging the instruction, Chen Yuan turned to leave the courtyard.
As he approached the exit, several individuals, seemingly close to his age, walked in.
These men and women carried themselves with confidence, their tall statures and fluid movements hinting at significant martial arts proficiency. They were likely the formal disciples of the Little Swallow Fist School that Li Yue had mentioned earlier.
Li Yue noticed them but made no move to introduce Chen Yuan.
Understanding the situation, Chen Yuan remained silent, offering a slight bow to the newcomers before continuing toward the main courtyard.
Shortly after, he located Zhao He, who was instructing apprentices in strength training with stone locks. Relaying the master's message, Chen Yuan waited in the courtyard.
...
About a quarter of an hour later, Zhao He returned, his expression a mix of emotions.
"Master has explained your situation to me," Zhao He said.
"For now, you'll continue training with me."
Without giving Chen Yuan a chance to respond, Zhao He sighed softly. "I'll start by teaching you some fundamental strength-building techniques. Once you've grasped those, you're free to practice here in the main courtyard or the smaller inner one—it's all been approved by Master."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. I appreciate your guidance," Chen Yuan said with a nod.
Zhao He, understanding the sentiment behind Chen Yuan's words, felt a twinge of respect.
Chen Yuan's calm demeanor in the face of this setback earned him Zhao He's admiration. While their dynamic was no longer as close as it had been initially, Zhao He's attitude remained cordial.
He patted Chen Yuan on the shoulder. "You've got an exceptional memory, managing to learn the entire fist routine in one night. That's no small feat. With persistence, you'll achieve mastery—it's just a matter of time before you formally join the ranks. Don't overthink it."
Then, Zhao He pointed to a corner of the courtyard where several stone locks were neatly arranged. "Go pick one that you can lift without too much strain. I'll show you the basic strength-building moves."
Without further comment, Chen Yuan nodded silently, followed Zhao He to the stone locks, and began his training in strength cultivation.
A morning's worth of training had passed in the blink of an eye.
Exhausted from Zhao He's reminder that "training must balance tension and relaxation to avoid overexertion," Chen Yuan left the Swallow Wing Fist School, his body aching with fatigue, and made his way back to the rented room he called home.
Hunger gnawed at him as much as the soreness in his limbs. On his way, he spotted a small eatery nearby and decided to grab a meal.
Just as he reached the entrance, a tense and heated argument caught his attention.
"A tael of silver?! My little shop barely makes three to five taels in a month. I still have to pay dues to the Butchers' Guild, and now you're demanding this? How's my family supposed to survive?"
"Heh! Don't worry. If you'd rather not pay, that's fine too. You've heard about the Cloud Mountain City authorities hunting for Yangfu Sect members, right? If you don't pay up, who knows? Maybe your family might just get mistaken for sect sympathizers and end up arrested. Not my problem."
"I'll go to the authorities and report this!"
"Go ahead. Plenty have tried that already. Remember that grain shopkeeper whose entire family got locked up? They gave it a shot before you did. Feel free to try. Let's see who gets to you first—the officials or us."
"You—!"
The conversation devolved into oppressive silence.
Chen Yuan paused outside the eatery, his feet rooted to the spot. He listened for a while longer before turning away and walking off decisively.
He continued down the street until the eatery was out of sight, then stopped and cast a glance back.
His expression grew somber.
"The Yangfu Sect..."
Cloud Mountain City was clearly more unstable than he had imagined.
What if the situation that befell the eatery's owner happened to him?
Clenching his fists tightly, Chen Yuan felt a surge of urgency.
"As I thought, in this world, only true strength can ensure survival."