Chapter Five: The Child's Foundation

Most martial arts schools are established in the city; those that remain in rural areas are usually masters supported by landlords and wealthy gentry. After all, the saying "the poor study, the rich practice martial arts" is not just empty words. Yet the Body-Burning School took the opposite course, built in the Tidewatch District where the poor are most numerous. The environment here is abysmal, inhabited by fishermen and refugees. Everywhere you look, there's a landscape of dilapidated shacks.

The people here have weathered faces, deep wrinkles, and scraggly beards—all worn down to the bone by life's hardships. Yet when they gaze at the Body-Burning Martial Arts School, their eyes burn with fanaticism, as if worshipping a saint.

This school is the sole exception in the district: thirty rooms, floors pressed with pale watermarked stones, walls built from mountain timber. Though not luxurious, it exudes a clean, orderly air.

Zhou Xinxin and Yan Feiniang stood at the entrance, outside which two dark, burly men guarded the door, their joints thick, arms strong enough to run a horse, eyes suspiciously trained on the newcomers.

"Feiniang, why must we come here? Wouldn't it suffice to tell Brother Kou the location? This isn’t a place for people like us," Zhou Xinxin grumbled, scraping mud from his shoes. Even the air carried a pungent fishy smell.

"If you don't like it, go back," Yan Feiniang retorted, silencing him instantly.

After a while, Zhou Xinxin changed the subject. "Feiniang, why don't we go inside? Announce your identity and surely no one from this rural school would dare stop you. I've never seen someone formally apprentice before."

"Precisely because of my identity, I can’t simply barge in. Don’t you know the rules of the martial world? Unless you send a visiting card seven days in advance, entering unannounced is the gravest provocation, tantamount to challenging the school. Do you really think those two rootless fellows could become disciples of Master Lin? I just want to see how he'll embarrass himself—that miser!"

Her words were bitter, gnashing her teeth with resentment. She wasn't a peerless beauty, but had no shortage of admirers. Now, she’d given that pauper a chance to play hero, yet he dared ask for money!

"Kou has a thousand taels in silver notes," Zhou Xinxin muttered. He’d withdrawn them himself; in his world, money solved anything. His family supported several martial masters, none of whom were particularly esteemed.

Yan Feiniang shot him an angry glare. "Is Master Lin just another third-rate instructor? He hasn’t accepted any disciples for years..."

"Are you two friends of Kou Li and Zheng Baor?"

A voice like a cracked gong rang out. Zhou Xinxin looked up, startled as if struck by lightning. Was this a reincarnated black bear spirit?

The man before them stood like a lion: at least nine feet tall, broad-mouthed, wide-eyed, tangled hair, exuding a formidable aura. His hands were dark and tough, like iron stakes.

Yan Feiniang, trained in the martial arts, could tell this was no ordinary brute. The black bear's shoulders relaxed, elbows drooped, stomach firm, chest open. He moved with feline agility—natural and refined. His skills were so deeply ingrained, they suffused his every motion.

Moreover, despite his rugged appearance, his skin was smooth as jade, without a single visible vein. Had he refined his sinews?

Yan Feiniang’s eyes widened. Wasn’t that the same realm as her master?

"Are you two friends of those boys?"

"Y-yes," Zhou Xinxin replied hastily. A gentleman avoids peril; but before him was more than peril—a raging bear!

"Kou Li and Zheng Baor are already disciples here. According to school rules, they cannot leave easily. Please go," the black bear said.

"Impossible!" Yan Feiniang protested. "Baor is just a child, but that miser has no foundation at all—how could you accept him?"

The black bear’s face twitched, finally snapping, "How should I know? Someone, see them out."

"Yes, Head Instructor!"

The two guards stepped forward, inviting them to leave with dangerous looks—if they lingered, violence would follow.

"They’re outrageous—lawless! This is the emperor’s realm, not theirs. Why can’t we stand at the gate? Why must we be expelled?" Zhou Xinxin muttered as they left, trying to revive his delayed masculine pride.

"Shut up!" Yan Feiniang could bear it no longer. "Think before you speak! Do you know how skilled that man is? His martial arts have reached the fourth refinement—outside, he’d be famed, honored by the state, head of the local martial world. Do you think your filthy money matters? If he wanted you dead, not even my master could stop him!"

"I—I..." Zhou Xinxin flushed with embarrassment, his cowardly demeanor only fueling Yan Feiniang’s anger. She ignored him, turning away.

"I must find out how that miser managed to get in!"

In the martial school's rear courtyard—

"Senior Brother, message delivered. They’ve left," the black bear reported respectfully to Luo Yanzong.

"Good. This is your Second Brother Yue Wu Huo. Aside from us, Master Lin has five other disciples. You’ve been introduced, but except for Fourth Brother Luo Dunzi, none are currently at the school."

"Don’t worry. I’ve had our fifth brother look into it. He works for the government, so he knows something. Baor, rest assured—your grandfather is the great master of martial arts in Southern Yu. Not just us, but all our peers will protect him here in Lingnan."

Luo Yanzong’s features were plain, but his demeanor was steady and sincere—his words inspired trust.

"Thank you, Brother Luo."

"Haha, you should call me Senior Brother Luo. Kou too—though Master Lin is away, as Senior Brother I have the authority to accept disciples. We’re family now; no need for formalities."

Kou Li noticed that the black bear, Yue Wu Huo, seemed hesitant, as if wanting to speak.

"Right, it's getting late. I’ll have someone prepare your rooms. Tonight I must greet our peers, so I won’t dine with you. Wu Tou, take our two brothers to rest."

After they departed, Yue Wu Huo finally spoke, "Senior Brother, do you really intend to accept them?"

"They showed the token. Unless you want Master Lin to go back on his word?" Luo Yanzong countered.

"What about Sixth Brother—"

"All schools teach the same skills; must it be formal apprenticeship? Besides, aren’t you here in the school?"

"No more," Luo Yanzong cut him off. "The road is dangerous tonight. I must visit the Five Elephants School, Che Family Boxing, and the martial association. That’s settled. The rest will wait for Master’s return."

Though Yue Wu Huo looked fierce, Senior Brother Luo commanded great authority; two sentences and the matter was closed. He could only sigh, "Sixth Brother, I’ve done all I can."

……

Early the next morning, Kou Li awoke to find Zheng Baor still sound asleep, a rare warmth flickering in his heart. Since that incident, the young boy had suffered nightmares for days, but finally slept peacefully.

He opened the door quietly and found Wu Tou, their guide from yesterday, already waiting outside. "Brother Kou, I'll take you to breakfast."

"Thank you," Kou Li replied.

Wu Tou was a typical fisher lad, seventeen or eighteen, dark-skinned, with swollen eyes but sharp gaze—why else would he be waiting so early?

According to him, Master Lin Xian had only ever accepted seven disciples; with Kou Li and Baor, there were nine. These school apprentices merely learned the craft, not even registered disciples. The difference in status was clear.

Breakfast was simple: steamed buns and porridge. Wu Tou ate with relish, explaining that without the school, he’d never taste refined white flour. Master Lin was their great saint.

For fisher folk and laborers like him, generations lived by the sea. Brutal waves, endless taxes and tribute—life was harsh. Few lived past forty, but with no other options, selling their lives was all they could do.

But since Master Lin opened the school here, young fishermen found a new path. Master the martial arts, and with Lin’s reputation, they could join the army, guard homes, or—if bold—start their own business, seek fortune at sea, living better than city folk.

Thus, in their hearts, Master Lin was almost divine.

"I see. No wonder I saw so many practicing stances at dawn," Kou Li realized. Necessity is the greatest motivator.

"By the way, Brother, what martial arts do you practice? Must be impressive. Could you teach me a move or two someday?" Wu Tou asked, revealing his true intent.

He believed anyone accepted by Master Lin must be a martial prodigy—even a casual tip would be priceless.

"Me? I’ve never trained in martial arts."

"Never?" Wu Tou's eyes widened. "How did Senior Brother accept you?"

Kou Li thought for a moment, then decided to be honest. "I got in through connections."

"…"

After breakfast, Wu Tou slipped away with an excuse. Kou Li didn’t mind, wandering around. The shouts from the front courtyard piqued his curiosity, so he strolled over. The training ground was about the size of a basketball court—half plum blossom poles, half weapons and conditioning tools.

The apprentices practiced what seemed a single style: straightforward movements, agile actions, upper-body techniques like grasping, pulling, threading, clawing, sweeping—forceful and vigorous, their breath whistling like the wild tiger Kou Li had encountered on South Heaven Gate Mountain.

Most were about ten years old, few over twenty. Kou Li, twenty-three, was one of the oldest.

On the platform, leading the training, was Second Brother Yue Wu Huo—his sinewy body, arms strong enough for a horse, like a terminator.

He roared and shouted, correcting their actions with kicks and punches.

Kou Li greeted him, but received only a cold snort. "Never trained?"

"Not since childhood," Kou Li admitted honestly.

"Someone, teach your senior brother the basic stance," Yue Wu Huo said, his tone full of disdain.

And, whether by coincidence or not, the one chosen was Wu Tou, their guide.