The meal ended in silence. Qin Dahai cleared the table while Qin Feng stood to the side.
"With your body, practicing the Martial Dao is truly a struggle," Qin Dahai said as he washed the plates. "Actually, a vocational school isn't a bad choice. You can live a stable and peaceful life. It might be obscure, but it's safe. The path of the Martial Dao, on the other hand, is filled with the trials of blood and fire..."
"I want to try," Qin Feng said. "If I really can't get into a Martial Arts High School, I'll just go to a vocational school then. It's just that I might not be able to get into a very good one if I don't apply early."
"Alright. Dad supports you." Qin Dahai dried his hands, walked into the living room, and dialed a number on his wrist terminal.
A holographic screen popped up, displaying a middle-aged man in blue coveralls with grease smeared across his face.
"Dahai?"
On the other end was his uncle, Wang Ming, a Power Armor Maintenance worker. The background was noisy, filled with the clanging of metal and the roar of operating machinery.
"Ah Ming, are you busy?"
"Just finished fixing the leg hydraulic system of a 'Dire Bear.' Taking a breather. What's up?" Wang Ming picked up a water bottle and took a huge gulp.
"I have something to ask you. You know Xiaofeng's situation. The school told him to go the vocational route and won't let him practice martial arts there until the high school entrance exams. I wanted to ask, do you know any reliable martial arts halls? Something professional."
Wang Ming fell silent. He knew all too well how much of a money pit martial arts halls were.
"Brother, with Xiaofeng's condition... going to a martial arts hall might..." He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
"Let him try. We can't just give up like this." Qin Dahai's voice remained steady.
"True." Wang Ming stroked his chin. "Extreme Martial Arts Hall. It's over by the No.3 Industrial Zone. The owner is Sun Chan Hall; his reputation is quite good, and our factory director specifically mentioned him. As for the fees... I heard the regular classes are three thousand a month, and Master Sun's personal classes are ten thousand."
"Alright. Send me his contact info."
"Sure."
The call disconnected, and Qin Dahai's terminal soon received a digital business card.
"Dad, that's too expensive." Qin Feng's eyes widened.
His father's monthly salary was ten thousand Imperial Coins. After paying for rent, utilities, food, and the extra Nutrient Liquid he needed for his physical condition, there was barely anything left at the end of the month. Yet, the most basic class was three thousand a month, and Master Sun's personal class was ten thousand.
"Don't worry about the money." Qin Dahai forwarded the business card to Qin Feng. "Go find your uncle tomorrow; he'll take you there to have a look."
"Dad..."
"Go to sleep." Qin Dahai cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Qin Feng returned to his room. It was small, holding only a bed and a desk. He lay on the bed, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling.
Early the next morning, Qin Feng followed his father's instructions and went to his uncle's house. Wang Ming lived in the even more remote Hongye community. The apartment was smaller than Qin Feng's, with six people crammed into two rooms.
When Qin Feng arrived, his three younger cousins were chasing each other around the living room, while the youngest was crying in a cradle. Wang Ming had just gotten off the night shift. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked exhausted.
"Xiaofeng is here. Have a seat." He greeted Qin Feng, then turned and shouted toward the inner room, "Li Juan, pour the kid a glass of water."
His aunt, Li Juan, peeked out from the kitchen. She looked somewhat haggard, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deeper than others her age. She glanced at Qin Feng, nodded, and brought out a glass of water.
"Aunt," Qin Feng greeted her.
"Your dad told me everything yesterday." Wang Ming motioned for him to sit down and pulled up a chair for himself. "I'll forward you the owner's contact info for Extreme Martial Arts Hall right now. Add him and tell him Wang Ming sent you." He tapped on his wrist terminal, forwarding Coach Sun Chan Hall's business card to Qin Feng.
"Our factory director said that Master Sun is a righteous man who doesn't engage in flashy, useless gimmicks. He highly recommended him to us," Wang Ming explained in a low voice. "Word is, he competed in the Starry Sky Cup, and later spent decades running with a Wandering Merchant crew. He's got real skills."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"We're family, no need for that."
Wang Ming looked at his nephew. The boy was tall but possessed a frail build and a pale, sickly complexion. He fumbled in his pocket as if wanting to pull out a cigarette, but stopped himself.
"The registration fee is ten thousand a month. I'll first—"
"Uncle, my dad will give it to me," Qin Feng quickly interrupted.
Wang Ming ignored him and continued tapping on his terminal. A moment later, Qin Feng's terminal let out a BEEP.
[Transfer received from Wang Ming: 10,000 Imperial Coins.]
"Uncle, I can't take this!" Qin Feng immediately stood up. "Your family..."
"Take it." Wang Ming's tone grew heavier. "It's not easy for your dad to raise you all by himself. As your uncle, this is the least I can do to help. If you feel bad about it, then make something of yourself. Take good care of your dad in the future, and look out for your younger cousins."
He had forced the money onto him, leaving Qin Feng no chance to refuse. "Go on. Add his contact and set up a time to check it out."
Qin Feng looked at the heavy sum he just received, his eyes growing hot. He stood up and gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Uncle." He didn't say anything else and turned to leave. Some favors were better etched into the heart than spoken aloud.
After Qin Feng left, the living room fell into a brief silence. His aunt, Li Juan, walked out of the kitchen, looked at Wang Ming, and parted her lips.
"You gave him the money?"
"Yeah." Wang Ming leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.
"Ah Ming, don't you know our family's situation? Lao Er's Nutrient Liquid will run out next month, and the third child needs a new school uniform. Ten thousand—that's more than a month's worth of food for our whole family!" Li Juan's voice wasn't loud, but it was brimming with exhaustion and helplessness. "That boy Xiaofeng has been sickly since he was a kid. He isn't cut out for martial arts. Aren't you just throwing that money down the drain?" She had seen the transfer record just now, and the number stung her eyes.
Wang Ming looked up at his wife. "Li Juan, he's my sister's only son. His dad treats me like his own brother. Back when I couldn't find a job, he used his military connections to get me a spot at the maintenance factory."
"I know, I didn't mean it like that..." Li Juan's tone softened. "I just think we need to look after our own family first. Your nephew has a good heart, but his body... Sigh, this money isn't well spent."
"We won't know if it's worth it until he tries." Wang Ming stood up and walked to the window. "He calls me Uncle. I have to at least give him some hope."
Li Juan looked at her husband's back and turned to return to the kitchen. In the pot, cheap synthetic rice porridge was steaming.
Qin Feng returned home. His father had already gone to work, leaving him as the only one in the empty house.
He sat on the living room sofa and opened the business card his uncle had forwarded.
[Name: Sun Chan Hall (Extreme Martial Arts Hall)]
He took a deep breath and sent a friend request.
[Request sent.]
While waiting, Qin Feng stood up and walked to the balcony. It was so small there was barely enough room for one person to turn around. He got into a stance, assuming the starting position of the Empire Basic Body Refining Technique.
He had practiced this Body Refining Technique for nine whole years, ever since the first grade. Every movement and detail was already etched into his bones.
He slowly lowered his waist and raised his arms, performing a "Mountain Cleaver" movement. His form was textbook, absolutely impeccable.
But only he knew that during every practice, the flow of his Spiritual Energy was extremely sluggish. It felt like rusted gears being forcefully turned, yielding half the result with twice the effort.
Qin Feng completely performed the entire Empire Basic Body Refining Technique, consisting of nine movements. His movements were standard and meticulous. He practiced until his vision darkened and his body grew sore and weak.
When an ordinary person trained to this extent, they only needed to take in nutrients and rest. Once their body recovered, it would become tougher, and their vitality index would naturally increase. Simply put, cultivation consisted of three steps: damage, recovery, and enhancement. However, due to Qin Feng's hidden ailment, his recovery step was far too slow.
After finishing a set of the basic Body Refining Technique, Qin Feng lay down on his bed and fell into a deep sleep.