Chapter Fifty-Four: Martial Arts of the Golden Age

Han Dahu stormed off in a fury.

The fledgling friendship between him and Fang Xiao had barely begun, its keel only just laid, when it promptly fell apart.

The reason was simple.

This seventeen-year-old giant from the Black Tower believed Fang Xiao was insincere.

Fang Xiao claimed he had only practiced “Dragon-Tiger Stance” and “Demon-Subduing Fist.”

Yet, twice now, he had sent Han Dahu—who had trained in “Iron-Clad Golden Bell Armor” for ten years—flying backwards.

Han Dahu himself had studied “Dragon-Tiger Stance,” and understood the basics of the “Qianyang Dragon-Tiger Skill” quite well.

So he was utterly convinced Fang Xiao was deceiving him!

Han Dahu refused to speak to Fang Xiao further, nor did he care to listen to any explanations.

He simply left.

But Han Dahu had no idea how wronged Fang Xiao felt.

Watching the burly figure vanish from sight, Fang Xiao could only sigh helplessly, feeling a bit frustrated.

Never mind, he thought, better to focus on his studies from now on!

Dong—

The bell in the academy rang again, reminding all students that their midday rest was over.

Fang Xiao returned to the classroom.

In the afternoon, as before, Zhang He continued teaching the new martial arts students.

Fang Xiao listened with rare attentiveness.

His notebook was brimming with over ten pages of notes.

When class ended, every student—including Fang Xiao—received a thin booklet.

According to the rules of Liuhe Academy, new martial arts students attended three days of martial theory classes.

Afterward, each could choose their own instructor, according to personal interests.

For example, Fang Xiao wanted to learn boxing.

He would naturally join a teacher skilled in fist techniques.

But even boxing had its distinctions!

The booklet Fang Xiao just received listed, in detail, fist, kick, finger, palm, agility, footwork, and the eighteen martial weapons—sword, spear, saber, halberd—and numerous martial arts methods.

Some skills were taught free of charge.

But most required extra payment.

And the prices varied!

Take boxing as an example.

“Long Fist” was taught for free.

“Sky-Piercing Fist” cost one hundred taels of silver.

“Divine Mighty Vajra Fist” was five hundred taels!

After reading the martial arts catalogue, Fang Xiao was certain—the founder of Liuhe Academy was an utter capitalist!

Alas, he was too weak to overthrow the system.

So he could only take the catalogue back to his temple and carefully calculate how many skills he could afford with the gold leaves in his satchel.

“Brother Fang!”

As Fang Xiao rode the big blue donkey back to Little Jing Mountain Temple, he heard that familiar call once again.

He saw the little girl waiting at the gate for his return!

“Sophora, little sister.”

Fang Xiao dismounted in a single swift movement, hurrying to her side, and sat shoulder to shoulder with her on the stone steps.

The sun was nearly setting.

Its golden rays bathed the ridgeline, cloaking the dense forest in shimmering light.

A mountain breeze swept across the temple front, carrying away the restlessness within Fang Xiao’s body.

He felt utterly at ease.

“Brother Fang,” the little girl tilted her head, asking, “Is the academy fun?”

“It’s alright,” Fang Xiao scratched his head, “but it’s expensive.”

He’d done the math on the way home.

Tuition was a hundred taels, meal fees three hundred taels, and now he’d need to shell out more for martial skills.

It was truly costly!

“My sister also studies at Liuhe Academy,” Sophora pouted, “She’s learning Daoist arts. I want to go too, but Mother won’t allow it.”

Her sister was learning Daoist arts at the Daoist Hall?

Impressive!

Fang Xiao asked gently, “Is it a matter of tuition?”

If Sophora couldn’t afford the fees, he could help.

At worst, he’d learn one less martial skill himself, and make up for it once the Daoist master emerged from seclusion.

“No, it’s not that,” Sophora shook her head, “Let’s not talk about it. Brother Fang, eat something first.”

With that, she handed him the bamboo basket beside her.

“Alright,” Fang Xiao took it, but didn’t open it immediately.

He reached into his military satchel and pulled out two milk candies. “Here.”

It was an unspoken ritual between Fang Xiao and the little girl.

Sophora gave him a sweet smile.

But she only took one candy and popped it in her mouth, saying, “Brother Fang, you have one too.”

Fang Xiao laughed, “Alright.”

White Rabbit milk candies were truly delicious.

He sat with the little girl, eating sweets together, watching the big blue donkey graze by the roadside.

He felt peace and joy.

But good times are always brief.

As dusk approached, Sophora licked her sugary lips and said, “Brother Fang, I need to go home.”

Fang Xiao rose, “Let me walk you back.”

“No need,” she replied, darting off, her black braid swinging behind her.

Fang Xiao chased two steps.

He climbed to a higher spot, watching as the little girl ran down the mountain.

In truth, the area around the temple was very safe now.

Day or night, no monsters had been seen for a long time.

Fang Xiao even wanted to hunt some for experience—but there were none to be found!

Time flew by, and another two days passed.

Fang Xiao finished his martial theory classes at Liuhe Academy.

Unlike most new students, Fang Xiao was truly interested in the theoretical side of martial arts.

Zhang He’s lessons filled all the gaps in his knowledge.

So Fang Xiao applied himself with utmost focus every day, filling an entire notebook.

His solitary dedication set him apart from the others.

Fang Xiao had neither time nor desire to join their circles, and they likewise had no interest in talking to him.

In this way, Fang Xiao was gradually isolated.

Yet he felt nothing of it, lost in the ocean of new knowledge.

Unfortunately, the theory classes lasted only three days.

The deeper teachings would require Fang Xiao to reach higher realms before he could learn them.

Meanwhile, after careful consideration, Fang Xiao selected two martial skills for his next studies:

“Long River Sunset Spear” and “Soul-Seizing Impermanence Whip.”

The spear technique cost three hundred taels; the whip, two hundred.

Fang Xiao spent another five hundred taels in one go.

The gold leaves Daoist Pang left him were running out!

But this silver had to be spent.

“Long River Sunset Spear” matched his refined iron spear.

“Soul-Seizing Impermanence Whip” would be used with his weapon belt.

He hadn’t forgotten the green-robed man he’d faced outside the academy—a keeper of livestock.

The man had grabbed his steel-buckled belt with ease!

If Fang Xiao hadn’t let go and used “Demon-Subduing Fist” to blast him away, he might have been in trouble.

That battle made it clear to Fang Xiao—mastery of a martial skill was vital!

He actually wanted to learn the advanced forms of “Qianyang Dragon-Tiger Skill,” but they weren’t listed in the academy’s catalogue.

So he would have to wait for Daoist Pang to finish his retreat and ask him.

Truth be told, Fang Xiao was starting to miss the old master.