Chapter 10

Chen Sheng's grandfather was once a personal guard of General Qi Jiguang, and the single saber technique was a martial skill used on the battlefield. Uncle Zhao Zhenxing's words left a deep impression on Zhao Jin. If Chen Sheng's grandfather said it, there must be a reason.

However, Zhao Jin also had his own matters to attend to. He smiled and said, "I'm going to learn martial arts with my uncle today, so I don't have time to fight with you."

Hearing this, Chen Sheng's eyes lit up. He stepped forward and grabbed Zhao Jin's hand, saying, "Great, great! Once you learn martial arts, it will be more interesting for us to compete."

"I'll definitely come and find you when I have time," Zhao Jin said casually, but Chen Sheng replied earnestly, "You must come to compete. If you come, I'll give you something delicious!"

In the past, whenever they met, Zhao Jin was afraid of Chen Sheng, and Chen Sheng always took the lead. However, after yesterday's competition, Zhao Jin unknowingly took the lead. His unintentional adult-like manner of speaking and acting made Chen Sheng feel that he was impressive and worth befriending.

At this moment, hearing He Cuihua calling from the courtyard, Chen Sheng and his brother Chen Hong held hands and left. Zhao Jin closed the door and returned.

Seeing the crumbs of pastries on Zhao Jin's face, He Cuihua was quite surprised. While helping Zhao Jin change into the modified martial arts tunic, she asked the reason. Zhao Jin explained everything in detail. He Cuihua tied the belt for Zhao Jin and smiled, saying, "You explain things much more clearly than before. This illness isn't all bad."

Zhao Jin's heart skipped a beat, knowing this was a change from before. However, his mother He Cuihua didn't dwell on the issue and continued smiling, "The Chen family always puts on airs, but they have a warm heart. They've helped the neighbors a lot. Their children won't be bad either. You should interact more with them."

Dressed quickly, the cuffs, trouser legs, and waist were all tightened, and several cloth straps were added for binding. After finishing, He Cuihua tugged at Zhao Jin's clothes and smiled contentedly, "You look much more spirited."

Zhao Jin didn't speak. He was quietly feeling the maternal love he had never experienced before. He Cuihua, however, didn't notice this detail and asked, "Xiao Jin, has Xiao Lan come back?"

Xiao Lan? Hearing this name, Zhao Jin was momentarily stunned before he realized that his mother He Cuihua was asking about his playmate, Mu Shulan. Although Zhao Jin was pampered from a young age, the Zhao family wasn't a wealthy household. Zhao Jin played outside, but he didn't get along with Chen Sheng and his group because of his gentle and weak nature. Instead, he played with a girl from the neighborhood every day.

The girl was two years younger than Zhao Jin, with pigtails. Since she was from another place, she had no playmates. Over time, she and Zhao Jin became friends. Zhao Jin's good nature meant he didn't run around like most boys, and he got along well with Xiao Lan. Their relationship was quite good, and they often sought each other out.

Many things and people leave an impression only after you meet and interact with them. These days, Mu Shulan had returned to her hometown with her family, and Zhao Jin hadn't given it much thought.

When his mother mentioned it, Zhao Jin felt a bit of a headache. In his previous life, from the orphanage to the end, he had no experience dealing with the opposite sex. He knew how to interact with boys, but he had no idea how to deal with girls, especially young girls.

Not knowing how to respond, Zhao Jin suddenly remembered something and said, "Mother, didn't Father say we shouldn't get too close to her family?"

Hearing this, He Cuihua misunderstood and pinched Zhao Jin's cheek, scolding him with a smile, "You're blushing, aren't you? Her family is one thing, but I think Xiao Lan would make a good wife for you."

Although marriages were early in this era, being together at eight or ten years old was just playing house. Zhao Jin, though mentally mature, didn't know how to respond and blushed.

Fortunately, He Cuihua didn't press the issue and said, "Go to your uncle's place quickly! Be careful when practicing, and call your uncle back for lunch at noon."

Zhao Jin quickly agreed and turned to run out. The Zhao family lived near the northern gate of Xuzhou City, not far from the Hubu Mountain area, which was a gathering place for wealthy families in Xuzhou. As he ran through this area, many people were out and about, going about their business. Once he left this area and entered the Dong Jianzigou area, the streets became much quieter. Many shops and businesses were still closed, with no signs of cleaning or sweeping for days.

Xuzhou's market was truly declining, and Zhao Jin felt it acutely. According to his uncle, this was all due to the impact of the Jia River. Zhao Jin had never heard of the Jia River before and planned to ask about it when he had the chance.

He ran at a steady pace to the back courtyard of the shop his uncle Zhao Zhenxing guarded. The courtyard gate was open, but Zhao Jin didn't rush in. He bent over, hands on his knees, and panted heavily.

Zhao Jin had never exercised much and didn't run around like other boys, so he had little stamina. The distance wasn't far, and he didn't run fast, but he was quite tired.

Before he could recover, Uncle Zhao Zhenxing appeared at the door. Unlike yesterday, Zhao Zhenxing was dressed in a neat, short outfit and held a long stick. Seeing Zhao Jin panting and sweating, Zhao Zhenxing's smile disappeared, and he frowned, saying, "Xiao Jin, your body is too weak. You need to train!"

Zhao Jin nodded. Since he was going to learn martial arts, he needed to train his body, starting today.

The two entered the courtyard. The yard, which had been somewhat messy yesterday, was now much cleaner, leaving a large open space. Zhao Zhenxing stood there and smiled, saying, "I called a few people to help clean up last night. It seems fate has a hand in this. This courtyard is an excellent place for training."

Zhao Jin looked around, wondering why his uncle hadn't taken out any weapons. In his previous life, he had always been fond of martial arts books and films and had always wanted to learn martial arts. But he had no chance as a child and no time as an adult. This time, he could learn martial arts, and his uncle Zhao Zhenxing was clearly not an ordinary practitioner. He was very excited and had been thinking about what he would learn today since last night.

"First, we'll start with horse stance!" Zhao Zhenxing's words dashed Zhao Jin's hopes. Zhao Zhenxing demonstrated the stance, and Zhao Jin followed.

Zhao Zhenxing inserted the long stick vertically into the ground and pointed to a spot, saying, "When the shadow reaches there, you can stop. Otherwise, you'll get twenty smacks on the palm!"

Zhao Zhenxing was no longer a kind uncle but a strict master. After speaking, he picked up a prepared vine whip and made a few swishing sounds. Hearing this, Zhao Jin shuddered; it would surely hurt if it hit his palm.

Zhao Jin grimaced and assumed the horse stance. He noticed the spot his uncle pointed to, estimating it would take about two hours for the shadow to reach there, which was a full hour. He had expected to learn some exciting martial arts techniques, but the beginning was unexpectedly dull.

Zhao Zhenxing moved a chair to the side and sat down. Zhao Jin knew his uncle wasn't being pretentious but was weak and needed to rest whenever possible.

One hour, two hours, three hours, half a day. Uncle Zhao Zhenxing sat up in surprise. Children were usually lively and found it hard to focus. The horse stance was a tedious exercise that was difficult to maintain. Often, they could only hold it for about an hour before giving up, getting distracted, and changing positions. Zhao Zhenxing clearly remembered what he and his brother were like when they first learned martial arts. For the first few days, their hands and buttocks were swollen from being hit, and they had to be fed and sleep on their stomachs.

The reason for starting with the horse stance was to gradually build up and to establish discipline. Zhao Zhenxing usually spoiled his nephew, but teaching martial arts couldn't be taken lightly. It had to be strict and serious. Children would remember the rules after being hit.

However, Zhao Jin surprisingly persisted. His body was already swaying, and his forehead was drenched in sweat, but he wasn't slacking off. He was just struggling due to lack of stamina.

Zhao Zhenxing nodded slightly. With this determination and perseverance, his nephew indeed had a talent for martial arts.