Chapter 3

"Qin Feng, how dare you spy on us while we practice martial arts?"

At this moment, everyone in the courtyard could see a boy around twelve or thirteen jump out and shout, "Qin Feng, why did you come here to play? Hurry up and kneel down to apologize to Grandpa!"

"Zimo, it's my fault!"

Although scolded by the boy, Qin Feng was not angry. He had been here for five years, and since he had always relied on scavenging to make a living, he was often looked down upon by the local children. Liu Zimo, who spoke, was his only friend.

The old man sitting in the center of the courtyard was the last disciple of the famous spear expert Li Shuwen, named Liu Yunjiao. He was also a legendary figure.

Liu Yunjiao's family had a long tradition of scholarly pursuits. Due to poor health from a young age, he was taught the Mijong Fist by the family servant Zhang Yaoting at the age of five to strengthen his body.

Because of his family's wealth, at the age of eight, Liu Yunjiao's father invited the famous Baguazhang master "Spear" Li Shuwen to teach him martial arts. Li Shuwen was strict and serious in his teaching, and Liu Yunjiao often got injured, but this also laid a solid foundation for his skills in Baguazhang and Pihua Palm.

At the age of twenty, Liu Yunjiao's father originally wanted him to study law at Chaoyang University, but Liu Yunjiao took the tuition and followed Li Shuwen on his travels.

After Li Shuwen's death, Liu Yunjiao returned to his hometown. In 1936, he defeated the Kwantung Army's sword master, Taiga Tokushiro, in southern Tianjin, which brought him great fame in the martial arts world.

Later, when the Japanese invaded China, Liu Yunjiao joined the military. Due to his bravery and multiple injuries, he was quickly promoted. In 1949, he followed the remnants of the Nationalist army to Taiwan.

As a result, his second son, who was left at home, suffered greatly during the ten years of turmoil.

It wasn't until the late 1980s, when relations between the two sides of the strait eased, that Liu Yunjiao returned to his hometown and settled down, preparing to spend his final years there.

Liu Zimo, who spoke just now, was the child of Liu Yunjiao's third son and his youngest grandson. He was brought from Taiwan to the mainland and had been with him ever since.

Unlike other children, Liu Zimo did not look down on Qin Feng for living by scavenging. He often played with Qin Feng and his sister and was their only friend.

Liu Zimo knew that Qin Feng had been secretly learning martial arts from his family. He had even secretly taught Qin Feng the training mantras. Otherwise, just watching the movements, Qin Feng would never have learned anything.

Before Liu Zimo could speak up to help Qin Feng, the old man in the courtyard, Liu Yunjiao, suddenly said, "Zimo, martial artists should be open and honest. Ask this child if he really came here to play."

"This... this..." Liu Zimo was speechless, knowing very well what Qin Feng was doing. The hole in the wall was even dug with his help.

Seeing his good friend in trouble, Qin Feng took two steps forward, straightened his chest, and said, "Grandpa Liu, I... I didn't come here to play. I... I came to learn martial arts!"

"Good boy, daring to steal the art?"

Upon hearing Qin Feng's words, Liu Jiacheng's face turned grim. Knowing that Qin Feng had been secretly learning martial arts was one thing, but saying it out loud was another. It was like disgracing the Liu family.

"Older Brother, stop, little guy, come in!"

Just as Liu Jiacheng was about to grab Qin Feng, the old man in the courtyard spoke, "That's enough for today. Dismissed, Zimo, stay behind!"

As soon as the old man spoke, the children dispersed. However, a few boys who didn't get along well with Qin Feng left the courtyard with smug looks on their faces.

Qin Feng knew that with Liu Jiacheng around, he had no chance of running away. He walked straight into the courtyard and said, "Grandpa Liu, I want to learn martial arts, but... but you won't teach me, so... so I had to learn secretly."

Qin Feng felt a bit wronged. Although there were many martial arts schools and famous masters in Cangzhou, learning martial arts required a substantial gift to the master.

Qin Feng would wake up before dawn every day to scavenge, and the little he earned barely fed himself and his sister. He had no money to learn martial arts.

Four years ago, when Liu Yunjiao returned to his hometown and began teaching Baguazhang for free, Qin Feng also came to learn, but he was refused by the old man. Hence, his words carried a hint of grievance.

"Making excuses!"

Liu Jiacheng glared at Qin Feng and turned to his father, saying, "Dad, what should we do about this? Should we take back his skills?"

Although Baguazhang is a powerful and aggressive martial art, it is a legitimate internal martial art. After a few years of practice, one would develop internal strength.

Liu Jiacheng, who had practiced Baguazhang all his life, could see from Qin Feng's eyes that he had developed internal strength. He was amazed that Qin Feng could develop internal strength after only four years of secret practice, making him a martial arts prodigy.

Thinking of this, Liu Jiacheng couldn't help but feel a love for talent and said to his father, "Dad, this boy has good potential. Why don't we... take him as a disciple?"

If the other children who had just left had heard Liu Jiacheng's words, they would have hated Qin Feng even more.

They practiced Baguazhang, but only learned the basics. To learn the essence of Baguazhang, one had to be a disciple of the Liu family. They didn't have that kind of luck.

In the martial arts world, masters often carefully examined potential disciples, as not everyone was suitable for martial arts. Talent and character were very important; otherwise, one would never achieve mastery.

However, while there were many masters, finding a good disciple was not easy. Many martial arts techniques were lost because the disciples were not up to the task and failed to pass on the skills.

Qin Feng could develop internal strength through secret practice, which spoke to his talent. His perseverance in practicing for four years, regardless of weather, also moved Liu Jiacheng, leading him to consider taking Qin Feng as a disciple.

"Master Liu, are... are you going to take me as a disciple?"

Although Qin Feng was mature for his age, he was still a child. Upon hearing Liu Jiacheng's words, he couldn't help but show a look of joy. He knew that the second son of the Liu family, who looked like an old farmer, was one of the best martial artists in Cangzhou.

"Jiacheng, if I could take him, wouldn't I have done so years ago?"

The old man in the courtyard sighed and looked at Qin Feng, saying, "This child has a clear and refined appearance and is a once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy. Do you think I can't see that?"

"Dad, then why...?" Liu Jiacheng was stunned and looked at his father in confusion. He knew his father had high standards and had never heard him praise someone so highly.

"Are you asking why I didn't take him as a disciple years ago?"

The old man shook his head and said, "Although this child has excellent potential, he has a broken eyebrow, which indicates an early death. If I'm not mistaken, he won't live past this year..."

At this point, the old man stopped, his eyes full of regret. Death means everything is lost. No matter how talented Qin Feng was, what could be done?

When the old man followed his master in the past, he met a close friend who was a master of divination and had taught him some face-reading techniques.

Over the next few decades, Liu Yunjiao used these techniques to read people and never made a mistake. He had seen Qin Feng's face four years ago, which was why he refused to take him as a disciple.

"Dad, when did you learn to read faces? Can you really believe in that stuff?"

Liu Jiacheng rolled his eyes upon hearing his father's words. Although face-reading had some basis, it was too hasty to give up on a good talent based on this.

"You don't understand. Even if he didn't have the sign of an early death, I couldn't take him as a disciple."

The old man glared at his son and, after a moment's thought, said to Qin Feng, "At your young age, you have a fierce aura. I assume you have experienced great hardships. Martial artists should cultivate martial virtue and focus on strengthening their bodies. Can you do that? If you can, I will take you as a disciple of the Baguazhang school."

"Dad, what are you saying?" The old man's words were directed at Qin Feng, but Liu Jiacheng, standing beside him, was stunned, his mouth agape in disbelief.

You see, the old man had survived through the years of war, and the people he had killed were countless. In the pre-liberation martial arts world, martial artists were often aggressive and quick to fight to the death. How could the old man talk about martial virtue?

Liu Jiacheng couldn't believe that such talk about martial virtue could come from his father's mouth. It was like asking a tiger to eat grass, which was absurd.

"You shut up. Do you really understand martial virtue?" The old man glared at his son, and Liu Jiacheng quickly closed his mouth.

"Although Master Li never lost a fight and was known for his ruthless style, the injuries he inflicted were a characteristic of that era. In those times, one had to be ruthless to survive. Master Li's skills were so powerful that his opponents would inevitably be injured or killed. That was unavoidable."

Liu Yunjiao turned his gaze to Qin Feng and continued, "But Master Li adhered to martial arts rules, never ambushing, deceiving, or breaking promises. This is the virtue of a martial artist. Qin Feng, can you do that?"

"Grandpa Liu, I can't!"

Looking into the old man's clear eyes, Qin Feng shook his head in pain. He had been secretly practicing for four years to avenge his parents' deaths. Since it was revenge, he would use any means necessary. He wouldn't give up just because of the old man's words.

"Alright, I don't have the ability to change your fate. Child, you may go."

The old man sighed. The high master who taught him face-reading techniques didn't dare to change people's fates. With his limited skills, even if he wanted to help Qin Feng, he was powerless. PS: Click to recommend, support the ranking! Friends, please support more!

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