Chapter 4

Lao Yezi Liu is already eighty-four years old this year. He has experienced many storms in his life and is not afraid of the heavenly retribution that comes from altering one's destiny.

However, such a technique, even the high-ranking master who taught him the art of physiognomy could not perform. Even if Lao Yezi Liu wanted to help Qin Feng, he did not have the ability to defy the heavens.

"Father, just let him go like this?"

Upon hearing his father's words, the second son of the Liu family, who had failed to take on a disciple, was taken aback.

The Liu family's Bajiquan, passed down from the lineage of the spear master Li Shuwen, can be said to be the most orthodox Bajiquan. If Qin Feng had not yet cultivated internal strength and only learned some forms, it would not matter much.

But the current Qin Feng has clearly just begun to grasp the basics. If he cannot be taken as a disciple, according to the rules of the martial arts world, his skills should be taken back.

"Second son, there are already few people willing to learn martial arts nowadays. Don't have such narrow-minded views about schools and sects anymore."

Lao Yezi Liu naturally knew his son's thoughts and shook his head, saying, "Master Yang Luchan once secretly learned from Chen Changxing, and it became a famous story. Your great-grandmaster took on disciples regardless of their background. Why can't I do it?"

"Father, I was wrong!"

After being scolded by his father, Liu Jiacheng could not say a word, as the story the old man mentioned was almost known by everyone in the martial arts world.

Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang-style Tai Chi, was fond of martial arts from a young age. Due to poverty, he worked at the "Taihe Hall" pharmacy on West Street in Guangping Prefecture.

This pharmacy was owned by Chen Dehu from Chenjiagou in Yuannan. Seeing that Yang was diligent, reliable, and intelligent, Chen sent him to work at his home in Chenjiagou.

At that time, Tai Chi master Chen Changxing was teaching disciples at Chen Dehu's home. Yang was very envious and wanted to learn from him, but he was busy and feared Chen would not accept him. Despite knowing the taboos of the martial arts world, he was eager to learn and would watch Chen and his disciples practice, memorizing some techniques and practicing in secret.

Later, Chen Changxing discovered Yang Luchan's behavior. Seeing his potential, Chen not only did not blame him but also boldly discarded the taboos and narrow-minded views, allowing Yang to formally learn Tai Chi in his spare time, thus creating the great Tai Chi master Yang Luchan.

"Lao Yezi, Master Liu, thank you!"

Hearing the old man let him go, Qin Feng, suppressing his disappointment at not becoming a disciple, bowed deeply to the two of them and turned to leave.

As for the old man's words about his early death, Qin Feng did not understand them, and even if he did, he would not take them to heart. Having wandered with his sister for several years, he had long lost his fear of heaven, earth, and ghosts, and his courage was not ordinary.

Just as Qin Feng was about to step out of the courtyard, the old man suddenly said, "Kid, come earlier next time. We don't lack one more person for meals!"

"Lao Yezi, I have a sister too." Qin Feng shook his head, declining the old man's offer.

"Stupid boy, bring her along then."

Lao Yezi Liu sighed. He had long known Qin Feng's situation but had not helped because of his unusual physiognomy. Now, with his end approaching, he no longer feared anything.

"Thank you, thank you, Lao Yezi!"

Hearing the old man's words, Qin Feng suddenly stopped. His thin body trembled. He could refuse the help, but if it meant a stable life for his sister, he was willing to pay any price.

Slowly turning around, Qin Feng knelt before Lao Yezi Liu in the courtyard, bowed deeply, and then got up and disappeared into the night.

After Qin Feng left, Liu Jiacheng looked at his father and said, "Father, I see this child is also a man of sentiment. Why don't you want to take him as a disciple?"

"What do you understand?"

The old man waved his hand and said, "This child has an unusual bone structure. If he can overcome his fate, he will either be a sage who saves the world or a hero who disrupts it. But I think the latter is more likely..."

Liu Yunjiao had a life of hardship and only found peace in his old age. He did not want his descendants to follow in his footsteps. Even if Qin Feng had great potential, he did not want to be deeply involved.

However, the old man was kind-hearted. Seeing Qin Feng and his sister's pitiful situation, if Qin Feng were to face his fate, he wanted to help the girl, raising her in the Liu family.

---

"From now on, I don't have to leave my sister alone at home at night..."

Although he did not become a disciple, Qin Feng was still very happy. It was not because their dinner was taken care of, but because he no longer had to leave his sister alone to secretly learn martial arts.

Remember, if it weren't for Da Huang protecting them, their "home" might have been broken into by a mentally unstable person, making Qin Feng anxious for several days.

"Ah Feng, wait for me!" Qin Feng, who was rushing home, suddenly heard Liu Zimo's voice behind him and stopped, a smile appearing on his face.

After the family's misfortune, the once cheerful and lively Qin Feng became quiet and reserved. Apart from his sister, he had no other friends. However, after coming to Cangzhou, he became good friends with Liu Zimo.

It was more than three years ago, one afternoon, when Qin Feng was returning with his sister after collecting scrap, a group of young boys blocked their way, calling them "scrap kings."

At that time, Qin Feng had been secretly learning for two years. Although his nutrition was poor, none of those boys were his match. However, Qin Feng did not care about their taunts and was about to leave with his sister.

Just then, Liu Zimo, who had just been sent to the mainland by his father, appeared. He had been practicing Bajiquan with the old man since he was young, and his skills were much deeper than Qin Feng's. After a verbal altercation, he beat the boys to a pulp.

Perhaps due to different upbringing, Liu Zimo did not look down on Qin Feng. Instead, he admired Qin Feng for taking care of his sister alone and secretly taught him the Bajiquan techniques, thus becoming friends.

"Zimo, thank you!" Qin Feng turned around and said, "I'll bring my sister over tomorrow. Why are you following me?"

"Tomorrow is tomorrow, today is today!"

As the most favored younger generation in the Liu family, Liu Zimo usually behaved properly in front of his elders but was much more casual with his friends. He took out an object from his pocket and handed it to Qin Feng, saying, "Ah Feng, this is for you."

"Money? Why are you giving me money?"

Seeing the ten-yuan bill in Liu Zimo's hand under the dim streetlight, Qin Feng's face turned grim. He shook his head and said, "Ah Feng, you've known me for so long. Don't you know my temper?"

When his parents were alive, the most common phrase Qin Feng heard from his father was, "Sweat your own sweat, eat your own food. Relying on heaven, earth, or parents is not being a true man!"

After his parents passed away, although Qin Feng's life was difficult, he never forgot his father's words. Over the years, he had collected scrap, helped with harvesting, and planted rice, but he had never accepted any favors without reason.

If it weren't for his sister growing up and needing to go to school, Qin Feng would not have accepted Lao Yezi Liu's offer this time.

So when he saw the money Liu Zimo handed him, Qin Feng's face changed. If it weren't for this only friend, he might have turned and left.

"Do you think I don't know your temper?"

Seeing Qin Feng's reaction, Liu Zimo couldn't help but laugh and said, "Here are two hundred yuan. Don't look at me; I don't have that much money. This is from my grandfather. He said it's what you deserve."

"What I deserve?" Qin Feng was confused, "What did I do to deserve so much money?"

In 1992, a railway worker's monthly salary was only about 100 yuan. Giving 3 to 5 yuan for a wedding banquet was already generous. Two hundred yuan was a huge sum for Qin Feng, something he had never imagined.

"Do you remember the snuff bottle you gave me?"

Liu Zimo said proudly, "Ah Feng, that's a treasure. According to my grandfather, it's a porcelain enamel snuff bottle made by 'Guyue轩' (Ancient Moon轩). It might have even been used by Emperor Qianlong."

"Wait, let me think..." Qin Feng seemed to understand, "You mean the transparent glass bottle with the painting inside?"

About a month ago, Qin Feng found a glass bottle. After cleaning it, he discovered it had a beautiful painting inside.

The glass was not valuable, so he didn't sell it. He gave it to Liu Zimo, knowing that his good friend often secretly gave Qin Jia snacks. When he found something interesting, he immediately thought of Liu Zimo.

Seeing Qin Feng remember, Liu Zimo nodded and said, "Yes, that's it. Hey, Ah Feng, my grandfather said it's a treasure. If it weren't for the damaged mouth, it could have been exchanged for a house!"

"Is it that valuable?"

Qin Feng was stunned. Even in the outskirts, a house would cost several thousand yuan. A broken glass bottle could be worth so much?

"You don't understand. That's called an antique, not something you sell by weight like scrap paper!"

Liu Zimo spoke while pushing the money into Qin Feng's hand and said, "My grandfather said it's not good for you to take too much money. In the future, you and your sister will eat and live at our house, and that will make up for the rest of the money!"