Purple Mist Dao Master-Chapter 20: Cherishing Talent, Unwelcome Guest Arrives!

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Cherishing Talent, Unwelcome Guest Arrives!

"It's only been a little over a year, and Brother Liu's skills have advanced tremendously!"

Yan Chuan approached 'Liu Hengbo' with an expression of amazement.

Liu Hengbo only started training at the Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall at the age of eighteen. That year, Yan Chuan was ten years old, but he remembered that this senior brother had to exhaust his family wealth to be admitted to the Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall to practice martial arts. Yet, due to his age, his initial progress was slow, and he was not very talented, making Cheng Fengxiao shake his head repeatedly.

However, Liu Hengbo was willing to endure hardship, relentless, and always persevered—

He practiced 'Copper Bridge Iron Horse' for six years.

He practiced 'Tiger Form Boxing' and 'Crane Form Boxing' for three years.

He practiced 'Gongzi Fuhu Fist' for one year.

He practiced martial arts for ten years.

The progress became faster and faster.

Unfortunately, six years ago, Liu Hengbo, forced by his aging parents, had to leave the martial arts hall, return home to marry, have children, and earn a living.

Yan Chuan thought this late-blooming Brother Liu would be crushed by life's burdens, and his perseverance in martial arts would fade away.

Unexpectedly—

"In these six years, Brother Liu surely hasn't slacked off a single day."

Yan Chuan, being at a high realm, could see that Liu Hengbo must have devoted great effort to these sets of boxing over the years—

"Horse Stance and Twelve Bridge Hands, at least Fifth Realm, fully integrated."

"Tiger Form Boxing and Crane Form Boxing, at least Fourth Realm, slightly successful."

"Including 'Gongzi Fuhu Fist', also reaching Fourth Realm, already small success."

Purely in terms of boxing foundation, although Liu Hengbo couldn't compare to the gifted Yan Chuan, considering his martial arts environment and conditions, one can imagine the hardships involved.

As the saying goes, 'Poor scholars, wealthy martial artists.'

Liu Hengbo's family had no surplus wealth, achieving such accomplishments was truly remarkable.

On the other hand, upon hearing Yan Chuan's praise and compliments, Liu Hengbo smiled wryly: "At most, it's just like this. The world is too difficult. I have elders above and children below to support, and the whole family needs to be fed. Going forward, martial arts can only be an interest; I can't fully dedicate myself anymore."

Martial Arts.

Life.

Balancing the two is no easy task.

For example, Yan Chuan, who is reluctant to marry.

Another example is Cheng Fengxiao, devoted to martial arts and managing the Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall but couldn't properly accompany his wife, who passed away, leaving him with lifelong regret.

He also has two children, a son, and a daughter. If it weren't for Yan Chuan helping to teach them, they might have grown up astray. Even now, they are closer to Yan Chuan than to him.

This is the price of being a 'Martial Arts Fool.'

Back in the martial arts hall, Liu Hengbo was also a martial arts fool, oblivious to anything outside the window.

After leaving the hall and returning home, he restrained himself a little, but over the years, it still affected his life.

After much contemplation.

He could only give up one side and focus on the other.

Sometimes, Liu Hengbo envied Yan Chuan, who could focus on martial arts from the age of six without any worries, something he wished for in his dreams.

"Brother Liu, since you have aspirations in martial arts and have persisted for so long, giving up now due to some difficulties would be unfortunate." Yan Chuan had high hopes for Liu Hengbo, believing that even though he was already thirty-four years old, as long as he maintained a heart dedicated to martial arts, age was not an issue.

As for money—

"Brother, do you think this would work—"

Yan Chuan approached Liu Hengbo and whispered, "I can recommend you to Master to let you return to the martial arts hall for work, offering you 2 taels of silver a month. It's not much money, but enough to support your family. Occasionally, you can also take on some odd jobs from our fellow brothers, and if you're diligent, it should support your martial arts needs too."

"This—"

Liu Hengbo hesitated: "Now, it's increasingly difficult to run a martial arts hall. Many can't manage to keep it up. The Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall has you, Master, and Jinpeng and the others. We don't need more hands. One more is a burden."

He's worried about becoming a burden to the Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall.

At the same time, he's concerned that if he joins the martial arts hall now and becomes comfortable for two years, it will be difficult to return to his current work once the hall closes.

It'd be bad if everything went wrong.

"The martial arts hall paying you a salary is still doable."

"As for the rest, Brother, think it over."

Yan Chuan just cherished talent and provided a path. He could see Liu Hengbo's concerns, but if he didn't have the drive to invest fully and the courage to take a risk, it meant that in Liu Hengbo's heart at this time, martial arts weighed the least. Then there was no need to elevate him further.

Whether to advance or retreat, to take a risk or play it safe, all depended on Liu Hengbo's decision.

However—

"Even if you don't come to work at the martial arts hall, you can come every ten days or half a month for exchanges and sparring, to mutually explore martial arts."

...

Liu Hengbo was particularly valued by Yan Chuan.

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In addition.

Among this batch of senior brothers, there were ten or so who persisted in practicing and training in martial arts consistently. Yan Chuan also sent invitations to them, not to make them work, but purely for exchanges.

Coming once every ten days or half a month.

Yan Chuan's guidance and explanations, through 'Mutual Teaching and Learning', allowed him to harvest more 'Experience' and 'Skill Level', and it enabled them to gain deeper understanding and progress further in 'Cheng Family Boxing'.

It's a win-win.

...

The Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall was bustling with activity.

At this moment.

From the direction of the main entrance, a few figures appeared. The leading one moved with a 'Dragon Walk Tiger Step', greeting from afar: "It's not right, Senior Brother. How can you have a gathering without inviting me?"

Yan Chuan looked towards the voice, and upon recognizing the newcomer, his eyebrow raised.

Nearby.

Yu Jinpeng also recognized the person: "Lu Qing, you still have the nerve to come?!"

One shout, one response.

The crowd's gaze gathered.

Those among the present emerged disciples, most were senior, and the majority knew this Lu Qing.

"What's he doing here!"

"Bad luck!"

"A traitor who seeks glory by betraying the master! Bah!"

The crowd spat insults, their faces full of disdain.

Conversely, Wei Quan, having only been inducted three years ago, was not quite aware: "Who is Lu Qing?"

Jin Yutang sneered: "A treacherous wolf! He was originally the third disciple Master took under his wing, teaching wholeheartedly. But eight years ago, he conspired with the second disciple Chen Ze and the fourth disciple Wang Jinbao to defect from the sect and join Guangling Academy."

"So he's a traitor!"

Only then did Wei Quan understand, and he immediately felt involved, rolling up his sleeves, ready to curse, but was held back by Jin Yutang: "Don't cause trouble, listen to the senior brother."

Lu Qing was no longer the same person.

He's one of the first batch of disciples at Guangling Academy, not to mention his own abilities, just the network he built with classmates there was not to be trifled with, it's a significant network.

Dealing with this person, extreme caution was needed.

On the other hand.

Lu Qing strode forward, smiling at Yan Chuan: "Eight years, and Senior Brother is even more impressive than before."

"Enough idle talk!"

Yan Chuan had no desire to waste words with this renegade, knowing Lu Qing's intentions for visiting on this day, he immediately barked: "Come on!"

"Senior Brother's mind is truly perceptive; no wonder among the disciples, Master favors you alone."

Lu Qing's expression turned cold: "Eight years, I practiced diligently every day, just thinking of the day I would return here, to tell you, to tell Master, that my choice back then was not wrong. Clinging to what you have won't get you far. Only the New Faction is the true path!"

...