Qingshan County had been at peace for many years.
The annihilation of the Wang family was a major incident, casting a malign shadow.
For months, the topic had been the talk of every street corner and alley.
It was under these circumstances that Chen Mu became known to all.
They knew he possessed exquisite painting skills, able to create portraits indistinguishable from the real person. His talent was exploited by thieves who attempted to create illusions and wreak havoc with disguises.
Then his business mysteriously began to thrive.
It was as if it had all been arranged.
Every few days, someone would come to his door asking him to paint a portrait.
Well, to paint a memorial portrait…
Chen Mu suffered yet reveled in this.
Initially, he had set out to paint for pretty young ladies.
But now, instead, it was either old men or old women!
And they demanded that he make them look more attractive.
He could only go against his conscience and paint them younger, akin to ancient “Photoshopping”.
His business flourished more and more, yet the beautiful young ladies seemed farther and farther away.
Counting the more than one hundred taels of silver in his pottery jar, Chen Mu felt both satisfaction and regret.
They might not be easy on the eyes, but these old men and women were indeed wealthy!
Generous with their money, not a single one spent less than ten taels of silver.
No wonder Old Mr. Yan wanted to suppress him.
High-end portrait painting was truly profitable!
“It’s time to find a place to learn Martial Arts,” Chen Mu thought to himself.
He had never forgotten the image of Head Constable Lu covering five or six meters in a single step.
He had also not neglected the Wang family massacre.
Whether it was out of personal interest or for self-protection, learning Martial Arts was imperative.
…
He first spent three days wandering the martial arts schools in the eastern and western markets.
The conclusion he reached was mixed with both joy and concern.
The schools indeed taught Martial Arts. After two or three years of training, he could keep three to five people at bay.
But such skills would definitely not be enough to contend with Head Constable Lu.
To put it specifically, what those schools offered was like going to a modern gym to build muscles and learn boxing.
What Head Constable Lu practiced was like the Inner Strength from martial arts novels, capable of astonishing feats.
“Seems like I’ll have to ask Head Constable Lu,” Chen Mu pondered.
The highest-ranking person for whom he had painted was indeed the father of the Prefect of Qingshan County.
He had also promised to paint a portrait for the relatives of the Commandant’s family in a couple of days.
This connection, albeit slight, had a good chance of compelling Head Constable Lu to tell him the truth.
He didn’t intend to learn the Lu family’s signature Martial Arts.
He just wanted some guidance.
From among the many martial arts schools in Qingshan County, he hoped to find a reputable teacher who could teach him real Martial Arts.
…
“Young Master Chen wants to learn Martial Arts?” Head Constable Lu looked at Chen Mu with surprise.
He was aware of how Chen Mu’s paintings were all the rage amongst the elder crowd.
With such a prosperous endeavor, why would he consider undergoing the hardships of learning Martial Arts?
“Mainly for self-protection,” Chen Mu said truthfully.
Head Constable Lu understood, remembering the scene when he had first invited Chen Mu to the County Government Office.
Had he not intervened, Chen Mu would have surely been extorted and robbed by those two ruffians.
“There are martial arts schools in both the eastern and western markets. Young Master Chen can find one with a good reputation to study for a year or so, which should suffice for self-protection,” Head Constable Lu suggested.
Chen Mu chuckled, “I want to learn something genuine.”
Head Constable Lu realized, “It seems Young Master Chen is interested in learning the Shape Cultivation Technique.”
The Shape Cultivation Technique? What is that? Whatever it is, nodding seems right!
After a moment’s hesitation, Head Constable Lu said, “School masters are indeed practitioners of Shape Cultivation Techniques, but they do not impart such knowledge to those who are not direct disciples. If Young Master Chen wishes to learn Shape Cultivation Techniques, seeking training at a martial arts school would be a waste of time.”
Chen Mu nodded vehemently.
That’s why he had thought to seek out Head Constable Lu, to see if there was a way to learn genuine Martial Arts immediately.
“I do have a connection, but it will cost a bit of money,” Head Constable Lu said after thinking.
“As long as it’s the real deal, I’m not afraid to spend,” Chen Mu replied eagerly.
“Then come with me,” Head Constable Lu nodded and led Chen Mu away from the County Government Office.
Sheng Ye Square, west of the city
Following Head Constable Lu through a series of twists and turns, Chen Mu arrived outside a residential house.
“This man’s surname is Sheng, with the given name Hong, originally a government official from the speedy brigade at the County Government Office; he retired due to old age later on.”
“He has neither sons nor daughters and doesn’t care about his martial arts being passed on to others. As long as you can afford to pay, he will teach.”
“The big clans in the city also paid him to help train their Protectors.”
Chen Mu instantly felt relieved.
…
“Is it him who wants to learn martial arts?” Sheng Hong looked at Chen Mu critically, “Let’s make it clear, I’m only responsible for teaching. Whether you can learn it or not, I don’t care.”
Chen Mu was stunned.
This person couldn’t be trying to swindle money, could he?
“That’s the rule here.” Sheng Hong said expressionlessly.
Chen Mu turned his head to look at Captain Lu. Seeing the latter nod, Chen Mu suddenly felt somewhat at a loss.
“Still learning?” Sheng Hong asked indifferently.
Chen Mu thought for a long while and then clenched his teeth, “Learn!”
“Come with a hundred taels of silver tomorrow. I’ll only teach for seven days.” Sheng Hong finished speaking and gestured to send the guest away.
Chen Mu’s face instantly turned ugly.
A hundred taels of silver to teach for seven days, taking responsibility only for teaching and not for learning—the determination he had just made was unavoidably starting to waver.
…
“The martial arts I teach is called the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique, which is incredibly fast. Once mastered, one could run faster than a sprinting horse.” Sheng Hong introduced his own martial arts calmly, obviously not the first time he had done this.
“The Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique mainly includes three methods: Dive, Sprint, and Soaring Leap, along with a Breathing Method and Secret Medicine.”
“I will teach you all of it within seven days. Whether or not you learn it, depends on your own fate.”
Chen Mu could only obediently nod his head.
In the afternoon, when he left Sheng Hong’s house, his mind was full of various steps and moves, along with a complex Breathing Method that was making his head spin.
All these things were just the Soaring Leap Method of the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation. There were still the Sprint and Dive Methods to come.
To master it in seven days? Chen Mu felt frustrated just thinking about it.
Could he have been swindled?!
For six consecutive days, Chen Mu left early and returned late, fully immersing himself in the pit of Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique, diligently learning and practicing with Sheng Hong.
Today was the seventh day, also the last day.
“I’ve told you everything about the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique. On this last day, ask if there’s anything you don’t understand. If you can’t remember or practice incorrectly, don’t blame me.” Sheng Hong sat in the shade of the trees, leisurely drinking tea.
Anything I don’t understand?
I don’t understand any of it, okay?!
To have a martial arts newcomer like him learn an entire system of magical martial arts in six days was a dream, right?!
But there was no other way, the money had been paid, what else could he do?
He could only start from the beginning, consulting bit by bit, asking Sheng Hong to demonstrate personally.
He didn’t hold out hope of learning it all; he just wanted to remember a bit more, to go back and practice the moves he could recall until he mastered them.
At dusk, Chen Mu left Sheng Hong’s house with a face full of annoyance.
This hundred taels of silver was a huge loss!
After studying hard for seven days, he watched the show, but didn’t gain the entry to even one technique!
…
At Sheng Hong’s house, Sheng Hong casually threw a small cloth bag to Captain Lu.
“Here’s your fifty taels, take it.”
Captain Lu naturally stuffed it into the inner pocket of his sleeve, “Are you sure he will come again?”
“I told him every part of the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique without any omission. Which martial arts school in Qingshan County could teach like this?”
“If he truly wishes to learn, he will definitely come again.” Sheng Hong was full of confidence.
“This scholar is adept at painting and is capable of earning money. You need to manage the pace well, don’t let this money tree slip away,” Captain Lu instructed.
“Shape Cultivation is not so easy to master. He can’t escape from the palm of my hand.” Sheng Hong said lightly. He was not a first-time teacher and knew very well how to guide his students.
As long as he gave them a glimpse of the key points each time, letting them see a bit of progress, they would become unable to stop and more addicted to the practice.
In the end, they would pour their entire wealth into his pocket.
This was not his first time doing this.
He glanced at Captain Lu and said, “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten your share.”
Captain Lu was immediately satisfied and nodded.
Seeing Chen Mu earning a hefty amount of silver without any effort had long made him envious.
He had originally intended to find a way to lure the other party into a gambling addiction.
But unexpectedly, the other party wanted to learn the Shape Cultivation Technique.
This fitted perfectly into their trap.
And it could hardly be called a trap.
Paying money to learn martial arts, it was a deal where both parties were willing, and no one could find fault with it.
Just honestly handing over the money!