Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

On the continent of Kyushu, in Yilin County of the Great Xia Dynasty.

The slaughterhouse in the Shen family mansion was filled with an unbearable stench of blood, making people feel extremely uncomfortable. However, a young man seemed oblivious to the stench and was focused on sharpening his knife.

"Jiang He, quickly prepare these yellow carp; the master is hosting a banquet soon. He specifically requested fresh sashimi, so make sure it's top-quality!"

A burly middle-aged man strode in carrying a wet bamboo basket, inside which several large yellow carp were still jumping around.

The boy sharpening the knife immediately stood up, smiling as he took the basket: "Don't worry, Uncle Liu."

Chen Jianghe moved with lightning speed. He grabbed a fish from the basket, rinsed it with water, held the fish by its gills with his left hand and lifted it up, then picked up the freshly sharpened knife with his right hand and swiftly smashed it down on the fish's head with the back of the blade, instantly stiffening the fish.

Scale, gut, and debone—with a deft movement of the knife, the fish meat is sliced ​​cleanly from both sides. After wiping away the blood, the thin blade rises and falls, transforming the fish meat into even, thin slices, which are then laid out on an ice platter.

The entire movement was fluid and graceful, possessing a unique beauty!

Uncle Liu, arms crossed, couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "Jiang He! Your skill in preparing fish is truly exceptional. Clean, efficient, and not a bit wasteful. Your fish sashimi is the best in the entire household!"

Uncle Liu sighed again and lowered his voice, saying, "It's a pity your father is only born out of wedlock, and the family... sigh. Take my advice, don't think about learning martial arts or anything like that. With your skills, work hard at the Shen family mansion, and I'll talk to the head steward and get you a longer contract after your three-year contract ends. You can then work in the mansion's butcher shop, and your monthly salary will rise to four hundred coins, much more than what you earn doing odd jobs. You can support your mother, save up for a few years to get married, and life will be more stable. In this world, being able to stay stable in the mansion is better than anything else."

Chen Jianghe was carefully wiping the workbench and knives with a damp cloth when he heard this, and replied with a smile, "Uncle Liu, I know!"

He patted Chen Jianghe on the shoulder and said earnestly, "In this world, being able to make a stable living in the manor is better than anything else. Those martial arts schools outside sound glamorous, but the apprenticeship fee is ten taels of silver! That doesn't even include monthly food and lodging, medicinal baths, equipment... It's a bottomless pit, Jianghe. A family like ours can't afford to go through all that trouble."

Chen Jianghe certainly "knew".

Three years ago, he transmigrated into the body of a boy with the same name. The original owner was an illegitimate son of the Chen family in Yilin County. His father had gone to perform corvée labor in place of his legitimate uncle and was never heard from again. He was left with his mother and him, who barely made a living by weaving nets. Later, he went to work as a day laborer in the Shen family, which gave him a stable income.

The Great Xia Dynasty had a strong martial spirit, and the martial arts examinations were a rare path to advancement. He was born out of wedlock, of low status, making his path to martial arts incredibly difficult. But Chen Jianghe was different; deep within his consciousness hung a destiny:

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

Current Skill: Slaughtering (Mastery)

Progress: 3%

[Effect: Provides insight into the structure of muscles, bones, and joints]

For the past three years, he has worked as a day laborer in the slaughterhouse of the Shen family. From initially not being able to even hold a knife steadily, he has now reached a state of "mastery" like a skilled butcher carving up an ox. This is all thanks to his destiny, his daily accumulation of experience, and his constant practice of wielding the knife.

As long as he devotes himself wholeheartedly to a certain "skill", that "skill" will continue to improve.

Beginner, intermediate level, advanced level. And there are even higher achievements waiting for him to unlock.

Chen Jianghe had long understood that in this chaotic world, only by mastering true power could he change his destiny.

Learning martial arts is his only way out.

For the past three years, he has lived frugally and saved his wages, but he is still short of money.

After tidying up, Chen Jianghe said to Uncle Liu, "Uncle Liu, I'm leaving now. I've finished all the work for today."

"Go ahead. Be careful on the road. Things haven't been peaceful in Wai Tou Alley lately. I heard the Black Tiger Gang and the Iron Hand Gang have had several fights over the dock warehouses."

He patted Chen Jianghe on the shoulder again and said earnestly, "Jianghe, think about what Uncle Liu just said... Staying in the Shen family is a stable job. Practicing martial arts is risking your life for your future; maybe one in ten will succeed. Your mother only has you to rely on now, so you can't make a mistake."

Seeing the genuine worry in Uncle Liu's eyes, Chen Jianghe felt a warmth in his heart and nodded, "I understand, Uncle Liu."

So he took off his blood-stained apron, put on his patched coarse cloth clothes, and walked out of the slaughterhouse.

The sun was already setting in the west, casting long shadows on the towering back wall of the Shen residence.

He went around to the side gate, exited the Shen residence through the corner gate, and stepped into the streets of the outer city of Yilin County.

Compared to the dilapidated and chaotic outer city, the area where the Shen residence was located was relatively clean, but the further one went towards Mudfish Bay, the worse the scene became.

The bluestone slabs on the road were already broken, and the potholes were filled with blackish-green sewage, emitting a pungent stench.

Piles of unidentified garbage lay on both sides of the road, swarming with flies. Ragged beggars huddled in corners, while occasionally a few men in short clothes with menacing looks walked by, their arms around each other's shoulders.

Chen Jianghe also kept his head down and quickened his pace. He had to get back to Mudskipper Bay before dark. The outer city at night was a world of gang warfare and rampant bandits.

After passing through several narrow alleys and approaching the river, you will reach Mudfish Bay.

Mudfish Bay is a floating shantytown formed by countless dilapidated fishing boats, sampans, and even bamboo rafts tied together, crowded with impoverished fishermen like his family struggling to survive.

In the distance, he could already see his family's two old boats tied together with hemp rope and tattered strips of cloth.

But there seemed to be a shadowy figure moving at the bow of the ship.

Chen Jianghe's heart sank, and he quickened his pace!

On the gangplank at the bow of the boat, the mother, Lin, with her hunched and frail body, was trembling as she handed out a small, patched money pouch.

Three men stood before her. The leader was a man in his early twenties, wearing a black short-sleeved jacket that was open, revealing a gruesome, centipede-like scar on his chest. He was Wang Biao, the Black Tiger Gang member in charge of collecting the "water lantern fees" for this area.

Lin lowered her head, not daring to look at the other person: "Biao... Master Biao, this month's 'water lantern money,' three hundred coins, is all here."

Wang Biao took the money bag, weighed it in his hand, but didn't leave.

He squinted, revealing a set of yellow teeth: "Aunt Lin, isn't this number wrong?"

Lin was startled, then looked up in a panic: "W-what's wrong? It was three hundred coins last month!"

Wang Biao fiddled with the money pouch and slowly said, "Last month was last month. The gang has a new rule: starting this month, the 'water lantern fee' will be calculated per person. How many people are in your family?"

Lin's face turned pale: "It's...it's just me and Jiang He..."

"both?"

Wang Biao scoffed, "Where's your man, Chen Yuanshan? Although he's disappeared, he's still a name, isn't he? According to the rules, he should also get a share. Three people, one hundred and fifty coins each, a total of four hundred and fifty coins."

Lin exclaimed in surprise, "Four hundred and fifty coins?!"

Lin's legs went weak, and she almost collapsed. She quickly grabbed the boat awning for support: "Uncle Biao, this...this is really impossible! My daughter and I can't even afford rice bran!"

Wang Biao stepped closer, a smile on his face: "Hey, Aunt Lin, don't play the poor card. Everyone knows your son works for the Shen family. What kind of place is the Shen family? Even a little bit of money leaking from their pockets would be enough for you to eat and drink."

His two henchmen behind him also joined in the laughter.

Lin was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes: "Master Biao, it's not that I'm complaining about being poor, it's just that..."

Wang Biao interrupted her, his smile deepening: "If it's really not enough, I can lend you some. Our Black Tiger Gang values ​​loyalty above all else and would never stand by and watch our fellow villagers suffer. Here's what we'll do: I'll lend you 150 coins, with daily interest, earning 2 coins per day, clear and simple. Once you've raised enough next month, just pay me back with the principal and interest."