Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Chapter 58 Recruitment (Part 2)

Outside the city, in Chen Jianghe's small courtyard.

Chen Jianghe stood in the courtyard, slowly practicing a set of Five Elements Fist.

The five movements—splitting, collapsing, drilling, cannoning, and horizontal—rotate in turn, with internal strength contained within. The body moves with the fist, and the footwork is already subtly in harmony with the fist's posture.

After last night's silent battle and the act of disposing of the corpses to establish authority, he became even more clear-headed.

In chaotic times, one must think three steps ahead before making a move.

Killing the Zhao family spy was both a show of force and a way to force the other side to reveal their next move.

He is waiting.

"Knock, knock." The courtyard gate was knocked twice lightly, the sound was polite.

Chen Jianghe stopped his attack and turned to look at the courtyard gate.

"Who is it?"

"Young Master Chen, I am the steward of the Qian family. I have come to pay my respects on the orders of my master." A gentle, middle-aged male voice came from outside the door. His words were polite, and he even used the respectful term "Young Master" from the martial arts world.

The Qian family?

Chen Jianghe's eyes flickered slightly as he stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate.

Three people were standing outside the door.

The leader was a middle-aged scholar in his forties, with a fair complexion, a long beard, and wearing an indigo silk shirt with a gray squirrel fur vest over it. He was carrying a sandalwood box about a foot long in his hands, and two servants in blue robes followed behind him, each carrying a brocade box.

Upon seeing Chen Jianghe open the door, the middle-aged scholar immediately bowed deeply, adopting an extremely humble posture: "My name is Qian Lu, and I am the manager of external affairs for the Qian family. I apologize for my intrusion and for disturbing Young Master Chen's peaceful cultivation."

"You're too kind, Manager Qian." Chen Jianghe stepped aside. "Please come in."

Qian Lu bowed again before stepping into the courtyard, with two servants following closely behind with their heads bowed.

The three of them stood in the courtyard. Qian Lu's gaze swept quickly but politely over the small courtyard. It was simple and clean, with stone weights piled up in the corner for practicing martial arts, and shallow marks worn from long-term standing on the blue bricks under the old locust tree. Everywhere, there was a sense of hard work and self-discipline.

He nodded inwardly, his smile growing even more gentle: "Young Master Chen is indeed diligent. No wonder he has such skill at such a young age. He is truly admirable."

"You flatter me, Manager Qian." Chen Jianghe gestured to the stone bench. "My humble abode is simple; please have a seat."

"I dare not." Qian Lu did not sit down, but instead presented the sandalwood box in his arms with both hands, his expression solemn. "Today, I, Qian, have come on the orders of the head of the family, firstly to apologize for what happened yesterday."

He paused, and seeing that Chen Jianghe's expression remained unchanged, continued, "The patriarch felt deeply that what happened in the inner city yesterday was inappropriate. Master Li is highly respected, and Young Hero Chen is a young talent; our Qian family should respect them."

"However, the Zhao family is powerful and has threatened us with the reputation of the inner city. The patriarch was hesitant and had no choice but to act; it was not his intention. The patriarch feels deeply ashamed of this and has specially sent me, Qian, to apologize. He earnestly hopes that Young Hero Chen and Master Li will forgive him."

That's a nice way to put it. They downplayed yesterday's attack as being "forced by the Zhao family" and "to save face," thus clearing themselves of any suspicion of being the enemy and implying that the Qian family and the Zhao family were not a united front.

Chen Jianghe understood, but his face remained calm: "Patriarch Qian, you flatter me. In matters of the martial world, everyone has their own perspective, and I understand."

Seeing that his tone had softened, Qian Lu felt relieved and quickly handed the sandalwood box forward again: "Secondly, the patriarch has heard that Young Hero Chen is exceptionally talented and cherishes talent very much. Knowing that wealth, companions, methods, and environment are all indispensable for martial arts cultivation, he has specially prepared this small gift to express his feelings. He hopes that Young Hero Chen will not refuse it."

As he spoke, he opened the wooden box.

The box was lined with a dark red velvet cloth, on which two items were neatly arranged.

On the left is one hundred taels of gold. On the right is a palm-sized mutton-fat jade bottle, its body translucent, through which two dark red pills, the size of longan eyes, can be vaguely seen.

"This hundred taels of gold is intended as a stipend for your daily needs, young hero. This jade bottle contains my Qian family's secret Bone-Tempering Pill." Taking it will strengthen bones and muscles, nourish blood and qi, and greatly benefit martial artists who rely on internal strength to solidify their foundation and break through barriers.

Qian Lu explained, his tone carrying just the right amount of pride and sincerity.

A hundred taels of gold is already a huge sum of money. The Bone Tempering Pill is an extremely rare and valuable cultivation resource, even more valuable than gold.

The Qian family's gift was quite substantial.

Moreover, what is being given are resources, tangible things that can actually enhance strength, rather than empty promises or a hollow status.

This is both a gesture of goodwill and a test of Chen Jianghe's attitude towards resources, and a test of whether he is easily swayed by "tangible benefits".

Chen Jianghe glanced at the wooden box, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "The Qian family head has bestowed such a generous gift; this junior is unworthy of it."

Qian Lu's heart tightened, and he was about to persuade him again when he heard Chen Jianghe continue, "However, I dare not refuse such a generous gift from an elder. I will remember the kindness of Patriarch Qian. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will certainly repay it."

After saying that, he reached out and took the wooden box.

Qian Lu was taken aback at first, then overjoyed!

He accepted it! He accepted it!

I'm not afraid of you being greedy, I'm afraid of you not being greedy! Accepting the Qian family's gift means accepting their favor, which will leave room for maneuver in many things in the future!

"Young Master Chen is indeed straightforward!" Qian Lu smiled broadly, then gestured to the servant behind him to present the two brocade boxes as well. "These are some common medicinal herbs and cloths for your daily use, young master and your mother. They are just a small token of our appreciation."

Chen Jianghe nodded and accepted the money, but said nothing more.

Seeing this, Qian Lu wisely decided not to linger any longer. After saying a few more polite words, he bowed and took his leave.

Less than half an hour after Qian Lu left, the courtyard gate was knocked on again.

This time, it was the Sun family.

The visitor was a tall, thin old man in his fifties who introduced himself as a steward of the outer courtyard of the Sun family. He was equally polite and courteous.

The apology was similar to that of the Qian family, both attributing their actions yesterday to being "coerced by the Zhao family" and "maintaining the dignity of the inner city," emphasizing that the Sun family did not want to be enemies with Li Chengyue and his disciples.

The gifts were equally valuable: a hundred taels of gold, plus a land deed for a house in the inner city.

"This residence is located in the third lane of the inner city, with three courtyards. It is quiet and elegant, adjacent to my Sun family's residence, and the area is well-safe."

The steward of the Sun family unfolded the land deed, pointing to the neat handwriting and bright red official seal, "The head of the family says that Young Hero Chen is a young hero who will surely amount to something in the future. The outer city is noisy and may disturb his peaceful cultivation. Although this house is humble, it can serve as a place to rest. Young Hero Chen and your mother can move into the inner city and live without worry about their safety."

This gift carries a deeper meaning.

Giving a house as a gift is not just about money; it is also a symbol of "status" and "security".

Moving to the inner city meant escaping the chaos and danger of the outer city and enjoying the order and protection of the inner city.

This was both an attempt to win him over and a test—to see if Chen Jianghe was willing to leave the Xingyi Martial Arts School, this "place of trouble," and whether he longed for the better environment and potential upward mobility in the inner city.

Chen Jianghe looked at the land deed, his expression remaining calm.

He recalled the swaying, dilapidated boat in Mudskipper Bay, his mother's hunched back as she mended clothes in the woodshed of the martial arts school, and the three watchful breaths outside the courtyard wall last night.

The residences in the inner city are safe and respectable, a dream home for countless people from the outer city.

But he remembers even more his master's back as he coughed up blood and held a gun, his senior brother's strong back as he stood up in front of the security agency, and every step he had taken along the way.

"I appreciate the kindness of Patriarch Sun."

Chen Jianghe spoke slowly, his voice calm and even, "However, as a disciple of Xingyi, the martial arts school is my home. My master is still recovering from serious injuries, and my senior brother is busy running around. I should stay behind to guard the school and fulfill my duty as a disciple. I am ashamed to accept such a generous gift."

The Sun family steward's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly said, "Young Master Chen's filial piety is commendable, but Master Li's cultivation is profound and he is naturally blessed by Heaven. The martial arts school is also under the care of Young Master Su. Young Master Chen has a bright future ahead of him; how can he be confined to one corner? The inner city is rich in resources, which is more conducive to Young Master Chen's cultivation and progress—"

Chen Jianghe raised his hand, stopping him from speaking.

His gaze fell on the land deed, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "I will accept the land deed. The house will remain vacant for the time being."

If there is a genuine need in the future, I will trouble you again. As for the matter of relocation, now is certainly not the time. I hope you will inform the head of the Sun family that I am very grateful for your kindness and will certainly pay you a visit to express my gratitude in the future.”

Having said that, he took the land deed and the brocade box containing the gold.

The Sun family steward was stunned.

They accept the land deed, yet explicitly state they won't relocate? What does this mean?

But he was a shrewd man after all, and he quickly realized that the young man had accepted the benefits but was unwilling to be easily bound to him!

Having the land deed in hand establishes a connection with the Sun family, which may be useful in the future;

However, by not relocating, they maintained their independence and autonomy, and did not depend on any family.

Such a cautious mind! Such composure!

The steward of the Sun family gave Chen Jianghe a deep look, then bowed and said, "I will certainly report back to you truthfully, young hero. The patriarch's appreciation for talent is evident to all, and we look forward to welcoming you at any time."

After exchanging a few more polite words, he took his leave.

In the afternoon, the third group of guests arrived.

The man from the Li family was a fit-looking man in his early thirties with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He had a capable demeanor and introduced himself as the commander of the Li family's guards, named Shen Heng.

Unlike the bookish managers of the previous two companies, this person's words and actions carried a distinct air of江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry), and were decisive and efficient.

The apology was equally concise, stating frankly that yesterday's actions were "due to circumstances," and clearly stating: "The Li family is different from the Zhao and Zhou families, and has no intention of being enemies with Master Li and Young Hero Chen. The world of martial arts is long, and having more friends is always better than having more enemies."

11

The gift he gave was a hundred taels of gold, plus a palm-sized, dark iron token.

The front of the token features an ancient-style "Li" character in relief, while the back is inscribed with the characters "Ke Qing" (guest minister), surrounded by cloud patterns.

"This is the token of a guest retainer of the Li family."

Shen Heng placed the token on the stone table, his voice steady, "With this token, you can freely enter and exit the inner city, enjoy a 20% discount at all restaurants, inns, and carriage shops under the Li family's name, and receive a certain amount of cultivation herbs from the Li family's pharmacy every month."

If trouble arises, simply show this card, and the Li family's influence will provide some assistance within Yilin County.

He paused, then looked directly at Chen Jianghe: "The patriarch values ​​talent and speaks frankly. Young Master Chen is young, yet he has already achieved mastery of internal strength, and his future mastery of external strength is promising. The Li family is willing to treat him as a guest elder, and will never interfere with his freedom on ordinary days. He only needs to lend a helping hand when the Li family needs him. His treatment and remuneration can be negotiated separately according to the standards of a top-tier martial arts master."

Recruit directly!

Unlike the previous two families who made tentative resource donations, the Li family was more direct, offering the status of "guest advisor" and a clear expectation of cooperation.

This reflects both an appreciation of Chen Jianghe's potential and an investment in the upper limit of his future.

Chen Jianghe picked up the guest minister token.

It feels cool and solid to the touch, and the workmanship is exquisite, clearly indicating that it is not an ordinary product.

This token represents more than just convenience and resources; it is a form of identity recognition and a bridge to establish stable connections with the powerful families of the inner city.

For martial artists with no prior experience, this is undoubtedly extremely tempting.

Chen Jianghe stroked the patterns on the token, remaining silent for a long time.

Shen Heng didn't urge him, but simply waited quietly.

The only sound in the courtyard was the rustling of locust tree leaves in the wind.

After a long while, Chen Jianghe slowly put down the token, raised his eyes to look at Shen Heng, his gaze clear and calm: "Commander Shen, I am deeply grateful for the kindness shown to me by Patriarch Li. The position of Guest Elder is of paramount importance, and I am young and inexperienced with limited cultivation, so I am afraid I am not up to the task."

Shen Heng frowned slightly, about to speak, but Chen Jianghe continued, "However, I appreciate the sentiment and convenience represented by the token. I will accept it for now as a sign of respect and gratitude to the Li family. But the position of guest elder carries great responsibility, and I must consult my master and consider it carefully. I dare not agree rashly at this moment. As for the matter of cooperation—"

He paused, then said sincerely, "If the Li family ever needs my help, and it is within my power and does not violate my principles or my master's teachings, I will certainly do my best. As for compensation, let's not discuss that for now. When we meet in the martial world, loyalty comes first."

His words were perfectly watertight.

They accepted the token, acknowledged the favor, and reserved the possibility of future cooperation, but did not immediately tie themselves to the Li family's cause.

Shen Heng gave Chen Jianghe a deep look, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then turned into admiration.

This young man, only eighteen or nineteen years old, was so mature and thoughtful in his dealings with others, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and understanding gains and losses.

"Young Master Chen speaks frankly and directly, I admire that." Shen Heng clasped his hands in a fist salute. "I will certainly report your intentions to the head of the family truthfully."

The gates of the Li family are always open to friends. If you, young hero, ever need anything in the future, you may come to me, Shen, at any time with this token.

Having said that, he left the gold and tokens without further ado, and took his leave.

Chen Jianghe slowly sat down, his gaze sweeping over these resources that were enough to make countless martial artists envious and their hearts race.

All three parties are showing goodwill and trying to win over the Zhao family, seeking a new balance between the Zhao family's power and Li Chengyue's remaining influence, and betting on the future.

In chaotic times, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests and power.