Gao Wu Da Ming: Starting as a military household and ascending to the rank of Martial Saint

After passing the screen wall of Tianxing Martial Arts Hall, the first thing that comes into view is a large training ground. There are people practicing martial arts inside, people queuing outside, and people in charge of assessments. It is bustling with noise and is even more lively than Shenshan Market.

It seems that the wolf hunting incident brought more than just wild animals to Tianxing Martial Arts School; it also boosted the school's overall reputation.

The gatekeeper who brought Yu Shaowu in seemed very proud, and said with a smug look, "Look, our Tianxing Martial Arts School is so popular in Baode. If you can get in, that's your good fortune."

As he spoke, he pointed to one of the lines and said, "Go and line up there. The one who will be testing the martial arts skills of you newbies is our sixth senior brother. Remember, be sure to be respectful."

Seeing him about to leave, Yu Shaowu couldn't help but ask, "Young man, didn't I just pay? Why do I still have to queue here?"

The gatekeeper said impatiently, "You're only allowed to queue here because you paid money. Do you think everyone can get guidance from Sixth Senior Brother?"

As they were talking, the sixth senior brother, who was testing the new disciples, seemed to suddenly notice them. He pushed everyone aside and walked over.

The gatekeeper was startled and quickly whispered to Yu Shaowu, "Sixth Senior Brother is coming soon. Don't talk nonsense later, or you'll regret it."

Yu Shaowu ignored him at this point, because he saw that the sixth senior brother who was walking towards him was none other than Lin Li, the hunter who had tried to compete with him for the best shooting position on Tumen Mountain.

Lin Li saw Yu Shaowu from afar and began to bow respectfully even before reaching him. Upon reaching him, Lin Li bent over at an angle exceeding ninety degrees, as if burying his head in the dust, and said, "This humble one, Lin Li, pays respects to Young Master Yu."

Before Yu Shaowu could speak, he scolded the gatekeeper disciple, "You rascal, what are you still doing here? Hurry up and go report to Master Uncle and Senior Brother Ji that Young Master Yu from Yaomaodun has arrived."

The gatekeeper never expected that the young man was actually Yu Shaowu. He secretly groaned inwardly, apologizing to Yu Shaowu, "I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness," while hurriedly going to the front hall to deliver the message.

After the disciple left, Lin Li bowed to Yu Shaowu again and said with a somewhat embarrassed smile, "Young Master Yu, I was blind that day and dared to compete with you for a seat. I apologize for my offense."

Yu Shaowu waved his hand and laughed, "Don't mention such trivial matters again. I've come today to become your apprentice and learn martial arts. Please convey my message to Brother Lin."

Upon hearing this, Lin Li was so happy he almost jumped for joy. A descendant of the prestigious Yu family was actually coming to learn martial arts—wouldn't that further enhance the reputation of Tianxing Martial Arts School?

Seeing that Ji Shouyi and the owner Liu Xingye had not come out, Lin Li was getting impatient and said to Yu Shaowu, "Young Master Yu, please go first, let's go to the waiting room to talk."

The two walked around the training ground and had just arrived at the front hall when Ji Shouyi came out to greet them, cupping his hands to Yu Shaowu and saying, "Young Master Yu, your presence at our humble academy today truly brings honor to our Tianxing Martial Arts Academy!"

Before Yu Shaowu could speak, Lin Li said, "Senior Brother Ji, Young Master Yu has come to my martial arts school to register for martial arts training."

Yu Shaowu nodded and said, "That day on Tumen Mountain, I saw Master Ji's heroic figure killing wolves, and I admired him greatly. Therefore, I came here specifically to learn martial arts. I hope Master Ji will not hesitate to accept me."

Upon hearing this, Ji Shouyi was immediately overjoyed, but then frowned slightly and said, "Young Master Yu is of noble status, and none of us are qualified to teach him. Please wait here for a moment, Young Master Yu, and I will go and invite my martial arts school's master uncle to come in person."

With that, he bowed again and strode away to the back.

Lin Li chuckled from the side, "I knew it! This matter needs to be handled personally by our sect leader, Master Uncle."

The two entered the front hall, where Lin Li personally brewed Yu Shaowu a cup of fine tea. They then began to discuss archery.

Lin Li had practiced archery for five years, and his archery skills were already quite remarkable among the hunters in Baode Prefecture. However, how could he dare to call himself a master in front of Yu Shaowu? He kept asking Yu Shaowu for advice, adopting a very humble attitude, completely unlike the arrogant attitude he had shown on Tumen Mountain.

However, the two talked for a long time, but Ji Shouyi and the owner Liu Xingye did not arrive.

Lin Li felt he had been neglecting his distinguished guest, so he said, "Young Master Yu, please wait a moment. Perhaps the owner has some urgent business that has kept you waiting. I will go and urge him on."

As he spoke, he apologized to Yu Shaowu again, and quickly walked towards the back hall. When he arrived at the martial arts school's council hall, he heard the school master Liu Xingye and Ji Shouyi seemingly arguing inside. He immediately stopped and listened attentively.

Inside the room, the master of the museum, Liu Xingye, sat at the head of the table, while the deputy master, Ji Shouyi, sat on the left. Both of them had livid faces and serious expressions.

Ji Shouyi said in a deep voice, "Master Uncle, that Young Master Yu has done my martial arts school a great favor. If it weren't for him, all of us who went that day would have become wolf droppings. Moreover, after Young Master Yu hunted down the alpha wolf, he gave all the credit to us incompetent fools. He can be said to be extremely benevolent. In the past few days, the money our martial arts school has earned is more than the total of the past five years. I just don't understand why you, Master Uncle, are unwilling to take him as your disciple?"

Liu Xingye said calmly, "Shouyi, what you just calculated was only a small account of my martial arts school. But why don't you calculate the bigger picture?"

Ji Shou paused for a moment, then said, "The wolves on Tumen Mountain are so treacherous. If it weren't for Young Master Yu's intervention, they would surely have come down from the mountain to harass the people within half a month. Young Master Yu is now eliminating this scourge for Baode Prefecture and rescuing the people. Doesn't this count as a great act?"

Liu Xingye shook his head and said, "What kind of big account are these few mountain people? The big account I'm talking about is the imperial court!"

"The imperial court?" Ji Shouyi's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "What does this have to do with the imperial court?"

"Don't forget, Yu Shaowu offended Lord Wei, which is why he was exiled to Yaomaodun. In the current situation, offending Lord Wei is tantamount to offending the imperial court!" Liu Xingye sneered. "Why do you think Yu Shaowu would give up the credit? To put it bluntly, he was afraid that if he were too outspoken, he would attract Lord Wei's attention and bring about his own downfall. Do you really think he was being kind by giving you the credit? —Even Prefect Hu was unwilling to submit a memorial praising him, wasn't that for the same reason?"

Upon hearing these words, Ji Shouyi froze and fell silent.

Liu Xingye said in an admonitory tone, "Shouyi, the disciples under my tutelage are all incompetent. The responsibility of Tianxing Martial Arts School will be handed over to you in the future. You must not act on emotion, but prioritize the overall situation."

Ji Shouyi remained silent for a long time before finally retorting, "We martial artists have always valued gratitude. Young Master Yu saved our lives and the Tianxing Martial Arts School, and we absolutely cannot fail to repay that kindness."

Liu Xingye frowned and said angrily, "Why won't you listen? If we really take in Yu Shaowu and the court really punishes him, won't we also be implicated? In Lord Wei's eyes, we are all insects."

Ji Shouyi stood up, bowed deeply to Liu Xingye, and said, "Since my master is afraid of being implicated, then I request to withdraw from Tianxing Martial Arts School and sever all ties with my master. Since Young Master Yu wants to learn martial arts, I will personally teach him everything I know, and it has nothing to do with my master."

Liu Xingye looked at him coldly and asked, "Shouyi, do you want to leave the martial arts school?"

"That's right." Ji Shouyi nodded and said, "I hope that my senior uncle can grant my sincere wish to repay your kindness."

Liu Xingye remained silent, gazing calmly into the distance, unmoved.

Ji Shouyi was surprised that his senior uncle didn't even try to persuade him to stay, so he said, "Those wolves on Tumen Mountain were defeated by my brothers together. When the imperial court bestows a reward of ten thousand taels of silver, I hope that you will inform us, senior uncle."

"Don't worry," Liu Xingye sneered, "why would my master covet your wealth and status?"

Ji Shouyi stopped talking, knelt down and kowtowed to Liu Xingye, then silently left the council hall.

At this moment, Lin Li, who had been waiting outside, came over and said, "Senior Brother Ji, I'll go with you."

Ji Shouyi glanced at him with some gratitude and nodded emphatically.

When the two arrived at the front hall, Yu Shaowu was already quite impatient. Seeing the solemn expressions on Ji Lin's face, he realized something was amiss and said, "Master Ji, I've come today only to request your guidance. Whether you grant my request or not is entirely up to you. If there are any difficulties, just pretend I was never here."

"No, no!"

Ji Shouyi smiled and said, "It is our honor that Young Master Yu has come to learn martial arts. How could there be any difficulties? It's just that your place, Yaomaodun, is too far from Yihe, making it inconvenient for you to travel back and forth. I have already discussed it with Master Liu, and we will soon open a new martial arts school in Shenshan Market. At that time, Young Master Yu will be the first disciple of the new school!"

"Is this really true?" Yu Shaowu was immediately surprised.

"Really!" Ji Shouyi said, "My brother and I will be going to Shenshan Market to choose a location in a little while. If Young Master Yu has nothing to do, you are welcome to come and offer your support and guidance."

Hearing the seriousness in his voice, Yu Shaowu was delighted. Yaomaodun was located in the southern part of Baode Prefecture, while Tianxing Martial Arts School was in the northeastern part of Baode Prefecture. The two places were indeed far apart. If he really came here to learn martial arts, he probably wouldn't be able to go home to see his beloved wife, Wan Shi, from time to time.

If one were to be opened in the Kham market, it would certainly become very convenient.

However, judging from the looks in their eyes, Yu Shaowu felt something was amiss. He wondered if Ji Shouyi had fallen out with that Master Liu because of him?

After all, he still had a lawsuit against Wei the eunuch on his hands, and not just anyone dared to deal with him easily.

Yu Shaowu tentatively asked, "So, is the name of your newly built martial arts school Tianxing Martial Arts School Branch?"

"Of course not," Ji Shouyi said loudly. "What we are opening on Mount Shen will be a new martial arts school, and it will have nothing to do with Tianxing Martial Arts School. We would appreciate it if Young Master Yu could help us with the specific name."

Hearing this, Yu Shaowu realized he had probably guessed correctly. These two men, to agree to his request, had risked falling out with the martial arts school; they were truly chivalrous and principled. Their sense of righteousness was unquestionable.

Having made up his mind about these two friends, Yu Shaowu didn't ask any more questions. He simply smiled and said, "No matter what our name is, I believe our martial arts school will definitely surpass its predecessors."