After the family split up, I achieved martial arts sainthood.

The autumn wind is chilly, and the night is serene.

Gu Xin walked out of the Gu family's old house, looked up at the dark and starless sky, and sighed softly.

The emperor loves his eldest son, while the common people cherish their youngest.

In this life, Grandpa still loved his cousin more.

"Xiao Hong's studies have already cost the family a lot of money, and now the imperial examination is just around the corner, so we need to spare some money for him. Xiao Xin, you should postpone your martial arts studies until after Xiao Hong passes the exam."

Gu Xin felt a chill run down his spine when he thought about the old man's decision made without a second thought.

"Xin, how did it go? Did it work?"

Just as Gu Xin was feeling a pang of sympathy, a sound came from the darkness.

Two teenagers, around seventeen or eighteen years old, emerged from the darkness to greet Gu Xin.

Looking at the expectant eyes of his two childhood friends who were about the same age as him, Gu Xin silently shook his head.

"Didn't work out?"

Li Jinyu was taken aback: "Didn't the old man say he would consider it?"

"I've considered it. Let's prioritize Gu Hong's examination."

Gu Xin smiled bitterly.

"What? Gu Hong, that street urchin, took the imperial examination?"

The slightly overweight Zhao Baoyin exclaimed in surprise, "Is your old man senile? Letting Gu Hong fight cocks and walk dogs is fine, but making him take the imperial examination? Isn't that just like fortune teller counting on his fingers, spouting nonsense?"

"Besides, most of your family's expenses over the past few years have been earned by you. Now that you want to spend money, why should they have to take care of things first?"

"Xin, they're just taking advantage of the fact that your parents are gone."

Li Jinyu's final, definitive judgment left Gu Xin with a complex expression.

When he was seven years old, his father went into the mountains to hunt and never returned.

The widow raised him with great difficulty.

When he was fifteen, he fell seriously ill and could not be cured by any medicine.

Gu Xin couldn't help but wonder if his parents were being dragged down by him.

"Ah Xin, this can't go on. The incense offerings to the mountain god are increasing every month, and now we only have 40% of our daily income left. After deducting all the exorbitant taxes and levies, we can only keep less than 20%."

As Gu Xin's thoughts raced, Li Jinyu's sigh came: "If we don't find a way to make a living, we'll all starve to death sooner or later."

"The weather is getting colder, and my dad's legs are starting to hurt again."

Zhao Baoyin smiled wryly beside him: "We haven't even saved enough money for medicine this winter, and the Qinglin Gang has used the excuse of making a golden statue for the mountain god to raise the incense money by another 10%."

"At this rate, I'm afraid my dad won't make it through this winter."

As he finished speaking, Zhao Baoyin's voice choked with emotion.

Gu Xin's heart couldn't help but tremble, overwhelmed by a mix of sorrow and grief.

This is truly a cannibalistic world.

Leaving aside the exorbitant taxes levied by the government, local gangs also blocked the people's way into the mountains to make a living and demanded protection money.

The Qinglin Gang claimed it was money collected on behalf of the mountain god for incense offerings.

Bullshit mountain god.

Everyone knew the truth, but no one dared to disobey.

This is all because the leader of the Qinglin Gang is a skilled martial artist.

A fierce man who can kill a bull with a single punch.

Anyone who dared to harbor any rebellious thoughts would be beaten until they cried for their parents by his fists, which were as big as a sand pot.

Sue the official?

Sue them today, and the whole family will close their accounts tomorrow.

When impoverished, one should think of change; when living in peace, one should be mindful of danger.

The three brothers discussed and decided to find another way out.

After much deliberation, Gu Xin decided that learning martial arts was the most promising path.

This world is not like the world Gu Xin lived in his previous life, a world of seventy-two professions where every profession could produce an expert.

Here, every industry is subject to exploitation.

To rise above others in this field, it's almost impossible without decades of hard work and dedication.

Before the reopening, we were treated like beasts of burden; after the reopening, we'll still be treated like beasts of burden.

Then I came for nothing, didn't I?

Even if one is learned and erudite, one still has to bow and scrape before powerful and influential families.

Otherwise, in the end, he would be nothing more than a pedantic scholar, utterly useless.

Only by practicing martial arts can one continuously strive for self-improvement.

Even though martial arts examinations are still subject to restrictions, if one can acquire genuine skills, there are many other options in life.

However, learning martial arts is not easy.

The initial apprenticeship fee was always a considerable sum.

"Ah Xin, have you made up your mind? You really want to learn martial arts?"

As Gu Xin sighed inwardly, Li Jinyu, who was thin but the oldest among them, asked in a deep voice.

"In today's world, many people are scrambling to get a share of any lucrative skill. Without connections, it's very difficult to even get a foot in the door."

Gu Xin paused for a moment, then said seriously, "Even if you get close to it, the competition is fierce, and your master only teaches you the basics. He keeps his real skills hidden and passes them down to his own descendants."

Even if you encounter a generous mentor who is willing to teach you how to make money, it may not be a good thing to have too much money if you don't have the ability to do so yourself.

"Martial arts are different. This industry is open to all, without reservation or holding back. Masters are willing to teach. Once you learn it, you can have more choices in life."

Besides that, there's something else that Gu Xin hasn't told anyone.

Three years ago, he awakened his cheat ability.

Gu Xin looked at Li Jinyu with a deep gaze.

[Cultivation Level: Not Yet Entered the Realm]

[Technique: Not yet learned]

[Techniques: Slingshot (mastered), Bow and Arrow (somewhat proficient), Traps (somewhat proficient)]

Cultivation experience: 0 years

[Can be picked up after defeating the target]

By defeating others, you can acquire their skills.

With this cheat code, Gu Xin has beaten up all his peers in the past three years.

Therefore, at the young age of eighteen, he was proficient in almost all kinds of skills from various schools of thought.

This is why, despite his young age, he earns just as much as someone who supports a family of six or seven.

It would be a terrible waste not to make the most of such a golden opportunity.

"The path to success through martial arts is indeed the best. The imperial court values ​​both literature and martial arts, and martial arts can also lead to the imperial examinations and the opportunity to become an official."

Hearing Gu Xin's words, Li Jinyu nodded in agreement: "Even if you can't reach that level, having some basic martial arts skills can help you join the Qinglin Gang and protect yourself and your family from a lot of bullying."

"If my dad hadn't broken his leg a few years ago, I would have liked to try learning martial arts too."

Zhao Baoyin, standing nearby, remarked with emotion, his words clearly expressing agreement with Li Jinyu's remarks.

Learning martial arts costs money, and the expenses are considerable.

Those from families without a certain level of financial resources simply cannot afford to learn it.

After Zhao Baoyin's father broke his leg, he became immobile, and the profits he could make were naturally much less than before.

For Zhao Baoyin, it was as if the pillar supporting his family had collapsed.

Therefore, Zhao Baoyin, who was chubby and fair-skinned from a young age, lost the confidence to learn martial arts.

Instead, he followed in his father's footsteps and took over the family business. In just two years, he became much darker-skinned.

Hearing Zhao Baoyin's lament, Gu Xin sighed and remained silent.

Even though he has a cheat code, he can't get in touch with martial arts practitioners, so he has no way to learn their skills.

At this moment, he also experienced the difficulty of "even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice".

"What about you two? What are your plans?"

Gu Xin looked at Li Jinyu and Zhao Baoyin, asking for their thoughts.

Zhao Baoyin was taken aback, his face showing some confusion.

His father broke his leg, and it would hurt when he got cold, which almost deprived him of his source of income.

My mother sews and mends clothes for others to earn a living.

He became the pillar of the family, hunting in the mountains every day, and the harvest was enough to make a living.

If he were to switch professions...

Zhao Baoyin didn't speak, but looked at Li Jinyu.

Li Jinyu's parents are both healthy, but she has a ten-year-old brother and a six-year-old sister.

He himself had reached the age where he could be asked to marry.

"I... plan to learn a trade at a blacksmith's shop. Learning martial arts is too difficult; the apprenticeship fee is at least twelve taels. With my family's wealth, it would take many years to save up that much."

Li Jinyu pondered for a moment and then smiled, "Besides, I've heard that martial arts training also depends on one's physical constitution. Without the right constitution, no matter how much you study, you won't learn it. I'm not a smart person, so I'm afraid I'm not cut out for martial arts."

"To learn a craft in a workshop, it takes ten years of apprenticeship and five years of helping out before one can become a master craftsman."

Zhao Baoyin gasped, realizing that this meant he had lost his freedom for half his life.

"But it's stable; the shop provides meals, and there's a hundred copper coins every month."

Li Jinyu scoffed, "Although the catch from hunting in the mountains far exceeds this amount, the risks are immense; it could be fatal at any moment. Aren't Ah Xin's father and your father examples of this?"

Gu Xin nodded silently. Li Jinyu's decision was a prudent one.

Or... should I consider a compromise?

"Ah Xin!"

While Gu Xin was lost in thought, Li Jinyu suddenly called out to him.

"Um?"

Gu Xin looked up and looked at Li Jinyu with suspicion.

But then Li Jinyu reached into her bosom, pulled out a crudely made purse sewn from tattered cloth, and solemnly stuffed it into Gu Xin's hand.

"This is?"

"I've already reached an agreement with Master Jiang at the blacksmith's shop. I'll work for him for ten years and have received my wages in advance. Adding that to what I've saved over the years, it's a total of nine taels and two mace."

One tael of silver is equal to ten coins of broken silver, or one thousand copper coins.

Li Jinyu patted Gu Xin on the shoulder and laughed, "Baoyin and I will probably stay like this for the rest of our lives. But you've been smart and quick-witted since you were little, so you can't rot in this muddy mess like us."

This time, it was Gu Xin's turn to be stunned.

Gu Xin, his lips slightly parted, looked utterly bewildered.

"Huh? You think so too?"

Before Gu Xin could react, Zhao Baoyin, who was standing next to him, scratched his head and laughed.

Before the laughter subsided, Zhao Baoyin also took out a purse from his pocket, weighed it in his hand, and stuffed it into Gu Xin's hand.

"I only have three taels and four qian here, which my father saved for me to get married. I was thinking of leaving it for you to use for medicinal baths after you started learning martial arts, but who would have thought..."

The Gu family never intended for Gu Xin to learn martial arts.

"you……"

Gu Xin stared blankly at the two smiling faces, his eyes involuntarily becoming a little moist.

Li Jinyu and Zhao Baoyin's families were not wealthy, and their situation was actually more difficult than his.

Zhao Baoyin's father broke his leg two years ago, and the family's income has almost halved.

His main source of income now comes from his mother's laundry and mending of clothes for others.

Although Li Jinyu's parents are healthy, there is a ten-year-old brother and a six-year-old sister in the family.

Li Jinyu was more than half a year older than them, and she was also of marriageable age.

I had heard Li Jinyu mention before that his family had already found him a partner.

If nothing unexpected happens, we'll probably get married next spring.

Both of them needed money.

But one person gave up half a lifetime of freedom, and the other emptied her savings to help him pursue his dreams.

This friendship is truly profound.

"Let's skip the formalities and keep them to ourselves. Let's work hard and strive for success soon. When that happens, remember to look after us two brothers."

Seeing Gu Xin's emotion, Li Jinyu patted Gu Xin's shoulder dismissively.

"Exactly! I'm counting on Master Gu's prestige."

Zhao Baoyin grinned from the side.

"How can this be allowed?"

Although the two of them acted very casually, Gu Xin knew their hardships and returned the purse without saying a word.

"My martial arts training is my own business, and I'll figure it out myself. You're all struggling to make ends meet, so don't worry about me."

Upon hearing Gu Xin's words, the smiles of Li Jinyu and Zhao Baoyin both froze slightly.

"Is Ah Xin afraid of getting involved with us? Do you think we'll take advantage of your kindness and drag you down if you become successful in martial arts?"

Li Jinyu's smile faded, and her expression turned sorrowful.

"Huh? That's not what I meant."

Gu Xin hurriedly waved his hand to explain, but before he could finish speaking, Li Jinyu started laughing again.

"Since that's not what you meant, then keep the money."

Li Jinyu snatched the purse from Zhao Baoyin's hand and stuffed it, along with her own, into Gu Xin's hands.

"Brother Jin Yu..."

"Alright, Xin, it's getting late. Let's not waste time with all this sentimentality. Keep your money safe, don't be stupid enough to hand it over again. Your family..."

Li Jinyu pursed her lips and shook her head, not saying anything more.

"Let's go!"

With a casual wave of her hand, Li Jinyu turned and left, giving Gu Xin no further chance to refuse.

Zhao Baoyin quickly followed, and the two brothers disappeared into the darkness under the cover of night.

Gu Xin stood at the entrance of the old house, looking in the direction the two brothers had left, for a long, long time.