I'll write a manual called the Sunflower Manual, and the entire martial arts world will turn in

"Xie An, don't lower yourself to his level."

Just then, Lin Chong walked over, holding Li Ying's hand. "Wei Dian is nothing more than a sucker for Pang Tong. He thinks he's something special just because he's mastered the 'Supporting Hammer' technique. He thinks he's from a different world from you and is eager to sever ties. This kind of person is petty and narrow-minded, not worth associating with."

After saying that, Lin Chong sat down next to Xie An. "By the way, this is the kind of 'simp' you mentioned last time. This guy actually simps a man, it's disgusting."

Xie An glanced at Lin Chong speechlessly; his words were crude but the reasoning was sound.

After chatting for a while, Li Ying spoke up, "The year-end examination is in three months, and I've been here for three months already. If I haven't mastered the 'Supporting Hammer' technique by the end of the year, I'll be sent home. I'll have to work hard on my cultivation from now on, otherwise..."

Lin Chong held Li Ying's hand and comforted her, "It's alright, I'll buy you two doses of Qi and Blood Powder tomorrow."

Li Ying immediately beamed, took Lin Chong's arm, and whispered, "Thank you, Brother Chong."

Li Ying let Lin Chong take advantage of her for a while longer, then left under the pretext of practicing martial arts.

Xie An realized something from Li Ying's behavior just now: "Have you spent money on Li Ying these past few days?"

Lin Chong looked unconvinced. "It's normal for a man to spend some money on his woman. As long as Li Ying treats me well, that's all that matters."

Judging from his tone, Xie An knew that Lin Chonghua had probably spent not just a little money, but a lot.

However, Lin Chong was deeply in love at the moment, so there was no point in saying anything more. He could only kindly remind her, "Just be careful. Your family's money didn't come from thin air."

Lin Chong quickly waved his hand, saying, "I know what I'm doing. Besides, I grew up in brothels; I've seen all kinds of women. I can handle Li Ying."

Xie An shook his head and didn't try to persuade him any further.

If a person is unwilling to wake up, no one can wake them up.

Before long, Zhanping came over. Upon hearing that Wei Dian had finished practicing the hammer-stretching exercise, he praised Wei Dian highly and told everyone to take Wei Dian as an example.

Upon hearing that Lin Chong had also stepped forward to indicate that he had finished practicing the hammer strike, Zhan Ping nodded and pointed to the other two apprentices who had finished practicing the hammer strike, saying, "The four of you come with me. I'll take you to the medicinal bath room to attempt to break through the skin-strengthening stage."

Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, the four followed Zhan Ping to the medicinal bath room.

"These four will probably be the first to train their skin. Once they've trained their skin, they can become official disciples of the martial arts school and even take up temporary positions outside."

"From now on, these four people will probably not be in our circle anymore."

Xie An paid no attention to the discussions and went to a corner of the courtyard to practice his hammer-supporting exercise.

With the completion of the first move of Bajiquan, the "Supporting Hammer," Xie An was quite bored and thought he should find some time to ask Zhang Long about the second move of Bajiquan.

"How far have you progressed in your hammer-stretching technique?"

A sharp voice suddenly came from behind.

As the saying goes, "Speak of the devil," and here came Zhang Long.

Xie An finished his practice, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said, "In another five or six days, I should be almost done with it. By the way, Senior Brother Zhang Long, could you demonstrate the second form of Bajiquan, Subduing the Dragon, for me to see? I'll compare and contrast it so I can master the first form more quickly."

Zhang Long tried his best to maintain a masculine voice, "While martial arts training shouldn't be rushed, there is indeed a need for comparison. I only recently learned a few moves of the second form, Dragon Subduing, from Senior Brother Zhanping. Well then, since you're in a good mood today, I'll demonstrate it for you."

Zhang Long demonstrated and explained at the same time.

"The Dragon Subduing Form is also known as the Five Sacred Mountains Cone Facing the Sky. It focuses more on the overall moves. The Dragon Subduing Form is a series of wide and powerful strikes. It usually starts with one hand thrusting upwards to open up the way, followed by the other hand hooking downwards and striking, while coordinating with a hook kick from the foot, and finally stepping forward to deliver a supporting hammer. This forms a continuous strike."

"The Dragon Subduing Style is powerful and aims to forcefully break through the opponent's defenses. An upward thrust can break through their defenses, a downward slam can attack their lower body, and the final supporting hammer is the decisive blow. It is often used to catch a top elbow strike. When the opponent is hit by the supporting hammer and falls backward, the elbow is bent and thrust into the heart, with tremendous destructive power..."

Xie An was increasingly astonished as he looked.

Compared to the starting stance of the Hammer Support, the Dragon Subduing Stance is more powerful and imposing. Combined with the explosive force of the Hammer Support, it is enough to subdue dragons and tigers.

Following Zhang Long's posture and technique, Xie An began to practice the stance.

I only practiced the first move, but I already felt that it was quite difficult and hard to master.

Zhang Long smiled and comforted him, "This Dragon Subduing Style encompasses the methods for training the tendons in the second stage. Once you've mastered the Dragon Subduing Style, you can begin attempting to break through the tendon training stage. I've only just begun myself, so don't be impatient. It's normal if you don't succeed immediately."

Xie An nodded in agreement.

Finally, at dusk, the panel changed.

[Bajiquan (Supporting Hammer: 100/100), (Dragon Subduing: 1/100)]

Xie An finished his work. "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, also the day the One-Eyed Dragon collects offerings. It's time to go earn some money for the medicine and supplements needed for breaking through the barriers and refining the skin."

……

Xie An hurriedly left the martial arts school.

The setting sun hung over the summit of Laojun Mountain in the southeast, casting a golden glow that illuminated the rows of houses in Wuqiao Town. The county town of Baiyun, nestled below Laojun Mountain, was faintly visible.

"elder brother."

A familiar voice came from behind me shortly after.

Xie An turned around and saw Xie Yu, dressed in a tattered plain dress, walking over carrying an oil paper package.

Xie Yu picked up the oil paper package with a smile, "Sister Qiulan gave me two fish tails today."

Xie An gently patted Xie Yu's forehead. "Let's go to the street and buy some rice and meat, then go to Brother Zhao Hu's house to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Zhao Hu's father, Zhao Bing, was a fisherman in his younger days. He used to go out fishing in his small sampan all year round, braving wind and rain. His body was covered in dampness, and now that he is old, he suffers from rheumatism, which makes it difficult for him to move around, and he has had to give up fishing. His mother, Huilan, makes a living by weaving and selling fishing nets, but the few coins she earns are not enough to support the family.

Zhao Hu, at such a young age, went to work as a laborer at a security escort agency.

To this day, the whole family lives in a sampan awning on the banks of the Huai River.

According to Zhao Hu, his biggest wish in life was to buy a house in Baiyun County so that his parents would have a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Plus, the city was bustling with people, and it would be easy to find a job there.

Knowing that the two elders didn't have many years left, Zhao Hu took the risk of making quick money.

The brother and sister went home, got some money, went to the butcher shop on the street, bought two catties of meat, some white rice, and mooncakes. Then they carried them towards the Huai River.

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and even though it's night, the town is still bustling.

As Xie An passed a street corner, he suddenly stopped.

An old woman was selling sesame cakes on the street, with a young girl helping her out, calling out, "Selling sesame cakes! Fragrant and crispy sesame cakes, two coins each!"

This girl was none other than Daya.

Xie An vaguely remembered the days when he and Daya would sort medicinal herbs in the backyard, earning five copper coins a day.

The old woman's voice was hoarse from shouting, and her temples were gray, her hands were covered in chilblains.

Xie An then went over and said, "Give me four steamed buns."

In this era, there was a custom of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, emphasizing family reunion, sitting together to admire the moon and eat mooncakes. In Baiyun County, there was also a lantern festival.

Xie An thought that Zhao Hu had been kind to him, so he decided to buy two steamed buns for Zhao Hu's parents.

"Alright, that'll be eight coins in total. Da Ya, quickly make four steamed buns for this young man." The old woman, upon hearing that a customer had arrived, excitedly instructed Da Ya while tending the stove.

Daya bent down to wrap four steamed buns. Just as she was about to hand them over, she looked up and saw Xie An. Her hand, which was gripping the mulberry paper, tightened, and her knuckles turned white from the excessive force. She also lowered her head.

His face turned bright red, as if he were very embarrassed.

The old woman scolded, "Da Ya, what are you daydreaming about? Quickly give the steamed bun to the young master."

Only then did Da Ya grit her teeth, muster her courage, and hand the steamed bun wrapped in mulberry paper to Xie An, saying, "Xie An, here's your steamed bun."

Xie An took out a paper packet from his pocket, counted out eight copper coins, and handed them to Daya, then asked, "How are you doing practicing martial arts in the backyard?"

Da Ya gritted her teeth and said, "Our original instructor, Liu, went into seclusion and isn't teaching us anymore. The new instructor, surnamed Li, has a bad temper and no patience for teaching. Several laborers left because of this. Brother Ma... Brother Ma..."

She tried to say it several times, but Da Ya never said it.

Xie An was taken aback. "What's wrong with Ma San?"

Da Ya said, "Brother Ma was determined to learn martial arts. He shamelessly asked Instructor Li several times. But Instructor Li bluntly told him that he had no talent, that he wasn't cut out for martial arts, and that he would never learn martial arts in his life. Later, Brother Ma refused to accept this and practiced day and night, but he ruined his health and left in tears. Now Brother Ma is no longer in the backyard. He went to the docks to work as a porter."

Xie An sighed inwardly upon hearing this. Although he had long anticipated that the laborer in the backyard was unlikely to master martial arts, what young man doesn't have a dream?

Although the new instructor, Mr. Li, only spoke the truth, he still extinguished the boy's spirit and hope.

The world is a harsh place, destined to be a place where only a small number of people can rise to the top.

If I didn't have some special ability, living in such a chaotic world, my fate probably wouldn't be much better than Ma San's.

"Da Ya, what are your plans?"

Daya gritted her teeth, "I don't have your talent, and Coach Li doesn't teach me very seriously, so I'm afraid there's no hope for me to learn martial arts. I only go to the martial arts gym once every three days now, and the rest of the time..."

After a pause, Daya looked at the old woman beside her, "I spend the rest of the time helping my mother sell steamed buns, at least we can earn a little money to make ends meet."

The old woman grumbled, "I told you long ago not to practice martial arts. How could such a thing as making it big in martial arts end up in a poor family like ours? Now look what's happened, ten taels of silver wasted. That was my savings of several years..."

"Mother, I'm sorry. It's all because I was ignorant before and didn't listen to you. I've caused you so much suffering." Daya threw herself into the old woman's arms, tears streaming down her face.

Hmm.

Xie An sighed, secretly slipped a piece of silver into the stall, and then led Xie Yu away.

"Brother, I've heard what Da Ya said too. That new instructor, Li, has a bad temper, speaks loudly, and is very blunt, which is quite discouraging."

Xie An sighed, "Instructor Li didn't do anything wrong; he just spoke the truth. It's already incredibly difficult to make a name for oneself in such chaotic times."

Xie Yu lowered her head: "That Da Ya is also unlucky. She works so hard, but this world just won't give her a way to survive. If things continue like this, I don't know how many people will be driven to their deaths..."

The two walked and talked, and soon arrived at the Huai River.

The sun had already set more than halfway, and the outline of Laojun Mountain had become blurred. The surface of the Huai River was shimmering with light like scattered gold, rippling and dazzling.

Dozens of dilapidated sampans were moored along the bank, their awnings covered with tarpaulins. The air was thick with the fishy smell of the river and the aroma of cooking smoke.

Xie An was fairly familiar with Zhao Hu's parents. He walked down the gangplank to the third boat, bent down, and called out, "Uncle Zhao? Aunt Huilan?"

A coughing sound came from inside the boat awning, followed by an elderly woman's voice asking, "Who is it?"

"It's me, Mingxi."

The curtain of the boat awning was lifted, revealing a woman with a wrinkled face.

Her head was wrapped in a faded blue cloth, and her hands were covered in calluses and cracks from weaving fishing nets. When she saw that the person who came was Xie An, her eyes lit up immediately.

"It's Mingxi and Xiaoyu! What brings you here at this hour? Come on up, come on up!"

The boat awning was low, and Xie An had to bend over to get in.

The room was very cramped, with a wooden plank bed taking up half of it, covered with a patched mattress.

A thin old man leaned against the headboard, a tattered cotton-padded coat covering his legs. His right leg was noticeably thinner than his left, his ankle was swollen and shiny, and his toes were deformed.

"Uncle Zhao," Xie An placed the oil paper package and cloth bag on the deck, "Are you feeling any better?"

Zhao Bing's face was deeply lined with wrinkles and his beard was unkempt, but his eyes were still bright. "It's Mingxi. What brings you here? Your father...sigh, I heard about your father's situation. My condolences."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhao." Xie An opened the cloth bag, revealing the white rice and meat inside. "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I came to visit you and Aunt Huilan."

Aunt Huilan rubbed her hands together, muttering, "You came all this way, why did you bring anything? You two siblings aren't having an easy time either..."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened. "Your father never charged a penny for teaching Hu Zi to read and write. Hu Zi can keep accounts and write contracts now, all thanks to your father. Your Uncle Zhao and I will always remember this kindness."

Zhao Bing nodded beside him, his Adam's apple bobbing a few times as if he wanted to say something, but then he swallowed it back.

Xie Yu opened the oil paper package, revealing the fish tail and mooncakes inside: "Aunt Huilan, this is the fish tail given by the cook at the martial arts school, and these are some mooncakes we bought. Let's eat them together."

Huilan took the things, muttering, "You all sit down, I'll go cook. Old Zhao, you keep Mingxi and Xiaoyu company."

She bent over and went out of the boat's awning to start a fire on the mud stove at the stern.

"Mingxi, Hu Zi came to see you before he left, didn't he?" Zhao Bing's voice was very low.

"I did contact him," Xie An nodded. "He told me he was going to do a delivery mission."

Zhao Bing was silent for a while, then tapped his fingers lightly on the headboard: "That kid... he's always been stubborn. I told him my leg wasn't a problem, that I just needed to rest, but he wouldn't listen. He insisted on making a lot of money, insisted on buying me a house in Baiyun County..."

"Uncle Zhao, Brother Tiger is a lucky man, he'll be alright."

Zhao Bing smiled, but the smile was full of bitterness: "Don't try to comfort me. I used to be a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) when I was young. There were mountain bandits, river bandits, and southern barbarians on the road. It's a business where you risk your life for money. I'm the one who dragged Tiger down."

The boat became quiet, with only the sound of the river water lapping against the hull.

"The meat is cooked!" Huilan carried a bowl of braised pork into the boat awning, the hot aroma of the meat filling the cramped space.

She then brought out a plate of stir-fried greens, a dish of pickled vegetables, and the fish tail that Xie Yu had brought, placing them on a wooden board.

"Here, eat, eat while it's hot." She put a piece of meat on Xie An's and Xie Yu's plates, and then put a piece on Zhao Bing's plate. "Old man, you eat too."

Huilan sat down. "Mingxi, when Huzi left, did he tell you when he would be back?"

Xie An chewed his food and mumbled, "Soon, I'll be doing escort work nearby and returning in a few days."

Huilan breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. This child, he didn't even say a word before leaving, making me worry."

The boat awning fell silent again, with only the sound of chopsticks clinking against bowls and the river water lapping against the bottom of the boat.

"Bang!"

The boat suddenly lurched violently, nearly knocking over the bowls and chopsticks.

"Those inside, come out!"

A rough, hoarse voice came from the shore, like a broken gong being kicked.

Zhao Bing and Hui Lan were so frightened that they trembled all over.

"Don't be afraid, I'll go take a look."

Xie An put down his bowl, lifted the curtain and looked out—there were five or six men standing on the shore, all dressed in short clothes with knives at their waists.

Leading the group was a one-eyed man with a black leather eyepatch over his left eye, his right eye squinted, and his mouth drooping down, looking impatient. Behind him were several men carrying ropes and wooden sticks, one of whom was also carrying a lantern with the words "Dragon King Gang" written on it.

People were already crying and shouting on the nearby sampans.

"Old man, isn't it not yet time to collect incense money this month? Why are you collecting it again?"

"It's common practice to collect incense money a few days in advance, six hundred coins per family. Those who can't pay have to offer something as collateral!"

Xie An's eyes lit up as he watched the one-eyed man collect incense money from door to door.

Just in time.

I was just worried about not having enough money to buy medicine to help me break through the barriers and train my skin.

A big, fat sheep has been delivered to our door...