Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

Chen Mo had heard of the Condensing Strength Pill; it was one of the most precious pills for those at the Ming Strength stage.

Just one of them is worth two taels of silver.

Without hesitation or awkwardness, he took the bottle directly and bowed to thank it.

"Thank you, Master!"

Yin Tianqing waved his hand, "There's no need for such formalities between master and disciple. Compared to you, I gave Zhang Chong and Yue Lun many times more. It's just a pity..."

As he said this, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

"For next month's martial arts exam, just do your best. If you really don't break through to the Dark Force level, then it's just a matter of time and fate. You don't need to put too much pressure on yourself."

Chen Mo nodded and replied, "Master, rest assured, I understand."

"Okay, go ahead."

……

Sunrise and sunset, several days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Mo locked himself in the Wu family's blacksmith shop, never venturing out. Only Chen Lan and the maid who brought him food would occasionally bring him meals, to which he would respond briefly before immersing himself in the work of forging and firing.

He took one Ningjin Pill and several Zengjin Pills every day, and he felt that the strength in his body was endless, like flowing water.

After observing the duels of several martial artists with internal strength and engaging in a fierce battle with Luo Hou, Chen Mo gained new insights into martial arts.

Besides forging and practicing every day, he honed his fist techniques and refined his stance training, transforming all his insights into the essence of his moves.

He vaguely sensed that he was only one step away from reaching the peak of Ming Jin.

While tending the fire, he "looked" at the golden, shimmering text in his mind:

[Refined through countless trials, nurtured by mountains and rivers]

【Dragon Subduing Stance Exercise: Basic stance exercise, training leg flexibility at the bottom and fist strength at the top】

Comprehension: 88/100 (Minor Success)

【Tiger Subduing Fist: The fist contains the roar of a tiger, imbued with immense power】

Comprehension: 95/100 (Minor Success)

[Luo Yanbu: Steps leave trails of smoke, shadows vanish without a trace]

Comprehension: 40/50 (Minor Success)

"All martial arts skills are only four or five days away from being mastered."

"After reaching the minor mastery of the Dragon Subduing Stance Technique, can I directly step into the threshold of Dark Force?"

He muttered to himself.

But then he shook his head.

"It shouldn't be that simple, otherwise so many people with obvious strength wouldn't be able to reach the level of hidden strength in their entire lives."

The world of martial arts is inherently about talent.

Not everyone has the ability to break free from the constraints of talent.

That night, the moon was bright and the stars were few.

The fire in the blacksmith's workshop flickered.

Chen Mo sat upright in front of the furnace, closed his eyes and meditated. The flames in the furnace seemed to float out wisps of brilliant words, which flowed into his mind.

Every half hour, he would get up and practice walking meditation and boxing, and then sit down to meditate again.

This cycle continued until late at night, when the stars hung low in the blue sky.

When the last flame in the furnace went out, he was so tired that he fell asleep.

……

At dawn.

The fragrance of flowers wafted from the corridor outside the window, lingering on the window frame for several weeks before slowly seeping into the room and into Chen Mo's nostrils.

He woke up to the scent and stretched.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a surge of power within him, three times stronger than he had been the day before.

"Has he reached the peak of Ming Jin (a martial arts technique)?"

"call--"

He exhaled a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with sharp light.

"Creak—"

At this moment, the door of the blacksmith's workshop opened, and Chen Mo saw Wu Zhi'ai standing at the door in a light blue dress, looking up at her.

"Didn't you go home to rest last night?"

She asked in surprise.

Chen Mo scratched his head. "I got so engrossed in practicing that I fell asleep here. Luckily, I've reached the peak of Ming Jin."

Wu Zhiai examined Chen Mo's physique with great interest and found that he was indeed much stronger than before he went into seclusion, and his arms were much thicker.

He was no longer that skinny boy.

Wu Zhiai joked, "It's no wonder I've been feeding you lavishly every day. If you're still so thin, then I've misjudged you."

Chen Mo smiled knowingly, "I've eaten more meat in the past few days than I have in my entire life, and I've also consumed most of the Qi Condensation Pills and Strength Enhancement Pills."

"If it's not enough, just let me know."

Wu Zhiai patted her chest, "From now on, I'll take care of your dietary supplements and medicinal treatments!"

"Will the eldest and second eldest sons of the Wu family secretly sabotage us?" Chen Mo wondered.

Wu Zhiai shook her head. "Your performance at the competition has been the talk of the town in Heihe these past few days. Everyone in the Wu family is talking about you. Even if the eldest and second eldest brothers aren't truly convinced, they can't deliberately target you."

"Because of your performance, the Wu family has also benefited. Several Ming Jin martial artists who were originally wavering have come to you because of your reputation."

That makes sense.

Only when you are strong will those who once stood in your way disappear.

Only when you are strong will those who once ignored you start to favor you.

Wu Zhiai said, "I have changed your status from a guard to a retainer of the Wu family, and your monthly salary has been increased to five taels of silver. From now on, you will no longer need to escort caravans."

"Then thank you very much, Sister Ai," Chen Mo said calmly.

Logically speaking, his current peak Ming Jin strength is indeed sufficient to make him a retainer of the Wu family.

At this moment, Wu Zhiai suddenly remembered something, took out a letter from her bosom, and handed it to Chen Mo, "Here, a letter from the Zhao family to you."

"The Zhao family?"

Chen Mo took the letter; the envelope was intact and had not yet been opened.

He frowned, but since he had nothing to hide, he opened the letter in front of Wu Zhi'ai, took out the paper, and read it in front of her.

The letter stated that the Zhao family valued talent and, seeing Chen Mo as a young hero, wished to recruit him into their ranks, offering him the treatment of a retainer with a monthly stipend of ten taels of silver, plus a sufficient supply of strength-enhancing pills and qi-boosting powder.

Chen Mo read the contents of the letter aloud.

Wu Zhiai frowned slightly after hearing the letter, but she had already guessed the general content of the letter, so she was not too surprised.

Whether in terms of family size or salary, the Zhao family completely surpasses the Wu family.

For a martial artist with the Ming Jin skill, there is absolutely no need to hesitate about this matter.

Wu Zhi'ai awaited his decision.

She first informed Chen Moyu of her status as a retainer, and then took out the letter, hoping to gain some advantage in advance.

however.

Chen Mo did not make a choice, but instead...

Tear the letter to shreds, then flick your finger and toss the shreds into the stove. When the fire is lit again, they will be reduced to ashes.

"Aren't you going to the Zhao family?" Wu Zhi'ai asked.

Chen Mo knew perfectly well that if he agreed to the Zhao family's request and became their retainer, he would be like a fish on a chopping board, completely at their mercy, while the Zhao family would at least gain a reputation for being magnanimous.

Even if he hesitates and refuses, it will still create a rift between him and the Wu family.

No matter what Chen Mo does, he will fall into her trap.

Therefore, this letter is a vicious scheme, killing without leaving a trace!

The only thing Chen Mo could do was to tear the letter to shreds without hesitation in front of Wu Zhi'ai.

He spoke frankly and directly about what was on his mind.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhiai smiled and said, "Not only are you exceptionally talented in martial arts, but you're also incredibly intelligent. I'm starting to truly admire you."

After speaking, she turned gracefully, her skirt tracing a beautiful arc, like a blue umbrella blooming, beneath which lay a captivating charm.

He turned and left.