Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

The next morning, before the morning star had faded and before the roosters crowed.

Chen Mo got up very early. As soon as he pulled back the tattered curtain, he saw his sister gently close the door. Even though she was careful not to make a sound, the broken door still made a long "creak".

Chen Lan went out to do odd jobs again.

Chen Mo saw a bowl of clear porridge on the table, with a small dish of pickled vegetable stalks next to it. He knew that his sister hadn't eaten any of it and had left it all for him.

The soup and porridge were so clear you could see the bottom, and the pickled vegetables were covered with salt crystals, but this was their best meal.

Chen Mo gulped down two mouthfuls of porridge, picked up a clump of pickled vegetable stalks with his fingers and stuffed it into his mouth, then wiped his dry lips with the back of his hand.

After finishing the meal, they went out, leaving the leftovers for Chen Lan to have as dinner.

Upon arriving at the iron furnace room, Chen Mo first practiced his fist techniques a few times before starting the furnace to burn iron, the charcoal crackling and popping inside.

Half an hour later, the rough iron turned a rosy red, and he immediately took it out and placed it on the anvil, and began to forge it with a hammer.

I learned some manual skills from Master Wu before, including forging and quenching, but I'm not an expert.

All day long, Chen Mo did nothing but forge iron and hammer metal. When Zhang Cai asked him why he was working so hard, he simply replied:

"Learn more and do more, so you'll have a skill to make a living in the future."

Zhang Cai nodded in sudden realization.

It was late at night.

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

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

[Comprehension: 13/50 (Not yet a beginner)]

Today, he raised his comprehension of the Tiger Subduing Fist to seven points. Compared to yesterday, his vague understanding of the first move has lessened, not only in the simple punching motion, but also in how to generate power to make the stance more stable.

Strength originates from the waist and converges in the arms.

At this rate, if he finishes studying half a month more, he might be able to master a small portion of the Tiger-Taming Fist manual.

However, the path of learning often becomes more difficult as one progresses. He thought that even if one possessed the ability to hone one's understanding of martial arts, one should still follow the basic principles.

Most importantly, he doesn't have much time left.

"I'll ask Master Wu tomorrow which martial arts school is more lenient with accepting students."

Chen Mo murmured.

Back home, under Chen Lan's coercion, he ate more congee and pickled vegetables. Then Chen Lan suddenly said:

"Xiao Mo, if we really can't raise enough money, I... can do something else..."

As she finished speaking, a hint of struggle appeared on her face, but she tried her best to hide it.

Heihe Town has its share of gray areas, where desperate people can make some quick money, but some also fall into abyss because of it.

Chen Mo's eyes welled up with tears. "Sister, you've done so much for me. You should also think about yourself."

He wouldn't say anything sentimental, but Chen Lan had been completely open with him, and he saw it all and remembered it.

As for his plan to enroll in a martial arts school, he couldn't give a definite promise at the moment.

"Sis, things will get better. Go to sleep early."

Chen Mo pulled back the curtain and stepped into his own small "room," not to sleep, but to practice his boxing!

The first move of the Tiger-Taming Fist came to mind. He quickly threw a punch, parried, and threw another. The sound of wind breaking could be faintly heard from behind the curtain...

Day two.

Chen Mo was the first to arrive at the iron furnace room. He lit the furnace fire, which immediately pushed back the chill a bit. He practiced his punches a few times as usual, and then began to hone his understanding of the Tiger Subduing Fist.

At noon, the sun was high in the sky.

Chen Mo found Master Wu and handed him a package of oiled paper. Inside was a roast chicken that he had bought that morning for five copper coins. The chicken oil had already soaked through the back of the paper, emitting a mouthwatering aroma.

"Uncle Wu, this is for you. Thank you for lending it to me so I can observe and learn the Tiger Subduing Fist."

Master Wu paused slightly, took the roast chicken, and said with a hint of reproach, "You and your brother are already struggling financially, why are you spending this money..."

"Wait, what did you just say?" Master Wu realized what he meant. "It's only been three days, kid. What's there to thank me for? Wait until six months later, and if you've actually learned a few moves, then you can come and thank me!"

"Um..." Chen Mo began to speak:

"I've been observing and learning the first move of the Tiger Subduing Fist these past two days, and I've gained some insights. I'd like to ask you which martial arts school in town is more lenient in accepting students. If I really have the talent, I'd like to start preparing as soon as possible."

Master Wu straightened his expression and said, "You've already gained some insights? Tell me about them."

Chen Mo shared his insights from the past two days, which were seven parts true and three parts false, and he deliberately mixed in some incorrect details and key points.

After all, in chaotic times, one should never reveal one's secrets to outsiders.

Upon hearing this, Master Wu's cloudy old eyes suddenly became somewhat clear.

"It took me four and a half months to reach your level back then. There aren't many martial arts schools in town, only two. Rock Martial Arts School admits students based on their family background, and it's quite expensive to learn martial arts there, so it's not suitable for you. Sky Blue Martial Arts School focuses more on talent and doesn't have tuition fees. Why don't you give it a try?"

Chen Mo gave him a grateful look. "Thank you, Uncle Wu."

He had heard of these two martial arts schools, but he didn't know the ins and outs of them. Master Wu, who had been working in Heihe Town for fifty years, could indeed help him avoid some detours.

……

Five more sunrises and sunsets have passed.

As dusk settled in, the sky began to darken.

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

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

Comprehension: 37/50

Chen Mo suddenly unleashed his first move, Shattering Stone Strike, and the sound of wind breaking was already quite noticeable. From concentrating his power in one arm to now focusing it on a single point, the fist technique was beginning to take shape.

He also began to comprehend the second move, the Wave-Cutting Move.

Chen Mo walked out of the iron furnace room and strode towards the Tianqing Martial Arts School in the south of the town. Success or failure depended on this moment.

As for why it's been delayed until today, it's because the more insights one gains, the more confident one becomes.

As he passed through a shabby alley, he saw the backs of Huang E and another Black Tiger Gang henchman.

He only glanced into the alley.

I saw a thin man with his hands bound by thick ropes being dragged along the ground by a yellow crocodile.

Chen Mo didn't stop at all and quickened his pace.

He knew that someone else had been dragged to be sacrificed alive, and that such things happened every day.

A faint, weak voice came from behind: "Release my son! My son...you heartless bastards..."

Then came the sound of a sudden kick, which abruptly silenced the old man's voice, followed by the man's heart-wrenching cries for his mother.

Then came the crocodile's unrestrained, rough voice:

"After dealing with this one, there are a few more to go, especially the Chen siblings. We'll take care of the boy tomorrow, and as for the girl, she's quite pretty..."

Chen Mo clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh, and the cold wind howled eerily in his ears.

Before long, Chen Mo arrived at the entrance of Tianqing Martial Arts School, where the sound of pile driving could be heard from inside.

He knocked on the door, and a girl about his age opened it. "Who are you looking for?"

"I wish to become a disciple of your martial arts school," Chen Mo said solemnly, bowing slightly.

The girl sized him up, and seeing his thin frame, her interest immediately vanished. She simply called out towards the inside of the building:

"Father, someone has come to pay their respects."

After saying that, he led Chen Mo into the martial arts school gate, then turned around and went into the inner hall, leaving Chen Mo standing in the courtyard.

Chen Mo waited in the courtyard for a while and saw a smartly dressed middle-aged martial artist approach steadily, his eyes like lightning, landing on Chen Mo.

"What is your name, and where do you live?"

Chen Mo truthfully replied, "I am Chen Mo, and I live in Kujing Lane, Heihe Town, not far from here."

The martial artist was the head of the Tianqing Martial Arts School. He placed his hand on Chen Mo's shoulder bone, then moved it down, and within a few breaths, he withdrew his hand and put it back in his sleeve.

"A martial artist's foundation depends on first observing the skeletal structure and then measuring the bone shape. You are barely managing to do both. Although my martial arts school does not charge tuition, judging from your physique, you should go back and train your strength for another two years."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo couldn't hide his disappointment, but he didn't move, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"I have taught myself a set of boxing techniques and I think I have a decent aptitude for it. I would appreciate it if you could test me, senior."

The voice was resolute, piercing the night sky.