Chapter 3: Debao Martial Arts Academy

After returning to his room, Yang Xing opened the red pouch, revealing a silver bracelet within. In these troubled times, such a silver bracelet was still quite valuable.

“With this, I finally have the qualification to enter the martial academy and learn boxing,” Yang Xing thought to himself, gripping the bracelet tightly.

To study the inner cultivation arts, aside from family inheritance, one had to seek instruction at a martial academy.

“I must not disappoint my mother and Jade’s hopes for me.” Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Yang Xing gradually fell asleep.

The next morning, bright and early.

“Mother, I have something to do outside,” Yang Xing said, pulling on his faded, patched jacket. He gulped down a few mouthfuls of rough bran porridge and set out.

Today was the day he’d agreed to meet a few childhood friends from Spring Breeze Alley.

Crossing to the end of several narrow lanes, he arrived at a spacious clearing, at the center of which stood a large camphor tree.

Once, a poor scholar had held a private school here. Many children from impoverished families had come to read, hoping to change their family’s fate, but none had succeeded. Over time, fewer children came, and eventually, the school collapsed.

Now, this space had become a favorite gathering spot for the poor children of Spring Breeze Alley.

When Yang Xing arrived, he saw several familiar figures chatting beneath the camphor tree.

Among them were Xiaoshan and Wang Hu—Wang Hu’s body was wrapped in bandages, his face still a little pale.

There was also a young man and woman: the young man wore a half-new black cotton jacket, a hint of a smile between his brows; the girl’s appearance was plain, but her figure was curvaceous.

These two were also children from Spring Breeze Alley, Wei Qiang and Er Niu.

Wei Qiang’s family had once been traveling merchants, and their standard of living in the alley was among the best. It was said that a relative lived in the inner city, so even Master Cheng treated them with respect.

Er Niu, meanwhile, was the daughter of Aunt Cuihua, who sold tofu.

“Ah Xing, you’re here,” Wei Qiang greeted him with a smile as Yang Xing approached.

Yang Xing nodded, turning to Wang Hu. “Brother Hu, are you alright?”

Wang Hu sat crouched on a stone, head bowed. “I’m fine. My father is bedridden, and I don’t know if he’ll make it through this winter.”

At these words, a chill ran through everyone’s heart.

Wei Qiang tried to console him. “Don’t say such things, Ah Hu. Uncle Wang is strong. He’ll recover.”

They offered a few more words of comfort.

Xiaoshan muttered, “The Black Snake Gang is truly outrageous!”

Er Niu sighed, “Didn’t teacher once say, ‘When under another’s eaves, one must bow their head’?”

Wei Qiang said, “The Black Snake Gang raised the head money, and the authorities’ taxes must still be paid. It’s hard to get by these days. We all need to find a way out for ourselves.”

Hearing this, the group fell into a gloomy silence. Though as young as the morning sun, their hearts were lost and uncertain, not knowing where their light should shine.

After a moment, Xiaoshan spoke up, “My father wants me to apprentice in medicine in the inner city—become an apprentice for a few years, at least.”

Er Niu asked, “Doesn’t it cost a lot to study medicine in the inner city?”

Doctors there were known to be more skilled than those in the outer city, and many gangs had their own medical halls.

Xiaoshan scratched his head. “My father said he’d sell everything if he must. Once I learn the craft, life will be better.”

Yang Xing nodded—no matter the age, medicine was always of great use.

Wei Qiang turned to Wang Hu. “And you, Ah Hu?”

Wang Hu took a deep breath. “I plan to join the Path of Peace.”

The Path of Peace?

Yang Xing’s brows furrowed. Lately, Taoists had been wandering the county, peddling talisman papers, preaching morality, and claiming their talismans, when steeped in water, could cure all ailments. Many had joined the sect because of this.

Talisman water curing all diseases?

Yang Xing couldn’t help but feel something was amiss.

Xiaoshan asked, “Is the Path of Peace really so miraculous?”

Wang Hu’s eyes lit up, excitement in his voice, “It’s true! I saw it myself—a sick girl was cured of a cold by drinking talisman water.”

Xiaoshan seemed unconvinced but said nothing more.

Then Er Niu spoke softly, “My mother wants to find me a place as a maid in a wealthy household. Even as a long-term servant, at least I’ll have food and shelter.”

“It’s not so bad, really. You get to see more of the world.”

Wei Qiang nodded and looked to Yang Xing. “Ah Xing, what about you?”

“I want to learn martial arts,” Yang Xing said simply.

The others were stunned, as if they’d misheard him.

“Learning martial arts depends not only on talent but also on financial backing,” Wei Qiang said, shaking his head. “It’s too hard.”

Learning boxing was indeed difficult. Besides aptitude and physique, entering a martial academy required a hefty tuition. Training also demanded a constant supply of food, even meat—something ordinary families could never afford.

Many who dreamed of joining a martial academy ended up as loafers or thugs.

At best, one might become a guard for a wealthy family.

They all shook their heads, clearly not optimistic about Yang Xing’s ambition.

Er Niu glanced at Wei Qiang. “And you, Brother Qiang?”

Wei Qiang smiled. “I intend to study in the guild with my uncle, starting from menial chores.”

“Joining the guild?” Er Niu’s eyes brightened. “Then you’ll surely be successful, Brother Qiang!”

The others looked at him with envy. After all, the merchants and wealthy families they saw were always dressed in finery, exuding power and prestige.

Even just studying at the guild was enough to inspire their envy.

Yang Xing nodded inwardly; indeed, among them, Wei Qiang’s future seemed brightest.

Aside from himself, that is.

With his destiny of “Diligence Makes Up for Lack,” as long as he worked hard, he was certain he could master boxing.

“Who knows what the future holds?” Wei Qiang said, though his youthful pride and excitement were plain to see. “Let’s meet often in the days to come, and look out for one another.”

The group nodded in agreement.

After all, with Wei Qiang’s promising future, maintaining a good relationship was wise.

They chatted a while longer, during which Er Niu’s attitude toward Wei Qiang became noticeably warmer.

Yang Xing only spoke occasionally.

Around midday, the group dispersed one by one.

Leaving Spring Breeze Alley, Yang Xing took a deep breath to steady himself.

“The silver bracelet my mother gave me yesterday should be enough to enter the martial academy,” he thought. His heart pounded wildly—everything depended on this chance.

This bracelet held all their savings and future hopes. He could not afford to fail.

Clutching the bracelet tightly, Yang Xing walked toward the martial academy.

Crossing into Stone Bridge Street in the inner city, he saw many farmers already setting out their vegetables and fruits for sale.

There were also wealthy families in fine carriages, out for a leisurely excursion.

On the same road, plainly dressed peasants and laborers mingled with silk-clad young masters and ladies—a stark contrast.

Yang Xing kept his head down and continued onward.

Soon, a gilded signboard appeared before him.

It was none other than Debao Martial Academy.