Chapter 12: Afraid I Can't Teach You Martial Arts_1

Huang An's heart jumped, grateful he had prepared in advance. He turned around, smirking sheepishly.

"I went out to buy some buns, but I ran out of copper coins, so I had to return."

Zhao Le didn't pay much attention to Huang An's awkward smile squeezing out from his frightful face.

She paid even less attention to the loophole in Huang An's words, pulling his sleeve and leading him towards the backyard.

"How is the recovery of the Master going?"

Huang An chose not to elaborate further, but immediately divert the topic towards Master's health condition.

"My Dad is doing much better, he woke up last night. Heh heh! All thanks to Junior Brother Huang."

Zhao Le turned to look at Huang An.

Though her appearance looked slightly wearied, her spirits seemed high.

The fatigue from staying up all night with Dad disappeared the moment she saw her Dad gaining consciousness.

Huang An's face lightened with joy as he listened.

"It's good news that the Master is safe; he's Fortune's favorite."

However, he was surprised. He had only done some intensive cleaning yesterday, which included draining the pus out. As for the festering and infection deep within the wound, he did nothing about it.

He had assumed that if the Master managed to survive the night, it will be good enough. However, he was surprised to hear that Master woke up this morning.

"Does a high-level practitioner from the Bronze Realm have such endurance? Even such serious injuries could be non-fatal?"

Huang An was amazed while trying to engage Zhao Le in a conversation.

This further solidified his determination to pursue martial arts training.

They returned quickly to the courtyard from the previous night. Pang Han and Zhao Yan were present, along with two other unfamiliar teenagers.

Looking at their tone and stance, Huang An deduced that these two must also be disciples of the martial arts hall.

However, their physiques weren't as sturdy as Pang Han's, implying their martial skills were subpar.

When Pang Han, who had been chatting, caught sight of Huang An, his face slightly changed. Despite his annoyance, like the other three, he also greeted him.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Huang, for your life-saving help. This kindness is impossible to repay!"

Zhao Yan made a fist and saluted, and she even tried to kneel to show her gratitude.

However, Pang Han and the others didn't do such a grand gesture but showed their thanks with their hands clasped.

This unexpected reaction left Huang An flustered. He was injured and couldn't stop them.

Seeing her sister kneeling, Zhao Le also immediately knelt down.

Huang An felt uncomfortable, as if ants were crawling over his body. He stretched out his hand to help them up while explaining hastily.

"If Master and Sister hadn't rescued me three days ago, I would have been long dead. This gratitude is mine to give. Furthermore, I will officially join the martial arts hall today, so this is just part of my duties."

Zhao sisters were genuinely grateful and would not accept anything he says.

As these three continued to pull each other back and forth, Pang Han and the others, who were watching awkwardly, couldn't take it anymore. Their relationship with the Zhao Martial arts hall was not as intimate as it seemed, given the high fees they pay every year.

Initially, they felt it was inappropriate to kneel, but now that they have seen the struggle, they finally found a way to step in.

With the help of others, the three finally escaped the awkward situation. The lively atmosphere in the courtyard ceased suddenly.

"Let's visit the Master first."

Huang An decided to break the peculiar silence.

He planned to talk about becoming a disciple after visiting the Master.

Socializing was unavoidable as long as there were people around.

Zhao sisters guided Huang An inside. The room was small and couldn't fit too many people, so Pang Han and the others had to wait outside.

Seeing the Master in the room, Huang An sighed in relief. True to Zhao Le's words, the Master's injury has recovered significantly.

Much better than expected.

After inspecting his breathing and forehead temperature, it seemed no different from a patient with minor conditions.

The high-level practitioners of the Bronze Realm were indeed extraordinary.

Huang An suppressed his surprise and leaned closer to check the wound. While doing so, in his mind, he thought about what this would mean for him.

Without a doubt, this is great news.

The Master's recovery gave Huang An a stable support in the martial arts hall — the Zhao sisters and the head of the hall, Zhao Dun!

After all, he, Huang An, had saved Master Zhao.

"I wonder if the Master can recover on his own. It seems doubtful. Cleaning the deep infection in the wound is still crucial. With this opportunity, I can deepen the affection of the two sisters towards me so they will train me wholeheartedly."

"Moreover, this martial hall has external enemies. If the Master recovers faster, it will also give me some protection."

Decided in his heart, Huang An decided to add fuel to the fire for the Master's case.

He covered the Master's wound with a thin gauze, then took the sisters aside. After some hesitation, he finally spoke:

"The Master's condition has indeed improved significantly."

The sisters' faces brightened upon hearing this.

Even though the sisters could make a judgment, they did not dare to say anything. Now they only trusted Huang An's medical skills.

Firstly, they were flustered because they cared, and secondly, Huang An's treatment yesterday had completely conquered the two women. They believed Huang An's medical skills were superb, even more adept than Doctor Xue.

The day before yesterday, Doctor Xue was helpless against their father's injuries, he could only watch as the conditions worsened.

But Huang An resulted so quickly with just one try.

Comparing the two, it's no wonder the two women were so dependent on Huang An.

Even Pang Han, who showed disdain towards Huang An, had to admit that Huang An had something up his sleeve.

However, seeing Huang An seemingly hesitant after he spoke raised a concern in the girls' hearts.

Zhao Yan panicked:

"Junior Brother, could it be that there is some unexpected complication with my father's condition?"

Huang An hesitated before slowly nodding his head. His expression softening into a look of regret, he explained:

"Although the Master is a skilled martial artist, his injuries were truly horrifying. Today, the wound seemed to be healing and improving. However, the situation fluctuates between better or worse. No one knows whether his condition could suddenly worsen at any moment."

Huang An's words sent a wave of panic through the two women.

This time, they didn't even seem to care about disturbing their father's rest. Almost in unison, they begged:

"What should we do then? Please, we beg you to help our father again!"

A trace of satisfaction crossed Huang An's eyes as he quickly stopped the two charming senior sisters from kneeling once again.

"Let's have Doctor Xue take a look first, and then we can discuss further."

Upon hearing this, the two women exchanged a look before eventually backing down.

After their discussion, they decided to invite Doctor Xue over after breakfast. Too early an invitation might upset the doctor and jeopardize their plans.

...

Breakfast was ready; a pot of meat porridge and some large meat buns.

They sat around the courtyard and started to eat.

The martial arts hall indeed had a kitchen.

Watching the eating styles of the three brothers outside the gate, Huang An had a newfound understanding of martial arts training. It was not only about spending money, but also about eating a lot of meat.

Even Zhao Le, who looked like the perfect lady, wolfed down ten meat buns in one breath and drank two large bowls of meat porridge.

Curiously, Huang An stole a glance at Zhao Le's slightly distended belly, secretly taken aback.

Noticing Huang An's gaze, Zhao Le seemed slightly embarrassed. Her ears turned red as she lowered her head and drank another bowl of meat porridge.

Still so young and sensitive. She must be feeling self-conscious.

Zhao Yan gave a faint smile. She was curious about the lack of martial arts knowledge in junior brother Huang, but she didn't pry further. Instead, she explained:

"Martial artists who have reached the Five Organs and Six Viscera realms consume an enormous amount of energy, which directly relates to our large appetites. When you start your formal martial arts training, you'll understand."

Huang An nodded and took note of this new boundary.

So far, he had noted four realms: the "Bronze Realm", the "Golden Body Realm", the "Five Organs Realm", and the "Six Viscera Realm".

As for Master Zhao, he was at the Bronze Realm.

Combining Zhao Yan's words and the eating habits of his senior brothers and sisters, Huang An quickly deduced that everyone present was within either the Five Organs Realm or the Six Viscera Realm.

Finally, unable to hold back any longer amidst their meal, Huang An posed the question that had been burning in his heart.

"Senior Sister, when will the ceremony to formally become a disciple take place?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan paused. Seeing the anxious look on Huang An's face, she didn't keep him in suspense.

"This morning, father woke up and learned about what you've done to save his life. Our Zhao family is naturally willing to accept you, Huang An."

Hearing this, Huang An let out a sigh of relief and quickly gave his thanks.

"However..."

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yan added another sentence which made Huang's An face fall slightly.

He hated hearing whatever came after the word "but".

Before he could voice out his question, he saw a faint regret in Zhao Yan's expression.

"However, my dad's injuries are too severe right now. I'm afraid he won't be able to conduct the induction ceremony or teach you martial arts in his current condition."

Upon hearing this, Huang An let out a sigh of relief and reassured her:

"Senior Sister, do not worry. As someone who is chronically ill, I certainly don't care about any title or ceremony. If the teacher is inconvenienced, why not you, senior sister, act on your father's behalf and accept this junior? That would perfectly satisfy my wish!"

Seeing that Huang An wasn't angry, Zhao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, however, her face turned even more rueful.

"Junior Brother, what you don't understand is, it's not that I don't want to accept you as a disciple. My cultivation level is just too low. Even if I do accept you, I won't be able to instruct you in martial arts! However, you can first be added to the list of disciples in our martial arts school!"

Huang An was stunned. This touched upon an area of knowledge he was unaware of.

Did teaching martial arts require a high level of cultivation?

People with low cultivation levels are not allowed to teach martial arts?

There must be a secret behind this.

However, being added to the roll was a good start. Huang An was ready to pay the necessary fees.

Observing him bend down to get the money, they thought he was finding it difficult to cope with the setback.

"Heh, Junior Brother Zhao, you've traveled all over, but have you been so engrossed in your travels that you've become oblivious? Haven't you heard that only those who have reached the Bronze Realm have the qualification to establish a martial arts school and recruit disciples?"

Pang Han, who was sitting by them, couldn't stand it anymore and sarcastically offered an explanation.

Unfortunately, Huang An still didn't understand. He frowned and looked up at Pang Han.

He was full of confusion. One, he couldn't understand why Pang Han's attitude towards him was so hostile. Two, he wondered if starting a martial arts school required some people's or unity's approval?

Only those in the Bronze Realm could establish a martial arts school, so those in the Five Organs or Six Viscera realms couldn't do it?

If they forced it and taught people martial arts, then what? Would someone come to punish them?

Huang An chose not to voice his thoughts. He continued to quietly eat his bun, but in his heart, he knew what he should do.

He decided to make Master Zhao recover as soon as possible to avoid delaying his own martial arts training, which was essential for his survival!

As for the fees, he decided to hold off on them.

In terms of treatment methods, Huang An didn't have much confidence at the moment. He needed to return to Earth to ensure a full guarantee.

For a while, silence settled during the meal.