Chapter 1 Health-preserving Fist! Five Animal Frolics!_2

Su Changkong was helpless.

He had thought about learning martial arts before, but unfortunately, martial arts were not accessible for ordinary people. As far as Su Changkong knew, the tuition fees at the martial arts schools in Clearwater City were too expensive for commoners to afford!

As an apprentice to the Forging Master at Black Iron Manor, Su Changkong was responsible for helping out and doing odd jobs. His compensation was pitifully low—200 copper coins per month. He had scrimped and saved for three months and had accumulated less than half a tael of silver, which was not even enough for the entrance fee to a martial arts school.

However, Su Changkong wasn't very dissatisfied with this, thinking that one's income should match one's abilities. At Black Iron Manor, at least he didn't have to worry about food and clothing or his safety. In the future, as a Forging Master, his compensation would increase significantly.

"Modern times and ancient times are the same, internships, becoming official..." Su Changkong muttered to himself in thought.

"Time to knock off work! Time to knock off work! Pay attention to sealing the furnace!"

As the afternoon arrived, the overseer made the announcement.

The members of Black Iron Manor gradually dispersed, some still busy with their tasks at hand.

"Finally off work!" Su Changkong said as he picked up a towel and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

After returning to his room, Su Changkong took a bath and changed into clean clothes before heading to the back courtyard of Black Iron Manor. He was ready to learn the Five Animal Frolics, as he had agreed with Dr. Huashan that morning.

In the elegant back courtyard of Black Iron Manor, where distinguished guests were received, Su Changkong saw Dr. Huashan.

In the courtyard, there weren't only Su Changkong learning the Five Animal Frolics but also seven or eight other people both old and young, all interested in the practice.

"Is it just these few people? It seems that the task of promoting the Five Animal Frolics is a long and arduous one..." Dr. Huashan waited, slightly disappointed by the turnout of less than ten people from Black Iron Manor, but it was also normal. Most people were too busy struggling to feed themselves to have any spare energy to practice Health-preserving Fist.

Centering his mind, Dr. Hua Shan began to speak, "These Five Animal Frolics are a health-oriented practice with a long tradition. They imitate five animals to strengthen the body and improve the flow of qi and blood. It requires persistent cultivation to see results. My master practiced these Five Animal Frolics and lived to be over a hundred before ascending to immortality!"

Su Changkong listened attentively; he wasn't content with the status quo. Now that he had settled down in Black Iron Manor and had free time, practicing the Five Animal Frolics might truly be useful to him!

"The Five Animal Frolics I practice are divided into 54 forms: Tiger Play 13 forms, Deer Play 9 forms, Bear Play 9 forms, Ape Play 10 forms, and Bird Play 13 forms."

"Additionally, there are more advanced practices such as the Mutual Generation Practice and Mutual Restraint Practice, the Agile Ape Foolish Bear Practice, and the paired Crane Play. For now, I'll practice and explain at the same time, and everyone should follow along. Feel free to ask me if there's anything you don't understand."

Dr. Huashan explained and introduced the basics of the Five Animal Frolics before starting to practice, and the others began to follow suit.

Dr. Huashan deliberately slowed down his movements, sometimes displaying the fierce power of a tiger, sometimes the tranquil grace of a deer, providing a pleasing sight to behold.

Su Changkong also focused on practicing attentively, going from awkward to proficient. Although not perfect, he was beginning to get the hang of it.

"Hmm?" An hour later, Su Changkong's expression subtly changed.

He had gained proficiency in a martial art: Five Animal Frolics (Introductory 1%).

Su Changkong noticed that a new section had been added in his attribute panel!

"Do the Five Animal Frolics count as martial arts?" Su Changkong was inwardly surprised. Although the Five Animal Frolics were health-oriented and not for combat, they indeed fell within the scope of martial arts!

"I will be staying in Black Iron Manor for five days. During these five days, at the same time each day, you can come to learn the Five Animal Frolics." As the sky gradually darkened, Dr. Huashan said, instructing everyone to go back and rest.

But Dr. Huashan knew well that, while nearly ten people showed up to learn on the first day, the number was likely to diminish greatly by the second day!

Indeed, when the second afternoon came around, only five or six people remained to learn the Five Animal Frolics.

As for Su Changkong, he came every day and constantly asked Dr. Huashan about the intricacies of the Five Animal Frolics. The fact that a young person like Su Changkong showed such interest in the Five Animal Frolics greatly comforted Dr. Huashan. He wanted to promote the Five Animal Frolics to do something for the commoners of the world.

When everyone was healthy, naturally there would be fewer injuries and illnesses.

Five days later, as evening approached,

the only person still following Dr. Huashan to practice the Five Animal Frolics was Su Changkong.

Aside from eating and sleeping, it is not easy to persist in something with dedication!

"Young man, you are called Su Changkong, right?" Dr. Huashan said to Su Changkong with a pleasant expression.

"Yes," Su Changkong nodded. Over these past few days, he had come on time every day to learn the Five Animal Frolics, and Dr. Huashan had learned his name.

Dr. Huashan pondered for a moment and said, "I shall leave Black Iron Manor tomorrow. I will give you this—it might be useful to you in the future."

With that, Dr. Huashan took a folded piece of paper from his bosom and handed it to Su Changkong.

"What is this?" Su Changkong asked, puzzled.

"This is a Body Strengthening Soup recipe I have researched. Its effects are to strengthen the body and benefit qi and blood. Of course... the herbs listed are all quite expensive," Dr. Huashan explained.

At these words, Su Changkong's eyes immediately lit up—a recipe that could strengthen the body and benefit qi and blood was certainly precious!

Dr. Huashan had spent five days in Black Iron Manor teaching the Five Animal Frolics, and only Su Changkong had come every day and persevered to the end, which was why Dr. Huashan decided to give the Body Strengthening Soup recipe to Su Changkong.