Chapter 7 — Realms and Invitation

Golden Sea Restaurant was located on the main street. Many people came here to dine, so it was usually full of people. Bai Lu found a spot on the second floor, Li An sat beside him, and ordered luxurious food that the common people don't consume very often.

Li An was surprised by Bai Lu's generosity. He had not tasted these foods yet, nor had he dine in this restaurant before. Having the reputation as the best restaurant in Sky Fire County, the food was expensive. Even drinks cost tons. He wondered if there was a catch.

"Let's eat first before we talk."

Bai Lu said then devoured the food on the table. Li An also felt very hungry so he did not act reserved. He ate whatever he could find on the table. Shrimps, meat, etc.

After fifteen minutes, the plates on the tables were empty. Bai Lu had a very big appetite, finishing ten plates all by himself. As for Li An, he had found it hard to continue after his second plate.

At the side, Bai Lu burp and said while cleaning his teeth, "Li An, you have a great potential in martial arts. Your strength is already on par with a martial apprentice. Only that you're severely lacking on foundations. Otherwise, in that match, there is a possibility of you beating me."

"Martial apprentice?" Li An narrowed his eyes.

"Oh right, you are new to martial arts, so this term might come foreign to you." Bai Lu was understanding, "Let me explain."

"Martial Artist is categorized by six different realms. Namely, Martial Apprentice, Martial Adept, Third Grade Martial Artist, Second Grade Martial Artist, First Grade Martial Artist, and lastly Martial Master."

Bai Lu pointed at Li An. "In your case, you are technically considered a Martial Apprentice. With that amount of strength, you'll be placed in the beginner phase of Martial Apprentice."

"So that also means you're a Martial Apprentice?" Li An asked.

Bai Lu said, "You're half-right."

"Half-right?" Li An was puzzled.

"Yes, you're aware of martial techniques, am I right?"

Li An nodded. Martial techniques were essential for a martial artist. It was the source of a martial artist's strength. He had heard that a martial artist might even find it hard to fight dozens of people at once without a martial technique.

"Since you know then explaining it would not take some time." Bai Lu tapped the table, "What separates you and me is Martial Technique. Once a martial apprentice comprehended a martial technique, he would officially ascend to peak phase of Martial Apprentice."

"The phases of every realm are divided into two phases: beginning and peak. Since you haven't learned any martial technique, you're a beginner martial apprentice, kid."

"I see."

Li An finally understood. From this point, he understood how he had lost from that arm wrestling. Although his strength is a little greater than Bai Lu's, ultimately, he had not mastered any martial technique. Compared to Bai Lu who mastered a martial technique, he indeed paled considerably.

"Li An," Bai Lu said in a serious tone, "I see great potential in you. That is why I want to invite you to Heart Soothing Gang. Of course, it comes with benefits."

Heart Soothing Gang?

Li An remembered the host of the arm wrestling event had said Bai Lu was from Heart Soothing Gang.

Unlike the notorious Blood Horse Gang which had a lot of bad records, Heart Soothing Gang, like its name suggests, was an organization aiming to aid the common people.

The difference between Blood Horse Gang and Heart Soothing Gang was that Heart Soothing Gang was backed by the Luo Clan, one of the four great martial clans of Sky Fire County.

Luo Clan is well-known for being generous to the common people. Many citizens admired and appreciated the Luo Clan. Thanks to that, many citizens preferred to shop in establishments that the Luo clan managed.

As a way of thanks, the Luo clan set up the Heart Soothing Gang. It is aimed to help aspiring citizens on pursuing their dreams. They offered scholarships and martial arts. They even had facilities. Usually, they would scout talented youths and offer them a considerable privilege hard to refuse.

Li An hesitated. He still had not recovered from the shock of that sword that day. Although he had gradually calmed down, he still found it hard to come to terms with martial arts.

Although he also needed to train strong enough to kill someone, Li An did not want to come in contact with the world of martial arts, as he might provoke someone like that bamboo-hat man and lose his life.

As he thought up here, Li An suddenly froze. Can I...kill a person?

He found this a large issue. He had not even killed a pig, let alone a human being. Furthermore, his prey was an influential figure who was protected by martial artists. Forget killing young master Hao, he might even die without touching his sleeves.

God dammit!

Li An felt upset. He shook his head and said, "I'm sorry Sir Bai Lu, but I have to decline the invitation. Right now, I'd like to focus on the imperial exam at the end of this month."

That's right. The Imperial examination happened once a year at the end of February. When he had gotten the system, Li An had abandoned the official route. However, that sword changed his mind.

The world of martial arts is scary...

Bai Lu was disappointed. "In the end, it's your decision. If you change your mind, you can come to our headquarters. Then tell them you are looking for me, I'd surely introduce you to the office. You have unlimited potential. You'd definitely be accepted immediately."

"But kid, I suggest you learn some basic martial techniques. It would be a waste if you don't."

As he heard that, Li An froze then a bulb lit up on his head. Why did I forget about that? Martial techniques can also be considered 'other related knowledge'. With his current stats, there should be no problem with him learning the most basic martial technique in half a month. It was better than reading ten books or learning painting which takes a month or year to learn.

"Thank you, Sir Bai Lu, I'd definitely need to learn one. But I need to find an instructor, to be honest. Self-learning takes time." Li An sighed and thought 'Learning from an instructor is equivalent to burning silvers. Martial techniques are also somewhat expensive. Hai, I'm so poor indeed.'

Bai Lu lowered his head. He seemed to be in deep thought. At last, he raised his bead and said, "I'm usually free at weekends. If you want to learn some tricks from me, I don't mind teaching you."

"Really?" Li An was filled with joy. If he could learn from Bai Lu, he could save some of his money. That would be the best course of action!

"It seems you are okay with it. Alright, come to this address. My house is painted blue, so it should not be hard to find."

Li An took the paper handed by Bai Lu. It contained his address.

"I still have important matters to attend to, so I'm leaving first. See you on weekends."

Bai Lu bid his farewell.

"Goodbye."

Li An waved his hand. He was filled with excitement. However, it disappeared soon after.

I need a martial technique! I probably can afford that cheap horse stance. But would those three martial arts halls go after me if I master their martial techniques?

If that was the case, Li An would not learn those martial techniques. He did not want any connection with the three martial arts halls at the moment. He had heard of the 'tallest tree attracts the strong wind'.

Bai Lu had said he was talented, which means his talent should be at least an ordinary genius level. What if those martial halls bore hatred once he decline their invitation and send assassins on his way?

It was best to be cautious. Youth with great talents but stupid had many cases of death from assassination. Li An did not want to include his name on the list.

As such, Li An idled outside the stores that sold those basic methods. He approached a stranger who came out of those stores, holding a book manual with him, as he asked about his concerns. That fatty had laughed at him and said, "Man, you are overthinking. Those basic methods like the one I bought are common in the jianghu[1]. You can find them easily in neighboring cities, too. Those core techniques of each organization are, of course, can't be bought in public. Unless you purchased them for an astronomical amount, you cannot find them. You need to join an organization to do so, or lucky, stumbled upon a legacy."

Li An thanked him for sharing his knowledge. The worries in his heart disappeared after that fatty's explanation. However, he was someone who wasn't satisfied with a single proof, so he asked more people who came out from those stores.

After getting the same exact answer, Li An finally let out all of his remaining concerns as he stepped into Fire Fist Store.

....

Author's Note: [1] Jianghu literally means World of Martial Arts. The latter is too wordy so I preferred the former. You can voice your thoughts if what fits the best.

I try my best to update a second chapter today. I feel not writing to be honest as I am pretty tired. Also, I'm reading some books which took a long for this chapter to be uploaded. I seriously need to discipline myself or else I would not finish this book or drop it mid-way. I hope that won't happen. (I still have two books that are on hiatus lol)

Also, I'd like to ask for power stones. This work is competing for the WPC #290 competition system theme, so any supports matter. Thank you so much!