Chapter 31 Striving for Progress
Once these words were spoken, Shen Xiaohu gave Shen Qing a somewhat odd glance from the side.
He wasn't sure about everything, but some things he did remember.
His father only wanted the younger Shenwa to try out Martial Arts, when had he ever said to let the three of them enter Linfeng Hall?
That would cost a lot of silver.
However, seeing Shen Qing's "righteous and bold" demeanor, he felt uncertain, doubting whether his father had given some other instructions on the fly.
With no confidence in his heart, he kept his head low, not daring to utter a sound.
Shen Xiu's expression turned serious as she sized up Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu, her gaze becoming hesitant.
She knew all too well what her own family was like.
Otherwise, her own parents wouldn't have sold her to rely on others and live life watching other people's faces.
She didn't believe her nephews could amount to much.
But in the back of the house, Hall Master Li Linfeng had more than one concubine, and each of their families had some sort of foundation, more or less.
Even though she was pregnant, her status within the household was not high.
Shen Xiu subconsciously touched her lower abdomen.
She felt that even if she didn't consider herself, she should think about the child in her womb.
As an aunt, if she could give her nephews a hand and they managed to get into Linfeng Hall and hold their ground,
they would surely remember her favor in the future and look after her unborn sibling.
With this thought in mind, Shen Xiu looked towards Shen Qing.
It was the first time in all these years that Shen Qing was able to speak so eloquently and logically when she saw him,
different from the simple and honest Shen Family member she remembered in her mind.
He didn't seem like someone who came from the lower-class backgrounds of a hunter.
It was worth a try.
Having been influenced by the ways of a large family, she also understood the principle that teaching someone to fish is better than giving them fish.
Now that her nephews are seeking progress, whether they succeed or not, as family, she ought to lend a hand.
A family member with potential could help her out.
After pondering for a while, Shen Fang said, "Master Li has indeed shown an interest in recruiting disciples recently."
"Thank you, auntie," Shen Qing said excitedly, a glint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Don't get too excited just yet, I'll ask around first. Whether it works out or not is another matter," Shen Fang said with a light laugh, her almond-shaped eyes curling into crescents. "You guys don't go anywhere, wait here for me."
When Shen Fang stood up to cross the threshold, Shen Qing quickly went over and eagerly offered support.
His cleverness made Shen Fang glance at him sideways, and she became more convinced that this nephew of hers was someone who knew how to handle things.
Just with this quick-wittedness, even if he couldn't get into Linfeng Hall, he would definitely not fare too badly elsewhere.
After escorting her outside the side room, Shen Qing didn't go any further, keeping to the propriety of a guest and watching Shen Fang leave.
In just that brief moment, he judged that his aunt's status in Linfeng Hall was probably mediocre; clearly pregnant, she didn't even have a maid to attend to her.
Whether he could succeed in studying Martial Arts at Linfeng Hall was truly uncertain.
"Brother Qingzi, can we really enter Linfeng Hall to practice Martial Arts?"
As opposed to Shen Qing's calmness, Shen Xiaohu was like someone with ants in his pants, getting restlessly impatient.
"I don't know, let's see what auntie does about it. Let's wait and see,"
Shen Qing knew this was not something that could be rushed.
Seeing that there was some time left, he decided to start his stance training right there in the side room, hoping to improve the progress of his Nine Brocade Technique.
Time trickled by, and after about a pot of tea's worth of time, Auntie Shen Xiu crossed the threshold with a smile on her face and came in.
Shen Qing hastily finished his practice and suppressed the rising Qi-Blood, looking at Shen Xiu with anticipation.
"The Hall Master wishes to meet with you," Shen Xiu said straightforwardly as she entered, not beating around the bush.
A weight lifted from Shen Qing's heart, and he hastily expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Auntie."
"Come with me."
With that, Shen Xiu led Shen Qing and Xiao Hu to another courtyard.
As soon as he crossed the main gate of the courtyard, Shen Qing saw a burly man with a face full of horizontal flesh, instructing two young masters in martial arts attire, around the ages of twelve or thirteen, in an open area of the yard.
"Stand firm, all of you! You're already struggling after just standing for a short time; how can you achieve anything like this?"
The burly man with the horizontal flesh seemed frustrated to the point of hating iron for not becoming steel, his anger simmering like a dormant volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.
Seeing Auntie leading him straight toward that stout man, Shen Qing thought that this must be the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall—Li Linfeng.
"Are you the nephews from Lady Qi's house?" Li Linfeng glanced at the two of them, his tone neutral, revealing no particular fondness or distaste.
Shen Qing hastily saluted with a fist in palm, "I have seen Master Li. My name is Shen Qing, and this is Shen Xiaohu."
"You two will practice for an additional period of time. If you can't even do this, don't think about leaving the house for the next three days." Hall Master Li Linfeng casually instructed, then walked towards a small pavilion, "Let's talk over there."
"Yes."
As Shen Qing was leaving, he glanced at the two young masters practicing and couldn't help but notice one of them had unusually developed chest muscles, capturing his curiosity for an extra look.
Sensing his gaze, the muscle-bound young master suddenly turned and glared at him with a lethal stare.
This face was clearly that of a female master.
Shen Qing quickly averted his eyes and refrained from looking any further.
Inside the small pavilion.
As soon as Li Linfeng, the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall, stepped onto the platform, Auntie Shen Xiu dragged a large chair upholstered with tiger skin out from under the table, just in time for him to sit down.
"Just now, Xiu Xiu mentioned to me that you wish to join Linfeng Hall to study martial arts?" Li Linfeng asked Shen Qing with a glance.
"Replying to the Hall Master, yes, that is our intention."
With a thump,
Shen Qing knelt before Shen Xiu and Li Linfeng, gritted his teeth, and presented the entire fifteen taels of silver he had earned that day with both hands.
"I implore uncle to grant your nephew this opportunity!"
Shen Qing felt this opportunity was indeed precious.
Outside, countless people were clamoring for a chance to find a way to learn martial arts.
Being able to meet Li Linfeng today was a rare exception, and he had to seize the initiative, show his eagerness to advance, and also be willing to invest in order to leave a strong impression on the other party.
Losing face was nothing of consequence.
To expect rich rewards without any investment—such a good deal did not exist in this world.
In fact, Shen Qing accomplished just that.
His behavior left Xiao Hu completely dumbfounded, unsure what to do, while also surprising Li Linfeng and Shen Xiu.
They had anticipated Shen Qing might beg without dignity, or be frantic and trembling with fear, but they had never expected him to act like this.
Even when asking a favor, he actually seemed reasonable and did not provoke annoyance.
However, Li Linfeng, having weathered many storms, quickly recovered and, examining Shen Qing, he said, "Linfeng Hall does indeed intend to recruit disciples recently, but not everyone is eligible for entry. Let's do this—both of you step forward two steps so that I can assess your Bone Root. If the Bone Root is too poor and you're not cut out for this discipline, then you may go back to where you came from."
"Yes."
A chill went through Shen Qing's heart as he slowly stepped forward.