Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11. Trouble Comes Knocking
“Now that the Taiji Fist Routine has broken through to the Great Mastery stage, is the change really this significant?”
Xu Yuan felt a flicker of surprise. He opened the panel and looked at it.
[Name: Xu Yuan]
[Skills: Taiji Fist Routine (Great Mastery 1%), Stone Platform Stance (Beginner 28%)]
[Aptitude: 5 (Somewhat Outstanding)]
Xu Yuan’s Taiji Fist Routine had already reached Great Mastery, and his aptitude had risen from 3 to 5.
Most importantly, his aptitude evaluation had changed from “average” to “somewhat outstanding”!
“‘Average’ can only be considered ordinary, but ‘somewhat outstanding’ means I at least possess a certain level of talent.”
Xu Yuan’s eyes lit up. He realized that even though his aptitude had only increased by a mere two points, the resulting transformation was nothing short of a complete rebirth.
When he practiced the Taiji Fist Routine again, Xu Yuan could feel his body moving like a gentle breeze, yet his lower body stood as firm as a rock. With each repetition, he gained new insights.
“Now, I can barely be considered someone with talent.”
Xu Yuan’s gaze burned brightly. Hard work was important—it guaranteed a baseline—but talent allowed one to break through one’s limits.
“Let me try the stance technique again. This is what will truly determine my fate.”
Xu Yuan assumed his stance, sinking his shoulders and dropping his elbows as all the muscles in his body tightened into unity.
After going through dozens of variations—
Suddenly, Xu Yuan sensed that trace of vital blood energy within his body. Or rather, after he sent out several signals to condense his blood and qi, it came to him on its own.
“So it’s actually this easy. Tian Yang really did not lie to me. Of course, this is also inseparable from my long accumulation and effort.”
Feeling the tangible surge of blood energy coursing through his body, Xu Yuan froze for a moment before breaking into a relieved smile.
His efforts had not been in vain after all.
[Name: Xu Yuan]
[Skills: Taiji Fist Routine (Great Mastery 1%), Stone Platform Stance (Beginner 31%)]
[Aptitude: 5 (Somewhat Outstanding)]
“My efficiency has improved quite a bit.”
Xu Yuan reflected for a moment. Many of the problems he had encountered before were now effortlessly resolved.
He could now train the stance technique at full speed without any reservations.
“It’s getting late. I will continue another day.”
Xu Yuan glanced around. The atmosphere was as still as water, and the night wind brushed against his face with a chilling touch.
Outside the house, several figures stood motionless like wooden stakes.
Among them, Xiao Sheng’s thin yet resolute face stood out distinctly.
Xu Yuan wiped away his sweat, watched silently for a while, and then returned to the communal sleeping quarters.
The mixture of unpleasant and complex odors no longer felt as irritating as before.
He exhaled a breath of stale air and pulled the blanket over himself.
Before long, he fell into a deep sleep.
…
Aside from his improved comprehension, Xu Yuan had undergone another major change.
That was his appetite—it had increased dramatically, astonishing many who saw it.
This meant that his body was instinctively craving nourishment to support further growth.
At the same time, his body’s adaptability had also improved.
Previously, he had to do chores during the day and practice martial arts diligently. The soreness in his muscles had almost never ceased.
But now, whether doing chores or practicing martial arts, he could handle everything more easily, and his body no longer felt as strained as before.
…
The weather was pleasant today, with warm and gentle sunlight.
Xu Yuan took leave from the residence and, on the way, bought two fresh crucian carp from the fish market.
He passed through streets and alleys, heading toward the increasingly quiet outskirts of the city.
As he approached his home, the sound of an argument became clearer.
When Xu Yuan heard his elder brother’s voice mixed within, his heart tightened, and he hurried over.
A crowd of onlookers had already gathered at the entrance.
Three thuggish-looking men stood there with their arms crossed, sneering arrogantly.
The leader had a cropped haircut and rough features. He was tall and burly, yet his upper body habitually hunched forward, making him look both imposing and oddly ridiculous.
At that moment, he narrowed his eyes impatiently. “Brother Xu, you used to read a few scholarly texts, did you not? Surely you understand that borrowed money must be repaid?”
“Bah!”
Xu Zheng was alone at home. Upon hearing this, his face flushed red with anger. He raised his hand and pointed at the man, his voice trembling.
“Li Daqiang, when have I ever offended you? The agreement was a monthly interest of 2.7 percent, to be repaid within five months. And now you suddenly raise the price on the spot?”
“2.7 percent?”
Li Daqiang raised an eyebrow and casually pulled out a contract from his chest. “What you borrowed was clearly ‘nine out, thirteen back.’”
“Everyone here can see it clearly. It is written in black and white. Even if we take this to the authorities, we would still be in the right!”
Hearing this, Xu Yuan’s eyes flickered. He immediately understood what was going on and hurried forward.
On the other side, Xu Zheng’s expression changed as he angrily cursed, “I never signed that contract! You scoundrel, you are using a fake document to deceive me!”
At these words, Li Daqiang’s face completely darkened. He put away the contract and said coldly,
“So now you deny it? Either way, today you will pay whether you like it or not. Search the house!”
Seeing that they were about to force their way in without another word, Xu Zheng shouted furiously, “Li Daqiang, you beast! My mother even helped your family before. You are not worthy of being called human!”
“Damn it, shut your mouth—”
One of the thugs grew impatient. He stepped forward, raised his hand, and was about to slap Xu Zheng.
But suddenly, his wrist was caught by another hand. The grip was like an iron clamp—no matter how hard he struggled, even as his face turned red, he could not move at all!
Xu Zheng hastily stepped back. Only then did he realize that a figure had appeared in front of him.
The young man stood upright like a pine tree. His sharp facial features radiated an irrepressible vigor.
“A-Yuan?”
After recognizing him, Xu Zheng exclaimed in surprise, “Why are you back?”
“The monthly leave was delayed for a few days.”
Xu Yuan explained briefly. He pushed the thug aside with a single motion, sending him sprawling face-first onto the ground.
Then he looked coldly at the group and said calmly, “Brother Daqiang, we acknowledge the debt my elder brother borrowed. But the terms cannot be changed arbitrarily. At the end of the month, we will naturally pay the interest owed.”
“The second son of the Xu family?”
Li Daqiang looked Xu Yuan up and down with uncertainty. Although Xu Yuan was not particularly muscular, his stance was steady, and there was none of the usual timidity found in young men.
“This kid has changed so much?”
Li Daqiang muttered under his breath, but his tone remained domineering. “Who do you think you are? If you cannot produce the money, then I think this house—”
Xu Yuan’s eyes turned cold. As expected, they had come to cause trouble. He interrupted,
“Brother Daqiang, the Shangyang Residence has its rules. Even if the family members of servants are harassed outside, the residence will step in and ask questions. If things escalate, it will not benefit you—especially during this period.”
“You think you can scare me with that? You’re just a lowly servant!”
Li Daqiang knew Xu Yuan’s background well. He sneered and was about to act again, but one of the thugs beside him suddenly leaned in and whispered,
“Brother Qiang, my nephew works as a servant in the Shangyang Residence. He said that recently martial instructors have been teaching them martial arts, and the higher-ups seem to be taking it quite seriously.”
“What nonsense? Teaching a bunch of servants martial arts?”
Li Daqiang shot him a disbelieving look, suspecting he was being mocked.
At that moment, the thug who had just been knocked down by Xu Yuan also walked over, rubbing his wrist as he said in a low voice, “This one’s tough. He has probably trained before. His strength is incredible.”
Hearing this, Li Daqiang finally believed it somewhat, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Seeing this, Xu Yuan took out a few pieces of silver from his chest and handed them over with a smile. “Brother Daqiang, this is this month’s interest. I will pay it in advance to save you the trouble of coming again.”
Li Daqiang stared at him for a long moment, as if trying to find any trace of bluffing. But from beginning to end, Xu Yuan simply met his gaze calmly.
After a while, Li Daqiang suddenly grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed, rotten teeth. “Not bad, Xu Second. Joining the Shangyang Residence has indeed broadened your horizons… But even if you pass my test, that may not be the case with others.”
With that, he glanced around and left with his underlings.