Chapter 31 Striving for Improvement

Shen Xiaohu gave Shen Qing a peculiar look upon hearing those words.

He wasn't aware of many things, but there were some things he remembered.

His father only wanted the younger Shanwa to try martial arts. When had he ever said that the three of them should enter Linfeng Hall?

How much silver would that take!

But seeing Shen Qing's "righteous" demeanor, he was somewhat unsure and wondered if his father had given other instructions temporarily.

He was not confident in his heart, so he kept his head down and dared not speak.

Shen Xiu's expression became serious as she scrutinized Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu, her eyes hesitating.

She knew very well the capabilities of her family members.

Otherwise, her parents wouldn't have sold her back then, forcing her to live under someone else's roof and rely on others' expressions.

She didn't believe her nephews could achieve much.

Yet in the backyard, she wasn't the only concubine of Hall Master Li Linfeng, and the families of the others more or less had some background.

Even though she was pregnant, her status wasn't high.

Shen Xiu instinctively touched her lower abdomen.

She felt that even if she didn't consider herself, she should think about the child in her womb now.

As an aunt, she should lend a hand to her nephews. If they could enter Linfeng Hall and establish themselves,

In the future, they would surely remember her kindness and take care of this unborn sibling.

Thinking of this, Shen Xiu couldn't help but look at Shen Qing.

It was the first time Shen Qing had spoken to her so eloquently and methodically after all these years.

Unlike the honest Shen Family member she remembered.

He wasn't at all like someone born into a humble hunter's family.

It was worth a try.

Having been exposed for a long time in affluent families, she understood the principle of teaching a man to fish.

Now her nephews were ambitious. Whether or not they succeeded, as her family, she should lend them a hand.

If her family succeeded, they could help her in return.

After meditating for a while, Shen Fang spoke, "Master Li indeed has the intention to recruit disciples recently."

"Thank you, Aunt," Shen Qing said, a flicker of delight in his eyes.

"Don't be happy too early. I'll inquire first. Whether it can be done is another matter," Shen Fang said, her almond eyes curving into crescents as she chuckled, "Don't leave yet; wait for me here."

Seeing Shen Fang rise to cross the threshold, Shen Qing quickly hurried over to assist her.

His nimbleness drew a slight glance from Shen Fang, further confirming that this nephew of hers was someone who knew how to handle matters.

With such cleverness, even if he didn't enter Linfeng Hall, he would surely fare decently elsewhere.

After sending Shen Fang out of the room without delving deeper, Shen Qing saw her off, maintaining the guest's manners.

Just now, he roughly assessed his aunt's status in Linfeng Hall, probably average. Despite being pregnant, she didn't even have a maid to serve her.

Whether he could train in martial arts at Linfeng Hall was still uncertain.

"Brother Qingzi, can we really enter Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts?"

Compared to Shen Qing's calm, Shen Xiaohu seemed restless, as if ants were crawling in his heart.

"I don't know. Let's see how it goes on Aunt's side."

Shen Qing knew this matter couldn't be rushed.

Seeing some time left, he decided to practice his stance training in the room, advancing his Nine Brocade Technique.

Time passed bit by bit. After about a pot of tea's time, Aunt Shen Xiu entered with a smile crossing the threshold.

Shen Qing promptly ceased, suppressing the rising Qi-Blood, and looked at Shen Xiu expectantly.

"The Hall Master wishes to see you." As soon as Shen Xiu entered, she made no attempt to keep them guessing and spoke directly.

A weight lifted from Shen Qing's heart, and he quickly expressed gratitude, "Thank you, Aunt."

"Follow me."

With that, Shen Xiu led Shen Qing and Xiaohu to another compound.

Just after stepping through the gate, Shen Qing saw a burly man with a fierce appearance in the courtyard training two young lads in training attire, presumably around twelve or thirteen.

"Stand still, the both of you! You've barely stood for a moment and are already this way. How can you hope to become anything substantial?"

The burly man, his features fierce with flesh, seemed filled with fiery anger, like a dormant volcano ready to erupt.

Seeing his aunt lead him toward the burly man, Shen Qing thought, this must be Li Linfeng, the Hall Master of Linfeng Hall.

"Are you the nephews of Lady Qi's family?" Li Linfeng cast a glance at Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu. His tone was somewhat indifferent, revealing neither dislike nor favor.

Shen Qing quickly clasped his hands in salute, "Greetings, Master Li. I am Shen Qing, and he is Shen Xiaohu."

"You two, add another couple of rounds to your practice. If you can't even manage that, don't think of stepping out for the next three days," Hall Master Li Linfeng casually instructed as he headed toward a nearby pavilion, "Let's speak over there."

"Understood."

As Shen Qing walked away, he glanced at the two young lads practicing. One of them, peculiarly muscular in the chest, piqued his curiosity, causing him to glance twice.

Sensing his gaze, the young lad turned, glaring fiercely at him with eyes that held a sharp edge.

Those features, surprisingly, belonged to a young lady.

Shen Qing quickly withdrew his gaze, not daring to look further.

Inside the pavilion.

Just as Li Linfeng arrived, Aunt Shen Xiu pulled out a tiger-skin-covered chair from under the long table, letting him sit.

"Shen Xiu told me earlier. You wish to enter Linfeng Hall to practice martial arts?" Li Linfeng glanced at Shen Qing and spoke.

"Yes, Master."

With a thud,

Shen Qing knelt before Shen Xiu and Li Linfeng. Gritting his teeth, he took out the entire sum of fifteen taels earned today and presented it with both hands.

"I hope Uncle will grant this nephew such an opportunity!"

Shen Qing believed that such opportunities were truly hard to come by.

Outside, countless people vied for a way to learn martial arts.

For him to have an exception to meet Li Linfeng, he needed to make a strong impression, strive for progress, and be willing to invest to leave a deep mark on the other side.

Losing face was insignificant.

Hoping for a rich return without a price wasn't something possible in this world.

In fact, Shen Qing really accomplished it.

His actions left Shen Xiaohu bewildered, unsure of what to do, and surprisingly startled both Li Linfeng and Shen Xiu.

They imagined Shen Qing might beg persistently or become flustered and fearful, but they never expected him to act this way.

In seeking help, he displayed a reasonableness that didn't evoke annoyance.

Yet Li Linfeng, being experienced in life's storms, quickly regained his composure and scrutinized Shen Qing, "Linfeng Hall indeed intends to recruit disciples lately, but not everyone can enter. Let's see. You both take two steps forward, and I'll examine your bone structure. If they're too poor and you can't handle this lifestyle, then you shall return from whence you came."

"Yes."

Shen Qing felt a shiver within and slowly stepped forward.