Chapter 19: Skill Breakthrough, Strength Improvement

Standing in front of the chopping block, Jiang Ning picked up the chopping knife again and placed another thick log on the block. 

Just as he was about to swing the knife, a loud voice rang out in his ears. 

"Kid, dinner's ready. Come and eat!" 

"Alright, Big Sister!" Jiang Ning responded, looking up. 

In the kitchen, Auntie Sun, holding a tray, couldn't help but smile. 

"This kid's mouth is so sweet! With that handsome face, he'll have no trouble charming girls in the future!" 

On the other side, Jiang Ning responded to Auntie Sun but still gripped the knife tightly. 

In the next moment, the muscles in his arm bulged. 

Whoosh 

The blade sliced through the air with a faint friction sound. 

Crack 

As the knife came down, the thick log split open with a sharp sound. 

Jiang Ning stared at the split in the log, his eyes narrowing slightly. 

"Nearly ten-tenths deep! It's different now!" 

A smile slowly spread across his face. He then applied force with his hand, and the thick blade of the knife lay horizontally in the split wood. 

Crack, crack 

The sound of wood fibers tearing echoed. 

Finally, with the leverage of the thick blade, the entire log was successfully split in two, the irregular tear marks visible at the bottom. 

[Firewood Chopping Knife Technique Experience +1] 

"Before, a full-force strike could only go halfway into the log. Now, with the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique reaching Proficient, it can go nearly ten-tenths deep. I've gotten stronger!" 

Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction. Such rapid progress in such a short time pleased him greatly. 

He then set the knife aside and walked in the direction Auntie Sun had gone. 

Entering the main hall, he called out, "Master!" 

"Sit," Wang Jin said, pausing his actions and gesturing to Jiang Ning. 

"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Ning bowed respectfully. 

After Jiang Ning took his seat, a bowl of richly fragrant meat stew was placed in front of him by Auntie Sun. 

"Thank you, Big Sister Sun!" Jiang Ning said as he accepted the bowl. 

"Eat up, kid! You must be starving after all that chopping!" Jiang Ning nodded, smiling slightly sheepishly. 

In the next moment, a large spoonful of stew entered his mouth, and a look of satisfaction spread across his face. "Big Sister, your cooking is amazing!" 

Auntie Sun chuckled nearby. 

Wang Jin spoke up, "Eat quickly. After you're done, go back to training. Auntie Sun specially added earth fungus to tonight's stew. It's a good tonic and will help with your martial arts training." 

"Earth fungus?" Jiang Ning's eyes lit up. He was familiar with this medicinal herb. He had read about it in a book recently, so he knew the basics about various herbs. 

Although earth fungus wasn't as valuable as wild ginseng, a complete piece of it would still cost at least one tael of silver. 

One tael of silver had significant purchasing power. By his estimate, it was equivalent to about a thousand dollars in his previous life, enough to support a poor family of three or four for a month. 

"Being able to stay at the martial arts school is a good thing!" Jiang Ning thought to himself, feeling pleased. 

He then looked up and said, "Thank you, Big Sister Sun!" 

Then, turning to Wang Jin, he stood up and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Master, for taking me in." 

Wang Jin nodded slightly. "Since I'm not paying you, I can't skimp on your food and drink." 

"Master, you jest!" Jiang Ning said earnestly. "In the face of such a dinner prepared by you, wages are nothing. Master, you have shown me great kindness, and I will never forget it in this lifetime! One day, I will surely take care of you in your old age and see you off!!" 

In the hall, an old man, a young man, and a stout middle-aged woman sat together. 

The old man was Wang Jin, the master of the Canglang Martial Arts School. The young man was Jiang Ning from Luoshui County, and the middle-aged woman was Auntie Sun, the school's cook. 

On the dining table were large amounts of meat, a pot of stew, and a big basin of rice. The rich aroma filled the entire hall. 

Wang Jin looked at Jiang Ning's serious expression and was deeply moved by his words. 

After a few moments of silence, he spoke in a calm voice, "Eat while it's hot. It won't be as effective or tasty once it cools." 

"Yes, Master!" Jiang Ning replied respectfully. 

The two of them ate in silence, but Wang Jin's mind was filled with thoughts. 

"Take care of me in my old age and see me off." 

These words struck a deep chord within him. 

For martial artists who hadn't reached the internal strength stage, progress slowed after the age of thirty. After forty, their skills would only decline as their vital energy waned and old injuries flared up. By fifty, they were like a candle burning out, day by day. 

At over fifty years old, Wang Jin could already feel his body slowly deteriorating with time. 

At this age, he no longer sought wealth or martial arts advancement. All he wanted was a successor and a peaceful old age. 

Jiang Ning's words had hit him right in the heart. 

Although he had heard similar words before, none had felt as genuine as this. 

Secretly observing Jiang Ning a few more times, Wang Jin quietly withdrew his gaze. 

"Let's wait and see." 

On the other side, after sitting down, Jiang Ning didn't hold back. 

A large bowl of stew was devoured in a few big mouthfuls. 

Then, he began eating voraciously. 

If he were in front of others, he might have restrained himself, but in front of Wang Jin, there was no need. 

He understood the temperament of martial artists and knew Wang Jin's style well. 

Eating and drinking without restraint would only earn him more of Wang Jin's approval. 

As for his appetite, while it might be a headache for an ordinary family one person eating enough for several it was nothing in Wang Jin's eyes. 

Wang Jin, after all, ran a large martial arts school in the expensive inner city of Luoshui County. His wealth was far beyond Jiang Ning's imagination. 

To someone as generous as Wang Jin, Jiang Ning's meager appetite was insignificant. 

In a short while, Jiang Ning was full. 

A warm current flowed from his stomach to his limbs, replenishing the energy he had expended earlier. 

"Go chop some wood to digest your food, then continue practicing your fist techniques," Wang Jin said, glancing at Jiang Ning's stomach. 

"Yes, Master!" 

Returning to the small yard behind the kitchen, the sky had darkened, and a bright crescent moon hung overhead. 

Jiang Ning walked to the woodpile, picked up the chopping knife, and placed a thick log on the block. 

In the next moment, he exerted force with his right arm, the muscles visible. 

Whoosh 

The sound of the blade slicing through the air rang out. 

Followed by a crack as the log split. 

This strike went nearly ten-tenths deep. 

He then gripped the knife handle tightly, the muscles in his right arm fully defined. 

Crack, crack 

The sound of wood fibers tearing echoed, and the log was completely split in two. 

[Firewood Chopping Knife Technique Experience +1] 

[Skill]: Firewood Chopping Knife Technique (Proficient 2/200) 

"Now that the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique has reached Proficient, I can split logs without using vital energy. This job has become much easier!" 

Jiang Ning smiled, feeling exceptionally good. 

This meant that the grinding experience for the Firewood Chopping Knife Technique had become simpler it only required physical strength now.