The next day, the sky was just beginning to lighten at dawn.
Fang Yue was the first to wake. He roused Ergou, and the two headed to the backyard to draw water and wash up.
Then, they began their stance training. Progress in martial arts could only be achieved through years of consistent effort.
So they couldn't slack off. Procrastination was the enemy of progress.
But at that moment, in the pavilion overlooking the backyard...
Zhang Boyang and Fang Hu were standing before the window.
"Haha, his talent is truly impressive. No wonder you wanted to take him as a disciple, Junior Brother. Even I can't help but admire him," Zhang Boyang said, his expression serious.
He tried to maintain a stern facade, but a closer look revealed the truth.
His lips were unnaturally red and swollen. He was pressing them together tightly to keep it from being too obvious.
"Haha, you flatter him, Senior Brother. They're still no match for Shu'Er. With her talent, she's destined for great things!"
PFFT—
Fang Hu couldn't help but feel a swell of pride hearing his senior brother praise Fang Yue's talent.
But his eyes kept darting toward Zhang Boyang's face.
His cheeks twitched, and his face, flushed a deep crimson, looked like he was desperately trying to suppress something.
"Hmph. If you want to laugh, Junior Brother, then just laugh."
By now, Zhang Boyang had, of course, noticed Fang Hu's state.
He knew exactly what his junior brother was thinking. His expression turned cold as he said in a low voice, "It must be painful holding that in. Coincidentally, I'm free today. How about I give you some pointers on your technique, Junior Brother?"
As he spoke, an oppressive aura radiated from him toward Fang Hu.
Even though Fang Hu was taller, stronger, and more ruggedly built, his presence was completely overshadowed by the other man's.
"No, no, I concede, Senior Brother!"
"Senior Brother, don't! I have to see our master in a little while."
Fang Hu backed away repeatedly. He wasn't about to trade blows with his more powerful senior brother.
Zhang Boyang was fuming right now. The man doted on his daughter, so he wouldn't dare take his anger out on the true culprit.
But taking it out on Fang Hu? That was another story entirely.
The thought of Zhang Boyang being fed a huge bowl of peppers by his dear Shu'Er—so spicy that the Martial Scholar, a man on the verge of Great Success in Marrow Transformation, had lost his composure and shrieked right in front of him—was too much.
Fang Hu couldn't help but laugh out loud again.
"Ouch! Senior Brother, you're actually hitting me!"
"Stop, don't hit me! I promise I won't laugh anymore, Senior Brother! PFFT—I really mean it!"
~~~~~~~
Soon, Fang Yue and Fang Ergou finished their morning training.
The training wasn't too intense today, as Fang Yue had important business to attend to with Fang Hu later.
He was going to the White Tiger Boxing Hall to meet the school's elders. Only then could he be formally initiated, recognized, and allowed to learn the true White Tiger Fist.
"Ergou, you stay here at Master Zhang's house today. I'm taking Yue to the White Tiger Boxing Hall. Don't cause any trouble, and listen to your senior sister."
Fang Hu gave his instructions, and then left Zhang Boyang's residence with Fang Yue.
With just the two of them traveling light, they made good time.
It wasn't long before they arrived at a courtyard near the inner city wall.
The place was clearly old. Moss clung to the shaded brick walls, and succulents sprouted from the gray roof tiles.
Just as they arrived before the main gate, Fang Yue saw a man who looked like a gatekeeper, lazily leaning there and basking in the sun.
He glanced sideways at Fang Hu and his companion but didn't move.
Only when Fang Hu led Fang Yue over did he reluctantly stand up straight.
He pointed to a small path at the side. "How unfortunate, Senior Brother Fang. It's not an auspicious day to open the main gate. Please use the back entrance."
His tone was lazy, his gaze contemptuous. He clearly looked down on them.
'In short, he was a snob looking down on them.'
Standing behind Fang Hu, Fang Yue clearly saw his uncle's powerful frame tremble slightly. His rough palms clenched into fists, but then quickly relaxed.
'Clearly, Fang Hu was anything but calm.'
"Follow me."
After that, Fang Hu said nothing more and led Fang Yue toward the small path at the side.
Fang Yue was a newcomer, and since Fang Hu didn't object, he could only follow him down the side path.
'But Fang Yue knew this was wrong. What kind of disciple visits their master through the back door? They should be using the main entrance.'
CLIP-CLOP~
NEIGH~
Just then, two fine horses galloped over, stopping right in front of the White Tiger Boxing Hall's main gate.
"Well now, if it isn't Senior Brother Wang!"
"One moment, sir, I'll open the gate for you. You can ride straight in."
Fang Yue watched the scene unfold. The gatekeeper who had been so arrogant and contemptuous toward them...
...was now fawning and bowing to the two men on horseback, looking like a total lackey.
The very same main gate he had forbidden them from using...
...he was letting these two ride their horses straight through.
The difference in treatment was like night and day.
Fang Yue stopped watching and turned the corner.
"Junior Brother Chen, those two who just walked by... I think one of them was Junior Brother Fang? Was that him?"
As the gate swung open, Wang Yuangang, still mounted, retracted his gaze from the corner where they had disappeared.
"That was indeed Fang Hu, Senior Brother Wang," the gatekeeper replied with a grin.
"Oh, it really was him."
Then, Wang Yuangang rode his horse through the main gate and into the courtyard.
~~~~~~
「White Tiger Boxing Hall.」
「In the Main Hall.」
The current master of the White Tiger Boxing Hall, the gray-haired Elder Zheng, sat upon a grand master's chair.
"Ah, Yuangang, so this is your nephew? Impressive. He has top-tier talent and has already started his training. He can be officially accepted."
"Have him kowtow three times to the ancestors' shrine and offer a stick of incense. That will complete his initiation."
"Let my second disciple teach him."
Elder Zheng looked at Wang Yuangang, his face a picture of kindness and affability as he spoke.
Wang Yuangang nodded, signaling the youth in martial attire beside him to step forward.
Wang Teng knelt on the cushion, bowing respectfully to the ancestral portrait and lighting an incense stick.
He then served tea to Elder Zheng and, finally, kowtowed and served tea to the middle-aged man standing beside him.
Elder Zheng had grown old. Although his cultivation was still the highest in the White Tiger Fist school, age had taken its toll. Lacking the energy, he no longer took on disciples personally.
The public face of the White Tiger Fist was now Elder Zheng's second disciple, Chen Tong, who had completed his Marrow Transformation and entered the Inner Strength Realm.
Once the initiation ceremony was complete, everyone in the hall crowded around the Wang uncle and nephew with congratulations.
The elders of the school also presented Wang Teng with a few gifts.
Just then, a disciple came in to report.
"Master, Senior Brother Fang is here with his nephew. He says he's here to pay his respects and wishes for his nephew to be accepted into our school."
Hearing this, Elder Zheng nodded.
"Yes, I know," he said. "I'm a little tired. Second Disciple, you can handle it."
"Yes, Master."
Chen Tong bowed slightly, watching Elder Zheng leave.
"Second Senior Brother, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
"Yes, and I have medicine simmering at home. I must be going as well."
One after another, four or five people in the hall made their excuses to Chen Tong and departed.