The Young Swordsman of Dalu

In the blink of an eye, Wen Fei had been learning martial arts from Ji Wuchang for over half a year. On the running path, Wen Fei ran faster and faster; Chang Sheng couldn't catch him, and Ji Wuchang couldn't catch him as easily as before. Wen Fei felt a little smug. How could Ji Wuchang not see through him? He wanted Wen Fei to break through! Break through! And break through again!

After finishing his training that day, Wenfei said to Changsheng triumphantly, "Changsheng, you need to work harder. I've already left you far behind."

"How can I compare to you, young master? I'll be content if I learn just a little bit," Changsheng said.

"Good! Changsheng! You're quite modest, a promising young man," Wenfei said with a smile.

"Wenfei, come here," Ji Wuchang called out, squinting as usual.

"Master, are you going to praise me?" Wenfei asked.

"Starting tomorrow, the weight on your legs during training will double," Ji Wuchang said expressionlessly.

“Master, this is heavy enough. You want to double it? How can anyone live like this?” Wenfei objected.

"Yes, Master, it is indeed a bit heavy," Changsheng agreed.

“Chang Sheng, you also double your number!” Ji Wuchang said.

"Ah! Master, please spare me!" Changsheng pleaded.

“Practicing martial arts requires enduring hardship. I’ve told you all this before. If you want to master martial arts, listen to me, you won’t go wrong,” Ji Wuchang said.

“Master, everything should be done step by step. Who can handle doubling the amount all at once?” Wenfei said.

“Do as I say. What I say makes sense, and there’s no room for discussion,” Ji Wuchang said.

"I really don't want to practice anymore," Wenfei muttered softly.

“You can go home now, I won’t force you to stay,” Ji Wuchang said.

"Master, I was just venting a little. Please don't take it seriously!" Wenfei explained.

"Tomorrow, practice as I said, and go cook!" Ji Wuchang said, then squinted his eyes again.

Even though Wenfei and Changsheng were extremely unwilling, they had to accept the outcome, since they had insisted on staying.

Li Wei would always inquire about Wen Fei from Liang Feiyan, intentionally or unintentionally, after she finished her studies.

"Sister, since you care so much about Wenfei, why don't you go and ask him yourself?" Liang Feiyan teased.

"Why has Sister Feiyan stopped acting like a sister?" Li Wei complained.

"You're angry? I was just joking with you," Liang Feiyan comforted her.

“Sister Feiyan, Wenxian Pavilion has never been peaceful since Wenfei arrived,” Li Wei said.

"What's wrong with things?" Liang Feiyan asked.

“My grandfather changed. I feel like he sees Wenfei as an enemy. He has never been so anxious before,” Li Wei said.

“The enemy, anxiety, my sister, it can’t be that bad!” Liang Feiyan said.

“Really, I’m not lying to you,” Li Wei said.

"There must be some misunderstanding between them; it'll be fine once it's cleared up," Liang Feiyan said.

“I think it’s more than just a misunderstanding,” Li Wei said.

"What did you find?" Liang Feiyan asked.

"I can't quite put my finger on it, it just feels weird," Li Wei said.

"Don't overthink it. I'll ask Wenfei when I see him, and then I'll know for sure," Liang Feiyan said.

"When will Sister Feiyan go to see him?" Li Wei asked.

“Come with me then! Look how bored you are, letting your imagination run wild,” Liang Feiyan said.

“Okay!” Li Wei said with a smile.

The next day, Wenfei and Changsheng proactively filled their sandbags with twice as much sand as before. They tied them tightly around their legs and waists, feeling that even walking upright would be a problem. Just as they were about to secretly loosen some sandbags, Ji Wuchang appeared in front of them at just the right moment: "Don't think about slacking off! Run! I'm going to catch you. If I catch you today, I'll punish you."

"No way? Master! Please have mercy on us!" Wenfei shouted.

"Run! Run!" Ji Wuchang said, raising his whip and lashing it at Wen Fei and the others.

"Young Master, who told you to get the whip? How did Master end up with it?" Changsheng shouted as he ran.

"This whip is easy to use, not bad! Let's run!" Ji Wuchang chased after him with a smile.

"I will definitely tear that whip to pieces!" Wen Fei said as he ran.

"Young master, what did you say?" Changsheng asked again.

"I told you to run, or the whip will hit you!" Wen Fei ran out quickly.

"Hehehehe! You little punks, I can't handle you." Ji Wuchang watched the two running away.

After finishing the run, Wenfei and Changsheng lay on the ground, panting heavily, unable to utter a single word. Ji Wuchang walked around them and shouted, "Get up, run again!"

"Master, let's rest a little longer, just a little while longer," Wenfei pleaded.

"Run!" Ji Wuchang said, cracking his whip and striking Wen Fei hard.

"Oh my god! It really works, Master!" Wenfei jumped up and ran out again, while Changsheng also ran away wailing.

Ji Wuchang watched their retreating figures and said, "If you want to learn my unparalleled martial arts, you must endure this hardship."

After a day, Wenfei and Changsheng were too exhausted to even get up. They hadn't eaten, and they didn't feel hungry. They just felt pain all over their bodies and wanted to sleep.

"Get up, it's time to eat!" Ji Wuchang, unusually, had already prepared the meal.

"Master, I'm not hungry, I want to lie down," Wenfei said weakly. Changsheng also said he wasn't hungry.

"Get up! Eat! How can you have the strength to practice your skills if you don't eat?" Ji Wuchang said sternly.

"I don't want to get up," Wenfei said.

"I said let's eat!" Ji Wuchang said, raising his whip again.

Two shadows flew away from Ji Wuchang with a "whoosh".

Ji Wuchang said with satisfaction, "That's more like it."

Wenfei and Changsheng wolfed down their food at the table. They hadn't felt hungry before, but now that they saw the food, they were starving.

"Eat slowly, I cooked a lot, enough for you all," Ji Wuchang said kindly.

"Master's cooking is still the best, isn't it, Changsheng? Thank you, Master!" Wenfei said.

"Yes, thank you, Master!" Changsheng echoed.

"You guys will still cook tomorrow, and you have to cook on time. I'm starving today, so I have no choice but to cook for you," Ji Wuchang said.

“Okay, Master, we’ll do it,” Wenfei said.

"Don't go to sleep right after you finish eating. Stand in the stance for an hour before you go to sleep," Ji Wuchang said.

"Ah!" Wenfei and Changsheng suddenly felt less hungry.

“Good martial arts require a solid foundation. The hardships you endure today will surely bring you glory in the future,” Ji Wuchang said.

"I will heed my master's teachings!"