Chapter 155: Rules and Regulations
Chapter 155: Rules and Regulations
On the second day after returning to school, Cheng Zitong had finished his morning tasks by noon and couldn't wait to drive to the school's lakeside flower garden in the east. As he entered, he asked, "Where's the senior?"
The gatekeeper replied, "Manager Cheng, the old master is currently teaching students the Foundation Stance."
Cheng Zitong took off his sunglasses and glanced at the gatekeeper, "Old Qian, you're getting on in age too. Can't the senior spare you some time? Why are you still guarding the gate?"
"It's not hard work. I'm just assisting the old master." The gatekeeper bowed slightly.
"Alright, I'll go find him myself."
Cheng Zitong hurried on his way, but upon reaching the location, he slowed down. He strolled leisurely towards the inside, arriving at the edge of a lotus pond. He watched as Qiao Lin Hu instructed his students, standing by with a smile.
Qiao Lin Hu noticed Cheng Zitong, but he didn't pay him any attention and continued teaching seriously. The students followed his every move precisely, mirroring his instructions.
After a while, Qiao Lin Hu waved to Cheng Zitong across the pond, inviting him inside. Cheng Zitong entered the living room, and Qiao Lin Hu smiled as he walked towards him.
As Cheng Zitong entered, Qiao Lin Hu asked, "Why do you have time to visit today?"
Cheng Zitong smiled, "Nothing much, just came to see my senior."
Qiao Lin Hu glanced at him, "There's tea on the table. I brewed it but haven't had a chance to drink it yet. Help yourself."
Cheng Zitong said, "I won't stand on ceremony with you." He gestured towards the water pavilion outside and said, "How's this student of yours? I rarely see him at school. With your personal guidance, he must be making great progress. I bet he's reached the first limit by now."
Qiao Lin Hu frowned, "That fast?" He spoke in a low voice, "No one has ever reached the first limit after only a year of learning."
"Is that so?" Cheng Zitong thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Senior is right. It's not possible."
Qiao Lin Hu glanced at him and paused before saying, "It's not entirely impossible. In the past, those demonic sects would stimulate human potential with extreme methods, using evil scriptures to nurture demonic forms. But that's a path of evil, and it's absolutely unacceptable."
Cheng Zitong said, "That's right. Those who walk the path of evil can't be considered humans. We're talking about proper students here."
Qiao Lin Hu lifted his head and puffed out his chest, facing the direction of his students. "My master used to say that cultivating the true seed lies in the word 'true.' A tall building starts from the ground up. Don't rush for success. The foundation of muscles, tendons, and bones must be laid correctly. If they're not, the energy will decline, and the blood will not flourish. The path ahead will not be smooth."
Cheng Zitong sighed and gave a thumbs up, "That's right. I just observed, and this student's foundation strength, and it's exceptionally stable! You can't say otherwise, this method of the old master is excellent. Once he breaks through, even nine out of ten academy students won't be able to catch up."
Hearing this, Qiao Lin Hu stroked his beard and nodded in self-pride, "Those young teachers at the academy, they haven't even learned for a few years. How can they guide others? Humph, they dare to teach, but if it were the past, without twenty years of experience, they wouldn't have the qualification to teach disciples. Who would dare to come out and teach disciples?"
"That's right."
Cheng Zitong sighed, "Look at me, I've only taught one student, and I'm still afraid of teaching poorly and misleading him. See, this time I brought him out for external training, hoping to teach him something. But I never expected to return after just a few days. It's not that I don't want to teach; it's that I don't know how to teach. I feel like I should study more. That's why I came to seek guidance from you, senior."
Qiao Lin Hu realized that today's visit was for seeking guidance.
He thought for a moment and said, "That's good, disciple. But when teaching students, you must first establish rules, or else it won't go well. And also..."
He shook his head, "Students must be differentiated. If they lack talent, then forget it. No matter how you teach, it won't be effective. As long as they can find a bowl of rice to eat in the future, you'll have done your duty by them."
Cheng Zitong sighed, "I'm not as good as you, senior. I remember back then, the old master always used you as an example to educate me and the other disciples. He said that if I continued like this, I would mislead students in the future. Only you, senior, can teach his true methods and cultivate truly outstanding disciples."
Qiao Lin Hu spoke with a heavy heart, "Disciple, you can't say that. You were still young back then. The master was just trying to encourage you. He has always held high hopes for you."
"Moreover, when teaching disciples, first look at their natural talent, second at their own abilities, and third at the master's guidance. At most, I can only play a thirty percent role. But if my student can thoroughly understand this thirty percent, I dare not say how high they can go in the future. Their path will surely become wider and brighter, and the master's teachings will be passed on, not buried."
Cheng Zitong said, "That makes sense. In the future, I'll often come to seek guidance from you, senior."
Qiao Lin Hu nodded unconsciously. This disciple, who used to always argue with the master, now understands the master's good intentions? The old rules are passed down, and there's a reason for it!
His mood instantly improved, and he asked, "Are you staying for dinner?"
"Of course, I'm starving."
Qiao Lin Hu immediately ordered his servants to prepare a meal. When the food arrived, the two sat at the table, but Qiao Lin Hu was particular about his eating habits. He chewed slowly and didn't speak a word throughout the meal.
Cheng Zitong had an excellent appetite today, eating until his belly was round. After finishing, he patted his stomach and praised, "Delicious! So fragrant! Senior, your people here are good, and the food is delicious. Why didn't I realize this before?"
Qiao Lin Hu put down his chopsticks and glanced at Cheng Zitong, "If you think it's delicious, come often. I don't have many people here anyway."
Cheng Zitong shook his head, "Never mind, I don't want to disturb you while you're teaching your disciples. Hey, why didn't you call your disciple to eat together?"
Qiao Lin Hu spoke slowly, "Where is the logic in teachers and disciples eating together? Only after the master finishes eating can the disciples sit at the table."
Cheng Zitong said, "That's an old rule, right? I remember back then, disciples could only eat the leftovers of the master."
"That's the logic, but the master has never mistreated us disciples."
Cheng Zitong sincerely nodded this time, "The old master did that part well."
Jiao Lin Hu spoke, "My senior brother, I was abandoned in the wilderness as a child, and fighting dogs for food was a common occurrence. It was my master who took me in and taught me everything I know."
He wiped his mouth with a cloth and threw it onto the table, "I don't understand the grand principles, but I know that with martial skills, I can secure a living wherever I go. To cultivate abilities, one must first have discipline," he pointed to his chest, "this discipline must be established in the heart and engraved in the bones, only then can it be passed down."
"It seems you care deeply for your student, are you planning to take him on as your disciple? Lack of talent isn't an issue. The offer I made earlier still stands. As long as your student serves as my disciple's assistant for three years, I can give him my sword manual. As long as the discipline is in place, it's fine if he's not up to par. My disciple can support him in the future."
Cheng Zitong merely smiled and said, "Senior brother, it's not right for your disciple to stay with you and not show up at the academy. What are your plans?"
Jiao Lin Hu replied, "My master said that once I teach my disciple well and he passes the exam, he will find a way to bring him to Central City. Your student can follow, and there will be an opportunity."
Cheng Zitong shook his head, "It can't be compared, it really can't." He stood up, put on his sunglasses, and said, "Alright, senior brother, I've finished eating. I should head back. See you later." He waved his hand and left.
At this time, in the private training hall in the south of the city, Chen Chuan was repeatedly practicing the foundation strength while emitting loud shouts, stimulating and guiding the growth of the transformed organs within his body.
If one is going to put on a show, they should do it thoroughly. It wouldn't make sense to immediately stop the training habits that were intentionally arranged before obtaining the certificate. So, after appearing at the school, he returned here.
Like the first limit, after reaching the second limit, he wasn't like other students who only enhanced a specific organ. The Zhouyuan Technique emphasized wholeness, so all organs were covered.
Therefore, the progress at this stage, at first glance, seemed unremarkable from the outside, but in reality, it was a horizontal expansion. After completing this step, the further he progressed, the stronger he became, and every improvement was significant.
He was now using drugs that were only allowed after reaching the second limit, but to avoid exposing his progress, these drugs were all privately provided by Cheng Zitong.
It had just begun, and they were sufficient for now, but he wasn't truly a naturally talented individual. His dosage was several times that of others, and based on past judgments, the drugs' effectiveness would gradually decrease in two or three months. Then, it would be necessary to find substitutes.
After spending a few days in the training hall, the June holiday arrived.
He tidied up in the morning and returned to his aunt's house. As soon as he entered, he saw his cousins playing a hand-slapping game. This time, he had brought some toys and distributed them to the two children.
Cheng Zitong knew that his family had children, so he bought them when he was away, asking him to bring them back. This way, there were no apparent loopholes.
Nian Fuli was flipping through a work notebook, cross-referencing with another booklet, occasionally jotting down notes. Seeing Chen Chuan return, he was surprised, "Xiao Chuan, I thought you were away training with your mentor. Why are you back so soon?"
Chen Chuan smiled, "Maybe I learned quickly, so I returned early."
Nian Fuli glanced at him a few times but didn't inquire further, continuing with his notes.
Yu Wan said, "It's good that you're back early. Home is always better than anywhere else."
Chen Chuan agreed, "The food here is far less delicious than what my aunt cooks. I've been missing her stews," Yu Wan smiled, "As long as you're back, your aunt will make it for you."
Nian Fuli added, "Your aunt's cooking is exceptional. Unfortunately, I can only enjoy her home-cooked meals during my days off."
Chen Chuan looked at him, "Uncle, is there a big case you're handling?"
Nian Fuli usually didn't discuss such matters with him, but ever since he dealt with Fang Dayi's gang, he occasionally shared news from the Patrol Bureau.
He shook his head, "Recently, the Bloodstain Gang has been causing trouble, clashing with the Chain Gang several times. Although the south of the city isn't our jurisdiction, they've been frequently dispatching our district's brothers to help out."
Chen Chuan asked, "Is it because of the Bloodstain Gang leader's murder?"
"You heard about that too? Yes, the bureau sent people to investigate. It's said that those people were killed by Skullsplitters." He shook his head, "This is a tricky situation, a headless case. They're looking for the Chain Gang because they can't find the real culprits, just to give a proper explanation to the subordinates.
In truth, some leaders of the Bloodstain Gang don't want to fight the Chain Gang to the death because most of the Chain Gang's business is outside the city, and prolonged fighting would result in greater losses for the Bloodstain Gang.
Although instructions have been given from above, the Tayanana Company hasn't made a move yet, and the Bloodstain Gang is forcing the Chain Gang to hand over the murderer. I think this matter won't settle down soon, and it will continue to cause trouble, affecting many people."
Chen Chuan acknowledged with a sound.
"Xian'er, you're going on vacation. Are you coming home?" Yu Wan asked with concern.
Chen Chuan replied, "Aunt, I will return, but there are matters at school and the company, so I might not be able to stay home for long."
Nian Fuli said to Yu Wan, "Xiao Chuan is an adult now. There's no need to restrict him." Yu Wan glared at him, "You don't need to worry about him."
"Alright, I won't interfere." Nian Fuli said helplessly.
At this moment, Nian Mo and Nian Lu, the two little ones, raised their hands and said, "We want to be adults too."
Nian Fuli sighed, straightening the work notebook in his hands, "You two, wait until you're older, and I'll have fewer worries."
Just then, the phone rang in the living room. Chen Chuan walked over and picked it up, "Hello, this is the Nian residence." On the other end was Ren Shu's voice, "Chen Chuan, it's Ren Shu. Are you available?"
Chen Chuan asked, "What's the matter?"
Ren Shu's voice lowered, "The Bloodstain Gang has been sending people to cause trouble. I don't know if you've heard, but it's said that those people were killed by Skullsplitters. This is a difficult case, a headless case. They're looking for the Chain Gang because they can't find the real culprits, just to give a proper explanation to their subordinates.
In truth, some leaders of the Bloodstain Gang don't want to fight the Chain Gang to the same intensity because most of the Chain Gang's business is outside the city, and prolonged fighting would result in greater losses for the Bloodstain Gang.
Although instructions have been given from above, the Tayanana Company hasn't made a move yet, and the Bloodstain Gang is forcing the Chain Gang to hand over the murderer. I think this matter won't settle down soon, and it will continue to cause trouble, affecting many people."
Chen Chuan acknowledged with a sound.
(End of Chapter)
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