Chapter 155: Rules and Traditions
Chapter 155: Rules and Traditions
On the second day after returning to school, Cheng Zitong eagerly finished his morning tasks and, as noon approached, drove to the school's lakeside garden in the east. Upon arrival, he asked the doorman, "Where's my senior brother?"
The doorman replied, "Director Cheng, the old master is teaching students his martial technique."
Cheng Zitong took off his sunglasses and glanced at the doorman, "Old Qian, you're not young either. Why doesn't the senior brother give you a break? Still making you guard the door?"
"It's not hard work," the doorman bowed slightly, "The old master is taking care of me."
"Alright, I'll find him myself."
Cheng Zitong hurried on his way, but as he reached the garden, he slowed down. He strolled leisurely towards the lotus pond, where he saw Qiao Lin Hu instructing his student on the water pavilion. Cheng Zitong didn't approach; he just stood there, smiling as he watched.
Qiao Lin Hu noticed him but continued his lesson, remaining focused. The student followed his teacher's instructions precisely, executing each move with precision.
After a while, Qiao Lin Hu gestured to Cheng Zitong across the pond, inviting him inside. Cheng Zitong smiled and headed towards the living room.
Once Cheng Zitong entered, Qiao Lin Hu asked, "Why do you have time to visit today?"
Cheng Zitong laughed, "Nothing much. I just came to see you, senior brother."
Qiao Lin Hu glanced at him, "There's tea on the table. I brewed it but haven't had a chance to drink. Help yourself."
Cheng Zitong said, "I won't stand on ceremony with you." He gestured towards the water pavilion and added, "How's your student doing? I rarely see him at school. With your personal guidance, he must be making great progress. I'm sure he's reached the first limit, right?"
Qiao Lin Hu frowned, "It's not that fast." He spoke in a low voice, "There hasn't been a case of someone breaking the first limit within a year of learning."
"Really?" Cheng Zitong thought for a moment and nodded in agreement, "Senior brother is right. That's very true."
Qiao Lin Hu gave him a look, paused, and said, "Well, it's not entirely impossible. Those evil cults in the past used to stimulate human potential with extreme methods, using dark arts and demonic practices to nurture their forms. But that's a path of evil, one that should never be followed."
Cheng Zitong nodded, "Of course. Those who walk the path of evil can't be considered human. We're talking about proper students here."
Qiao Lin Hu straightened his back and proudly said, looking towards his student, "My master used to say that cultivating true essence lies in the word 'cultivate.' A tall building rises from the ground up. Don't rush it. The sinews and bone beams must be aligned properly. Misalignment leads to weakened energy, which in turn results in diminished blood vitality, making the path ahead less smooth."
Cheng Zitong sighed, raised his thumb, and said, "That's right. I just took a look, and your student's foundation seems exceptionally solid! You know, the old master's method is excellent. Once they break through, most students in the academy won't be able to catch up."
Qiao Lin Hu stroked his beard in agreement, "Those young teachers at the academy, they've barely learned for a few years themselves. How can they guide others? Humph, they dare to teach, but in the past, without two decades of experience and a teaching certificate, who would dare to take on disciples? They'd be afraid of teaching them wrong."
"Exactly!" Cheng Zitong agreed.
Qiao Lin Hu sighed, "As for me, I'm teaching just one student, and I'm still worried about doing a poor job and misleading him. This time, I took him out for training, hoping to teach him something, but we returned sooner than expected. It's not that I don't want to teach; I just don't know how. I think I should reflect more on this. That's why I'm here to seek your guidance."
Qiao Lin Hu realized that his junior brother had come to learn from him. He thought for a moment and said, "It's good that you think this way, junior brother. But when teaching students, the first thing is to establish rules. Otherwise, it won't go well. Also..."
He shook his head, "Students must be assessed for talent. If they lack talent, it's best to let them be. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to teach them effectively. As long as they can make a living after graduation, you've done your duty."
Cheng Zitong sighed, "I'm not as good as you, senior brother. I remember the old master always used you as an example to educate me and the other junior brothers. He said that only you could pass on his teachings and cultivate true disciples. The rest of us would only mislead our students if we tried to teach."
Qiao Lin Hu spoke with gravity, "It's not entirely true, junior brother. You were young back then. Our master was merely trying to motivate you. He always had high hopes for you.
When it comes to teaching disciples, first, assess their talent. Second, consider their personal efforts. Third, the teacher's guidance. I can only contribute about thirty percent. If my student can fully grasp this thirty percent, I dare not say how high they can go, but their path will certainly broaden, and they'll become more capable. They'll be able to pass on the teachings, ensuring they don't go to waste."
Cheng Zitong nodded, "That makes sense. I should come to seek your guidance more often."
Qiao Lin Hu nodded unconsciously. His junior brother, who used to argue with the master, now understood the master's intentions. The old traditions had their reasons!
His mood brightened, and he asked, "Are you staying for dinner?"
"Yes, I'm starving," Cheng Zitong replied.
Qiao Lin Hu immediately instructed his servant to prepare a meal. When the food was served, the two sat down to eat, but Qiao Lin Hu was a man of few words during meals, chewing slowly and deliberately, not uttering a single word throughout.
Cheng Zitong had a great appetite that day, eating until his belly was full. After the meal, he patted his stomach and praised, "Delicious! So fragrant! Your students are excellent, and the food here is great. Why didn't I realize this before?"
Qiao Lin Hu put down his chopsticks and looked at him, "If you enjoy it, come more often. I don't have many visitors anyway."
Cheng Zitong shook his head, "Never mind. I don't want to disturb your teaching. Hey, why not call your disciple to join us?"
Qiao Lin Hu spoke slowly, "There's no tradition of teachers and disciples eating together. Only after the teacher has finished can the disciple take a seat."
Cheng Zitong said, "So, it's the old rules again. I remember when we were disciples; we could only eat the leftovers from our master."
"That's right," Qiao Lin Hu agreed, "But our master never treated us unfairly."
Cheng Zitong nodded sincerely, "The old master was fair in this regard."
Qiao Lin Hu said, "When I was young, I was abandoned in the wilderness and often had to fight dogs for food. It was my master who took me in and taught me everything I know.
(End of Chapter 155)
"He wiped his mouth with a cloth and tossed it onto the table. 'I don't need to hear your grand theories. All I know is that having a strong body and skills will ensure survival wherever you go. But to develop these skills, 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 on.'
'It seems you care deeply for your student, are you planning to take him on as your disciple?' Seeing his potential, he continued, 'It's fine if he's not ready yet. My previous offer still stands. As long as your student serves as my disciple's assistant for three years, I'll give him my sword manual. It's okay if he's not perfect, my disciple will be able to help him in the future.'
Cheng Zitong merely smiled and said, 'Master, it's not right for your disciple to stay with you and not attend the Academy. What are your plans?'
Qiaolin Hu replied, 'Master has already spoken. Once I've taught him well and he passes the exams, he'll find a way to go to Central City. Your student can follow, and he'll also have a chance.'
Cheng Zitong shook his head, 'No comparison, no comparison at all.' He stood up, put on his sunglasses, and said, 'Alright, Master, I've finished eating. I should be heading back now. See you.' With a wave of his hand, he left.
At that moment, in a private training hall in the south of the city, Chen Chuan was repeatedly practicing his stance power while emitting loud shouts, stimulating and guiding the growth of altered tissue within his internal organs.
He couldn't just stop his training routine as soon as he obtained his license. That would be too abrupt. So, after briefly appearing at school, he returned to the training hall.
Like the first limit, upon reaching the second limit, he didn't focus on enhancing just one organ like other students. The Zhouyuan Technique emphasized a holistic approach, targeting all internal organs.
Therefore, the improvements at this stage might not be noticeable from the outside at first, but they were expanding horizontally. Once this step was completed, each subsequent advancement would be significantly more powerful.
He was now using drugs that were only allowed for the second limit, but to hide his true progress, these drugs were all provided by Cheng Zitong personally.
It was still the beginning, and the drugs were sufficient for now. However, as he wasn't naturally talented, he needed several times the dosage of others. Based on past experience, the drugs' effectiveness would likely diminish after two or three months, and he would need to find substitutes.
After spending several days at 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 clapping game. This time, he had brought some toys and distributed them to the two kids.
Cheng Zitong knew that his family had children, so he bought these toys while he was away and brought them back, ensuring that everything appeared normal on the surface.
Nian Fuli was flipping through a workbook, cross-referencing it with a ledger, occasionally jotting down notes. Seeing Chen Chuan, he was surprised and asked, 'Xiao Chuan, aren't you supposed to be training with your mentor? Why are you back so soon?'
Chen Chuan smiled and said, 'Perhaps I learned quickly, so I returned early.'
Nian Fuli glanced at him a few times but didn't ask further questions. He continued reviewing his notes.
Yu Wan said, 'It's good that you're back early. Being at home is always better than being outside.'
Chen Chuan replied, 'That's true. The food outside is not as delicious as Auntie's cooking. I've been missing your stew, Auntie.' Yu Wan was delighted, 'As long as you're back, I'll make it for you.'
Nian Fuli added, 'Your aunt's cooking is indeed exceptional. But these days, I can only enjoy her hot meals during the holidays.'
Chen Chuan looked at him and asked, 'Uncle, is there another big case?'
Nian Fuli never used to talk about work with him. However, since Chen Chuan dealt with Fang Dayi's gang, he occasionally shared news from the Patrol Bureau.
He shook his head and said, 'Recently, the Bloodstain Gang has been causing trouble. They've had several clashes with the Iron Chain Gang. Although that area in the south isn't under our jurisdiction, our district's officers have been frequently dispatched to assist.'
Chen Chuan asked, 'Is it because of the Bloodstain Gang leader's death?'
'You heard about that too? Yes, that's the matter. The Bureau sent people to investigate, and they say the real cause of those deaths is the Skull Splitter Demon. It's a tricky case, a headless one. They're targeting the Iron Chain Gang because they can't find the real culprits, so they're going after someone influential enough to provide an explanation.'
In truth, some leaders of the Bloodstain Gang didn't want to fight to the death with the Iron Chain Gang. Most of the Iron Chain Gang's business was outside the city, and prolonged fighting would result in greater losses for the Bloodstain Gang.
Although the higher-ups have intervened, the Ink Lotus Corporation hasn't made a move yet. The Bloodstain Gang is forcing the Iron Chain Gang to hand over the killer, and I think this won't end soon. I'm afraid many more people will suffer before this is over.'
Chen Chuan nodded in agreement.
'Chanchun, are you coming home for the holidays?' Yu Wan asked with concern.
Chen Chuan said, 'Auntie, I'll be back, but I have things to do at school and at 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, 'Mind your own business.'
'Okay, I won't interfere,' Nian Fuli said helplessly.
At that moment, Nian Mo and Nian Lu raised their hands together and said, 'We want to be adults too!'
Nian Fuli chuckled, straightened his workbook, and said, 'If you still think that way when you grow up, I'll have fewer worries.'
Just then, the phone rang in the living room. Chen Chuan walked over and answered, 'Hello, this is the Nian residence.' On the other end was Ren Shu's voice, 'Chen Expert, it's me, Ren Shu. Are you available now?'
Chen Chuan asked, 'What's the matter?'
Ren Shu lowered his voice and said, 'The Bloodstain Gang has sent people to the company.'
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Chapter end
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