Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 33 - 32 Evaluating Potential by Feeling the Bones, Excellent Material for Martial Arts

The towering Li Linfeng, with a bear-like back and waist, had already stood up. Nearly one meter ninety in height, he stood a full head above Shen Qing, looking down at him, exerting immense pressure.

Shen Qing even had the illusion that what stood before him was not a person, but a wall.

Li Linfeng asked in a deep voice, "Have you trained before?"

"I've practiced some Nine Skills."

"To what level?"

"I can already feel a warm Qi Sensing in my Dantian."

"Really? Have you nurtured Qi-Blood?"

Li Linfeng's gaze swept over Shen Qing, and suddenly, the corners of his mouth lifted into an intrigued smile, as if suddenly interested.

He clasped his hands into claws, and in a swift motion, like catching wind or grabbing shadows, he gripped Shen Qing's arms, pulling outward.

The action was so quick, as fast as a storm, that Shen Qing couldn't react at all.

His heart trembled as he felt Li Linfeng gently exerting force with his hands, a gentle yet irresistible power emanating from his arms, like a trickle probing into his body, traveling through his meridians.

Involuntarily, Shen Qing stood up straight with Li Linfeng's movements, his whole body's muscles exhibiting a subtle tension under invisible force.

Shen Qing felt both nervous and excited.

"This is what a true martial master is? Incredible!"

The surrounding air seemed to solidify, and Shen Qing could only hear his somewhat hurried breathing.

He stared at Li Linfeng's face, thoughts racing, worried that his Bone was not outstanding enough, yet eager for recognition.

Time seemed to stretch at this moment, with anticipation and apprehension intertwined in his heart.

Seeing Li Linfeng's brow slightly furrow, Shen Qing's heart felt like it leapt to his throat.

However, just as he was anxiously waiting, he suddenly felt his body lighten, his feet leave the ground, and he turned around in a strange posture.

When he landed, he stumbled forward a couple of steps, almost falling to the ground.

Within this brief moment, Shen Qing clearly perceived that Li Linfeng had touched his back spine, his waists, and shoulders.

A wave of sour numbness surged through his bones, causing Shen Qing to involuntarily take a sharp breath.

Li Linfeng's brows gradually relaxed, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. "You've indeed nurtured Qi-Blood, more vigorous than most, and your Bone is not bad. You're a good martial talent."

A simple sentence nevertheless struck Shen Qing like a spring thunder, causing the boulder in his heart to crash to the ground, with joy overflowing his expressions.

"Thank you, uncle."

In Taiping County, which had a population of 300,000, most were lower-level individuals, often unable to eat their fill, let alone have abundant Qi-Blood. Even those with potential were built on poor bases.

The better martial talents mostly came from the county's influential families.

These people lacked no channels for martial arts training.

It's said to be difficult to find a sect to join for martial arts, but wasn't it hard for their Martial Arts Hall to select talents either?

Li Linfeng re-evaluated Shen Qing, with a look of satisfaction in his gaze.

It's just a pity that he's a bit older.

So he could only be considered as good martial material, but not a good seedling.

However, the issue wasn't too big.

This family member of Miss Qi had a clear background, coupled with such a talent and wits, which had already intrigued Li Linfeng. He asked, "Can you read?"

"I can read a bit." Shen Qing turned around and respectfully replied.

"That's good. If you're to train martial arts here, you must know some words." Li Linfeng casually mentioned.

Shen Qing picked up on the implicit agreement in Li Linfeng's words, realizing that he had been accepted into Linfeng Hall for martial arts training, with excitement flashing in his eyes, joy evident.

He had found a support!

Without another word, he bent his knees, letting them heavily hit the ground.

"Disciple greets Master."

Shen Qing extended his hands forward, palms up, forehead touching the ground.

"You're bold, I haven't agreed to take you as a disciple yet. Stay in the inner courtyard, and there will be a martial master to teach you." Li Linfeng accepted the silver tael Shen Qing offered. "Consider these your tuition."

"I'll do whatever Uncle arranges."

Shen Qing's aunt, Shen Xiu, seeing Li Linfeng was satisfied with Shen Qing, couldn't help but be delighted as well.

If Shen Qing performed well, he could possibly switch to the martial arts register in the future.

Finally, someone from her family could emerge, and it could help her too.

Li Linfeng glanced towards Shen Xiaohu and said, "There's another one, let me take a look."

Unlike Shen Qing,

Li Linfeng didn't make such large movements, merely grasping Shen Xiaohu's wrist to feel his Bone.

After a moment, he said, "Bone is acceptable, but your Qi-Essence is too weak, training will be tough. Considering you're from Miss Qi's family, give seven taels of silver, begin training Qi-Blood at the outer gate for three months, and see if you can nurture Qi-Blood, and we'll talk later once you do."

Shen Xiaohu first revealed a happy expression, then quickly became disheartened.

Compared to Shen Qing, he was indeed lagging far behind.

However, his family originally didn't intend for him to train in martial arts, so now having this opportunity was already not easy.

He dared not ask for too much, offering clumsy thanks repeatedly.

Shen Qing recalled a matter and said, "Uncle, I'm a hunter registered with the farming household, and I still need to hunt in the mountains to pay taxes. I'm wondering, once I start martial arts training, do I have to be in the Martial Arts Hall every day?"

To this, Shen Xiu replied on behalf of Li Linfeng, "Being in the Martial Arts Hall every day is the treatment for true disciples. At Linfeng Hall, be it the inner gate or outer gate, you come and go freely; the difference lies merely in the martial masters. How much you practice depends on your self-motivation."

"I see." Having grasped the general idea, Shen Qing expressed his intention to leave, "It's not early, so we should head back to the village soon and not trouble Aunt and Uncle further. I'll come again in the future."

"Alright, off you go then. Next time, find the martial master directly. I won't see you out." Li Linfeng calmly said.

Shen Qing made a courtesy gesture and turned to leave.

After Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu left, Shen Xiu, eyes sparkling, expressed deep gratitude, "Thank you, husband, for giving Qingzi an opportunity. In the future, Qingzi will surely work hard not to let down your favor."

Li Linfeng waved a hand, "Just focus on your pregnancy, don't worry about this."

Casually showing concern, he walked out of the small pavilion.

Then, he suddenly remembered something.

"I forgot to ask which Martial Arts Hall the youngster trained Nine Skills before, surely he put in considerable effort to nurture Qi-Blood."

"Never mind, I'll ask him next time."

In martial arts learning, there were many tips and key points.

The Nine Skills was a basic martial art primarily aimed at nurturing Qi-Blood, and it's not difficult to train.

However, this didn't mean practicing haphazardly would yield results.

Some key aspects involved would lead to many detours if not pointed out by someone.

In his view, Shen Qing must have sought training from someone.

Li Linfeng walked down from the small pavilion, stopping after just a few steps.

His expression seemed like he was holding something unpleasant.

After a moment, Li Linfeng leisurely turned and walked towards the entrance, murmuring to himself: "Today's task must be completed today. That youngster hasn't gone far; I'd better ask now rather than wait for next time."