Observing Wanfa from the martial arts school servants

Chapter 25 Part-time Job

Lin Mu stopped punching when he was completely exhausted and pulled out the booklet.

Name: Lin Mu

【武道：长风拳（小成 1/100）、锻体术（入门 18/100）、鞭腿·乱舞（入门1/100）】

[Skills: Measurement (Beginner), Carpentry (Unskilled), Knife Skills (Unskilled), Wok Flipping (Unskilled)]

[Currently available replicable slots: 3/6]

Lin Mu clenched his fist.

Having mastered the Long Wind Fist, he was no longer a lowly servant who could be slaughtered at will and powerless to resist.

The resounding crack of bones breaking apart not only the wooden stakes and bamboo, but also the shackles binding him—the curse of his physical constitution, his status as a menial laborer, and his fate of being looked down upon.

From this night forward, he is a true martial artist, a formal disciple of Changfeng Martial Arts Academy.

That waist tag was no longer a handout given out of pity by Master Hu, but proof of his hard work.

With it, he could buy a house in town and settle down, no longer having to return to Willow Leaf Village to face the coercion of the village chief and Lin San, and he could practice boxing freely, especially since his whip kick had made no progress.

With it, he could legitimately take on part-time jobs without having to wear a mask and fight in underground boxing matches at gambling dens, or risk his life for a few coins.

As he was immersed in the joy of breaking through to the Ming Jin level, his senior brother came over carrying a wine gourd and patted him on the shoulder.

"Congratulations."

"Ming Jin has achieved his goal."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"What are your plans for the future?"

"Don't even think about making offerings to me; you need exceptional talent, like Yan Hua."

"A temporary post... is also uncertain. Those who take temporary posts are mostly people with good backgrounds, whom wealthy families take a liking to and favor."

"All that's left is part-time work."

He counted on his fingers:

"Working for a security escort agency means you can rest for a few days after a trip, and you can also go back to your martial arts school to practice your kung fu, which is pretty good."

"Working as a bouncer in casinos and restaurants brings in money quickly, but there are many trivial matters, and it's easy to neglect your martial arts skills."

"Being a guard for a wealthy family is a leisurely job, but it pays little and offers little time."

……

After listening, Lin Mu thought for a moment and said, "Senior Brother, is there a part-time job that would allow me to learn about the martial arts of various schools?"

The eldest brother was taken aback, the wine gourd stopped at his lips.

He looked Lin Mu up and down: "You know about various martial arts styles?"

"Um."

Why would you have such a thought?

"My physical constitution is not good, so I can only work on other aspects. If I can read widely about martial arts, it will broaden my knowledge."

"That's a good idea."

"However, there is none available at the moment."

"I'll go ask around."

……

The next morning, Lin Mu practiced standing meditation in the outer courtyard.

Junior Brother Liu and Senior Brother Zhou were changing into their training clothes by the stone bench in the corner.

"Have you heard? Yan Hua has been invited by the Qin family to be a retainer," Junior Brother Liu said in a low voice.

"real?"

"Of course it's true, it's just like what my junior sister said herself."

"Junior Sister Wanru? When did you meet her? You call her so affectionately."

"Are we talking about Yan Hua being a worshipper?"

"How many taels of silver per month?"

"Twenty taels, plus one Qi and Blood Pill every month."

"If you break through to the Dark Force realm before the Martial Arts Examination, your monthly silver will double, and you'll have plenty of all kinds of pills."

"In the path of martial arts, talent is indeed paramount."

"Even our senior brother didn't receive this treatment back then."

"Sigh~"

......

The sun rises in the east, at the first quarter of the morning.

Taking advantage of a break when everyone dispersed to practice their boxing, the instructor handed Lin Mu a bronze waist tag.

When Chen Yuan saw this, he almost dropped the stone lock in his hand and staggered before regaining his balance.

He nudged Zhou Yu, who was practicing boxing nearby.

Zhou Yu caught a glimpse of the waist token out of the corner of his eye, his fist paused in mid-air, and then continued to punch, but with more force than before, the wind from his punch whistling as if he were wrestling with something.

The two's unusual behavior drew everyone's attention, leading to the discovery of Lin Mu's new waist tag.

Junior Brother Liu leaned close to Senior Brother Zhou's ear and whispered, "Did you see? Lin Mu's waist tag has been changed."

Senior Brother Zhou nodded. "Of course, Senior Brother has always had excellent judgment."

"What a pity, with inferior physical constitution, his Ming Jin (internal strength) has already reached its peak."

Under the eaves, Cui Mingyue gestured towards Ye Lang with her chin: "Mingjin's done?"

"It should be."

"When?"

"It must have been last night. During the day, he was only a beginner."

"But that's all there is to it."

"Those with inferior physical constitutions have already determined their upper limit."

Yan Hua also witnessed this scene. He glanced at it, muttered "a decent piece of trash," and then entered the inner courtyard.

It was midday.

The eldest brother returned, looking travel-worn, carrying a wine gourd, and pulled Lin Mu aside.

Can you write?

"I know a little bit; my dad taught me some when I was a child."

"That makes things easier."

"I've found out about the part-time job you wanted."

He took a swig of wine and wiped his mouth.

"A minor clerk in the Palace Guard of Heyuan County, who can work part-time, earns one tael of silver per month, three days a week."

"One ounce?"

It seemed a bit too little, Lin Mu frowned slightly.

"Um."

"The government has many rules and little money."

"However, there are advantages—the martial arts materials are complete, and you can learn a lot."

He glanced at Lin Mu, then paused:

"It also has its drawbacks."

"You can only see written records and charts; no one will demonstrate the boxing for you."

"You can only scratch the surface of the essence of each school and sect."

Lin Mu was silent for a moment, then said, "I'll go."

"Report to Heyuan County tomorrow."

"Just say he's Bai Yungui's junior brother."

"The location is in the inner city, three days a week."

"The inner city is strictly controlled; people can only freely enter and leave the inner city during their three-day duty shift."

"OK."

......

The next morning.

Lin Mu arrived at the inner city gate.

The gatekeeper checked the waist tag and waved before letting him through.

The soldiers' every move was accompanied by the cracking and popping of their bones, making one marvel at the strength of the inner city.

The city gate has a deep and secluded entrance; stepping inside feels like entering a new world.

The inner city's stone-paved streets are smooth and wide, with brand-new shopfronts and wine flags fluttering in the breeze.

Pedestrians on the street were neatly dressed and walked at a leisurely pace.

A child ran by, dropping his candied hawthorn on the ground. The shopkeeper smiled and handed him another one.

There was a tea stall by the roadside, where several merchants dressed in silk robes sat drinking tea, speaking softly as if afraid of disturbing something.

Compared to Xihe Town, the leisurely and carefree scene here seems like paradise.

There was no smell of swill, no cursing from gambling dens, and no beggars huddled against the walls.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of pastries, and occasionally a horse-drawn carriage would pass by, its hooves clattering on the stone slabs at a leisurely pace.

Lin Mu walked forward along the main street.

The Palace Guard's office was at the end of the street, with two stone lions crouching in front of it, their paws polished to a shine.

Lin Mu reported his name at the gatehouse, had his waist tag checked, and was led into the Palace Guard Office.

The courtyard was quiet. The blue bricks were swept clean, and the vermilion paint on the pillars was still intact. Several clerks carrying files hurried by, their steps light and quiet.

He was led to a side room in the west courtyard, and the clerk who had led the way knocked on the door: "Editor Zhao, the person has arrived."

"Come in."

A man in his forties, with a thin face and a neatly combed mustache, sat in the room.

He was dressed in a gray-blue official robe, his back ramrod straight. He looked up from the file, glanced at Lin Mu from head to toe, and remained expressionless.