Chapter Seventy-Eight: Taking a Master—Learning in One Go?

Shopkeeper Su arrived swiftly. No sooner had he come than he summoned Chen Yushu over, accompanied by Steward Zhou. The surrounding apprentices witnessed this with astonishment: was this the treatment reserved for geniuses? They, too, wished they could be such prodigies, for the attention bestowed was enviable.

"Steward Zhou has already told me," Shopkeeper Su began as he led Chen Yushu up the stairs, "I truly did not expect that you would reach proficiency in the Pillar Skill so quickly. Next, I’ll take you to the Secret Pavilion to receive your external strengthening technique—the King of Medicine’s Locked Strength Skill. However, there is something I wish to ask you first."

"Please, Shopkeeper Su," replied Chen Yushu.

"Would you like to take me as your master?" Shopkeeper Su halted, gazing at Chen Yushu. "In the Liu family’s pharmacy, martial arts are taught: the King of Medicine’s Pillar Skill, the Locked Strength Skill, even the Thunder-Swallowing Sound. These are excellent foundations. But having a mentor makes all the difference. Exploring alone, one may struggle for years without much progress, but under guidance, progress is much swifter. Moreover, some skills and secret techniques are never taught openly in the pharmacy; what is kept in the Secret Pavilion is only basic."

"Master, your disciple greets you!" Without a second’s hesitation, Chen Yushu bowed deeply.

Shopkeeper Su was momentarily taken aback, then burst out laughing. "Excellent!"

"Congratulations, Shopkeeper, on gaining a fine disciple," Steward Zhou offered his timely praise.

"Since you have become my disciple, I will not treat you poorly. Once your Pillar Skill has reached proficiency, you may begin your martial training. After you receive the King of Medicine’s Locked Strength Skill, I shall also impart to you a martial technique. Tell me, do you prefer the sword, the saber, or the staff?"

Shopkeeper Su smiled.

"Shopkeeper Su made his name early," Steward Zhou added with great admiration. "First famed for his saber, then the sword, earning the title 'Tempest Sword.' In the last decade he turned to the staff, once battling over a dozen skilled fighters single-handedly and earning the name 'Heaven’s Staff.' In short, his saber, sword, and staff techniques are all unmatched."

Shopkeeper Su’s smile deepened at the well-placed flattery.

"I want to learn them all!" Chen Yushu replied sincerely, but remembering the folly of greed, added, "However, if I must choose my first, I’d like to study the saber."

There was an old saying among the martial world in his previous life: "One month for the saber, a year for the staff, a lifetime for the spear, ten years for the sword." He knew the saber was the swiftest to master, and with limited strength, it was naturally his first choice.

"Very well," Shopkeeper Su nodded, and led Chen Yushu to a room at the far end of the second floor. After a complex sequence of locks, he finally opened the heavy door. Steward Zhou took his leave, not lingering on the second floor.

"This is the pharmacy’s Secret Pavilion," Shopkeeper Su said. "The books here are all martial arts manuals, though most are rather basic. The most valuable are the King of Medicine’s Locked Strength Skill and Thunder-Swallowing Sound." He fetched a book from within. "This is the Locked Strength Skill. Study it; ask me if you have questions. I will instruct you in the days to come."

"Yes, Master!" Chen Yushu replied eagerly, silently marveling at how different this felt after formally becoming a disciple.

Previously, he had heard how other apprentices studied the Locked Strength Skill. After receiving the manual, they would be required to copy it within an hour, after which instruction would be given by Steward Zhou or Master Qian Qian. Such guidance lasted no more than an hour. If one mastered it, all was well; otherwise, one had to practice alone or pay silver to hire a private tutor. The apprentices charged little, but their teaching was often inaccurate. Those with money would hire Master Qian, who charged ten taels per session but was much more effective—most would master the skill in three to five lessons.

For instance, Wang Yuan, who started as a decoction apprentice with Chen Yushu, had begun practicing the Locked Strength Skill long ago but still had not truly mastered it.

The core of the King of Medicine’s Locked Strength Skill was encapsulated in the word "lock": harnessing one’s internal force, sealing it, and using that force to temper the flesh, skin, and sinew until they became tough and resilient.

Chen Yushu first read the interpretations and then studied the specific forms and the breathing techniques—these were the essence of the manual, the key to mastering this external strengthening method.

He read through the manual once, closed his eyes to recall the content, then opened it again to review the less clear passages. After reading it twice, he had memorized the entire manual. For accuracy, he read it a final time. By then, he no longer needed to consult the book or make a copy—the record on his attribute panel showed the Locked Strength Skill, confirming he had truly absorbed every detail. Now, he only needed to practice step by step to reach proficiency.

He handed the manual back to his master.

"You’ve finished already?" asked Shopkeeper Su, who had only just begun skimming another manual. "Is there something you don’t understand?"

"No, I’ve finished reading and memorized it," Chen Yushu replied with a shake of his head.

"Memorized it?" Shopkeeper Su was doubtful but let it pass. He would be teaching Chen Yushu himself.

"Master, I heard that after apprentices master the Pillar Skill, they may choose another martial art from the pavilion. May I select one?" Chen Yushu asked. Though his master had promised to teach him the saber, he was also eager to pick one for himself.

"You may," Shopkeeper Su agreed.

Chen Yushu entered the bookcase area. The manuals were as his master described—not many, yet not few either, over thirty in all. Most were ordinary, with some overlap: Body-Strengthening Pillar, Meditative Pillar, Warrior’s Pillar—all similar foundation techniques, though none as refined as the King of Medicine’s Pillar Skill.

He turned his attention to the martial techniques: Mighty Cotton Palm, Iron Thread Fist, Willow Leaf Saber, Snake-Slaying Sword, Mud-Stepping, Eight-Step Cicada Chase... There was variety, but all were suitable for external strengthening practitioners.

Chen Yushu focused on movement techniques. Since his master would teach him saber skills, he needed mobility—after all, in the world of martial arts, speed was invincible. Speed could mean attacking swiftly or retreating quickly. If you can’t win, you must be able to flee.

Unfortunately, there were only two movement manuals: Mud-Stepping and Eight-Step Cicada Chase. He read the descriptions and chose Eight-Step Cicada Chase. Mud-Stepping was for maneuvering complex terrain, while Eight-Step Cicada Chase excelled at both pursuit and escape—precisely what he needed.

He asked for his master’s permission, then received the actual manual and began to read.

"Eight-Step Cicada Chase is a method for rapid advancement. It values not just speed but stability, relying primarily on explosive power and precise force application in the legs..."

After one reading, the technique was recorded on his attribute panel. His unique advantage meant that once recorded, he had committed it to memory and only needed to practice to master it.

If only the space here were larger—he would have started practicing at once.

"Master, I’m ready," Chen Yushu announced, setting aside the book and bowing.

"So soon? Don’t you want to copy it out?" Shopkeeper Su was astonished. Seeing Chen Yushu shake his head, he was puzzled, but since these were only basic movement techniques, he didn’t care. "Very well, let’s begin your training in the King of Medicine’s Locked Strength Skill."

He led Chen Yushu to a more spacious area on the second floor and began his instruction.

"Martial artists must first train in the Pillar Skill. Once you reach proficiency, a force forms within the body, known as inner strength or controlled power. External strengthening methods use this force, guiding it through the meridians to temper the flesh, skin, and bones, thereby enhancing health and physical strength."

As he spoke, he demonstrated the movements. A bulge appeared on his exposed arm—"Do you see this lump? This is the force I am controlling, moving along a precise path. Your breathing must adapt to the movement of your strength, constantly adjusting."

His explanation and demonstration were thorough and patient. Chen Yushu watched intently, absorbing every detail.

With his advanced spiritual focus, his learning and memory were prodigious; just one demonstration was enough for him to comprehend and remember every aspect of the technique.

"Now, try it yourself—I’ll correct you," said Shopkeeper Su.

"Yes!" Chen Yushu replied, and combining the manual with his master’s demonstration, began to practice. He first gathered his internal energy, twisting it into a single current. As the blood and energy surged, a force arose.

"Concentrate the force, guide it along the prescribed meridians..."

His spirit and memory far surpassed the ordinary. Even after a single demonstration, he was able to replicate the technique with remarkable precision.

Shopkeeper Su observed, his pupils contracting in shock. Had he truly mastered it after just one demonstration? From start to finish, there was not a single error—his execution was steady and exact. Was this what it meant to be a genius? Compared to him, Shopkeeper Su’s own three days of study seemed painfully clumsy.

Soon, however, he relaxed. Chen Yushu had stopped—not from making a mistake or forgetting the sequence, but because his internal force was depleted. Without sufficient force, even if he had mastered the technique, he could not continue practicing.