Chapter 24: Martial Hall Inner-Door Disciple!

The rear courtyard is the hall master's residence and also the place where inner-door disciples practice and spar.

The arrival of Lin Feng and Qin Shuo immediately drew the attention of the other inner-door disciples.

"Senior Brother Lin."

"Senior Brother Lin."

……

In the courtyard, several inner-door disciples hurriedly paid their respects to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng's strength isn't the greatest, but his seniority is considerable.

These inner-door disciples before him were almost all brought up by Lin Feng himself, and they treat him with great respect.

"Has the master awakened?" Lin Feng asked.

"Not yet; I just saw a servant bring breakfast in, so he should still be eating." replied an inner-door disciple.

"Alright, Junior Brother Qin, let's wait here a moment." Lin Feng said to Qin Shuo.

Qin Shuo naturally had no objection.

Not long after, Wei Yuan finished breakfast and leisurely strolled out from the corridor.

"What are you all standing around for? Practice!"

Seeing everyone rooted like wooden posts in the courtyard, the old man's face showed a hint of displeasure, and he sternly rebuked:

"Do you think breaking through internal energy means everything is settled?"

"I tell you, achieving internal energy is merely stepping into the threshold of the martial way."

"To go far, foundation comes first, resources second, and diligence third."

"Your aptitude is average; if you don't train hard every day, when will you reach the penetrating meridian? Hmm?"

"Yes!"

The inner-door disciples who had been waiting to watch the spectacle, after being rebuked by the old man, each returned to their positions and began morning practice.

They practiced the White Ape Stance and still the Heavenly Gang Blade Technique.

But what differed was that their breathing seemed to follow a special rhythm—each inhale and exhale coordinated with the extension and exertion of the limbs, possessing a unique grace.

After rebuking the inner-door disciples in the rear courtyard,

The black‑clothed Old Man Wei's expression eased slightly; his gaze swept over Qin Shuo and finally settled on Lin Feng.

"You came to see the master about something?"

"Reporting to Master, Junior Brother Qin has grasped the White Ape True Intent."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Old Man Wei's eyebrows rose, showing interest.

Meanwhile, the few inner-door disciples who had just begun their morning practice pricked up their ears, wanting to hear what was going on.

"I recall you've been in the door for less than a month, right?"

Old Man Wei's eyes traveled up and down Qin Shuo's body; the longer he looked, the more astonished he became.

This kid has slack shoulders, arms hanging naturally, legs slightly bent—just like a white ape standing.

Lower body tight, upper body relaxed—he indeed bears a touch of the white ape's grace.

"Reporting to Hall Master, today is the twenty‑eighth day." Qin Shuo said respectfully.

"Fine, perform a set for me to see."

Old Man Wei showed no change in expression as he sat down on a grand master chair nearby.

Upon hearing the order, Qin Shuo found an open space, assumed the stance, and began practicing the White Ape Heavenly Gang Blade.

"Oh? This kid is actually using the training blade I used back in my day."

A flicker of surprise crossed Old Man Wei's face, but it quickly vanished.

Lifting the blade to listen to the wind, white snake spitting its tongue, hanging the blade to split the head…

The White Ape Heavenly Gang Blade's thirty‑six forms—Qin Shuo linked each move seamlessly.

His steps were light, like flowing clouds and water, without a hint of hesitation.

His blade work and footwork were perfectly integrated; he had clearly merged stance training and blade technique, attaining a state of effortless ease and free advancement and retreat.

Every movement of his gave a feeling of roundness and naturalness.

Like a white ape dancing with a blade, his power was great and heavy yet agile and lively; the thirty‑six forms flowed continuously, the force unbroken.

"Form and spirit both complete, movement and stillness at will—indeed he has entered the True Intent."

Old Man Wei nodded heavily, his eyes flashing with an unusual light.

After Qin Shuo sheathed his blade, he then rose and laughed:

"I never expected that I, back then, had misjudged you—you not only have excellent foundation, but your comprehension is also outstanding."

"From today on, you will be my eighth inner-door disciple."

"Tuition is waived, and your treatment will be the same as that of the other inner-door disciples."

"As for a position in the martial hall, we'll discuss it after you break through to internal energy."

"Any objections?"

"Thanks, Master!"

Qin Shuo bowed with clasped hands—of course he had no objections.

Seeing Qin Shuo's respectful attitude, Old Man Wei nodded satisfiedly, then continued:

"Regarding the three small baths and one large bath you need for blood‑accumulation breakthrough, the medicine costs I will cover—consider it your initiation gift."

Qin Shuo bowed again in thanks.

Old Man Wei then shifted his tone, speaking sternly:

The martial hall is not a charity; it cannot endlessly supply what you need for martial training.

So, aside from the medicinal bath and medicinal soup, your daily blood qi accumulation and nourishment from exotic beast meat are up to you to arrange.

If you fail your first attempt to break through, I will revoke your inner disciple status. Do you understand?

Disciple understands.

Qin Shuo felt ecstatic.

Showing his talent and potential was indeed the right move.

Otherwise, making him save up for the medicinal bath and soup himself—who knows how long that would take, maybe until the Year of the Monkey and Horse Month.

As for exotic beast meat,

Since Great Black Mountain has red-furred squirrels and five-colored deer, there must be other exotic beasts—just spend some time looking for them.

Alright, from now on you'll train with the other senior brothers in the rear courtyard; if you have any questions, ask them—or ask me directly.

During the blood accumulation period, do stance training and sword practice each for one hour every day—don't stop.

Yes.

Leaving the rear courtyard, Lin Feng immediately congratulated Qin Shuo:

Congratulations! Junior Brother Qin—from now on we're truly brother disciples.

Outer courtyard disciples are at most just apprentices of the martial hall.

Only by becoming an inner disciple are you considered a true disciple of Wei Yuan.

That's why Lin Feng said that.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin, for your support and guidance these days." Qin Shuo sincerely thanked him.

"It's nothing—it's all your own effort and talent."

Lin Feng waved his hand, not taking credit, but changed the subject:

"Now that you're an inner disciple, let me tell you about the benefits and treatment for inner disciples."

Okay.

Lin Feng took Qin Shuo to a pavilion in the central courtyard and began to explain the inner disciple's benefits and treatment in detail.

According to Lin Feng, each inner disciple may receive free of charge a bowl of blood-tonifying medicinal soup and a piece of exotic beast meat every day.

Furthermore, if you cultivate internal strength, you can also take a post in the martial hall and earn a monthly wage.

For example, Lin Feng and Song Yan work as instructors, teaching the apprentices, while Zhang Xiong manages the martial hall's medicine shop and weapon forging workshop.

Other senior brothers also hold various positions.

In short, becoming an inner disciple means no tuition and guaranteed job placement.

Besides that, if you have any questions about your cultivation, you can ask the hall master, Wei Yuan, for guidance.

"No wonder the outer courtyard disciples all want to become inner disciples—this treatment is indeed great." Qin Shuo clicked his tongue.

Not to mention anything else, just the guaranteed job placement is a deadly attraction for the vast majority of disciples from poor backgrounds.

These days, making a living is no easy feat.

Being able to work in the martial hall is like joining the Fortune 500 in a past life—it makes countless people envious.

"Go see Steward Hu in a moment to get your inner disciple uniform; you can take off this apprentice training outfit."

After Lin Feng finished explaining the inner disciple's benefits and treatment, he added one more remark, then left the pavilion and headed for the outer courtyard.

Qin Shuo first went to collect his inner disciple uniform, then returned to the rear courtyard to continue tempering his body.

Back in the rear courtyard, Old Man Wei had already left.

Several inner disciple senior brothers immediately swarmed him, asking all sorts of questions; Qin Shuo had to work hard to shoo them away.

In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

Qin Shuo told Qin Lan that he had become an inner disciple.

This made the little girl ecstatic—she bounced around him and kept giving Song Yan meaningful looks, as if showing off.

"Look, my brother is awesome, huh? You two would make a perfect pair."

Both Song Yan and Qin Shuo felt helpless about the little girl's matchmaking meddling.

However, this time Song Yan was more open and natural than before—she didn't run off, but instead sincerely bowed with folded hands.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Qin."

After saying that, a rare hint of a smile appeared on her face.

"I'll have to trouble you, Senior Sister, to look after me more in the future." Qin Shuo returned the salute.

"Senior Sister Song, you look gorgeous when you smile!" Qin Lan beside her hurried to flatter.

"Just a sharp mouth!"

Song Yan glared at the little girl, yet the corners of her mouth turned up again.

It's obvious that Senior Sister Song loves this.

Qin Lan and the two of them went their separate ways in the dining hall.

Qin Shuo was about to head back to the rear courtyard to continue training when he ran straight into Zhang Xiong, who had vanished all morning.

"Brother Xiong, why the rush? Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

Qin Shuo hurried up, smiling and joking.

Zhang Xiong lifted his head.

Just then he saw Qin Shuo, wearing the inner disciple's training uniform, walking toward him—and froze on the spot.