Fishing Boy
Our story begins in a remote fishing village in Quan Zhou, Kai Yuan Prefecture during the reign of the Da Qi Heavenly Kingdom.
Outside an old ruined shack of a log cabin stood a richly decorated carriage garnished with gold, silver, and precious embroideries. Several black-robed sword wielding riders stood guard around the carriage. Villagers excitedly swarmed in small groups around the hut to see what had happened.
“Are they really the Jin family, the Jin family of Feng City?”
“I can’t be mistaken, see the golden embroideries in their robes, throughout Kai Yuan Prefecture no other household could have that except the Jin."
“God, incredible! No news was heard from Shi Ting ever since he left ten years ago, leaving his wife and son behind. No one would doubt it if he had died at some strange place. But now! It’s the Jin family, that he has connections with, is here! Moreover Shi Ting is back to take his son Shi Mu. It’s a shame the boy’s mother died , or she could have had a high position and great wealth as long as she lived!”
“Position and wealth? Don’t be too hasty. Haven’t you overheard one of the Jin servants saying that Shi Ting is already the Jin’s son-in-law, he wouldn’t dare to have come here if Shi Mu’s mother had not died!”
“Anyway Shi Mu’s chance has come. Yesterday he was an orphan, today he’s a young master.”
……
“My father is sick in bed and I have a blood sister?” Shi Mu fixed his eyes on the elderly blue-robed visitor, asking hesitantly.
Though he was only thirteen, his skin was a light auburn colour due to continuous exposure to sun and wind from the ocean. His features were heavy and stood taller than any of his peers. Even in an old and shabby shirt, his sturdy muscles were visible which added to him a sense of untamable wildness.
“That’s right, master is seriously ill at present, his day of doom may really come this time. That’s why madam asked me to take young master back: to see master at his deathbed”, answered the blue-robed old man, smiling.
“Madam? Now that he’s abandoned my mother for so many years, what’s the use of taking me back now? Please return, I won’t go back with you to the Jins.” The youth answered without hesitation, his face sour.
“Alas! I’m afraid that you, young master Shi have wronged my master. Master has his difficulties so he could not return here and only wishes that you two would be able to meet and all misunderstandings can be lifted,“ the old servant continued after a light cough.
“Humph, that old man abandoned his own wife and son, nothing will change even if you talk your head off. Now scram.” The youth snorted coldly.
Hearing this, the blue-robed old man could not help but knit his brows. He spoke again only after having another close look at the youth, as if a decision was finally made.
“Wasn’t the medicine young master Shi has been buying from the town’s pharmacists unreasonably cheap? Moreover, has not instructor Li of the town’s martial arts school charged you less than other students while he teaching you the exact same skills? Last but not least, are not the fish you, young master Shi, caught from the sea quickly sold every time you come to the town’s market? Plus there would even be a few buyers haggling over the price.”
“Do you mean, all these were pre-arranged by that man?” The youth could not help but ask directly, his color changing.
“I know not whether it was master’s idea or not, but madam did request these arrangements in person.” The blue-robed old man answered with a smile.
After hearing those words, the youth began to grow agitated and irresolute.
“By the way, hasn’t young master Shi been studying the art of Body Tempering? You must aspire to be a true warrior. Madam told me in particular that as long as young master Shi agreed to see master, she would definitely secure an opportunity for you to take the enrollment test of Kai Yuan Martial Arts School. As to whether you could get enrolled, it will be up to your talents.” The blue-robed old man finally played his trump card.
“Kai Yuan Martial Arts School?” Obviously the youth was moved by such a temptation. What youth of thirteen years old would not be moved by the name Kai Yuan Martial Arts School.
“Being a practitioner of martial arts, I’m sure you must know this: this is one of the four famous martial arts schools which only enroll students every five years and candidates must meet two conditions strictly before they are eligible to take the test. First they must finish studying the art of Body Tempering before the age of fifteen. Second, they must have already grasped the essence of qi, which is indispensable in the further practice of cultivating one’s real qi; to be able to circulate it smoothly through their veins. One can never be a real martial arts practitioner before these conditions are fulfilled. However, to sense qi is not easy at all; one has to obtain a Qi Ling pill at an exorbitant price in order to induce his qi into a flexible state. Even our Jin family can only get at most ten pills each time. I worry for your lifetime dream if you want to fend for yourself,” the old man said in an unhurried way, full of composure and confidence.
The youth sank into silence, and only spoke again in a cold voice after a long time.
“Return in three days, you will have your answer then.”
“Good, it’s settled then. I’ll come to hear good news in three days.” The blue-robed old man did not persist, knowing that the boy had made up his mind. Hence, he bowed slightly and left.
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