Yan Chuan blinked, unsure how to comment.
But the original ’Three Martial Divisions’ were indeed confusing.
Clearly distinct, yet retaining the essence of the government offices, it is quite good.
Now it’s clear, the Xuanwu Department is the renamed Vigorous Martial Arts Department.
"What does this matter have to do with the Xuanwu Department?"
Che Zheng didn’t keep him guessing and explained, "In fact, the Advanced Study Hall Master Yan opened is not unique; there are a few similar places in Guangling, small-scale here and there. Outside Guangling and Peng State, this phenomenon exists around various academies. Some are small in size, some are large, and there are quite a few with more influence than Master Yan’s Advanced Study Hall."
Although Yan Chuan was not familiar with the situation, he understood that demand creates a market.
Che Zheng continued, "The trend of advanced study has intensified. Originally, it was all well and good, but this is supplemental education requiring extra silver. And what is the most abundant in the Martial Arts Academy? Ordinary people without extra money! They can’t afford to advance outside the academy, and therefore can’t progress as fast as those who can. Step by step, they lag behind and can’t compete, especially in qualifying for Research Student status. Over time, resentment builds up. Coincidentally, a new official in the Xuanwu Department took interest this year, directly overseeing the matter. They decided that the Advanced Study Halls outside the academy are irregular, filled with various chaotic issues, and impact the fairness of talent nurturing in the Martial Arts Academy. Thus, a directive was issued to severely crack down and eliminate these halls across the states and counties."
Xuanwu Department issued an order!
All government offices cooperated!
Instantly, it met a dead end.
"The matter of the Advanced Study Hall had been unstable, with no conclusion since mid-year."
"That’s why when Master Yan opened the hall, I was there to investigate."
"After that, I kept watch until a month ago when it was settled. By the end of September, the Xuanwu Department’s document and Zhenwu Department’s order were officially issued. It’s being dispatched from Ci State as the center to the Fifteen States. The next stop is Jian Province."
"With the court cracking down ahead, it would be best for Master Yan to withdraw early."
According to Che Zheng’s explanation, he had been quietly monitoring policies and guarding Yan Chuan’s Advanced Study Hall.
The guy is genuinely decent!
Yan Chuan knew perfectly why Che Zheng, who had no relation to him, would do such things.
Che Zheng didn’t hide anything: "That young man didn’t change his name; Master Yan can surely guess, yes, Che Qi is my son."
He bowed to Yan Chuan and clasped his hands in salute: "My son is dull, yet thanks to Master Yan’s guidance, his martial arts have improved tremendously in a month, surpassing the Third-level Research Students of Guangling Academy. I’m overjoyed, though I dared not disturb earlier, today I came to express my gratitude, hoping Master Yan does not mind."
This bow of Che Zheng was sincere.
He had long been worried about his son...
Earlier, recognizing Yan Chuan as a good teacher, he even put aside his pride to ask Yan Chuan to accept Che Qi as a disciple, but was refused. Reluctantly, he came up with a trick to let Che Qi join the Martial Arts Hall to learn.
The apprenticeship didn’t happen.
But the arts were learned.
From September to October, Che Qi had been learning, and Che Zheng had been watching. He saw Yan Chuan indifferent to Che Qi, leaving him to practice ’Horse Stance’ with over a hundred apprentices at Iron Wire Martial Arts Hall, frankly, it was heartbreaking and frustrating.
He understood the importance of basics.
But having Che Qi practice ’Horse Stance’ in such a mass, communal way, what good would it do?
It seemed a futile endeavor!
He wanted to persuade Che Qi to leave, but knowing it was futile, he decided to wait and see.
Until October, at which point surprise struck him.
In the Advanced Study Hall,
At nineteen, without ever entering the Guangling Academy’s formal study system, he defeated the academy’s Third-level Research Student.
Che Zheng could hardly believe it.
After confirming repeatedly, he was ecstatic!
Only then did he realize that Yan Chuan was indeed a master of his time.
Che Zheng, being indebted to Yan Chuan for teaching Che Qi, wanted to repay him. Hence, after investigating the Xuanwu Department’s new regulations, Tian Hu, and the undercurrents within Guangling Academy, he arranged everything and came today to tip off Yan Chuan.
"Having someone in court makes things easier!"
The news brought by Che Zheng was indeed valuable.
Yan Chuan took it to heart as he helped Che Zheng up: "Thank you, Leader Che, for informing me. If the court orders a shutdown, then we won’t operate. As for Che Qi, he paid silver at my hall, so I will naturally teach him. If he has talent, I will pay special attention."
Fortunately, from August to October, Yan Chuan reaped great benefits.
From ’Six Harmonies Eight Techniques Fist’ to ’Five Forms Eight Techniques Fist’, to ’Divine Movement Transformation’, and finally to ’Five Animals Qigong’, with constant inspiration drawn from many martial artists at the Advanced Study Hall, Yan Chuan crazily created four ’Ren Level’ martial arts and gained considerably.
In terms of his own boxing skill mastery, Yan Chuan made significant progress; although his highest realm was still the Seventh Realm, even among that realm, there is a range of proficiency, and a few of Yan Chuan’s boxing techniques had just entered the Seventh Realm at the start of August. After two months of hard practice, he made notable progress and had gone a long way in the Seventh Realm.
If he persists, with some luck, it wouldn’t be surprising if he suddenly advances his boxing skill to the Eighth Realm and reaches the peak.
Once ’reaching the peak’—
Be it basic ’Horse Stance’.
Or advanced ’Ten Forms Boxing’.