All the apprentices had practiced this Fist Technique, so they could naturally tell good from bad.
Chen Yue’s performance of the fist set seemed even smoother than the demonstration given by the guard who had taught them.
Liu Jing stood at the edge of the crowd, a complex expression on his face.
He watched the figure in the center of the yard, genuinely happy that his friend was finally showing his talent, yet an unavoidable trace of loneliness flickered in the depths of his eyes.
After finishing the set, Chen Yue came to a halt. His breathing was steady, his eyes bright.
The last trace of doubt vanished from Chen Lin’s eyes. Though not a master of Martial Arts himself, he had seen enough to have a discerning eye. Chen Yue’s Fist Technique flowed with unified Power, and his Qi Blood was vigorous—truly the signs of someone in the Skin Refining Realm.
Still, Chen Lin looked to Liu Tang, who was standing beside him.
Liu Tang nodded and said in a gruff voice, "Steward, he is indeed in the Skin Refining Realm, no doubt about it. His stance is steady, his Power is newly formed, and his breath control has reached the Entry Level. He must have broken through recently, but his foundation is very solid."
A hint of surprise also appeared in Liu Tang’s eyes. ’Usually, when an apprentice breaks through to the Skin Refining Realm, their aura is unstable and needs time to consolidate. Chen Yue’s condition, however, makes it seem like he’s been training hard for a long time.’
"Excellent!"
A smile appeared on Chen Lin’s face, a smile more genuine than any he had shown before.
He clapped his hands, his voice rising slightly. "Chen Yue, since you have broken through to the Skin Refining Realm through your own diligence, as per the pharmacy’s rules, from this day forward, you are no longer an apprentice. You are now a guard of the pharmacy!"
Chen Lin paused, then continued his announcement, his voice exceptionally clear in the silent rear courtyard. "Your monthly silver will be increased to one tael. You will also move immediately to the guards’ quarters in the west wing of the front courtyard. As for your specific duties, Liu Tang will inform you of them shortly."
One tael of silver! The guards’ quarters!
These words struck the heart of every apprentice like a heavy hammer.
The looks they gave Chen Yue instantly became incredibly complex, a mixture of envy, jealousy, disbelief, and denial... all sorts of emotions intertwined.
Just a few days ago, Chen Yue had been just like them, doing the filthiest and most exhausting work in the rear courtyard, earning the most meager wages, and sleeping on the crowded, dirty communal bunk.
In the blink of an eye, he had leaped over the dragon gate, ascending in a single step to become a guard they had to look up to. The shock of such a sudden change in status was immense.
’That kid... he really managed to drag himself out of the mire.’
Just then, the light at the entrance to the rear courtyard dimmed.
Steward Tushan walked in slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. He had clearly heard Chen Lin’s final words and had also seen everyone in the courtyard focusing their gazes on Chen Yue.
He paused for a moment. His fair face was expressionless, but his slightly downcast eyes lingered on Chen Yue for an instant.
His brows furrowed, almost imperceptibly.
’The die is cast.’
’It was announced publicly, confirmed by a guard, and decided by Chen Lin himself. If I say anything now, it would cause Chen Lin to lose face. It’s not worth it for a mere apprentice.’
In his eyes, apprentices were just laborers he could manipulate at will. Guards had a higher status, naturally, but that was all. The pharmacy had plenty of guards; one more or one less Chen Yue wouldn’t change the grand scheme of things.
It was just... the feeling of losing control, and the sudden value Chen Yue had displayed, that caused a flash of displeasure in his heart.
Tushan’s face returned to its usual indifference. He walked straight toward the side room where he handled his affairs, only nodding slightly as he passed Chen Lin, a perfunctory greeting.
Chen Yue took in Tushan’s fleeting, subtle expression but revealed nothing on his own face. He simply turned to Chen Lin and gave him a deep, respectful bow.
"Thank you for the promotion, Steward Chen! I will do my utmost to protect the pharmacy."
The dusty gray apprentice’s tunic was gone. Chen Yue now wore a set of navy-blue martial attire. The fabric was a thick, durable, and stain-resistant cotton-linen blend, with the cuffs and trouser legs tightly bound.
Though it wasn’t luxurious clothing, it was clean and sharp, exuding an Essence, Qi, and Spirit completely different from that of a menial apprentice.
Liu Tang led Chen Yue on a tour of the front courtyard and a few key locations near the street, briefly explaining the daily duties of a guard: scheduled patrols, guarding important storerooms, standing watch at night, and, when necessary, escorting valuable medicinal herbs or responding to emergencies.
The work wasn’t easy, especially the mentally draining night shifts, but compared to the endless herb grinding and cutting in the rear courtyard, it was obviously much freer and more dignified.
Finally, Liu Tang brought Chen Yue to a private room on the east side of the front courtyard. This room was much more spacious and tidy than the apprentices’ quarters. There were even two common potted green plants by the door, signaling the occupant’s different status.
"Mr. Li is inside,"
Liu Tang lowered his voice, his expression growing serious. "Among us guards, aside from being under Steward Chen’s general command, our daily training and duty assignments are all managed by Mr. Li. The Mountain Flipping Technique you’re going to learn next is far superior to the Iron Mountain Fist, and Mr. Li teaches it personally.
When you go in, be on your best behavior. Don’t be disrespectful."
Chen Yue nodded to show he understood. Only then did Liu Tang step forward and knock three times on the wooden door.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
A rather deep voice came from inside. "Come in."
Liu Tang pushed the door open, and Chen Yue followed him into the room.
The room wasn’t large and was simply furnished with a table, a chair, and a bed.
A man who looked to be in his mid-thirties was sitting behind the table, holding a whetstone and slowly polishing the edge of a Blade.
The man wasn’t particularly tall, but he had broad shoulders and a thick back. His gaze, however, was as sharp as a blade, as if it could scrape a layer of skin off a person.
He was the head of the guards, Li Lie.
Hearing the noise, Li Lie didn’t even look up. He remained focused on the task at hand, the whetstone and blade rubbing against each other with a steady "SHHH, SHHH" sound.
Not until he had polished the final section of the blade did he casually toss the whetstone onto the table, raise his eyelids, and glance at Liu Tang and Chen Yue.
"What is it?"
Liu Tang immediately put on a smile, took half a step forward, and said respectfully, "Mr. Li, this is Chen Yue. He was just promoted to guard today. Steward Chen instructed me to help him get familiar with things. From now on, he’ll be serving under you."
As he spoke, he turned slightly to the side, ushering Chen Yue forward.
Chen Yue didn’t dare to be slow. He stepped forward and, following the etiquette Liu Tang had reminded him of, clasped his hands and bowed. "Chen Yue greets Mr. Li. In the days to come, I ask for your guidance. I will certainly work diligently and train hard."
Li Lie’s gaze swept over Chen Yue. Seeing his posture and the look in his eyes as he bowed, Li Lie let out an almost inaudible "hmpf" from his nose, acknowledging him.
He picked up the Blade again, tested the edge with his finger, and said flatly, "I’m busy today. Have you told him all the rules?"
The last sentence was directed at Liu Tang.
"Yes, yes, I’ve told him everything," Liu Tang said quickly.
"Fine,"
Li Lie put down the blade and finally looked Chen Yue straight in the eye. "In a few days, after the patrol schedule is set, find me when you have time. I’ll teach you the Mountain Flipping Technique."
Before Chen Yue could respond, he waved his hand, dismissing them. He then picked up a soft cloth from the table and began wiping the scabbard.
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Li." Chen Yue bowed again and retreated from the room with Liu Tang, gently closing the door behind them.
After they were some distance from the room, Liu Tang seemed to let out a breath of relief. He turned to look at Chen Yue, clicked his tongue, and said in a low voice:
"Chen Yue, we’ve gotten along well, so let me give you a bit more advice. Mr. Li... he’s a man of his word, and you can learn real skills from him. But the Mountain Flipping Technique is nothing like the Iron Mountain Fist. It’s much more profound. If you don’t have someone to guide you carefully and just practice blindly, you could run into problems."
Liu Tang paused and gave Chen Yue a meaningful look. "You absolutely must not neglect the proper courtesies.
Mr. Li doesn’t usually care about such trivialities, but if you make the right... gesture... he’ll take note. When he’s teaching you, he might just give you a few extra crucial pointers. The difference that makes is huge."
Hearing this, Chen Yue understood immediately.
’This isn’t just about the usual etiquette of a formal visit. It’s about ’making a gesture’.’
But he had just become a guard. While a monthly wage of one tael of silver sounded like a lot, he had almost no savings from his time as an apprentice. Right now, his pockets were truly empty.
Chen Yue thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "You’re right to point this out, Liu. It’s just that I’m new here and don’t know the customs. Generally... how much would be appropriate?"
Hearing this, Liu Tang laughed and clapped Chen Yue on the shoulder, but he didn’t answer directly. Instead, he changed the subject. "Well... it’s the thought that counts, the thought that counts. Mr. Li isn’t someone who cares about the gift itself; it’s mainly about the attitude.
Alright, you’ve just moved in, so go get your new place settled. It’s the third room in the west wing; it’s already been cleared out for you. When the work schedule is posted, I’ll let you know."
Seeing that Liu Tang was unwilling to speak plainly, Chen Yue didn’t press further. He thanked him, but his heart sank.
It seemed this "courtesy" would not be a small sum, so much so that even Liu Tang was reluctant to name a price. Silver coins had become his first immediate problem.