Chapter 212

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Zhang Xiaohua finished examining the token and casually tucked it into his chest. Then, he meticulously and carefully studied the silver banknote that read “One Thousand Taels”. After scrutinizing it for a long while, he took out his small money pouch from his chest, cautiously folded the silver note, and placed it inside. However, just as he was about to put away the money pouch, Zhang Xiaohua seemed to think of something. He retrieved the silver note again and said: “Uncle Master Zhang, do you think you could exchange this silver note for ones worth fifty taels each? Of course, if they’re in ten-tael denominations, that would be even better.”

Zhang Chengyue was taken aback and asked: “Why do you need so many smaller denomination notes? Isn’t it more convenient to just carry this one?”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned apologetically and replied: “Think about it, Senior. If a countryside boy like me were to bring a one-thousand-tael silver note to a money exchange, would they even let me cash it?”

Zhang Chengyue gave Zhang Xiaohua a once-over and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, I really underestimated you. I didn’t expect you to think so thoroughly. Fine, hold onto it for now, and later, I’ll ask the accounting office to exchange it for you.”

Before he could finish, Zhang Xiaohua waved his hands repeatedly and said: “No, no, Uncle Master Zhang, there’s no need to trouble two people with this. Why not help me take care of it now? That way, I won’t have to keep worrying about it. Besides, I don’t even know where the accounting office is. Even if I found it, they might not pay me any attention.”

Zhang Chengyue smiled wryly and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, do you really want it exchanged now?”

Zhang Xiaohua continued to grin apologetically and said: “Uncle Master Zhang, please be kind and take care of it quickly for me. Otherwise, I won’t be able to focus on anything.”

Seeing that Zhang Xiaohua had gone so far as to say, “I won’t be able to focus on anything,” Zhang Chengyue had no choice but to relent. “Fine, come with me.”

Without paying further attention to Zhang Xiaohua or taking his silver note, Zhang Chengyue turned and walked away.

Seeing Zhang Chengyue agree, Zhang Xiaohua didn’t mind his attitude at all and happily followed behind.

Exchanging a one-thousand-tael silver note for a hundred ten-tael notes was undoubtedly an annoying task for the accounting office. However, with Zhang Chengyue present, who would dare complain, let alone make a fuss?

Zhang Xiaohua’s little money pouch couldn’t hold the notes, so he had to stuff them into his chest. He kept nervously patting it, as if afraid the notes might sprout wings and fly away when he wasn’t paying attention.

Zhang Chengyue couldn’t help but laugh at Zhang Xiaohua’s overly cautious behavior. He said: “Zhang Xiaohua, the Sect Master has fulfilled everything he promised you. When will you start fulfilling what you promised him?”

Zhang Xiaohua instinctively patted the soft stack of paper in his chest and grinned. “Since the Sect Master has been so straightforward, how could I act like an ungrateful villain? I am at your service—just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”

Satisfied, Zhang Chengyue nodded and said: “You’re quite sensible. Alright, let’s record the fist manual now. The Sect Master is eager to see how powerful your Big Dipper Divine Fist truly is.”

Zhang Xiaohua readily agreed.

With that, Zhang Chengyue led Zhang Xiaohua in a certain direction.

After a few steps, Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly asked: “Uncle Master Zhang, where are we going?”

Zhang Chengyue replied: “To my residence.”

Zhang Xiaohua tentatively suggested: “How about we go to the guest room in the Medicine Hall instead? Would that work?”

Zhang Chengyue firmly replied: “No, there are too many people and too much chatter there, which would interfere with us.”

“But there’s hardly anyone at the guest rooms—it’s very quiet.”

Zhang Chengyue knew Zhang Xiaohua didn’t understand the value of his fist technique. Following Ou Peng’s instructions, he didn’t intend to explain either. Instead, he shook his head and said: “The guest rooms in the Medicine Hall are accessible to its disciples at any time, which would interrupt my recording. My residence, on the other hand, is completely private. That’s where it will be quiet.”

Zhang Xiaohua was stunned. “Uncle Master Zhang, are you personally going to record the fist manual for me?”

Zhang Chengyue nodded.

Zhang Xiaohua immediately understood the implications, though he still tentatively suggested: “But with your busy schedule and all the matters you oversee, wouldn’t it be better to let someone else do it?”

Zhang Chengyue chuckled. “This is something the Sect Master personally assigned. Do you understand?”

Zhang Xiaohua’s expression shifted slightly, and he nodded.

Then he added: “But, are your skills up to the task? What if you make a mistake in recording?”

Hearing this, Zhang Chengyue nearly tripped over his own feet. Annoyed, he snapped: “I’m the one who transcribes all the top-secret fist manuals of the Piaomiao Sect. Do you think I’d make a mistake?!”

Zhang Xiaohua didn’t dare say anything more, though he silently thought to himself: “Even the Arhat Fist manual that Li Jinfeng brought back was different from the one at the Lotus Escort Agency. Who knows if you might mess up too?”

Of course, he wouldn’t dare voice such thoughts.

The two of them walked for quite a while until they reached a tranquil location. It was a small courtyard that appeared rather exquisite at first glance. However, when Zhang Xiaohua pushed open the gate, he was dumbfounded. This wasn’t just a small courtyard—it was a lavish residence with pavilions, towers, lotus ponds, and winding corridors. Every now and then, young attendants could be seen moving about.

These attendants, upon seeing Zhang Chengyue, immediately lowered their heads, saluted respectfully, and gave him a wide berth.

Zhang Xiaohua asked fiercely: “Uncle Master Zhang, this is what you call a ‘small courtyard’? This is what you call ‘peaceful’?”

Zhang Chengyue shrugged. “Yes, this is my small courtyard. It’s also where Sect Master Ou has stayed, as well as the residence for the chief disciple of every generation.”

Zhang Xiaohua felt helpless. From the outside, the courtyard had appeared ordinary. But upon entering, he quickly realized it was far larger than his entire Guo Village. Yet Zhang Chengyue still had the audacity to call this a small courtyard!

Zhang Chengyue glanced at Zhang Xiaohua, then led the way, crossing corridors and a lotus pond before arriving at an actual small courtyard.

When they entered, there were two neatly dressed young maidens inside. Upon seeing Zhang Chengyue, they quickly bowed and greeted: “Young Master, you’ve returned.”

Zhang Chengyue waved dismissively and said: “You may leave. Do not enter unless I summon you. Also, pass on the message that I am not to leave this courtyard, and the attendants are…”

As if suddenly remembering something, he changed his instructions. “Oh, forget it. Brew some good tea and bring it here. After that, you can go about your own tasks.”

The two young maidens dared not question him. After bowing, they left. Soon, they returned with a pot of freshly brewed tea and poured a cup for each of them.

Zhang Xiaohua, having not had good tea in a long while, didn’t hold back. He took a careful sip, then made a mental note: “This tea isn’t as good as what we had in Guo Village, but it’s certainly better than what I usually drink.”

Zhang Chengyue, with a look of pride, asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, how’s this tea? It’s top-grade pre-rain Dragon Well tea.”

Zhang Xiaohua, clueless about tea appreciation, could only respond: “I don’t know much about tea, but it tastes quite delicious.”

Zhang Chengyue shook his head, choosing not to say more as he focused on savoring his tea.

Zhang Xiaohua noticed Zhang Chengyue wasn’t interested in engaging further, so he simply gulped down his tea. After all, Zhang Chengyue was the one seeking him for something, so all he needed to do was wait for instructions.

Sure enough, after a while, Zhang Chengyue asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, are you ready? Let’s begin.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded, then glanced around the room and asked: “Ready. Are we doing it here?”

Zhang Chengyue chuckled: “It definitely won’t be here. Come with me.”

He led Zhang Xiaohua to a room filled with bookshelves and various volumes, evidently a study room. Zhang Chengyue walked to the back of one of the shelves and began feeling around for something. Soon, a creaking sound echoed through the room. The third-to-last bookshelf slid slightly to the side, revealing a dark opening in the ground.

Glancing at Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Chengyue gestured for him to follow. Then he took out a firestarter from his robes, lit it, and began descending into the dimly illuminated stairway. Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua instinctively glanced around the room before hurrying after him.

Beneath the opening was a stairway leading downward. On both sides of the stone walls hung oil lamps. As Zhang Chengyue proceeded, he lit each lamp with his firestarter. Upon reaching a certain point, he stopped and manipulated something, causing a sound to come from above. With a creak, the bookshelf above slid back into place, sealing the entrance.

Once they descended the stairs, Zhang Chengyue lit the oil lamps and torches around the room. Zhang Xiaohua finally saw that this was an underground chamber about the size of two or three rooms.

Having spent his childhood catching field mice and counting ants, Zhang Xiaohua had always been fascinated by underground structures. Now that he was inside a real one, he couldn’t help but look around in awe, his face filled with curiosity.

Zhang Chengyue ignored Zhang Xiaohua’s amazement and walked straight to a desk at the back of the room. After tidying it up a bit, he said: “Zhang Xiaohua, this is my private training ground. It’s prepared specifically for recording your fist manual. What do you think? Are you satisfied?”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the weapon rack in the corner and smiled: “Satisfied isn’t the word—I’m more surprised. I didn’t expect such an elaborate setup just to record a boxing manual. It’s a bit overwhelming.”

Zhang Chengyue chuckled a few times before saying: “I’m ready now. Are you? Can we start right away?”

Zhang Xiaohua shrugged: “I can start anytime. I usually practice in the woods, so I’m not particular about the setting.”

Zhang Chengyue raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. “You don’t usually practice with He Tianshu and the others?”

Zhang Xiaohua scratched his head awkwardly: “No, I’m afraid they’ll say I’m doing it wrong, so I feel embarrassed to join them.”

Zhang Chengyue laughed heartily. “That’s perfect. From now on, don’t practice with them. When you train this fist technique, it’s best to avoid others.”

Zhang Xiaohua asked curiously: “Why’s that?”

Zhang Chengyue thought for a moment before explaining: “Once we record this fist technique, it will be preserved as part of the Piaomiao Sect’s collection. If you casually perform it and others watch, what’s the point of having the manual?”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned, clearly displeased. “Practicing is my personal freedom. You can’t take that away from me.”

Zhang Chengyue smiled: “We’re not restricting your training. We’re just asking you to be mindful of the location. Otherwise, those one hundred silver notes you received…”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua quickly interjected: “Alright, alright. I get it. I’ve always avoided people when I practice, so I’ll just keep doing that.”

Zhang Chengyue nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Let’s begin.”

Knowing Zhang Xiaohua had no experience with recording a boxing manual, Zhang Chengyue instructed: “First, perform the Big Dipper Divine Fist from start to finish without any interruptions.”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned, “Once isn’t enough. How about I do it seven times instead?”
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