High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The Huge Family Debt

Fang Huiyi gazed into Lin Qi’s eyes. They were bright and deep, and he exuded an intangible, awe-inspiring aura that left her momentarily stunned.

Without her even realizing it, her son had undergone a tremendous transformation.

”Yes, you’ve really grown up!”

A smile appeared on Fang Huiyi’s face as she said,

”I’ve always treated you like a child and kept many things from you, afraid it would affect you. Now, it’s time to tell you.”

”Over the last ten-plus years, our family has borrowed, bit by bit, about 1.25 million Xia Country Coins from your uncle’s family.”

”Your father and I have been trying to pay it back all these years, but helplessly, the debt just kept growing.”

”Your aunt has had some complaints about us, too.” Fang Huiyi sighed.

Lin Qi’s heart skipped a beat. ’That much? For my uncle to have not said anything for so many years... he’s a truly good man.’

’And my aunt, too. All these years, and she’s only had a few complaints.’

’Anyone else would probably hate our family’s guts by now.’

”Besides what we owe your uncle, your father and I have maxed out online loans and credit cards over the years to pay for my treatments.”

”We could barely manage the repayments before, but ever since I collapsed during the summer break, we haven’t been able to pay anything back at all. We can only take out new loans to cover the old ones.”

”Between your dad and me, with the online loans and credit cards, we owe a little over 1 million. Your dad knows the exact amount.”

As his mother, Fang Huiyi, spoke, her voice grew quieter, laced with guilt and apology.

A debt of around 1 million from online loans was a little less than Lin Qi had imagined for his parents, both of whom were Martial Artists, but it was still a huge amount.

Lin Qi did a quick calculation. For a debt of 1 million Xia Country Coins, the monthly interest alone would be a massive sum.

”Mom, don’t worry. With me here, we’ll definitely pay off the debt.”

”And your illness—you’ll definitely get better,” Lin Qi added comfortingly.

Fang Huiyi looked up and nodded firmly. ”Little Qi, Mom believes in you.”

Looking at his gaunt mother, Lin Qi sighed inwardly. ’It’s hard to imagine how much pain and psychological pressure she’s been under.’

When he was three years old, a small Space Gate had appeared in the University City located between Rongshan District and No. 2 Middle School. Countless vicious Calamity Beasts had rushed out, beginning a slaughter.

At the time, Lin Qi’s family of three had been shopping nearby and bore the brunt of the attack, suffering an assault from the Calamity Beasts.

To protect him, his father, Lin Zhen, a Third Realm Martial Artist, had his arm bitten off by a Mastiff Dog.

His mother, Fang Huiyi, was also attacked and was unfortunately struck by the venom of a Third-Level Calamity Beast, a Dark-winged Bat.

Her blood and organs were corroded and eroded. Though she was saved after a great struggle, the toxins could not be completely purged from her body. Her immune system was destroyed, and she needed to take various medications every day just to stay alive.

From time to time, the poison would suddenly flare up, requiring emergency hospital treatment.

And each time, the treatment only addressed the symptoms, not the root cause, all while costing a fortune.

’Even though both my parents are alive, my family’s situation isn’t much better than Taozi’s,’ Lin Qi thought with self-mockery.

...

A few minutes later, Fang Huiyi, feeling weak, went back to her room to rest.

Lin Qi lay on his bed. In the darkness, his mind was still racing.

The family was currently in debt for about 2.25 million, with a huge amount of interest accruing every month. The pressure was like a colossal mountain, suffocating him.

Paying off all that debt would not be easy.

Lin Qi himself only had a few hundred thousand, which was just a drop in the bucket against such a massive debt.

’Paying off all the family debt without delaying my own Cultivation... that’s going to be very difficult.’

’Unless I can get my hands on more money...’

Lin Qi knew very well that when it came to money, he could never have too much.

The only channel he currently had for making money was to apply for a higher-tier ”Genius Loan.”

While it was still a loan, the Genius Loan was interest-free, and he just had to pay it back during his university years.

Besides that, there was another option: signing a contract with one of the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos.

The contracts were tiered—D, C, B, and A—with each tier offering a larger sum of money.

So, in the end, it all came down to demonstrating sufficient Talent and strength.

Lin Qi clenched his fists, his goal set. He then fell asleep.

...

「Martial Arts Calendar Year 2045, October 10th」

During Martial Arts class.

Zhang City’s roars filled every corner of the room.

”New guy, Xu Chenhui! You’re in the Elite class now, so my rules are the only rules!!”

”Stop your Swordsmanship right now and go practice the Basic Sword Skill a hundred times! Your sword work is limp and powerless! Your Foundation is a mess! What did your previous Martial Arts Instructor even teach you?”

Xu Chenhui, who had just joined the Elite class, felt his head buzzing, his face turning grim.

His face flushed red and his breathing grew ragged, as if he were about to lash out at any moment.

Countless onlookers waited for the drama to unfold, and Zhang City just grinned.

After a few seconds, Xu Chenhui suddenly turned and walked away. His flash of anger passed, and reason took over.

He had heard that the Elite class instructor was incredibly domineering, but he hadn’t expected it to be true.

Besides, he listened to his gut. He sensed danger and was certain that if he talked back to Zhang City, he would meet a very ugly end.

”Tch!”

The onlookers shook their heads and began to disperse.

Zhang City also shook his head, bored, and moved on to the next student, eventually finding himself in front of Lin Qi.

Looking at Lin Qi, his expression was complicated. The boy’s Comprehension had amazed him.

No matter what issue was pointed out, he could correct it quickly. The only thing he lacked now was practice.

He wanted to yell at the kid but couldn’t even find a reason to start.

”Teacher, I have a question,” Lin Qi spoke up just then.

”Oh? What is it?”

”Is there a way to raise my Qi and Blood Value? I need more strength,” Lin Qi asked.

Zhang City shook his head. ”Your question is too broad.”

”If you want to raise your Qi and Blood Value quickly, besides Talent, there’s your own hard work and the resources you use.”

”What you’re really asking about are the little tricks outside of those three things, right?”

”Exactly!” Lin Qi nodded.

Hearing this, Zhang City grinned.

”I figured you’d ask that.”

”To temper your body and increase your Qi and Blood Value, you have to practice the Hunyuan Posture. But even if you master the Pile Skill, you can’t increase the efficiency of your tempering.”

”That’s when you have to turn to the Five Elements Fist.”

”The higher your Boxing Realm, not only does your Refinement efficiency increase, but so does your control over your body.”

”That’s why the Fist Technique is so crucial.”

”The Fist Technique?” Lin Qi furrowed his brow, a flicker of understanding in his eyes as countless thoughts raced through his mind.

”There’s always been a special trick in Fist Technique training, but most people can’t use it even if they know about it,” Zhang City said with a grin.

”That is, if you can master and execute two styles of the Five Elements Fist Technique, the efficiency of your tempering and your Fist Technique Realm will both rapidly increase.”

”You’ve learned the Tiger Form of the Five Elements Fist. If you can also learn the Crane Form and perform the two techniques consecutively, your tempering efficiency and even the advancement of your Boxing Realm will see a massive boost.”

Lin Qi’s eyes lit up when he heard this. He never knew such a technique existed within the Five Elements Fist.

”But!” Zhang City’s tone shifted.

”This method is only suitable for a select few. Only geniuses with high Comprehension can adapt to this technique.”

”However, mastering even one Fist Technique takes a significant amount of time. If it delays your Skill Cultivation, the loss will outweigh the gain.”

”If you have confidence in your Comprehension, then go and practice the Crane Form Fist!”

Zhang City grinned as he looked at Lin Qi.

”I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Teacher!”

Lin Qi nodded his thanks.

After Zhang City left, Lin Qi remained where he was, his mind already recalling the Crane Form of the Five Elements Fist.

Everyone learned the five styles of the Five Elements Fist, but most people, after choosing the one they were best at, never practiced the other four.

Lin Qi was the same.

Zhang City had said that practicing two Fist Technique styles required high Comprehension, and Lin Qi was extremely confident in his own.

’If even I can’t do it, then no one can.’

At this thought, he assumed a stance. It was not the familiar Three-Body Form, but a new one.

...