Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Strongly Recommended (Seeking Follow-up Reads on Tuesday)

A white porcelain bottle was opened, releasing a peculiar fragrance. Inside the bottle lay four blood-patterned pills, the size of longan fruit, resting quietly.

The trip to Canghe County had ostensibly been for procurement, but secretly it was for refining pills.

Although there had been some twists and turns, the ultimate goal was finally achieved.

With these Blood Strengthening Pills, the strength of several experts in Gu’s Manor would advance further, leaving behind a solid foundation. If only Gu Dajiang hadn’t been injured, it would have been perfect.

A trace of fervor lit up in Gu Jingang’s eyes.

Blood Strengthening Pills.

As the name suggests, these pills strengthened vitality and blood, proving highly beneficial for Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm.

If Gu Jingang consumed one pill, there was a high likelihood he could break through to the Small Success stage of the Blood Refining Realm, thus catching up with Gu Changming’s progress.

At that point, coupled with his innate immense strength and iron fists, his combat power could rival or even surpass Gu Changming, making him the strongest expert in Gu’s Manor!

”Four Blood Strengthening Pills. According to the original arrangement, the three of us would each get one. Now that my left arm is crippled and my path nearly cut off, I’ll leave my share to Xiao Jiang in the future.”

Gu Dajiang glanced at the Blood Strengthening Pills with a complex expression.

Gu Jingang immediately protested:

”Dajiang, why give up on yourself? It’s just a crippled left arm! Someday, if we find a miraculous medicine, there’s still a chance for you to reclaim your peak power!”

Gu Dajiang waved his hand and smiled:

”Rather than clinging to such an elusive hope, it’s better to face reality.”

”My aptitude was already inferior to you two. Even if I took the Blood Strengthening Pill, I couldn’t break through to the Small Success stage of the Blood Refining Realm. Instead, it’s better to leave it to Xiao Jiang, so he can strive for a higher horizon.”

He comforted his two silent friends in turn. On the way back to the manor, he had already made up his mind.

”As for me, I can still contribute to Gu’s Manor in other ways. You don’t have to feel this way. Allocating the Blood Strengthening Pills this way is the best arrangement. As for the last pill, it can be kept as a reserve for the Gu family.”

Gu Changming nodded silently.

Gu Jingang growled with frustration:

”The day I find that idiot Wang Chong, I swear I’ll crush his skull!”

”Alright, let’s talk about other matters. Changming, what have you found out about Gu Sheng?”

Gu Dajiang turned to look at Gu Changming.

Earlier, when they had returned to the manor, he had mentioned to Gu Changming about Gu Sheng’s performance during the skirmish. Gu Sheng had saved Gu Xiaojiang, and Gu Dajiang felt deeply grateful and wanted to repay him.

A look of surprise flashed across Gu Jingang’s face.

Gu Changming smiled and explained:

”Dajiang wants this lad to be treated like the young members of the main family, allowed to train in martial arts early, and potentially given the same resources as the main family youth. As the instructor, what do you think?”

Gu Jingang understood.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, recalling the hurried encounter during the wolf attack that night, and the composed young boy leaning by the cart. He nodded in agreement:

”I didn’t interact much with him, but this boy is brave and sharp. Since Dajiang recommends him, I have no objections.”

Gu Changming shook his head with a wry smile and spoke slowly:

”Before you went to Bull Mountain to kill bandits, I had someone investigate in the manor. Those close to him, like Gu Erniu and Gu He, all spoke highly of Gu Sheng.”

”The wolf attack you witnessed might have been him risking his life to kill the wolves and save Gu Erniu’s wife and children.”

”The boy’s ancestors have all been tenant farmers of Gu’s Manor, clean of background. In the previous skirmish, he also showcased extraordinary archery skills. As far as I know, he’s trained in archery for no more than half a year. Such talent in archery is simply astounding!”

”If he one day becomes a Martial Artist, even if he doesn’t ascend to the Blood Refining Realm, he’ll undoubtedly be a powerful warrior, surpassing most in the Refining Skin Realm!”

Gu Changming took a sip of tea.

”In summary, Gu Sheng’s lineage is pure, his character exemplary, and he has a deep sense of gratitude. His talent in archery is extraordinary. Although we don’t yet know his aptitude for martial arts, I think it’s worth giving him a chance.”

”Starting his martial arts training early is simple; let him start in a few days and join the main family youth in learning Iron Stone Fist under your guidance.”

”However, securing the same resources as the main family youth won’t be easy. It will require the three of us to petition the elders together.”

At this point,

Gu Changming sighed helplessly.

The main family of Gu’s Manor had always left internal affairs to the elders, while the three of them were responsible for defending the manor. This arrangement kept corruption at bay and ensured the family’s longevity.

However, the elders were notoriously conservative. If a talented youth emerged within the main family, resources would be allocated preferentially to them.

But for talented youths outside the main family, requesting resources always met stingy refusals.

The reasoning was simple:

Those outside the main family had questionable loyalty.

Should they go rogue one day, it could lead to retaliation.

Such concerns weren’t unfounded.

If character and loyalty weren’t considered, reckless nurturing could indeed lead to disaster. People tend to grow more cautious with age, but this sometimes resulted in missing out on great talents.

Gu Jingang snorted coldly.

He himself was a clear example of this.

In the early days, his martial arts training had been entirely self-funded. Only later, as he gradually distinguished himself and married into the main family, did he receive some resource allocation.

He had risked his life for the main family countless times before finally gaining the elders’ acknowledgment and securing the resources needed to ascend to the Blood Refining Realm.

If he had been born into the main family,

he would likely have already reached the Great Success or even Perfect stage of the Blood Refining Realm by now.

”If the elders treat Gu Sheng the same way they treated me, they’ll regret it in the future,” Gu Jingang said coldly, crossing his arms.

Gu Changming shook his head with a bitter smile. The concept of clan hierarchy was deeply entrenched, and there was little he could change.

Despite the hardships Gu Jingang endured, convincing the elders to change their mindset was no easy feat.

Many of them thought, thankfully, Gu Jingang passed the test. If he had been an ambitious traitor, nurturing him into a peak-level Blood Refining Realm expert could have led to the destruction of the main family!

After a moment of contemplation, Gu Dajiang snorted softly and said:

”Before young members of the main family break through to the Refining Skin Realm, they typically receive two portions of Body Refining Ointment per month. Let’s start with the basics. I’ll speak to the elders and argue that this is something I’ve earned for sacrificing my left arm. If they refuse, deduct it from my share instead!”

”Let’s set a three-year trial period. If Gu Sheng proves to have potential and strong character during this time, we can gradually increase the resources.”

Typically,

Main family youths receive three years of free resource support. If they fail to become Martial Artists within this period, it indicates average aptitude, and the main family ceases resource allocation.

If unwilling to give up, they must bear the training cost themselves.

Hearing this, the other two’s expressions changed. But seeing Gu Dajiang’s resolute gaze, they chose not to argue further.

”In that case, let’s have Gu Sheng brought here first.”

Gu Dajiang nodded slightly.

He gave an order.

Soon, a servant led Gu Sheng into the room.

The dark-skinned, clean-featured youth stepped inside, and all three men subtly nodded in approval.

The boy stood straight, his gaze calm yet unwavering. He displayed none of the timid demeanor typical of farm youth in their presence.

”Greetings, sirs.”

Gu Sheng bowed respectfully, his eyes pausing momentarily on Gu Dajiang’s tightly bandaged left arm. He caught Gu Dajiang’s gentle smile, which exuded kindness.

He returned the smile,

while quietly observing the three experts of Gu’s Manor.

He had previously met Gu Jingang and Gu Dajiang, but this was his first close look at Gu Changming. The scholar-like middle-aged man exuded an elegant demeanor, with pale, refined features more akin to a government official.

Gu Changming spoke.

”Gu Sheng, you have earned merit for the manor during this return. Dajiang has strongly recommended you. Let me ask, are you willing to begin your martial training now and contribute to the defense of Gu’s Manor in the future?”

The unexpected joy caught Gu Sheng off guard.

After a brief moment of daze, he felt a surge of elation.

Although he would have been able to start training next spring when he turned fifteen, the chance to begin a few months earlier was undoubtedly better!

He respectfully bowed and answered:

”Thank you for your generosity, sirs. I am willing.”