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Zhou Tong was a martial arts enthusiast. Yesterday, after seeing the Praying Mantis Fist, he couldn't stop thinking about it and it sparked some inspiration in him. He immediately asked Shi Jin to demonstrate the Praying Mantis Fist so he could verify his thoughts.
Shi Jin focused and seriously demonstrated a set of Plum Blossom Praying Mantis Fist. He had learned this since childhood, and although he was limited by his control over this body, he still displayed considerable skill.
Zhou Tong watched with shining eyes, nodding repeatedly. After Shi Jin finished, Zhou Tong had him sit down beside him and praised, "Truly a remarkable talent. However, your techniques are proficient, but unfortunately, your spirit and strength are lacking."
Shi Jin replied, "Master, I was unwell a few days ago and lost some strength, which made my performance poor. I hope you won't laugh at me."
Zhou Tong nodded and then shook his head, saying, "That's not what I meant."
Seeing Shi Jin's puzzled expression, Zhou Tong stood up, adjusted his clothing, assumed a stance, and began to demonstrate.
After just two glances, Shi Jin's eyes widened in surprise. Although it was also the Praying Mantis Fist, Zhou Tong's movements were not fast and seemed to lack force; even the techniques differed. Yet there was a strange rhythm to it that gave an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
Zhou Tong stopped after demonstrating a few moves and coughed lightly. Shi Jin hurried over to help him sit down while Wang Jin served tea nearby.
Zhou Tong took a sip of tea, looked at Shi Jin, and asked, "Do you understand now?"
Shi Jin concentrated and thought carefully. After a moment, he slowly nodded and said, "I have some ideas but I'm not sure if they are correct. Please guide me, Master."
After speaking, he assumed a stance again, focused his spirit while relaxing his body, and struck out like lightning with the same move "Mantis Catching Cicada," delivering five strikes!
Zhou Tong stroked his beard with a smile and nodded, saying, "Not bad."
Shi Jin withdrew his fists and felt happy in his heart. In his previous life at his peak, he could only manage four strikes; now he easily executed five strikes—this was indeed a significant step forward.
He bowed respectfully and said, "I am dull-witted; these years of practice have been in vain."
Reflecting on Zhou Tong's demonstration earlier and recalling how he had saved someone yesterday with his strike, he felt enlightened.
Zhou Tong shook his head and said, "There's no need to belittle yourself. Your master probably didn't teach you for long either."
Shi Jin dared not say that was fabricated; instead, he followed Zhou Tong's words and replied, "Yes, my previous master only taught me for three months before leaving."
Zhou Tong nodded and said, "Only three months of teaching you led to such achievements. It is certainly due to your skills in martial arts as well as your innate talent and understanding."
Shi Jin felt ashamed in his heart.
Then Zhou Tong asked Shi Jin about his previous practice of martial arts. Shi Jin cautiously replied, and fortunately, Zhou Tong did not mind some omissions; after all, Shi Jin was just a child a few years ago and could hardly remember everything.
After resolving the matter of Shi Jin's apprenticeship, Wang Jin brought up the gifts and invitations from King Duan, seeking Zhou Tong's advice. As the head instructor of the Imperial Fist Academy, Zhou Tong had many students from influential families. Although those students were not particularly dedicated to their training, they had good connections.
Zhou Tong listened and pondered for a moment before saying, "King Duan practiced martial arts for a few days in his youth, but he prefers ball games. He is quite intelligent, but his mind is a bit scattered."
Shi Jin admired Zhou Tong's insight, realizing that he could discern someone's true nature after just a brief interaction.
Zhou Tong continued, "It seems your actions yesterday piqued his curiosity. As a leisure prince, he only needs to respond casually; there’s no need to be too nervous."
Wang Jin then felt relieved.
Seeing Zhou Tong cough a few times after speaking, Shi Jin expressed concern, "Master, have you caught a cold?"
Zhou Tong shook his head and said, "It's an old ailment. I injured my lung during battles with the Western Xia in the northwest years ago. I tend to cough when the weather gets cold."
Shi Jin replied, "The disciple knows some family medical techniques that might help alleviate your condition."
Zhou Tong did not take it seriously at first; he thought how much could a young boy really do? However, he did not want to dismiss Shi Jin's good intentions.
Shi Jin checked Zhou Tong's pulse and examined his old wounds, gaining some understanding of the situation. He said, "Master's illness is indeed caused by an old condition. It won't be easy to restore it completely, but alleviating it shouldn't be difficult."
Zhou Tong was quite surprised by this; he had seen many doctors for this issue but had only received prescriptions from the imperial physician to manage the coughing somewhat. He did not expect this young apprentice to say that stopping the cough would not be difficult, which piqued his curiosity.
He smiled and said, "If you can help me sleep well without coughing, I would owe you a great debt of gratitude."
Shi Jin replied, "That is what the disciple should do."
Wang Jin interjected, "If you can cure Master Uncle's stubborn ailment, your senior brothers will be overjoyed."
Shi Jin pondered for a moment and said, "However, some of the required herbs might be hard to find."
Wang Jin waved his hand and said, "You don't need to worry about that. Just let us know what you lack; your senior brother can get them for you."
Hearing this, Shi Jin thought that his senior brother Lu Junyi was known as the richest man in Hebei and indeed had that capability.
Although Zhou Tong was pleased in his heart, he felt somewhat fatigued due to his discomfort over the past few days. Shi Jin and Wang Jin took their leave tactfully.
Once outside, Shi Jin noticed Wang Jin hesitating to speak. He felt extremely grateful towards Wang Jin and asked, "Is there something troubling you, Senior Brother?"
Wang Jin said somewhat shyly, "Junior Brother, do you feel tired? If it’s not too much trouble, could you come to my home and take a look at my mother's condition?" He had just seen Shi Jin earlier and was moved, wanting Shi Jin to examine the mother Wang ’s illness. He had also witnessed Shi Jin treating that performer yesterday, which gave him some confidence in Shi Jin.
Shi Jin naturally agreed.
Upon arriving at Wang Jin's home, Shi Jin checked the mother Wang ’s pulse and asked about her daily routine, gaining a clearer understanding of her condition. He didn’t rush to prescribe medicine; instead, he chatted with the mother Wang, telling a few jokes that made her laugh heartily.
Wang Jin watched in astonishment; he had never seen his mother so happy before, and he felt a sense of joy himself.
When the elderly lady became drowsy and fell asleep, Shi Jin and Wang Jin settled down in the outer room. Shi Jin said to Wang Jin, "Brother, don’t worry. Your mother actually doesn’t have any serious issues. I’ll write a prescription for you; with some care, she will be fine."
Although Wang Jin was pleased to hear this, he still felt a bit skeptical. He asked, "Junior Brother, what exactly is my mother’s illness?"
Shi Jin smiled and replied, "It’s a heart ailment; the root of the problem lies with you." Saying this, he looked at Wang Jin without speaking further.
Wang Jin's face turned red, and he cleared his throat to cover his embarrassment.
Seeing that Wang Jin understood, Shi Jin didn’t elaborate but reminded him to encourage the elderly lady to interact with others and not stay cooped up at home all the time.
Wang Jin agreed, and after chatting for a while longer, Shi Jin took his leave and returned home.
Once home, he saw Dujian shyly approaching him to help clean the dust. In high spirits due to the good news, Shi Jin couldn’t help but tease her a bit.
However, amidst his excitement, he also felt somewhat fatigued and decided to head back to his room for a short rest. At that moment, he suddenly heard a horse neighing from the side courtyard. Shi Jin paused his steps and turned his head to look.
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