My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 10 Returning Home in Glory

For the next three days, the backyard was peaceful.

Liang Cheng practiced morning exercises at dawn, took a medicinal bath at dusk, and practiced Stone Armor Kung Fu at night.

Cultivation is progressing steadily:

[Minor Success in Hunyuan Zhuang (85/500)]

【Raging Bull Strength, Minor Success (8/800)】

[Introduction to Stone Armor Kung Fu (Fragment) (158/200)]

After Zhao Yuan's confinement period ended, he became much more composed. When he bumped into Liang Cheng, he simply nodded slightly, concealing all his emotions.

afternoon.

A dark-skinned man carrying a fish basket arrived at the entrance of the martial arts school. It was Chen Laosi, a neighbor from the dock. He cautiously peeked out, but was stopped by the martial arts school's gatekeeper apprentice.

"I'm looking for Liang Cheng," Chen Laosi said hurriedly. "His mother asked me to pass on a message to him."

Upon hearing this, the apprentice immediately sent someone to the backyard. A moment later, Liang Cheng came out from the backyard, and when Chen Laosi looked up, he froze on the spot.

The young man before them was dressed in the blue robes of a martial arts school disciple, with a black belt around his waist. His aura was calm and refined, and he no longer resembled the dockworker he used to be.

"Fourth Uncle?"

Liang Cheng recognized Chen Laosi, Da Tou's father.

"Hey...hey!" Old Chen came to his senses and stammered, "Your mother asked me to tell you that she's worried because you haven't gone back to collect your tuition this month, so she asked me to come and see you on my way."

As he spoke, he pulled a small coarse cloth bag from his pocket: "This is some dried fish cake that your mother asked me to bring you, so you can have a snack when you have some free time."

Liang Cheng took the cloth bag: "I'm fine, Uncle. My master has already waived my tuition and even accepted me into the back courtyard. Please go back and tell my mother not to worry. I'll go back to see her when I have time in a couple of days."

"The backyard?" Old Chen's eyes widened in surprise.

Although he didn't understand the rules of the martial arts school, he had heard of the title "backyard disciple," who was the true successor of the martial arts school and a person from a completely different world from ordinary people like them.

"Okay...okay..." Old Chen was somewhat incoherent as he picked up his fish basket and left, his mind in a daze the whole way.

That night, the news spread throughout the docks and streets.

"That Liang kid has entered the backyard of Yangwei Martial Arts School!"

"Really? His mother asked Chen Laosi to go and see for himself; he saw it with his own eyes!"

"Wearing a blue robe, I heard he's a formal disciple. His tuition is waived, and the martial arts school covers his food, drink, and other expenses. I also heard he sometimes gets a stipend for doing favors for the school..."

The news spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys. Some people were envious, some were bitter, and most people couldn't believe it.

Did that young fisherman who was beaten bloody by the Sea Serpent Gang really rise to the top in one step?

……

The next day, Liang Cheng asked for half a day off to go home.

As he stepped into the familiar streets, the women who had been chatting by the well instantly fell silent, their eyes darting away. Several neighbors who usually bossed him around forced smiles and nodded: "Young Master Liang is back?"

Liang Cheng remained calm and nodded to each person, which was considered a greeting.

When he arrived at his doorstep, Da Tou and the other two were waiting there. When they saw him, they were momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Brother Cheng." Da Tou scratched his head, forcing a smile.

Liang Cheng patted him on the shoulder: "What's wrong, don't you recognize me?"

These words eased the atmosphere slightly, but the three men remained quiet, and a sense of awe unconsciously crept into their eyes.

Liang Cheng understood that this estrangement would be difficult to resolve in a short time, but he did not force it. He simply spoke as usual. On the contrary, Ning San Niang was only agitated and did not change at all.

As long as my son is safe and sound, that's all that matters.

News of Liang Cheng's return quickly reached the Sea Serpent Gang's headquarters.

"Liang Cheng? A disciple from the backyard of Yangwei Martial Arts School?" A lean man frowned. "He happened to be back the day Xixia disappeared."

Someone nearby chimed in, "And then there's the black carp incident. Looking back now, there are many suspicious points, and it's somewhat related to Liang Chengdu."

Sitting in the hall was a burly man with a scarred face, none other than Zhang Kui, the leader of the Sea Serpent Gang. After hearing this, he sneered, "What, you want to cause trouble for a formal disciple of a martial arts school?"

"Boss, Blackfish is still one of our people..."

"Offend Yangwei Martial Arts Academy for a dead lackey?" Zhang Kui glared angrily, thinking, "A bunch of short-sighted fools."

"Use your brain. Liang Cheng is Yang Wei's disciple now. To mess with him is to slap Yang Wei Martial Arts School in the face. Is it worth it for that little bit of peace money?"

Everyone fell silent.

Zhang Kui pondered for a moment: "Pass down the message, waive Ning San Niang's peace money, and prepare a small gift, saying that the Sea Serpent Gang congratulates Young Hero Liang on his martial arts achievements and his becoming a disciple of Yangwei Martial Arts School."

That afternoon, the Sea Serpent Gang arrived. A junior manager politely presented them with two packets of pastries and a "Congratulations."

Then, in front of the neighbors, he announced, "From now on, the money for Ning San Niang's safety will be waived. We are all neighbors, so let's look after each other."

Ning San Niang was somewhat at a loss, but Liang Cheng readily accepted the gift: "Please thank Chief Zhang for me."

The manager smiled obsequiously and said he dared not. At this moment, Liang Cheng turned to look at the neighbors, his gaze sweeping over the three men, including Da Tou: "Please also ask your gang to take care of these three families."

The manager immediately understood: "Of course, of course, the peace money for those three families will be waived from now on."

The news caused an uproar.

The parents of the three men were both surprised and delighted. When they recalled the sarcastic remarks they had made when Liang Cheng was beaten, they felt ashamed.

At dinner time, the three families chipped in some eggs and delivered them to the Liang family, saying, "A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative," and let bygones be bygones for the old grudges.

As for the other neighbors, Liang Cheng didn't care. Some people whispered behind his back that he "had grown up and didn't recognize his own people," but he just pretended not to hear them.

After finishing his chores at home, Liang Cheng was about to return to the martial arts school when Da Tou suddenly stopped him.

"Brother Cheng," Big Head's eyes reddened, "I also want to learn martial arts."

Liang Cheng stopped in his tracks: "Have you thought it through?"

"I've made up my mind!" Big Head clenched his fist. "You made a name for yourself in the martial arts school in just two months, and even the Sea Serpent Gang has to give you face. I don't want to spend my whole life carrying bags at the docks and being looked down upon."

Liang Cheng was silent for a moment: "Learning martial arts costs money, two taels a month, plus room and board, which is a lot of money. Moreover, you have to endure hardship, getting up early and going to bed late. Getting beaten and bleeding is common, and you may even become disabled or die."

Upon hearing this, Da Tou turned pale, but still gritted his teeth and said, "I can endure hardship! I'll raise the money!"

"This isn't about raising money," Liang Cheng looked at him. "Of the martial arts school apprentices, less than half out of a hundred can persevere. Then one or two develop Ming Jin (manifested strength), and after Ming Jin comes An Jin (hidden strength), Hua Jin (transformation strength)... Each step forward is harder than the last. Have you really thought this through?"

Big Head nodded emphatically.

Liang Cheng stopped trying to persuade him at this point: "Alright, come find me when you've raised enough money. I'll let you know at the martial arts school, but once you're in, you'll have to rely on yourself. There's nothing I can do for you."

Big Head nodded, his determination unwavering.

……

Liang Cheng returned to the martial arts school first, this time with all the money he had obtained from Black Fish, and now there was no more trouble.

After that, everything remained the same. The so-called triumphant return home did not bring him any changes. He continued to cultivate diligently and dared not slack off in the slightest.

Three days later, Da Tou actually managed to scrape together three taels of silver, using his family savings plus what he had borrowed.

Liang Cheng looked at the pile of copper coins: "No regrets?"

No regrets.

Liang Cheng didn't say anything more and took Da Tou to the martial arts school. After examining Da Tou's aptitude, Zhou Hu shook his head: "His aptitude is average, and he's on the older side. It might not be effective in a month. Do you still want to learn?"

Big Head gritted his teeth: "I'll learn!"

Liang Cheng helped him pay the money and collect the clothes. Looking at Da Tou's excited yet nervous face, he was reminded of himself two months ago.

"Remember," Liang Cheng said before leaving, "no one will take care of you here; you'll have to rely on yourself."

Big Head nodded vigorously.

Liang Cheng turned and went back to the backyard. That was all he could do. The rest of the way was up to Da Tou to walk on his own. So, there was another figure struggling desperately in the front yard.

Meanwhile, Liang Cheng in the backyard continued on his own path.