Surviving in the chaos of war begins in the wilderness.

Chapter 71 Turning to Allies and Seeking Marriage

After the two talented disciples finished their performances, the other disciples present, including those from other martial arts schools, took turns going up on stage to spar, creating a lively atmosphere.

However, Zhou Ye had little interest in this kind of martial arts competition.

Are you kidding me? I paid tuition to learn martial arts, it's not like it's free. Do you really think I'd go and fight just for the sake of Fenglei Martial Arts School's reputation? Who's going to take responsibility if I get injured? That's just insane!

These hot-blooded young men were fooled by a few words and ended up rushing forward with great fanfare.

Going into the ring is fine, but shouldn't you pay yourself an appearance fee? You shouldn't have to pay tuition every month, right?

After observing for a while, Zhou Ye asked Huang Sheng and Wu Jun beside him, "Ah Sheng, Ah Jun, has anyone approached you about taking up temporary positions?"

Huang Sheng shook his head: "I've approached a few, but the highest they're willing to offer is eight taels. What I want is ten taels!"

To be honest, 8 liang is actually quite a lot. After all, he's still just a beginner apprentice. His true strength is only so-so.

This is completely different from Zhou Ye. Zhou Ye received the price of a tribute, and even received the treatment of a Ming Jin tribute.

Generally, a Mingjin can earn 20 to 30 taels of silver, but they must be stationed there permanently. 10 taels of silver doesn't require permanent stationing, but one can hold a temporary position at several different establishments.

However, being able to hold positions at several institutions is a skill in itself. At least, the Ming Jin martial arts master is considered quite popular.

The third senior brother, Han Guang, has already reached the peak of Ming Jin (明劲), and he is preparing to break through to An Jin (暗劲). Therefore, his current stipend for this position is 50 taels of silver per month.

As for the other senior disciple in the early stage of Dark Force whom I've never met? I heard his fee for holding the position exceeds 100 taels of silver.

Of course, if one's martial arts level is even higher, then it cannot be measured by money. They almost all have their own faction.

But then again, Huang Sheng is at least a genius. It's understandable that he wants better compensation. As long as he understands this, that's fine.

"Jun, what about you?"

Wu Jun shook his head with a wry smile: "With my qualifications, how could anyone possibly hire me? I'll just have to wait until the year is up, and hopefully the martial arts school can recommend a better temporary position."

"What about the others?"

"Xu Feng seems to have connections with his parents. However, it seems he took Cheng Jianghe with him when he went to take up his post. The other two who were also on temporary assignments stayed at home. The other fellow apprentices should be in similar situations to me."

"oh oh!"

However, at that moment, Zhou Ye suddenly noticed that Huang Sheng's face was sickly dark. His health seemed to be not very good.

Despite having read so many medical books, although I am not yet proficient in the four diagnostic methods of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation, I do know some basic medical knowledge.

So Zhou Ye asked with concern, "Ah Sheng, how are you feeling? Did you overdo it with your martial arts training?"

Huang Sheng waved his hand dismissively, "I've never felt this good before. Let me tell you, I've broken through all the acupoints in my legs and am preparing to break through to the late stage of Entering the Internal Strength realm. Ah Ye, Ah Sheng, don't worry about me, I've always worked this hard since I was a kid. If I didn't work hard, how would I ensure my uncle's family had a good life in the future? I should be able to enter the Ming Jin realm in at most six months! Hahaha!"

Zhou Ye's lips moved slightly, but he didn't know how to persuade him. In the end, it all turned into a sigh.

Perhaps I misjudged? Perhaps after becoming a Ming Jin martial arts master, Huang Sheng can gradually recover.

There's nothing we can do; that's the fate of the poor. Should we advise them not to strive?

……

At this very moment, in Du Keyuan's room, he was receiving a guest. That person was Master Qiu, the owner of the largest martial arts school in the inner city. That martial arts school was also a private school jointly supported by several powerful families.

"Old Du, I'll get straight to the point. I've already spoken with Yuan Zhen's family and obtained their consent. After today, he will transfer to my martial arts school and become our disciple."

"You dare?" Du Keyuan roared in fury. He slammed his hand on the table. "Old Qiu, are you trying to force me to lose my temper?"

"Don't be angry, don't be angry. We've been friends for so many years, so I'll speak frankly with you." Master Qiu smiled and took a sip of tea. "You should know why so many people have been trying to suppress you these past few years. It's because your Fenglei Martial Arts School has always openly taught students, accepting all sorts of poor people who can't even afford to eat, and you're unwilling to join any other school. So what good does it do you think it would do for Yuan Zhen to stay with you? He won't even have time to grow up; he'll be crippled sooner or later. And when that happens, you won't be able to protect him. To be honest, if I hadn't stopped them, they would have already taken action."

"Oh? Then I should thank you?" Du Keyuan gave her a sidelong glance, sounding annoyed.

"Hehe, no need for thanks. But I'm doing this for your sake," Master Qiu chuckled. "Old brother, we've been rivals for so many years, so I know what you want most. You just saw that I brought Song Zhongqi from our martial arts school. You even praised him, didn't you?"

"How so?" Du Keyuan was a little confused. Why did the topic suddenly change?

"Song Zhongqi's father is the current head of the Song family. He can be considered a direct descendant of the Song family. You may have heard that he is not the kind of spoiled brat, but a martial arts prodigy. He entered the Ming Jin realm at the age of 16 and is only 17 this year. He is recognized as one of the Ten Talents of Fufeng. Congratulations, he has long harbored feelings for your granddaughter and asked me, his master, to come and propose marriage?"

"Hmm?" Du Keyuan's lips moved slightly. Such a good family background, and Song Zhongqi is handsome and has a talent for martial arts. A grandson-in-law like that would indeed be very tempting, wouldn't he?

Master Qiu continued, "Once your granddaughter marries into the Song family, your martial arts school can be left to the young couple. Wouldn't that solve the problem? In the future, the martial arts school and the Song family will be one family, and no one will continue to make things difficult for you, right? Your granddaughter will marry into a good family, and you'll have a satisfactory grandson-in-law. You can enjoy your grandchildren in the future, and the past can be put to rest."

"Uh...isn't this just surrendering to foreign powers?"

"Brother, nothing lasts forever. To put it bluntly, once you close your eyes and kick the bucket, what can you do about it? But I can assure you with my reputation that the martial arts school will definitely belong to that young couple and their child. The name won't be changed; it will still be called Feng Lei Martial Arts School. You will always be the old master of the school."

Du Keyuan was already smitten. But he still wanted to hesitate: "It's just... my granddaughter is really too young?"

"Haha, this is easy to solve. Even Zhongqi is busy practicing martial arts. Let's pick a good day to get engaged next year. And then settle down and have children in a few years?"

"Mmm, mmm." Du Keyuan nodded unconsciously. "Well... I still need to ask Juanjuan."

"Of course. You can't force a relationship. My granddaughter will definitely be satisfied."

Seeing that the matter was successfully resolved, Master Qiu took another sip of tea. He suddenly said, "Brother, I almost forgot. Yuan Zhen has transferred to our martial arts school, and all of this is compensation for you. You didn't sell your disciple. Think about your granddaughter's future martial arts training? These resources are exactly what she needs most, aren't they?"

When Du Keyuan saw the cultivation resources written on the paper, his eyes lit up. He had made up his mind and no longer objected.