At the end of December, the cold was more biting than ever.
Inside a small room, two large bathtubs, each four and a half feet high, were placed side by side, separated by a screen.
Outside the window, the biting cold wind blew fiercely, while inside, steam rose and swirled gently.
The strong scent of herbs filled the air, a result of years of accumulated fragrance, exuding a bittersweet aroma.
The reddish-brown medicinal liquid moved beneath him as Liang Qu relaxed, his arms draped over the edge of the tub, and his previously tense muscles softened quickly.
These specialized bathing tubs were much more advanced than the rice barrels at his home.
In the middle was a board to sit on, and the edges of the tub were even crafted with fine grooves for non-slip purposes.
Hot water rapidly dispelled the cold in the room, turning it warm like spring in an instant.
The swelling, bruises, and even the clotted blood from the previous battles initially brought a sting when they touched the hot water, but as the medicinal liquid seeped in, the colors quickly faded, the heat and pain subsiding remarkably, even making the wound on his head much less painful.
In martial arts, medicine and combat are inseparable.
The specialized healing herbs at the Martial Hall were indeed subtle and profound, composed of ordinary ingredients far less valuable than the Waterborne Lotus Root, yet when combined, they achieved such effectiveness!
With his neck resting against the edge of the wooden tub, Liang Qu felt so comfortable that he just wanted to fall asleep and had no intention of getting up.
"Ah Shui, how did you do it?"
Chen Jiechang's voice came from behind the screen.
After soaking for a while, he finally recovered his strength and posed the question that had been troubling Liang Qu.
Prompted by Chen Jiechang, Li Libo also asked, "Yeah, yeah, how did you manage to take on all seven of them by yourself? That's incredible! How did you do it?"
"My talent is extraordinary. I don't panic even with a blade in front of me. Just seize the moment and strike."
Boasting is satisfying in the moment, but it can lead to complications later.
Liang Qu said this without a change in expression.
From behind the screen, Chen Jiechang suddenly realized, "So that's how it is."
Li Libo sighed deeply, "Senior Brother Hu always said you had great potential. He probably didn't expect you to be so gifted as well. Ah Shui, no, Brother Shui, we don't ask you to take us under your wing, just promise that when you strike it big, you can get me a job at the Liang Manor, even if it's just to guard the gate, as long as it includes three meals."
!!!
Really, you believe this so easily?
As Liang Qu's mind raced to construct a flawless excuse, he was suddenly left speechless.
It was as if he had planned a powerful punch, only for the enemy to dodge and hit him with a hammer on the back of his head.
His mind went blank in an instant.
Li Libo and Chen Jiechang appeared to genuinely believe this.
If it wasn't extraordinary talent, what else could it be?
Liang Qu indeed had an exemplary physique, one that everyone acknowledged.
Hu Qi had said he had never felt such perfect proportions in his years of examining physiques.
It must be true!
With no fantasy novels of the future or the bombardment of the information age, people back then didn't have many concepts like "old master," "system," or "golden fingers."
Indeed, country folks are pure and straightforward, and that simplicity is a blessing.
Relaxing into the tub again, Liang Qu's heart was at ease.
Half an hour later.
The once reddish-brown liquid had thinned to a pale red.
According to Hu Qi, the medicinal effects had been fully absorbed by this point.
The three showed no intention of leaving.
Ordinarily, homes didn't have such specialized bathing tubs; people used large vats, cheap and practical but not nearly as comfortable.
With the chill outside, none of them wanted to get out.
After adding hot water twice more, they soaked for nearly an hour before reluctantly getting up, their skin wrinkled from the water.
Emerging from the tub, there was no cold at all, and after drying off, they lay down on the bed with immense satisfaction.
"Look, there's actually cotton in the blanket!"
Li Libo noticed something amiss as soon as he lay down.
The bed felt too soft.
Reaching out with his hand, he realized it was a cotton quilt.
In the south, where it wasn't as cold, common households stuffed their bedding with reed flowers, gathered willow fluff, or even some straw and simply covered it with a hemp cover.
Who could afford cotton blankets? At most, they might have a single cotton garment.
Liang Qu was equally surprised.
Compared to the conditions at his home, it was like staying in a five-star luxury hotel! Truly, this eight-tael-a-month lodging was extravagant beyond belief!
"Awesome."
The three blew out the candle and snuggled into their covers.
Strangely enough, though they had been exhausted before the bath, once in bed, they felt revitalized and alert.
Especially when recalling how Liang Qu had beaten Lu Tingcai and his men to the ground earlier, Li Libo, tucked in his quilt, suddenly burst into laughter.
Laughter is contagious, and soon Chen Jiechang joined in, followed by Liang Qu.
All three started laughing.
Li Libo threw off his covers and exclaimed in awe, "It’s different now, really different. Ah Shui, you’ll be a personal disciple soon. I've never seen anyone more impressive."
"Yeah, Master Yang is more formidable than even Master Zhao. He's one of the best in Peaceful Sun Town. I heard even the magistrates greet him with respect, and the county magistrate treats him with courtesy."
With his hands behind his head, Liang Qu gazed at the ceiling.
"I never imagined Master Yang would take me as a disciple. It feels like casting a net for fish and finding a Treasure Fish in the haul."
"If this were a few days ago and you met with that local bully collecting Autumn Tax, how could he dare kick your grain? If he did, you’d kick him instead!"
"Hahaha, now that I wouldn't dare."
"Why wouldn't you? The person to fear should be him. Just because someone calls him 'official' doesn't make him one. Isn’t he just a henchman for the lords?"
"Indeed, indeed."
For a while, the room brimmed with the atmosphere of a dormitory night talk, each person lively and brimming with expectations for the future.
With Liang Qu accepted as an apprentice, his future was set to be smooth.
Both Li Libo and Chen Jiechang had also advanced from the seven-tael level to the twenty-tael level, significantly improving their chance of breakthroughs.
Everyone had a bright future ahead!
After chatting for half an hour, drowsiness finally overcame them.
"Getting sleepy."
"Me too. Let's stop talking and sleep."
"I'm going to sleep."
Early next morning.
In the misty dawn, a rooster crowed loudly.
Liang Qu opened his eyes and got up, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Without electricity or mobile phones, everyone worked during the day and rested by nightfall.
So after bathing and chatting last night, it was still only around ten o'clock when they went to sleep.
Li Libo and Chen Jiechang, without Liang Qu’s robust physique and nursing more severe injuries, found the cold outside and warm bed too comforting.
When they heard the rooster, they grunted and continued dreaming.
Avoiding to disturb them, Liang Qu quietly donned the clothes Hu Qi had given him.
After quickly freshening up, he was about to head out when he saw Xiang Changsong practicing his punches in the courtyard.
"Junior Brother Liang, you're up early."
"Aren't you up even earlier?" Liang Qu replied helplessly.
"I'd love to sleep in, but my body’s used to waking up early."
"I heard fishermen often leave by midnight or even earlier to catch fish. Is that true?"
"Yes, there are more fish at night. Many people have to set out then to support their families."
"Alas, life’s hard for ordinary folks."
Xiang Changsong sighed, then continued, "But enough of that. Master instructed me last night, when you wake up, to take you to the residence for a formal initiation ceremony. You’ll officially be recognized as a disciple."
Liang Qu's spirits soared.
"I couldn’t be more eager!"
(End of Chapter)