I have a composite mirror

Chapter 6 Seating Arrangements

The next morning.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the morning mist had not yet dissipated.

Breakfast was already laid out in the main hall of the Crane Style Boxing School.

This is a rule in the academy—at the beginning and middle of each month, the academy master would hold a banquet in the main hall and eat with his disciples to show his closeness.

Today is the middle of the month.

The main hall was very large, measuring about thirty feet square.

Hanging in the center is a calligraphy and painting titled "Crane Dancing in the Nine Heavens," with vigorous strokes and a powerful presence.

Below the calligraphy and painting is a long mahogany table.

A variety of dishes were laid out on the table, steaming hot and fragrant.

But within this fragrance, there was a subtle hint of... a strict hierarchy.

Gu Sidu sat in the main seat.

He is forty-two years old this year, with a square face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, but his temples are already gray.

The chief seat on the left is occupied by Gu Shenyan.

The young man wore a moon-white long robe, his back was straight, and he had a calm demeanor.

The second seat on the left was occupied by Gu Shenwei, who was being helped by an old woman as he walked over.

She sat down, hiding her mutilated left leg under the table, her face pale, but she forced a smile.

The chief disciple on the right is Zhao Qingyun.

Today he was dressed in a blue robe with a white sash around his waist, sitting there upright with a straight posture and eyes fixed straight ahead.

The second seat on the right is Shi Quan.

He still had that same honest and simple look, but his eyes would occasionally glance at Zhao Qingyun with a hint of wariness.

Below them were Zhang Hu, Li Cheng, and two other prospective martial arts disciples.

The four sat properly, not daring to breathe.

"Eat."

Gu Sidu spoke, his voice a little hoarse.

Only then did everyone dare to pick up their chopsticks.

The dishes on the table were very elaborate.

In front of the owner was a bowl of bird's nest porridge.

The porridge was cooked until very fine, with a faint golden sheen, clearly made with the finest bird's nest.

There were three small dishes on the side—pickled cucumber, fish with fermented black beans, and stir-fried greens—all ordinary items.

But the dish of chicken stewed with Ganoderma lucidum was the one that attracted the most attention.

The chicken was stewed until tender, the broth was thick, and a few pieces of Ganoderma lucidum floated on top.

Each piece of Ganoderma lucidum exudes a faint spiritual aura, clearly indicating that it is no ordinary product.

In front of Gu Shenyan and Gu Shenwei was also white rice porridge.

The porridge was quite good; it was made with pearl rice from Northeast China, and each grain was distinct.

There are four side dishes: salted duck eggs, pickled radishes, stir-fried greens, and braised beef.

They had one more dish than the restaurant owner, but it was just an ordinary dish, lacking any special flavor.

There was another steamer basket of dumplings, filled with mutton, steaming hot.

In front of Gu Shenwei, there was an extra small bowl of qi-tonifying soup.

The soup was cloudy, with a few goji berries and red dates floating in it, and a strong medicinal smell.

What was truly surprising was the food in front of Zhao Qingyun.

He added crushed Ganoderma lucidum to his white rice porridge.

The fragments shimmered faintly in the porridge, and with each sip, one could feel the flow of spiritual energy.

A whole plate of "monster meat" was placed in front of him.

Those are the claws of an iron crab—an iron crab is a sea monster with a shell as hard as iron, which is difficult to damage with ordinary swords and knives.

Its claw meat contains a faint spiritual energy, and ordinary people can improve their health by eating just one bite.

The four side dishes were brightly colored and exquisitely presented.

There was also a bowl of "herbal essence soup".

The soup was made with a variety of herbs, including a special medicinal ingredient—blood ginseng.

Blood ginseng is a spiritual creature from the mountains, capable of greatly replenishing vital energy and strengthening bones and muscles.

The difference in quality between the dishes on this table is immediately apparent.

Gu Sidu received the treatment befitting a museum owner.

Zhao Qingyun received the treatment of the head disciple;

The things that Gu Shenyan and his sister had... were only slightly better than nothing;

As for Shi Quan and the others, they were served white rice porridge, two side dishes, and a dish of fish stew.

Zhang Hu looked at the monster meat in front of Zhao Qingyun with envy in his eyes:

"Senior Brother Zhao is truly exceptional; Master is so generous."

Zhao Qingyun picked up a piece of crab meat, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly:

"It is all thanks to Master's guidance that Qingyun is humbled."

Gu Sidu put down his chopsticks and cleared his throat:

"I went to the Chamber of Commerce yesterday and heard that the Japanese are causing trouble in the north again."

His voice was somewhat heavy:

"Those Japanese pirates occupied our land and are now forcing us to renew some treaty."

The imperial court was weak and incompetent at the time, and now the Republic of China government is also a disorganized mess…

He sighed:

"This world is getting harder and harder."

"Master is absolutely right."

Zhao Qingyun put down his chopsticks and said respectfully:

"In Qingyun's opinion, given the current situation, martial arts schools must find a powerful backer if they want to survive."

You're right.

Gu Sidu nodded:

"The Republic of China government claimed to be reorganizing martial arts schools, but in reality, they wanted to incorporate us."

"In this day and age, martial arts schools backed by foreigners and warlords are the most popular..."

A martial arts school without a powerful backer is doomed to fail sooner or later.

He didn't say it aloud, but everyone understood what he meant.

The atmosphere became somewhat somber for a moment.

Everyone lowered their heads and drank their porridge, not daring to utter a sound.

Gu Sidu picked up his teacup and took a sip:

"By the way, Qingyun."

"Master," Zhao Qingyun replied quickly.

"Are you confident about the National Martial Arts Tournament?"

The atmosphere in the main hall changed abruptly upon hearing this.

Zhang Hu and the others sat up straight, even their breathing became lighter.

National Martial Arts Tournament.

These four words are a matter of life and death for any martial arts school.

Since the establishment of the Republic of China thirteen years ago, martial arts have been designated as "national art".

Although the imperial court has collapsed, the warriors on this land are still fighting, killing, and using their fists and blood to fight for that sliver of hope.

The National Martial Arts Tournament, held every five years, is the most brutal stage for this competition.

Martial arts schools from various provinces gathered together to exchange skills and make friends.

The so-called "making friends through martial arts" is actually a way of arranging seating among these martial arts schools of all sizes under the coordination of the government.

Those ranked lower could only survive in the cracks, gradually being devoured and swallowed up, eventually disappearing into the dust of history.

In the previous National Martial Arts Conference, Crane Style Boxing School ranked seventeenth in the provincial capital.

Seventeenth.

This ranking is laughable.

It should be noted that the Gu family's ancestors were once wealthy.

Gu Shenyan's grandfather, Gu Qingwu, was once the number one figure in the provincial capital's martial arts world.

Crane Style Boxing is unbeatable throughout the provincial capital, propelling the Crane Style Boxing School into the top five.

But by the time it came to my father's generation... each generation was worse than the last.

"Don't worry, Master."

Zhao Qingyun's voice interrupted Gu Shenyan's thoughts.

He looked at Gu Sidu, his eyes filled with determination:

"Qingyun has now reached the peak of Meridian Opening. Within six months, he will definitely be able to condense his Qi and become a Martial Master. After that, if he proceeds step by step, he should have the opportunity to reach the peak of Qi!"

Upon hearing this, even Shi Quan couldn't help but glance at Zhao Qingyun again.

Reaching the pinnacle of martial arts means becoming a powerful figure in one's own right; Gu Qingwu, who founded the martial arts school, was at that level.

After all, if one can reach perfection in the Condensing Fiend Realm, one is qualified to challenge the "Blood Fiend Realm" Grandmaster, which is above Martial Master.

Temper your body with the blood of demons and fuse the power of demons into your own.

If Zhao Qingyun can truly reach the pinnacle of the Sha technique within three years... the Crane Style Boxing School is likely to soar to new heights.

Gu Sidu's hands trembled slightly.

"Okay! Okay!"

He said "good" twice in a row:

"If Qingyun can really do it, then our Crane Style Martial Arts School will have hope!"

"If my father could see Crane Style Martial Arts School return to the top five, he could rest in peace..."

Gu Sidu turned to look at Uncle Liu in the accounting office:

"Uncle Liu, starting next month, add another twenty silver dollars to Qingyun's monthly allowance."

"Also, take out that bottle of 'tiger bone wine' from the storeroom and warm a cup for Qingyun every day."

Uncle Liu quickly replied, "Yes, sir."

Zhao Qingyun rose and bowed deeply: "Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

Gu Sidu waved his hand, his face full of satisfaction.

He seemed to remember something else and looked at Gu Shenyan:

"Should I be careful what I say? Did you receive your allowance this month?"