Chapter 63 Master Tong Wants to Become a Disciple

And Jia Pingan also knew that most people who practiced martial arts were not very tall. On the contrary, figures like Guan Yunzhang and Lü Fengxian, who towered at seven or eight chi, were rather the exceptions to the rule.

"Very well." Gu Mingyue was straightforward. Since you want to witness my martial arts, I shall show you. Consider this another form of inspection.

Following that, right there in front of Jia Pingan, Ren Qinghu, and Chang Chao, Gu Mingyue performed a set of saber techniques.

Jia Pingan did not understand martial arts very well. Even within his spatial realm, he only exercised by himself, relying merely on greater physical strength; when it came to saber techniques, he was completely clueless. Seeing Gu Mingyue perform with such posture and form, he naturally could not help but marvel.

"Young master, he seems to actually have some real skills," Chang Chao observed Gu Mingyue's performance and could not resist whispering in Jia Pingan's ear.

"Do you understand martial arts as well?" Jia Pingan turned to ask.

"Oh, not really." Chang Chao shook his head. He had wanted to learn martial arts, but unfortunately, there was no one to teach him, so he had simply practiced on his own for a while. Much like Jia Pingan, he possessed only some brute strength.

Jia Pingan immediately shot him a sideways glance. If he didn't understand, yet still claimed the other man was performing well, wasn't that just pretending to know what he didn't?

Fortunately, there was someone nearby who truly understood martial arts and combat. Jia Pingan turned to Ren Qinghu and asked, "Brother Ren, what kind of saber technique is this?"

"Ah, this is the Gate-Breaking Saber Technique, which emphasizes sweeping, powerful movements and overwhelming opponents with sheer force." Ren Qinghu actually knew quite a bit and readily explained it to Jia Pingan.

"So that's how it is." Jia Pingan nodded silently upon hearing this. But thinking about it, most people who wielded heavy blades relied on sheer strength, and Gu Mingyue presumably belonged to that category. As for himself? In terms of physical strength, after training for so long within his spatial realm, he considered himself quite exceptional among his peers; however, he was a man who used his wits, and such violent, bloody tasks were better left to others.

Since he did not understand martial arts, he could not gauge Gu Mingyue's true capability. But the man had been introduced by Ren Qinghu, and out of trust for him, Jia Pingan decided to take him in, paying him fifty liang of silver notes in advance.

"Why pay him beforehand? There is no such custom," Ren Qinghu said, seeing that Jia Pingan had directly handed over half a month's wages, and immediately tried to refuse.

"It is no matter; it would have to be given sooner or later. With this money, Brother Gu can also buy himself a well-fitting set of clothes," Jia Pingan said with a smile.

Although Gu Mingyue had looked relatively clean when he arrived today, a clearly mended seam on his outer garment was still quite visible. Needless to say, his living conditions must have been quite straitened.

Since the man was now following by his side, how could he be allowed to dress too poorly? Wouldn't that be inviting others to disparage him? Jia Pingan was long accustomed to and extremely mindful of such matters of outward appearance.

"In that case, many thanks," Ren Qinghu thought of Gu Mingyue's actual circumstances and accepted the silver on his behalf.

"Very well, go back and get a good rest, and simply report here early tomorrow morning. Chang Chao will arrange living quarters for him then," Jia Pingan instructed, giving Gu Mingyue the evening off so he could make preparations.

"Very well, thank you very much." Ren Qinghu cupped his fists once more, and Gu Mingyue, standing beside him, hurriedly cupped his fists as well. It was evident that the corners of the man's eyes were somewhat red, showing genuine and heartfelt gratitude.

For someone like him without a fixed residence, relying solely on physical prowess to carve out a promising future was no easy task. Even if an employer truly sought a bodyguard, they would generally prefer someone with a clean family background, ideally with family and property of their own, as that felt much more reliable.

To put it simply: able steeds are common, but the discerning judges of talent are not.

Gu Mingyue had once believed that possessing martial arts skills meant he would never have to worry about food and shelter wherever he went. Only after truly entering society and experiencing its harsh beatings did he realize how naive he had been.

Yet the young man before him had accepted him merely after watching him perform a single set of saber techniques, and even offered him a generous bodyguard's salary. How could this not move him deeply? Instantly, he felt the sentiment of a scholar dying for one who truly knows his worth.

In truth, Gu Mingyue thought far too nobly of Jia Pingan.

The only reason Jia Pingan hired him was simply because he had no one else at his disposal.

As for the monthly salary of one hundred liang, while it seemed high, to Jia Pingan it was really nothing of consequence; he did not even take such a sum to heart.

Spending such a small amount of money was hardly painful. If one day he found that Gu Mingyue was of no use, he could simply dismiss him, suffering no real loss. On the contrary, since the man had been brought by Ren Qinghu, doing this also showed proper respect to him—something that money could not buy.

Gu Mingyue followed Ren Qinghu out of the Third Pavilion. Once outside, he dropped heavily to his knees on the ground. "Brother Ren, thank you!"

A true man does not shed tears lightly, save when he reaches a place of deep sorrow.

Today, had Ren Qinghu not lent a helping hand and vouched for him, he would never have secured such a lucrative wage. He could well imagine that as long as he performed well, his future days would be free from worries about food and clothing.

"Hey, what are you doing, Brother Gu? If you wish to thank me, just show it through your performance," Ren Qinghu said, quickly reaching down to help the kneeling Gu Mingyue back up. He had indeed acted out of kindness this time, largely because, in his understanding, Gu Mingyue was a man of honor who adhered to principles.

Of course, being favored like this also meant Jia Pingan had given him ample face. Although the other party had originally asked him for a favor, he had brought the man over, and Jia Pingan accepted him without asking too many questions or uttering a second word. That was a form of trust.

"Brother Ren, rest assured, I will protect Young Master Jia well, even if I have to risk this old life of mine," Gu Mingyue declared solemnly in front of Ren Qinghu.

"Good. Then let me tell you something: Young Master Jia truly might be facing trouble right now..." Thinking of the Zheng family, Ren Qinghu felt it necessary to brief him on certain situations just in case.

It was during the closing hours of the Third Pavilion that Jia Pingan came out to patrol the grounds. He soon noticed that Gu Mingyue had indeed arrived and was maintaining a distance neither too far nor too close, ensuring that should any sudden emergency arise, he could appear by his side at the very first moment.

He had not expected the man to be so dedicated, which greatly reassured Jia Pingan. Although he possessed the divine artifact of his spatial realm and could retreat into it at any time upon discovering danger, using it carried a high risk of exposure, and it was always better not to use it if possible.

With a bodyguard now by Jia Pingan's side, even when he slept, Gu Mingyue stood guard outside leaning against a pillar. This scene was quickly noticed by the staff of the Third Pavilion and soon reached the ears of Zheng Yugong.

Zheng Yugong received the report from his subordinates the next morning at the yamen, and he nodded thoughtfully.

It seemed they had indeed startled the prey. But did the boy really think that adding a single bodyguard meant nothing could be done to him?

Zheng Yugong had never intended to make a move within the city of Ningguta. With its crowds and prying eyes, making a move here would invite trouble, and handling the aftermath alone would be a headache.

It was nothing like the deep mountains, where human footprints were rare; even if a move were made there, no one would ever know. Corpses would vanish without a trace, and even if others suspected him, without evidence, what could they possibly do?

"Send fifty liang of silver to that fellow Chang Chao, and tell him I want to know the exact time Jia Pingan heads up the mountain," Zheng Yugong instructed his trusted subordinate who had brought the news.

Fifty liang of silver was, after all, somewhat stingy. Yet in Zheng Yugong's view, it was already quite a substantial sum. What he did not know, however, was that this very silver note would soon appear right on Jia Pingan's desk.

"Young master, Zheng Yugong had someone send this to me. He wants to know when you plan to head up the mountain next," Chang Chao stood respectfully before Jia Pingan, keeping his head lowered as he spoke.

"How utterly petty." Who would have thought that upon seeing the silver note, far from showing any tension, Jia Pingan would instead ridicule the other party.

Presumably, had Zheng Yugong known all this, he would have been furious.

Naturally, had he known that the monthly salary Jia Pingan paid Gu Mingyue as a guard was a full one hundred liang, he would have been even more shocked and would have straightway cursed him as a prodigal.

"Very well, I am aware of the matter. When I head up the mountain next time, I will tell you the schedule," Jia Pingan smiled, deciding to fight fire with fire. Since Zheng Yugong already had his sights on him, escaping this time would not mean escaping the next; thus, it was better to be straightforward and inform him, sparing himself the worry of anyone coming to cause trouble during this period.

"Understood." Though Chang Chao did not know what Jia Pingan was thinking, since it was the young master's command, he would carry it out faithfully.

Before long, word that Chang Chao had accepted the silver and agreed to report reached Zheng Yugong, making him immensely pleased.

At the Third Pavilion, while Chang Chao was out attending to matters, Tong Weixing also took the initiative to pay a visit.

Upon meeting Jia Pingan again, Tong Weixing noticed that the corners of the other's eyes were somewhat darkened, clearly the result of insufficient sleep.

"Brother Tong, what happened to you..." They had only parted for two days, yet Tong Weixing looked like this; could it be that he had fallen ill?

"Brother An... No! Teacher Jia, please accept this student's bow." It seemed somewhat difficult, but as if having made a certain resolute decision, Tong Weixing's tone became much smoother when he finally uttered the word "teacher."

Many matters required hesitation and indecision before a firm resolution was made. But once the decision was truly reached, the mind cleared, and one could heave a long sigh of relief.

"Ah, this will never do!" Seeing Tong Weixing bow deeply toward him, Jia Pingan dared not accept it and nimbly stepped aside to avoid him.

"Teacher Jia, please do not dodge. On the path of scholarship, those who achieve mastery first are teachers, regardless of age. Since you can compose a hundred classic poems, you are a person of profound learning, and I, Weixing, fall far short." Having finally persuaded himself to take Jia Pingan as his teacher, how could Tong Weixing stand by and watch him dodge away without letting him pay the proper student respects?