bookpub Chapter 109 A Desperate Struggle
Chapter 109 A Desperate Struggle
Li Ying recalled this morning.
It was still dark.
He went to a familiar butcher shop, took out the few hundred coins he had carefully stored away, gritted his teeth and bought two catties of braised beef, which he would never normally be willing to eat.
The stall owner, an old man, knew that he was taking the martial arts exam today.
I even cut him an extra small piece.
"Little Eagle, you're going to have a tough time today. Eat more to build up your strength."
Li Ying turned around, squatted on the deserted street corner, and wolfed down the two pounds of beef with the cold water he carried with him.
The beef was very fragrant and filling.
After eating it, I felt warm all over.
"I wish I could eat this every day."
Li Ying knew that the true disciples of the Bajiquan Academy next door ate half-demon level lizard beef every day, which was many times better at replenishing qi and blood than the ordinary beef he ate.
But for him, even ordinary beef isn't something he can afford to eat every day... He only indulges in it on special occasions like these.
Normally, Li Ying had to carefully budget his money, mostly using it to buy cheaper but less effective offal from pigs, cattle, and sheep, as well as some scraps of meat.
The money saved has to be used to pay tuition fees and buy medicinal herbs for supplements, barely enough to cover the expenses of a rank-one martial artist.
And so, by saving money and making countless mistakes along the way, I've finally reached this level of skill.
Not to mention, my mother usually works day and night weaving carpets, often working late into the night under a dim oil lamp. Now that she is getting older, her eyesight is failing.
My younger brother's sleeping sickness showed no signs of improvement; the longer it went on, the more severe his condition became, and the more tonics he needed.
And then there's that persistent Mr. He. A few days ago, he was dealt with by Constable Yin and Liu Sheng at a restaurant in Sui'an, but he'll be released today after his term expires.
The helpers that Master He has found are becoming more and more difficult to deal with. Now they can even find an eighth-rank martial artist. What will happen in the future?
The title of a martial arts scholar is very good, but if one were to become a martial arts graduate, one would be exempt from all corvée labor and taxes, and would also be directly qualified to become a candidate for a military officer. That would be a true meteoric rise.
Yes, they must be martial arts graduates!
Li Ying felt that only in this way could he stand tall, allow his mother and younger brother to live a peaceful life, and completely extinguish the ambitions of people like Master He.
"Yes, I never had such expectations."
Originally, reaching the top twelve and obtaining the title of Wu Xiucai was already an unexpected joy.
But he actually defeated Yang Ren, an eighth-rank expert, and now it's the final battle on the West Arena.
Facing Yin Wuji, Li Ying's long-suppressed resentment and longing ignited like wild grass in late autumn, burning uncontrollably.
Yeah, why should we?
Why should those scions of wealthy families and sons of noblemen enjoy the best resources and the smoothest roads?
Why should someone like him have to work so hard and still not see a glimmer of hope? He's clearly suffered just as much as anyone else; all he lacks is an opportunity, a fair chance to compete!
Today, this opportunity is right in front of us.
Even if the other party is the eldest son of the Yin family, even if he is already covered in wounds, he will still fight for it!
What if there's still a chance to trade blows with Yang Ren like before? What if Yin Wuji coughs all day long, what if his body can't keep up with his illness?
Thinking about this...
Yin Wuji, who was opposite him, coughed a few more times as if to cooperate with his idea.
"Cough...cough cough..."
Yin Wuji looked at the swaying Li Ying and frowned almost imperceptibly. He seemed reluctant to use force, but also did not want to drag things out any longer.
His originally sickly appearance now revealed a hint of impatience, because he really didn't understand.
"Brother Li, your legs are injured, your left arm is dislocated, and your Eagle Claw Kung Fu is mostly useless. There's no point in continuing to fight. Just admit defeat. For someone like you, Wu Xiucai is enough."
He does not mean that.
Looking at Yin Wuji, who still had that sickly and indifferent appearance, it seemed that even the way he looked at her was filled with contempt and disdain.
"What do you mean, 'someone like me'? Does someone like me not deserve to compete for the martial arts examination?!"
Li Ying used his still-intact right hand to tightly grip his limp left arm.
Gritting his teeth, he followed the direction of his joints.
Push it upwards.
"Snap!"
With a crisp crack, Li Ying's left arm regained its mobility.
"ah!!!"
The forced treatment of the excruciating pain from the dislocated shoulder caused Li Ying to let out a beast-like roar.
At this moment, disregarding his injured right leg, he pushed off the ring with his left foot and, relying solely on his injured leg and the strength of his waist and abdomen, charged towards Yin Wuji with the resolute momentum of a broken-winged eagle.
Like a gambler who goes all in.
With his right claw outstretched, the five fingers of the eagle spread wide, and a gust of wind blew from his fingertips. He unleashed the "Eagle Soars Through the Sky" technique from the Eagle Claw Kung Fu, aiming straight for Yin Wuji's throat.
Below the stage, his master, the Eagle Sect Master, turned his head away, unable to bear watching this deadly move that would lead to mutual destruction.
Yin Wuji sighed.
He remained motionless until the eagle's talons almost touched his skin, then seemingly casually raised his left hand, bringing his index and middle fingers together, and swiftly pointed out.
With a single, precise strike, he landed on Li Ying's right shoulder.
"puff!"
With a soft crack, Li Ying's right arm dislocated, hanging limply at his sides. His forward momentum came to an abrupt halt, all his strength vanishing instantly, and he collapsed to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.
Yin Wuji simply sidestepped, letting Li Ying crash heavily onto the arena. Hearing the dull thud as his opponent hit the ground, he coldly looked at the deputy examiner.
"In the West Arena, the ultimate victor is Yin Wuji."
"Awarded the title of 'Martial Arts Graduate'!"
There was a moment of silence from the audience; there were no cheers, only a few sighs.
Liu Sheng wanted to step forward, but he saw several disciples of the Eagle Claw Sect rushing onto the stage and carefully carrying Li Ying down.
Li Ying had not lost consciousness, but his face was ashen and there was blood at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were closed, as if he was still having a dream he did not want to wake up from.
Watching Li Ying being carried away, Liu Shengyou looked up at the arena and saw Yin Wuji, who still looked sickly and indifferent, with no joy or sorrow.
In the arena, victory or defeat depends on individual skill.
Yin Wuji did not do anything excessive.
Li Ying just wanted to win.
Liu Sheng felt as if something was stuck in his chest, a heavy and oppressive feeling.
"I am quite lucky. I was born into a family that never had to worry about food or clothing. Even if I didn't want to learn martial arts, I had a responsible father who didn't care about the outcome and spent money to send me to the best martial arts school in the county. But unfortunately... not everyone is as lucky as me."
With that thought in mind, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"My master instructed me to find an opportunity to take Guo Wusheng's descendants as disciples in the future. When that time comes, I should choose someone with good character and then find a way to make his martial arts journey smoother."
There are too many people in this world who need help, and I cannot take care of them all myself. But since I have a mission from my sect, and I have also benefited from the legacy of Guo Wusheng.
This is the kind of effort that should be made.
At least let Guo Wusheng's descendants not live a life more difficult than Li Ying's.