Yang An had been craving meat, but Yang Jing's unexpected offer made him become reserved. After refusing, he felt like kicking himself.
But in the next moment, he saw a pair of chopsticks holding a pork rib extend toward him and place it on the cornbread in his hand.
GULP.
Yang An swallowed hard, then raised his head to look at Yang Jing opposite him, his eyes flashing with astonishment.
"Xiaohan, go on, eat." Elder Yang waved his hand. Although he inwardly felt it was a pity for Xiaohan to have the pork rib, he was gratified to see the two cousins appearing so much closer.
"Xue Family, you've come. Is something the matter?" Elder Yang asked, turning his head to look at Xue Family.
Xue Family raised her head and said, "Father, I'd like to borrow some money from you. Xiaohan... he wants to learn martial arts too, but the master's fee his father and I have saved is still short by six taels. I'd like to borrow the six taels from you."
Once Xue Family finished speaking, everyone present was stunned.
PFFT.
Liu Cui Ling couldn't help but laugh out loud. She looked at Xue Family and shook her head. "Sister-in-law, do you think just anyone can practice martial arts? It's not that simple. You need the right aptitude for it. Without the right aptitude, you could practice for a hundred years and get nowhere. When Jing'Er became an apprentice, they specifically checked his aptitude. He was only accepted as a disciple because he was qualified."
At her side, the grandmother, Qin Family, also nodded. "The second son's wife is right. If practicing martial arts were that easy, there wouldn't be so few people in our village who do it. Besides... besides, the cost is just too high. For Yang Jing to practice alone, our family has already sold our ox and our land. We can't afford for Xiaohan to start training too..."
Elder Yang was silent for a moment, then nodded.
He didn't speak, but his stance was clear.
Clearly, he did not support Yang An's martial arts training and had no silver coins to lend to Xue Family.
Seeing his reaction, Xue Family grew desperate. "Father—"
When the family property was divided back then, the Elder only gave the eldest son's family six acres of land. Over the years, they had faced several hardships and had to sell four acres. Coupled with poor harvests the last two years, their grain supply was nearly gone and times were tight. As Yang An grew older, there was no way to support the family on just those two acres. But whether it was sending Yang An to the city as an apprentice or having him learn martial arts, both required silver coins.
Her husband had gone to the front lines in Caozhou, and there was no telling when he might return.
Her father-in-law was now Xue Family's only hope.
"Aunt, why not let Brother An train with me for now?" Yang Jing said, looking at Xue Family. "I can't teach him my school's martial arts, but I can show Brother An some methods for tempering his qi and blood. It would serve as a foundation. When you've saved enough silver coins later, he can formally become a disciple. With a foundation already in place, his progress will be much faster."
A hush fell over the courtyard.
Yang An, who had been silent all this time, snapped his head up. His eyes, full of surprise, were fixed on Yang Jing. He had never imagined that Yang Jing would actually be willing to teach him martial arts. It was as if he was seeing his cousin for the very first time.
Xue Family was taken aback, then grew excited in spite of herself.
At that moment, Liu Cui Ling frowned deeply. She turned to Yang Jing, her expression stern. "Jing'Er, don't be ridiculous. This is a critical time in your training. How can you divide your focus? Your top priority right now is to master your skills. Only when you have real ability can you look after the family. That is how you can live up to the expectations of your grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt, and your father and me!"
"Mother, I know what I'm doing,"
Yang Jing shook his head and explained to his mother, "What I'll be teaching Brother An are just some simple methods for tempering the body's qi and blood. It will mostly depend on his own effort, so it won't delay my own training. Besides, the Hall Master said that the process of teaching others is also a process of reviewing, reinforcing, and deepening one's own mastery. It will only benefit me, not harm me."
Liu Cui Ling looked at Yang Jing, half-convinced. "Really?"
"Really!" Yang Jing smiled and nodded.
Liu Cui Ling said no more, her gaze turning to Elder Yang.
Although the Elder was getting on in years, his status in the family was still supreme. The final say on many important matters rested with him, including the initial division of the family property, Yang Jing's martial arts training, and the later sale of their land.
"Hmm—" Elder Yang pondered for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well. For now, Jing'Er, you will teach Yang An. But remember, you absolutely must not neglect your own training. Our family's future depends on you mastering your skills."
"Yes, Grandfather." Yang Jing nodded solemnly.
"Jing'Er, you come home on the first and the fifteenth of every month to get your silver coins," said Elder Yang. "Use that time to teach your cousin."