Chapter 28: The Martial Way Is Not Taught in Vain, the Buddha Saves Those Fated to Receive Him

Thirteenth Aunt, having reached the Great Success stage of Copper Skin and External Strength, let out a long breath after helping Chen Jie perform the "Sinew-Dividing and Bone-Dislocating" technique several times. She had also finished absorbing the medicinal potency of her own treatment.

Ordinarily, given Chen Jie’s current level, he would not be able to endure the "Sinew-Dividing and Bone-Dislocating" technique in such rapid succession. However, because Chen Jie had consumed the "Medicinal Supplement" decoction, Thirteenth Aunt had significantly lightened the force of her application, hitting the precise threshold required to stimulate the medicinal effects within his body. Thus, although Chen Jie felt an agonizing pain in his sinews and bones, he suffered no actual damage.

Having absorbed her own medicine, Thirteenth Aunt sighed deeply. "This 'Medicinal Supplement,' worth five silver dollars, is truly worth it! It has recovered quite a lot of the damage my body sustained in the past!"

Although she came from a prominent family, her family’s fortunes had declined long ago. From childhood, she—like Liu Qi and his sister—had never had the luxury of consuming "Medicinal Supplements." All she could afford was a simple "Tiger Bone Soup," and even that only once a month. At this moment, she was convinced that if she could take this supplement for a full fourteen-day cycle while continuing her "Medicated Baths," she would certainly be able to break through to the Iron Bone Internal Strength realm.

Spending six silver dollars in a single day! Even for someone like Thirteenth Aunt, who had seen her fair share of the world, this was a staggering sum. A full fourteen-day cycle would cost eighty-four silver dollars—a figure she dared not even imagine. This was definitely not the kind of lifestyle a normal household could sustain.

She couldn't help but glance at Chen Jie, who was resting nearby, and wondered silently: Who exactly is this man? Could he be the young master of some wealthy family in the capital? But that didn’t seem right. If he were the son of a prominent family, why would he learn martial arts from her? With his family background, he could easily afford to hire a master already at the Iron Bone Internal Strength level! What was his true purpose in approaching her?

Watching the handsome face of Chen Jie, Thirteenth Aunt’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts, unable to find peace for a long time.

After the medicinal effects were fully stimulated, the four of them returned to their rooms for their medicated baths. By the time Chen Jie finished his bath, it was already nine o'clock in the evening. Thirteenth Aunt and Liu Baimei had already prepared dinner, and Liu Qi had even brought out a pot of wine, waiting for Chen Jie to join them. Despite the late hour, everyone felt energized rather than hungry after their medicinal regimen.

After the meal, a slightly tipsy Liu Qi suddenly said, "Martial arts are not passed on for free, Buddha saves only those with affinity, medical skills are not offered unbidden, and Taoist methods are not given without cause—these are the rules passed down since ancient times. A name must be legitimate for words to carry weight. Since Brother Chen has begun practicing martial arts, Thirteenth Aunt, isn't it time to give Brother Chen a formal status? Our Liu Family Poke-Foot Sect may not have many rules, but our heritage must not be lost."

Chen Jie was taken aback. Were there such rules for learning martial arts? He turned to Thirteenth Aunt, cupped his hands in a salute, and said hesitantly, "Thirteenth Aunt, does this mean... do I need to—take you as my master?"

Truth be told, Chen Jie did not want to become an apprentice. Thirteenth Aunt was only a few years older than him, and the idea of calling her "Master" felt awkward. More importantly, becoming an apprentice would put an end to all his other intentions.

"Eh!" Thirteenth Aunt let out an intriguing smile upon hearing this. In truth, she had felt a strong affinity for Chen Jie from the moment they met. Much like Chen Jie, she had no desire to be his master—especially with the thought of the gold necklace he had gifted her making her heart race.

However, Liu Qi was right; martial arts were all about lineage. Although Chen Jie had passed the optimal age for training, his family was wealthy—incredibly wealthy! Sometimes, money could compensate for the shortcomings of age. With enough "Medicinal Supplements" and "Medicated Baths" to stimulate his potential, any bottleneck in his martial arts training would not be an issue.

She thought for a moment, took a deep breath, and said, "Liu Qi is right. A practitioner of martial arts must have a clear origin and a proper lineage. Chen Jie, since you wish to learn the techniques of the Liu Family Poke-Foot Sect and master the essence of its power, you must become a disciple of the sect. However, while I am responsible for your instruction, I cannot be your master. The rules of our sect dictate that one cannot be a master until reaching the Iron Bone Internal Strength realm. I have yet to reach that breakthrough, so I cannot take on that title."

"The rules of the sect cannot be broken. How about this: you join the Liu Family Poke-Foot Sect, and I will accept you on behalf of the sect. Like Liu Qi and Baimei, you can call me 'Senior Sister'!"

Chen Jie was stunned. So, Liu Qi and his sister were not the apprentices of Thirteenth Aunt? He had always assumed their martial arts were taught by her and that they were her students. He hadn't expected her to be merely their "Senior Sister."

'Senior Sister' was perfect!

Chen Jie blurted out, "Senior Sister! I am willing to join the sect!"

Apprenticing to learn a craft was a major life event, not to be taken lightly. In this world, the bond between master and apprentice was second only to that between father and son. Once one entered a sect, many aspects of life were governed by the master, with no room for even biological parents to interfere. Given the gravity of the relationship, a formal ceremony was mandatory. Even though the Liu Family Poke-Foot Sect had fallen on hard times and was now reduced to only Liu Qi and his sister, the tradition of the initiation ceremony could not be abandoned.

Through Thirteenth Aunt’s explanation, Chen Jie learned that her surname was not Liu; she was Ji Yunsha. She was originally a member of the prominent Ji family of Hebei, who had apprenticed with the Liu Family Poke-Foot Sect to learn martial arts. Because she was the thirteenth in rank within the sect, all her senior brothers called her "Thirteenth Sister." However, Liu Qi and Liu Baimei had grown up by her side and were nearly ten years her junior, so they naturally called her "Thirteenth Aunt."

Years ago, a disaster struck the Ji family, and the Liu family became entangled in the fallout. In the end, Ji Yunsha escaped, taking Liu Qi and his sister with her, fleeing all the way to the West City of the capital.

The next morning at eight o'clock, in the main hall, the four stood solemnly. Ji Yunsha stood at the front, with Liu Qi, Liu Baimei, and Chen Jie lined up behind her. Before them sat a spirit tablet inscribed with: "The Spirit Tablet of Our Late Master, Lord Liu Zhenfeng."

Chen Jie looked up at the inscription, his mind wandering. Who was this Liu Zhenfeng? Was his skill any good? But recalling what Thirteenth Aunt said about the sect rule—"No master until reaching Iron Bone Internal Strength"—this Liu Zhenfeng must have been at least an expert of that level. He had been dead for over a decade; how had he died? He must have been the father of Liu Qi and Baimei, the leader of the Liu Family Poke-Foot Sect.

As the ceremony began, Chen Jie lit a stick of incense, knelt before the tablet, and performed the ritual of three kowtows and nine bows. "Master, I, disciple Chen Jie, am willing to join the Liu Family Poke-Foot Sect and listen to the teachings of the sect!"

A moment later, Thirteenth Aunt also lit an incense stick and declared in a clear voice, "Disciple Chen Jie, hear me: from this day forward, you are a disciple of the Liu Family Poke-Foot Sect. The sect precepts are as follows: First, do not steal; do not take others' property without permission; be honest and upright. Second, do not speak falsely; do not be hypocritical; do not lie; do not deceive! Third, do not be greedy for wealth... Ninth, do not betray your master or destroy your ancestors; do not bring shame upon the sect!"

After hearing this, Chen Jie bowed his head and said with absolute sincerity, "Disciple will strictly follow these teachings!"