Long Huang approached the first bookshelf filled with manuals, which contained thousands of combat arts with titles that were somewhat uncommon and strange: "Fiery Fire Fist," "Fierce Chicken Roar," "Monkey Plucking the Hanging Fruit," and "Cold Water Fist." As he read these titles, his expression darkened. He thought to himself, "I know that since they are Common-grade arts, they wouldn't have domineering names, but damn! these names are just terrible."
After spending a few hours reading through the contents of all the combat arts, he found nothing that piqued his interest. Disheartened, he walked toward the second bookshelf, hoping to find more suitable combat arts. "I thought this would be like one of those novels where I discover that one incomplete book that no one can cultivate," he lamented, frustrated by the realization that he had wasted time on the lackluster combat arts.
As he began to peruse the Mortal-grade combat arts on the second bookshelf, he felt a surge of excitement. "Now this is what I'm talking about!" He read the titles of the Mortal-grade combat arts, one by one, and soon found some that interested him. "Should I go with the Illusory Fist Art, paired with the Wind Rabbit Steps for a more feint and surprise attack style? No, that wouldn't fit me since I have more strength than others. I should go with the Fierce Tiger Fist along with the White Tiger Steps for an overpowering style. But that would lower my mobility and make my attacks easier to read."
As he continued to weigh the pros and cons of these combat arts, he noticed a fellow disciple browsing through the combat arts on a different bookshelf. Seeing this, he approached the disciple and said, "Um, hi. The weather is nice today, right, Senior? Um, what's your name? I don't seem to know you."
The disciple, who had been engrossed in the combat art he was reading, looked at Long Huang with annoyance. "Uh, another pretentious pretty boy. Go die."
Taken aback by the insult, Long Huang said, " It's always the ones with...." he stopped his sentence; he was offended but decided against responding with something nasty. He reasoned that it was beneath him to argue with someone he had just met, especially a child who clearly had past conflicts with handsome male disciples. "With what, huh?" the disciple challenged with an angry expression.
"Nothing, we seemed to have gotten off on the wrong foot. Hi, I'm Long Huang," he introduced himself.
Upon hearing Long Huang's name, the disciple looked shocked since, like many in the Azure Lotus Sect and all of Blossom City, he recognized who Long Huang was.
"Oh! It's Junior Brother Long Huang! Sorry, I didn't recognize you. You know, the change in appearance and all," the disciple said. "I'm Fu Heng, by the way," he added with a big smile.
"Hi again, Senior Fu. I would like to ask you about the combat arts here," Long Huang said.
Fu Heng felt elated as he had read almost all the combat arts on the first floor. "So, do you know what type of combat arts you want to learn?" he asked.
"Yeah, I want a fist combat art that is domineering and a movement art that's quick and allows me to output a bit more strength when combined with the fist technique," said Long Huang. Fu Heng was surprised, as most newcomers tended to look for either the strongest combat arts or the flashiest ones to show off.
"Hmm, strong yet quick, tricky yet powerful. So, basically, you need something that can overwhelm the opponent with strength while being elusive enough to avoid being read easily, and quick enough to strike or escape unexpectedly. That narrows it down, but those are quite the requirements," Fu Heng mumbled as he thought about which combat arts would fit Long Huang's needs. Long Huang was surprised to hear Fu Heng articulate his thoughts so clearly based solely on the combat arts he wanted.
"Wow, you saw right through my thoughts," Long Huang said, astonished.
"Well, when you read as much about combat arts as I do, you'd be ashamed if you couldn't," Fu Heng laughed merrily.
"Sorry, junior, but the closest I can suggest that meets your requirements are the Ocean Wave Fist and the Wind Deer Steps. However, the movement art doesn't add any extra power," Fu Heng explained.
"Thank you, senior brother!" Long Huang replied as he set off to look for the mentioned combat arts.
"They're on the 4th bookshelf, rows 1 and 3 respectively," Fu Heng shouted. Long Huang thanked Fu Heng again.
At the desk where the elder Long Huang had previously met before entering the pavilion, the elder muttered under his breath, "Kids these days, always so loud."
Upon arriving at the bookshelf, Long Huang began searching for the combat arts. After locating them and reading their contents, he felt satisfied. However, as he was about to head back, an urge to keep searching for more combat arts overtook him. He murmured the titles of other Mortal-grade combat arts as he browsed, saying, "Crimson Sun Saber Art, Wind Sword Art, Wild Boar Spear Art." He liked them but lamented that he currently had no money to buy a weapon, rendering the combat arts useless to him. Then, an unusual combat art caught his eye. He picked it up and read the title: "Red Tiger Roaring Art." Intrigued, he delved into its details and found it was a combat art that amplified his voice and allowed him to control his vocal cords to mimic a tiger's roar. In later stages, a shadow of a roaring red tiger would appear behind him, radiating a ferocious and intimidating aura.
Reading this, Long Huang smiled, as he had discovered something he hadn't anticipated. Carrying the three combat arts, he returned to the elder's desk to check them out.
"Three Mortal-grade combat arts. Let's see—one low level and two high levels. Hmmm, you're trying to cover all your bases; I see you've got quite an ambition, kid," the elder assessed as he looked over Long Huang's choices. "You do realize these will take at least three years to master, and we both know you don't have that long," he added, glancing at Long Huang knowingly.
Long Huang wasn't surprised that the elder was aware of his illness, as most of the prominent elders in the sect knew.
"I won't know unless I try, will I? The worst that can happen is that I die before mastering them," Long Huang said somewhat jokingly. Hearing this, the elder felt pity for him and offered, "Given your situation, I'll give you a 50% discount on the combat arts."
A sense of shame crept up on Long Huang as he suddenly realized he had forgotten all his money at home. "Ummm… funny story, elder. I, uh, forgot my money at home…"
The elder looked at Long Huang with disbelief; he was accustomed to new disciples trying to get discounts, but this request was unprecedented.
"I hope you're not expecting to get these for free," the elder said sternly.
Just as Long Huang was about to suggest charging it to the fifth elder's tab, Fu Heng appeared and said, "Old man, I'll pay for my junior here. How much is it?"
"Two gold notes and fifty silver coins," the elder replied.
"Bag it up, junior, and let's go," Fu Heng said as he paid and began to exit the pavilion. Long Huang caught up to Fu Heng and said, "You didn't have to do that, you know. But thank you! I'll pay you back."
To this, Fu Heng chuckled, "No need, junior; I also profited from paying for you! Haha."
"Profited how?" Long Huang asked, then noticing the two combat arts in Fu Heng's hands and the big smile on his face.
"What! Senior, you stole those? Aren't you worried about getting into trouble for that?" Long Huang inquired.
Fu Heng responded with a serious face, "Who stole what, junior? Don't accuse me of something so serious! I merely paid for both you and my combat arts." After saying this, Fu Heng seemed to glow with self-righteousness.
"Hehehe, I see, Senior Fu. But aren't you worried about getting into trouble for that? said long Huang
"I don't care. I've known that blackhearted old man for two years and have tried to get a discount on multiple occasions but instead end up fulfilling tasks for him like a servant. So this is a bit of payback," Fu Heng said, a bit angrily. Hearing this, Long Huang laughed, imagining how happy Fu Heng felt outsmarting the elder and how furious the elder would be when he found out.
"And if you want to thank me, drop the 'senior' and just call me Brother Fu," said Fu Heng with a slight smile.
"Alright, Brother Fu. Thank you for everything," replied Long Huang, giving a slight bow.
"No problem, Brother Long," Fu Heng said, brushing his nose and smiling proudly. He then added, "Well, I'd best get going; it's almost dinner time."
"Goodbye, Brother Fu! Have a wonderful dinner," said Long Huang smiling.
"You too," Fu Heng replied as he waved goodbye.
Long Huang smiled again and turned to leave for his house in the western mountain. He thought to himself, " Today was pretty eventful probably the most eventful day of my life here and it seems like I've made a new friend today." then as he walked up the mountain he remembered why he had such a eventful day in the first place and then felt excited about returning home to practice the combat arts he acquired.