Fang Yue couldn't imagine it. This completely subverted the notions ingrained in his mind.
'But then again,' he thought, 'the idea that Civil Servants are more esteemed than Military Officers is from my past life. In this world, I've only been away from home once, and that was just a single trip to the county town.'
He was just someone who hadn't seen the world.
So, he truly had no idea which was superior in this world—the Military Examination or the civil one, the Military Officer or the Civil Servant.
"Naturally, the Martial Examination holds a better future. Military Officers are far more distinguished, powerful, and hold higher status," Fang Hu said with absolute certainty.
This was common knowledge to almost everyone in Xiahe County Town.
In a remote place like Da Liushu Village, the farmers knew only a life of toil in the fields. They would call anyone dressed in silk and satin "Master," but they couldn't tell which Master was powerful and which was not.
"You want to ask why?"
"It's because when Martial Artists practice the Martial Dao, true power resides within them. Training Strength, Skin Grinding, Bone Forging, Marrow Transformation—these are the Four Martial Arts Gates."
"Training Strength integrates the body's power into Whole Force. Even the weakest have the strength of a thousand jin. With Great Success in Skin Grinding, one's skin becomes like bronze, impervious to blades. With just these two achievements, an armored warrior becomes a match for a thousand men."
"And if they progress through Bone Forging and Marrow Transformation, they are a match for ten thousand."
"Furthermore, anyone who can become a Martial Scholar is at the Bone Forging stage at minimum. Tell me, how could a Military Officer who wields such power not be more distinguished than a Civil Servant!"
After he finished speaking, Fang Hu picked up his teacup, blew lightly across the surface, and took a drink.
'So that's how it is!'
Fang Yue understood in an instant. In a world where Martial Artists could master such power through cultivation—where true might resided within the individual and a powerful Martial Master could stand against an army—it was only natural that Civil Servants couldn't hope to challenge the standing of Military Officers. It made perfect sense that Military Officers held a higher, more distinguished position.
The only thing Fang Yue found strange was that in his original body's memories, the Liu Family had become the biggest landowner because one of them passed the civil examination and became a Scholar.
He knew that becoming a scholar could change one's fate, yet he had been completely unaware that practicing martial arts could do the same.
But now, between Fang Hu's explanation and Master Liu's act of sending a gift, the answer had become crystal clear.
"Thank you for clearing my doubts, Master."
With his mind settled, Fang Yue became even more determined to walk the path of the Martial Dao.
"Alright, you can go back now. Same time tomorrow, don't forget." Fang Hu waved his hand, dismissing Fang Yue.
Fang Yue quickly bowed and took his leave. Just as he turned around, Fang Hu's voice rang out again.
"Oh, right. Have Ergou give you a few jin of tiger meat. When you pass by Widow Yu's house on your way back, drop it off for Zhang Shu."
When they had first arrived in Da Liushu Village, Zhang Shu had been arranged to stay at Widow Yu's home.
After all, Fang Hu's household consisted of only him and his son—both men. It would be inconvenient for a young woman like Zhang Shu to live there.
On the other hand, Widow Yu's house, where she lived with only her daughter, was a very convenient place for Zhang Shu to stay for a while.
Widow Yu was naturally more than willing. After all, with Zhang Shu staying at her house, Fang Hu would be providing for their family's food.
"Understood, Master."
Only then did Fang Yue head out. He took the tiger meat from Ergou and left Fang Hu's house.
~~~~~~
「In the center of Da Liushu Village.」
Within the Liu Family's grand courtyard of green bricks and gray tiles.
"Grandfather, why did you have the steward send silver coins and cloth to that Fang Yue? His family is nothing but mud-legged peasants! Why do you think so highly of him?"
Dressed in blue-green silk, the scholarly-looking Young Master Liu, Liu Chuanzhi, wore an expression of discontent and disdain.
The time he had sought out Fang Yue to play, it was merely out of curiosity about a country boy.
Later, in the ancestral hall, he had accidentally broken a ritual vessel.
He was the esteemed Young Master Liu. The blame for breaking the ritual vessel certainly couldn't fall on him; it naturally had to be the clumsy country boy who broke it.
'What could that possibly have to do with the well-read and courteous Young Master Liu!'
The other boy took a beating for him, yet he said nothing. He certainly wasn't grateful; in fact, a dislike for the boy had taken root in his heart.
"Hmph, what do you know? Remember, never show this attitude outside. That Fang Yue is different now. He has entered the gate of White Tiger Fist. Be more polite to him from now on."
Grandmaster Liu's tone was severe as he issued a solemn warning.
In truth, he wouldn't have needed to send this gift, but that incident had happened during the New Year.
He knew perfectly well that Fang Yue had taken a beating for his grandson.
But back then, what was Fang Yue's status? A mud-legged peasant, the son of farmers.
A beating was just a beating. It should even have been considered a great honor for him to take a beating in his grandson's place.
But now, that kid had gotten very lucky.
Or rather, his fate was truly good. To have the talent for martial arts and, what's more, to be taken in as a disciple by Fang Hu.
Although he might not necessarily pass the Martial Examination in the future.
But the destructive power of a Martial Artist could not be underestimated.
If the boy held a grudge, how could his family live peacefully in Da Liushu Village?
So, he sent some gifts as a gesture of goodwill to let the matter be bygones.
"Grandfather, I understand. I will visit him in a couple of days and apologize." At this, Liu Chuanzhi finally reined in his arrogance.
He wasn't some ignorant country bumpkin; he was well aware of the status of a Martial Master.
In Xiahe County Town, the White Tiger Boxing Hall was one of the top-ranking martial establishments.
Within Xiahe County Town, there were disciples of White Tiger Fist in both the County Magistrate's Office and the City Guard Army.
The influence of White Tiger Fist was not small, to say nothing of the formidable power a Martial Master personally possessed. His Liu Family's grand courtyard was filled with ordinary household servants; they couldn't possibly stop him.
Therefore, despite his indignation...
Why was it that he, with his excellent birth, had only mediocre talent for martial arts and had yet to find a master?
Yet the other boy, a mere farmer's son, had caught Fang Hu's eye and become a disciple of White Tiger Fist.
'It's truly unfair!'
"Mm, that is for the best. If you can think this way, then the Liu Family has a worthy successor!" Grandmaster Liu said with a gratified smile.
He who adapts to the times is a man of wisdom. Now that Fang Yue had a backer and had gained some power...
...bowing their heads and befriending him was the wise move.
And now, his grandson was even able to let go of his arrogance and resentment, swallow his pride, and apologize to the boy to resolve their past conflict.
This magnanimity was enough to inherit the Liu Family's fortune!
~~~~~~
「Meanwhile.」
"Aiya, why is your roof leaking? And this table, why is it so grimy? And over here..."
In Widow Yu's home, Zhang Shu pinched her nose and pointed at everything in the house, unable to keep from frowning.
"Miss Zhang, this is all the home has to offer. I'm truly sorry. I'll clean all this up right away," Widow Yu said with an apologetic smile.