Chapter 29: Truth and Discrepancy

Chapter 29: Truth and Discrepancy

"Uh."

Lin Zhiqin was momentarily stunned by Lu Yuan's response, then looked at him with an inexplicable approval, saying, "It's rare for someone your age to understand sharing responsibilities for the family. However, becoming a formal disciple and earning back your tuition is not that easy."

"Why?"

Lu Yuan asked in surprise, "Isn't it said that formal disciples can receive allowances from the martial arts academy every month, along with other benefits like meal subsidies?"

Lin Zhiqin chuckled and shook his head, "Do you think the martial arts academy is a charity? While formal disciples do enjoy some privileges, they still have to pay tuition, and it's more than what regular students pay. Understand the saying, 'Nothing comes without a cost'? If the academy had to pay formal disciples, us instructors would be homeless by now."

"What about certified martial artists recognized by the Martial Association?"

"They also have to pay an annual fee to the Martial Association; otherwise, their ranking certificates will be invalidated the next year."

Lu Yuan's expression soured.

Lin Zhiqin's explanation shattered Lu Yuan's fantasies, turning his carefully planned path upside down.

"The information you heard was probably a mix-up between formal disciples and core disciples. Core disciples enjoy better benefits, including a salary, but they also have to sign contracts and meet higher application standards."

"I think, to meet your expectations—getting a higher-level inheritance from the martial arts academy without doing anything, just practicing martial arts and receiving a monthly stipend—only one status can fulfill that."

"What is it?"

Lin Zhiqin looked at Lu Yuan and smiled, "Personal disciple."

Lu Yuan looked puzzled.

At that moment, the small door of the private room creaked open.

The middle-aged woman from before walked in with two dishes, smiling, "The kidney and chicken are ready."

The dishes were placed in front of them—stir-fried kidney with red chili peppers and chicken stewed with pig trotters in a clay pot. The chicken and pig trotters were cooked until tender, and the presentation was appetizing.

"Try them. The kidney and chicken here are the specialties," Lin Zhiqin invited Lu Yuan. He then turned to the middle-aged woman and said, "Serve some more rice for me."

Glancing at Lu Yuan, he added, "A bit more."

"Understood," the middle-aged woman nodded with a smile. "You martial artists sure can eat."

Lu Yuan, not one to stand on ceremony, picked up his chopsticks and started eating. In his current mood, he needed food to heal.

The flavors of the two dishes were satisfactory, though not outstanding. Lu Yuan was not a picky eater, having consumed large portions of school cafeteria meals.

Lu Yuan tore a chicken leg, held it in his left hand, and used chopsticks in his right to pick other dishes.

While eating, he asked Lin Zhiqin, "What is a personal disciple?"

Lu Yuan was now more relaxed, quite different from his tense demeanor when dealing with the coach before.

Before, he feared Lin Zhiqin wouldn't sign for him, so he behaved meekly. Now, considering the shattered illusions about becoming a formal disciple, he felt indifferent about whether Lin Zhiqin signed or not, placing himself on an equal footing.

"Personal disciple," Lin Zhiqin explained, "is a disciple personally accepted by the head of the academy. It represents the true core inheritance of the academy."

Lu Yuan looked puzzled.

At that moment, the small door of the private room was pushed open again.

The middle-aged woman returned with braised spare ribs, a plate of green vegetables, and the rice Lin Zhiqin requested.

"It's not enough; I'll help you add more. The fish will take a little longer; it's ready to be cooked."

The middle-aged woman put down the dishes and praised, "Coach Lin, the students you brought are all full of energy!"

Lin Zhiqin smiled without saying anything.

Lu Yuan, without formalities, took the rice pot and served himself a large bowl.

He ate heartily, enjoying the braised spare ribs and vegetables. The previously stir-fried kidney now showcased its true charm, with a spicy and delicious taste that complemented the rice perfectly.

After finishing a bowl of rice, Lu Yuan looked up and saw Lin Zhiqin, who hadn't touched his food yet, silently smoking and watching him.

Lu Yuan noticed Lin Zhiqin's eyes fixed on him and spoke suddenly, "The last time Coach Lin visited this restaurant, it was probably with Yang Jiandong, right?"

Lin Zhiqin's cigarette trembled slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.

"I guess Coach Lin probably said the same things to Yang Jiandong. For money, right?"

"Black boxing?" Lin Zhiqin seemed surprised, then frowned, "It seems you've misunderstood."

He chuckled with a hint of bitterness, "I admit I did have the idea of taking you to participate in a match recently. I need money, and there are also some more personal reasons. However, those are legitimate martial arts competitions. Anyone can find registration information online, and they're recorded with the Martial Association. It's completely different from what you imagine as underground black boxing."

"Will legitimate martial arts competitions result in someone suffering fractures all over their body?" Lu Yuan asked casually.

Lin Zhiqin was taken aback, and his expression became strange.

"Are you referring to Yang Jiandong's injury?"

Lu Yuan's expression remained ambiguous.

"Heh," Lin Zhiqin sighed, wearing a wry smile. "Yang Jiandong's injury has nothing to do with me. He got injured because, through some unknown channel, he secretly participated in other unofficial martial arts competitions. Moreover, his injury didn't happen in the ring. After the match, he offended someone, spat at them, made insulting gestures, and got ambushed as soon as he stepped outside. They tied a sack over his head and beat him for more than ten minutes. But that person also ended up losing money, and Yang Jiandong used that compensation to make the down payment for his house."

"..."

Lin Zhiqin was afraid Lu Yuan wouldn't believe him, so he handed his phone to Lu Yuan and said, "You can call Yang Jiandong's girlfriend now. I have her contact information, and she knows the whole story."

Lu Yuan stared at the phone in front of him in silence for a while, then took a deep breath.

"One last question, why did you intentionally delay my assessment application? Why didn't you sign on the form?"

"Intentionally not sign for you?" Lin Zhiqin's expression became even stranger.

"When I was signing for you, I was interrupted. The pen I was using suddenly ran out of ink. I intended to finish signing after lunch. Of course, I also wanted to take the opportunity to chat with you during the meal."

"..."

In the small private room, Lu Yuan looked at Lin Zhiqin calmly.

After a long silence, he lowered his head and spoke slowly, "Coach, can we discuss the matter of personal discipleship again?"