Chapter 48: Superior

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

The back courtyard.

As soon as Chen Qing stepped into the back courtyard, a strong, pungent medicinal smell hit him in the face.

Chen Qing walked to the outside of the practice room and cupped his hands, saying, "Master."

"Come in."

Zhou Liang's voice came from inside the room.

Chen Qing responded and pushed open the door. He saw that the practice room was furnished with various equipment, sandbags, and weapon racks.

Zhou Liang was dressed in white training clothes, using a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

He looked at Chen Qing with approval in his eyes, "Not bad. Participating in the martial examination for the first time this year and achieving the rank of martial scholar, your Through-arm Boxing has already reached Great Achievement, hasn't it?"

Chen Qing cupped his fists and said, "Master's discernment is accurate. This disciple indeed broke through to Great Achievement some days ago."

Zhou Liang nodded with satisfaction.

Although this disciple had slightly inferior bone structure, his comprehension was far beyond ordinary people.

Then he examined Chen Qing's progress in tempering hidden strength.

Zhou Liang said in a deep voice, "There's still a year and a half until the martial examination. Next, you need to polish your qi and blood, allowing hidden strength to flow throughout your entire body. Pay special attention to the Baihui acupoint and Yongquan acupoint, these two acupoints are the most difficult to penetrate. The earlier you reach the perfection of hidden strength, the easier it becomes to unite obvious and hidden strength, and it also increases the probability of breaking through to transforming strength."

Speaking of this, Zhou Liang said earnestly, "The essence of my Through-arm Boxing lies in obvious strength, hidden strength, and transforming strength, with transforming strength being the most difficult."

Obvious strength was considered the initial entry into martial arts, allowing one to make a living in the county.

Hidden strength was already extraordinary, capable of becoming a minor leader in major forces, already high and mighty in the eyes of ordinary people.

As for transforming strength, it could be called a top expert in Gaolin County. Even forces like the five major families and two major gangs would treat such a person as an honored guest and eagerly win them over.

Chen Qing seized the opportunity and asked, "Master, this disciple is dull and doesn't understand how obvious and hidden strength can be merged. What exactly is the wonder of transforming strength?"

This was a good opportunity, so he naturally asked about his confusion.

Learning meant actively seeking knowledge.

After all, many people went to great lengths to steal martial arts.

"Obvious strength is fierce and overwhelming, hidden strength is gentle yet can penetrate directly to the organs. Transforming strength takes their essence, integrating them thoroughly, emphasizing perfect unity and release at will."

Zhou Liang took a deep breath, his gaze suddenly sharp, "Watch carefully!"

Before his words finished, he turned his wrist lightly and struck out with a fist toward a wooden post about ten feet away without touching it.

The punch was silent, yet it made Chen Qing's hair stand on end instantly, a piercing cold penetrating to his bones.

The wooden post's surface remained intact, but inside it had shattered inch by inch, turning to powder.

Breaking wood from a distance!

Chen Qing's pupils contracted slightly, his heart shaken.

Such methods were indeed much more sophisticated than the fierceness of obvious strength and the insidious nature of hidden strength.

"Transforming strength is complex, with many subtle mysteries. If you have the chance to reach transforming strength, you'll understand it naturally then."

Zhou Liang glanced at Chen Qing and reminded him, "What's most urgent for you now is to temper hidden strength to perfection."

"Yes, this disciple will remember." Chen Qing answered solemnly.

Zhou Liang turned around, took out a scroll with a deep-colored cowhide from a nearby cabinet, and handed it over, "Keep this safe. If you have any difficulties, you can come ask me anytime."

"What is this?" Chen Qing received it with both hands, feeling its weight.

"The fundamental force diagram of Through-arm Boxing."

Zhou Liang said slowly, "It details the fundamentals of force circulation and transformation in the boxing technique, as well as exclusive secrets for tempering force."

Chen Qing's heart stirred upon hearing this.

Zhou Liang didn't say much, but Chen Qing fully understood the importance of this fundamental force diagram.

This diagram recorded the essence of force transformation between moves, with unimaginable benefits for practical combat application.

Several moves he had practiced before without understanding their meaning now seemed to have a great relationship with this fundamental diagram.

Indeed it was so!

Chen Qing had anticipated this. Zhou Liang definitely had some treasured secrets.

Could one learn the true transmission just by paying a few taels of silver in monthly tuition?

"With comprehension of this diagram, although my Through-arm Boxing is not a superior ultimate art, it can still rank among middle-grade martial arts." Zhou Liang's tone carried a hint of pride.

Chen Qing took the opportunity to ask further, "May I ask Master, what constitutes superior martial arts?"

"Superior martial arts..."

Zhou Liang's eyes focused slightly, revealing longing, "Their principles are extremely refined and subtle, with extraordinary power, and they involve the way of 'internal cultivation,' which is the skill beyond transforming strength. Without family transmission, ordinary people can only learn internal cultivation methods by achieving high rank in martial examinations and entering sects."

When mentioning "internal cultivation," Zhou Liang's expression became complex and unclear.

Achieving high rank in martial examinations and entering sects!

Chen Qing also felt his heart heat up upon hearing this.

He had heard a thing or two about internal cultivation, mysterious and profound, capable of nourishing the body and extending life, truly touching the real mysteries of martial arts.

"Master, Master Sima from Qingnang Hall has arrived."

Just as Chen Qing wanted to ask more about internal cultivation, disciple Sun Shun's announcement came from outside the door.

Zhou Liang waved his hand and said, "You go back first. Study this fundamental force diagram. The earlier you reach perfection in hidden strength, the greater your chances for the third breakthrough attempt."

Chen Qing cupped his hands and took his leave.

As he exited the room, he happened to see Sun Shun leading an elderly man carrying a sandalwood medicine box and wearing a dark robe hurriedly entering the back courtyard. Zhou Liang had already stepped forward quickly, respectfully inviting him into the room.

Qingnang Hall?

The premier medicine hall in Gaolin County.

It seemed Master was truly sparing no expense to treat Qin Lie.

Chen Qing returned to the front courtyard expressionlessly and continued practicing.

He needed to seize every moment to cultivate, reaching transforming strength as early as possible.

Evening.

The disciples in the courtyard gradually dispersed.

Chen Qing wiped the sweat from his body, left Zhou's martial arts courtyard, and headed toward the River Office.

The River Office compound was cold and quiet, with sparse figures.

"Old Li, what happened?"

Chen Qing stopped the hurried Old Li.

"Alas, during these few days of martial examinations, something big happened!"

Old Li looked around and lowered his voice, "Gang Leader Ning Shi of the Firewood Gang died suddenly! A heavy escort mission from Far-Sight Escort Agency was also robbed, with heavy casualties and severely damaged vitality!"

He leaned closer, his voice barely audible, "Before the Colonel returned injured, Gang Leader Ning and Chief Escort Liu of Far-Sight Escort Agency were among the most attentive..."

The Colonel was injured, then his subordinate forces were eliminated.

The connections were obvious.

These interlocking thunderous methods, in Gaolin County, those capable of such actions could be counted on one hand.

"Let them fight, as long as it doesn't affect me," Chen Qing thought to himself, then asked, "Where's the head?"

"Head Cheng?"

Old Li shook his head, "Haven't seen him for several days, don't know what he's busy with."

...

In the side room.

The heavy medicinal smell had almost solidified into substance, piercingly unbearable.

Qin Lie lay on the bed, his face pale as paper, with dark red stains seeping through the bandages wrapped around his body.

Zhou Liang pushed open the door and entered, saying in a deep voice, "Master Sima has left. He prescribed a remedy, saying there's hope..."

"Hope?"

Qin Lie excitedly tried to prop himself up. Severe pain struck him, cold sweat instantly covering his forehead, but he endured it, his hand tightly gripping Zhou Liang's sleeve, "Master! I want to get better! I want to stand up! I want to practice martial arts again! Master, you must have a way, you must think of something! I can't be crippled... I can't!"

"Your injuries are too severe. Focus on resting peacefully first."

Zhou Liang held him down and said in a deep voice, "Take medicine on time, the chance of recovery... is not low."

"Chance?"

Qin Lie's eyes were bloodshot, his voice carrying a sob, "Master, look at me! Look at what I've become now! A waste lying here waiting to die!"

He stared intently at Zhou Liang, as if grasping the last straw, "Master, I am your hope for vindication! Your only hope! Please save me! No matter what method! How much money! What people to find! As long as I can get better, as long as I can clench my fists again, I'm willing to do anything! Master... please!"

These blood-weeping, heart-rending pleas struck Zhou Liang's heart like heavy hammers, making even his breathing stop for a moment.

"Rest assured!"

Zhou Liang gripped Qin Lie's hand firmly in return, his eyes determined, "Your master will spare no effort. This medicine is that thread of hope. Even if there's only the slightest chance, I will never give up."

Qin Lie looked at the resolution in his master's eyes and nodded heavily, "Good... Master, I'll drink it! I will definitely get better... definitely!"