Chapter 58: Toad Breathing |
Cheng Ming pondered for a moment, his expression grave as he said, "Ah Qing, I've heard that Gao Sheng from Pine Breeze Martial Hall has been in secluded training ever since the martial examination, reportedly attempting his third breakthrough. You must be extremely careful."
"So soon?"
A trace of surprise flashed through Chen Qing's eyes, but he quickly composed himself.
Gao Sheng's natural talent had always surpassed Qin Lie's, and now with Pine Breeze Hall Master Shi Wenshan's full support and cultivation, rapid progress was only natural.
Such swift advancement in training was entirely reasonable.
His thoughts raced: The old and new grudges between Pine Breeze Martial Hall and Zhou's courtyard had long become an irreconcilable knot with no possibility of resolution.
Gao Sheng had been able to cripple Qin Lie on the martial examination platform. Once he found an opportunity, he would certainly show no mercy when dealing with Chen Qing himself. The earlier provocation from that Zhu Lian'er was clear proof of this. For Chen Qing, this was undoubtedly a lurking threat.
"I must be more careful from now on, not giving Pine Breeze Martial Hall any opportunity to exploit, lest I repeat Qin Lie's fate."
No one knew what methods the people from Pine Breeze Martial Hall might employ. If they resorted to underhanded tactics, the slightest carelessness could lead to complete ruin.
"Family Head Cheng, there's no need for such elaborate arrangements." Chen Qing waved his hand to stop her, "Just send me back to rest quietly."
In the end, under Chen Qing's insistence, Cheng Huan could only have someone call for a carriage to send Chen Qing home.
Cheng Ming said solemnly, "Ah Qing, great kindness needs no words of thanks. The Cheng family will forever remember this debt of gratitude."
His voice was low, filled with gratitude.
Chen Qing smiled, "Chief, saying such things makes us seem distant."
He had previously received considerable support from the Cheng family, which was also his reason for taking action today.
Cheng Huan originally wanted to exchange a few courtesies with Chen Qing to deepen their relationship, but seeing how intense the boxing match had been, she knew Chen Qing's injuries were currently 'serious.' She immediately instructed the coachman, "Drive steadily."
The carriage slowly departed from the bustling dock.
"Ah Ming, we really owe Chen Qing a great debt this time."
Cheng Huan's heart was filled with mixed emotions. Besides feeling secretly fortunate, she couldn't help but sigh that when Cheng Ming had initially supported this young man, he had valued his character.
Looking at it now, this was simply the most correct 'investment' the Cheng family had made in years.
Chen Qing was not only exceptionally talented but, more precious still, he valued relationships and knew how to repay kindness.
When the Cheng family was weathering storms, he had resolutely stepped forward, shouldering this life-or-death burden, preserving the Cheng family's vital foundation with a boxing match.
This sense of responsibility, this loyalty, was worth a hundred times more than any gold or silver treasures!
Cheng Ming was also quite moved, "Indeed."
"Ah Ming,"
Cheng Huan said decisively, "Chen Qing values loyalty and saved our Cheng family from fire and water. How can our Cheng family be stingy? Go immediately to find Third Uncle, withdraw three hundred taels of silver, plus twenty superior 'Blood Qi Pills,' and send them all to Chen Qing! From now on, triple his monthly support allowance!"
Cheng Ming nodded heavily, "Understood, I'll handle it right away!"
…
Jinghong Martial Hall, inner chamber.
Deng Feihu was examining the progress of his elite disciples one by one.
When his gaze fell on Jiang Yang, he asked in a deep voice, "How has your qi and blood recovery been?"
Jiang Yang bowed and replied, "Master, this disciple is dull. The hidden injuries left from the failed breakthrough attempt last time are far more stubborn than expected. To accumulate qi and blood fully will require at least half a year."
Deng Feihu nodded slightly, "Tempering one's foundation must never be rushed. This time, you must prepare thoroughly."
"Yes."
Jiang Yang nodded heavily. Opportunities to attempt breakthroughs were extremely rare. The slightest carelessness could damage one's foundation, making future advancement impossible.
After chatting for a few more moments, Deng Feihu waved at his disciples, "If you have any difficulties, come ask at any time. You may all return now."
"This disciple takes his leave."
Jiang Yang clasped his fists and slowly retreated from the inner chamber.
Upon reaching the front courtyard, a figure hurried up to meet him. It was Xu Zheng, a junior disciple who usually followed his lead.
"Senior Brother Jiang! Something terrible has happened!" Xu Zheng's face was pale with alarm.
Jiang Yang frowned slightly, "What matter makes you so panicked?"
Xu Zheng lowered his voice, speaking rapidly, "That Chen Qing who the Cheng family hired killed Tian Yaozong on the boxing platform today! I heard the man stopped breathing before he could even be carried to the medical hall!"
"Oh?" A gleam flashed in Jiang Yang's eyes, unable to hide his astonishment.
He knew Tian Yaozong's strength well, hidden strength at great achievement level with rich experience. Even he wouldn't dare claim certain victory against him.
This Chen Qing actually possessed such ability?!
Xu Zheng worried, "Senior Brother, this Chen Qing fellow made his name by stepping on Tian Yaozong, which is greatly disadvantageous to you! Those idle gossips outside might spread all sorts of rumors..."
Originally, Jiang Yang's refusal to fight for the Cheng family had already attracted criticism of being 'ungrateful and cowardly.'
Now that Chen Qing had turned the tide, it made Jiang Yang look even worse from all angles.
Jiang Yang fell silent for a moment, his thoughts churning.
Xu Zheng probed tentatively, "Senior Brother Jiang, what should we do now...?"
"Tomorrow,"
Jiang Yang suddenly spoke, his tone flat, "Prepare a generous gift for me and send it to Chen Qing."
"To Chen Qing?!"
Xu Zheng was stunned, hardly believing his ears.
In his view, Jiang Yang should hate Chen Qing to the bone right now.
"What do you understand?"
Jiang Yang glanced at him, his gaze profound, "If I were to hate him for this and resort to underhanded methods, it would only confirm my petty behavior and invite ridicule. His defeating Tian Yaozong and resolving the Cheng family's crisis, in a sense, also helped me by preserving my relationship with the Cheng family."
He paused, his voice growing colder, "By sending him gifts, I'm showing gratitude for his 'assistance to the Cheng family.' This confirms that my relationship with the Cheng family remains close, and better explains that my previous refusal to act was truly due to being injured and unable to help."
His failure to fight for the Cheng family had already damaged his reputation among Gaolin County's martial arts circles.
In this world, a person labeled as 'heartless and ungrateful' was destined to face obstacles everywhere.
Now was the perfect opportunity to salvage the situation.
Xu Zheng suddenly understood, his eyes flashing with admiration, "Brilliant! Truly brilliant! Senior Brother's consideration is comprehensive!"
A subtle, enigmatic smile appeared at the corner of Jiang Yang's mouth, "Moreover, using the gift-giving opportunity, I can also establish good relations with this newly risen expert. Having one more friend is always better than having one more formidable enemy, isn't it?"
Xu Zheng nodded repeatedly, "Senior Brother is wise! I'll handle it immediately!"
The next day, early morning.
Chen Qing sat cross-legged in meditation, eyes closed in concentration.
Suddenly, his breathing became long and peculiar.
His inhalation was slow and deep, causing his chest and abdomen to sink deeply; his exhalation was drawn out, with his throat faintly trembling, producing a low humming sound like an ancient toad crooning in a deep pool.
This was the foundation of the Toad Fishing Force, 'Toad Breathing.'
A surge of burning internal breath rose from his dantian, winding upward along a hidden pathway in his spine.
Wherever it passed, his bone joints made subtle crackling sounds, and dormant fascia quietly awakened like encountering sweet rain.
The muscles beneath his skin trembled slightly, every hair stood on end, and sensations of numbness and burning heat intertwined and spread.
When the internal breath reached the junction of his chest and abdomen, Chen Qing's entire muscular system suddenly tensed like iron!
"Hum!"
A deep toad's call resonated from between his bones and skin! His chest and abdomen drummed like a giant drum, suddenly bulging outward, the skin stretching taut and actually taking on a jade-like luster!
Overwhelming force instantly filled his limbs and bones, then retreated like a tide, causing his bulging chest and abdomen to collapse and contract.
In this cycle of expansion and contraction, his qi and blood worked like an invisible heavy hammer, repeatedly tempering the inner walls of his organs.
Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes, murmuring to himself, "This Toad Fishing Force always feels incomplete. Could there be subsequent profound secrets?"
As a hidden strength expert, he had developed his own insights into martial arts.
The feeling of incompleteness during cultivation made him vaguely sense that this technique definitely didn't stop at the current three levels.
Chen Qing thought to himself, "The most urgent matter now is still improving my strength. Both Through-arm Stance Work and Toad Fishing Force have great room for progress."
Zhou Liang had once told him about this.
The martial examination was a heavenly path jointly established by the imperial court and major sects to select talent.
Those martial sects with centuries of inheritance and deep foundations possessed techniques and secret arts far beyond what martial halls could offer, including superior martial arts.
Superior martial arts contained internal cultivation methods, representing skills beyond transforming strength.
This was also why so many people participated in the martial examinations.
The triennial martial examination not only featured current talents but also experts from previous years.
How difficult it was to stand out among them all.
Without reaching transforming strength, there was basically little hope of achieving high ranking.
