Chapter 60: Examination |
Liu's Courtyard.
Liu Ze sat upright in his chair, holding a cup of clear tea between his fingers, wisps of steam spiraling in the air.
"Father!"
Liu Nianbo finished his Mantis Boxing routine, wiping sweat as he approached, "I heard that Gao Sheng failed in his attempt to break through to transforming strength? Is this barrier... really so difficult?"
His tone carried a trace of disbelief.
"Naturally so. Breaking through barriers is like ascending to heaven, three major realms, each more difficult than the last."
Liu Ze's gaze was calm as he said, "I heard he didn't damage his foundation, so he should still have chances to attempt again."
Liu Nianbo fell silent for a moment, a flash of longing in his eyes, "Father, what are my chances?"
"There's a chance."
Liu Nianbo's expression dimmed.
He was Liu Ze's own son, soaked in medicinal baths from childhood, well-versed in boxing theory. After beginning martial training, he never lacked meat or blood qi pills, and had the guidance of his father, a transforming strength expert.
Even with all this, he remained stuck at the bottleneck of hidden strength perfection.
Without such favorable conditions, he would probably still be lingering in obvious strength.
As he aged, the difficulty of breakthrough would likely continue increasing.
Liu Ze said slowly, "You only ranked in the Second List this year at the martial examination. If you had the strength to enter the First List, your hopes would be much greater."
He gazed toward the courtyard, his tone grave, "Now Gaolin County has undercurrents surging. Our martial academy's foundation is inferior to the martial halls, and we'll face exclusion and suppression sooner or later. If you could advance to transforming strength, Father wouldn't need to exhaust himself so, and you'd be sufficient to uphold our family's reputation."
Only transforming strength experts could maintain dignity in Gaolin County.
Liu Nianbo sighed, he understood this clearly.
Currently, the entire academy relied on his father's reputation to sustain itself. Once Liu Ze aged and weakened, the martial academy would likely collapse.
Liu Ze sighed softly, "Among we three old fellows, Old Shen has the best fortune."
The Old Shen he mentioned was precisely the Seven Star Palm expert Shen Zhenzhong.
Liu Nianbo took a deep breath, his face full of determination, "Father, I will give my absolute best to break open the door to transforming strength!"
"Don't force it, just do your best."
Liu Ze slowly rose, saying, "Previously I rarely discussed transforming strength with you in detail, fearing that knowing too much would become shackles instead. Today I'll make an exception and explain a bit."
"Come, attack me with full force."
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Nianbo's form moved like lightning. A cunning and vicious Mantis Boxing strike tore through the air, directly targeting Liu Ze's chest!
Bang!
The wind from his fist stirred with a muffled sound.
Liu Ze's form didn't move, nor did he block.
The fist struck solidly against his chest.
However, the expected dull impact sound didn't occur.
Liu Nianbo felt that his punch, which had gathered his entire essence and spirit, was like striking a large mass of water-soaked cotton.
The sensation was extremely strange, his fierce and unmatched force surged forth but couldn't find any solid point of leverage, nowhere to explode, nowhere to vent.
"Father, this is... transforming strength?" Liu Nianbo was stunned.
"Crack!"
At Liu Ze's footing, the surface of that hard, thick blue brick suddenly showed countless fine cracks, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer, instantly spreading into a hideous spider web.
"Transforming strength isn't about hard blocking, it's about making people unable to find a point of leverage. Like waves striking a reef, the reef stands firm while the waves disperse themselves."
Liu Ze's gaze remained calm, "This is transforming strength."
…
Dusk gradually deepened, and disciples dispersed in small groups.
"Junior Brother Chen."
Sun Shun approached Chen Qing, who was organizing equipment, and lowered his voice, "Master is calling for us."
"I understand."
Chen Qing set down what he was holding and followed Sun Shun to the training room in the back courtyard.
Zhou Liang wore a black short jacket, standing with hands behind his back beside the wooden post. His figure appeared somewhat stagnant in the dim light, lost in some deep thought.
"Master!"
Chen Qing and Sun Shun clasped their fists in salute.
Zhou Liang seemed to be called back to his senses and turned around, "It's been a while since I examined your progress. Let me see today. Chen Qing, you go first."
"Yes!"
Chen Qing bowed in acknowledgment, then assumed his stance. A complete set of Through-arm Boxing was performed with vigor and power, the force stirring the air, the sounds of tendons and bones resonating like popping beans.
Zhou Liang observed intently, his brow slightly furrowed, "The Baihui and Yongquan acupoints... still haven't been opened?"
"Correct, still lacking some refinement."
Chen Qing finished his routine and replied.
The Baihui and Yongquan acupoints were the final barriers for achieving hidden strength. Once opened, one would reach hidden strength perfection and could attempt the third breakthrough.
"Mm, steady and methodical progress, foundation is most important."
Zhou Liang nodded, also feeling he had been too hasty earlier.
Chen Qing's natural talent wasn't exceptional, being able to break through to hidden strength was already quite outstanding. How could he demand so much of him?
Next, he examined Sun Shun's progress.
Sun Shun had previously failed in his third breakthrough attempt, suffering meridian damage and blockage. Clearing and adjusting would require at least three years of effort.
A trace of undisguisable disappointment flashed through Zhou Liang's eyes.
Sun Shun asked in a low voice, "Master, Junior Brother Qin's injuries... have they improved at all?"
Originally, Qin Lie had been the most promising in the courtyard to attempt transforming strength, and Zhou Liang had placed high hopes on him.
Chen Qing's heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.
"Sigh..."
Zhou Liang let out a long sigh, his voice heavy, "Qin Lie took secret medicine, and initially his major tendons showed signs of healing, but later there was no further progress. I consulted Master Sima, I'm afraid it's difficult. Being able to recover to normal person status would already be extremely fortunate."
Sun Shun's pupils contracted sharply, horrified, "Are you saying Junior Brother Qin in the future will..."
Chen Qing's face also showed appropriate shock, "This..."
Zhou Liang sighed heavily and said no more.
Qin Lie was his final disciple, yet he was crippled by enemies because of Zhou Liang's connections.
At this moment his heart was filled with mixed emotions, grief sharp as knife cuts, guilt heavy as mountain pressure, mixed with deep disappointment.
Which martial master wandering the jianghu didn't have several enemies? Most martial masters would begin cultivating successor disciples before their qi and blood declined, hoping to have someone to protect them in old age and block punches.
These past years he had searched painstakingly, finally taking in Qin Lie, such a promising seedling. Now, though Zhou Liang could still manage for a few more years, what about after those years?
This vengeance, this school, to whom should it be entrusted?
Sun Shun sighed inwardly, unable to hide his regret.
Chen Qing also showed an appropriately melancholic expression.
Zhou Liang thought of something and looked toward Chen Qing, "When you return later, remember to collect blood qi pills from your master's wife."
He knew his own qi and blood could no longer increase, so he simply stopped taking medicinal supplements, barely maintaining his current strength.
Chen Qing quickly clasped his fists, "Thank you, Master."
Zhou Liang was about to speak when Qin Lie's angry shouting could be heard.
"What's happening!?"
Zhou Liang's expression darkened suddenly. His form flickered as he rushed out of the training room.
Chen Qing and Sun Shun exchanged glances, then followed after him.
…
Side room.
Qin Lie sat rigidly on the wooden bed, head slightly lowered, disheveled black hair falling to cover most of his face.
His hands resting on his knees were clenched tightly into fists, trembling slightly.
Luo Qian's cold, heartless words were like poisoned barbs, repeatedly stirring in his heart, "Qin Lie, face reality! To speak frankly, as you are now, you don't even qualify to guard the gates for my Luo family. Don't pester me anymore in the future."
Humiliation rolled like molten lava in his chest, churning and burning.
Once upon a time, when he was exceptionally talented and Zhou Liang had taken him as his final disciple, how eager and attentive Luo Qian had been, even sending secret glances his way.
Now when he swallowed his pride to seek her out, making vows and oaths, what he received in return was naked humiliation and severed support.
This stifled breath was about to burst him apart!
"Junior Brother Qin, time for medicine."
A gentle call broke the deathly silence.
Zhou Yu entered slowly, carrying a steaming medicine pot.
Qin Lie forcibly suppressed that frustration, squeezing out a strained smile, "Senior Sister has been troubled on my behalf during this time."
Zhou Yu placed the medicine pot on the crooked wooden table, smiling, "Junior Brother is too polite."
She picked up the chipped coarse porcelain bowl, skillfully pouring the dark brown medicinal liquid into it.
Qin Lie accepted the medicine bowl, his fingers "inadvertently" touching Zhou Yu's fingers.
Zhou Yu's expression remained unchanged, her movements flowing naturally as she moved her fingers away, as if merely avoiding the bowl's heat.
This subtle evasion was like a needle stabbing fiercely into Qin Lie's sensitive heart.
Since being crippled at the martial examination, everything had changed.
The pitying or distant looks from his fellow disciples, the subtle barriers in their words, even this senior sister who had once spoken gently to him had erected invisible walls.
He set down the scalding medicine bowl heavily, saying in a low voice, "Senior Sister, I always feel... you've become much more distant and cold toward me lately."
Zhou Yu's movements paused momentarily, then returned to normal, "Junior Brother Qin, you're overthinking."
"Am I really overthinking?"
Qin Lie stared at her gaze that tried to avoid his, and he grabbed Zhou Yu's sleeve as she tried to withdraw it, "Senior Sister Zhou!"
"Junior Brother Qin!"
Zhou Yu's eyebrows shot up angrily, her voice taking on severity as she jerked back her sleeve, "You should rest!"
With that, she turned to leave.
