nyslfriends Chapter 114 Adding Flowers to Brocade, the Fake Fu Sheng is the Real God of Wealth
Chapter 114 Adding Flowers to Brocade, the Fake Fu Sheng is the Real God of Wealth
Chapter 115 Adding Flowers to Brocade, the Fake Fu Sheng is the Real God of Wealth
Backstage, Shunzi and Lu Feng were so angry their eyes turned red.
"Master, this grandson is going too far! So what if he's Marshal Xing's nephew? I'll go and cripple him right now!"
Lu Feng gritted his teeth, his hand already touching the hilt of the knife at his waist, ready to charge out with murderous intent.
"stop."
Lu Cheng's voice rang out coldly.
He reached out and grabbed Lu Feng's shoulder.
That long, strong hand forcefully pinned Lu Feng, the wolf cub on the verge of going berserk, to the spot.
"Master!"
Lu Feng's eyes reddened with anger. "They're practically shitting on our necks, and you're just going to stand by and watch?"
Shunzi also looked puzzled and aggrieved: "Yes, Master, when have we ever been treated like this? We might as well fight them!"
Lu Cheng didn't look at them; his eyes were fixed on the panicked Qinglian on the stage.
"spell?"
"How do we fight? Charge in and kill them?"
"So—so we'll just have to put up with this?" Lu Feng's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
"Who said we should just put up with it?"
Lu Cheng turned his head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"But the show isn't over yet."
"Remember, this is what we make a living from."
"On stage, the performance is paramount."
"As long as the drums keep beating, as long as the curtain hasn't fallen, even if the sky falls, this play must be performed to its fullest extent!"
Lu Cheng straightened his sleeves, his tone turning sinister.
"I will get my revenge."
"But—he's still on stage."
"Once we step off the stage, the curtain will be drawn."
"Let's settle this score with them slowly."
Lu Cheng did not step onto the stage, but stood in the shadows behind the curtain.
He took a deep breath.
【The Toad-Catching Strength】is a subtle movement that causes airflow within the abdominal cavity, employing an extremely profound internal vocalization technique.
This is the variant of the "cloud-covered moon" vocal technique, which is said to be achieved through extreme vocal training in traditional Chinese opera.
The sound condenses into a single line, gathering without dispersing.
"Sun Yujiao 1"
The call, neither too loud nor too soft, reached Qinglian's ears.
It was as if her master was standing beside her, whispering in her ear.
Qinglian shuddered and subconsciously looked towards the side curtain.
Although she couldn't see her master, that familiar voice instantly calmed her panicked heart.
"Don't panic."
Lu Cheng's voice continued to come through.
"That was a pie that fell from the sky," not a stone.
"Pick it up."
"That was the betrothal gift from Young Master Fu," and also your prop.
"Keep acting."
"Incorporate this interlude into the play."
To blend into the play?
Qinglian was taken aback, and then a flash of inspiration struck her.
She remembered what her master had taught her: "The play is paramount; as long as you're on stage, you are a character in the play."
Since they are characters in a play, then this is just something that happens in a play.
She took a deep breath and adjusted her expression.
Her initial panicked expression instantly transformed into—joy, along with a hint of a young girl's characteristic greed and cunning.
She looked at the gold ring on the ground and the silver coin that was about to fall.
There was no dodging.
Instead, she performed an extremely graceful "lying fish" movement, bending her body down softly and waving her water sleeves.
"oops-"
This spoken line was charming and delightful.
"Could these be golden eggs bestowed upon me by the God of Wealth from heaven, who saw how hard I work feeding the chickens?"
She picked up the gold ring with two fingers, held it up to the light, and then bit it with her teeth.
That gesture, that expression—she was exactly like a naive, greedy young lady from a poor family who had never seen the world.
"Hehe, it's real gold!"
She tucked the ring into her bosom, then bowed gracefully towards the direction of the second floor.
This bow was not to Fatty Liu.
They are worshipping the "God of Wealth".
"Thank you, God of Wealth, for the meal!"
"But this wine—"
Qinglian's eyes darted around, revealing a shy expression, which was Sun Yujiao's deep affection for Fu Peng.
"This cup of wine is reserved for my beloved. Even the God of Wealth, though kind, can't interfere in matters of the heart!"
This change is absolutely brilliant.
What was originally an awkward, even insulting, disruption of the event instantly transformed into a scene within the play. It became a "test" of Sun Yujiao's ability to resist temptation while remaining true to herself.
Not only did it not interrupt the performance, it also made the character more well-rounded, more endearing, and more principled.
"good!!!"
"Hahaha, this girl is clever."
"Well said! So what if you're rich? That girl already has someone else in her heart!"
"That's the star of the Qingyun Troupe—he's got guts!"
The audience below the stage reacted instantly, erupting in even more enthusiastic applause and laughter than before. The laughter carried both mockery of the powerful and wealthy and admiration for the young girl.
In a private room on the second floor.
The smile on Fatty Liu's face froze.
He originally intended to provoke Lu Cheng or humiliate the opera troupe so that he could find an excuse to cause trouble.
The results of it?
They didn't take his line at all. Instead, they treated him like a "sucker" in a play, using the money he threw at them as a prop, and even gently returned it.
It's like punching cotton; not only did it not hurt anyone, it also made you flinch.
Moreover, the laughter below made him feel like a tasteless fool.
"Oh shit----"
Fatty Liu cursed and put his hand on the holster at his waist, ready to lash out.
"Young Master, you mustn't!"
The adjutant next to him quickly grabbed his hand, lowered his voice, and was covered in sweat.
"Look over there—"
The adjutant pointed to the side curtain of the theater.
Although it was far away and the lights were dim.
But Fatty Liu sensed a gaze upon him.
It was a gaze that shot out from the darkness, cold, as cold as a wind blowing from hell.
Lu Cheng stood there, half of his face hidden in the shadows.
He neither made a move nor spoke.
But that undisguised killing intent was like an invisible knife, placed directly against Fatty Liu's neck.
Intuition told Fatty Liu that if he dared to draw his gun now, he would be the one to die in the next second.
"This Lu Cheng—he's weird."
Fatty Liu felt a chill run down the back of his neck; it was a biological instinct of fear.
"Walk."
Fatty Liu kicked over the chair and slammed the folding fan to the ground.
"Lu Cheng—you're ruthless."
"We'll settle this score later!"
He and his men slunk away.
Side curtain.
Watching Fatty Liu's departing figure, the cold light in Lu Cheng's eyes did not dissipate; instead, it intensified.
"Master, are we just going to let them go like this?" Lu Feng asked unwillingly.
Lu Cheng turned around, looked at Qinglian who was still performing calmly on the stage, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"Walk?"
"There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world."
Outside the theater, the sky was overcast, and the wind howled through the alley.
Fatty Liu, accompanied by several adjutants, had just turned the corner, cursing and swearing, and was about to get into the car.
Suddenly, a massive, mountain-like black shadow appeared without warning, blocking the middle of the road like a wall.
"Who's there? A good dog doesn't block the way!" Fatty Liu was furious and started cursing.
The dark figure didn't move, but slowly turned around.
In the dim light of the streetlamp, a large, fleshy face was revealed, yet it was smiling like a Maitreya Buddha.
It was Tong Sanjin.
The former top-ranking wrestler of the Qing Dynasty wasn't wearing his usual bathing clothes today; instead, he was wearing a loose-fitting training uniform, his belly making the clothes look round and plump.
"Young Master Liu, the show's over, and you've already given your tip, but you're trying to leave before you've even wiped your mouth clean?"
Tong Sanjin chuckled, a sinister glint in his eyes.
"Our Qingyun Troupe's rule is that guests are welcome, but if they are unwelcome guests, they must leave something behind before they leave."
"You fat bastard, you're asking for it."
Enraged, Fatty Liu waved his hand and shouted, "Cripple him!"
Just as the adjutants were about to draw their guns, Tong Sanjin moved.
This movement was as still as a virgin and as swift as a rabbit.
The 300-pound body suddenly burst forth with astonishing speed, like a human bomb tank, crashing towards them with a thunderous roar.
"Bang! Bang!"
Before the two adjutants could react, they were sent flying by the impact—a real "close-quarters collision."
Just as Tong Sanjin's large, fan-like hands were about to grab Liu Pangzi's collar.
"snort."
A cold snort rang out from behind Fatty Liu.
Immediately afterwards, a hand that didn't look thick or strong, and was even a bit thin, reached out lightly and placed itself on Tong Sanjin's thick wrist.
It's just a simple "helping out".
Tong Sanjin felt a strange force coming from him.
The force was neither like Lu Cheng's fierceness nor like Nalan Yuanshu's venom, but rather a kind of "sinking".
It felt as heavy as a mountain pressing down on my wrist.
"Friend, let's be forgiving when we can."
"Um?"
Tong Sanjin was startled and instinctively used the "force-reducing" technique of the Shanpu Camp. His fat body trembled like waves, trying to deflect the force.
But that hand, as if rooted to the spot, gripped his pulse point tightly.
"What a muscular physique, but unfortunately, he doesn't use his strength very well."
The speaker was a middle-aged man wearing a Zhongshan suit.
This man had a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. His temples were slightly sunken, and he didn't look like a martial artist; he looked more like an accountant.
But as he stood there, several fine cracks silently appeared on the blue bricks beneath his feet.
"rise!"
The middle-aged man flicked his wrist.
Tong Sanjin's 300-pound body was actually shaken so badly by this one shake that he lost his balance and stumbled to the side.
"A master!"
Tong Sanjin's heart skipped a beat.
This person didn't kill him.
If the opponent had used a "inch force" or a "bone-penetrating force" just now, his wrist would have been shattered long ago.
This is a warning from the other side, and also a sign that they are holding back their strength.
"Who are you?" Tong Sanjin steadied himself, his face wary.
The middle-aged man didn't speak, but simply stood in front of Fatty Liu, his hands behind his back.
Just then.
"call"
A gust of wind rose.
A white figure appeared behind Tong Sanjin like a ghost.
A slender, warm hand gently rested on Tong Sanjin's broad back.
"Master Tong, may I borrow your body for a moment?"
Lu Cheng's voice rang out calmly.
Followed by.
"boom!!"
Tong Sanjin felt an indescribable, terrifying heat flow into his body through Lu Cheng's palm.
That's not ordinary internal energy.
That is————
In Lu Cheng's mind, the diagram of "The Execution of Zidu" flashed wildly.
Reversing the flow of qi, the pores open and close.
The vital energy exploded within the body like explosives, transforming into an indestructible force—[罡气]!
Tong Sanjin felt as if his fat body had been inflated, and every hair on his body stood on end.
Involuntarily, following that force, he took a sudden step forward and leaned his shoulder against it.
That lean was Lu Cheng using his body to deliver a "hit from across the mountain" strike.
4
"collapse!!!"
A loud, muffled thunderclap suddenly erupted in the air.
A visible wave of air erupted from Tong Sanjin's shoulder and shot straight toward the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man's previously calm face instantly changed color.
"罡气?!"
He suddenly crossed his arms in front of his chest, striking a "steel gate" pose, his muscles bulging, trying to withstand the attack head-on.
But that power was too domineering.
That's the kind of powerful energy that can only be formed when one has mastered the art of transforming internal energy to its extreme, allowing the force to penetrate the entire body.
"Bang!"
A loud bang.
The middle-aged man felt as if his arms had been hit by a speeding train, and his bones groaned in pain from the unbearable strain.
He was lifted off the ground and slid backward for a full three zhang (approximately 10 meters), his feet carving two deep furrows in the ground, until he crashed into the base of the wall and barely came to a stop.
"puff----"
The middle-aged man felt a tightness in his chest, forced himself to swallow a mouthful of blood, and looked up at Lu Cheng with disbelief and horror in his eyes.
"This—this is internal energy?!"
"You're so young—how is that possible?!"
He didn't believe it.
He had seen countless grandmasters in Jinling, but even Li Shuwen, who was known as the "Divine Spear," did not have such cultivation at this age.
"Nothing is impossible."
Lu Cheng slowly walked out from behind Tong Sanjin, his moon-white robe swaying gently in the wind, his expression indifferent as water.
"I don't believe you, let's try again!"
The middle-aged man was also a martial arts fanatic and a person with extremely high aspirations.
Being forced back by a junior in a single move instantly ignited his long-dormant martial spirit.
"drink!"
With a roar, his joints cracked, and his aura instantly reached its peak.
His internal strength had already reached perfection, and now he had one foot already in the realm of transforming strength!
He used a minor forbidden technique that could deplete his vital energy.
With a powerful push of his feet, he charged forward like a tiger descending a mountain, radiating a chilling killing intent.
"slow."
Lu Cheng shook his head.
He didn't adopt a fighting stance, but instead quietly watched the middle-aged man.
With his keen eyes, he could clearly see the flow of Qi and blood within the body. It was the authentic Bajiquan style, and the Qi and blood were pure, exuding a righteous aura.
Most importantly, he did hold back against Tong Sanjin just now.
This shows that this person is not a truly wicked villain, but simply someone who serves their own master.
"I advise you not to take any more action."
"You're only forty years old this year, the prime of your life, and also the most crucial years for transitioning from martial arts to Taoism."
"Your skills are hard-earned; you've already stepped halfway into the realm of Transformation."
"If I die here today—"
Lu Cheng's eyes turned slightly cold.
"That is a loss for the country, and a loss for the martial arts world."
"You—" The middle-aged man froze, his charging momentum abruptly halted by those few words.
"Arrogant! You think I'll die?" the middle-aged man said through gritted teeth.
"meeting."
Lu Cheng replied with only one word.
next second.
boom!
Golden light burst forth from Lu Cheng's eyes.
Deep within his consciousness, the two peerless diagrams trembled simultaneously.
A red-robed Zhong Kui, sword drawn and glaring, suppresses all evil spirits!
A white tiger with piercing eyes, carrying a corpse in its mouth and turning its head, exudes an overwhelming ferocity!
Two completely different yet perfectly integrated terrifying fist intents were released without reservation, following Lu Cheng's gaze.
That instant.
In the spiritual world of that middle-aged man.
Lu Cheng disappeared from sight.
Instead, a towering god-demon appeared, looking down upon him, this mere ant, like a deity.
"What... what kind of fist intent is this?!"
The middle-aged man's mind was shaken violently, and cold sweat instantly soaked his entire body.
He met countless masters in Nanjing and at the Presidential Palace.
But he had never seen such terrifying, domineering, and even transcendent martial arts.
His intuition was screaming wildly.
I'll die! I really will die! If I dare to take another step, I will be torn to shreds by this force!
His originally firm fighting spirit melted and disintegrated instantly in the face of this overwhelming fist intent, like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun.
He stood frozen in place, unable to put his foot down.
"This—how is this possible—"
The middle-aged man muttered to himself, his face pale.
"Mr. Shen, Mr. Shen, what are you standing there for?!"
Fatty Liu, standing to the side, couldn't understand the intricacies of the situation. He only saw that the top expert he had invited from Jinling had been frightened by Lu Cheng's few words, and he immediately became anxious.
"You were sent from Nanjing, and you used to be the President's bodyguard."
"This kid is just an actor, you'd better step in and cripple him."
"Shut up!"
The middle-aged man, referred to as Master Shen, suddenly turned around and shouted sharply.
He took a deep breath, composed himself, and slowly straightened up.
He looked at Lu Cheng with an extremely complex expression.
There was shock, there was fear, and even more—a trace of respect for fellow strong individuals.
"Master Lu".
Master Shen cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone becoming unusually solemn.
"Shen has misjudged the situation."
"Heroes emerge from among the young; the ancients were right."
"Master Shen, you—" Fatty Liu was dumbfounded. "What do you mean by this?"
Master Shen turned his head and gave Fatty Liu a cold look, his eyes filled with disdain and disgust.
"Young Master Liu."
"I came to Beiping on orders from Nanjing to protect Marshal Xing's safety and to uphold the dignity of the nation."
"I'm not here to be a thug for spoiled brats like you, to bully men and women."
"I'm accompanying you today because I want to witness the skills of this legendary Master Lu."
Master Shen turned around and gave Lu Cheng a deep look, as if he wanted to etch the young man's image into his mind.
"Now, I've seen it for myself."
"It lives up to its reputation, and even surpasses it in some respects."
As for you—
Master Shen dusted off his sleeves, turned and left without even looking back.
"I have no obligation to protect you as you go to your death."
"You brought this on yourself, so you'll have to take responsibility for it."
After saying that, the half-step Transformation Realm expert flickered and disappeared into the night, leaving with a swift and decisive air.
Liu Pangzi was left alone, standing in the wind, watching Lu Cheng approach step by step and Tong Sanjin rubbing his hands together in anticipation. His legs trembled uncontrollably, like a pipa being played.
"Mr. Lu—it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding—"
"Misunderstand?"
Lu Cheng walked up to him, looking down at him calmly.
"Then let's settle this misunderstanding properly."
After a while.
A piercing scream echoed through the alley, accompanied by the cracking sound of bones breaking.
"Ah—! My leg! Stop hitting me, I'll pay, I'll pay!"
"6
When Lu Cheng and the others returned to the opera house, the play had already ended.
Qinglian and Hongyu returned with a full load.
Not only did he receive thunderous applause, but he also received a large sum of money as a reward; the gold ring alone was worth a considerable amount of money.
Backstage.
As soon as Qinglian saw Lu Cheng, she knelt down with a thud.
"Master—I—I just—"
"stand up."
Lu Cheng smiled and helped her up.
"well done."
"This is called improvisation," which means adapting to the situation on the spot.
"A true star not only needs to be skilled, but also quick-witted."
"Whether it's gold or bricks, once it's thrown onto the stage, it's your show."
"Being able to catch and defuse the situation, that's skill."
Lu Cheng patted Qinglian's head, his eyes full of admiration.
"Today, the first shot has been fired."
"From now on, you will be number one in the dan (female role) category in Beijing."
Qinglian burst into laughter through her tears, clutching the gold ring tightly in her hand.
"Master, this ring—"
"Keep it."
Lu Cheng said calmly.
"That's the money you earned for the props through your own skills."
"If you ever encounter another blind money-grubber like this again, just treat him like this."
"Ignore him completely, leave the money."
"We shouldn't be against money, but we also can't let money bend our backs."
"Do you understand?"
"Got it!"
Qinglian nodded vigorously, her little face full of determination.
This incident further enhanced the reputation of the Qingyun Troupe.
Not only are the action scenes impressive, but the dramatic scenes are also captivating. Not only is the master a grandmaster, but the disciples are all exceptionally talented.
Most importantly, the Qingyun Troupe has a certain "spirit".
Whether facing a Japanese sword, a warlord's gun, or a rich young master's money.
They can handle it all, defuse it, and still perform the play with dignity.
Late at night.
Lu Cheng dismissed his apprentices and walked out of the theater alone.
The lights on Qianmen Street were dim.
There was a small stall selling wontons by the roadside, with steam rising from the pot and the firewood crackling.
The stall owner was an old man. When he saw Lu Cheng coming over, he quickly wiped the stool.
"Mr. Lu, your performance is over. Would you like a bowl of wontons to warm yourself up?"
"Give me a bowl, with extra cilantro and extra chili oil."
Lu Cheng sat down, not minding that the bench was hard.
A short while later, a steaming bowl of wontons was served. The wrappers were thin and the fillings were generous, with seaweed and dried shrimp floating in the soup, and the aroma was irresistible.
Lu Cheng picked up the spoon and took a sip of the hot soup.
Spicy, hot, and fresh.
A warm current flowed down my esophagus, dispelling the chill of the night.
He looked at the empty street and the occasional car lights flashing in the distance.
My heart has finally calmed down completely.
"These days—"
Lu Cheng narrowed his eyes.
"Although it's chaotic, it's also quite interesting."
"As long as this bowl of wontons is still hot and can be eaten, this play—can continue to be performed."
He ate the wontons with gusto, as if they were the most delicious delicacy in the world.
Just as he finished the last sip of hot soup and felt the blissful sensation of his pores opening up, a sudden jolt ran through Lu Cheng's mind.
The familiar golden lettering, carrying a lively and vibrant energy, slowly emerged.
[Current Performance: Picking Up the Jade Bracelet]
Starring: Qinglian, Hongyu (personal disciples)
[Mastermind behind the scenes: Lu Cheng]
[Commentary: "Unparalleled resourcefulness, turning danger into safety. Facing the difficulties posed by powerful figures, she remained neither servile nor arrogant; that impromptu move not only saved the day but also showcased the girl's agility and backbone. The performance was both fiction and genuine emotion; though the student is still young, she has already grasped the essence of 'spirit.' A great teacher produces outstanding students; the merit of her teaching is immeasurable."]
[Overall rating: Lower A (A sudden inspiration, met with applause)]
[Reward: Exquisite Heart!]
[Exquisite Mind: Possessing keen insight and a clear, lucid mind. With greatly enhanced comprehension, one can learn any martial arts technique with lightning speed, applying knowledge to new situations; possessing keen insight into people's hearts and thorough consideration, one can see through illusions both on and off screen.]
"A delicate heart?"
Lu Cheng was slightly taken aback, and then felt his heart suddenly skip a few beats.
There was no heat rushing over my head as usual, nor did my blood and qi surge.
Rather, it is a kind of "coolness".
It's like taking a sip of iced plum juice on a sweltering summer day, or like having a dusty mirror wiped clean in an instant.
"Buzz"
In that instant, Lu Cheng felt his mind was clearer than ever before.
Some obscure and difficult points I encountered when practicing martial arts before, such as the few verses about the "Dragon Form" transformation in "Xingyi Zhenquan", suddenly became clear in my mind, as if the principle had always been there, but I was just too blind to see it before.
"nice one."
A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Cheng's eyes.
Although the [Exquisite Heart] does not directly increase one's skill level, it is a top-tier talent for martial arts and Taoist cultivation.
With this, you can learn any new skill after just one look and master it after just one practice.
"Qinglian has done a great job this time."
Lu Cheng put down the rough porcelain bowl that was missing a corner, took out two silver dollars from his pocket and placed them on the table, without asking the old man for change.
He stood up, feeling the clarity brought by his "seven-aperture exquisite heart," and felt that even the night had become exceptionally vivid.
Life flows by like the water on Qianmen Street, neither too fast nor too slow.
Ever since Qinglian showed off her amazing talent on stage that day, the Qingyun Troupe has finally established itself firmly in the world of female impersonation in Beijing.
Even the most discerning Manchu remnants would give Qinglian a thumbs up and exclaim, "Her spiritual energy is overwhelming!"
.
In the backyard of the Lu residence, the crabapple blossoms had faded, but the pomegranate flowers had bloomed again, their bright red petals like clusters of fire, warming the heart.
At midday that day, the sun was scorching.
Lu Cheng didn't rest inside the house, but stood under the old locust tree, shirtless and wearing only a pair of wide silk trousers.
He was not carrying any weapons.
He just stood there quietly, in the "Hun Yuan Zhuang" stance.
Sweat rolled down his marble-sculpted muscles, glistening oily in the sunlight.
He is practicing Qi cultivation.
It's not the forceful, aggressive breathing of the "Toad-Catching Strength" technique, but rather a deep-seated "refinement" that penetrates to the very marrow.
Since receiving that fifty-year infusion of hidden strength, although his internal energy and blood were abundant, he always felt that something was missing.
It's like a reservoir full of good water, but lacking a proper channel for drainage.
"The Twelve Forms of Xingyi —"
Lu Cheng silently recited in his heart.
During this period, he wore out the book "The True Meaning of Form and Meaning" that Grandpa Han had given him.
With the blessing of the [Exquisite Heart], the originally obscure and difficult-to-understand boxing principles in the book are now as simple and clear as plain language in his eyes.
Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Rooster, Hawk, Swallow, Snake, Terrace, Eagle, Bear, Alligator.
These twelve forms each correspond to a great dragon in the human body, representing a type of power.
He has now mastered the five elements of dragon, tiger, monkey, swallow, and bear, and has even developed a divine understanding of them.
But the rest, especially the "snake-shaped" and "eagle-shaped" ones, always fell short of expectations.
"The snake coils around, the eagle grasps."
"If you master these two skills, and combine them with my internal strength, you'll have a deadly close-quarters combat technique."
As Lu Cheng pondered this, he suddenly moved.
His spine twisted eerily, like a giant python.
He slid close to the ground in an instant, his hands reaching out like snake tongues, leaving afterimages in the air.
Immediately afterwards, he sprang up, his five fingers forming hooks, like an eagle pouncing on a rabbit, and fiercely grabbed at the tree trunk.
"Sizzle!"
He actually managed to tear off a large chunk of the tough old locust tree bark with his grab, revealing the white wood underneath.
But that's not enough.
Lu Cheng looked at the wood shavings on his fingertips and shook his head.
"It's still too hard."
"It lacks that penetrating, feminine charm."
"It seems that just figuring things out on my own isn't enough."
Just as I was pondering this, I heard footsteps coming from the front yard.
Judging from the sound, the footsteps were unsteady and somewhat dragging, not like a trained martial artist, but more like a pampered and wealthy idler.
"Master Lu, Lord Lu."
That old man's voice came in.
Lu Cheng stopped his attack, wiped his sweat with a towel, put on a light shirt, and went out to greet them.
"Sir, what brings you here on such a hot day?"
That old man was wearing a long robe of hemp cloth today, holding a folding fan in his hand, fanning himself loudly, his forehead covered in sweat.
But the joy on his face was impossible to hide.
"Master Lu, this is wonderful news!"
Upon seeing Lu Cheng, the old man quickly cupped his hands in greeting.
"Didn't you ask me to help you find some old items in the palace, especially those related to martial arts?"
"Well, I've got news."
"Oh?" Lu Cheng's eyes lit up. He ushered the man into the house and poured him a cup of cold tea.
"What good stuff?"
The old man took a sip of tea, caught his breath, and then said mysteriously, "It's a boxing manual."
"And it's—a unique, authentic copy of Bajiquan!"
"Bajiquan?"
Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow.
He thought of Nalan Yuanshu, who had died at his hands. That kid's "fierce tiger climbing the mountain" was indeed domineering and unparalleled in its strength.
And that middle-aged man I met last night, his punches were incredibly powerful, far surpassing those of ordinary internal strength martial artists.
In terms of lethality, Bajiquan is definitely among the top martial arts.
If he could receive the true teachings of Bajiquan, even if he didn't practice it, learning from its power generation techniques would greatly benefit his Xingyiquan.
Especially now that we have the [Exquisite Heart], the speed at which we can learn from and integrate new technologies will be astonishing.
"Where?"
"Right here—at the Huo family's house."
The old man lowered his voice.
"Not the Huo family of Tianjin, but a branch of the Huo family who once served as the chief of the imperial guards."
"Although this family has fallen on hard times, they are said to possess a copy of the Bajiquan manual, personally annotated by Huo Diange."
'
C
"The young master of this family has recently become addicted to smoking and is currently selling off his family's assets."
"I asked around, and the boxing manual is still there. As long as the price is right, I can sell it."
After listening, Lu Cheng didn't say a word. He took out two silver notes worth one hundred silver dollars from the drawer and slapped them on the table.
"Then, sir, I'll trouble you to make the trip."
"I'll take this."
"Price isn't the issue; the key is speed, so someone else doesn't snatch it up."
The old man stared at the silver note, his eyes wide with amazement.
Two hundred silver dollars!
Master Lu is truly generous.
"Alright, you can hold on tight. I'll bring the things to you tonight."
The man carefully pocketed the silver notes and left excitedly.
into the night.
As expected, the old man kept his word and delivered the food before dinner.
It was a small package wrapped in oilcloth. When I opened it, I found a blue-covered, thread-bound book with yellowed pages and worn edges, exuding the vicissitudes of time.
The cover has four large characters written on it: "The True Meaning of the Eight Extremes".
Upon opening it, one finds it filled with tiny, meticulous characters, accompanied by lifelike illustrations of figures. Every movement and the direction of every meridian is clearly marked.
Especially those red annotations, each word a gem, revealing the insights of a master.
"nice one."
Lu Cheng had only flipped through a few pages when he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
This book records not only the moves, but also the secrets of Bajiquan's "power generation".
The explosive power of "collision, shock, breakthrough, and strike," and the close-quarters combat of "touching, helping, squeezing, and leaning," are simply killing techniques born for actual combat.
Thanks to the blessing of the [Exquisite Heart], Lu Cheng was able to read the boxing manual at an extremely fast speed, reading ten lines at a glance and remembering everything he saw.
Those complex power-generating techniques were quickly decomposed and reassembled in his mind, corroborating his own knowledge of Xingyi Quan.
"If I could incorporate the power generation techniques from this into my Bear Form..."
A sudden inspiration struck Lu Cheng.
The bear shape represents composure, while the Bajiquan shape represents fierceness.
If the two are combined, it will no longer be a simple "collision", but a "collision" like a bomb.
That power would definitely double.
Lu Cheng was overjoyed and immediately began studying it in his study.
He watched it all night long.
Early the next morning.
Lu Cheng walked out of the study with dark circles under his eyes, but his spirits were unusually high.
He went to the backyard and looked at the poor old locust tree.
"Give it a try."
Lu Cheng took a deep breath, spread his feet apart, and assumed a horse stance.
This is not the Three-Body Stance of Xingyi Quan, but the "Two-Element Stance" of Bajiquan.
"snort!"
He let out a muffled groan from his nose, the famous "blowing" sound.
With that groan, the immense internal energy within him instantly circulated along the Bajiquan path, converging at his right shoulder.
"Depend on."
Lu Cheng swayed and crashed into the old locust tree.
This collision looked similar to the previous bear collisions.
But at the moment of contact with the tree trunk.
"collapse--!!"
A loud bang.
The old locust tree, as thick as a person's embrace, suddenly trembled violently, and its leaves fell like rain.
And at the spot where Lu Cheng's shoulder struck.
The bark was not broken.
But the tree trunk inside made a series of cracking sounds.
That was an internal injury.
The force penetrated deep inside, shattering the tree's heartwood.
"It's done!"
Lu Cheng was overjoyed.
This is the "penetrating force" of Bajiquan. Combined with its hidden force, it is simply an indestructible battering ram.
This is the terrifying aspect of "Linglongxin"—in one night, she absorbed the essence of a profound martial art into herself.
Just then.
A sudden commotion came from outside the courtyard.
"What are you doing? This is the Lu residence, not a place you can just barge into!"
It was Shunzi's voice, filled with anger.
"Make way, we want to see Master Lu."
A somewhat arrogant yet anxious voice came through.
Lu Cheng frowned, stopped practicing, put on his clothes, and went out.
The main entrance.
Shunzi, along with several of his junior brothers, was blocking a group of people.
The group of people were wearing matching black training uniforms with white belts around their waists, and they looked like disciples of a martial arts school.
The leader was a man in his thirties with a fierce face. He was carrying a nine-ringed broadsword and confronting Shunzi with a menacing look.
"What happened?"
Lu Cheng spoke calmly, and the group immediately fell silent.
"Master, these people claim to be from the Tongzhou Bajiquan school. They insist on seeing you, saying we stole their boxing manual and they want an explanation."
Shunzi was so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged.
"Bajiquan?"
Lu Cheng's gaze swept over the group of people, finally settling on the man in the lead.
"I am Lu Cheng."
"You say I stole the boxing manual, what evidence do you have?"
Upon seeing Lu Cheng, the man's imposing manner weakened slightly, after all, a person's reputation precedes them, and Lu Cheng's fearsome name was well-known.
But he still forced himself to speak.
"Master Lu, I am Zhao Sihai, the instructor of the Bajiquan School in Tongzhou."
"A few days ago, my young master was ignorant and stole the family heirloom, 'The True Meaning of the Eight Extremes,' and sold it."
1
"We found out that the boxing manual ended up in your hands."
"That is the lifeblood of our Bajiquan sect! We beg Grandmaster Lu—to return it!"
So that's what happened.
Lu Cheng understood.
That spendthrift son who sells books actually stole them.
This is indeed a bit troublesome.
According to the rules of the underworld, even if one is unaware of the stolen goods, there must still be a proper explanation for buying and selling them.
Besides, since they came to our door, we have the moral high ground.
"The boxing manual is indeed with me."
Lu Cheng did not deny it, and nodded frankly.
"But I bought it with real money, it cost me two hundred silver dollars."
"You want to go back?"
"Can."
Lu Cheng smiled.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to return the Bajiquan manual or covet it; it was just that his boxing skills were still in their early stages and he needed someone to verify his abilities. To prevent the other party from being unwilling to give their all, he deliberately provoked them.
"According to the rules of the martial arts world."
"Since it's something from the martial arts world, then let's resolve it using the methods of the martial arts world."
"I won't bully you either."
Lu Cheng pointed at Zhao Sihai.
"Since you're the instructor, you must have some skill."
"Let's lend a hand."
"If you can defeat me even by a single move, I will offer you the boxing manual with both hands, without taking a single penny."
"If you lose—"
Lu Cheng's eyes turned cold.
"This boxing manual is mine. The two hundred silver dollars are for your young master to buy medicine."
"So, do you dare?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Sihai's expression changed several times.
Should we take action against Lu Cheng?
Isn't that just courting death?
Even the Japanese sword saint was driven away, so what is he, a mere instructor of internal energy cultivation?
But with so many people watching, if we back down, we'll lose all face for the Bajiquan sect.
"good!"
Zhao Sihai gritted his teeth and made up his mind.
"Now that Master Lu has laid down the rules, if I, Zhao, were to back down, I would have no face to return to Tongzhou."
"please!"
On the training ground.
The atmosphere was heavy.
The disciples of Qingyun Class and Bajimen stood on both sides, each holding their breath and concentrating.
Zhao Sihai took off his shirt, revealing his muscular physique, and, wielding a nine-ringed broadsword, struck a pose of "fighting all directions at night."
Lu Cheng was still wearing a long robe and even holding a folding fan in his hand, without taking any weapons.
"please."
Lu Cheng put one hand behind his back and gestured for him to proceed.
"drink!"
Zhao Sihai didn't hold back either. With a roar, he swung his broadsword down with a "Splitting Mount Hua" strike, accompanied by a whooshing sound.
This strike was powerful and heavy; it showed some skill.
But in Lu Cheng's eyes, it was as slow as a snail.
He slipped with his feet using the Ghostly Step, slightly shifting his body to the side, and the blade grazed the hem of his clothes, missing its mark.
"when!"
The broadsword struck the ground, sparks flying everywhere.
Before Zhao Sihai could even change his tactics...
Lu Cheng made a move.
He didn't use any other techniques.
The technique they were using was the Bajiquan they had just learned last night.