Start with push-ups to gain experience

Chapter 388 Cultivating oneself or unleashing a massacre?
Fang Cheng originally wanted to take this opportunity to go to the kitchen to show off his skills and practice his cooking techniques.

However, as soon as he set off, Ma Jianguo stopped him and insisted that he keep him company while he chatted.

Once they started talking, they couldn't stop. They went from discussing the origins of martial arts to health preservation tips, and then from health preservation tips to news about medical corruption.

Finally, the topic inevitably veered towards a direction that all the elders were enthusiastic about.

"Acheng, you're over twenty this year, right? Do you have a girlfriend?"

As soon as the topic came up, even Professor Wu Dewang, who was passing by, immediately perked up his ears, grinning as he approached, looking just like a scout preparing to gather intelligence.

Height, weight, birth date and time, family situation...

The two old gentlemen took turns asking very detailed questions.

He was practically ready to pull out his phone, find photos of all the eligible girls in his family, and arrange a grand blind date.

Fang Cheng was caught off guard by this sudden outpouring of enthusiasm and could only respond with a few words of resignation.

Then, with a quick glance, she changed the subject:

"Uncle Ma, where is Donghe?"

"Didn't he apply to the Special Search Party and prepare for the second round of interviews? Why isn't he coming home for lunch at such a crucial time?"

When his son was mentioned, Ma Jianguo's expression became complicated, showing both disappointment and concern.

"Don't mention that brat!"

Ma Jianguo snorted and muttered:
"Donghe's preliminary test results were not ideal, so I locked him in a cave and let him reflect on his actions."

What he called "solitary confinement" was actually a form of ascetic practice passed down through the Ma family.

Practitioners must live in a secluded environment, abstaining from food and water, and rely solely on their willpower and qigong cultivation to combat hunger and loneliness.

It is said that this method can greatly stimulate human potential under extreme conditions, forcibly stealing a sliver of life from the world.

This was precisely the method of stealing heavenly secrets that Fang Cheng had once tried, based on the theory Ma Jianguo had described.

At that time, he dived into the depths of the trench on Yong'an Island and meditated in breath control, thus unlocking Qigong skills and greatly improving his mental and physical qualities.

However, this method is extremely risky, and the torment it inflicts on the mind and body is extraordinary. If one is not careful, one will go astray and become possessed by evil spirits.

As Ma Jianguo spoke, he looked at Fang Cheng with considerable interest.

It is believed that with Fang Cheng's exceptional talent, which is rare even in a century, if he were to use the special cultivation method of the Ma family, he might be able to achieve even greater success.

Fang Cheng quickly shook his head and refused.

What a joke.

It's acceptable to shut yourself away for ascetic practice, but enduring hunger and not eating is absolutely unacceptable.

He silently shed a tear of sympathy for Ma Dong-hyuk, who was starving in a cave far away.

It's so miserable.

"Ugh……"

Touched by his thoughts, Ma Jianguo couldn't help but sigh, looking out into the courtyard, his words filled with the complex emotions of a father.

“He’s the only son in our Ma family, but he doesn’t look like me at all. He’s all grown up and still a good-for-nothing.”

"You should know that his great-grandfather was a renowned martial arts grandmaster in the Xia Kingdom. Although he was not as brilliant as Senior Li, his qigong cultivation had already reached a high level and touched the threshold of 'True Essence Casting Cauldron'."

"Back then, he was highly regarded by the President, who not only made him his bodyguard but also appointed him as the first director of the National Martial Arts Hall."

At this point, he picked up his teacup and took a sip:
"Heh, if we're really talking about seniority, these days the special investigation team's investigators all have to respectfully call anyone from the Ma family 'Grandmaster'."

Ma Jianguo's eyes revealed a sense of reminiscence, filled with pride in his family's past glory.

However, when his thoughts returned to reality, his tone became somewhat listless.

"Originally, I really didn't want Donghyuk to go to that kind of shady place like the Special Investigation Team."

"The Special Investigation Team of today is not the same as it used to be. People are restless, the rules are corrupt, and there is no trace of the spirit of a martial artist left."

"But... the situation forced us to act, there was no other way."

He shook his head, his gaze returning to Fang Cheng, his eyes overflowing with admiration and affection.

"Speaking of which, if that brat Donghe had half of your talent, no, even just a third of yours, I wouldn't have to worry about him so much."

As the old man spoke, he reached out and patted Fang Cheng on the shoulder, his tone full of sincere emotion:
"Ah Cheng, how wonderful it would be if you were my grandson! Then I would have no regrets in this life..."

Fang Cheng maintained an awkward yet polite smile.

I silently made a complaint in my mind.

Ma Donghe is your son, and I'm your grandson? This generational hierarchy is completely messed up.

"Acheng, about the visualization method I told you about before..."

Ma Jianguo wanted to say something more, but he swallowed his words halfway through.

His brows twitched, and his expression changed slightly, as if he sensed something.

"What trouble have you gotten yourself into now, you little rascal?"

After muttering a curse under his breath, Ma Jianguo's face showed anxiety.

"No, I have to go take a look!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly stood up, and without even saying goodbye, he hurriedly ran out of the courtyard and headed straight for the back of the village.

Judging from the situation, something must have happened at the place where Ma Donghe was in seclusion.

Watching Ma Jianguo walk away, Fang Cheng withdrew his gaze and finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

He then stood up and stretched his somewhat stiff body.

In the courtyard, Wu Dewang and several other old men were gathered around the pond, enthusiastically preparing the slaughtered chickens and fish for a sumptuous feast, with their discussions and laughter echoing throughout.

Fang Cheng's heart stirred slightly, and he walked towards the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Dong Yunchuan was wearing an apron, holding a cleaver, and gesturing at a piece of pork belly on the cutting board.

He was muttering to himself, displaying the demeanor of a chef about to unleash his skills.

"Uncle Dong, let me help you."

Fang Cheng walked over.

"No need, just wait to eat."

Dong Yunchuan didn't even look up, his voice full of confidence.

Fang Cheng smiled and didn't insist any further.

He simply picked up a freshly scaled grouper from the nearby tank and asked:

What do you plan to do with this fish?

"Braise it! It's my specialty!"

Dong Yunchuan patted his chest and assured him.

"You need to make a few cuts on the fish first so that it can absorb the flavor."

As Fang Cheng spoke, he casually picked up another clean kitchen knife from the cutting board.

Then, gently press down on the slippery fish body with your left hand, and with a flick of your right wrist, a flash of cold light appears.

There was a soft "swish swish swish" sound.

In just two seconds, he steadily put the cleaver back in its original position.

Dong Yunchuan curiously leaned over to take a look, and was instantly stunned.

Several knife cuts had appeared evenly distributed on the fish's body at some point.

The depth, length, and even the angle at which the fish skin is turned up are almost identical in each section.

It looks like a work of art that was measured and cut using the most precise instruments.

"Where did you learn your knife skills?"

Dong Yunchuan asked in surprise.

"After graduating from university, I worked as a kitchen helper."

Fang Cheng offered a casual explanation.

Just as Zhang Haixiang walked in carrying the prepared chicken, he heard the noise and came over to take a look, immediately marveling at it.

Over the next period of time, control of the kitchen gradually shifted to the other party without them even realizing it.

Fang Cheng didn't stand on ceremony and took over the stove directly.

Chopping vegetables, preparing ingredients, tossing the wok, seasoning—the series of movements flowed smoothly, subtly conveying a wondrous sense of muscular rhythm and control. It was as if he wasn't cooking, but rather rehearsing a set of exquisite martial arts moves.

The heavy iron pot felt as light as a feather in his hands.

Each time the food was stirred, it traced a perfect parabola in the air before being caught perfectly, without spilling a single drop of sauce.

Dong Yunchuan, who prided himself on his culinary skills, could only stand by and humbly assist.

He had adapted to the series of shocks and become almost numb.

There's nothing we can do; this kid is just too outstanding.

He naturally assumed that this was how highly talented people were—they were good at one thing and good at everything.

That's something that ordinary people simply can't compare to.

Half an hour later, a sumptuous lunch was set on the large round table in the main room.

The braised grouper is bright red and fragrant; the spicy chicken is spicy, numbing, and flavorful, making it very appetizing.

In addition, there are several mountain delicacies, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall with carefully selected ingredients and a golden broth.

Of course, the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall dish was prepared in advance by Chef Dong and had nothing to do with Fang Cheng.

The menu wasn't extensive, but the aroma filled the room, and each dish was so exquisitely prepared that it seemed to have come from the hands of a chef at a five-star hotel.

At this moment, Ma Jianguo had returned from the back mountain, with his usual peaceful smile on his face.

It's clear that Ma Dong-hyuk only caused a minor problem and there's nothing serious about it.

As the host and president, he raised his glass in a toast:
"Today is a joyous day for our Martial Arts Research Association. Thanks to Fang Cheng, everyone, please enjoy the food and drinks! Don't be shy!"

"Come, come, have a taste! This was made by the future pillars of our Martial Arts Research Association!"

Dong Yunchuan was the first to pick up his chopsticks. Although he had been dethroned as head chef, the pride on his face was even stronger than when he was cooking himself.

There were no strict rules among the people; they sat down casually without regard to hierarchy, picked up their chopsticks, and put the food into their mouths.

"Mmm, delicious! This fish is cooked perfectly, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with all the broth seeping into the bones!"

"This diced chicken is cooked to perfection; any more and it would be overcooked, any less and it would be undercooked. Absolutely amazing!"

Fang Cheng smiled as he looked at the notification message that appeared before him.

[Cooking Experience +20]

【Cooking Skill lv1 (168/250)】

Can it not be delicious?
In order to prepare for this banquet, he applied the subtle techniques of controlling the flow of energy taught by his masters to the control of the heat, and the force of each stir-fry was just right.

My culinary skills and experience have grown much faster than before, resulting in a significant improvement.

The old gentlemen praised it highly, and the atmosphere at the dinner table became increasingly lively.

Everyone toasted and chatted about old stories of the martial arts world, their children and grandchildren, and their hopes for the future, enjoying themselves immensely.

The meal was a pleasant one for both host and guests, lasting until 2 p.m.

The group then drank tea and chatted for a long time in the courtyard to aid digestion.

It wasn't until the sun was setting and it was getting late that Fang Cheng got up to say goodbye.

The other old gentlemen also gradually lost interest in their conversation, said their goodbyes, and prepared to leave.

Just before Fang Cheng boarded the SUV, Ma Jianguo suddenly called out to him.

"Acheng."

The Tai Chi master looked at Fang Cheng with an exceptionally solemn expression.

“There are some things I didn’t have time to tell you earlier. When you first started learning Qigong, I warned you that you were still in the foundational stage and that getting involved with the ‘visualization method’ too early would be more harmful than beneficial.”

"But now it seems..."

He changed the subject, his eyes filled with deep expectation.

"With your current foundation and temperament, you may already be able to come into contact with this cultivation method that involves high-level spiritual cultivation ahead of time."

Fang Cheng's heart stirred.

He had indeed considered how to ask Ma Jianguo for advice on the method of visualization.

However, there is a secret within his own mental realm called the Memory Palace, as well as some hidden, eerie entities.

Fearing exposure during cultivation and causing unnecessary misunderstandings, they have not taken the initiative to publicize it.

"However, you need to make thorough preparations before that."

Ma Jianguo was unaware of Fang Cheng's thoughts, and then carefully instructed him:

"After you go back, don't rush to achieve results. It's best to change your clothes and take a bath, and sit quietly for two hours every morning and evening for about a week to allow your mind to be completely calmed down, free from external thoughts and worldly dust."

"When your mind and body are in the purest and most peaceful state, then come to me to try practicing visualization techniques. You will achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Cultivate your character?
Upon hearing those four familiar words, Fang Cheng's expression turned somewhat strange.

This weekend, an operation against the Noah organization could be launched at any moment.

He even planned to play a role in the bloody game and go on a killing spree.

Despite harboring such resentment in his heart, he still nodded earnestly in agreement on the surface.

After all, he was also eager to understand how the so-called "visualization method" differed from the meditation he practiced.

Fang Cheng thanked them again and waved goodbye to everyone with a smile.

Then, with Ma Jianguo watching him with satisfaction, he drove his black SUV slowly away from Tianxin Village.

The wheels kicked up dust as the village road receded into the distance.

Fang Cheng's face was clearly reflected in the rearview mirror.

The gentle smile on his face had vanished without a trace, replaced by a coldness.

SUVs merged onto the main roads in the suburbs, and traffic began to pick up.

The city skyline appeared in the distance as dusk settled.

As the lights began to twinkle, they replaced the afterglow of the setting sun, painting the sky with a hazy hue.

Fang Cheng gripped the steering wheel with one hand, took out his phone from his bag, and glanced at it.

The call log is completely blank, with no missed calls.

"It's already Saturday, haven't Cheng Jiashu and the others taken any action yet?"

With a slight frown, Fang Cheng muttered to himself, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Night quietly descended, and the last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by the horizon.

When the vehicle entered the underground parking garage of Haitian Garden, it was already completely dark outside.

With a "click," the door closed behind them.

When he returned home, he was greeted by pure darkness and silence.

Fang Cheng didn't turn on the light. He casually tossed his handbag onto the sofa and sat down, sinking into the soft leather cushion.

His eyes gleamed faintly in the darkness, as if lightning was brewing within them.

After sitting quietly for a moment, he slowly closed his eyes.

His aura was completely suppressed, as if he had merged with the surrounding darkness.

Fang Cheng sank his consciousness deep into his mind, exploring the starry dome of his memory palace.

Mental power is like an invisible thread, extending out instantly, passing through the steel and concrete of the city, and through countless noises and crowds.

Ultimately, a familiar coordinate of consciousness was precisely located.

The moment the connection was established, a wave of pop music and a cacophony of voices flooded my mind.

The field of vision shifted accordingly.

Through the target's pupils, one can see a surging crowd and a constant flow of traffic, indicating that the area is located in a bustling commercial street.

Ahead stood several towering skyscrapers, their glass curtain walls displaying various advertisements.

The dazzling interplay of light and shadow illuminated half of the night sky.

Fang Cheng focused his mind, and his consciousness quickly coalesced into a voice in the target's mind:

"Ah Ren, what's Noah Pharmaceuticals up to these days?"

(End of this chapter)