Cultivation: Starting from a Fighting Cock

Chapter 92 "Bull Demon Fist" (Please subscribe)
Grandpa Zhao had his own reasons.

In the past, during peaceful times, Zhao Qian's martial arts skills, combined with Zhao Kun's intelligence, would have been enough to support the Zhao family and even make it more prosperous.

But now, the situation is turbulent, and Zhao Qian's initial internal strength is completely inadequate.

In addition, in recent days, for some unknown reason, the people in the Zishui City government have been strictly controlling people entering and leaving Wuzhen, especially the Zhao family, who have been targeted and are even prohibited from going to Zishui City to buy and sell medicinal herbs.

With the Zhao family's medicinal herb business cut off, even with Zhao Kun's sharp mind, he had no way to use his skills and could hardly break the deadlock.

Master Zhao has become paralyzed again, which not only cuts off the income from cockfighting but also makes him a major burden on the household.

Therefore, the current situation of the Zhao family is truly not optimistic.

Cui Sheng, on the other hand, turned his life around immediately after his daughter discovered his spiritual roots and became a disciple of the Three Immortals Cave.

He not only reshaped his meridians and restored his martial arts cultivation to the early stage of internal strength, but also received special care from Fairy Su because of his daughter's apprenticeship at the Three Immortals Cave. The two major gangs and the two major martial arts schools treated him with great courtesy, not to mention the other families and forces in Wuzhen.

For the Zhao family, this relationship with Cui Sheng is of paramount importance and must be carefully maintained.

As for Tu Ergou, he not only received Cui Sheng's protection, but was also a disciple of Situ Ying, a disciple of the Demon Forging Sect. Whether out of respect for Cui Sheng or Situ Ying, it was very necessary to befriend Tu Ergou.

"Oh, Brother Zhao, that's wonderful! Er Gou and I will be troubling you. I'll thank you on Er Gou's behalf!"

Cui Sheng stood up and bowed to Zhao Chongwen.

He naturally agreed that the Zhao family's invitation to him and Tu Ergou would help improve relations between the two families.

Afterwards, Master Zhao instructed his servants to prepare food and wine, as he was going to have a family feast that evening.

Cui Sheng returned to the Niu family martial arts school and informed Ji Cheng that he would be attending a banquet at the Zhao family's residence that evening.

Upon hearing this, Ji Cheng and Zhao Yan both fell silent. They exchanged a glance, never expecting that just a few days ago, when they almost got into a fight on the street, they would be eating at the same table today.

"Uncle Cui, I've got it. After I finish practicing martial arts, I'll go to the Zhao residence with Senior Sister Zhao Yan."

Ji Cheng nodded to Cui Sheng. He hadn't expected to return to the Zhao residence so soon, this time as a human. Thinking about it, it was quite novel and interesting.

"Hey, you silly boy, how can you come to visit empty-handed? After you finish your martial arts practice, I'll come pick you up, and we'll go buy some gifts. They don't need to be expensive, it's the thought that counts, and they'll look nice to carry."

Cui Sheng, as an elder, taught Ji Cheng about interpersonal relationships and social etiquette.

Ji Cheng scratched his head and agreed with a smile.

Zhao Yan, standing to the side, said there was no need to be so formal.

After Cui Sheng finished giving his instructions, he left. Ji Cheng and Zhao Yan stared at each other in silence.

After a long while, Zhao Yan finally spoke: "I heard... your master's injuries are extremely serious?"

She had heard about the demon hunters, and after hearing Cui Sheng recount how tragic Tu Ergou's life was, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the young man.

"Yes, one arm, and the rest of his body below the navel, were all blown away. I don't know if he can be saved."

Ji Cheng looked dejected, pursed his lips, and looked away into the distance.

She's so strong it breaks my heart.

His expression deeply touched Zhao Yan's heart, and she no longer felt any aversion to Ji Cheng, nor did she speak to him in such a cold tone.

"Alright, let me teach you the Bull Demon Fist."

Zhao Yan led Ji Cheng to an open space and prepared to teach him boxing.

Ji Cheng clicked his tongue inwardly. Bull Demon Fist, tsk tsk, why does it sound like an insult?
"The Bull Demon Fist is no ordinary martial art. Its core is the Bull Demon Breathing Technique, which strengthens the body through breathing exercises, thereby achieving a body tempering effect and cultivating superhuman strength..."

As Zhao Yan explained, Ji Cheng was surprised to find that this "Bull Demon Fist" seemed to be more advanced than the "Tiger Roar Shocking Fist".

The "Tiger Roaring Killing Fist" is based on stance training and takes the internal strength fundamental diagram as its core. It features heavy punches and a small level of mastery of the fist technique. When the punch is thrown, the sound of a tiger roaring through the mountains and forests can be heard.

The Bull Demon Fist also has a basic diagram of stance training and internal strength, but its core training method is the Bull Demon Breathing Method. The fist techniques are secondary; the focus is on power.

The cultivation of this "Bull Demon Fist" is divided into nine levels, each level increasing the strength of one bull, roughly equivalent to one thousand catties of force. Upon reaching the ninth level, one can unleash the strength of nine bulls.

The main strategy is to win by brute force, using sheer power to overcome all methods.

Ji Cheng had a vague feeling that this "Bull Demon Fist" was not simple. It didn't have any fancy moves, but focused on brute force. The strength of nine bulls was equivalent to nine thousand catties of force. Who could withstand such a punch?
"Senior sister, may I ask what level you have reached in your cultivation of the Bull Demon Fist?"

Ji Cheng couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan blushed and slightly furrowed her brows, saying, "It's none of your business. No matter what level I've reached in my cultivation, I'm qualified to teach you."

Ji Cheng nodded in agreement, understanding in his heart that Zhao Yan had probably only cultivated to the first level.

Being able to exert a force of 1,000 jin is quite impressive; uprooting a willow tree would probably be no problem for him.

After that, Ji Cheng began to learn the Bull Demon Breathing Technique from Zhao Yan.

"Beginners need to develop the habit of abdominal breathing, allowing the breath to sink rather than floating shallowly in the chest. You see, like me, the breath enters through the nose, sinks down the throat to the abdomen, causing the abdomen to gradually rise. The inhalation process should be even and long, imitating the slow inhalation of a cow when it lowers its head to gather strength..."

Inhale, hold your breath, exhale, and repeat this cycle. This is the practice method for beginners.

Zhao Yan told Ji Cheng to practice like this first, while simultaneously standing in a cow stance.

When you can practice this abdominal breathing until it becomes second nature, and maintain this breathing method no matter what you are doing in your daily life, then you can be considered to have entered the first stage.

Ji Cheng followed suit and began practicing standing in the ox stance while also practicing abdominal breathing.

Having practiced the Tiger Stance before, he quickly mastered the standard posture when practicing the Ox Stance, and his abdominal breathing also gradually became more and more natural.

Zhao Yan was slightly surprised. She didn't expect Ji Cheng to get the hang of things so quickly, without her having to say much.

"Practice for a while, then take a break. You can't rush things when practicing martial arts."

Zhao Yan gave her instructions, and then she went to practice her own.

Lunch was eaten at the martial arts school, consisting of steamed buns and a few dishes with meat and vegetables. Of course, an extra monthly fee was required for meals. Ji Cheng practiced the "Bull Demon Fist" for half a day and the "Tiger Roar Shocking Fist" for the other half, both of which proved very beneficial.

His training method drew the attention of all his disciples.

This is because his training intensity is too high. Even the most diligent disciple of the Niu Family Martial Arts School was slightly inferior to Ji Cheng.

"You mean you've only been practicing boxing for five days?"

After Ji Cheng finished performing a set of "Tiger Roar Killing Fist" and took a break, Zhao Yan stepped forward and asked him a question, as if she had seen a ghost.

"Yes, what's wrong, Senior Sister Zhao Yan?" Ji Cheng looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Zhao Yan stared at Ji Cheng with her beautiful big eyes, shaking her head like a rattle drum.

After practicing for five days, he was able to perform the "Tiger Roaring Killing Fist" quite well. Zhao Yan had only heard of such martial arts geniuses before, but seeing it today, he realized it was true.

"Junior brother, have some water, and rest for a while."

Ah Niu was very hospitable and brought Ji Cheng a bowl of water to drink.

Ji Cheng looked at him and smiled, "Thank you, Senior Brother A Niu."

“No…no, no, I’m younger than you…I should call you senior brother…you can just call me A…A Niu, just call me A Niu.” A Niu waved his hands repeatedly.

Zhao Yan found it difficult to even hear him speak, so she crossed her arms and turned away impatiently.

Ji Cheng was slightly taken aback. He realized that it seemed the disciples of the martial arts school didn't like talking to this Ah Niu.

It's only because Ah Niu is the son of the owner of the Niu restaurant that no one would bother with him. He's simple-minded, silly, and stutters when he speaks.

However, Ji Cheng felt that A Niu was very sincere, like an innocent child, which he quite liked. So he smiled and said, "Okay, then thank you, A Niu. I'm so grateful for this bowl of water, otherwise I would have been dying of thirst."

Hearing the praise, Ah Niu was overjoyed and asked, "Senior brother, are you hungry... are you hungry?"

He was about to go inside to get Ji Cheng some good food; it was rare for someone to respond to his concern.

Ji Cheng smiled and waved his hand, then changed the subject, asking, "Aniu, is that dark muscle you have from the sun or from your master? How did you build that physique?"

"I...I...I...I don't know either..."

Ah Niu talked for a long time but couldn't come up with a clear answer. Obviously, this question was a bit too much for him.

The owner of the beef restaurant isn't here right now.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding disciples burst into laughter, their laughter tinged with mockery.

Ah Niu lowered his head, looking aggrieved and apologetic, as if he had done something wrong again.

Ji Cheng glanced at his fellow disciples, somewhat displeased. He stood up, smiled, patted A Niu on the shoulder, and said, "A Niu, it's alright, it's not important. By the way, could you teach me some boxing? I saw you practicing very well just now."

Ah Niu raised his head and looked at Ji Cheng in disbelief.

He wondered if he had misheard; it was the first time someone had asked him for advice on how to practice boxing.

Zhao Yan also glanced at Ji Cheng with slight surprise.

"What's wrong, Ah Niu? Don't you want to teach me?"

Ji Cheng's face was beaming with a warm and enthusiastic smile, which seemed to melt A Niu's heart at that moment.

Ah Niu quickly shook his head, too excited to speak, to express his willingness, his overwhelming willingness.

Ji Cheng immediately understood his meaning and told him not to say anything, and to get straight to the point.

He then took Ah Niu to an open space, where Ah Niu's worries vanished instantly, and he enthusiastically demonstrated his own "Bull Demon Fist" to Ji Cheng.

Ah Niu's boxing skills don't seem particularly impressive at first glance. His moves are simple and straightforward, his punches are direct, and his footwork is neither magical nor complicated.

In reality, it is powerful and heavy, bringing with it strong gusts of wind. If you were to be grazed by it, wouldn't you end up with bruises all over your body?
Of course, that's a joke.

If you were to be grazed by Ah Niu's punch, even if you were made of iron, you would probably have a dent in your skin.

Ah Niu was overjoyed as he demonstrated his boxing skills to Ji Cheng. This scene elicited a variety of reactions from the disciples.

Some people think that Tu Ergou must be a fool to be able to hang out with A Niu.

Some say that Tu Ergou only flattered A Niu because A Niu was the owner's son, thinking that this would win him the master's favor.

Ji Cheng ignored these idle gossips.

He learned from his conversation with Zhao Yan that 80% of the disciples at the Niu Family Martial Arts School were at the Qi and Blood Realm, and only a handful had cultivated internal strength.

In other words, these people in front of him were basically all ants, and Ji Cheng didn't care about their opinions at all.

Ah Niu, however, is the real master. He is not even seventeen years old yet, but he is already a strong person in the middle stage of internal strength.

Although Ah Niu wasn't good at teaching, his boxing was truly a sight to behold, and Ji Cheng gained a great deal just by watching him.

"Second... Tu... Senior Brother Tu, can you understand my fist technique?"

After finishing a set of boxing techniques, Ah Niu stopped and stepped forward to ask him with concern. He had actually deliberately slowed down his punching speed.

Ji Cheng smiled and said, "A Niu, just call me Senior Brother Er Gou. It's more friendly that way. Although I don't understand your boxing technique, I know it's very powerful. I can learn a lot just by watching it. If there's a chance in the future, I'll have to ask you to demonstrate it for me more."

"Really...really?"

Ah Niu first widened his eyes, then burst into laughter.

This was the first time someone his age had said something like that to him.

(End of this chapter)