Master of Chinese Martial Arts: I Can Steal the Skills of a Grandmaster from the Republic of China E

Chapter 91 Two Strengths and Two Softnesses

Qingxu and Yunqing exchanged a glance, and a complex worry flashed across Yunqing's eyes.

"That's enough."

Qingxu stood up. "Junior sister, take Brother Zhou to the back gate. Remember, only go to the foot of the gate steps. Do not enter without permission, and do not make a sound. If Uncle wishes to see you, he will know. If he does not wish to, it is because our time has not come, and we cannot force it."

"Yes, senior brother."

Yun Qing agreed and gestured to Zhou Xing, "Mr. Zhou, please follow me."

Zhou Xing nodded to Hans: "You guys just wait here."

Hans frowned slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he nodded and stayed in the side hall with the two Chinese constables.

Zhou Xing followed Yun Qing through the quiet courtyard and out through a small door at the back of the main hall. Behind it was a steeper stone path leading into the depths of the misty mountains.

The stone path is slippery with moss, and the forest is deep and shrouded in mist.

Yun Qing led the way, the hem of his moon-white Taoist robe occasionally brushing against the ferns by the stone steps without getting a speck of mud on it.

Her steps were light and steady, with a unique rhythm that subtly harmonized with the breath of the mountains and forests.

Zhou Xing followed two steps behind her, his fishing technique flowing naturally, his senses sharpened, and he took in every detail of his surroundings.

The wind rustled through the woods, and at that moment it seemed as if only the two of them remained in the mountains, along with a cool and profound stillness.

"Brother Zhou,"

After walking for a while, Yun Qing suddenly spoke, her voice very low, as if afraid of disturbing something, "Uncle Xuan Chengzi—his temper is a bit strange."

She turned her head slightly, revealing her beautifully shaped jawline: "He is in seclusion most of the year, rarely even showing up for the morning and evening prayers at the temple. He spends his days with only the gentle breeze, the bright moon, the mountain rocks, and the flowing springs. In all the years I've been a disciple, I can count the number of times I've seen him on one hand."

Zhou Xing hummed in agreement, indicating that he was listening.

"My uncle's cultivation is profound. I heard from my senior brother that he once went down the mountain to travel in his early years, but later, for some reason, he suddenly returned to the mountain, locked himself in the back mountain, and stopped caring about worldly affairs."

Yun Qing continued, her tone carrying the respect of a junior to an elder, but also a hint of worry, "He speaks very little, prefers quiet, and dislikes foul air. When you see him later, Brother Zhou, try to speak as little as possible and listen more. If your martial uncle is willing to give you guidance, that would be a good opportunity; if he is not willing, you must not force him and offend him."

"I see."

Zhou Xing nodded, "Thank you for the reminder, Daoist Yunqing."

Yun Qing shook her head gently and said nothing more.

The two walked in silence for a while longer. At the end of the stone path, the trees suddenly parted to reveal a small, flat cliffside and a simple stone house built against the mountainside.

The stone house is very simple, almost entirely made of large stones, with a thick thatched roof and a small open space in front that is kept very clean.

Beside the house was a small vegetable patch, where a few clumps of late-blooming chrysanthemums were just beginning to bloom. A blue stone, like a natural chessboard, sat on the edge of the cliff, facing the vast sea of ​​clouds and mountains below.

A figure dressed in a gray Taoist robe sat with his back to them beside the stone chessboard.

His figure was slender and motionless, as if he had become one with the mountains, rocks, and clouds. Only when the mountain wind blew would his white hair and wide robe sleeves flutter slightly.

His demeanor exudes an air of superiority.

Yun Qing stopped in her tracks, and when she was still seven or eight zhang away from the stone house, she stopped going.

She straightened her robes, took a deep breath, and softly called out, "Martial Aunt."

The figure remained completely still.

Yun Qing seemed used to it and continued to speak softly, briefly explaining Zhou Xing's identity, purpose of visit, and matters concerning the Yi Guan Dao and the River God Festival.

The sound seemed somewhat ethereal in the mountain breeze.

After saying that, she stood quietly with her hands at her sides, saying nothing more.

The cliffside was silent, save for the howling wind. After a long while, the figure nodded very slightly, so slightly that it was almost invisible.

Yun Qing breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and quickly winked at Zhou Xing, signaling him to step forward. She then bowed again, quietly retreated from the stone platform, and disappeared into the forest mist.

Zhou Xing composed himself, stepped forward, clasped his hands and bowed, and greeted the younger generation of martial arts practitioners with the respect due to a junior: "I am Zhou Xing, and I apologize for disturbing your peaceful cultivation, Daoist Master. It is because the evil path is causing trouble, and the matter is of great importance. I humbly request your guidance."

The gray-robed Taoist didn't turn around; he simply raised one hand and gently tapped the chessboard with his well-defined fingers.

"Yes."

The clear, melodious sound echoed across the open cliffside.

Zhou Xing was slightly taken aback, unsure of the meaning. Was this a signal for him to come closer? Or was there another implication?

Chessboard, chess, will you knock on the door at 7 PM?

He hesitated slightly, but did not move, and spoke again: "Daoist Master—"

Before the words were even finished!

The gray figure with its back to him moved without warning!

His seated figure spun around in place, leaving a gray shadow in his wake! A hand with clearly defined muscles and bones silently pressed down on Zhou Xing's chest!

There was no whisper of wind, no build-up of momentum, not even a glance exchanged.

It's like a stone suddenly came to life and came crashing down on you.

Zhou Xing's hair stood on end instantly! The extremely dangerous warning was like ice water being poured over his head.

There's no escaping it!

Zhou Xing's heart clenched suddenly. Before he could think, his spine trembled like a dragon, and his strength erupted from the ground. His right fist twisted out from under his ribs, using the fierceness of Xingyi Bengquan to meet the palm that was pressing down on him!

Fist and palm met.

There was no loud noise as expected.

Zhou Xing's powerful punch, capable of splitting stone and shattering monuments, struck the opponent's palm, but vanished without a trace, like a mud ox sinking into the sea!

All I could feel was softness, richness, and unfathomable depth, as if I were touching a ball of old cotton that had been soaked for thousands of years, and all the fierce power was silently absorbed and dissolved.

Zhou Xing frowned, twisted his waist and legs, and was about to retreat.

But a supple force quietly emerged from the opponent's palm, like mercury spilling onto the ground, penetrating everywhere, spiraling upwards along the meridians of his arm, and seeping in from the opposite direction!

Zhou Xing's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly activated the [River Demon Appearance] technique. His shoulder and elbow joints tucked inward at an unusual angle, like a fish swimming at the bottom of a river, forcefully breaking free from the entangled soft force. At the same time, he opened his listening energy to capture every change in the flow of the opponent's force.

"what?"

A very soft sound of surprise, as if coming from the clouds.

A gray shadow flashed, already at Zhou Xing's side. A finger shot out, aimed straight at Zhou Xing's Jingmen acupoint on his waist!

The force of his finger strikes is sharp and fierce, carrying a metallic clang as if metal is piercing the air, a stark contrast to the gentle force he displayed earlier.

Zhou Xing twists his waist and hips, takes a gliding step with Bagua Palm, and retreats rapidly to the side and rear. At the same time, he uses his right hand, fingers pointing like a knife, to swiftly slash at the opponent's wrist pulse point, attacking where the opponent must defend.

"Snapped!"

The fingers and palms did not actually touch, but the strong winds collided and produced a crisp sound.

Zhou Xing felt his fingertips touch the other person's skin and cause it to slightly dent. Immediately, an even stronger force of recoil came, making his fingers numb and his blood and qi slightly unstable.

Before he could catch his breath, the gray shadow reappeared behind him like a ghost, patting him lightly with a palm, without any hint of hostility, as if it were just a friend jokingly patting his shoulder.

But Zhou Xing felt that the palm covered his entire back, the force contained but not released, seemingly soft but actually hard, seemingly slow but actually fast, blocking all his escape routes!

He lunged forward, rolling away to narrowly avoid the core of the palm strike.

But Xuan Chengzi followed closely, his footwork incredibly subtle. It seemed like he only took one step before closing in again. His palm remained pressed against Zhou Xing's back.

Zhou Xing's hair stood on end, and his waist suddenly bent as if boneless, narrowly avoiding the vital parts of Xuan Chengzi's back. At the same time, his right leg, like a scorpion's tail, rose from an extremely tricky angle, his toes pointed, and pointed at Xuan Chengzi's shinbone.

It is that "flower hidden beneath leaves" technique that combines the flexibility and explosive power of the River Spirit.

This kick was extremely insidious and incredibly fast.

"Hey!"

Xuan Chengzi chuckled, neither dodging nor avoiding, and with a flick of his knee, he swallowed and spat out.

"Snapped!"

A soft sound.

Zhou Xing felt a sharp pain in the back of his foot as a soft yet penetrating force pierced through his skin and muscles, instantly breaking through his skin barrier.

Hidden force penetrates the body!

He grunted and forcefully exerted his toad-fishing strength, trying to suppress the chaotic, yin-like force.

But the force was incredibly tricky, traveling along his meridians, causing soreness, numbness, and pain wherever it passed, leaving him unable to use half of his body.

What kind of hidden force is this?

Zhou Xing was shocked and suspicious, but he did not sit idly by and wait for his death. He straightened his back and kicked Xuan Chengzi in the face with his other foot.

It was powerful and heavy, like a horse breaking free of its reins.