Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

Chapter 55 Undercurrents

When Chen Jianghe pushed open the wooden gate to his courtyard, it was already completely dark.

He closed the door behind him, leaned against it, and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

This day felt too long.

From Zhou Yong's panicked report at dawn, to the confrontation at the escort agency, to Chen Wanglong's fist being overpowered, to the master's solo battle against the five great masters of internal energy, and his half-step internal energy shaking the entire city—every single event revolved in my mind like a revolving lantern.

My master's words, "In chaotic times, only strength matters," struck me deeply.

He walked to the stone table in the courtyard, took the butcher knife from his waist, and placed it on the table.

He stood under the old locust tree, eyes closed, lost in thought.

During the day, I would dissect, slow down, and reassemble every move of my battle with Chen Wanglong in my mind.

Chen Jianghe suddenly opened his eyes.

With a loose grip in his right hand, he slowly thrusts out a chopping punch.

The punch is delivered silently, yet its power is contained within.

"Body movement — and fist power —"

Chen Jianghe murmured to himself.

Halfway through the punch, the waist and hips suddenly twisted, the feet stepped out of the starting stance of the phantom step, the body floated half a foot to the left like a willow catkin, the punch path changed rapidly, turning from a chop to a drill, and thrust diagonally upwards from below!

"laugh-

'

As the fist swept past, a withered leaf on the trunk of a locust tree three zhang away silently split in two.

The cut is clean and sharp, like a knife cut.

Chen Jianghe withdrew his fist and frowned.

wrong.

In that turn just now, although the footwork and fist techniques were coordinated, they seemed to float on water and failed to blend together.

When facing Zhao Kun's overwhelming pressure during the day, on the verge of life and death, he instinctively pushed his Shadow Step to its limit, his body moving like a fish swimming against the current, seeking an opening to dodge amidst the mountain of pressure.

At that time, footwork and the circulation of qi and blood were almost integrated. Every step he took drew the natural flow of energy throughout his body.

But trying to do it at this moment only makes it seem awkward and sluggish.

"Yes—" Chen Jianghe murmured, "Master said that when facing an enemy, the first thing is to listen." Listening isn't just to the opponent's strength, but also to one's own.

He assumed the Three-Body Stance again, but did not rush to take the Phantom Step.

Sink your mind into your body and carefully perceive the flow of qi and blood, the rhythm of muscle contraction and relaxation, and the changes in the force exerted on the bones.

Then, he moved.

The right foot steps out in the illusory step to begin the movement. The moment the toes touch the ground, the waist and hips naturally twist, and the spine rises and falls like a dragon.

The right fist then came out, not any of the Five Elements Fist techniques, but just the simplest straight punch.

The punch was delivered silently.

On the trunk of the old locust tree, about 30 feet away, a shallow pit quietly appeared, with fine spiral patterns on the edges, as if it had been drilled in.

Chen Jianghe withdrew his fist, a flash of understanding appearing in his eyes.

He took another step, his body shifting as he delivered a left-hand chop, a right-hand punch, a spinning lunge, a forward thrust, and a horizontal block—

The five movements of the Five Elements Fist rotate and gradually integrate with footwork.

At first, it was a bit difficult, but after three or five repetitions, it gradually became smoother.

The force of the punch was no longer fierce and violent, but carried a strange "viscous" feeling, as if it was stirring up the surrounding air.

With each punch, the force is no longer confined to the point of the fist, but flows with the movement of the body, forming an invisible "momentum" within three feet around the body.

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

[Current Skill: Three-Body Stance (Perfect)]

Progress: 1%

Current skill: Five Elements Fist (Mastery)

Progress: 85%

[Current Skill: Shadow Step (Beginner)]

Progress: 32%

[Effects: Internal strength is generated, penetrating the body and destroying meridians; initial integration of movement techniques slightly increases evasion.]

The stance training is now complete.

Chen Jianghe slowly withdrew his stance and stood still in the courtyard.

All that remains is to master the Five Elements Fist to perfection, and then one can break through the barrier of Transformation Force.

He looked up towards the direction of the martial arts school.

Master should have taken his medicine and gone to sleep by now, right?

Those injuries will likely take at least a year and a half to fully recover.

And what storms will there be in the next six months?

Chen Jianghe's eyes grew cold.

He walked to the water vat, scooped up a splash of cold water, and poured it on his face.

Just then—

"sand----"

Outside the courtyard wall, an extremely faint sound came from.

Like a night owl stepping across roof tiles, or like a withered branch blown down by the wind.

Chen Jianghe scooped water without pausing for a moment, and didn't even lift his eyelids.

The sound—only once. It was like someone accidentally stepping on and breaking half a piece of dry tile, then quickly pulling their foot back.

Chen Jianghe continued to scoop water, wash his face, and wipe it with a towel.

The movements were natural, as if they hadn't heard anything, but the mind was already clear.

coming.

It was faster than he had expected.

Li Chengyue's half-step Gang Jin (a type of internal energy cultivation) overwhelmed the five major families, which certainly intimidated them for a time.

However, those long-established forces that have been entrenched in Yilin County for decades will never give up completely because of one setback.

Those who dare to act openly will not dare to come, but those who act covertly will certainly not be few and far between.

Chen Jianghe wiped his face dry, draped a towel over the clothesline, and turned to walk into the house.

His pace was as usual, even slower than usual.

Just as he reached out to push the door open—

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of an extremely blurry black shadow in the shadows at the northeast corner of the courtyard wall.

It vanished in a flash.

It was so fast it felt like an illusion.

But Chen Jianghe knew it wasn't true.

That person was quite skilled in lightness of movement, almost blending into the shadows when lying in wait; however, just now, for some reason, his aura fluctuated for a moment.

He captured it in that instant.

Chen Jianghe pushed open the door and entered the room, then closed the door behind him.

He didn't light a lamp, but instead, using the moonlight filtering through the window, he walked to the bedside and sat down.

My ears caught every sound outside the courtyard.

The wind howled through the alley, the distant, indistinct sound of the night watchman's clapper, and the muffled groans of a neighbor's child as he cried and then had his voice muffled—

And, outside the courtyard wall, there was that long, oppressive breath that almost blended into the night.

That person didn't leave.

Still under surveillance.

Chen Jianghe slowly lay down and closed his eyes.

Her breathing gradually became even, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

My heart was filled with icy coldness.

The Zhao family — or rather, not just the Zhao family.

Today, Master displayed his half-step Gang Jin cultivation, severely injuring the Zhou family patriarch and forcing back the five great Transformation Jin cultivators.

This news has probably spread throughout Yilin County and beyond by now.

How will those forces react?

Awe? Fear? Or—a deeper sense of apprehension and scheming?

Recruiting a half-step Gang Jin expert would be a tremendous help.

But if you can't recruit him, and he's an enemy—the best way is to eliminate him completely before he recovers.

Alternatively, eliminate those he cares about to disrupt his mind.

Chen Jianghe slowly clenched his right hand, which was placed at his side.

How long can the intimidation that Master gained today at the cost of serious injury last?

he does not know.

All he knew was that he had to become stronger faster.

At the same time, in the Zhao residence within the inner city.

In the deepest, most secret chamber, the candlelight flickered, illuminating a gloomy face.

.

Zhao Wuji sat in the main seat, his purple-gold python robe still magnificent, but there was an inconspicuous black mark on his left chest, a trace left by Li Chengyue's punch during the day.

Although it did not damage any internal organs, the spiraling force that penetrated into my body has not been completely dispelled yet, and I still feel a dull pain with every breath.

"Ancestor," a middle-aged steward bowed and reported, "News has come from the Zhou family that Ancestor Zhou Kun's injuries are extremely severe. His sternum is shattered, and his internal organs have shifted. He will need at least three years of rest and recuperation, and—his cultivation level may even drop to the early stage of the Transformation Realm."

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes, but he remained silent.

The steward continued, "The Qian, Sun, and Li families have all sent people here, ostensibly to inquire about the patriarch's injuries, but actually to probe for information. The Qian family member's words seemed to suggest that they would temporarily avoid confrontation with us—"

"A temporary retreat?" Zhao Wuji sneered. "It's true that Li Chengyue is at the half-step Gang Jin level, but his right arm is broken and his internal organs are injured. This period is precisely the opportunity!"

"But Ancestor," the steward hesitated, "Li Chengyue's power today has already intimidated the entire city. If we act now, I'm afraid—"

"Who said we'd make a move openly?" Zhao Wuji interrupted him, his voice icy. "No matter how strong Li Chengyue is, he's still just one person. His two disciples are tied up—one running the escort agency, the other guarding the martial arts school. They can't be in two places at once, and that's their weakness."

He paused, then slowly asked, "How is things going with Chen Wanglong?"

The manager reported, "It has been sent back to Zhenlei Martial Arts School. When the old man of the Chen family received the news, he vomited blood on the spot. Now he has used all the wealth of the Chen family to search everywhere for spiritual medicine to restore bone and muscle, vowing to restore Chen Wanglong's cultivation. Zhenlei Martial Arts School is also furious! Their disciple, whom they have painstakingly cultivated, was crippled in front of everyone, which is a loss of face. I'm afraid they will not let this go."

Zhao Wuji nodded, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes: "That old man from the Chen family is certainly generous. What about Chen Jianghe? Has he even uttered a single word about him?"

The steward shook his head: "No. Chen Qingyi never mentioned Chen Jianghe once, as if—he didn't even have this grandson."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

After a long silence, Zhao Wuji finally spoke slowly: "Have the people monitoring us been sent out?"

"As instructed by the Ancestor, we are conducting three shifts, 24/7, to monitor the Xingyi Martial Arts School, the Su Family Escort Agency, and also—"

Chen Jianghe's small courtyard.

"Alright." Zhao Wuji picked up the teacup, his fingertips slowly stroking the cool cup, a cold glint in his eyes. "In the arena, fists and feet have no eyes. When the younger generation clashes, injuries are common."

He paused, then downed his cold tea in one gulp. "Tomorrow, in the name of the Zhao family, I will summon all the martial arts school owners in the city to discuss the Yilin Martial Arts Tournament. We must make it happen, forcing that Chen Jianghe and that brat from the Su family to participate."

The steward listened attentively with his head bowed, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Zhao Wuji continued, "The rules should be more flexible. If we only touch on the surface, we'll inevitably be too restrained; how can we truly demonstrate our skills then?"

Young people are full of energy and sometimes lose control.

He raised his eyes, his gaze like that of a venomous snake: "At that time, if someone makes a mistake on the stage and cripples one or two people's cultivation, or even leaves them with a lifelong disability—no matter how domineering Li Chengyue is, would he really tear off his mask and interfere in the juniors' matches in front of all the martial arts schools in the city?"

"Your Excellency is truly wise!" The steward understood immediately and bowed. "I will take care of it right away and handle it perfectly so that no one can find fault with it."

"Okay." Zhao Wuji waved his hand. "Go. Remember, speak eloquently and deliver the invitation thoroughly. Be especially careful with the etiquette at the Xingyi Martial Arts School."

"Understood."

The steward bowed and withdrew.

Only Zhao Wuji remained in the hall.

He leaned back in the armchair, closed his eyes to rest, and unconsciously rubbed the charred patch on his chest with his left hand.

He seemed to see again Li Chengyue standing with a gun in hand during the day, his eyes blazing, his presence commanding the entire scene.

"Old man," he spoke to the void, as if addressing the figure who had caused him to lose face and fill him with lingering fear, "this brief respite you fought so hard for—do you think your two good disciples can hold onto it?"

"I'd like to see how long you can keep up this act."

The flickering candlelight cast an indistinct glow on half of his face, revealing a deep scheming and ruthlessness in his eyes that was even more intense than the darkness of the night.