Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Chapter 83 Introduction to Claw Kung Fu, First Time in the River

Xiren sat down and clenched his right fist.

According to his prediction, with the advantage of Dark Claw Kung Fu, he would not encounter much resistance in advancing to the fifth or even the fourth set.

The real challenge lies in the first three groups.

Those people had practiced breathing techniques for more than twice as long as him, and their strength was overwhelming; it was difficult to compensate for that with technique alone.

Not urgent.

Once you've mastered the basics, you can progress further by grinding over time.

After the training ended, the trainees dispersed in twos and threes.

As soon as Xilun came out of the instrument room, Faron walked over from the side.

He was carrying a small, palm-sized gray cloth bundle, which felt quite heavy.

"Silon".

Fallon handed the bag over: "Soak it in hot water when you get home, it can be used seven times."

Xilun was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.

Refining materials!

He had almost forgotten that Fallon had promised to help him purchase the recipe for the Dark Claw Kung Fu.

"How much?"

"Two shillings."

Without saying a word, Xilun took two silver coins out of his pocket and placed them in Faron's palm.

Fallon accepted it, nodded, and turned to leave.

He doesn't talk much, but he gets things done efficiently.

Xilun weighed the cloth bag in his hand; it felt dry and had a faint, astringent smell of herbs.

He stuffed the package into the inside pocket of his trench coat, pulled his hat down low, and walked into the street.

Golden Rooster Hotel, Room 302.

Gum!

The hot steam is from the kettle.

The water in the iron kettle has boiled.

Xilun opened the gray cloth wrapping, revealing a compacted brown clump of medicine, its surface studded with fine mineral powder particles and dried salamander fragments.

He broke off one-seventh of the medicine block and threw it into the copper basin.

Pour boiling water down.

The brown medicine block melted rapidly, and a layer of silvery-white luster surged on the water's surface.

Steam rose, carrying a spicy mineral aroma that entered the nasal cavity.

Xilen dipped her hands into the water.

heat!

It wasn't the temperature of ordinary hot water, but a burning sensation that penetrated from the outside in, like something was drilling into your bones through your pores.

He closed his eyes and channeled the energy of the Dorok Dark Claw Technique.

The metacarpal bones vibrate, and the knuckles swell.

The silvery-white liquid began to be absorbed by the hands, and the luster on the surface of the water gradually dimmed.

At the same time, the corrupted claws that he had sealed deep within his palm also reacted.

The grayish-black aura seemed to have caught the scent of its own kind's bloodline and began to slowly converge towards the medicinal power.

Xilun did not stop it.

He could feel the two forces converging, rubbing, and merging inside his metacarpal bones.

Corruption provides instinct, Dark Claw provides the path, and potions provide the lubrication.

When the three elements come together, the flow of energy within the metacarpal bones becomes three times smoother than usual.

Two hours later.

Xilun opened his eyes.

The water in the copper basin had changed from a clear silver color to a murky pure black, with a layer of greasy impurities floating on the surface.

He pulled his hand out of the water; his palm was slightly red, and dark gold lines were faintly visible beneath his skin.

"The effect of removing impurities."

Xilun muttered to himself as he poured the black water into the wooden bucket and wrapped the remaining six portions of medicine in oil paper before putting them in a drawer.

He stood up and flexed his fingers.

My palms were still warm.

The burning sensation seeped outward from the bone, as if a flame was sealed in the center of the metacarpal bone.

Just right.

While the heat was still there, he raised his hands and slowly made a claw shape in the air.

The energy surged into the metacarpal bone along the path that had just been lubricated by the medicine.

It went more smoothly than usual.

Faster than usual.

He readjusted the angle of his fingertips and tried again.

It's even smoother now!

the third time.

Without hesitation, Xilun thrust his right palm forward.

Five fingers tear through the air.

laugh-

A very faint sound, like silk being sliced ​​by a sharp blade.

The air distorted briefly in front of my fingertips.

Xilun's hand remained frozen in mid-air.

Deep within the retina, a pale red data stream lit up.

The fine characters, like boiling blood, surged from the edge of his vision to the center, condensing into clear words in the deepest part of his pupils.

[Skill: Dorok Dark Claw Technique]

[Progress: 0/100]

【Characteristics: Cracks rocks and pierces armor, destroys metal and shatters stone, breaks through surfaces with a single point!】

Xilun slowly lowered his hand.

The dark golden luster in his palm had not yet faded, and the lingering echo of the previous flight still remained on his fingertips.

He stared at the three characteristics, the corners of his mouth gradually curving downwards.

It splits rocks and breaks through armor.

It can crush metal and break stone.

To break through the surface by focusing on a single point.

All three characteristics point in the same direction—armor penetration.

The Bone-Shattering Fist is a penetrating strike that hits the internal organs and bones.

The Dark Claw Technique is armor-piercing; it tears through the skin and physical defenses.

One inside and one outside.

He clenched his fist, then relaxed it.

The heat in my palms is fading, but the awakened power deep within my finger bones will not.

Dim light from outside the window drifted in through the cracks, and the streetlights cast a yellowish glow on the ceiling.

Xilun pulled up a chair and sat down, then re-examined the remaining pills, making sure they were properly sealed before putting them back in the drawer.

Seven soakings.

After I finish using it, I'll have to buy more from Faron.

He touched the few coins left in his pocket and silently did the math in his mind.

I still have a dozen or so pounds in my savings, which is enough to get by, but I'll still be careful with my spending.

I'll hold off on buying new clothes for now.

morning.

Xilun opened his eyes, his mind still foggy.

He lay there for two seconds, then sat up, his bare feet touching the cold wooden floor. He shivered, and only then did he begin to wake up.

He poured cold water over his head in front of the sink.

As I put the tooth powder in my mouth, the minty flavor hit my nasal cavity, and my mind jolted awake, bringing back memories of last night.

transfer order!

The fishing vessel cargo transportation department reports for duty today.

Xilun spat out the mouthwash and slowly wiped his face clean with a towel.

The young man in the mirror had a calm expression, his jawline was much stronger than it had been two months ago, and there was a faint bluish-black tinge deep in his eye sockets.

I've gained a lot of weight in the past few months and look much more robust.

He buttoned up his shirt, pinned the bronze badge inside his collar, and tucked the pepper box into his waistband.

Before leaving, he remembered someone.

Finn.

The letter mentioned sailing, but didn't specify which line or what kind of work it would be.

I'll just ask around since I'm going there today.

As you walk upstream along the Greywater River from White Crow Wharf, the scenery changes all the way.

The docks smelled of coal ash and rust, and a layer of hazy smoke always hung from the top of the warehouses.

The higher you go, the more humid the air becomes.

The smell of coal ash disappeared, replaced by a cloying odor of river water, fish, and rotting algae.

After passing through two port gates and handing over my documents, the person on duty glanced at them and let me through.

The guard at the third gate glanced at him a couple more times.

"So young?"

Xilun didn't reply, took back his documents, and continued walking.

Half a mile further on, the terrain suddenly drops down.

The river widened, and the water darkened, turning a bluish-gray, like an old cloth that couldn't be washed clean.

The buildings on the dock also changed.

Instead of the square tin warehouses on Baiya's side, there were rows of crooked wooden sheds, with fishing nets and ropes hanging from their roofs.

Large and small ships crowded at the waterway entrance, gun emplacements stood tall, and mooring lines crisscrossed.

Someone carried a fish basket across the plank, the wooden planks creaking under their feet.

Some people were squatting at the bow of the boat mending nets, their fingers were black and thick, and their fingernails were full of fish scales.

The water was damp, cold, and shrouded in a dark blue hue.

Following the instructions on the dispatch order, Xilun walked down the gravel path along the shore and found a low, crooked pavilion behind a row of ship piers.

It was made of wood, covered with an oilcloth, and a rusty iron sign hung at the entrance, the words of which were too blurry to read.

He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A hoarse voice, tinged with the smell of smoke, came from inside.

Xilun pushed open the door and went in.

The room was small, completely different from the office he had imagined.

Two harpoons hung on the wall, their tips polished to a gleaming shine. Next to them was a fishing net spread out, its mesh fine and half-finished.

Several stools were piled up in the corner, and documents were stacked crookedly on the table against the wall, the top one already curled at the edges.

In the very center of the room, an old man sat on a low stool, a fishing net draped over his knees, his fingers deftly weaving and knotting.

He had a cigarette dangling from his mouth, smoke billowing around him.

The old man raised his eyelids and glanced at Xilun.

"Get to the point."

"I was just transferred here."

Xilun handed over the documents.

The old man didn't take it, but exhaled a puff of smoke.

As the smoke cleared, Xilun could see his hand clearly.

Those hands were incredibly thick and rough, with protruding knuckles, calluses all over the palms, and tendons between the knuckles stretched like steel wires.

His body looked thin and bony, with his shoulder blades bulging out of his thin shirt, but Xilun's intuition told him that the muscles beneath that frame were extremely dense.

Even if he wasn't baptized, this old man was definitely not an ordinary person.

The old man yawned and finally took the document over to glance at it.

"Looks young."

He tossed the documents back onto the table and casually asked, "Have you ever killed anyone?"

Xilun's body didn't move, but his breathing paused for a moment.

The old man smiled, revealing his teeth, yellowed from smoking.

"No extraordinary being is immune to killing."

"Killed."

Xilun answered very decisively.

The old man hummed in agreement, but didn't ask any further questions. He lowered his head and continued weaving the net, his fingers moving faster than a machine.

"Can you fire a cannon?"

Xilun was taken aback.

"gun----"

It took him two seconds to realize that they were talking about the ship's cannons.

"Won't."

"Then let's go to the small boat first."

The old man smacked his lips, stubbed out his cigarette, and threw it into the tin can at his feet.

"We have small fishing boats and large cargo ships here. The small boats drive the fish and clear the way, catching some fish, shrimp and crabs. They often encounter wind and waves, but nothing serious happens."

He paused, then picked up a new cigarette and put it in his mouth.

"Large ships carry a lot of cargo and sail slowly, so things are usually fine. But if something happens, it's a big deal."

1

"Nine years ago, a water monster came to the river. With a single leap, it created a wave over two hundred meters high, capsizing seven large cargo ships. That was a once-in-a-decade disaster!"

The old man pondered and sized up Xilun for a while.

"You look like you're only in your early twenties. Go stay on the small fishing boat first and see if you can withstand the wind and waves. If you can, we'll talk about it later."

Xilun nodded.

The old man pulled a document from the table, picked up the official seal, and slapped it on.

Xilun took it and glanced down at it.

The official seal has a crossed-hands design printed on it.

Two crossed harpoons.

"Cross your arms?"

He didn't ask, folded the document, stuffed it into his inner bag, and turned to leave.

After walking down the wooden boardwalk for about a hundred steps, a medium-sized fishing boat was moored by the waterway.

The hull was painted with dark brown tung oil paint, and the bow was upturned, with two extinguished lanterns hanging from it.

It was much smaller than the cargo ships at White Crow Wharf, but it could still accommodate a dozen or so people.

Xilun stood on the shore and looked around for a few seconds, then footsteps sounded on the deck.

A middle-aged man emerged from the cabin. He was in his forties, with a square face, prickly stubble, and short, thick arms that looked like two old tree roots.

He saw Xilun, reached for the document, and glanced at it.

The movement stopped.

"So you're the new assistant?"

Xilun nodded.

The man looked him up and down, his expression revealing a lack of trust.

Have you ever been to sea before?

"no."

The man sighed, handed the file back to him, and looked unlucky.

"Come on up."

There were already eight or nine people sitting in the cabin. Some were tidying up fishing nets, some were sharpening fishhooks, and there were bundles of hemp rope and wooden buckets piled up in the corner.

After waiting a while, two more people came up.

The middle-aged man glanced at the pocket watch and closed the lid.

"sail."

At the command, everyone took their positions.

The mooring ropes were untied, the sails were raised, and the long poles were used to push the boat away from the shore.

The boat rocked twice and slowly entered the river.

The middle-aged man stood at the bow of the ship and glanced back at Xilun.

"What's your name?"

"Silon".

"A rare surname."

The man didn't hesitate and patted the side of the boat.

"Call me Mark, this ship is under my control."

Xilen nodded, while observing Mark discreetly.

His breathing was long and even, unlike that of an ordinary person.

The chest rises and falls very little, but each inhalation carries a steady strength.

"It could be a baptized person!"

Xilun withdrew his gaze without giving it much thought.

Mark leaned against the side of the boat and casually pointed around.

"Our boat is considered medium-sized; it can't compare to those big vessels, but it's much better than the small sampans used by individual fishermen. It can withstand ordinary winds and waves, but if we encounter a really big one—"

He shook his head and didn't continue.

"On the boat, there were fishermen, watchmen, net catchers, and boat builders; everyone did their own job."

Mark turned around, his gaze falling on the dark blue surface of the river.

"However, this water is not a peaceful place."

Xilun followed his gaze.

The river was calm, its blue-gray surface shimmering with an oily sheen, appearing deep and tranquil.

Suddenly, a fish about the length of a palm leaped out of the water, crashed onto the deck, and thrashed about twice.

A man nearby reacted quickly, pressing him down and throwing him into the wooden bucket.

Mark glanced at it but didn't think much of it.

"We're not afraid of the little fish, but there are some things in the river that we can't afford to mess with."

He held up one finger.

"The first one is a big fish. The kind that's two or three meters long. With a flick of its tail, it can create a wave that's half a meter high, and the current will swirl around it. We're on their turf, so we can't win."

Another one stretched out.

"The second one, the alien species."

Xilun's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Mark leaned closer, chuckling, and asked, "You used to hang out on land, did you ever encounter any alien species?"

"I've met him twice."

"That's quite a lot."

Mark rubbed his chin, his tone carrying a numbness of someone who'd been there all along.

"But it can't compare to those who work on ships. We run into each other several times a week. On land, the high-rise buildings are crowded, and the aliens don't have much room to move around. But underwater—"

He spat into the river.

"Marlin, squid, lanternfish, four-clawed shrimp."

When he got to the last name, Mark shuddered: "The snout of a marlin is like a steel needle, capable of piercing straight through the wooden planks of a ship's hull."

"The 'creepy squid' likes to spew poisonous ink, and its tentacles can drag living people into deep water."

"The lantern-shaped species hides in the dark currents, attracting prey solely through its bioluminescent organs."

"The shell of the four-clawed shrimp is harder than sheet metal, and its claws can snap a person's thigh."

"If we run into these things, we'll have to turn the boat around and run away."

"And you—"

He pointed at Xilun: "Take care of them."

"9

Xilun paused for a moment, then pointed to himself.

"I?"

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