Chinese martial arts: From human punching bags to martial arts mastery

"Don't stop!"

Chen Feng, however, waved his hands frantically and shouted, "Please don't stop! Please, please don't stop!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the store was stunned, speechless and standing there dumbfounded.

Wang Xiaoer's mouth gaped open, unable to close it for a long time. He thought to himself, "Is this guy some kind of idiot? He's being held down firmly by the head steward's grappling techniques, yet he's still begging to be beaten more?"

"What a pity!"

Hu Mingxuan withdrew his hand, a complex look flashing across his eyes as he looked at Chen Feng: "He has a hidden ailment!!!"

But he didn't say anything more, turning to greet Hu Tao: "Miss, this man forced his way into the pharmacy and injured people; he's probably not a good person!"

"No--"

Hu Tao waved her hand, her gaze falling on Chen Feng. There was no disdain or mockery in her eyes, but rather a strong curiosity: "Who are you? Why did you force your way into Hu Qing Yu Tang? And why... are you begging to be beaten?"

"Chen Feng! Sharp Feng!"

Chen Feng rubbed his slightly numb joints and said truthfully, "My mother is seriously ill, and I wanted to ask the head doctor to come and make a house call, but this young man refused to inform me and even made sarcastic remarks. I had no choice! As for begging to be beaten just now... that was a slip of the tongue!"

As he spoke, he pulled a heavy cloth bag from his pocket, slowly opened it, and inside were a dozen or so shiny silver dollars, with a dozen or so copper coins stacked next to it.

"This money should be enough to buy fritillaria bulbs and cover your consultation fees, right?"

Wang Xiaoer tiptoed and caught a glimpse of the silver coins in the cloth bag. His face instantly turned ashen, his limbs went weak, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into on the spot.

He never expected that this poor boy in front of him, dressed in rags and carrying a lamp wick on his shoulder, would actually have silver dollars!

Hu Tao's curiosity deepened, and she nodded slightly: "Of course that's enough! Wang Er, hurry up and apologize to this gentleman!"

Wang Xiaoer trembled all over, no longer daring to put on any airs, and hurriedly staggered to Chen Feng.

"Sir... I'm so sorry, I was blind to your greatness. Please forgive me, I'm a magnanimous person..."

His head was almost drooping to his chest, his cheeks were flushed red and purple, and he felt the strange and mocking gazes of the customers around him. He wished he could tear a cloth and cover his face completely.

Chen Feng smiled faintly and turned to Hu Tao: "I'd like to buy a few more medicinal herbs. Could you please introduce me to some, Miss?"

Hu Tao readily agreed and personally led Chen Feng to the medicinal herb area, carefully selecting top-quality Northeast deer antler and authentic donkey-hide gelatin for him, and also bringing him a box of exquisitely packaged snow cream.

"These deer antlers were something I painstakingly brought back from Northeast China; the supply is extremely unstable!"

Hu Tao sighed softly, her tone tinged with resentment: "Today, while unloading goods at the dock, the Green Gang ripped us off, causing us to lose a considerable amount of money. It's infuriating!"

As she spoke, a barely perceptible glint of grievance and ruthlessness flashed in her eyes: "If I were a man, and had mastered excellent martial arts skills, I would never allow these villains to be so arrogant and domineering!"

She turned to Chen Feng and tentatively asked, "Judging from how you dealt with the head steward just now, you must be a hidden martial arts expert, right? May I ask who your teacher is?"

Chen Feng answered truthfully, "I'm a student at a small, unlicensed boxing gym in Fan Gua Lane. It's not a prestigious school; we just practice some basic martial arts!"

A hint of disappointment flashed across Hu Tao's face, but she quickly smiled and said, "It's a family tradition in Hu's family—I'm very good at judging people!"

"You can't really show off your skills at that little boxing gym in Fan Gua Lane! There are dozens of renowned boxing gyms right next to the International Settlement, all run by real martial arts masters like Bagua School, Golden Saber School, Xingyi School, and Jingwu School—each one a household name in Shanghai!"

"Shanghai also hosts a grand martial arts tournament every year!"

A hint of longing flashed in Hu Tao's eyes, and her tone became excited: "If you can make it into the top ten, you'll become famous and even be recommended to the Martial Arts Federation, which will greatly benefit your future career! If you can get into the top three, you'll even have a chance to be directly admitted to the Huangfu Military Academy! I happen to have some connections in the Martial Arts Federation, and I can help you with some introductions!"

Chen Feng shook his head slightly, his tone calm and composed: "Thank you for your kindness, Miss, but we are strangers who have just met, and I dare not trouble you any further!"

Hu Tao raised her slender, jade-like fingers and smiled slightly: "Mr. Chen, you may not know this, but my Hu family ancestors were masters of cultivating good relationships and helping those who needed it!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng immediately thought of Hu Qingyutang, the world-renowned red-hat merchant. Without his logistical support, Zuo Zongtang would not have achieved the monumental feat of reclaiming territory.

Thinking of this, Chen Feng felt a warmth in his heart, and his tone softened.

"Walnut Girl!"

"I have absolutely no interest in ranking matches or gaining fame!"

"In a bustling city like Shanghai, the greater the fame, the greater the danger. I just want to live a peaceful and quiet life!"

Hearing this, Hu Tao's curiosity deepened as she looked at Chen Feng. This young man, dressed in rough, tattered clothes, possessed a composure and clarity far beyond the ordinary, and a calm demeanor; he was truly extraordinary. "If you encounter any difficulties in the future," she said, "you can come to me anytime!"

Chen Feng clasped his hands in greeting and brought up the matter of asking the doctor to come to the hospital again.

Hu Tao readily agreed: "The head physician is busy inspecting the newly arrived medicinal herbs today and is probably too busy to come. I'll have him go to your residence first thing tomorrow morning!"

After saying that, she stared intently at Chen Feng and asked seriously, "Where do you live? Please give me directions!"

Chen Feng smiled slightly, picked up his pen and wrote down his home address. After thanking Hu Tao sincerely, he picked up the lampwick again, carried the medicinal herbs he had bought, and turned to leave Hu Qing Yu Tang.

When his figure completely disappeared outside the vermilion gate, Wang Xiaoer still kept his head down, his back already soaked with cold sweat, and he didn't even dare to breathe.

Hu Tao's face darkened abruptly, and she shouted, "Wang Er! What you did today has utterly disgraced Hu Qing Yu Tang! Judging people by their appearance, looking down on others like a dog! If it weren't for the fact that you're a member of the same family, I would have fired you immediately! You're being fined your entire month's wages. Go to the accounting office right now to collect your penalty!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Miss, for your mercy! I will never dare to do it again!"

Wang Xiaoer felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude. Looking in the direction Chen Feng had left, his eyes were filled with fear and shame.

Looking at Wang Xiaoer's disheveled appearance, Hu Mingxuan shook his head helplessly and turned to Hu Tao, saying, "Miss, this young man is exceptionally skilled and has an extraordinary character... It's just a pity he's indifferent to fame and fortune, and doesn't strive for recognition!"

Hu Tao nodded slightly, a strange light flashing in her eyes: "I also think he's different from ordinary martial artists... However, I believe that once he truly understands the benefits, he will definitely go all out..."

She pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something, frowned slightly, and muttered to herself in confusion.

"Strange...why would a grown man like him buy face cream?"