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

The following morning, a thick fog, carrying a biting damp chill, shrouded the entire street in a hazy mist. The lanterns along the street cast a blurry, warm yellow glow, flickering in the fog.

"Creak—"

As soon as Hu Mingxuan pushed open the heavy shop door, his gaze was suddenly met with a figure—it was Chen Feng, whose face was covered in mud and bloodstains, his clothes were soaked with blood, and dark red blood was still seeping from his wounds; he had already lost consciousness and was slumped on the bluestone slab in front of the door, his fingertips still tightly clutching a bundle.

Hu Mingxuan's expression changed drastically. Without thinking, he immediately called for the shop assistants, who quickly carried the critically injured Chen Feng into the hall.

As the steward of the hall, he had some medical knowledge. The moment his fingertips touched Chen Feng's pulse and checked his breathing, he found the pulse erratic and the breath weak and feeble. His face immediately turned pale, and he cried out in alarm, "Oh no! Chen Feng... he's suffering from a blood attack on his heart!"

Hu Tao, who was examining the medicinal herbs in the medicine cup next door, heard this clearly. Her fair hand trembled suddenly, and the medicine cup lightly tapped on the table.

She hurried to Chen Feng's side, gazing at his blood-soaked, lifeless body. A fleeting, almost imperceptible ripple crossed her eyes. Without hesitation, she raised her voice and ordered the servants, "Quick! Go and fetch Mr. Hu Sanzhen immediately! Not a moment can be wasted! Only he can save Chen Feng's life!"

It takes half a stick of incense.

Hu Sanzhen arrived in a hurry, carrying his medicine box. He was a top doctor at Hu Qing Yu Tang, and his acupuncture skills were renowned throughout Shanghai.

He took out three gleaming silver needles and focused his attention on piercing key acupoints such as Baihui and Neiguan. However, as soon as the needle tips touched Chen Feng's skin, they were forcefully bounced back. Chen Feng had mastered hard qigong, and his skin and flesh were as hard as a wooden drum. Ordinary silver needles could not penetrate even a fraction of an inch.

"interesting!"

Hu Sanzhen raised an eyebrow and, not daring to delay, immediately took out a gilded brocade box from his bosom and carefully offered up the three ancestral golden needles.

The golden needles gleamed with a warm golden light. He flicked his wrist, displaying exquisite acupuncture techniques, and the golden needles steadily pierced into the vital acupoints all over Chen Feng's body.

But in an instant.

"Pfft—"

Chen Feng's throat churned violently, and he coughed up a mouthful of dark, foul-smelling, old blood. His chest felt much better, and his disordered breathing finally calmed down a bit.

"call--"

Hu Sanzhen finally breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, and explained to everyone in a deep voice, "He's alright! This young man relied on his strong internal energy to withstand countless injuries, which had accumulated into chronic ailments over the years. This time, during the fierce battle, he was struck repeatedly by external forces, damaging his internal organs, which caused his blood and qi to rush to his head and he fainted! Luckily, he has a strong constitution; otherwise, even a god couldn't save him!"

When Chen Feng opened his eyes again, he had been unconscious for three days and three nights.

Fortunately, Hu Tao was meticulous. On the day Chen Feng fell into a coma, she secretly sent her trusted confidant to let Lin Sao know that he was safe.

During these three days.

A storm suddenly broke out in the martial arts world. The feud between the Green Gang and the Axe Gang had long since spread from the concession area to the bottom of the Suzhou River. Just a few days ago, the two sides were only secretly fighting on the streets. But overnight, Green Gang thugs would pounce on Axe Gang members with bloodshot eyes, regardless of whether they were street errand runners or gang members guarding the place. They would kill them as soon as they saw them.

The Suzhou Creek was already murky and foul-smelling, but now it was filled with an inescapable fishy stench. Before dawn, more than a dozen corpses floated on the river, some with multiple stab wounds, others hacked to pieces by axes, drifting downstream past the Waibaidu Bridge and past the foreign concession buildings, becoming the most glaring warning in Shanghai.

The Chinese-controlled police station and the concession police turned a blind eye, while Westerners, Japanese, and Southeast Asians watched from the sidelines, and some even opened betting platforms and placed large bets...

The people lived in constant fear, street vendors packed up early, pedestrians walked with their heads down, and even rickshaw pullers dared not take another step into Fangua Lane.

Nobody considered this a minor conflict.

Old-timers all knew that what was floating on the river wasn't corpses, but a signal to start a war.

The Axe Gang hadn't even brandished all their axes yet, and the Green Gang hadn't even loaded their opium guns, but their ruthless determination to devour their opponents had already spread across the Suzhou Creek and throughout the bustling city.

A massive, all-out battle that's set to shake up the entire Zhabei district is just one match away from happening!

"Tell me! Did he do it?" Hu Mingxuan gazed thoughtfully at the overcast sky.

Hu Tao smiled knowingly but said nothing.

To ensure Chen Feng's safety, Hu Tao arranged for him to recuperate in the backyard of Hu Qing Yu Tang, strictly forbidding anyone from leaking any information.

"Cough cough—"

As his blurry vision gradually cleared, Chen Feng looked at Hu Sanzhen and Hu Tao surrounding the bed, as well as Lin Sao and Xiao A Qiao, whose eyes were red and whose faces were haggard. He slowly propped himself up and tried to sit up.

The moment it moved.

The expected excruciating pain did not come. Instead, my meridians were clear and my blood and qi were flowing freely. An unprecedented sense of lightness and power slowly rose from my limbs and bones.

Heaven rewards diligence; success is inevitable.

[Introduction to Hard Qigong (175/500)]

Chen Feng was slightly taken aback. He subconsciously moved his shoulders, neck, and wrists. The stiffness left by his previous hard qigong had disappeared without a trace. Even his dantian and tendons, which used to ache slightly, felt refreshed and clear. He was in better condition than before he was injured.

"strangeness……"

Chen Feng muttered to himself, an incredulous look on his face: "I feel... so much better than before, I'm full of energy!"

Everyone was quite surprised to hear this. They took a few steps forward to examine him closely. Although Chen Feng's face was still a little pale, his eyes were clear and his breathing was steady and long. He did not look like a seriously injured person who had just returned from the brink of death.

Hu Sanzhen quickly stepped forward and examined Chen Feng's pulse again. After a moment, he exclaimed in amazement, "Wonderful! Truly a blessing in disguise! Your hard qigong is no simple feat!"

He paused for a moment, then continued to explain.

"Hard qigong practice may seem simple, but it is actually extremely difficult. If you are not careful, it can leave behind old ailments and blockages deep in your meridians and bones, which are difficult to detect in daily life and even more difficult to cure!"

"You were severely injured in this battle, and your blood and qi were overwhelmed. Ironically, this caused all the old ailments and stagnant blood in your body to be released and forced to the surface and outside your internal organs all at once. This is simply a miracle!"

That brings us to this point.

Hu Sanzhen stroked his beard with a hint of pride.

"By using acupuncture, I can seize this opportune moment to eradicate all your old injuries and ailments, leaving no trace!"

"Now that your meridians are unobstructed, your hard qigong is free of hidden dangers, and your foundation is more solid than ever before, you will naturally feel stronger than ever before!"

"From now on, if one has high-quality herbal medicine for internal and external application when practicing hard qigong, the results will be twice as effective!"

Everyone was both surprised and delighted upon hearing this.

Aunt Lin clasped her hands together and repeatedly chanted Buddhist prayers: "May the Bodhisattva protect us! May the Bodhisattva protect us!"

Little Aqiao's eyes lit up, and she grabbed Chen Feng's arm tightly, bursting into tears of joy: "Brother Feng, that's wonderful! Not only are you safe and sound, but you've also turned misfortune into blessing! Good people are always protected by heaven!"

Looking at Chen Feng's tall and straight figure and clear blood and energy, Hu Tao's appreciation deepened. She spoke softly, "This is a case of surviving a great calamity and being destined for good fortune! You were already a martial arts prodigy, and now that all the hidden dangers have been eliminated, your cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds in the future!"

Chen Feng was also deeply moved. He knew what the cure of his old ailment meant to him. He immediately bowed deeply to Hu Sanzhen, then looked at Hu Tao, his voice hoarse but sincere: "Miss Hu, Dr. Hu, I will never forget your life-saving grace and the eradication of my old ailment!"

Hu Tao reacted quickly, immediately stepping forward to support Chen Feng's back and gently placing a soft brocade cushion under him. Her movements were delicate and attentive: "You've just recovered, no need for formalities. Resting and recuperating is the most important thing!"

When her fingertips inadvertently touched Chen Feng's strong arm, Hu Tao's cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly withdrew her hand, unable to hide the concern in her eyes!

Seeing this, Xiao Aqiao quickly stepped forward, standing guard on either side of the bed. Her little hands tightly gripped Chen Feng's sleeves, as if afraid that something might happen to him again. The joy and dependence in her eyes were undisguised.

Seeing that Chen Feng was completely out of danger, Hu Tao immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous feast to entertain Chen Feng, Aunt Lin, and Xiao Aqiao.

During the meal, Hu Tao kept serving Chen Feng dishes, all of which were nourishing and beneficial for his health. Her eyes were full of concern: "Drink more pigeon soup and eat more yams. They will be very helpful for your recovery."

Sitting beside Chen Feng, Xiao Aqiao watched as Hu Tao was so attentive and attentive to him. Her lips pursed slightly, and a hint of jealousy quietly surfaced in her eyes.

She picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of braised pork, Chen Feng's favorite dish, on his plate, whispering, "Brother Feng, eat this, it's delicious!"

Then he picked up another piece of braised fish and piled it into his bowl: "Brother Feng, I'll make whatever you like to eat! Anything you want, I'll give you!"

Two women stood on either side of each other, one gentle and considerate, the other charming and dependent.

Chen Feng felt both helpless and touched, and could only accept the gifts with a smile. The atmosphere at the table was both subtle and lively.

After several rounds of drinks...

Chen Feng took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket. It was the Qi and Blood Powder he had taken from Scarface. The bottle was still stained with faint blood.

He placed the porcelain bottle on the table and looked at Hu Tao: "Miss Hu, I obtained this by chance. I wonder if it's a Qi and Blood Powder?"

Hu Tao picked up the porcelain bottle, uncorked it, and took a sniff. A knowing look flashed in her eyes.

"It's Qi and Blood Powder, a treasure for martial artists. It can quickly replenish qi and blood and boost cultivation. The ingredients are all precious medicinal herbs such as ginseng and deer antler. A small bottle is worth five silver dollars!"

"For an ordinary martial artist, this is enough to last seven days. However, if one cultivates to the Ming Jin level, their internal energy and blood are consumed extremely quickly, and a bottle can be used up in just two days!"

Lin Sao and Xiao A Qiao were stunned. Their chopsticks stopped in their tracks, and they were shocked. Five silver dollars was more than half a month's worth of food for an ordinary family.

Chen Feng secretly sighed, "The saying 'the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts' is absolutely true!"

I used to think that hard qigong was the cheapest way to improve my cultivation by getting beaten up, but now I realize that it costs more money than anything else.

Secondly, after mastering the basics of stance training, if one is given nourishing medicinal diets, one day's training is equivalent to three days of hard work, and one is only one step away from achieving Ming Jin (a level of internal strength). But each of these requires real money.

What worries him even more is that, having escaped death this time, he knows better than anyone else that he only knows one move, the hammer strike, which is far too weak. If he wants to learn the whole set, will he have to pay extra?

So what if I don't have money? So what if I don't have resources?

No matter how difficult the path of martial arts may be, he will still embark on it!

Let's shut down the boxing gym first; that old geezer won't just stand by and watch someone die!

As for the fellow disciples, look at the scroll...

He'll swindle the "beast cage" again, and while he's at it, he'll also bet on himself, dragging the unscrupulous boss down with him!

Looking at Chen Feng, his eyes were filled with turbulent thoughts.

Hu Tao leaned forward slightly, accentuating her beautiful curves, and spoke with sincerity and earnestness.

"Chen Feng, I know you have a good foundation. Now that all the hidden dangers have been eliminated, you can expect your cultivation to improve significantly!"

"To be honest, once a martial artist reaches the Ming Jin level, they can hold a position in a factory, business, or government office!"

"I have high hopes for your talent and ability, and I am willing to immediately assign you to a position at Hu Qing Yu Tang. You will receive ten silver dollars per month, as well as three extra doses of Qi and Blood Powder, which will be enough for your daily cultivation!"

Her gaze was intense, her eyes full of appreciation, and her tone made no attempt to conceal her high regard.

Chen Feng understood that the nominal position at Hu Qing Yu Tang was far from a sinecure. He would be responsible for protecting the Hu family's goods, maintaining order, shielding them from attacks, handling thorny disputes in the martial arts world, and even facing direct confrontations. This involved a wide range of issues, posed considerable risks, and, most importantly, restricted his freedom...

He is born with the destiny of "Heaven rewards diligence", and his cultivation will naturally break through if he just focuses on his studies. There is no need to rashly take on this hot potato, but the favor still needs to be repaid!

"I appreciate Miss Hu's kindness! However, this matter is of great importance, and I will consider it carefully before giving you an answer!"

Chen Feng solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute and said calmly, "If there is any need in the future, I will do my utmost!"

Hu Tao wasn't in a hurry; she simply nodded gently, "It's alright, take your time to consider it. The doors of Hu Qing Yu Tang are always open for you!"

Seeing how devoted Hu Tao was to Chen Feng, offering him high salaries and rare medicinal herbs, Xiao Aqiao felt a pang of jealousy. She knew this was a rare opportunity for Chen Feng, who came from a poor background. She quietly tugged at Chen Feng's sleeve, her eyes earnest: "Brother Feng, Miss Hu Tao truly wants to help you! Just go for it! Aunt Lin, I'll take care of her!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

The banquet has ended.

Hu Tao personally escorted Chen Feng and the other two to the entrance of Hu Qing Yu Tang, watching them leave with her gaze following Chen Feng's retreating figure for a long time.

"Young Miss!"

Hu Mingxuan stepped forward, his face showing concern as he advised, "While I also see potential in Chen Feng, until that potential fully develops, it remains just potential!"

He paused, then, adopting the air of an elder, emphasized, "You've made an exception for him by granting him a temporary position with a high salary and the Qi and Blood Powder. Isn't this all too hasty and inappropriate? Our Hu Qing Yu Tang has never had such a precedent!"

Hu Tao shook her head slightly, turned around and looked at the "Hu Qing Yu Tang" plaque hanging high in the hall, her words hitting the nail on the head.

"Recently, our goods from Hu Qing Yu Tang have been robbed by river bandits on several occasions while being transported to Songjiang, upstream of Wusong, resulting in heavy losses!"

"The government has sent out patrols to suppress them several times, but they have all returned empty-handed, citing the complexity of the waterways. In reality, they are just keeping bandits around to maintain their own power. If this continues, our waterway business will be ruined!"

"The two leaders of that band of pirates are ruthless and vicious, both genuine masters of Ming Jin (a type of internal energy cultivation). Ordinary Ming Jin practitioners can't stop them, and even high salaries can't hire those with An Jin (another type of internal energy cultivation) skills..."

That's all.

She gripped the silk handkerchief in her hand, gazing at the gradually dissipating fog outside the door, her eyes growing increasingly resolute.

"Chen Feng is filial to his mother and deeply affectionate towards Xiao Aqiao; he is a person of noble character!"

"He was already incredibly strong, and now that his old ailments are completely cured, his strength is even greater than before. Sooner or later, he will break through to the Ming Jin realm!"

"My intuition tells me that of the two bandit leaders, only Chen Feng can break this deadlock!"

"So... no matter what, I must take down Chen Feng!"