Shooting the Eagle: Starting from Iron Palm Peak

In the days that followed, Lynch and Ci'en settled down next to the thatched hut.

Every morning, Master Yideng led them in chanting scriptures. Lin Qi couldn't understand Sanskrit, so he could only follow along. Ci'en also couldn't understand, but he chanted very seriously, pronouncing each word slowly, as if he were chewing something.

After the chanting was finished, Master Yideng instructed Ci'en to meditate. Ci'en sat on the prayer mat, closed his eyes, and remained seated for half an hour. His hands stopped trembling, and the bloodshot in his eyes faded day by day.

Master Yideng didn't teach him martial arts, only Buddhist teachings. Ci'en, who had never read Buddhist scriptures before, now held them every day, reading them word by word. Master Yideng taught him unfamiliar characters and explained sentences he didn't understand.

Lin Qi sometimes listened along. Master Yideng's teachings on Buddhism were very profound, but he spoke slowly and patiently, so even someone like Lin Qi, who had never been exposed to Buddhism before, could understand some of it.

A few days later, Lin Qi prepared to bid farewell to Master Yideng and Ci'en.

That morning, after chanting scriptures and meditating, Ci'en called Lin Qi to the bamboo grove behind the thatched hut. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, dewdrops clung to the bamboo leaves, and the air was cool and damp.

"Lin Qi," Ci En said, standing under an old bamboo stalk with her back to him, "I have something to tell you."

"Please speak, Master."

Ci'en turned around and looked at Lin Qi. His complexion was much better than when he arrived; the bloodshot in his eyes had faded, and the ashen look on his face had also disappeared. But at this moment, his expression was very serious, even somewhat solemn.

"I don't plan to go back to the Iron Fist Clan."

Although Lin Qi had expected it, hearing it with his own ears still gave him a slight shock.

"Master means..."

"I will be cultivating here under Master Yideng. From now on, I will no longer concern myself with the affairs of the Iron Palm Clan." Ci'en took out a dark iron token from his robes and handed it to Lin Qi. "The Iron Palm Clan cannot be without a leader. This token is yours from today onwards."

Lin Qi looked down and saw that the iron token was about the size of a palm. On the front, a pair of iron palms were engraved, facing each other, and on the back, four characters were engraved: "Iron Palm Token". This was the token of the Iron Palm Gang leader; seeing the token was like seeing the leader himself.

"Master, I am too inexperienced and my martial arts skills are not good enough..." Lin Qi did not reply.

"Experience can be accumulated gradually, and martial arts skills can be practiced slowly." Ci'en stuffed the token into his hand. "But you are my only personally taught disciple. According to the rules of the Iron Palm Clan, the position of clan leader is only passed down to the successor of the sect leader. If I don't pass it on to you, who will I pass it on to? Han Duanyue?"

Lin Qi held the heavy iron plaque, his heart churning with indescribable emotions.

Ci'en took out another letter from his bosom. The envelope was addressed to the members of the Iron Palm Gang. The ink was dry, indicating that it had been written several days ago.

"This is my handwritten letter." Ci'en handed the letter to Lin Qi. "It states that I am passing the leadership of the Iron Palm Clan to you. From this day forward, you will be the new leader of the Iron Palm Clan."

Lin Qi accepted the letter with both hands and solemnly put it into his pocket. With this handwritten letter and the Iron Palm Order, he would have the right to return to the gang.

"However," Ci'en looked at him, her gaze becoming serious, "I have become a nun. From now on, I will no longer interfere in the affairs of the Iron Palm Clan. If anyone in the clan is dissatisfied with you, I cannot stand up for you; you will have to resolve it yourself."

Lin Qi's heart skipped a beat. He knew Ci'en was telling the truth—a monk should no longer concern himself with the battles of the martial world. He nodded: "Disciple understands."

"It's good that you understand," Ci'en said. "Han Duanyue has been operating within the gang for over a decade and wields considerable power. After you return, don't rush to turn against him. First, stabilize the three officials: Zhou Mingyuan, Qian Sihai, and Mei Ruolan. As long as these three are on your side, Han Duanyue won't dare to openly harm you. As for underhanded methods, you'll have to figure that out yourself."

"This disciple has remembered."

"Also," Ci'en paused, "I've only taught you the first five forms of the Iron Palm Technique. I'll teach you the remaining eight forms, as well as the thirteen core techniques of the Iron Palm Technique, over the next few days."

Lin Qi's heart skipped a beat. The Iron Palm Skill consists of thirteen forms, each evolving into a deadly move, collectively known as the "Thirteen Deadly Moves." Each move is ruthless and fierce, the secret killing techniques passed down by successive leaders of the Iron Palm Clan. He only knew the first five forms, and had never seen the last eight forms, let alone the deadly moves.

"The Iron Palm Technique has thirteen forms. The first five are characterized by their subtle variations, while the latter eight are known for their powerful and robust nature. However, the true essence of the Iron Palm Technique lies in the thirteen ultimate moves hidden within these thirteen forms." Ci'en extended his right palm, palm facing upwards. "Each of these thirteen ultimate moves is a killing move, capable of injuring the opponent instantly without leaving any room for error. I didn't teach you these moves before because your skill level wasn't high enough. Even if you learned them, you wouldn't be able to use them effectively, and it would only easily harm yourself. Now that your internal strength is sufficient, I will pass them on to you one by one."

He took a thin handwritten booklet from his pocket and handed it to Lin Qi.

"This contains the moves of the last eight stances of Iron Palm Kung Fu and the mental techniques of the thirteen ultimate moves. I'll read them to you, and you can memorize them."

Lin Qi took the booklet and held it with both hands.

Ci'en sat cross-legged in the bamboo forest, opened the booklet, and read it to him page by page.

"The ultimate move derived from the first stance, 'Pushing the Mountain Stance,' is called 'Pushing the Heart and Placing the Abdomen.' The palm force goes straight to the opponent's heart, penetrating through the back, and the heart of the person hit will be shattered. This move seems ordinary, but it actually contains a spiral force. The force is released the moment the palm touches the target, making it impossible to defend against."

"The second move is called 'Bone-Severing and Tendon-Dislocating.' The edge of the palm is like a knife, specifically targeting joints and tendons. Those struck will have their bones broken and tendons dislocated. Even if they don't die, they will be permanently disabled. The ruthlessness of this move lies in the fact that it is not intended to take lives, but to make people wish they were dead."

"The ultimate move derived from the third stance is called 'Soul-Chasing and Life-Stealing.' The palm force is concentrated into a single line, directly targeting vital points such as the throat and temples, killing with a single blow. This move is the fastest in the Iron Palm Kung Fu, striking silently and striking without a sound, hence the name 'Soul-Chasing and Life-Stealing.'"

"The ultimate move derived from the fourth stance, the 'Severing Flow Stance,' is called 'Splitting Stones and Cracking Tablets.' Its palm force is unparalleled in its ferocity and is specifically designed to break through hard techniques. Those struck by it will feel as if they have been hit by an iron hammer, their bones will be shattered, and their internal organs will be broken. This move does not rely on variations to win; it relies purely on overwhelming force. It is the most ferocious move in the Iron Palm style."

"The ultimate move derived from the fifth stance, the 'Breaking Army Stance,' is called 'Heart-Shattering Intestine-Severing.' After the palm force penetrates the body, it does not immediately explode, but invades the heart meridian. The victim is initially unaware, but after a moment, their heart feels like it is being torn apart, their liver and intestines are being ripped apart, and they suffer unbearable pain. This move is insidious and vicious, and the victim often cannot live or die."

Ci'en recited the mantra step by step, and Lin Qi memorized each word.

"The ultimate move derived from the sixth stance is called 'Throat Lock and Meridian Sealing.' The palm technique is like a lock, seizing the opponent's throat while simultaneously sealing their meridians with internal force, rendering the opponent unable to circulate their energy to resist, leaving them completely at the mercy of others. This move is a combination of grappling and palm techniques, which can be used to subdue the enemy or to extract confessions."

"The ultimate move derived from the seventh stance is called 'Bone-Shattering Body'. Both palms strike out simultaneously, one in front and one behind. The first palm breaks through the opponent's defense, while the second palm shatters their bones. This move is extremely powerful, but it also consumes a great deal of internal energy. Only those with profound internal energy can perform it."

"The ultimate move derived from the eighth stance is called 'Deadly Heartbreak.' The palm strike contains poison, and the poison invades the internal organs along with the internal force, inevitably leading to death within three days. This move is the most poisonous move in Iron Palm Kung Fu, and only those who have cultivated Iron Palm Kung Fu to an extremely high level, whose palm poison is concentrated and does not dissipate, can use it."

"The ultimate move derived from the ninth stance is called 'King Yama's Marking.' The palm technique is unpredictable, with tricky angles of attack, specifically targeting the opponent's unexpected locations. Those struck often don't even know how they were hit until they die. This move relies on variation and deception to win, and it is the most difficult move to defend against in Iron Palm Kung Fu."

"The ultimate move resulting from the tenth stance is called 'Asura Descends.' It involves a series of rapid, continuous strikes with both palms, each faster than the last, like a raging storm that leaves the opponent breathless. This move is the most powerful offensive technique in the Iron Palm Kung Fu. Once unleashed, the opponent can only passively defend until a weakness is revealed."

"The ultimate move derived from the eleventh stance is called 'Heaven Collapses and Earth Shatters'. It involves leaping up and striking downwards, with the palm force descending from above, as if the sky were collapsing and the earth were sinking. Those struck by it would have their bones shattered, with no chance of survival. This move is the most powerful of the Iron Palm techniques, but it leaves a large opening when jumping, so it should only be used when the opponent is unable to retaliate."

"The ultimate move derived from the twelfth stance is called 'Eternal Calamity.' Both palms strike out simultaneously, one to the left and one to the right, attacking two vital points of the opponent at the same time. Once this move hits, the opponent will either die or be maimed, with absolutely no chance of recovery, hence the name 'Eternal Calamity.' This move is the most lethal move in the Iron Palm Kung Fu, and successive gang leaders have never used it lightly except in life-or-death situations."

After reciting the twelve ultimate moves, Ci'en closed the booklet and looked at Lin Qi.

"The ultimate move derived from the thirteenth stance is called 'Yin Yang Returns to One.' This is the supreme secret of Iron Palm Kung Fu."

His voice became low and solemn.

"The first twelve ultimate moves, no matter how ruthless, are ultimately all about raw power. But 'Yin Yang Unity' is different. This palm strike contains two completely different forces, Yin and Yang—Yang force breaks the enemy, unparalleled in its raw power; Yin force protects the body, supple and enduring. The combination of raw power and suppleness, Yin and Yang mutually generating each other, will severely injure the victim externally and damage their internal organs with the Yin force. Attacked from both inside and outside, it is almost impossible to resolve."

He extended his right palm, palm up. Lin Qi saw that his palm had a faint bluish-green hue in the morning light, and the veins under the skin were faintly visible.

"This move is not just a martial art, but a state of mind. The one who strikes must have a clear mind and a balance of Yin and Yang to execute it. If there is murderous intent in the mind, then Yang will be dominant and Yin will be weak, causing the palm force to become unbalanced, which will not only harm the enemy but also the practitioner."

Lin Qi felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.

"I've also written the mental techniques of 'Yin Yang Unity' in this booklet." Ci'en handed the booklet to Lin Qi. "After you go back, first master the first twelve ultimate moves. Don't rush into 'Yin Yang Unity.' Only when you've mastered the first twelve moves to the point where you can control them at will and combine strength and gentleness can you try practicing the last move. Remember—if your mind is distracted, you must not use it."

Lin Qi took the booklet with both hands and solemnly put it into his pocket.

"This disciple will certainly keep Master's teachings in mind."

Ci'en nodded, stood up, and patted the dust off his knees.

"The Thirteen Forms and Thirteen Ultimate Moves of Iron Palm Kung Fu are the foundation of the Iron Palm Clan. If you master them, the Iron Palm Clan will stand strong; if you don't, the Iron Palm Clan will fall in your hands." He looked at Lin Qi, "I'm handing the Iron Palm Clan over to you."

Lin Qi knelt down and solemnly kowtowed three times.

"Disciple Lin Qi will certainly not fail Master's expectations."

Ci'en looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly smiled. The smile was faint, but genuine.

"Get up. Go down the mountain first thing tomorrow morning. Don't linger on the mountain. The affairs of the gang are waiting for you to take care of."

The next morning, Lin Qi packed his bags and bid farewell to Master Yideng and Ci'en.

Master Yideng clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Amitabha. Take care on your journey, Benefactor Lin."

Ci'en stood in front of the thatched hut, looked at Lin Qi, and said only one sentence: "After you go back, think things through carefully and don't act impulsively. If you encounter something you can't decide, just flip through that book. The principles of Iron Palm Kung Fu are also the principles of being a good person."

"This disciple has remembered."

Lin Qi turned around and walked down the stone steps. After a few steps, he looked back and saw Ci'en still standing in front of the thatched hut, the morning light shining from behind him, bathing him in a golden glow.

Lin Qi waved to him, then turned and walked into the bamboo forest.

The bamboo leaves rustled in the wind, and sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Lin Qi clutched the Iron Palm Token and the handwritten booklet in his arms, his heart heavy yet resolute.

He was no longer a third-generation disciple in that secluded courtyard. He was the new leader of the Iron Palm Clan.