Physical immortality begins with Bajiquan

Chapter 58 Destiny

In the morning, Qin Heng returned to Songxuan Martial Arts Hall.

It was the time of day when the disciples practiced their skills. At this time in the past, the outer courtyard training ground was full of disciples practicing their stances and strengthening their foundations, while the adjacent martial arts arena was filled with the sounds of punches and kicks cutting through the air. Everyone was focused on their training and dared not slack off in the slightest.

But today it has completely changed.

Most of the disciples stopped practicing their stances and stopped their fist and footwork. They gathered in twos and threes under the corridor, beside the wooden stakes and wooden dummy, and some leaned against the wall. They had no heart to practice anymore and all whispered in low voices, their expressions full of solemnity and unease.

"Tsk tsk, a century-old family, fallen just like that, it's terrifying to think about." Qian Erqiang lowered his voice, his tone full of sighs. "So, you should never envy these powerful families. Just one wrong choice and you'll be wiped out. Even the Ming family head, a master of the Transformation Realm, still met his end!"

"That's right!" Liu Dadao chimed in, his voice tinged with relief. "Fortunately, we're just small fry. These big things don't concern us. We ordinary folks live peaceful and stable lives, which I think is much more fulfilling than those high-and-mighty scions of noble families."

During the discussion, Hua Ying suddenly changed the subject and brought up Qin Tianbao: "Speaking of which, Seventh Senior Brother Qin Tianbao is quite pitiful. A few days ago, he was sent back by Huang family's private soldiers. They said he was ambushed by the leader of the river bandits. Not only was his right arm crippled, but his martial arts foundation was also destroyed. It seems he will never be able to practice martial arts again in this lifetime."

Upon hearing this, the disciples immediately split into several factions, each with a different expression and tone.

"What's so tragic about him?" A young disciple curled his lip, his tone full of satisfaction. "He bullied people a lot when he was still at the martial arts school, and he even crippled our third senior brother in martial arts. If it weren't for Master's favor and his strength, I would have dealt with him long ago. In my opinion, he brought this on himself!"

"You can't say that!" Cui Daoning shoved the disciple aside, his tone clearly protective and displeased. "Senior Brother Tianbao is just strict with his fellow disciples and a bit straightforward in his actions. He never intentionally bullies anyone. Besides, he ranked third in the martial arts exam, bringing great reputation and honor to our martial arts school. I won't allow you to speak of Senior Brother Tianbao like that. You scoundrel! Try looking at me like that again!"

"You! I told you to talk to him! Fine, give it a try, what's it to you?"

"You son of a bitch, I'll fuck you then!"

Before the words were even finished, the two were already wrestling, their fists swung at each other and their limbs collided. For a moment, the wind howled as they exchanged blows, and the surrounding disciples gathered around to watch the spectacle. No one noticed Qin Heng, who had already entered the courtyard.

Just as the disciples were watching the fight and making a ruckus, the eldest disciple, Zhang Mingyuan, strode out from the inner courtyard.

His gaze swept past the crowd and immediately spotted Qin Heng, who had just entered the outer courtyard. He quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"Junior brother, you're finally back! Come on, Master is waiting for you in the study. Come with me."

Qin Heng nodded slightly, looked at the noisy disciples, and shook his head helplessly.

It seems that after the martial arts training, these people have all become lax. As their master's last disciple, I need to find some time to give them a more intensive workout; I can't let them continue to slack off like this.

Before long, the two entered the study in the inner courtyard.

Mo Guangren was sitting behind his desk, several sheets of paper spread out on it. Seeing the two enter, he slowly looked up, his gaze falling on Qin Heng, and asked with concern, "Xiao Heng, how did your campaign against the bandits go? Were you injured?"

Qin Heng bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you for remembering me, Master. I am perfectly fine!"

After speaking, Mo Guangren gestured for the two to sit down at the desk.

Once the two were settled, Zhang Mingyuan, with a serious expression, spoke first about the current situation.

"Eighth Junior Brother, you went on the expedition with the bandit-suppression army, so you naturally witnessed the destruction of the Ming family. Now, the garrison headquarters, colluding with the Huang family, has begun to take over all of the Ming family's businesses, even confiscating the Ming family's treasured martial arts manuals. They are busy digesting the spoils of war and consolidating their power. Once they have completely established themselves, they will likely take further action!"

He paused, his expression growing increasingly worried, his tone becoming even more somber: "After this matter, now Zhang, Cui, and..."

The Xu family has publicly formed an alliance, preparing to fight together. They are currently sparing no expense to recruit martial artists from all walks of life, desperately expanding their strength to ensure their survival. After today, I will return home to prepare for my final attempt to break through to the Transformation Realm. From now on, I'm afraid I'll have to rely on you, Eighth Junior Brother, and Fifth Junior Brother to take care of all the affairs of this school!

After he finished speaking, the study fell silent.

Qin Heng immediately nodded, his expression calm: "Don't worry, senior brother, just go and attend to your own affairs. Fifth senior brother and I will take good care of all the affairs of the martial arts school and there will be no trouble."

After speaking, he lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then looked up at Mo Guangren and said frankly, "Master, there is something I must report to you today, and I dare not hide anything from you."

"Seventh Senior Brother Qin Tianbao was not injured by the bandits' sneak attack; I personally crippled him."

"Huh? Junior brother, you..." Zhang Mingyuan was stunned and spoke subconsciously, but was stopped by Mo Guangren raising his hand.

Mo Guangren looked at Qin Heng, his eyes showing no anger, only understanding, and said softly, "Little Heng, tell me slowly. Is it for that fundamental diagram of internal energy?"

"Master, you are wise!" Qin Heng spoke clearly and truthfully, "On the twelfth night of the army's expedition, he sent his disciple to act as a sentry. The disciple immediately sensed something was amiss and secretly hid near the designated location. Unexpectedly, my cousin actually brought a master of internal energy with him, intending to attack me and cripple the disciple! Forced to defend myself, I had no choice but to cripple both of them in the process."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent again.

Zhang Mingyuan's pupils shrank, his face filled with disbelief. He knew Qin Tianbao's strength all too well; they were evenly matched, and Qin Tianbao had only narrowly lost to Ming Lou in the martial arts competition, taking third place. Moreover, Qin Tianbao was accompanied by a genuine master of internal strength.

Qin Heng fought two opponents alone and not only was he unharmed, but he also crippled both of them. Yet he spoke of it so calmly and casually.

For a moment, his heart was filled with turbulent emotions, and he was speechless for a long time.

Mo Guangren, standing to the side, showed no surprise whatsoever, only letting out a soft sigh.

"Just as I thought."

He spoke slowly, his gaze fixed intently on the table before him, his tone calm and unwavering: "Even before you set off on your campaign, I had a vague feeling that, given Tianbao's nature, his reaction that day shouldn't have been so calm. He's always been narrow-minded; how could he possibly give up so easily when it concerns the fundamental principles of Bajiquan's power?"

"But in the end, I didn't want you two to end up like enemies among your fellow disciples. That's why I only dared to subtly remind you to be extremely careful when you're out there, and I also found you a helper, Fang Yu, without daring to say it outright. Now that I think about it, I really was senile!"

He slightly raised his hand, rubbed his temples, and added a touch of self-reproach to his tone: "In the end, it was because I had a bit of selfishness and wishful thinking that I failed to point this out sooner, which almost put you in danger and forced you to take action to protect yourself."

Upon hearing this, Qin Heng immediately stood up, his tone still respectful: "Master, you are too kind. This matter is probably destined to happen; no one can change it or avoid it. You don't need to blame yourself; this is fate."

"Is it predetermined by fate?"

Mo Guangren murmured softly, recalling a long-buried past event, the circumstances of which were remarkably similar. He had also tried his best to intervene and stop it back then, but in the end, he still couldn't defy fate.

The difference is that those two indirectly contributed to their success, which led to the establishment of Songxuan Martial Arts School today.

Now a new generation has emerged, yet the same old stories continue to repeat themselves.

Indeed, once greed arises in people's hearts, they cannot escape the cycle of infighting, strife, and the endless cycle of life.

Well, I'm too old to manage them anymore, so let the kids do what they want.

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