Divine Tang Era

The introductory boxing style of the Mo Family Martial Arts School is called the Demon-Subduing Fist, which means to subdue demons and monsters.

The Demon-Subduing Fist has thirty-six forms, corresponding to the thirty-six Heavenly Generals. A manual describes it as follows: "With the might of a mountain, the Primordial Stance opens heaven and earth, subduing demons. A dragon explores the sea to subdue demons, bringing rain that breaks through the earth's mantle. Embracing the moon, the true self resides; a monkey shrinks, its breath flowing gently. A single punch blasts open the path of life and death, Kua'e carries the mountain, reversing yin and yang..."

Lu Shizong taught the boxing while explaining it. He taught it once, practiced it once, and performed it once. Each time, he had a different flavor.

Especially on the last round, the energy flowed into the body, and the punches and kicks made a loud booming sound, like thunder.

It was only then that Xu Dan realized how naive his idea of ​​buying a boxing manual and thinking he could learn real skills was.

Although boxing manuals contain illustrations that can be followed, the specific stances, the real and feints of force, and the various combat techniques cannot be explained in a few words. Readers need to grasp these concepts themselves, which takes time. Having someone guide you through the process undoubtedly shortens that time, allowing you to accomplish more.

It seems I need to learn more systematically, so I don't end up reinventing the wheel and not even knowing where I went wrong.

Once I've learned how to do it myself, I'll bring Little Magpie over.

While Xu Dan was thinking, Lu Shizong had already finished his practice. He hadn't actually taught Xu Dan any boxing techniques today, but rather let Xu Dan experience them before taking him to the manager to pay the fee.

The martial arts school charges only ten taels of silver for training, which includes two sets of clothes for the students. If you have money, you can also buy boxing manuals from the school to study at home. In addition, the school provides detachable human skeletons and bronze figures covered with acupoints and meridians.

These all need to be purchased with your own money.

If you don't have money, you can learn at a martial arts school, where you can start practicing, but it's not as convenient as learning at home.

Xu Dan has plenty of money; he bought everything he could. Looking at the skeleton and bronze figure in his hands, he suddenly felt like he wasn't at a martial arts school to learn martial arts, but rather at a medical clinic to learn medicine. Aren't those acupuncture bronze figures in traditional Chinese medicine just like that?

For a moment, they were both amused and exasperated.

Lu Shizong helped him put the things in a bag so that they wouldn't be too conspicuous if he carried them in his hand.

"Speaking of which, practicing martial arts is really expensive. There's a saying that 'the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts,' and that's not just a casual remark. Putting aside these things, just the food and medicine needed for martial arts training alone cost a fortune. If it weren't for my family's financial support, I would have given up practicing martial arts long ago."

"Hasn't my senior brother pulled through now?"

Hearing Lu Shizong's感慨 (sentiments/reflections), Xu Dan laughed and said, "Money left at home will only grow mold; only by taking it out can it generate more money. Now that you've achieved success in martial arts, whether you're going out to gather herbs, dig for treasure, hunt, or work as an employee or teach martial arts, you're making money no matter what. That's what it means for money to generate more money."

"I didn't expect my junior brother to be so insightful at such a young age."

"Anyone with a modicum of sense could figure that out," Xu Dan waved his hand.

Isn't this normal procedure?

Otherwise, what are you supposed to do? Help the weak and fight the wicked, uphold justice and maintain order. Please, how much free time and how much money do you have to be to not do anything productive all day, just loafing around and waiting to die? It's not like so-and-so was born into a good family with great parents, where all they have to do is pick up girls and talk a good game.

Lu Shizong felt that his words were strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

Forget it, I don't want to.

"Our martial arts school has a pharmacy with all the medicines needed for martial arts training. During training, the school will provide a bowl of herbal soup to promote blood circulation and nourish the body. We don't have that much; you'll have to buy it yourself if you want. Also, martial arts training is energy-consuming, so you need to nourish your body with food, preferably demon beast meat. If that's not available, regular meat will do, but you should be prepared."

"Thank you for the reminder, Seventh Senior Brother."

"What time are you coming tomorrow?"

"This afternoon! I had something to do this morning."

The story of Xue Dingshan and Fan Lihua isn't finished yet. Xu Dan has to go to Mingfeng Tower, otherwise it will be a messy, incomplete ending, and who knows what those two women might do. After all, someone once threatened to send him a knife.

Lu Shizong helped carry the things outside the martial arts hall before handing them over to Xu Dan.

"By the way, where do you live now?"

"Seventh Senior Brother, please come visit Donglai Inn when you have time."

"Okay, be careful."

"Senior brother, please wait."

Xu Dan, carrying his things, moved swiftly and disappeared in an instant. Lu Shizong suddenly remembered that the Donglai Inn was located at the West Gate. Why was he staying there? Staying at an inn long-term wasn't a good idea. He would definitely ask when he came tomorrow, and if he really had nowhere to go, he could have him move to the martial arts school. It would be safer, less troublesome, and closer.

"Seventh Senior Brother, who is that person? He looks very rich." A head peeked out from the doorway.

It's no wonder he thinks that way.

Xu Dan was wearing a brocade robe today, with a piece of white jade tied around his waist, clearly indicating that he was from a wealthy family.

"That's your new junior brother. He's got a solid foundation, unlike you guys who slack off even when practicing your punches. Go practice properly, or do I have to get you a stick?" Lu Shizong glared and shouted.

"Just a short rest, and now it's time to train again," the man muttered.

"snort"

Seeing Lu Shizong's expression, the man darted back to the courtyard and began practicing his boxing seriously. However, he didn't forget to whisper among himself while practicing. In no time, the news that a new junior disciple would be arriving the next day had spread throughout the entire martial arts school.

Back at the inn, Xu Dan secretly took out the skeleton from his bag, intending to scare the little magpie.

But the little magpie wasn't scared at all; she found it quite fun. Xu Dan asked curiously, "Aren't you scared?"

The little magpie blinked her eyes innocently and asked, "Brother Xu, why are you afraid?"

"Yeah, that's true. Kids are silly. They dare to hold toads and poisonous snakes in their hands to play with. What are they afraid of?" Xu Dan understood. He was about to put the skeleton down, but then he picked it up again and said in a sinister tone, "Let me tell you, this thing's eyes sometimes light up, flashing on and off. It's really scary."

"Twinkle, twinkle."

The little magpie tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "Cats' eyes blink too. Back when we lived, cats were always running around on the roof of our house. They trampled all the tiles, and it always leaked when it rained. Once, they even soaked my blanket."

The innocent little magpie had no idea how bad her life had been before.

But as the maiden beside her listened, her eyes reddened.

Xu Dan patted the little magpie's head and said, "From now on, when you stay at the inn, you won't have to worry about the rain getting your blankets wet. If you see a cat again, let the black bear bite it and Liu Liu peck it, okay?"

Xu Dan thought she would agree.

Unexpectedly, the little magpie replied, "No, it's better not to. The cat is also pitiful; it often goes hungry. Once, it tried to steal something and almost got beaten to death."

For some unknown reason, Yun Niang's tears, which had been welling up in her eyes, fell like pearls.

Afraid of being laughed at, she quickly got up and said, "I'll go cook," and ran to the kitchen.

"I want to go too!" Little Magpie followed along excitedly.

The black bear glanced at its owner, then at the departing magpie, but ultimately didn't chase after it. Instead, it lay down beside its owner. Xu Dan patted its head, and the black bear rolled over, letting him scratch its belly.

Xu Dan scratched it a couple of times, then ignored it.

This little guy is getting bigger and bigger; Little Magpie can hardly carry him anymore.