Gou Zai Wu Dao Chao Shi Xing Nian Da Gong

Zhou Sheng then began to recount his story.

"A few days ago, Master took on a new apprentice named Zhao Xiong. After examining his bones, Master didn't say much, but simply told him to learn stance training from Senior Brother Liu."

"This person learned incredibly fast, mastering the entire Hammer Cloud Stance technique in half a day, causing quite a stir. Logically, his rapid learning shouldn't have anything to do with me. But who knew that today Master took Zhao Xiong directly into the backyard, saying that he would personally teach him from now on."

"Not long after, Senior Brother Liu came out and told me that my treatment had been adjusted. The soup I had been given every three days had been changed to one bowl every seven days."

"I asked Senior Brother Liu privately, and he said that Zhao Xiong has a rare superior aptitude and his comprehension is even higher than mine. Master wants to treat him as his last disciple and concentrate resources on training Zhao Xiong. However, the martial arts school has limited resources and can only reduce the treatment of other disciples."

"But this makes it much harder for me to break through the skin barrier."

As Zhou Sheng finished speaking, his expression turned rather unpleasant.

Zhou Fugan also felt a bit of a headache after hearing this.

The most important thing for a martial arts school is to have successors. If they can find a good apprentice, they will definitely focus on training him and allocate resources accordingly, which is perfectly reasonable.

"What is that person's background?" he asked after thinking for a moment.

"His name is Jin Peilie. He is the son of an ordinary merchant in the southern part of the city. His family is not wealthy," Zhou Sheng replied after a moment's thought.

"Oh? The merchant's son?"

"So how do you plan to deal with this in the future?"

Zhou Fugan pondered for a moment, then asked in return.

Zhou Sheng thought for a moment and replied, "This person is indeed exceptionally talented, so it's normal for the sect leader to value him. All I can do is cultivate diligently, observe his temperament, and try my best to befriend him."

"It's good that you think that way. When you encounter someone stronger than yourself, never be jealous. Try to befriend them, but there's no need to deliberately try to please them. Also, don't be discouraged. Just focus on your cultivation, and if you perform well in the future, Master Chen might give you more support."

Zhou Fugan was fairly satisfied with Zhou Sheng's answer. His eldest grandson was already a calm and composed person, and after learning martial arts, his horizons broadened, and he became more methodical in his actions.

"I understand, Grandpa," Zhou Sheng replied solemnly.

Zhou Fugan continued, "We can't interfere with the martial arts school's affairs. Just focus on your training, and I'll figure out the money. Here's ten taels of silver; take it and use it first. I'll guarantee you a supply of 'hammering soup.' If you need more, just ask me."

After saying that, Zhou Fugan took out two silver ingots and handed them over.

Zhou Sheng was taken aback and his expression changed as he asked, "Grandpa, where did this silver come from?"

Before, his grandfather would give him one or two taels, and he didn't think much of it. But now, giving him ten taels directly is abnormal. It's impossible for someone to give ten taels of silver as a reward for making clothes.

"Take it."

Zhou Fugan pressed the silver into Zhou Sheng's palm, then stroked his beard and said, "There are some things I originally planned to take to my grave. I didn't even tell your father or your second uncle. But you're different. You have potential, and you've chosen the path of martial arts, so I won't hide it from you anymore."

"What?"

Zhou Sheng was taken aback upon hearing this, then became excited, "Could it be that, just as I suspected, Grandpa is actually a hidden martial arts master?"

"You guessed right. Your grandfather is a hidden martial arts master. I only went into seclusion here because I was tired of the fighting in the martial arts world. I planned to spend the rest of my life like this, but I never expected that you brothers would all have such potential."

Zhou Fugan then fabricated a whole set of lies based on this claim.

"Just as I thought, I knew it!"

When Zhou Sheng heard his grandfather admit it himself, he became so excited that he became incoherent.

He had suspected more than once that his grandfather was a martial arts master; otherwise, how could his grandfather have instructed him in the Hammer Cloud Fist? There were even some ingenious aspects to it that Master Chen praised. It was impossible to understand it just by watching it a few times.

"Hehe, Sheng'er, don't get agitated. I used to be a chivalrous person, which offended many people. You must not reveal a single word about me outside. Otherwise, it will surely bring utter disaster to our family."

Zhou Fugan chuckled, then gave a serious warning.

After hearing this, Zhou Sheng quickly calmed down and composed himself. He solemnly assured him, "Grandpa, don't worry, I will never tell anyone. Not even my mother will tell you a single word."

Zhou Fugan nodded, then said seriously, "Yes, I trust you. Next, I will teach you a martial arts technique. After you finish your training at the martial arts school each day, come home and practice this technique."

"Grandpa, are you going to teach me the martial arts you've been practicing?" Zhou Sheng asked excitedly.

"No, my martial arts are easily recognized, so I can't teach them to you for now. I'll teach you a different technique. This technique is incredibly profound, and you'll greatly benefit from practicing it every day," Zhou Fugan shook his head in denial.

"Yes!" Zhou Sheng nodded vigorously.

Zhou Fugan's expression grew increasingly serious, and he solemnly instructed, "Before I teach you this technique, you must remember a few ironclad rules. Keep them firmly in mind and never violate them!"

"Grandson understands, Grandfather, please speak." Zhou Sheng's expression also turned serious upon hearing this.

"First, you can only practice this technique at home; it must never be seen by outsiders."

"I've got it!"

"Secondly, after you start practicing this technique, no matter what benefits you discover for your cultivation, you must never mention it to anyone."

"I've got it!"

"Third, this skill can only be passed down as a secret within the Zhou family, orally, and only to men, not women; it will not be passed on to men who lack the necessary aptitude, nor will it be passed on without passing a test; even if it is lost, it is absolutely forbidden to spread it outside."

"I've got it!"

"Alright! I will now teach you this technique."

Zhou Fugan nodded, then tidied up the room, clearing out a larger space, and began teaching Tai Chi.

"This style of boxing is called Tai Chi Chuan, which emphasizes using intention rather than force... It has six basic skills: stance training, waist turning training, silk reeling training, shoulder sinking and elbow dropping training, distinguishing between emptiness and fullness training, and body and footwork training. Only by mastering these six basic skills can one learn this true style of boxing..."

Zhou Sheng was deeply shocked upon hearing this. This fist technique had a lofty concept, even surpassing the Hammer Cloud Fist, and must be an extraordinary divine skill.

But when he saw the slow and leisurely movements, he immediately became somewhat doubtful.

"Can this slow, methodical boxing technique possibly be effective?"

But he immediately dismissed the idea.

"Grandpa spoke so solemnly, this boxing technique must have some other amazing aspects. It should not be underestimated!"

After that, he began to study under Zhou Fugan.

The grandfather and grandson, one teaching diligently and the other learning attentively, quickly mastered several basic stances. As for the subtleties such as yin and yang, emptiness and fullness, and using intention without force, those could only be gradually understood in the future.

Zhou Fugan frowned slightly as he watched his grandson diligently practicing.

The indoor space was too cramped, making it difficult and uncomfortable for the grandson to practice.

"Looks like it's time to move to a bigger yard!"

Zhou Fugan was making plans in his mind.

If both grandsons want to practice martial arts, we need a spacious and secluded training ground.

"We still need money!"