Gou Zai Wu Dao Chao Shi Xing Nian Da Gong

Hammer Cloud Martial Arts School, training ground.

A dozen shirtless teenagers were practicing. Some were practicing standing meditation, some were twirling stone weights, and some were driving wooden stakes. Everyone was working hard and sweating profusely.

Zhou Sheng followed Liu Cheng through the training ground to a shady spot at the very back.

A frail old man was lying on a mahogany recliner, resting with his eyes closed. He was dressed in a short silk robe, thin and ordinary-looking, showing no signs of being a martial arts master.

But Zhou Sheng was very reserved. He already knew that the old man was Chen Liangqing, the owner of the Hammer Cloud Martial Arts School.

"Master, someone has come to ask to become your disciple," Liu Cheng said respectfully.

"Oh? Did you pay?"

Chen Liangqing asked without even opening his eyes.

"Here you go." Liu Cheng presented the cloth bag with both hands.

Chen Liangqing reached out and took the cloth bag, tossed it around in his hand, and then stuffed it into his pocket. He opened his eyes a crack and sized up Zhou Sheng.

"I remember you, Zhou the tailor's grandson, of inferior physique. Liu Cheng, first teach him the rules, then teach him stance training."

Chen Liangqing gave some instructions, then closed his eyes again.

"Yes, Master. Junior Brother Zhou, please come with me."

Liu Cheng responded and gestured for Zhou Sheng to leave.

...

Liu Cheng first fetched a set of martial arts school training clothes for Zhou Sheng to change into. The clothes were short, tight-fitting, dark blue, with a white cloud pattern embroidered on the chest.

Then, the two went to a corner, and Liu Cheng said with a serious expression, "Junior Brother Zhou, let me first tell you about the rules of the martial arts school. Be sure to remember them."

"Yes." Zhou Sheng nodded vigorously.

"First, one must respect one's teacher and the way, and must not kill fellow disciples. Anyone who violates this rule will have their martial arts skills revoked and be expelled from the sect."

"Secondly, all martial arts skills learned from the martial arts school must not be passed on to outsiders. Otherwise, both the learner and the student will be crippled."

"Third, you must not use the name of the martial arts school to commit evil deeds outside, otherwise you will be expelled from the school."

"These are the main points. You must keep them in mind and never violate them."

After Liu Cheng finished speaking, he gave some instructions.

Zhou Sheng solemnly replied, "I've got it."

Liu Cheng nodded. "Okay, next, I'll tell you about our Hammer Cloud Fist."

"The basic routine of martial arts training is the same: first, you need to temper your body, strengthen your muscles and bones, and gather your qi and blood; then you need to practice fighting techniques and learn the art of attack and killing. Only by cultivating both internal and external strength can you become a powerful martial artist."

"Our Hammer Cloud Fist is the same; we cultivate stance training to forge our bodies and bones, and externally refine our fighting techniques to strengthen our bodies and protect ourselves..."

Zhou Sheng listened carefully, seemingly understanding but not quite, his face filled with confusion.

Upon seeing this, Liu Cheng explained, "Junior brother, you're just starting out, so you don't need to understand too many principles yet. Just focus on your practice, and you'll gradually understand them."

"Now I will teach you the Hammer Cloud Stance Technique."

"Our Hammer Cloud Fist is fierce and invincible, emphasizing a stable lower body, and the Hammer Cloud Stance is its foundation..."

Liu Cheng gave a low shout and lowered his body into an odd horse stance. His legs were spread apart, one in front of the other, his left hand was clenched into a fist and held at his waist, while his right hand was raised high above his head, as if he was about to strike down at any moment. He looked like a blacksmith about to hammer a piece of stubborn iron.

"This is the first movement of the Hammer Cloud Stance, the Lying Waist Hammer Cloud. The Hammer Cloud Stance combines movement and stillness; this is just the basic stance. There are two more dynamic variations. Watch carefully."

Liu Cheng explained, and as soon as he finished speaking, he twisted his body and threw out his left fist from his side with incredible speed, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole. Then he twisted his body again, retracted his left fist, and slammed his right fist down like an iron hammer, stopping steadily at his waist.

Then he tucked his right hand to his waist, raised his left hand high above his head, and twisted his body to throw two punches.

"Did you understand?" Liu Cheng asked after demonstrating three times in a row.

"Understood." Zhou Sheng nodded. The movements were very simple, and he remembered them all. He also observed a key point: when Liu Cheng performed the two-step movement exercise, he only twisted his waist, while his legs remained firmly planted in a horse stance, truly as stable as a rock.

"Okay, you give it a try."

Zhou Sheng immediately imitated Liu Cheng's stance and began practicing the stance techniques. His movements were obviously very clumsy, but he still managed to imitate the movements fairly well.

"You're quick to understand. Lower your legs a little more, pull your left fist back a bit, and raise your right fist higher..."

Liu Cheng nodded and carefully corrected Zhou Sheng's posture.

......

As dusk fell, Zhou Fugan absentmindedly organized the fabrics in the store, occasionally walking to the door to peek inside.

He was waiting for his eldest grandson, Zhou Sheng, to return so he could learn martial arts from him. The thought of soon learning martial arts made him restless, even in his current state of mind.

Finally, a familiar figure strode confidently from the street corner.

"Sheng'er".

Zhou Fugan quickly greeted him.

"grandfather!"

Zhou Sheng's eyes lit up, and he ran over excitedly. He was covered in sweat, his clothes soaked through, but his face was full of excitement.

"Let's go home and talk."

Zhou Fugan pulled Zhou Sheng into the shop, then closed the door, finally letting out a sigh of relief before asking questions.

"Sheng'er, how's your learning going?"

Zhou Fugan felt a sense of urgency. Zhou Sheng learning martial arts was the beginning of his plan, and it was extremely important.

Zhou Sheng said excitedly, "Grandpa, the master asked Senior Brother Liu to teach me the Hammering Cloud Stance Technique. I've learned the first six of the twelve stances. Senior Brother Liu even praised my comprehension and said I'll achieve great things in the future."

"That's good, that's good. Our Zhou family is going to produce a martial artist."

Zhou Fugan said with a look of satisfaction.

Then, his eyes lit up, and he said, "By the way, my dear grandson, show Grandpa what martial arts you've learned and let him see what you've got."

"it is good."

Zhou Sheng nodded in agreement. But he didn't demonstrate immediately. Instead, he walked to the door and looked around. Seeing that no one was approaching, he turned back to explain.

"Grandpa, the martial arts school has rules that the skills we learn must never be passed on to outsiders. I'm afraid that if people find out, our family will be in big trouble. After you read this, please don't tell anyone."

"Sheng'er has grown up."

Zhou Fugan was greatly relieved upon hearing this. His eldest grandson was indeed steady, cautious, and reassuring.

Then, he patted his chest and said, "Sheng'er, don't worry, Grandpa is just broadening his horizons. Besides, Grandpa hasn't lived in vain at this age. Although I haven't learned martial arts, I've seen many martial artists practicing when I'm taking measurements for people. I've even seen your senior brothers and Master Chen practicing martial arts. Maybe I can give you some pointers."

Zhou Sheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he believed Zhou Fugan's words, feeling a sense of anticipation. Little did he know that Zhou Fugan was just trying to fool him. If he could truly instruct others after only seeing them practice martial arts, wouldn't he be a peerless genius?

"Grandpa, watch carefully!"

Zhou Sheng then demonstrated the six-style Hammer Cloud Stance technique he had learned.

After practicing once, Zhou Sheng looked at his grandfather expectantly and asked, "Grandpa, how was it?"

Zhou Fugan certainly couldn't explain it, but he had the experience of two lifetimes. Although he hadn't learned martial arts, if he could receive the same explanation, his understanding of the Hammer Cloud Stance would definitely be better than Zhou Sheng's. He might even be able to offer some insights.

In addition, he also needs these explanations to secretly learn martial arts.

Thinking it over, he hesitated for a moment and said, "Well, your stance training is still quite different from Master Chen and Martial Arts Master Liu. But Grandpa is an outsider after all, and there are many things I don't understand. So, demonstrate it again, and tell me the key points that Martial Arts Master Liu told you, so I can see how to explain it to you."