The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

A few years ago, the Grandmaster of Zhenwu, Zhang Sanfeng, visited Shaolin Temple. In order to save his disciple's grand-disciple, he wanted to learn the Shaolin Nine Yang Skill and was willing to exchange it for the Wudang Nine Yang Skill and even his other martial arts insights.

At first, the Shaolin monks were terrified, thinking that Zhang Sanfeng had come to cause trouble. At that time, the abbot, along with several senior monks, led hundreds of monks to stop Zhang Sanfeng at the foot of the mountain.

After all, it had only been two years since Old Zhang's 100th birthday celebration, and at that celebration, several sects, including Shaolin, joined forces to force Old Zhang's fifth disciple, Zhang Cuishan, to his death...

When Zhang Sanfeng said he wanted to "learn from him," Kongxing even said, "Even if hundreds or thousands of monks rushed up, you might not be able to take down the Shaolin Temple." This sounds arrogant at first, but the more you think about it, the more cowardly he seems!

After Zhang Sanfeng cleared up the misunderstanding, Shaolin felt that they had to save face.

Given the prevailing atmosphere in the martial arts world at the time, most people believed that Lao Zhang's actions would achieve his desired outcome.

Even... if Zhang Sanfeng's fame were less, only about the same as the abbot of Shaolin, this matter might have already been accomplished!

However, because Zhang Sanfeng was too famous, and Shaolin felt that it was too big and powerful, everyone knew that Shaolin Kung Fu was the result of Shaolin's own improvement over generations after being passed down from Bodhidharma. If they communicated with Zhang Sanfeng, what would happen if people said that Shaolin had received benefits or guidance from Zhang Sanfeng?

Using the excuse that he "didn't want to be gossiped about later," he resolutely refused Old Zhang's offer. No matter how much Old Zhang pleaded, it was to no avail. Even though Zhang Sanfeng had prepared a vegetarian meal and sent it down the mountain to entertain him, he didn't dare let him go up...

Now, by sheer coincidence, Chu Luren has directly obtained the Shaolin Nine Yang Skill—and no matter who says it, Shaolin has nowhere to complain…

I picked up this kung fu; what Shaolin Nine Yang Skill? I don't recognize it!

Eighteen clay figurines, each with a diagram of a major meridian and acupoints that need attention.

It includes all twelve regular meridians, as well as six of the eight extraordinary meridians, but excludes the Chong meridian and the Dai meridian.

Of the eighteen meridians, eight practice Yin exercises and eight practice Yang exercises, with the Ren and Du meridians serving to harmonize Yin and Yang. This combination of Yin and Yang is the essence of the Shaolin Nine Yang Skill!

As for the "Flaming Skill" that Gou Zazhong practiced in the original novel "Ode to Gallantry", it cannot actually be considered a martial art, nor is it the original version drawn on the clay figure. Rather, it was taught haphazardly by Xie Yanke because he was worried about Gou Zazhong being a "hidden danger" and wanted to harm him.

The art of clay figurine making, which originally emphasized the "harmony of yin and yang," was broken down and taught to the bastard dog. Furthermore, the cultivation method of the Ren and Du meridians was intentionally omitted, causing the bastard dog to develop a body that was half extremely yin and half extremely yang...

Even when Xie Yanke later felt compassion and wanted to harmonize the bastard's internal energy, he could no longer do so—he could only harmonize it with external force, and... that would be very dangerous!

In the end, by chance, the bastard was slapped, which completely harmonized his yin and yang, allowing him to master the so-called "Flaming Flame Technique".

In fact, this is completely different from "Shaolin Nine Yang Skill". Although the final result is the same, the two are completely opposite in terms of "stabilizing dryness".

Shaolin Nine Yang Skill is clearly very "stable," but once you reach the extremes of Yin and Yang, and then combine it with external force, you can imagine how incredibly "intense" it becomes.

However, those who pursue rapid progress in martial arts are often dangerous, but their training speed is also extremely fast—Dog Bastard trained for five or six years and basically had the internal strength of an ordinary person in several decades. Normal training of "Shaolin Nine Yang Skill" does not have this effect.

However, it's not just about the dog's inherent talent; luck also plays a significant role. Therefore, Chu Luren has no intention of trying this training method...

Chu Luren held the clay figurine and pondered it for a while, then scratched his head and said, "Since we don't know the reason anyway, why don't we cut it open and see what's inside?"

Wang Yuyan and Li Mochou were initially worried that Chu Luren, like other martial arts practitioners who had owned clay puppets, would become obsessed with studying them and thus delay his own progress. Who knew... that Chu Luren would decide to dissect them so quickly?

Is he really that impatient? With such a temperament, even if he discovers something, he probably won't be able to master Buddhist martial arts.

But before they could speak, Chu Luren had already crushed the clay figure...

"Ah!" the bastard couldn't help but let out a regretful sound; he found the doll quite interesting.

He had previously said that he would share the spoils equally with Chu Luren, so he could only exclaim in surprise.

"Huh? There really is something?" Chu Luren's eyes lit up, and he scattered the clay figurine fragments in his hand, revealing the wooden puppet inside.

Seeing that there was indeed a hidden secret within the clay figurine, everyone was speechless for a moment...

Wang Yuyan then praised Chu Luren, saying, "That high monk has reached a level where he is no longer attached to martial arts. The martial arts he created must also be something that can only be achieved by not being obsessed with martial arts. Those people who obtained the clay figurines treasured them so much that they could not obtain the true teachings. But Brother Chu is not attached to martial arts..."

However, Li Mochou couldn't help but say, "No, I think it's just a simple matter of being impatient... cough cough, it's more like being impulsive, impulsive!"

Xie Yanke, standing to the side, bluntly said, "Heh, in the end, it's not something you earn through your own hard work, so it's not precious, right?" Thinking back to Li Mochou's hostility towards him earlier, Xie Yanke maliciously added, "Hahaha, that thief monk doesn't understand men at all, otherwise he should understand this principle."

The blatant sarcasm made Li Mochou's face darken...

Chapter 115 Receiving Merit

The Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill is a legendary martial art in the martial arts world, one that no one has ever actually seen.

Because the original creator was a Buddhist Zen master who did not engage in martial arts, and no one was able to master it afterward, its authenticity was once questioned.

As a martial art derived from Zen Buddhist principles, it places high demands on one's character. Only those who are extremely intelligent and naturally gifted can comprehend it, and at the same time, they must have a clear mind and be able to remain free from worries in order to even begin to learn it.

That eminent monk initially entered the path directly through Buddhist principles and achieved mastery within a few years. However, later practitioners must possess a profound foundation of internal strength and not be overly attached to martial arts to avoid going astray and becoming possessed by demons…

Intelligent people tend to think a lot. Being naturally gifted and pure-hearted is already one in a million. At the same time, having profound inner strength and not being too obsessed with martial arts are contradictory prerequisites that are even more difficult to grasp.

The "dog bastard" in the original work is a perfect fit for these. After the Yin and Yang of "Flaming Flame Skill" were harmonized by external force, his internal strength became profound. He also happened to crush the clay puppet, discovered the wooden puppet inside, and imitated the movements on it to master this Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill!

but……

Regarding the effects of this skill, the original work only provides some general descriptions in the narration, and its specific uses are not shown in Dog Bastard's battle record.

This has led to considerable debate among readers about whether the dog's strange phenomena were caused by the "Flaming Flame Technique" or the "Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill."

However, regardless of the circumstances, Chu Luren's impatience led him to crush the clay puppet and uncover its secrets, leaving everyone present speechless!

Given the characteristics of the "Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill," it was quite appropriate for the high monk to wrap the puppet up. Firstly, the "Shaolin Nine Yang Skill" on the outside could be used to lay the foundation, and secondly... only those who did not care much about martial arts would have the opportunity to discover the secret.

However, in the eyes of Wang Yuyan, Li Mochou and others, this high monk's intentions were wasted—Chu Luren did not care about martial arts.

His eyes lit up when he saw the martial arts manual, right?

It was only because it was easy to get and because I was impatient that I broke it, okay?

Of course, this was just their understanding; in reality, Chu Luren already knew and deliberately crushed it...

"Brother Dog, these clay figurines outside are just a decoy. No... I should say that the high monk's original intention was to make this martial art visible only to those of us with clear minds who don't care about martial arts. I've already memorized the kung fu on the outside. I'll recarve it and send you a copy later. Let's see what's inside!" Chu Luren kindly asked Dog Bastard for instructions... no, he suggested!

“Great, great! The little figures inside must be so bored. And the old man never saw anything like this before he died. After I bury him, I can put this puppet in front of his grave so he can see it too,” the bastard said innocently.

Afterwards, Chu Luren first helped Gou Zazhong bury the Great Compassionate Old Man, and then crushed all the other seventeen clay figurines...

Xie Yanke appeared disdainful, but inwardly he nodded in approval—in his view, although Chu Luren was impatient, he at least knew to bury the old man Da Bei first.

While it can't be considered "not concerned about martial arts," it can at least be considered "not attached to martial arts."

Chu Luren didn't think too much about it. Anyway, the opportunity was right in front of him, and he couldn't run away. He just wanted to help dig a pit for the person who was going to give him credit.

"Huh? There are no meridians or energy channels on this puppet... Do I need some special method to see them?" Chu Luren was completely confused and even considered roasting it over a fire.

The eighteen puppets were in different poses, some crying and some smiling, but none of the poses were too difficult. Even if it was really an external cultivation technique, Chu Luren did not believe that these poses could have any cultivation effect!

Xie Yanke was also curious, but he was too proud to turn around and look. At this moment, Chu Luren asked in confusion, which gave him a way out.

"This should be a meditation practice, which is more common in Tantric Buddhism and India. When practicing, it is not only about focusing on the dantian and circulating energy through the meridians, but also about visualizing images and adopting corresponding postures to cultivate the three chakras and seven meridians." Xie Yanke was quite knowledgeable.

Upon hearing this, Chu Luren recalled the "Divine Foot Sutra" that You Tanzhi practiced in the original work—an Indian yoga technique that focused on postures and visualization with little emphasis on actual practice. This is why You Tanzhi, who couldn't understand the text, accidentally mastered it.

Indeed, there wasn't a single word on the vessel containing this "Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill," which is why the illiterate bastard was able to master it...

Chu Luren then examined each puppet again, trying to see every detail and be able to imitate their movements. After that, a new badge appeared in Chu Luren's mind—the Arhat Subduing Demon Skill!

Dog Bastard found the puppets amusing and tried to imitate them, not expecting any miraculous effects. Hong Lingbo also tried it, but couldn't get it right and was somewhat frustrated.

As for Li Mochou and Wang Yuyan...

The latter had no interest in martial arts, and the former was too ashamed to do such ridiculous things in front of outsiders. Even Hong Lingbo scolded him for doing it.

Xie Yanke was similar. Although he was curious, he would only try it when no one was around. He said, "Visualization martial arts have extremely high requirements for aptitude and temperament. Shaolin must have left behind some methods, but no one knows how to get started. It seems the rumors are true... Tsk, you need to have profound internal strength and not care about martial arts? Hehe."

The tone seemed to be mocking the awkwardness of the Shaolin monks!

However, Xie Yanke looked at Gou Zazhong and, as if he had thought of something, said, "Kid, you should have memorized the clay puppet you destroyed before, right? Little beggar, learn the kung fu from outside, and then practice this puppet kung fu. Maybe it will be effective."

Chu Luren naturally agreed, and then wrote down the essentials of the "Shaolin Nine Yang Skill" and handed them to Brother Gou—he had already mastered it completely, so he didn't need to restore it to a human puppet, but directly put it into words.

"Huh? Brother Chu, I can't read." The bastard said without any embarrassment or attempt to hide it.

"Hehe, what's the use of being literate? Martial arts can't be learned just by being literate! But if you beg me, I can naturally teach you this skill!" Xie Yanke interrupted at this moment.

Upon hearing this, the bastard shook his head repeatedly: "No, if you want to teach me, you will naturally teach me. If you don't want to teach me, it's no use even if I beg."

"You..." Xie Yanke was furious upon hearing this.

Li Mochou's eyes lit up at this moment—she understood which of Xie Yanke's weaknesses was held by this little beggar!

Chu Luren didn't want his brother to take any risks. Learning Xie Yanke's haphazardly taught "Flaming Skill" was a dangerous thing, even though it was faster than the original Shaolin Nine Yang Skill. Who could guarantee that his brother would be lucky this time?

"Brother Dog, it's fate that we meet. How about I explain this skill to you?"

"Hmph! If I can't teach you, how can you?" Xie Yanke suddenly shouted angrily, then waved his sleeve at Chu Luren and the others.

A surge of azure true energy erupted, forcing Chu Luren and Li Mochou, who were blocking their way, back several steps. A tightness gripped their chests, and when they regained their footing, they saw Xie Yanke already carrying the little beggar away...

Chapter 116 Arhat Subduing Demons Skill

Given Xie Yanke's... or rather Huang Yaoshi's martial arts skills, even if it came down to sheer lightness skill, Chu Luren might not be able to catch up, let alone defeat him even if he did. Therefore, Chu Luren did not pursue him.

"I never imagined it would be the 'Mysterious Iron Token,' which fell into the hands of that stubborn little beggar. No wonder even the dignified Sky-Piercing Hermit has a headache." Li Mochou respected the "little one" and addressed him specifically as Sky-Piercing Hermit.

"Alas, although Xie Yanke has sworn not to harm anyone who can obtain the Xuan Tie Token, if Brother Gou doesn't ask him for help, he might come up with some idea," Chu Luren said helplessly.

"Hehehe, if he had been any later, I would have advised that kid to 'beg' Xie Yanke to become sworn brothers with him, and then see what kind of expression that guy would have." Li Mochou was initially very expectant, but then she became regretful.

After all, Xie Yanke had already "escaped" with his men, so it wouldn't be easy to find him again.

Chu Luren glanced at her helplessly—"Well, if we become sworn brothers, then Xie Yanke will be a generation younger than Mei Fanggu and you?"

……

As they continued westward, the martial arts world was indeed in turmoil. For months, there had been countless incidents, mainly of two kinds: first, martial arts figures related to the ambush outside Shanhaiguan thirty years ago were dying one after another; second, martial arts figures unrelated to the incident were dying one after another, "using their own methods against them."

The two fathers seem to be having a competition to make their sons suffer...

However, compared to Murong Bo, Murong Bo was less seriously implicated. After all, with the series of murders, some of Murong Fu's cases began to have clear alibis, which cleared his name considerably. Some people began to suspect that the murderer was deliberately framing Murong Fu!

Qiao Feng's situation was much worse. His father was always following behind him, killing people, and even impersonating him when killing—as a symbol of "father and son joining forces to take revenge."

Therefore, Qiao Feng not only had no alibi, but was also frequently seen near the crime scene...

Qiao Feng wasn't stubborn either; he now knew to conceal his whereabouts, disguising himself to travel the world and conduct investigations in secret.

Several days after meeting Brother Gou, Chu Luren arrived at Guide Prefecture—a place that was once Yingtian Prefecture of the Song Dynasty decades ago, but has now been occupied by the Qing Dynasty.

While lodging at an inn in the city, Chu Luren decided to integrate the "Arhat Subduing Demon Skill"!

To Chu Luren's surprise, the Arhat Subduing Demon Skill was actually an "external training technique".

After forming the badge and thoroughly understanding the martial art, Chu Luren finally understood what was going on with the seemingly contradictory limitations and the nonsensical rumors surrounding the technique...

The high monk of that time clearly did not comprehend physical training in the general sense, but rather a kind of training similar to the Dharma body in Buddhism. No wonder he is said to be the culmination of Buddhist teachings.