From Under One Person: Sincere Journey Through the Heavens

Jiang Liu stepped forward, helped Boss Cha up, and took the lead in introducing his Five Qi Gathering Method, saying, "My method is called Five Qi Gathering to Transform the Great Void. It externally refines the eight extraordinary meridians and internally refines the three passes and nine orifices, obtains the eight or nine mysteries, combines the principles of Qimen Dunjia, refines the Qi and spirit of the five internal organs, can strengthen life, and can also refine Qi and breath."

I wonder what kind of kung fu Boss Cha practices?

"So powerful! To be able to harness the essence of the great sun for one's own use is truly remarkable. But I think this method could also be used for internal cultivation, right?"

"The young master is so proficient in cultivation?"

Boss Cha was surprised, but then he realized that if one did not understand cultivation, how could one have such cultivation at such a young age?

To have cultivated such skill at such a young age, one must be a sincere person. Therefore, he reciprocated with sincerity, revealing the origin and principles of his technique.

Even if the other party has malicious intentions, one can still escape if one cannot defeat them with one's own abilities and skills; there is plenty of place to go anywhere in the world.

"I hope the young master knows that my technique is called Ape Strike Technique. It is said that Zhang Sanfeng obtained Peng Zu's Tai Chi health preservation method and, after enlightenment, realized the principle of apes observing the sun and moon, which can absorb the moon's essence and the sun's spirit."

All living things can be divided into animals and plants.

All plants face the sun; green leaves grow towards the sun, flowers open towards the sun, the annual rings of trees resemble the shape of the sun, and the blooming of flowers is a dynamic representation of the sun.

All animals are drawn to the shadows, and the number of animals active at night far exceeds that during the day! Even some fish in the deep sea that don't even have eyes become active on the night of a full moon! Humans are animals too!

The Moon Refinement technique in my Ape Strike is practiced under the moon, comprehending the changes of waxing and waning, allowing the body to absorb the 'moonlight,' gaining speed and agility beyond that of ordinary people, even surpassing those of superhumans, while maintaining one's own nimbleness and not becoming unable to react due to excessive speed.

The method of daily cultivation involves observing the sun, practicing under its rising light, and absorbing its essence to achieve physical evolution. This can lead to fasting and longevity.

Jiang Liu understood.

Whether it's monthly or daily practice, it's all about cultivating oneself. Monthly practice mainly develops the body's original potential, while daily practice aims to allow life itself to evolve.

This method of daily and monthly refinement can be summarized in one sentence: "All things carry yin and embrace yang, and achieve harmony through the interaction of these energies."

"Uh...yes."

Boss Cha was taken aback, not expecting that Jiang Liu would summarize his long speech in just one sentence.

"Boss Cha doesn't know this sentence?"

This time, it was Jiang Liu who was surprised.

This is the second sentence at the beginning of Chapter 42 of the Tao Te Ching!

He originally thought that Boss Cha was kind-hearted, or that he was willing to create new methods and explain the principles of the techniques in plain language that ordinary people could understand.

But to my surprise, he didn't know this sentence at all—

What kind of Tai Chi do you practice?

“I used to be an opera singer. Later, I was drafted into the army. I was lucky enough to survive and was saved by a disciple of the previous leader of the Tai Chi School. He left the Tai Chi School and taught me Peng Zu Tai Chi. We practiced the Ape Strike Technique together. He taught me step by step. I didn’t read any secret manuals or scriptures.”

When talking about the kung fu skills he learned, Mr. Cha's body trembled slightly. Only he knew the hardships he had endured!

The physical suffering of cultivating the Ape Strike Technique is bearable, but the mental anguish is unbearable, especially the process of absorbing the essence of the moon and the sun, which feels like the soul is about to explode!

Even now, he dares not absorb the essence of the sun to begin the cultivation of human evolution. He only dares to temporarily strengthen himself with the essence of the sun, unleashing brilliant light to fight his enemies.

"It is said that Peng Zu lived to be 800 years old, and that he practiced this Ape Strike Technique?" Hong Guniang thought of the legend about Peng Zu. She thought it was false, but it might be true. Moreover, Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang was also said to be extremely long-lived and a person of extraordinary talent!

"I don't know."

Boss Cha shook his head and said again, "The Ape Strike Technique was not created by Peng Zu. It is said that it was created by Zhang Sanfeng after observing Peng Zu's Tai Chi and comprehending the agility of a monkey."

It's named Ape Strike Technique because apes are unique creatures.

Among animals, birds can look directly at the sun, but most of them face away from the sun... while apes can look directly at the sun!

It is precisely for this reason that the ape, by harnessing the moonlight, awakens its inner potential, and by receiving the essence of the sun, it unlocks the power of evolution!

At this point, Boss Cha laughed again: "Do you know about Western thought? It's different from ours. Humans weren't made of clay by Nuwa, but evolved from apes. Humans' ancestors were apes!"

Jiang Liu knew what Boss Cha was thinking.

It is likely that the ancestors of humans, the apes, actively stimulated their physical potential and mastered the process of evolution by observing the sun and moon, which is why they were able to evolve into humans in about two million years.

Compared to the evolution of other plants and animals, the speed at which Homo sapiens evolved is almost like a cheat code. On the path of evolution, while other creatures were still taking their first steps, humans had already begun to run.

After discussing the topic of martial arts techniques, Boss Cha brought up the cooperation again and agreed to Jiang Liu's conditions, saying that he would also come here to cooperate with their performances in the future.

There is no other reason.

Jiang Liu impressed him with his own abilities, and as a person with supernatural powers, Boss Cha also had his own pursuits in cultivation and hoped to exchange ideas with Jiang Liu and the others more...

"Brother Jiang, I never imagined that there was such a method in the world that could actually stimulate human potential and initiate evolution on its own."

After seeing Boss Cha off, Lu Jin said to Jiang Liu, "Perhaps the legend that Peng Zu could live to be eight hundred years old is really true. Zhang Sanfeng of the Wudang School may have come into contact with Peng Zu's Tai Chi and comprehended the method of increasing lifespan year by year, which is why he could have such a long life."

Jiang Liu did not deny it.

After all, in this world, anyone who can comprehend a new method stands on the shoulders of their predecessors to some extent. For example, Zhang Sanfeng could not have comprehended the supreme method at birth; he must have learned various methods later in life to comprehend his own supreme path.

And thinking of Zhang Sanfeng—

Jiang Liu then recalled the painting of monkeys observing the sun and moon...

# Chapter 214 A Young Man's Own Wildness

Thinking of the painting of the monkey observing the sun and moon, Jiang Liu went back to his room, took it out, and unfolded it. He saw that the white ape on the mountaintop was moving differently from the last time, and the scenery in the mountains was even more lush and green.

"Brother Jiang, is the Ape Strike Technique related to this painting?" Lu Jin also made the connection when he saw the painting.

"Maybe."

Jiang Liu closed his eyes and pondered, saying, "In this painting, not only do the sun and moon move with the passage of time, but the mountains, rivers, plants and trees also change. In addition to staring at the sun and moon, the monkey in the painting also moves its hands, feet and waist in an extremely slow motion. To understand the mystery, one must find at least a year of free time and sketch the scene in the painting every hour before one can truly feel its mystery."

"So demanding?"

After learning about the painting's unusual features, Hong Guniang exclaimed in surprise.

"I got this from Dong Tianbao. He's from a wild Maoshan. It's said that his ancestors had a grudge against Zhang Sanfeng and obtained Zhang Sanfeng's Thirteen Forms of Tai Chi... Now I've learned from Boss Cha that the Ape Strike Technique may also have a connection with Zhang Sanfeng. Perhaps this Ape Observing the Sun and Moon Diagram contains a similar secret technique."

Jiang Liu had planned as early as when he was in Ping Mountain to spend a year recording all the changes in the painting in order to explore its mysteries.

Now that the Ghost Hand Wang Cai Opera Troupe has been officially established, it is ready to begin operations!

However, he still needs to learn the art of painting first.

Although the inner view of the river is different from that of ordinary people, not a chaotic state but a state of creation, it cannot be used as a computer that can store information. It is impossible to record the scene in the picture of the monkey watching the sun and moon at all times.

then.

In the time to come.

Besides practicing the "Eight-Nine Mysterious Arts" and the Innate Talisman Diagram; using the Twenty-Four Qi Lord Talisman Beads to perceive external climate changes; practicing Tai Chi and Bajiquan; learning the techniques of sticking, swaying, combining, passing, moon, separating, chasing, and opening the Moon Gate; understanding Earth Immortals and controlling objects; studying the methods of Beast Masters; and deepening his connection with the Angry Sun Chicken, Jiang Liu also consulted Boss Cha in the city about the art of calligraphy and painting in his spare time from performing magic tricks in his work and life.

As a Yue Opera martial arts performer, Boss Cha is skilled in makeup, and the art of applying makeup to the face is actually quite similar to drawing on paper.

Boss Cha was also willing to communicate with this lively and cheerful young man, and even planned to teach him to sing opera, but unfortunately Jiang Liu "couldn't learn" it.

During this period, the stage inside the theater was also renovated with the help of Hong Guniang, and some simple mechanical devices were installed.

It wasn't a magical artifact, nor was it nurtured with Qi; it was simply a mechanism made of ordinary hardwood, based on gears and levers. By simply cranking a handle backstage, specific positions on the stage could be raised, lowered, or rotated. Combined with Jiang Liu, Lu Jin, Hong Guniang, and others performing "Reversing Eight Directions" backstage, they could manipulate props to move.

With Boss Cha performing on such a stage, the show is bound to be a huge success!

The reputation of the Ghost Hand Wang Cai Opera Troupe gradually spread throughout Hangzhou, and many high-ranking officials and nobles even invited them to perform.

But Jiang Liu and others still preferred to perform on the streets, or at the invitation of teahouse and inn owners, to perform magic tricks and share the joy with the people.

And so, a month passed quietly. Jiang Liu's skills improved a lot, but his painting skills improved the fastest. Apart from the fact that his coloring was still a bit messy, he was already able to depict the whole person on paper in line drawing.

Reaching such a level is sufficient to begin copying the painting of monkeys observing the sun and moon.

But as their reputation grew, more and more people came to visit. Before Jiang Liu could even begin his painting project, Ghost Hand Wang's opera troupe received orders from Zhao Liren, the captain of the city's detective team, to perform for him and his fourth concubine on September 25th, and to make sure it was something new.

In the courtyard, Jiang Liu crossed his legs and chatted with Hong Guniang, Lu Jin, Wang Yaozu, and the other apprentices, eating melon seeds and drinking tea, ignoring the arrogant Zhao family steward.

"Are you showing contempt for Captain Zhao?"

The Zhao family's steward also knew that the head of the Ghost Hand Wang Cai Opera Troupe was Wang Yaozu, but the real person in charge was Jiang Liu. Yet, Jiang Liu didn't even look at him at this moment, which made the steward furious.

As Captain Zhao's housekeeper, how could he tolerate such disregard?

"Butler Zhao, Captain Zhao invited us, and we will certainly go, but we should at least pay the deposit first, right?"

Jiang Liu put down the sunflower seed shells in his hand, stood up, and said with a grin, "In the past, when wealthy families in the city invited us to perform, they would always pay a deposit first. Then we would discuss the specific time and the rules of the magic trick with them. That way, everything was clear and straightforward."

"Heh, so young and arrogant, you really dare to speak like that!" Butler Zhao sneered.

“Young people have their own youthful exuberance. What’s the point of being wild when you’re old and frail?” Jiang Liu maintained his smile, but sat back down on the stool.

This scene, however, made Steward Zhao's face turn ugly.

This is clearly a slap in the face to him!

Seeing Jiang Liu pick up his teacup, he slapped him across the face.

Snapped!

The teacup was tilted, and the tea spilled out, but it floated in mid-air and turned into water droplets.

Jiang Liu opened his mouth and inhaled, water droplets forming a line as they entered his mouth and he swallowed them. However, the smile on his face also faded, and he said, "Steward Zhao, isn't that a bit unfair?"

"you!"

When Butler Zhao saw this scene, he was both shocked and furious. He was shocked because this amazing skill was not like the magic tricks he knew, and furious because the other party dared to question him. He couldn't help but raise his left index finger and point it at Jiang Liu's nose.

Swish!

The young woman picked up a melon seed and threw it like a throwing knife, instantly piercing the gap between the fingernails of Steward Zhao's index finger.

"what!"

Butler Zhao seemed to have been stung by a scorpion, quickly withdrawing his hand. His brows furrowed, like volcanic rock cooled by lava, or maggots wriggling in a cesspool.

Looking at the cracked nail on his left index finger, Butler Zhao endured the pain, pulled out the melon seed, and looked at Miss Hong with fear in his eyes.

"When you point at someone with your finger, the other three fingers, besides the thumb, are pointing at yourself."

Hong Guniang had no patience for this kind of bully who preyed on the weak, and sneered, "Think about it, can you handle it?"

"Are you going against Captain Zhao?"

Butler Zhao, though outwardly fierce, still mustered his courage and rebuked them.

Jiang Liu stood up.