Chapter 29 - 28: Reuniting, Deciding the Winner with Fists

Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Reuniting, Deciding the Winner with FistsAll under heaven is bustling, all for the sake of profit; all under heaven is clamorous, all for the gain. The definitive break with Luo Yongcheng did not bring any negative emotions. Instead, it made Jiang Shu’s heart for Martial Arts even firmer. He strolled within the inner city of Pingling County, observing a scene of prosperity: nine main streets, three markets, carriages and horses moving like dragons, buildings clustered together, and pavilions towering high. Unfortunately, all this never belonged to the common people. From the inner city to the outer city, from grand mansions with flying eaves and upturned corners to humble hovels built from dirt in Qu She Alley. Luo Yongcheng wanted to keep his secret recipe, and there was nothing wrong with that. Most people would have made the same choice. After all, the secret recipe was something his grandfather had painstakingly acquired from gathering herbs in remote mountains, surviving several life-and-death situations. Not to mention the time and effort, a considerable amount of Silver Taels had also been spent. This blood-nourishing medicinal meal indeed had astonishing effects on commoners preparing to learn martial arts. Once sold in Pingling County, it was akin to owning a hen that laid golden eggs. By safeguarding the secret recipe, one could continuously earn Silver Taels. It truly was a family business capable of enriching several generations. Was it wrong to want to protect such a family legacy? No, there wasn’t anything wrong. It’s just that his strength was too weak. An innocent man invites trouble by possessing something valuable. In Pingling County, to truly establish oneself, one needed to be steady and ruthless. To be steady meant having a sufficient Martial Arts Realm or finding a reliable backer. To be ruthless meant eliminating all troubles before danger even approached. Luo Yongcheng’s current predicament is something I will surely face in the future. I must prepare early. He practiced diligently day and night using Two Realms Shuttle, standing stances, breathing techniques, and boxing. A month passed quietly. 「Pingling County.」 The sky was somber, clouds densely packed, as if a heavy rain was imminent. 「Starving Tiger Martial Arts Gym.」 It was time for the monthly sparring session again. The chubby Zhou Yang, upon seeing Jiang Shu step in, hurriedly ran over, an ingratiating smile plastered on his pudgy face. "Brother Jiang’s here! Have you eaten, Brother Jiang? I brought some excellent Blood-Strengthening Wine from Tongfu Building today. How about gracing it with a try, Brother Jiang?" "This Blood-Strengthening Wine isn’t like other common wines," Zhou Yang said, his voice getting lower and lower, as if he wished he could speak directly into Jiang Shu’s ear. "I heard it contains several potent medicines. This wine has miraculous effects! Those wealthy young masters always order a cup when they go to Skylark Square! They can last all night." "Of course, if Brother Jiang doesn’t prefer that, just by performing Qi Blood Transport, the Blood-Strengthening Wine will bolster your entire body’s qi and blood. It’s comparable to about half an hour’s worth of intense stance training!" Pointing proudly to the exquisite wooden box set aside, Zhou Yang wore a triumphant expression. He had personally witnessed Jiang Shu’s initiation into the Starving Tiger Martial Arts Gym, from obscurity to recently receiving several praises from Master Chou. Out of the forty or fifty apprentices in the gym, who has the best chance of becoming an official Disciple? Undoubtedly, it has to be Jiang Shu! The gym’s official Disciples aren’t just ordinary Martial Artists who have completed the full-body Qi and Blood Circulation. An official Disciple is akin to having one foot in the Skin Grinding Realm. With enough Starving Tiger’s Secret Medicine, reaching the Skin Grinding Realm could take as little as half a year or as long as a year; it’s a natural progression. Why not build a good relationship now? What if he gets taken in by Master Chou later? It’ll be too late then! Besides, I had that slight conflict with Jiang Shu. I’m not sure if he holds a grudge, but offering extra smiles is always better than anything else. "HMPH." Jiang Shu hadn’t responded when a series of footsteps approached. Luo Yongcheng stepped in from the doorway, looked at Jiang Shu and Zhou Yang, and snorted coldly. How ridiculous, Zhou Yang thought. Pleasing Jiang Shu didn’t mean he tolerated others. If Luo Yongcheng’s family pharmacy were still around, I might have let things slide a bit. Not because I’m scared, but simply to avoid trouble. But now? In just over a month, that Lord Yao of the Yao Family is celebrating his fiftieth birthday. After all this effort, the secret recipe for the blood-nourishing medicinal meal from the Luo Family’s pharmacy is bound to appear on the birthday gift list. Does Luo Yongcheng think he can keep it safe? He must be dreaming. "Say less," Jiang Shu interjected. "I recall you’re also close to achieving Qi Blood Transport, aren’t you? Is there a need for this? If you didn’t have such talent, considering what you did to Han Dali, you would have been kicked out of the gym long ago." "HEHE..." Listening to Jiang Shu’s very blunt words, Zhou Yang gave a silly laugh. He isn’t someone who doesn’t know what’s good for him; during this time, I’ve managed to figure out Jiang Shu’s temperament. If he’s willing to say a few words, it means this relationship can still be salvaged. It seems the efforts I’ve made these past few days weren’t in vain. Amid Zhou Yang’s continued attempts to ingratiate himself, the sparring began. Last month, two more apprentices had been recruited by a large household to become high-level Protectors. Therefore, not many apprentices capable of Qi Blood Transport were present in the arena today. Before long, it was the turn for apprentices who had achieved Qi Blood Transport to spar. "First round, Jiang Shu, Luo Yongcheng," announced the Maid in a loud voice. "Jiang, it’s a pleasure," Luo Yongcheng said, quickly stepping into the arena. A dose of Starving Tiger’s Secret Medicine only lasts three to five days. I’ve been waiting for this sparring day for a long time, he thought. Watching Jiang Shu also enter the arena, Luo Yongcheng’s eyes narrowed, and he thought with grim determination: This time, I’m still very lucky. My opponent isn’t one of those who has been practicing Qi Blood Transport for a long time. Jiang Shu broke through to Qi Blood Transport less than two months ago; he’s definitely not my match! Last month, Jiang Shu’s victory was purely luck, drawing an opponent even less experienced. This month, I’ll be the one to end his good luck! Thinking about how Master Chou occasionally instructed Jiang Shu, Luo Yongcheng couldn’t help but turn to look at Master Chou, his palms clenched tightly. What would Master Chou’s expression be if Jiang Shu is defeated by me in the arena later and fails to get the Starving Tiger’s Secret Medicine? And what expression would Jiang Shu have? Just the thought sent an inexplicable thrill coursing through him. Without any hesitation, Luo Yongcheng made the first move. For them, Martial Artists who had not yet reached the Skin Grinding Realm, there were no spectacular moves like shattering stone tablets. When the two lashed out, it was all about whose fist was bigger, harder, and faster! Jiang Shu, you think it wouldn’t matter even if I became a Martial Artist. But I have never slacked off in my Martial Arts journey. I must obtain the Starving Tiger’s Secret Medicine! Luo Yongcheng charged forward, swinging his right palm towards Jiang Shu’s chest with a fierce chop. He had surprisingly already achieved small success with the Tiger Form Three Stances! Jiang Shu, unhurried, shifted his footing, his body swayed, and he narrowly avoided the fiercest strike. He let the Palm Wind howl past his ear as he retreated a step. Compared to last month’s brawl, this month, I’ve learned to fight smarter. In my view, sight is most crucial in a fight. Being able to foresee the opponent’s moves allows for several countermeasures. Retreat when they’re at their peak. Attack when they’re at their weakest. Aim to inflict maximum damage with minimal cost. As he stepped back, Luo Yongcheng, unwilling to relinquish the advantage, pressed forward aggressively, lunging with another palm strike. Jiang Shu retreated again. But as he did, one hand swiftly shot out from his side, slamming heavily onto Luo Yongcheng’s shoulder. Due to his reckless advance, Luo Yongcheng’s stance had become unstable. "BANG!" With just that single hit, Luo Yongcheng grunted, his offensive instantly broken. Jiang Shu spun and moved forward, his punches and palms unceasing. "BANG! BANG! BANG!" Luo Yongcheng continuously parried. However, Jiang Shu’s mastery of the three cultivation methods—striking, practice, and nourishment—was already not inferior to his. At this moment, Jiang Shu’s momentum was overwhelming, like an unending tide. In just a few breaths, the tables had turned. The pain in his shoulder made it hard for Luo Yongcheng to muster any strength. "CRACK!" After several more heavy strikes, Luo Yongcheng staggered back several steps. He dug his foot in to stop himself, but his body was already outside the white circle. He looked up to see Jiang Shu in his practice clothes, bowing slightly. Jiang Shu’s breath was steady, his voice calm as he said, "Brother Luo, thank you for letting me win."