A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 163 - 134: Master Bai Returns to the County, Two Masters
A few days later, Bai Qi returned to Black River County by boat, docking at the East Market Wharf. He carried some fruits and snacks and had a casual chat with Old Liang and his son Liang Sanshui.
He never visits empty-handed; it's useful experience accumulated in his previous life.
Elders can sometimes be as temperamental as children; they need to be coaxed and flattered.
Snacks are always one of the sure-win treasures.
"Perfect Tendon Barrier Golden Flesh and Jade Veins, this is a great achievement many practitioners dream of achieving!
Seal every pore of the body, open and close at will, even at seventy or eighty years old, vitality won't decline... Ah Qi, you have opportunity and talent, and someday you'll surely make a name for yourself in the martial world!"
Since Bai's Fish Stall opened, Uncle Changshun often delivered Silver Sand Carp to the shop. Liang Laoshu, now agile in his legs, has rid himself of most of his chronic illnesses, yet he still enjoys sunbathing in a rocking chair.
"It's all thanks to Elder Liang for guiding me; otherwise, how would I have achieved anything today?"
Bai Qi sat nearby and melted the frozen pears he had just bought in water, then fished them out later to hand over to Old Liang, whose eyes squinted with a smile.
"Ay, enough with the compliments. You have good perception and are willing to put in the effort, even without me, you'd eventually emerge.
How can a flood dragon be hidden in shallow waters? Haha, Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall, Broken Blade Sect, Divine Hand Sect, those few, must regret missing out on such talent."
Liang Laoshu exclaimed.
In this life, he has no regrets. Although his son is not promising, he is stable and honest, and his enemies are all dead, leaving the family reunited.
The knot of resentment in his heart has been unraveled, and his appetite has been much better each day.
"You are under the tutelage of Tongwen Hall, with proficiency in the Five Great Capturing Techniques, I might stand little help.
Except for the Second Bone Training Barrier, for the blood replacement step, I can tell you a thing or two."
Liang Laoshu seemed to be in high spirits; his dried-up claw-like hand suddenly clenched and the waist and back on the rocking chair abruptly straightened up, like a puffed-up weasel, his entire body erupting with a fierce gust.
Muscles and bones rub against each other, skin and flesh twist and bind!
The withered qi blood of Old Liang instantly exuded a formidable and unparalleled aura!
"Second Practice, Blood Like Mercury Paste!"
Bai Qi's eyelids twitched, and his heart contracted suddenly, almost startling him to instinctively direct his energy, performing the Tengnuo Body Technique of the White Ape Skill.
He practices the One-Practice Perfect Golden Flesh and Jade Veins, with power running through all limbs, extremely perceptive, reacting instantly upon touch.
If he hadn't sensed any killing intent, he would momentarily leap ten steps away.
"Ah Qi, listen closely! The fusion of my blood and qi, that force!"
Liang Laoshu glared fiercely, his originally stooped figure stood upright abruptly, like an eagle flipping, with fierce and forceful vigor.
His attacks were like arrows, his retreats like strings, connecting rapidly front and back, his waist intertwining like a great snake, powerful and coherent, striking with balanced force.
Bai Qi was no longer a novice; he had read extensively in the Dezhen Tower and recognized the Eagle Flipping Eighteen Techniques of the Fishery Guard.
"The flow of qi blood within Old Liang does not make the rushing sound of river torrents, but rather thick and heavy, like rolling pearls... The power is even more intense and swift."
Bai Qi did not focus on the techniques; he understood Liang Laoshu's intention and closed his eyes to carefully listen to the force, pondering its mysteries.
Uncle Dao once told him that there are three layers of insight in martial arts.
First is '熟悉' (Proficiency).
One's stance holds firm, receiving the opponent's moves.
In practicing fist and foot techniques, the posture is most important, once broken, it shows signs of defeat.
Second is '听劲' (Listening to Force).
Among the Green Forest Dao, Jianghu people have a habit of touching hands, once connected, they can sense the depth.
This is an implicit duel of forces, assessing each other's quality.
Bai Qi practices the Arhat Hand and Silk Binding Strength, focusing on the 'mind-body movement,' highly perceptive to force, even able to discern with closed eyes, judging sincerity from the sound of the wind.
Third is '神明' (Mysticism),
No more than sixteen words, infinite variations, understanding lies within the heart, while others may not know me, I alone know others.
This belongs to realization, an inexplicably mysterious realm.
"Bone Barrier, Blood Replacement, the goal is to use exceptionally strong physique to sustain blood loss, expelling the old and nurturing the new, purifying the flesh.
Old Liang seems to have undergone three replacements, therefore his qi blood is only 'heavy' without being 'dense,' inferior to Yang Meng."
Bai Qi's epiphany deepened, the First Tendon Training Barrier lays the foundation, the Second Bone Training Barrier builds the pillars.
Doing the former solidly allows the latter to become a towering structure.
The principle obtained from theory differs completely from witnessing and relishing the essence firsthand.
Liang Laoshu's demonstration truly clarified the nuances of blood replacement.
Qi blood should be lively and dynamic, dense but not heavy, intense but not stifling.
This is achieving depth in practice.
Thus purifying the flesh, layer upon layer advancing, breaking large stones barehanded and kneading gold and iron is effortlessly accomplished.
[You observed the Eagle Flipping Eighteen Techniques, gained some insights, and slightly improved your comprehension]
Suddenly, this text flashed from the Ink Slate.
"I'm getting old, I used to practice seven or eight rounds without panting, now it's difficult to get through even one."
Liang Laoshu's qi blood surged within his dried-out physique, swelling his muscles and filling his complexion, like a potent tonic.
"Take a break, Elder Liang."
Fisherman reached out to help, knowing that this state wasn't healthy:
"I've just seen clearly and understood, that the more you nourish your Qi and blood in the Bone Training Barrier, the better the tempering effect will be."
Liang Laoshu said with relief:
"That's right, you have achieved the Perfect Tendon Barrier, no one in Black River County has a better foundation than your First Practice.
Therefore, for your first blood change, you must strive for perfection, and it's best to spend a lot of money at Chai Market to buy some True Blood of Spirits and Monsters. The Song Family has a lot in reserve in this area, which can be useful."
Fisherman silently noted it down in his heart. Uncle Dao asked him to wait for Ninghai Zen to return, mostly for this reason too.
After all, his master had been wandering the five hundred miles of mountain roads for years, slaying demons as if plucking cabbage from the fields, taking the Inner Pill when he saw a well-grown one.
"Chai Market... I'll arrange to chat with Song Qiying another day."
After a few more words with Liang Laoshu, Fisherman finally left the East Market Shop, not forgetting to greet Liang Sanshui before leaving and inquire about the fishery business.
Step, step, step.
Fisherman walked slowly on the long street, his black boots stepping on the wet bluestone, making a crisp sound.
The shops on both sides had reopened, and the number of small food stalls and vendors had increased, showing that Black River County was slowly recovering from the disaster brought by Red Eyebrow's siege.
"Master Bai, freshly roasted chestnuts, want a bag?"
"Today we have the clay pot braised dog meat that Master Bai loves, want to try it?"
"Haven't seen you in days, Master Bai..."
Occasionally meeting familiar faces who greeted him warmly, Fisherman nodded in response.
Recalling a few months ago, walking this street with Liang Sanshui, others merely thought he was helping out as a hand.
Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, the Fisherman's rank would rise to the level of 'Master'?
Arriving at the entrance of Tongwen Hall, he quickly ascended the steps before he could speak, hearing Ah Di calling him:
"Brother! Brother's back!"
The figure wrapped in thick cotton clothes ran over, diving into the embrace of the tall figure.
"Oh, you've grown. Still sticking to big brother at your age? Be careful, or Uncle Dao will tease you."
Supporting Bai Ming's shoulders, Fisherman joked with a smile.
As his tendons and bones reached perfection, his physique became more robust, his broad shoulders and back even more pronounced.
With a nearly eight-foot tall figure, he still towered over Ah Di by a considerable margin.
"Young Master Qi is finally back."
Lao Dao heard the commotion, smiling as he held a teapot.
"A guest has been waiting for you a long time."
Fisherman was slightly startled, soon noticing the majestic figure in the hall.
"Master Li?"
His eyebrows rose, inexplicably feeling that Li Yuan seemed somewhat nervous, unlike his usual calm demeanor in the kiln.
"Qi Lang..."
Li Yuan rubbed his large hands, speaking with rare hesitation and vagueness:
"Would you like to learn blacksmithing from me?"
The latter half of the sentence was almost like a mosquito's buzz, even with Fisherman's Perfect Tendon Barrier and acute senses, he didn't catch it.
He scratched his head, not understanding this twist of the plot:
"Master Li, could you speak louder?"
Holding the teapot, Lao Dao watched the spectacle, regretting that Young Master Qi had been away too long, with no snacks left to munch on.
Li Yuan was somewhat embarrassed, feeling guilty for attempting to poach a disciple from Master Ning's personal tutelage at Tongwen Hall.
Steeling himself, he bent his legs, assuming a horse stance, letting his Qi and blood flow fiercely, tightening his face.
A powerful internal breath surged from his abdomen, erupting suddenly, like a lion's roar:
"Qi! Lang! Learn blacksmithing with me!"
Fisherman's ears buzzed, icicles on the eaves cracked and snapped, while accumulated snow on the treetops shook and fell.
Good heavens, now half of Black River County should know!
"Hmm? Which strong fellow dares to try and steal my disciple, Ninghai Zen?"
A man in a green robe, carrying a half-dead fox, had barely entered the city gate when he heard this commotion.
"Shouting so loudly, afraid that others won't know! It's an open challenge! Seems like a formidable flood dragon across the river!"
Ninghai Zen's eyes glinted sharply, his eyebrows rising with anticipation.
Staying in a small place like Black River County all the time, it's rare to have a chance to stretch his muscles.
Now someone had appeared at his doorstep!
What a rare opportunity!
Thinking of this, he leaped forward, almost flying through the air, heading straight for Tongwen Hall.
