A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 61: Twelve Schools, Sweeping the Street
Eating the braised horned pompano made the whole body warm, not a trace of fish meat, soup, or side dish was left.
It was swept clean like the wind dispersing the clouds, very much in line with the style of the Bai Brothers.
Absolutely no waste!
Ninghai Zen did not stay long, savored a few slices of the treasured fish, ate the cooked food with a pot of yellow wine, and left gracefully.
Only leaving the message "kicking hall in the outer city tomorrow".
His original intention was to deliver the gourd of bear gallbladder wine, just happened to catch this meal.
Bai Qi’s decade of life as a fisherman, facing bitter cold and harsh swords, won’t be easily covered or regained.
Fortunately, this disciple lacks neither luck nor skill, catching treasured fish, picking up the inner pill, the former strengthens qi and blood, the latter refines tendons.
Plus a large gourd of bear gallbladder wine, enough to solidify the foundation.
"Brother, your master is a good person."
Bai Ming said quietly.
"I know, running a martial arts hall without charging disciples’ money is as good as running a charity."
Bai Qi pulled the cork from the gourd, sipped the bear gallbladder wine, just this gourd is worth hundreds of silver taels.
After a few days at Tongwen Hall, he deeply understood that anything related to "training" is never cheap. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Ordinary fishermen, a few mouths of a family would not spend more than thirty taels a year on basic living expenses.
But practitioners wishing to stand out, move further, incur costs of dozens to hundreds of taels.
No wonder in many people’s eyes, joining a martial arts hall seems like throwing away hard-earned money.
The silver for offering tea at first is just enough to get in, but without continued investment, one cannot expect to learn real skills.
"Luckily, our brothers have forged a path."
Bai Qi ruffled Ah Di’s hair, tidied up a bit, and each went back to their room.
Their rooms adjoined, shouting would be enough to hear any disturbance.
"Boiling water with inner pills, eating meat of treasured fish, really living a comfortable life these days."
Bai Qi sat on the large bed covered with soft sheets, covered with thick quilts, feeling somewhat unreal like in a dream.
Just last month, he was still living in a clay house topped with straw, sleeping on a cold, hard wooden bed.
In a blink, life became dramatically different.
"Holding skills, enhancing oneself, cannot relax even for a moment! Strive hard, only then is progress possible!"
Bai Qi drank a few sips of bear gallbladder wine, slightly tipsy, the mouth full of freshness, similar to the soup brewed from the demon fish inner pill.
Giving him a sensation of washing away tendons and refreshing the entire body.
His eyelids lightly lifted, summoning the ink talisman.
On the verge of breakthrough, there are three arts.
Introductory Arhat Hand nurturing Chapter.
Minor achievement in literacy.
Minor achievement in Eight Section Brocade.
The first skill acquisition took the shortest time, but excelled due to Lao Dao’s guidance, and diligent practice, progress was fast.
The second skill, due to reading a lot recently, was quickly approaching the mastery level.
The third skill resulted from frequent river trips, achieving naturally.
"Perhaps soon there will be another skill."
Bai Qi calmed his mind, focusing on the profound mystery ink talisman.
Floating clusters of light, like stars, seeming to coalesce into a quite dim new skill.
"Already learned eight skills..."
He lit an oil lamp, placed at the bedside, continued reading.
His chaotic thoughts roamed with the words, flying beyond Black River County’s expansive world.
...
...
"Hot deep-fried cakes, eat two to fill the stomach, lest you lack strength when throwing punches later."
Ninghai Zen sat on a long bench, nearby a small food stall selling noodles and dumplings.
"Master, are you really kicking hall? I heard that inside the martial arts circle, doing so offends people a lot."
Bai Qi chewed and swallowed down quickly, glanced with leftover sight at the first martial arts hall with a sign hung at the street corner.
Huishan Boxing Hall!
"I don’t let you smash people’s rice bowls, just closed-door sparring, paid for it.
Moreover, being defeated by my disciple Ninghai Zen, spreading it around isn’t disgraceful.
A few years ago, your master lost to their master—it was certainly something worthy of boasting about in the martial arts circles of Black River County."
Ninghai Zen tilted his head back and drank the noodle soup, seemingly satisfied:
"Still, the food in the outer city is authentic! I’ve visited all twelve martial arts halls; they’re willing to give me some respect and let their direct disciples spar with you.
Oh, and if anyone beats you even half-a-move, remember to offer them twenty taels as reward, any medical bills are counted separately."
Bai Qi clicked his tongue, thinking how generous the instructor is.
Although martial arts halls in the outer city don’t have much real substance, even a broken ship has three pounds of nails; if they can keep their signboard up and accept apprentices, they must have at least touched the threshold of the Second Training Level of a Martial Artist.
It shouldn’t be too hard to train a disciple to uphold the reputation and face outsiders.
With a minor achievement in muscle training for himself, rough fists and feet with no learned techniques, going to each one may not achieve clearing the street.
"If you lose, you cover the silver; if you win, I’ll pay for the medical fees.
So, before entering, think clearly—this Xinyi Street has twelve signboards, how many losses can you afford?"
Ninghai Zen smiled lightly, his expression serious:
"There’s a saying in the martial arts world: Before you learn to hit, learn to be hit.
In regular martial arts halls, senior and junior brothers often spar and practice, inevitably holding back.
But I, Ninghai Zen, teach my disciples with a philosophy of refining steel with fierce fire, with hundreds of refinements—no slow and gentle guidance.
In the outer city, twenty taels of silver is quite substantial; to earn this money, they don’t care who you are.
If you underestimate them, you’ll definitely suffer a big loss."
Lose once, drop twenty taels?
Practically robbing me!
Bai Qi wiped his mouth, exhaled a long breath, and decisively stood up towards Huishan Boxing Hall:
"Twelve houses on one street, right? As your disciple, I’ll say this today—not even half a copper coin will be taken from me!"
Ninghai Zen lowered his head and laughed slightly:
"Turns out, to talk about money, this kid finally shows the latent spirit he usually hides away.
Boss, another bowl of spring noodles, I’m not full!"
...
...
[Sparring with others, using Beng Fist, much insight gained, progress increased]
[Sparring with others, using Beng Fist, becoming more proficient, progress greatly increased]
[Sparring with others, using Beng Fist, maneuvering skillfully, progress perfected...]
Half an hour, quick to go, quick to return.
From Huishan Boxing Hall, then to Four Symbols Martial Arts Hall, Evergreen Sect... Bai Qi challenged five houses in one breath!
Every time it was a quick in and out, after cupping fists in courtesy and setting up stances, he’d greet them with a Beng Fist maneuver.
Because he hadn’t learned any fighting techniques, it’s not conducive to prolonged engagement, easily exposing flaws for others to capitalize on.
Bai Qi decided to exploit his advantage, which is far superior muscle training level compared to outer city practitioners, using Qi and Blood Power nurtured by consuming Demon Fish Inner Pill and precious fish flesh and blood!
One move, Beng Fist, to conquer the world!
No matter the situation, with each strike, it’s the forceful and fierce Beng Fist unleashed!
Often, the opponents have no chance to defend, and are sent flying horizontally!
"Smart move! There’s a saying in martial arts: ’High fist means no blocking, low fist hard to counter.’
You excel over them in abundant qi and blood, fierce power, sturdy bones, fast and vicious punches—only then can you seize victory repeatedly; if caught up, the outcome is rather uncertain."
Ninghai Zen knew the details of the fights, highly appreciative, rarely offering a few commendations, yet quickly throwing a cold splash:
"But for the remaining few, the Feihua Sect excels in body technique, agile movements; Six Vehicles Sect is skilled in sticks and clubs, won’t let you get close easily. How will you respond then?"
After battling some practitioners, Bai Qi inexplicably felt invigorated, his inner courage grew stronger, even his fists felt more powerful.
Usually, it’s strike down a few ruffians, mostly sneak attacks underwater, catching them off guard.
It can be said, he’s never faced anyone head-on.
"High skill strengthens courage; strong courage elevates skill! The so-called practice of techniques is actually practice of courage! Dare to strike, fear not the enemy!"
Countless insights surged in Bai Qi’s mind, what he read in books was but a shallow layer, ultimately, personal experience is deeper.
"Correct, first courage, second strength, third skills! Ah Qi, you’re clear on this, showing remarkable comprehension! Go, there are seven more, let’s see how you tackle them!"
Seeing Bai Qi’s qi and blood erupt, face flushed, eyes brimming with fearlessness, Ninghai Zen knew this disciple has talent in fighting techniques, not the type to hold back.
In martial arts circles, there’s the three key saying: ’Eyes sharp, mind ruthless, hands fierce.’
The character ’ruthless’ refers to being decisive, spotting an opportunity and striking without delay, not meaning insidious or malicious.
"This path has no misplaced tricks, principally in sharp eyes, quick hands, and steady courage... I learned in two days upon entering the path, you figured it out in one go—indeed, you resemble me!"
Ninghai Zen was highly satisfied, clapping his hands and laughing.
