blueteamnovel Chapter 104 Withered Trees Come Back to Life, Sixty Years of Internal Strength Extends a Life!
Chapter 104 Withered Trees Come Back to Life, Sixty Years of Internal Strength Extends a Life!
Chapter 105 A Withered Tree Revives in Spring: Sixty Years of Internal Strength Extends His Life! (5k)
The wheels rolled over the uneven cobblestone road of Taiping Bridge in Xicheng, leaving two wet streaks.
This is a two-horse carriage, pulled by two glossy chestnut horses with neatly combed manes.
The carriage was lined with blue woolen cloth, a deep indigo blue, washed until it was almost white but still very clean, exuding the refined manners of old Beijingers.
Inside the carriage, Lu Cheng fiddled with the half-finished ginseng root in his hand, his eyes gazing absently at the gray walls and tiles flashing past the window.
As the carriage crossed a small stone bridge, the water flowed gently beneath it, and several teenagers were barefoot, catching fish by the riverbank, their laughter ringing out.
Spring arrives rather late in Beiping.
Although the willow tips have turned green, the wind still carries sand.
At a roadside tea stall, several laborers wearing tattered cotton-padded jackets were slurping hot noodle soup from large bowls.
Those wrinkles on his face revealed both the bitterness of life and the resilience to live.
"Master, we've arrived."
Lu Feng's voice came from outside.
The young man was now dressed in a neat short-sleeved outfit, a faded coarse cloth shirt, and stood ramrod straight, looking like a javelin by the cart shaft, particularly eye-catching.
Lu Cheng withdrew his gaze and did not rush to get out of the car.
He was lost in thought about his own kung fu.
To outsiders, he was the "shining light of Chinese martial arts," a god who could dodge bullets, and a tyrant who could take down a chariot with a single spear thrust.
The storyteller in the teahouse had already begun crafting his tales, while the newsboy shouted at the top of his lungs, "Master Lu defeats a powerful enemy in the rainy night!"
Only he himself knew the truth perfectly.
The rewards given by the system are substantial in quantity.
With a total of seventy years of refined internal energy cultivation, plus his previous foundation, the blood and qi in his body are now like the Yellow River bursting its banks, surging and flowing endlessly.
However, with the water level rising, the river channel appeared narrower.
"Xingyiquan —"
Lu Cheng murmured softly.
I remember back in the Qingyun troupe, when I was still a junior apprentice who hadn't graduated, there was a master craftsman in the troupe who was specifically responsible for looking after the handles of knives and spears.
His surname was Na, and he was a Manchu.
It is said that his ancestors were also guards of the Plain Yellow Banner.
The old man was usually unassuming, always huddled in a corner backstage with a gourd in his arms, his blue cotton gown always faded from washing and the cuffs were frayed.
Only Lu Cheng was willing to buy him wine and listen to him recount those old, trivial palace stories.
How Emperor Xianfeng hunted, how Emperor Tongzhi walked his birds, and how the Empress Dowager listened to operas.
When the old man spoke with great enthusiasm, his eyes would light up, as if he had returned to the long-collapsed Forbidden City.
Before leaving, the old man said he was going to Tianjin to visit relatives, but in reality, he wanted to bury his old bones next to his ancestral grave.
On the night before he left, he called Lu Cheng to a corner backstage and, by the dim light of a half-burnt lamp, taught him a couple of moves.
One hand is in the shape of a bear, and the other is in the shape of a tiger.
"Kid, our Xingyi Quan emphasizes the Five Elements and Twelve Forms."
"The Five Elements are splitting, collapsing, drilling, cannoning, and horizontal; they are the mother fist, the root. The Twelve Forms are dragon, tiger, monkey, horse, alligator, rooster, hawk, swallow, snake, platform, eagle, and bear; they are variations, the branches and leaves."
"I, an old man, am not fortunate enough to have mastered the Tiger and Bear Forms.
"The tiger pounces on its prey, seeking that overwhelming, murderous aura. The bear stands tall, cultivating that earth-shaking, clumsy strength."
"It's like performing in an opera; you can't just play the good cop, you also have to play the bad cop."
"The way to achieve the perfect balance of strength and gentleness is to follow the great path."
"Remember, the fist isn't thrown out, it grows outward, like a tree sprouting, like water overflowing a dam."
The old master's words still echoed in my ears.
Over the past six months, Lu Cheng has relied on the power of the system's empowerment and the divine intent of the [White Tiger Carrying Corpse Diagram] to cultivate these two forms to the point where there is "no further progress."
A tiger pounces like lightning, a bear charges like a mountain.
The Bear Lord is calm and composed. He has cultivated a powerful, integrated strength that forms the foundation upon which he stands firm and can withstand blows.
The tiger is a ruthless beast, its essence being a ferocious predator, like a roof beam, allowing it to attack fiercely and tear people apart.
With these two forms and the system's support, he was indeed able to roam freely in Beijing.
Whether in the south or north of the city, who wouldn't give a thumbs up when the name "Master Lu" is mentioned?
But now, with different perspectives and horizons, our shortcomings have become apparent.
"Steel cannot last, and softness cannot be maintained."
Lu Cheng closed his eyes and tapped his fingers lightly on his knees.
"While bears and tigers are fierce, they lack agility and adaptability." The bear's form is too clumsy, and the tiger's form too straightforward; they lack a certain fluid and graceful spirit.
"If you encounter a true grandmaster, like Mr. Sun Lutang that night, he has mastered the Twelve Forms, his movements are like a swimming dragon, and his attacks are like lightning."
"After I've used up all my strength, I'm afraid I won't even be able to touch the hem of their clothes."
Lu Cheng knew this perfectly well.
"Transformation into Strength—that is the cultivation of the spirit, the complete elimination of all leakage in the body. The pores open and close freely, not even mosquitoes or flies can land, not even a feather can be added."
"I now possess seventy years of internal energy cultivation, which is more than enough. In fact, it can be said that there are few people in this world with more internal energy than me."
"But while it's thick, it's not pure enough," and not vibrant enough."
"To cross that threshold, quantity alone is not enough; everything must be complete. It's like brewing wine: no matter how much grain you have, without yeast and time to settle, it won't become good wine."
"Only when the five elements are united and the twelve forms are perfected can one reach the true limit of the human body and become the foundation of a true immortal on land."
If only the lineage of Xingyi Quan could be completed—
A hint of anticipation flashed in Lu Cheng's eyes.
But good things don't just fall from the sky; behind this inheritance lies a heavy burden.
His current combat strength relies on the cheating of his "eagle eyes" and his brute force.
The eyes can see through illusions, and the strength is so great that it can pull up nine oxen backwards, but these are ultimately "cheat codes," not one's own "kung fu."
If you can master all the skills, then you will be truly invincible.
Only then, with a balance of strength and gentleness, and harmony between inner and outer qualities, will one truly possess the demeanor of a master.
Just then, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
The chestnut horse pulling the cart snorted and exhaled a cloud of white mist.
An old man selling candied hawthorns on the street corner was calling out, "Candied hawthorns!" in a drawn-out voice.
Lu Cheng lifted the curtain and stepped out of the car.
The moment his foot touched the bluestone slab, he clearly felt all eyes on him converge.
There was awe and curiosity in that gaze.
There was also a hint of inexplicable anticipation.
People in chaotic times always long for a hero.
At the entrance of the Simin Martial Arts Club, the two extinguished lanterns that had been extinguished by the rain have been replaced with new ones. However, the deep knife mark on the door frame, which had just been smoothed out with tung oil putty by the craftsman, still exudes a fresh wood smell.
The lively atmosphere of practicing boxing with "hum and ha" sounds that used to be there is gone.
Lu Cheng stepped over the repaired high threshold.
This time, no one dared to let him "climb over the wall" again, and no one dared to block his way.
The disciples on both sides stood with their hands at their sides, their eyes fixed on the young master in white robes with fervent gazes.
The look in his eyes was as if he were watching his family's ancestral master manifest.
There was another person standing at the bottom of the steps.
Huo Ziping.
This once arrogant and haughty senior brother seems like a completely different person now.
-
He was wearing a faded mourning outfit, the one for his fellow disciples who died that night. Although his face was still somewhat sickly pale, his eyes were very calm.
His arm was still wrapped in bandages, which had been broken by Nalan Yuanshu's palm strike and hadn't fully healed yet.
When Lu Cheng got out of the car, Huo Ziping did not bow with his hands clasped as usual.
Instead, he straightened his clothes, then bent his knees and knelt firmly on the bluestone slab.
"Thump!"
That kowtow was truly solid.
"Huo Ziping, an unworthy disciple of the Simin Martial Arts Society, respectfully welcomes Grandmaster Lu."
His voice was a little hoarse, but it conveyed a deep-seated reverence.
That was respect for the strong, and also fear for the savior.
Lu Cheng did not flinch; he was entitled to this courtesy.
But he didn't put on airs. He took a few steps forward, stretched out a hand, and supported Huo Ziping's elbow.
Get up.
Lu Cheng's grip was gentle, yet he managed to lift Huo Ziping up.
"We're all martial arts practitioners; our knees are for kneeling before heaven and earth, not for kneeling before people."
"Uncle-Master Lu————"
Huo Ziping looked up, his eyes reddening.
The scene from that night became his lifelong nightmare, and also the most indelible miracle in his heart.
That broken spear pierced through Wanyan Lie, who was at the half-step Transformation Realm.
That figure in white stood like a god or demon in the rainy night.
From that moment on, the pride in his heart was crushed to pieces.
"Master is waiting inside, and so is Elder Le." Huo Ziping wiped his face, stepped aside to lead the way, and bent down.
As soon as I entered the second gate, I heard a burst of hearty laughter.
"Haha, I knew Brother Lu was a man of his word, he always keeps his promises."
Third Master Li.
The owner of the Iron Fist Gym was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding a purple clay teapot in his hand, his face glowing.
Upon seeing Lu Cheng enter, Third Master Li jumped up with surprising agility, unlike a man nearing sixty.
"Master Lu, you've finally arrived."
Third Master Li came forward, lowering his voice, his face showing a mixture of flattery and smugness.
"You handled yesterday's matter beautifully."
"The moment Chiba's head fell to the ground, the sky over our southern city brightened up by a third."
Lu Cheng looked at this seasoned veteran and smiled.
"Third Master, thank you for that night."
Lu Cheng was referring to that night when Shunzi and Lu Feng ran out to seek help.
If it weren't for Master Li's mediation, using his own hidden connections to persuade the two great masters, Sun Lutang and Shang Yunxiang, to come.
Even if Lu Cheng were made of iron, he probably wouldn't have been able to protect such a large organization as the Simin Martial Arts Club that night, let alone escape unscathed.
To be able to mobilize one's connections and even swallow one's pride to ask the reclusive grandmasters Sun Lutang and Shang Yunxiang to come out of seclusion and save the day in such a critical moment—this favor is of utmost importance.
Although this Master Li's martial arts skills were limited to the hidden strength level, his character and conduct had reached the level of the transformed strength level.
"Oh dear, you flatter me with such words."
Master Li waved his hands repeatedly, his face crinkling with laughter, a smile that reflected the glory of being recognized by a grandmaster.
"We are family."
"That's because Shunzi is a clever kid; he knew to run to my place. As soon as I saw this, I knew something big was going to happen."
"Although I, Li Tieshou, am of meager skill, my eyesight is still sharp enough to know who the true god of our martial arts world is."
"Those two senior figures only agreed to come out of seclusion because they heard of your reputation."
"Besides, the martial arts world is one family. Those barbarians from beyond the Great Wall and the Japanese devils have ganged up on us and come to our doorstep. If I were to cower in fear, wouldn't all my decades of martial arts training have been for nothing? Even if I can't win, it's only right that I shout a few times."
Li Sanye's words were half true and half false, but they were full of human warmth.
This is the world of martial arts.
A sedan chair carried by people. No ambiguity on matters of principle.
Lu Cheng didn't point it out, but simply patted Master Li on the shoulder, remembering this favor.
"Let's go in and see Old Han."
The inner hall, the bedroom.
A rich medicinal aroma wafted over, the scent of century-old ginseng blended with angelica and astragalus, so invigorating that just one whiff was enough to lift your spirits.
Old Master Han lay on the bed, his face sallow, like a dried orange peel.
His once robust frame now looked somewhat emaciated, huddled under the covers.
But his eyes were still frighteningly bright.
"Brother Lu is here."
Grandpa Han struggled to get up.
"Don't move."
Beside him, the old man, Mr. Le, who was administering acupuncture, held him down and turned to look at Lu Cheng. A relieved smile appeared on his thin and refined face.
"Master Lu, you've come at just the right time."
"The old man's life has been saved, but his breath has dissipated too quickly."
"I used gold needles to lock his heart meridian, but the stagnant blood in the meridians and the insidious force that the Japanese injected are still hidden in the crevices of his bones."
"If I can't expel it, I'm afraid my body won't make it through this winter."
Although Mr. Le was a renowned physician, he was not a martial artist. He could only treat the symptoms of the injuries caused by internal martial arts, not the root cause.
Lu Cheng nodded without saying a word.
He took off his riding jacket and casually handed it to Lu Feng behind him.
He walked to the bedside, reached out, and placed his hand on Old Master Han's wrist pulse point.
"Buzz—"
A thought crossed my mind.
The [Toad-Catching Strength] within his body vibrated slightly, and a warm, mellow, and seemingly life-giving internal energy slowly probed into Old Master Han's body through his fingertips.
Upon this inquiry, Lu Cheng's brows furrowed slightly.
chaos.
It's too messy.
The meridians in Grandpa Han's body were like riverbeds that had been washed away by a flood, with broken walls and ruins everywhere.
Moreover, between those broken meridians, there was a cold, sticky force, which was the sword energy left by Yagyu Shizuku and the bear force left by Wanyan Lie.
These two strange streams of true energy, like stubborn holdouts, lingered stubbornly near the dantian and heart meridian, devouring the old man's life force.
"Bear with it."
Lu Cheng said softly.
next second.
A golden glint flashed in his eyes.
[Sharp Eyes] activated, allowing for in-depth internal observation.
"Gu-gua-gua-"
A muffled croak of a frog exploded within him.
Fifty years of refined internal energy, activated instantly.
If Lu Cheng had previously used a trickle of water to treat Ah Bing's eyes and cleanse his disciple's marrow, then he had used a trickle of water.
So this time, he used the Yangtze River!
"boom!"
A massive surge of heat, flowing from Lu Cheng's palm, forcefully yet precisely rushed into Old Master Han's body.
"Hmm!"
Old Master Han shuddered, his face flushed instantly, and he clenched his teeth, clearly enduring immense pain.
But the shock in his eyes was more than the pain.
He's an expert.
He practiced Xingyi Quan his whole life, and even developed hidden strength, and even touched the edge of neutralizing strength.
But he had never seen such terrifying internal energy.
That's not anger.
That's mercury!
Heavy, viscous, vast and boundless, indestructible.
As soon as this force entered, the foreign true energy that had been entrenched in his body was like snow meeting the sun; it didn't even have a chance to resist and was instantly washed away.
Even the atrophied meridians were forcibly stretched open and nourished by this force.
"What kind of kung fu is this?!"
A tremendous wave of emotion surged through Old Master Han's heart.
"This is not hidden strength at all. Even Sun Lutang's Transformation Strength is not as powerful and domineering as this."
"This is practically like—the 'elixir energy' that only a grandmaster like the 'Embracing the Elixir' can cultivate!"
"Is this Lu Cheng—human or immortal?"
Although Mr. Le, who was standing to the side, could not see the intricacies of the matter, he could see the outward appearance.
Above Lu Cheng's head, a faint white mist rose, gathering but not dissipating, like an auspicious cloud.
Meanwhile, Old Master Han's complexion was visibly changing from sallow to rosy, and his previously weak breathing was becoming deep and powerful.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
"call----"
Lu Cheng withdrew his hand and exhaled a long breath.
The breath he exhaled carried a faint, fishy odor, the result of toxins being expelled from Old Master Han's body.
"alright."
Lu Cheng took a hot towel and wiped his hands, his expression unchanged, without even taking a deep breath.
This skill, honed over sixty years, is truly remarkable.
In the past, rescuing people would have been exhausting. Now? It's a piece of cake.
"Thank you so much, Brother Lu."
Grandpa Han felt as if he had just returned from the brink of death, feeling relaxed all over, and even feeling a trace of warmth in his long-dried dantian.
He struggled to get out of bed to bow.
"Don't move."
Lu Cheng held him down.
"His life was saved, but his martial arts skills—are definitely gone."
"This is the will of Heaven, and human effort cannot defy it."
Old Master Han's eyes dimmed for a moment, then he seemed relieved.
"Let it go if it's over."
"I'm content to have survived and to see the Simin Martial Arts Club's signboard still standing."
He looked at Lu Cheng with a resolute look in his eyes.
"Brother Lu."
"What I said in the previous post was not just polite talk."
"This Xingyi School, this banner in Beiping, will henceforth be handed over to you."
"Ziping is a talented kid, but he doesn't have the shoulders to bear this burden."
As he spoke, Old Master Han shakily pulled a small sandalwood box from under his pillow.
The box is opened.
There was no gold or silver jewelry inside.
There was only one yellowed, thread-bound book, with four powerful characters written on the cover: "[Form and Meaning True Interpretation]".
There is also a seal made of black iron, engraved with a tiger descending a mountain.
That's the seal of the head instructor of the Simin Martial Arts Association.
"This book is a boxing manual handwritten by Grandmaster Liu Dekuan."
"It contains the training methods, fighting methods, and performance methods of Xingyi Five Elements Boxing, as well as the true meaning of the Twelve Forms."
"Especially the 'Dragon Form' and 'Monkey Form,' those are unique skills that our patriarch gleaned from Baguazhang and Taijiquan, and are the closely guarded secrets of our lineage."
Grandpa Han pushed the box in front of Lu Cheng, his eyes filled with eagerness.
>