As a martial artist, Xu Jingwu preferred stories like The Legend of the Condor Heroes, which brimmed with the hot-blooded passion of the martial world.
It was a thrilling tale. A few days earlier, after overhearing several gang members discussing it, his curiosity had been piqued, and he had been drawn right in.
Yet with only one storytelling session each day, it was never enough to satisfy him, giving him the idea to invite Lin Zheyu over to tell the stories in private.
***
Night had already deepened by the time Lin Zheyu returned home.
He ached all over, covered in bruises.
Master Liang had struck far too hard, pulling no punches whatsoever, leaving Lin Zheyu's face burning hot.
"My handsome face is ruined."
Applying medicine before a bronze mirror, Lin Zheyu couldn't help hissing in pain.
He washed up, then crawled exhaustedly into bed.
The several hours of combat drills with Master Liang had taken an immense toll on his physical strength, energy, and mental focus.
Yet Master Liang had acted as if nothing had happened, still full of vigor when Lin Zheyu departed.
Lin Zheyu couldn't help wondering what level of expert Master Liang truly was.
"I'll ask tomorrow morning, and inquire about the martial cultivation realms that come after as well,"
Lin Zheyu murmured to himself, before sinking deep into dreamland.
***
Just as dawn began to break, Lin Zheyu arrived early at Liang Song's house.
The medicine Master Liang had given him was truly miraculous. After applying it the night before, the pain was gone upon waking this morning, and the bruising on his face had vanished.
"Master, what realm comes after Viscera Tempering?" Lin Zheyu asked curiously.
"Well, I suppose I can tell you about it."
"On the path of martial arts, Flesh Tempering, Bone Tempering, and Viscera Tempering are merely the fundamentals, meant to lay a martial foundation. Only after completing Viscera Tempering can one begin deeper cultivation."
"After Viscera Tempering come Qi and Blood, Marrow Tempering, Jin Transformation, Grandmaster, and Martial Innate."
"On the martial path, Viscera Tempering is a major hurdle. Beyond it, every subsequent realm is a whole new world; a single realm's difference creates a gulf as wide as heaven and earth,"
Liang Song said, a hint of wistfulness in his voice.
Because of certain events in his earlier years, his right leg had been crippled, causing his martial progress to grind to a halt.
"Then what realm are you in now, Master?"
Lin Zheyu was intensely curious; he had always felt his master must be exceptionally formidable.
"Heh, I am in the Qi and Blood Realm. But due to old age and declining health, my cultivation has slipped somewhat." Liang Song shook his head, full of sighing regret.
Grandmaster, Martial Innate...
Lin Zheyu murmured under his breath, his heart stirred with yearning.
The might of a Martial Innate expert was surely unfathomable, perhaps transcending gods and ghosts.
Liang Song glanced at Lin Zheyu, unable to suppress a slight smile at his rapt expression.
"Don't aim too high too soon. Keep your feet firmly on the ground."
"The martial path is arduous beyond measure. Even reaching the Viscera Tempering Realm is enough to be considered a prominent expert here in Songyi City," Liang Song said.
"Yes, Master."
Lin Zheyu gathered his thoughts.
Taking off his outer coat and wearing only a snug vest, he stepped to the center of the courtyard and began practicing his boxing.
After half an hour of practice, Liang Song observed him closely, nodding in satisfaction.
"That will do."
"Next, I will teach you another technique."
"Wild Bull Fist is only a third-rate art. Even mastered to its peak, it will only carry you to the Viscera Tempering Realm."
"The technique I am about to teach you can be considered second-rate. If you can master it fully and push it to its absolute limit, your strength can reach the peak of Qi and Blood!"
Liang Song spoke with utmost seriousness.
In his eyes, only arts of second-rate or above could truly be counted as martial techniques.
A third-rate style like Wild Bull Fist could barely be called an art at all.
What he had taught others in the past had also been third-rate arts.
Only after witnessing Lin Zheyu's astonishing comprehension and talent had Liang Song felt a mentor's fondness, deciding to pass down another technique to him.
"Master, is the difference in strength between Viscera Tempering and Qi and Blood really that vast?" Lin Zheyu asked curiously.
Wild Bull Fist could be cultivated all the way to the peak of Viscera Tempering, yet Liang Song had spoken of it with obvious disdain.
In contrast, when speaking of an art that could lead directly to the peak of Qi and Blood, his tone had turned completely solemn.
"Naturally."
"Flesh Tempering, Bone Tempering, and Viscera Tempering are merely the foundation-building process, paving the way for the martial path. Cultivating to the peak of Viscera Tempering simply means that one's physique has reached the limit of ordinary mortals."
"Once you step into the Qi and Blood Realm, your strength undergoes an immense leap."
"What is the most crucial thing for a martial artist?"
Without waiting for Lin Zheyu to answer, Liang Song continued, "It is qi and blood!"
"Qi and blood are the very root of the body, the foundation of martial arts."
"Whether you wish to embark on the path of a Grandmaster or break through to Martial Innate, qi and blood are of paramount importance."
"Please enlighten me, Master," Lin Zheyu said respectfully, pouring a cup of tea for his master.
Pleased, Liang Song took the teacup and took a sip.
He continued, "Qi and blood are vital to the martial path. Through extensive study, our predecessors divided the Qi and Blood Realm into nine minor tiers."
"These nine tiers are also known as the Nine Transformations of Qi and Blood."
"If one can accomplish all Nine Transformations of Qi and Blood in the Qi and Blood Realm, making their blood thick as quicksilver and condensing a beacon smoke of qi and blood, then they will stand a tremendous chance of entering Grandmaster!"
Liang Song explained, his voice rich with yearning.
Then he shook his head. "However, completing the Nine Transformations of Qi and Blood is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Most martial artists can only achieve the first transformation."
"Even in my prime, I only ever cultivated my qi and blood to the third transformation," Liang Song said.
He shed his robe, revealing a sleeveless martial tunic, and walked to the center of the courtyard.
"What I will teach you next is the primary art I cultivate: the Golden Goose Skill."
"The Golden Goose Skill focuses on legwork, primarily mastering offensive techniques of the legs."
"Among all the parts of our body, the legs possess the greatest power and the most explosive force."
"Focusing on the legs, the Golden Goose Skill excels in speed and agility, allowing one to advance on the attack or retreat to defend."
"Yet it has a flaw: restricted by the fact that legs are less nimble than arms, while its offensive explosive force is immense, it lacks the dexterity of fists and palms."
"..."
Liang Song explained at an unhurried pace.
Having introduced the Golden Goose Skill, he began demonstrating and breaking down each stance move by move for Lin Zheyu.
Lin Zheyu learned with complete dedication, his comprehension sharp.
Liang Song was frankly mediocre when it came to instructing disciples, but fortunately, Lin Zheyu's comprehension and aptitude were strong enough that he quickly grasped whatever Liang Song meant.
The more Liang Song taught, the more satisfied he became.
Teaching a disciple with such remarkable comprehension gave him a wonderful instructing experience, creating the pleasant illusion that he was exceptionally gifted at teaching.
Chapter 22