Pondering the benefits of the Heavenly Demon Foundation Establishment Method, Chu Qiguang inquired in detail about what demonization actually entailed.
Qiao Zhi explained, "The shared history of humans and demons stretches back into antiquity. There were eras when humans ruled demons, and eras when demons ruled humans. Sometimes they slaughtered each other, and other times they coexisted in peace.
"Although the conflict between humans and demons is growing fiercer by the day, and any monster that shows its face in the Great Han Dynasty is instantly surrounded and hunted down, neither humans nor demons realize that they were originally one and the same. Each has long carried a part of the other. Demonization is merely the awakening of the demon bloodline's power that has existed within one's body all along."
Listening to Qiao Zhi's words, Chu Qiguang thought to himself, 'This sounds just like X-Men awakening some inherited superpower. Could it be that monsters and humans in this world actually share a common ancestor?'
Qiao Zhi muttered, "As the saying goes, within humans there are demons, and within demons there are humans. Called two distinct races, they are truly one body. Much like the dual poles of yin and yang, they can transform into each other. It was only after many years that you..."
At this point, Qiao Zhi abruptly stopped, then brushed it off casually: "Ah, well... In any case, regarding demonization, if it isn't too severe, I can still pull you back. If it goes too far, even I can't do anything."
Chu Qiguang noticed the cat's evasion and hesitation, but he did not point it out right away. Committing it to memory, he continued stroking the feline and asked, "In other words, Master Qiao, by using the Heavenly Demon Foundation Establishment Method, you can also cause someone to temporarily demonize?"
"Yes," Qiao Zhi urged. "Enough talk. You've completed your Heavenly Demon Foundation Establishment; what comes next is nourishment through food."
Led by Qiao Zhi, Chu Qiguang arrived at a clearing and saw chunks of fresh meat skewered on branches, suspended over a fire. Two feral cats turned the spits from either side, ensuring the meat cooked evenly.
Nearby, a monkey held a wooden pestle, rhythmically pounding away inside a stone basin and releasing waves of medicinal fragrance.
"What are you standing there gaping for? Your body has suffered too much depletion. On top of the Heavenly Demon Foundation Establishment Method, you need daily nourishment from food."
Having gone hungry day after day, Chu Qiguang stared fixedly at the roast meat. Swallowing his saliva, he rushed forward at once, uncaring of the scorching heat. Grabbing the roasted meat, he began devouring it, constantly shifting his grip to avoid burning his fingers as he panted and gulped it down.
Feeling the savory juices flow across his tongue and the rich aroma fill his nostrils, a profound sense of bliss welled up in his chest.
Qiao Zhi swatted Chu Qiguang's hand, snagged the meat with his teeth, and scolded him, "You're not allowed to eat so fast!"
"Remember this! When eating meat, you must chew thoroughly and swallow slowly so your stomach and intestines can fully digest and absorb it. These are all the subtle principles of conditioning the body, and you must practice them daily. The divide between people often accumulates from just such tiny differences over time."
Under Qiao Zhi's guidance, Chu Qiguang chewed every piece thoroughly before swallowing. Though the meat lacked any seasoning or salt, to him at this moment it was a peerless delicacy.
After finishing half a jin of meat, Chu Qiguang could not resist licking his fingers and lips, only for Qiao Zhi to call a halt: "Don't eat too much in one go. Next, I'll apply body-tempering ointment to your skin, circulate your qi and blood, and help you digest the meat and medicinal potency."
Chu Qiguang glanced at the remaining roast meat, licked his lips again, and asked, "Could I take whatever meat is left back home with me each day from now on?" He thought of Ergou's mother and sister, who were still going hungry at home.
When Qiao Zhi agreed, the corners of Chu Qiguang's mouth curved slightly upward. At last, they wouldn't have to starve.
Chu Qiguang then stripped off his clothes, raised both arms, and stood motionless in place.
Qiao Zhi extended his pink tongue to lick his paws and pads clean, dipped them into the medicinal paste the monkey had pounded, and began rubbing it over Chu Qiguang's body. Then, his cat paws blurred as he rhythmically struck Chu Qiguang from head to toe.
Qiao Zhi said, "Only with me beating you can external force be applied to circulate your qi, blood, and internal organs. The application of force and heat involved is exceedingly complex, so don't you dare go smacking yourself on your own."
With each strike from Qiao Zhi, Chu Qiguang felt as though his blood and intestines were churning faster. A refreshing, cool sensation seeped inward from the ointment on his skin, and under the vibrational impact of the cat's blows, his muscles, tendons, viscera, and bones were continuously strengthened.
Qiao Zhi said, "From now on, come to me every day to eat, receive the ointment, and let me beat you. It will help increase your physical strength and double the results of your martial arts practice with half the effort. It's a pity this wilderness ointment is rather low-grade. If we had the Hundred-Refined Ointment from the Demon Suppression Bureau to rub on you, the effects would be even better."
After finishing the strikes from head to toe, Qiao Zhi looked noticeably exhausted and lethargic. The cat curled into a ball, opened his jaws wide in a yawn, and looked ready to fall asleep at any moment.
Chu Qiguang offered another round of gratitude and flattery before asking curiously, "Master, what is this Demon Suppression Bureau you just mentioned? Is their Hundred-Refined Ointment very formidable?"
With his eyes half-closed, Qiao Zhi answered slowly, "The Son of Heaven of the Great Han Dynasty commands the Imperial Heavenly Guards, which oversees three bureaus: Heavenly Execution, Demon Suppression, and Evil Pacification. The Demon Suppression Bureau specifically handles demon-related matters concerning government officials. In comparison to Daoist temples, the bureau manages the court while the temples manage the populace, though both bear the duty of slaying demons.
"As for the Hundred-Refined Ointment, that was a formula specially developed for the Demon Suppression Bureau by the Heavenly Master Sect."
Chu Qiguang asked again, "And what is this Heavenly Master Sect?"
Qiao Zhi explained, "The Heavenly Master Sect is the state religion of the Great Han Dynasty. Every Daoist temple under heaven falls under their jurisdiction. Of the Twenty-Five Orthodox Arts, their sect alone claims three, and they command the realm's foremost elixir-refining arts.
"The Hundred-Refined Ointment they developed is said to use over twenty medicinal ingredients, including fulong clay, five-colored stone, figwort root, red sage, and purple ginseng, prepared with the Heavenly Master Sect's exclusive refining methods. Applied to the body before practicing martial arts, it solidifies the flesh and condenses qi and blood. Even someone with the poorest aptitude can step into the first martial realm so long as they persist in using it."
Forcing himself to stay awake, Qiao Zhi then began formally instructing Chu Qiguang in martial arts. Under the cat demon's direction, Chu Qiguang adopted stance after stance, throwing punches and kicking to build his physical strength while integrating the power of his upper and lower body.
"This is the introductory fist technique of the Heavenly Master Sect, called the Heavenly Spirit Body Tempering Fist. It's best suited for beginners to unite their strength and develop physical vigor. Most importantly, even after this fist technique leaked out, the Heavenly Master Sect never bothered to restrict it.
"Once you can whip a punch through the air and produce an explosive snap, it means both your physical strength and your force delivery are in place. That will be the first realm.
"Although you possess the aptitude of a banished immortal, martial arts are not like cultivating the Dao. Cultivating the Dao is purely a mental endeavor that can change in an instant, whereas step-by-step tempering and nourishing of the physical body requires a long time.
"What's more, your body suffered too much depletion in the past. Even with the Heavenly Demon Foundation Establishment Method, it will likely take two or three months of training before you can break through to the first realm."
Qiao Zhi shook his head and sighed. "What a pity. If you could use Hundred-Refined Ointment during your daily practice, with your talent, you could probably step into the first martial realm in seven or eight days at most."
Chu Qiguang asked, "Is this Hundred-Refined Ointment very hard to obtain?"
Chapter 15