Body Tempering Technique

Qingshan County had enjoyed peace for a long time.

The Wang Family Massacre Case was too major, its impact too vile.

For months, people in the streets and alleys had been talking about it almost nonstop.

It was under such circumstances that Chen Mu became known to everyone.

They learned that he possessed exquisite painting skills, that the portraits he painted were indistinguishable from the real person. That was how criminals had exploited him, attempting to mystify the public by disguising themselves as Malevolent Spirits and causing trouble.

And then, for some reason, his business started booming.

As if everyone had planned it beforehand.

Every few days, someone came knocking and asked him to paint a portrait.

Mm, a posthumous portrait...

Chen Mu suffered and rejoiced at the same time.

He had initially gone into this hoping to paint pretty young ladies.

But now, it was either old men or old women!

And they even demanded that he paint them a little more attractively.

He could only go against his conscience and paint them younger. Ancient Photoshop techniques, that was what this was.

Business only grew better and better, while pretty young ladies grew further and further away.

As he counted the hundred-odd taels of silver in the Clay Pot, Chen Mu felt both satisfied and regretful.

They might not have been pleasing to the eye, but these old men and women were truly rich!

They spent lavishly. Not one of them paid less than ten taels of silver.

No wonder Old Man Yan had wanted to suppress him.

High-end portrait painting really was profitable!

"It's time to find somewhere to learn martial arts."

Chen Mu had never forgotten how Constable Lu could cover five or six meters in a single step.

Nor had he forgotten the tragic Wang Family Massacre Case.

Whether for his own interest or for safety, learning martial arts was imperative.

He first spent three days visiting the Martial Arts Schools in the East and West Markets.

The conclusion left him half pleased and half worried.

The Martial Arts Schools did indeed teach martial arts. Study for two or three years, and three to five people would not be able to get close.

But such kung fu definitely could not deal with Constable Lu.

To put it specifically, what these Martial Arts Schools taught was like the muscles and Sanda trained in modern gyms.

What Constable Lu practiced was more like the internal arts from wuxia novels, allowing one to soar high and dart about.

"Looks like I still have to ask Constable Lu." Chen Mu pondered.

Of all the people whose portraits he had painted, the highest in status was probably the father of the Qingshan County Magistrate.

He had also promised to paint a portrait of an Elder from the County Lieutenant's family in two days.

Though those connections were slight, they would most likely make Constable Lu tell him the truth.

He had no intention of learning Constable Lu's family martial arts.

He only wanted the man to point him toward a clear path.

Among all the Martial Arts Schools in Qingshan County, he wanted him to choose a reliable teacher for him. Someone from whom he could learn real martial arts.

"Young Master Chen wishes to learn martial arts?" Constable Lu looked at Chen Mu in surprise.

He knew that Chen Mu's paintings had become wildly popular among old men and women.

With such a good livelihood, why would he want to endure hardship learning martial arts?

"Mainly for self-defense," Chen Mu answered truthfully.

Constable Lu understood. He recalled the scene when he had first summoned Chen Mu to the County Office.

If he had not intervened, Chen Mu would certainly have been extorted and forcibly robbed by those two hooligans.

"There are Martial Arts Schools in both the East and West Markets. Young Master Chen can find one with a strong reputation and study there. Practice for a year or half a year, and it will be enough for self-defense," Constable Lu suggested.

Chen Mu gave a chuckle. "I want to learn something real."

Constable Lu understood. "It seems Young Master Chen wishes to learn a Body Tempering Technique."

A Body Tempering Technique? What was that? No matter what it was, nodding was the right move!

After hesitating for a moment, Constable Lu said, "The masters of Martial Arts Schools all know Body Tempering Techniques, but they will not pass them on to outsiders. If Young Master Chen wants to learn a Body Tempering Technique, going to a Martial Arts School would instead be a waste of time."

Chen Mu nodded vigorously.

That was precisely why he had come to Constable Lu—to see whether there was a way to immediately learn real kung fu.

"I do know of a route, but it will cost some money," Constable Lu said after thinking for a moment.

"As long as it's the real thing, I'm not afraid of spending money," Chen Mu said eagerly.

"Then come with me." Constable Lu nodded knowingly and led Chen Mu out of the County Office.

Shengye Ward, west of the city

Following Constable Lu through twists and turns, Chen Mu arrived outside a private residence.

"This man's surname is Sheng, given name Hong. He was originally a Yamen Runner in the constabulary, but later retired due to age."

"He has no sons or daughters and does not care whether his martial arts are passed on. As long as you can afford it, he will teach."

"The great clans in the city have even paid him to help train their Guards."

Chen Mu immediately felt reassured.

"He's the one who wants to learn martial arts?" Sheng Hong eyed Chen Mu critically. "Let me make this clear first. I'm only responsible for teaching. Whether you can learn it or not is none of my concern."

Chen Mu was instantly dumbfounded.

Was this man trying to swindle him out of money?

"These are the rules here." Sheng Hong said expressionlessly.

Chen Mu turned to look at Constable Lu. Seeing him nod, Chen Mu suddenly felt at a loss.

"Still want to learn?" Sheng Hong asked blandly.

After thinking for a long while, Chen Mu gritted his teeth. "I do!"

"Bring a hundred taels of silver tomorrow. I'll only teach for seven days." Having said that, Sheng Hong waved them away.

Chen Mu's face immediately darkened.

A hundred taels of silver for seven days of teaching, and he would only teach without guaranteeing he learned it. Even the determination he had just made wavered.

"My martial art is called the Red Falcon Body Tempering Technique. Its speed is incredibly swift. Once mastered, you can run faster than a galloping horse." Sheng Hong calmly introduced his martial art, clearly not for the first time.

"The Red Falcon Body Tempering Technique mainly has three forms: Dive, Dash, and Leap. It also comes with a Breathing Method and Secret Medicine."

"I will teach you everything within seven days. Whether you learn it or not depends on your own fortune."

Chen Mu could only nod obediently.

By the time he left Sheng Hong's home that afternoon, his head was filled with all kinds of footwork and moves, as well as the accompanying Breathing Method so complicated it made his scalp go numb.

And all that was only the Leaping Style of the Red Falcon Form Body Tempering. There were still the Dash and Dive forms to come.

Learn it within seven days? The thought alone made Chen Mu frustrated.

Had he been swindled?!

For six consecutive days, Chen Mu left early and returned late, plunging headfirst into the enormous pit that was the Red Falcon Body Tempering Technique. He studied and practiced diligently under Sheng Hong.

Today was the seventh day, and also the final day.

"I have already told you everything about the Red Falcon Body Tempering Technique. On this last day, ask whatever you do not understand. If you fail to remember clearly or practice it wrong, don't blame me." Sheng Hong sat beneath the shade of a tree, sipping tea with an air of serene composure.

What didn't he understand?

He didn't understand any of it, all right?!

Expecting a complete martial arts novice like him to master a structured and miraculous martial art in six days? Dream on?!

But there was nothing he could do. The money had already been paid. What else could he do?

He could only start from the beginning and ask bit by bit, having Sheng Hong demonstrate in person.

He no longer expected to master it. He only wanted to remember a little more, then return home and learn whatever move or half-move he could retain.

At dusk, Chen Mu walked out of Sheng Hong's home with an angry expression.

Those hundred taels of silver had been such a loss!

After seven days of bitter study, he had only watched the show. He had not even gotten started on a single move!

At Sheng Hong's home, Sheng Hong casually tossed a Small Cloth Bag to Constable Lu.

"Your fifty taels. Keep it."

Constable Lu naturally tucked it into the inner pocket of his sleeve. "Are you sure he'll come back?"

"I told him every last detail of the Red Falcon Body Tempering Technique. Tell me, which Martial Arts School in Qingshan County would teach like that?"

"As long as he truly wants to learn, he will definitely come back." Sheng Hong was brimming with confidence.

"This scholar is skilled with brush and ink. He can make money. You should control the pace well—don't let this cash cow run away," Constable Lu reminded him.

"How can a Body Tempering Technique be so easy to learn? He can't escape the palm of my hand." Sheng Hong said blandly. This was not his first time teaching. He knew perfectly well how to lead apprentices along.

As long as he pointed out just a tiny bit of the key each time and let them see a little progress, they would be unable to stop, growing more addicted the more they practiced.

In the end, all their family wealth would fall into his pocket.

This was far from the first time he had done it.

He glanced at Constable Lu. "Don't worry. I won't forget your share."

Constable Lu immediately nodded in satisfaction.

Watching Chen Mu casually make silver shine white with a sweep of his brush, he had long been envious.

He had originally intended to find a way to lure the man into a gambling addiction.

He had not expected Chen Mu to want to learn a Body Tempering Technique.

That had landed him right in their trap.

And it could not exactly be called a trap.

Paying to learn martial arts—one willing to pay, one willing to teach. No one could find fault with it.

They could take out the money openly and aboveboard!