Superior

Backyard.

The moment he stepped into the backyard, a thick, pungent smell of medicine rushed at him.

Chen Qing walked outside the training room and cupped his hands. "Master."

"Come in."

Zhou Liang's voice came from inside.

Chen Qing answered and pushed open the door. The training room was furnished with all sorts of equipment—sandbags and weapon racks.

Dressed in short white training clothes, Zhou Liang was wiping the sweat from his brow with a towel.

He looked at Chen Qing with approval in his eyes. "Not bad. This was your first time taking the Martial Arts Examination, yet you earned the title of Martial Scholar. Your Tongbei Fist has reached major mastery already, hasn't it?"

Chen Qing clasped his fists. "Master, your judgment is keen. This disciple did indeed break through to major mastery some time ago."

"Good."

Zhou Liang nodded in satisfaction.

Though the disciple before him was somewhat lacking in natural physique, his comprehension far surpassed that of ordinary people.

He then checked Chen Qing's progress in tempering Hidden Strength.

Zhou Liang said solemnly, "There are still a year and a half before the Martial Champion examination. From now on, you must temper your Qi and Blood until Hidden Strength flows through your entire body. Pay particular attention to the Baihui Acupoint and Yongquan Acupoint. Those two acupoints are the hardest to open. The sooner you reach perfection in Hidden Strength, the easier it will be to unite Bright Strength and Hidden Strength—and the greater your chances of breaking through to Transformation Force."

At this point, Zhou Liang spoke with earnest gravity. "The essence of my Tongbei Fist lies in Bright Strength, Hidden Strength, and Transformation Force. And Transformation Force is the most difficult of all."

Bright Strength counted as one's first step into the martial path. In the county, it was enough to earn oneself a way to survive.

Hidden Strength, however, was already extraordinary. Even in certain great powers, one could serve as a minor leader; in the eyes of ordinary people, such a person stood high above them.

As for Transformation Force, one could be considered among Gaolin County's foremost experts. Even powers such as the five great clans and two major gangs would treat such a person as an honored guest and spare no effort to recruit them.

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Qing asked, "Master, this disciple is dull-witted and does not understand how Bright Strength and Hidden Strength are fused. What, exactly, is so wondrous about Transformation Force?"

This was the perfect chance, so naturally he voiced the doubts in his heart.

To learn a craft was to take the initiative to learn it.

After all, plenty of people even resorted to stealing knowledge.

"Bright Strength is fierce and forceful, its momentum overwhelming; Hidden Strength is soft and yielding, yet it can pierce straight into the lungs and organs. Transformation Force takes their essence and fuses it into one, stressing seamless harmony, where one may release or withdraw force as one wills."

Zhou Liang took a deep breath, and his gaze suddenly sharpened. "Watch carefully!"

Before his words had faded, he lightly turned his wrist and threw a punch through the air at a wooden post more than a zhang away.

The punch made no sound, yet Chen Qing's hair stood on end in an instant, an icy chill piercing straight to his bones.

The wooden post's surface remained completely intact, but its interior had already shattered inch by inch into powder.

Airborne Wood Shattering!

Chen Qing's pupils contracted as shock surged through him.

Compared to Bright Strength's violent force and Hidden Strength's insidious damage, this method was indeed far more profound.

"Transformation Force is complicated, with countless subtleties within it. If you ever have the chance to reach Transformation Force, you will understand it yourself then."

Zhou Liang glanced at Chen Qing and reminded him, "What matters most for you now is tempering your Hidden Strength to perfection."

"Yes, this disciple will remember." Chen Qing answered solemnly.

Zhou Liang turned around, took a dark-colored cowhide scroll from a nearby cabinet, and handed it over. "Keep this safe. If you encounter any difficulties, come ask me at any time."

"This is...?" Chen Qing accepted it with both hands. It felt slightly heavy.

"The Internal Force Fundamentals Diagram of Tongbei Fist."

Zhou Liang slowly said, "It records in detail the fundamental principles behind the circulation and transformations of force in the fist art, as well as its unique secret methods for tempering Internal Force."

Chen Qing's heart stirred at this.

Zhou Liang had not said much, but Chen Qing understood perfectly well how important this Internal Force Fundamentals Diagram was.

It recorded the essence of force conversion between moves, offering unimaginable benefits in practical combat.

Thinking back on it now, several moves he had not understood during practice were closely related to this Fundamentals Diagram.

Just as expected!

Chen Qing had long anticipated that Zhou Liang must have some hidden treasure kept at the bottom of his chest.

Could paying a few taels of silver in tuition every month really let one learn the true inheritance?

"Though my Tongbei Fist is not a superior martial art, comprehending this diagram is enough to place it among the ranks of mid-grade martial arts." There was a trace of pride in Zhou Liang's voice.

Chen Qing followed up, "May I ask, Master, what counts as a superior martial art?"

"Superior martial arts..."

Zhou Liang's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing longing. "Their principles are exquisitely subtle, their power extraordinary. They also involve the path of Internal Cultivation—arts Above Transforming Strength. Ordinary people without a Family Inheritance have only one way to learn the methods of Internal Cultivation: earn the title of Martial Champion, then enter a sect."

At the mention of "Internal Cultivation," Zhou Liang's expression became complicated and unreadable.

Earn the title of Martial Champion, then enter a sect!?

Chen Qing's heart also grew hot at the words.

He had heard a little about Internal Cultivation before. It was mysterious beyond mystery, capable of nourishing the body and extending one's lifespan. Only then could one be said to have touched upon the true profundities of the martial path.

"Master, Mr. Sima from Qing Nang Hall has arrived."

Just as Chen Qing was about to ask further about Internal Cultivation, Sun Shun, a disciple outside the door, announced his arrival.

Zhou Liang waved a hand. "Go back first. Study that Internal Force Fundamentals Diagram. The sooner you reach perfection in Hidden Strength, the better your chances will be at your third attempt to break through."

Chen Qing cupped his hands and took his leave.

As he exited the room, he happened to see Sun Shun leading an elderly man carrying a purple sandalwood medicine chest, dressed in a black robe, hurriedly into the backyard. Zhou Liang had already gone forward swiftly and respectfully invited him into the room.

Qing Nang Hall?

The foremost medicine hall in Gaolin County.

It seemed his master truly spared no expense to treat Qin Lie.

Expressionless, Chen Qing returned to the front courtyard and continued training.

He had to seize every possible moment to cultivate and reach Transformation Force as soon as he could.

Evening.

The disciples in the courtyard gradually dispersed.

Chen Qing wiped the sweat from his body, left the Zhou Family Martial Academy, and headed for the River Bureau.

The River Bureau's government office was cold and deserted, with only sparse figures in sight.

"Old Li, what happened?"

Chen Qing stopped Old Li, who was hurrying along.

"Ah, something big happened during these days of the Martial Arts Examination!"

Old Li looked around and lowered his voice. "Ning Shi, the Chai Gang's leader, died suddenly! Wangyuan Escort Agency also had a heavily guarded escort shipment robbed. The casualties were severe, and they were badly crippled!"

He leaned closer, his voice becoming nearly inaudible. "Before the Commandant returned wounded, Gang Leader Ning and Chief Escort Liu of Wangyuan Escort Agency were among the most attentive to him..."

The Commandant had been injured, and then the forces under his command were purged.

The connection was obvious for all to see.

Such thunderous methods, linked ring by ring—within Gaolin County, there were only a handful capable of them.

Let them fight. As long as it doesn't affect me, that's enough.

Chen Qing then asked, "Where's Boss?"

"Boss Cheng?"

Old Li shook his head. "Haven't seen him for days. Who knows what he's busy with."

Inside the side room.

The dense smell of medicine had nearly solidified into something tangible, pungent and unbearable.

Qin Lie lay on the bed, his face pale as paper. Dark red stains seeped through the bandages wrapped around his body.

Zhou Liang pushed open the door and entered. "Mr. Sima has left. He prescribed a formula and said there is hope."

"Hope?"

Qin Lie excitedly tried to prop himself up. Agonizing pain struck, and cold sweat instantly covered his forehead, but he endured it and tightly grabbed Zhou Liang's sleeve. "Master! I want to get better! I want to stand up! I want to practice martial arts again! Master, you must have a way—you have to think of something! I can't become crippled, I can't!"

"Your injuries are too severe. Rest and recuperate in peace for now."

Zhou Liang pressed him down and said solemnly, "Take your medicine on time. The chances of recovery... are not low."

"Chances?"

Bloodshot veins filled Qin Lie's eyes, and his voice carried a sob. "Master, look at me! Look at what kind of ghostly state I'm in now! A useless cripple lying here waiting to die!"

He stared fixedly at Zhou Liang as though clutching his last straw. "Master, I am your hope for holding your head high! Your only hope! Please save me! No matter what method you use! No matter how much it costs! No matter whom you must find! As long as I can recover, as long as I can clench my fist again, I'm willing to do anything! Master... I'm begging you!!"

His plea, every word weeping blood and tearing at the heart, was like a heavy hammer smashing viciously into Zhou Liang's chest, choking off even his breath.

"Rest assured!"

Zhou Liang gripped Qin Lie's hand tightly in return, his gaze resolute. "As your master, I will certainly do everything in my power. This medicine is that thread of life. Even if there is only the faintest chance, I will never give up."

Looking into the resolve in his master's eyes, Qin Lie nodded heavily. "All right, Master. I'll drink it! I will get better. I definitely will!"