Bone Setting

Bone Setting

"Wang Gang, elder of the Iron Sword Sect, master of Tiger's Roar Fist, renowned martial arts grandmaster, president of the Miro City Martial Arts Association, deputy leader of the Miro City Special Operations Group, Level 3 Warrior..."

Baili Qingfeng closed his eyes, replaying in his mind his brief clashes with Jiang Ziheng and the Sturdy Man.

The Sturdy Man aside, he had killed him with a single strike. But in his battle against Jiang Ziheng, he had relied on the Manifestation power of the Thunder Sovereign Visualization Method. Had he not visualized the Ancient Thunder Beast and cowed Jiang Ziheng's mind, that battle...

Would have been very difficult.

Even if he had won through his astonishing physical strength, his injuries would have been severe.

Severe enough...

That he would likely have needed three or four days to recover.

"Only by practicing the Rushing Thunder Thirty-Six Forms four times within ten minutes can one's physique rival that of a Level 3 Warrior. Furthermore, one must complete Qi Refining Blood Renewal, making the blood within one's body denser; unite essence and qi, unite spirit and qi, nourish the mind—only then does one count as a true Level 3 Warrior..."

So, if he wanted to deal with Wang Gang...

He had to keep training!

Without delay, Baili Qingfeng once again visualized the Ancient Thunder Beast and cultivated the Thunder Sovereign Spirit Refining Method.

The next day, Baili Qingfeng was still practicing his swordsmanship in the courtyard.

At around ten o'clock, Baili Tianxing rode his motorcycle to Baili Qingfeng's home. He carefully glanced upstairs. "Your father went to work?"

"Yes."

"Qingfeng, come with me to the courtyard. Your Second Grandfather wants to see you."

"Second Grandfather has been discharged?"

"He has. He can't wait to see you."

"Alright."

Baili Qingfeng followed Baili Tianxing out, heading toward Sanshun Town.

Sanshun Town lay at the junction of town and countryside, only five or six kilometers from Baili Qingfeng's home. The bus ride took half an hour, but on a motorcycle, taking the small paths in a straight line, it only took ten or twenty minutes.

"My precious grandson is here! Hahaha, come, come, Qingfeng, let Grandpa have a look at you."

The moment Baili Qingfeng arrived, Baili Changkong, who had heard the motorcycle, came out from inside with a beaming smile. Baili Ruoshui followed behind him. "Grandpa, your body hasn't fully recovered yet. You shouldn't get overly excited."

"Nonsense! I'm perfectly fine. As martial artists, how could our bodies be so fragile? The doctor said I wouldn't be discharged for three months. Look at me—I got out in a month and a half. That's the benefit of practicing martial arts."

Baili Changkong scolded her.

The moment he saw Baili Qingfeng, this Second Grandfather, who looked noticeably thinner, had his eyes light up. "Good. Just as expected of the True Dragon of our Baili Family. What a spirited, sunny young man! Qingfeng, Tianxing told me that you've already completed the first round of the Rushing Thunder Thirty-Six Forms?"

"Yes."

"Good! Hahaha, well done!"

Baili Changkong laughed heartily, making Baili Qingfeng's heart skip a beat.

Even after surgery had cleared a cerebral infarction, it did not mean one could rest easy with one's head on a high pillow. He truly feared that his Second Grandfather would end up like he had a month and a half ago—throwing back his head in laughter before collapsing outright.

For the sake of his Second Grandfather's health, he had originally intended to keep quiet about having already reached Qi Refining Blood Renewal.

"I know Ah Hong objects to my having you practice martial arts. He thinks it's a waste of time? Hmph, short-sighted! How could he possibly imagine the benefits of martial arts training? Ignore him. Come, come, Qingfeng, see what I've prepared for you."

Baili Changkong pulled Baili Qingfeng into the courtyard. Only after entering did he discover that a huge pot had been set up inside, with firewood blazing fiercely beneath it. A strange fragrance rushed toward him.

"Second Grandfather, this is... a big pot of soup?"

"No! I'm going to set your bones. Tianxing, once the herbs are done simmering, pour them into the wooden tub."

"Alright."

Baili Tianxing answered, glanced at Baili Qingfeng, and said with a smile, "You brat are in luck. Your Second Grandfather's bone-setting technique is top-notch, and this Nourishing Essence Bath Formula is exceptionally valuable. Soak for half a day, then refine and absorb the medicinal power into your body, and it'll definitely save you several months of hard training."

"Oh."

Since it could strengthen him, Baili Qingfeng naturally would not refuse.

Soon, Baili Tianxing poured the simmered herbs into a wooden tub inside the house, after which Baili Changkong had Baili Qingfeng soak in it.

The water was extremely hot. After removing his clothes and entering it, Baili Qingfeng felt as though he were being roasted alive. A dish involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Steamed lobster?

It was lobster season now. In his previous life, there had been Changsha Wen He You Lobster, and that flavor...

Baili Qingfeng truly had no idea what it tasted like. He was allergic to seafood, but whenever he went, he could see wave after wave of people lining up. It looked rather pleasant.

Baili Qingfeng soaked in the wooden tub for two hours, during which the water was reheated many times.

Under the high temperature, the pores of the human body opened wide, greatly increasing absorption efficiency.

Two hours later, Baili Qingfeng climbed out of the tub. Then Baili Changkong personally got to work, loosening his sinews, clearing his channels, strengthening his body, and setting his bones.

Two days ago, during his fight with Jiang Ziheng, Baili Qingfeng had strained his sinews and bones when his force erupted, because his channels had not yet been fully trained. Now, after Baili Changkong's pushing and pulling, though it hurt, his sinews and bones were forcibly opened up, allowing him to perform many extreme movements he normally could not.

The entire day passed in busyness.

Baili Changkong was old after all. Though he had the foundation of a martial artist, a seventy-four-year-old man could not compare physically to a young man. As he set Baili Qingfeng's bones, Baili Qingfeng could clearly feel drop after drop of sweat falling onto him.

Once the bone setting was over, Baili Changkong was so exhausted he could barely stand. He sat down heavily in a reclining chair and refused to rise.

"Second Grandfather..."

"Let your Second Grandfather rest for a while."

Baili Tianxing spoke to Baili Qingfeng, then instructed him, "Rest well today. Over the next few days, practice the Rushing Thunder Thirty-Six Forms as much as possible. Don't fear hardship, and don't fear fatigue. If you can force out your limits, perhaps three or four days of effort will equal three or four months of bitter training."

"I understand."

Baili Qingfeng nodded. He also felt strength coursing through his entire body. It seemed that after some training, he would be about on par with a Level 3 Warrior?

At that moment, Baili Changkong opened his eyes from the reclining chair and looked at Baili Qingfeng, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's. "Not understand—do it! Your Uncle Tianxing's aptitude is ordinary; this is as far as he'll go in the future. The martial arts banner of our Baili Family must be carried by you. Therefore, you must persist in training. Cultivate Three Essences United as One and produce Inner Breath. Only then will you not disappoint this martial arts talent of yours. Did you hear me?"

"I heard you."

Baili Qingfeng answered solemnly.

"Tianxing, take Qingfeng home."

"Alright."

Baili Tianxing nodded.

"Second Grandfather, rest well. When the time comes, I'll bring you my War-level Warrior certificate."

Baili Qingfeng said.

"Good. I'll wait for that day."

Baili Changkong spoke with a voice that rang like clashing metal.

Baili Qingfeng nodded, left the courtyard, and Baili Tianxing accompanied him.

"Back then, your grandfather took a sword through the chest. After he was injured and retired from service, he received quite a lot in compensation. I don't know how much exactly, but it was only enough to buy ingredients for two Nourishing Essence Baths. One was used on me, and one was used on you. In other words, the money for those herbs was your Second Grandfather's burial savings."

Baili Tianxing said.

"I understand."

Baili Qingfeng said.

Baili Tianxing said no more, riding his motorcycle with Baili Qingfeng toward the city.

On the motorcycle, Baili Qingfeng asked, "The Rushing Thunder Thirty-Six Forms are all training methods. Does our Baili Lineage have any combat techniques?"

"Combat techniques..."

Baili Tianxing sank into thought. Only after a long while did he say, "Where there are training methods, there are naturally combat techniques. Our Baili Lineage's most famous technique is the Rushing Thunder Sixteen Swords. But a towering building rises from level ground; all combat techniques evolve from the basics. Though transformations may be countless, they never stray from their origin. Build a solid foundation, and any combat technique will be easy to grasp, turning decay into magic. If you want to train combat techniques, I'll test your fundamentals during this year's winter break. If you pass, I'll teach you the combat form of the Rushing Thunder Sixteen Swords."

"Alright."

More than ten minutes later, Baili Qingfeng arrived home.

Baili Hong had already returned home. Seeing Baili Tianxing, he did not even greet him.

Baili Tianxing merely smiled awkwardly. After dropping Baili Qingfeng off, he left.

"Qingfeng, school starts in another week, right? Your grades haven't fallen behind over the summer, have they?"

"Don't worry, Father. They haven't."

"That's good. Still, you should spare some time to read books related to music arrangement."

"Alright."

"Oh? Pretty confident, aren't you? Then I'll give you a task. Write another song this month. Your father's an outsider and can't tell whether it's good or bad, but your sister understands a little. As long as she's satisfied, that'll do."

He was trying to find something for him to do.

"Alright."

Baili Qingfeng also had to consider his own entrance BGM.

"Then go look for inspiration. Come downstairs for dinner in an hour."

"Got it."

Baili Qingfeng went upstairs, turned on his computer, and typed in Rushing Thunder Sixteen Swords.

Hoh...

He had it.