Battle Law

It wasn't long before the negotiations concluded. Four disciples found their external postings, with Chu Xiao receiving the best treatment.

After the others dispersed, only three remained in the room.

Song Qinghong took a sip of tea and said gently, "Xiao'er, thanks to your Senior Brother Qi's efforts today, you probably wouldn't have been able to handle the Wang Family otherwise."

Chu Xiao understood and quickly got up, stepping forward to bow to Qi Yu with a smile on his face. "Thank you, Senior Brother Qi."

Qi Yu was not arrogant and returned the bow. "Junior Brother, you are too kind. You are Uncle Song's prized disciple, so you are family."

Seeing the two getting along harmoniously, Song Qinghong stroked his beard and smiled. Then he said, "Xiao'er, if your sister knew you were hired by Pin Hai Restaurant, she would surely be happy. Go let her know."

Chu Xiao lowered his head and agreed, then turned to leave.

After he rounded the vermilion lacquered pillars, the smile on his face slowly faded. He clenched his fists, his veins bulging...

Inside the Skill Transmission Chamber, soft sunlight streamed through the window paper, casting a peaceful glow on the floor.

Song Qinghong observed the young man before him, noting his bright eyes and upright posture.

"Have you mastered those two stances of the Spirit Serpent Fist?"

"Yes, Uncle Song."

"Show me."

As the words fell, Qi Yu rose.

He stepped forward, assumed a stance, and with a sudden surge, like hot oil poured over his body, his form coiled, abruptly striking the "Serpent Coiling Body" posture.

"Beautiful!" Song Qinghong exclaimed.

Immediately, Qi Yu moved again. His body slithered like a snake on the prowl, his five fingers closing together like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

Though these two stances seemed simple, Song Qinghong's expression grew increasingly strange.

He had studied the Spirit Serpent Fist for decades, and could tell a disciple's mastery at a glance. He had already been pleasantly surprised when Chu Xiao had practiced the technique to perfection, but he hadn't expected Qi Yu to... be on par with Chu Xiao!

Song Qinghong asked curiously, "Nephew, how have you been practicing recently? Tell me about it."

Qi Yu recounted his training.

Song Qinghong listened, murmuring, "A crimson Blood Activating Secret Soup? Berry flavored? With a stimulating sensation..."

He looked thoughtful, then said, "It's likely made with the shed skin of a crimson-scaled snake. However, such a secret medicine, if used improperly, is poison. It seems... this prescription was tailor-made for you."

He mused, "It was an Apothecary."

"No wonder... no wonder..."

Immediately, he sighed, "To be able to hire an Apothecary to specially concoct a secret medicine, and for a Martial Scholar who hasn't even reached the Ninth Rank... Nephew, you must strive to do well and not let your parents' expectations go unfulfilled. There are still over three months until the martial arts examination next year. If you cultivate diligently, you might be able to reach the Eighth Rank and earn the title of Martial Scholar."

Originally, Song Qinghong had wondered how Qi Yu had managed to master the two stances of the Spirit Serpent Fist to such a degree in just over half a month. Now, he understood. This was the power of influence and money.

However, he still advised, "In martial arts, diligent practice is fundamental, and medicine is supplementary. Remember this, Nephew."

Immediately, Song Qinghong stood up, flicked his blue robe, and said, "Today, I will teach you a combat technique. This technique is called the Spirit Serpent Skill. Upon minor success, you can reach the perfection of the Ninth Rank. If you can continue to comprehend it and gain experience through combat, you will have the opportunity to achieve great success and break through to the Eighth Rank, but... this step is not easy. You need to spar often to gain enlightenment."

"This Spirit Serpent Skill consists of two methods and ten routines. The first is a footwork technique, called the Spirit Serpent Pathfinding Step. Observe how wondrous this footwork is."

As he spoke, Song Qinghong moved, his steps light and agile. He would sometimes lightly tap the ground with his toes, like a snake's tongue flicking out; other times, his heels would pivot, like a coiling serpent's body. Each step appeared casual, yet it embodied the previous Spirit Serpent Posture and Spirit Serpent Fist.

After demonstrating, Song Qinghong broke it down for explanation. "This footwork has twenty-six steps, divided into four routines, encompassing advance, retreat, offense, and defense. Watch this step of mine..."

As he spoke, he suddenly took a small step forward with his left foot, turning his body slightly. His right foot quickly followed, while his center of gravity lowered slightly. After taking two steps, he paused. "This step might seem ordinary, but it's meant to confuse the opponent, making them think you're about to attack, thus focusing their attention..."

With that, he tapped his feet twice, not advancing, but unexpectedly moving sideways. Simultaneously, his palm shot out like lightning, his fingertips piercing the air as if tearing silk.

"A serpent's body is agile; it must slither and wait for an opportunity to strike for the throat, not confront head-on, understand?"

Qi Yu nodded, but then honestly added, "I understand the principle, but I don't know the footwork..."

Song Qinghong said, "It's alright. Later, I'll break it down and explain it to you slowly.

Now for the second technique.

This second technique is called Spirit Serpent Hand.

This technique has a total of thirty-one moves in six forms, all modeled after the various movements of a serpent."

With that, he moved his hands, sometimes striking with his palms, sometimes stabbing fiercely with his fingers.

After demonstrating the set, Qi Yu was even more confused.

If it were just about form, he could barely practice these thirty-one moves like a calisthenics routine, but this wasn't even close to being considered flashy but useless.

Song Qinghong stopped his movements and continued, "To practice this skill, you also need to coordinate it with a breathing method and a skin-tempering method.

The breathing method will allow your breath to remain steady during combat, enhancing endurance, and also allow you to briefly gather energy, making your next strike more explosive. The skin-tempering method also has its intricacies, and this is the core of the Leather Armor Realm.

However, the so-called Leather Armor isn't tough all over like armor, but only in key areas. My Spirit Serpent Skill is focused on the hands... Later, I'll take you to the courtyard to see. Skin tempering requires sand vats and tempering paste.

Now, I will demonstrate the Spirit Serpent Skill again, incorporating the breathing method. Watch closely..."

With that, Song Qinghong performed the Spirit Serpent Skill once more.

Footwork, fist techniques, and breathing perfectly coordinated...

He moved like a nimble giant serpent, weaving through the Skill Transmission Chamber.

For the entire afternoon, Song Qinghong patiently taught Qi Yu.

Time flew by. As dusk approached, Song Qinghong retrieved a black-covered martial arts manual from inside and picked up a small ceramic jar decorated with a serpent pattern. He handed them to Qi Yu.

He didn't ask for money for these items.

Qi Yu didn't offer to pay.

What is free is often the most expensive.

This was also a way for the two to show closeness.

"This jar contains tempering paste. Use it sparingly; it should last a month. Apply it after practicing your hands each time."

Song Qinghong gave another instruction, then looked into the distance and said, "It's going to get foggy again. It seems the outer city has been a bit restless lately. Nephew, you should return to the inner city quickly."

Qi Yu bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance today, Uncle Song. I will take my leave now."

Just then, a beautiful, long-legged young girl walked in from outside the door.

It was Song Xue.

She approached Qi Yu with her hands clasped behind her back and suddenly produced a booklet from behind her. She held it out.

"This is for you."

Qi Yu took it and flipped through it. He saw that it was filled with cultivation insights, written in elegant handwriting, with both text and illustrations.

He had been worrying about whether he could successfully master the Spirit Serpent Skill, and with this booklet, his comprehension would be much smoother.

"Thank you."

"You gave me a sachet before; this is a return gift."

Song Xue looked at him and replied calmly.

As she spoke, her thoughts drifted back to the past.

Back then, Qi Changshun often brought young Qi Yu to the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall, hoping to find a way to heal his injuries.

Young Qi Yu met the equally young Song Xue in the martial hall's courtyard.

The two children started bragging to each other, and after only a few words... they started fighting.

Young Song Xue was agile. With a single punch, she made young Qi Yu cry. The elders rushed over upon hearing the commotion.

Then... from the elders, the two children learned that their families had arranged a marriage for them.

At the time, they didn't understand what an arranged marriage meant, only that it should mean being very good friends.

From then on, young Qi Yu often brought all sorts of delicious food to the martial hall to find Song Xue, while Song Xue would roll up her sleeves, pat her chest, and say, "If anyone bullies you in the future, I'll protect you!"

Unfortunately, Qi Yu stopped coming later.

Even later, Song Xue grew up and became skilled. She went to find Qi Yu, but only found that former little boy in casinos and brothels.

Now, seeing Qi Yu turn over a new leaf and practice the Spirit Serpent Fist with such proficiency, she had meticulously compiled this booklet of cultivation insights and sent it to him.

This booklet almost covered all the problems one might encounter during cultivation, as well as some easily overlooked details.

Today...

Song Qinghong did not see Qi Yu out. Song Xue saw him off on his behalf.

They walked in silence. When they parted at the door, Song Xue said softly, "Take care on your way."

Qi Yu waved goodbye.

With the carriage out of sight, Song Xue finally returned.

Passing through the martial hall's courtyard, she overheard several disciples discussing.

"Did you guys hear? Master said that Young Master Qi's Spirit Serpent Fist has actually reached perfection! They say it's almost on par with Junior Brother Chu's!"

"I've seen Junior Brother Chu's Spirit Serpent Fist, it's incredible! His moves are fierce, swift as a gale, and powerful too. When he strikes the wooden dummy, the sound, tsk... it's practically like a spear tip."

"Hmph, Master is just giving that rich kid some confidence."

"I heard he used some kind of high-grade medicine. He's forcefully improving himself with external aids, what's the point? If a real fight breaks out, he'll definitely show his true colors. It's all just flashy, useless moves."

"Stop being so bitter. He's just rich, what can you do about it?"

Song Xue heard these words, but her footsteps didn't falter. Her expression, however, was a little complicated.

However... regardless of whether Qi Yu used high-grade medicine, and regardless of whether his diligent efforts at the martial hall were to pursue her, her impression of that young man had indeed changed considerably.

It started to fog.

The fog crept in from all directions.

The carriage traveled through the mist, its shafts gradually submerged.

Soon, the entire carriage disappeared as well.

The mist became a dim, hazy ocean.

Qi Yu, wrapped in his scarlet cloak, pulled back the curtain and looked outside.

They had long since left the bustling outer city and entered the wilderness. Tree shadows stood or twisted indistinctly in the fog, like ghostly figures.

Suddenly, he saw a data reading in the distant fog.

An extremely bizarre data reading: 0~60.

The data floated like a phantom in the ocean of mist, rising and falling. It suddenly paused, then abruptly turned and headed towards the carriage!

Qi Yu froze for a moment, and then... he felt his heart clench violently, as if gripped by an invisible hand.

A strong sense of unease washed over him. For some reason, he subconsciously urged, "Old Gu! Hurry up with the carriage, I'm exhausted today and just want to get back and rest! Hurry!"

Old Gu, who was steadily holding the reins, was taken aback by his young master's words.

His young master had never been this anxious before...

But he quickly flicked his whip, cracking it in the air with a "snap," and shouted, "Giddy up!"

The horse startled, spread its hooves, and galloped with all its might. The carriage jolted violently, its wheels kicking up mud and dust that splashed in the fog, then fell, and then... returned to dead silence.

Qi Yu's Adam's apple bobbed as he nervously watched the distance.

The strange data that had been slowly approaching, after the carriage accelerated, actually stopped slowly. Then it turned and drifted elsewhere, finally disappearing into the vast expanse of mist.

Qi Yu slumped back against the cold carriage wall.

His mind buzzed, repeatedly murmuring, What the hell was that? What the hell was that?

The clothes on his back... were already soaked through with sweat, chilling him to the bone.