Turmoil in the Handyman's Quarters (Part 2)

The backyard had a clearing where the handyman disciples usually dried firewood.

A dozen people formed a circle, with Liu San standing in the middle. He took off his shirt, revealing a lean, muscular physique.

"Kid, you can still surrender now," Liu San twisted his wrists. "Breaking two legs isn't a joke."

Li Xuan didn't speak, his eyes carefully observing the other person.

Liu San spread his feet, his center of gravity forward. This was a typical brute's fighting style, relying on charges to win.

His arm muscles bulged, but the stiffness in his shoulder joint indicated his power wasn't flowing smoothly.

His breathing was short, his vital energy and blood shallow. His stamina wouldn't exceed 0.9.

As for himself, his stamina was 1.01, strength 0.88. Although his strength was slightly weaker, his stamina was better, and his recovery would be faster.

More importantly, he had a cultivation method's circulation route, allowing him to mobilize his vital energy and blood for greater burst power.

He couldn't drag this out; he had to win in one blow!

"Let's begin," Li Xuan said.

Liu San let out a low roar and charged forward.

He moved like a wild boar, but he was fast. In three steps, he was in front of Li Xuan, his right fist aimed straight at Li Xuan's face.

Li Xuan didn't dodge.

He stepped his left foot back half a pace, twisted his waist, and evaded the fist's edge. At the same time, he formed his right hand into a palm and swept down along Liu San's arm—

This was a variation of "Grasping Stance" from the Iron Fist Three Forms. Master Zhou had mentioned during his demonstration, "It can be used for grappling," and Li Xuan remembered it.

Liu San felt his arm go numb. His entire arm was pulled off course, and his body involuntarily leaned forward.

An opportunity!

Li Xuan stepped his left foot forward, lowered his right shoulder, and slammed hard into Liu San's chest.

A dull thud.

Liu San staggered back three steps, his face paling.

The surrounding handyman disciples let out a collective gasp.

"That move... it's a bit like the outer court's 'Iron Mountain Lean'?"

"Nonsense, you need Body Tempering third layer to use Iron Mountain Lean. How would a handyman know it?"

"Then how..."

Liu San rubbed his chest, his eyes changing.

That collision just now had carried at least a hundred catties of force.

This kid was hiding his strength well.

But he wasn't flustered. Fighting wasn't just about strength; it was also about ruthlessness.

Liu San spat, then pulled a short club from his back waist.

It was made of wood, but the ends were capped with iron.

He's brought out a weapon!

Li Xuan narrowed his eyes.

The short club was about two feet long and whistled through the air as Liu San swung it. Liu San had learned his lesson this time. He didn't charge wildly but slowly advanced, the club swaying left and right in front of him, blocking Li Xuan's movement paths.

Li Xuan took half a step back and used his toe to flick up a piece of firewood from the ground.

It was as thick as a wrist and three feet long, perfect for use as a club.

The two faced off for three breaths.

Liu San moved first.

He diagonally slashed the short club in his hand, aiming straight for Li Xuan's left shoulder.

If this strike landed solidly, his collarbone would be broken.

Li Xuan advanced instead of retreating.

He uppercutted with the firewood, deflecting the short club. At the same time, he stepped his left foot forward and drove his right fist straight into Liu San's abdomen.

Mid-punch, he changed his fist to a palm, pushing upward with the heel of his palm—

Iron Fist Three Forms · Punch Variation · Heaven-Lifting Style.

This was something he had figured out himself.

A punch emphasized a straight trajectory, but if the direction changed at the last moment, the force would concentrate on the heel of the palm, making it suitable for close-quarters combat.

Liu San hadn't even seen the movement clearly.

He only felt a pain in his abdomen, and his entire body was pushed off the ground, sent flying backward two zhang.

The short club flew from his hand, and he rolled three times on the ground before stopping.

Silence fell over the entire scene.

Li Xuan stood still, his breathing steady.

He had held back with that palm strike just now.

Otherwise, if the point of impact on his palm had been three inches higher, it would have hit his chest and directly severed his heart's meridians.

Unfortunately, according to the martial arts school's rules, handymen could fight, but killing someone meant paying with one's life.

"Still want to fight?" Li Xuan asked.

Liu San lay on the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

That palm strike had made his internal organs churn, his throat tasted sweet, and he almost vomited blood.

He looked up at Li Xuan.

His eyes were calm, without pride or mockery, like a bottomless pool of water.

Liu San's heart chilled.

This kid was no pushover.

"N-no more fighting," Liu San said hoarsely.

Li Xuan nodded and turned to leave.

"Wait." Liu San struggled to sit up. "Contribution Points... I'll give them to you."

He fumbled in his pocket and took out a small cloth bag, pouring out three wooden tokens, each representing one Contribution Point.

After taking the tokens, Li Xuan carried the firewood back to the courtyard.

Behind him, Liu San stared at his retreating back, his eyes gloomy.

Evening, the woodshed.

Li Xuan lay on the communal bed, looking at his status panel.

[Name: Li Xuan]
[Strength: 0.88]
[Agility: 0.57]
[Stamina: 1.01]
[Spirit: 1.6]
[Cultivation Method: Unknown Body Tempering Method (Incomplete, Completion: 3.1%, Mastery: 2.0%)]
[Potential: 0.08]

He thought for a moment and added 0.04 to Strength and 0.04 to Stamina.

[Strength: 0.88] → [Strength: 0.92]

[Stamina: 1.01] → [Stamina: 1.05]

A warm current flowed through him, and the soreness in his arms quickly subsided.

The fight today made him realize a problem—his strength was still insufficient.

A Strength of 0.92 was stronger than an ordinary person, but it was nothing in the martial arts school.

He needed to find a way to get more Potential.

Just as he was thinking, footsteps approached the door.

The old handyman entered carrying an oil lamp. The light was dim, illuminating his wrinkled face.

"You fought well today," the old handyman said.

Li Xuan sat up. "You saw it?"

"The whole courtyard saw it," the old handyman said, hanging the oil lamp on the wall. "That Liu San kid has been arrogant for five years, and he's finally taken a fall today. But you need to be careful; he's not the type to accept defeat after suffering a loss."

"I know," Li Xuan nodded.

"Good that you know," the old handyman said, sitting down on the opposite side of the communal bed. He took out a small paper packet from his pocket and threw it to Li Xuan. "Take this."

Li Xuan took it and opened it to find two pieces of dried meat.

"This is..."

"Leftovers from the kitchen today," the old handyman said. "Steward Zhao was quite pleased that you exceeded your firewood chopping quota. This is extra."

Li Xuan sniffed. The dried meat had a faint medicinal scent.

It wasn't ordinary meat; it had been marinated with medicinal herbs and could replenish vital energy and blood.

"Thank you," Li Xuan said sincerely.

The old handyman waved his hand. "Don't thank me. The martial arts school doesn't support idlers. If you can work, you get food. But remember—a tall tree catches the wind."

He finished speaking and got up to leave.

He stopped at the doorway.

"Oh, right. In three days, a group from the outer court will be entering the Trial Forest to gather herbs, and they need two handymen to carry things," the old handyman said, turning back. The lamplight cast a shadow on his face. "Fifty Contribution Points per trip. If you want to go, come find me tomorrow to sign up."

The Trial Forest.

He had finally found an opportunity.

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