Tiger Demon Bone-Refining Fist

Tiger Demon Bone-Refining Fist

"Send this to him. By the way, what was your younger brother's name?" Jing Yuxing gestured with a wave of his hand.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Of course, the Falling Star Bow belonging to Marquis Wuwen has a bow body made of refined steel, and the string is crafted from the tendons of a giant python that were soaked in glue broth a thousand times over ten years. It has a draw weight of fully nine stones and can shoot a thousand paces. Only those who have reached the 'refining marrow like frost, refining blood like mercury' realm—the state of becoming a saint in the flesh—can pull it into a full moon and fire it repeatedly. I fear there are very few people in this world whose fist techniques have reached the level of a Martial Saint."

"Miss..." Just as Hong Xuejiao was lost in thought, the maid Xiao Ning hurried over.

"Go to the West Mountain to hunt foxes? Of course I'm going."

"Wait."

"Our Great Gan Dynasty was founded on martial arts and established peace across the world. Although sixty years have passed since the founding, and the civilian literary culture is flourishing while martial spirit gradually declines, the Emperor still places extreme importance on martial arts. Otherwise, why would he go on field hunts every spring and autumn? Do you really think it's just for fun? It's likely to use the field hunt to drill the military. It's to ensure those princes, nobles, and clansmen do not forget martial affairs."

Jing Yuxing clapped his hands, and immediately, a middle-aged man walked over from afar. This man's arms hung past his knees, his gait was steady and possessed a piercing power, and his eyes, while appearing dull and lusterless, actually hid a sharp edge. He was clearly an expert.

"Alright, enough of that." Hong Xuejiao smiled. "But then again, you say that I spend my days riding, shooting, and playing with clubs, which is unseemly for a girl. You know, when our Great Gan Dynasty destroyed the Great Zhou Dynasty and entered Yujing sixty years ago, what was the fate of those princes and young ladies who lacked the strength to truss a chicken? Those who were to be ravished were ravished, those to be killed were killed, and those who barely survived were dragged into military camps... they didn't even have the strength to run away. Although our Great Gan is now a celestial empire, we have the Cloud Dream Empire of the grasslands to the east, the Huoluo Dynasty of the deserts to the west, numerous island empires in the southern seas, and the Yuantu Dynasty to the north. Twenty years ago, the iron cavalry of the Cloud Dream Empire reached the outskirts of Yujing. Although they were repelled, it was a perilous situation. As for those civil officials and scholars, the imperial court only needs them to pacify the hearts of the people. Even though the former Prime Minister Li Yan held power over the entire world, he was not granted a title after his death, nor did his descendants receive any grace or protection."

Hmm? This person is not simple. Since when did the Duke of Li's mansion have such an expert? Hong Xuejiao thought to herself.

On the training ground. In the Great Gan Dynasty, the titles are Duke, Marquis, and Earl. The title of Duke is above that of Marquis. However, titles are one thing, and court positions are another. Because "Marquis Wuwen" Hong Xuanji placed third in the imperial examinations and entered the government, his influence was even greater than that of the Duke of Li.

"Young Master Jing, do you have any instructions?" Seeing that it was Jing Yuxing speaking, Xiao Ning immediately became respectful.

At the same time, an iron arrow pierced the red center of the target, protruding from the other side, demonstrating the shooter's immense strength, precise eyesight, and agility.

"He really thinks of himself as a young master."

"You can't say it like that. Your family already holds a heavy title; one step further and you would be a prince of a different surname. If you were to participate in court politics, I fear the imperial family wouldn't be at ease." Hong Xuejiao smiled.

"Just a sour and smelly scholar. Once he's a bit older, Lady Zhao will deal with him sooner or later."

"The martial arts of the world are diverse, but they all boil down to refining the flesh, tendons, skin, bones, organs, marrow, and blood, progressing step by step to shed one's mortal shell and reach the Martial Saint realm of becoming a saint in the flesh. Miss Xuejiao can pull a hundred-catty ox-tendon bow and fire in succession; you have already mastered the refining of muscles, tendons, and skin. Next is to refine the bones until they are hard and possess piercing power. This Tiger Demon Bone-Refining Fist is exactly what you need. However, I have heard that Marquis Wuwen is one of the few grandmasters in the world. Although he abandoned martial arts for literature twenty years ago, his skills must be growing deeper and deeper. It is truly admirable."

Three sounds of the bowstring snapping, tearing through the air, and the arrows, like shooting stars, struck the red center of the target two hundred paces away. This book is worth more than ten thousand gold.

"Miss, why are you giving him money? If Lady Zhao finds out, I'm afraid it won't be good." Xiao Ning pursed her lips, looking reluctant.

"His name is Hong Yi." Hong Xuejiao looked at Jing Yuxing and suddenly smiled. "Rumor has it that the young Duke is respectful to the virtuous and eager to help the righteous; today, I have finally witnessed it. These four treasures of the study are all precious items, worth at least several hundred taels—equivalent to the entire family fortune of a middle-class household in Yujing."

"What is this writing?" Hong Xuejiao looked at the poem in her hand.

"Xiao Ning, take ten silver cakes from my private stash and give them to Hong Yi. He is preparing for the imperial examinations, and with that meager monthly allowance, I'm afraid it won't be enough for his expenses."

"A small matter." Jing Yuxing smiled.

"One does not accept rewards without merit? Xuejiao, your younger brother has quite a sturdy backbone." Seeing that Hong Yi did not accept the items, Jing Yuxing didn't mind, just smiled slightly and changed the subject.

"Hmph!" Hearing Hong Yi's words, Xiao Ning's face turned slightly pale. She immediately packed up the things and turned to leave. As she walked away, a faint voice could be heard: "Truly ungrateful!"

"This is the most detailed classic on bone-refining in the world. It has two hundred and six moves, exercising the two hundred and six bones of the body. Of all the martial arts in the world, only this book is the most detailed in bone-refining. No other bone-refining martial art has as many as two hundred and six moves."

"This is a secret manual I saw while flipping through the Pine and Crane Chamber in the Royal Library with Prince Cheng; I copied it secretly. Don't let anyone else see it." Jing Yuxing put his hands behind his back.

"The Great Zen Temple in Central Province was a holy land of martial arts and the ancestral court of the Zen sect. Unfortunately, they colluded with the remnants of the previous dynasty to plot a rebellion and were wiped out by our dynasty's army. I heard that the temple was magnificent and filled with experts, but now it has vanished into smoke. I heard that the Marquis participated in that military campaign to suppress the Great Zen Temple. They say that suppression was tragic to the extreme; many of the court's generals died, and many experts from the Fangxian Dao, Zhengyi Dao, and Taishang Dao who participated in the siege also died."

Hong Xuejiao tested the bowstring again, easily pulling it into a full moon. "Although this 'White Ox Bow' is a top-tier bow with a draw weight of about 140 to 150 catties, it is far inferior to my father's 'Falling Star Bow'."

The middle-aged man smiled immediately, stepped back, and said nothing more.

"Yes, it is indeed the Tiger Demon Bone-Refining Fist from the Great Zen Temple." Jing Yuxing laughed.

"What gift?" Hong Xuejiao asked.

"Tiger Demon Bone-Refining Fist?" Hong Xuejiao looked, and a light of surprise appeared in her eyes. "This is a secret martial arts manual from the Great Zen Temple in Central Province. After the Great Zen Temple was wiped out by our dynasty twenty years ago, countless martial arts manuals were scattered to the four winds. This contains supreme fist techniques."

Just then, the middle-aged man beside them spoke.

"Hmm." Hong Xuejiao flipped through the book excitedly. "The fist stance of this Tiger Demon Bone-Refining is to mobilize the joints and harden the bones, refining the bones like steel. It is the most supreme bone-refining fist stance in the world."

After about the time it takes to eat a meal, this Uncle Yun returned, carrying brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone on horseback. In the Marquis Wuwen's mansion, no one dared to mention the Marquis Hong Xuanji's youth, but this youth in silk clothes spoke of it easily, clearly possessing an extraordinary status.

"Sister Xuejiao, you can actually pull a strong bow of 120 catties and fire in succession. Anything over 120 catties is called 'Tiger Strength' in the Martial Classic. Such archery and strength are skills that even the military officers in the army don't possess. It seems your martial arts have reached the stage of refining membranes and strengthening bones; you can be called a Martial Master. However, for a girl like you to spend all day riding, shooting, and playing with clubs is a bit unseemly."

The middle-aged man left and untied a bundle from his back. Jing Yuxing took a book from the bundle.

Jing Yuxing looked at the calligraphy on the white paper and couldn't help but brighten his eyes, praising it.

Hong Yi heard the discussion of these people and sneered in his heart, letting out a long breath. I can't stay in this Marquis mansion any longer. Forget it, before the imperial examinations, I won't lower myself to the level of these little women. I'll go to the Qiuyue Temple on West Mountain for a while; it will also be good to guard my mother's grave.

"Uncle Yun, ride quickly to my house and bring a hundred sheets of my Pine and Bamboo Pavilion snow paper. Also, take that purple inkstone, pure fox-hair brush, and musk ink." Jing Yuxing ordered.

The cover of the book was inscribed with Tiger Demon Bone-Refining Fist.

"By the way, in a few days, it might snow heavily. Prince Cheng's heir, along with Princess Yongchun and a few of us who get along well, are going to West Mountain to hunt foxes. I heard that foxes have been causing trouble on West Mountain recently. A white fox even snuck into the city and ran into the Imperial Garden of the palace, startling Consort Yuan. Later, they called in experts from the palace to hunt it, but they couldn't catch it. In the end, they called in the Taoist priests from the Yujing Temple's Fangxian Dao, and the white fox hasn't appeared since."

"Don't talk nonsense." Hearing this, Jing Yuxing's face changed slightly, and his eyes swept around in an instant, as if afraid of being overheard.

"Good calligraphy! The cursive script is like running snakes and slithering vipers. Good poem, 'This heart is not my own, steady the heart-monkey to calm the spirit, lock the intent-horse to establish fate.' If a person's heart could be controlled by themselves, they would be an immortal. The poem has an immortal aura, and the calligraphy is even more spirited—the bones are rugged, and the strength pierces through the paper. Who wrote this?"

"Can't you just go quietly?" Hong Xuejiao waved her hand.

"Alright, alright, you said you wouldn't talk, yet you said so much. Xuejiao, you are a heroine among women, making us men feel ashamed." Jing Yuxing laughed. "However, I have a gift for you today."

She was Hong Xuejiao, the daughter of the second branch of the Marquis mansion.

"Hmm? A gift of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone for me?"

A person has two hundred and six bones; other martial arts cannot refine them one by one. Only the Tiger Demon Bone-Refining Fist of the Great Zen Temple can refine them all. Hong Xuejiao's martial arts had also reached a high level. Upon flipping through it, her eyes showed even more surprise.

Hong Yi raised his head and looked at the items on the table. "Go back and tell the young Duke of Li, one does not accept rewards without merit. As for Xuejiao's ten silver cakes, you take them back too. If you want to give money, at least one hundred silver cakes; my poem is worth ten gold per character."

"This is a younger brother of mine, but his background isn't very good. Lady Zhao doesn't treat him well. He passed the scholar exam last year." Hong Xuejiao handed the poem to Jing Yuxing while continuing to flip through the Tiger Demon Bone-Refining manual.

"Uncle Yun." Jing Yuxing raised his hand.

Hong Xuejiao smiled. She wore very little clothing, but in the cold wind and on the frozen ground, she showed no sign of cold at all. Beside her stood a youth in silk and brocade. This youth had a slender body like a crane and eyes like stars. This youth in silk and brocade was none other than Jing Yuxing, the eldest son of the "Duke of Li" mansion.

"Fine." Xiao Ning turned to leave.

In a training ground that was fully five hundred paces in circumference, a woman of about twenty, dressed in pure white training clothes with a red headband on her head, drew her bow, shot an arrow, and finished her stance. Three arrows in succession, pulling the bow into a full moon, she was calm and composed.

In the small courtyard in the northwest of the Marquis mansion, Hong Yi was still reading. Just then, Xiao Ning and several maids walked in with brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone. Placing them on the table, she said, "Hong Yi, you are lucky. Today, the Miss and the young Duke of Li were together. The young Duke of Li admired your poetic talent and specifically ordered me to bring you these brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. They are rare treasures worth a hundred gold! Also, the Miss told me to give you ten silver cakes."

"Hmm." The middle-aged man called Uncle Yun did not question Jing Yuxing's order at all. After responding, he took a few steps, quickly reached the outside of the training ground, mounted a pitch-black, dragon-like angry horse, and galloped away.

The youth in silk smiled. "But you also know that our Great Gan Dynasty's civilian literary culture is flourishing now, and the scholars hold the reins of government. Even with Marquis Wuwen's martial strength, when he was young, he was reprimanded by the Prime Minister and scholar Li Yan. In the end, he indignantly abandoned martial arts for literature and placed third in the imperial examinations; only then could he reach such a high position in the court. Otherwise, he could only stay at home and be a stable Duke of Li like my father."