Good Deeds Don't Always Yield Good Fruit, Iron Whip Leg Achieves Minor Success! Blood and Qi Grow Tens of Times Stronger!

Inside the dilapidated mud-brick house.

Two figures dressed in fine silk sat on wooden stools.

One was a middle-aged man of about fifty.

The other was a woman of about twenty, dressed quite exquisitely with fair skin, though her features were rather ordinary. Her posture was haughty, and her eyes were filled with scrutiny and disdain.

The woman had even placed a handkerchief on the stool before sitting.

She held another handkerchief over her nose, as if breathing the air might poison her body.

On the table sat two bowls of water and some rice cakes, the kind usually reserved for the New Year.

Neither of them moved, their faces clearly showing expressions of disgust.

Seeing this scene, Shi Wen knew exactly what was happening, and he felt quite ashamed.

He only wanted to practice his martial arts properly, so what was going on with these endless interruptions?

Had he poked a hornet's nest?

"A-Wen, you're back?"

Old Shi saw him and hurriedly stood up to approach, "Miss Han came to visit today to express her gratitude."

"Well, thank you for what happened last time. The time is about up, so let's leave it at that."

Han Xiaoyue suddenly stood up and tossed a money bag onto the table, "By the way, you saved me back then, so this money is a token of my appreciation."

With those words, she stood up and left.

Han Dachuan, smooth in his business dealings and unwilling to burn bridges, nodded to the others before turning to follow his daughter.

Once they were in the carriage.

Han Dachuan finally spoke: "Daughter, why did you leave the moment you saw that boy? Weren't you the one who insisted on coming to find him?"

"Father, I came to find him because I didn't want idle gossip to damage the Han family's reputation. Haven't our competitors been attacking us these past few days, accusing us of being ungrateful?"

"That is the only reason we paid this visit."

"Besides, we've seen him now. If we don't leave, what are we supposed to do there?"

"You've dealt with those peasants for too long, Father. You don't mind the filth, but I do. Leaving him 50 strings of cash is more than enough!"

Han Xiaoyue's words were dripping with contempt.

Han Dachuan hesitated for a moment and said, "Xiaoyue, I noticed that boy was wearing the uniform of the Fist Academy. Wouldn't it be unwise to offend him?"

"Shouldn't we sponsor him with some more money? If he happens to become a martial artist, our family could have a truly reliable one in the future!"

He was speaking the truth.

A martial artist raised by one's own family was different from one hired with money.

The former was far more reliable.

Upon hearing this, a mocking expression appeared on Han Xiaoyue's face, "Father, do you even hear yourself?"

"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to become a martial artist?"

"Becoming a martial artist requires not only natural talent but also a fortune to nourish the body and temper the bones. And even spending money doesn't guarantee one will develop blood energy!"

"Instead of wasting money sponsoring him, we should use it to find a suitable martial artist for a marriage alliance."

"If I find a husband who is a martial artist, wouldn't our family's business at the docks be even more secure?"

"I've been talking quite happily with a martial artist from a local hall lately. He's the one who told me all this, and he even tipped me off about a great business opportunity. I invested 100 taels and got back 150, principal and interest included, Father! If we grit our teeth and scrape together 1,000 taels to invest, it'll earn far more than running a business..."

Her tone was filled with superiority.

Seeing Han Dachuan deep in thought, she immediately laughed: "Father, I know what you're worried about, but stop thinking about impossible things. How could a salted fish ever flip itself over?"

"A peasant could never become a martial artist. He saved me, but didn't I pay him for it?"

"We are even; neither owes the other anything!"

"A family like theirs couldn't save 50 strings of cash in ten years. Giving him 50 today is already very generous."

"As for martial artists, we already have several affiliated with our family, so there's no need to worry about business. I'm the one who's well-read, Father; you should trust me."

Han Dachuan sighed, "It's just that the matter with the Red Lantern Gang..."

"The Red Lantern Gang is none of our concern. He saved me, we gave him money, and that settles it."

Han Xiaoyue smiled, "Instead of worrying about those things, Father, you should focus your energy on hiring a new attendant. Attendant Zhang's contract is about to expire, and since he has already left Black Cloud County, we need to look around the city for a suitable martial artist to affiliate with us—preferably someone young and with potential."

"That way, the Han family business can grow even larger!"

"Xiaoyue, you are well-read and knowledgeable. You're right; Father will listen to you."

Han Dachuan gritted his teeth and nodded.

Yet, he couldn't shake an indescribable sense of unease in his heart.

He felt not only concern regarding the investment his daughter mentioned, but also an inexplicable sense of oppression from the look in that young man's eyes.

This young man... he was truly too calm!!

It was a calmness that seemed like the confidence of one who controls everything, the composure of someone who views those posing no threat with utter indifference.

Could a person like this really struggle to break free from the mire...

Inside the mud-brick house.

Silence reigned; Old Shi and Mother Shi looked at the money on the table, appearing deeply embarrassed.

Only in the eyes of Shi Wen did a look of indifference flash.

Fifty strings of cash was indeed a large sum for a family like theirs, but to him now, it meant nothing.

Even if he disliked it.

Shi Wen understood that his predecessor had intervened in the karma of others, and this was the bitter fruit that had been reaped.

Human nature was just like that; one could not expect everyone to be a good person.

"A-Wen, you are practicing martial arts now, and there are many places where you need money. Take this and use it first."

Old Shi said softly.

Shi Wen could not refuse, so he took the money.

With the money in hand, he bought more rice, grain, and meat than usual.

Regardless of how much they ate, his parents would be able to have some to improve their health.

If he left the money with his parents, he reckoned they would just save it and never bear to spend it.

After finishing dinner.

Shi Wen practiced his fist techniques in the backyard.

Only at home did he dare to truly unleash his full capabilities.

Without using his blood energy.

The Baji Fist Introductory Foundation at the Minor Accomplishment stage, when performed by him, was many times more fierce and powerful than the disciples at the outer academy who had reached Great Accomplishment. With force rising from his feet, fists moving as elbows followed, and waist and hips unified, he was as seasoned and ruthless as a veteran who had been immersed in this path for many years!

With dragon-like movements and tiger-like steps, every strike boomed.

If the disciples of the Fist Academy were to see this scene, one could only wonder what they would think!

"Hoo! Refreshing!"

After running through several sets of foundation techniques, Shi Wen was drenched in sweat, yet he felt his entire body's sinews and bones were comfortable and invigorated.

[Extreme Seal]

[Baji Fist Introductory Foundation: Minor Accomplishment (26/100), Trait: Penetrating Momentum!]

[Iron Whip Leg: Introductory (18/30)]

"Tonight, I will bring the Iron Whip Leg to Minor Accomplishment, then find a time to check out the Red Lantern Gang."

Shi Wen clasped his hands together.

He changed into a very ordinary hemp-cloth short outfit, grabbed the Faceless Man mask he had bought by the roadside on his way back, and walked through Peace Lane.

He emerged from a dark, deserted corner.

He had already transformed into another person.

Wearing the pale, low-quality Faceless Man mask, Shi Wen walked indifferently toward Ghost Lane.

Ghost Lane was silent, bloodstains still lingering on the floor tiles. In the dark, lightless deep alley, weeds grew everywhere among dilapidated, abandoned houses, and a few grave mounds revealed a bleak atmosphere under the moonlight.

Shi Wen went to the corner where he hid his training post, only to find that the old, worn-out post had been replaced by a brand-new, more expensive, specially made Elm Training Post.

Clearly, Zhang Sheng of the Robbery Gang was extending a gesture of goodwill!

Thump, thump, thump~

Shi Wen tapped his fingers against the post, producing a dull sound.

Boom!

He kicked out fiercely, immersing himself in his training.

Once, twice, three times...

The sky transitioned from deep black to a dark blue; on the distant horizon, a faint, fish-belly white blue seemed visible.

The sky, in a few more hours.

Would be bright!

Shi Wen glanced at the Extreme Seal and delivered the final kick to the training post.

[Iron Whip Leg: Minor Accomplishment (1/80)]

Boom!

In an instant, a surge of information and memory flooded into Shi Wen's mind.

It was as if he had been immersed in practicing hard-style leg techniques for many years. Every move and stance appeared in his memory; the Iron Whip Leg not only became more concise and sharp, but even more lethal. Closing his eyes and focusing, he no longer needed deliberate combos to execute them; he could calmly unleash whichever move he desired!

At the same time.

Shi Wen sensed a tingling, numbing sensation radiating from his legs.

The muscles in his thighs and calves appeared to be writhing like earthworms, visibly thickening and becoming sharply defined.

What was even more outrageous was this.

The skin on the parts of his legs used for kicking the stake had hardened.

The original calluses had transformed into a thick, horny layer that looked just like cowhide.

"Legend says that when one trains hard-body techniques to the extreme, their physical form undergoes a transformation."

"It is true indeed; such a tough outer layer."

Shi Wen reached out to pinch it, then suddenly kicked the mud wall beside him.

BOOM!

The mud wall shattered upon impact, sending dust billowing into the air. It obscured Shi Wen's figure, but it could not hide the joy in his heart.

"What a powerful hard-body technique. If I train it to perfection, I wonder if my legs will truly become as hard as iron plating?"

"Furthermore, the minor completion of the Iron Whip Leg has been perfected; the footwork is more concise and swift, and the leg techniques are not only agile but fierce, as if the martial art were tailored specifically to my physique."

"Those three killing moves... they have become even more refined!!"

Shi Wen closed his eyes and began practicing the Iron Whip Leg in the open space!

Power rose from his feet, and each stomp sounded like muffled thunder exploding from the ground.

He left a footprint with every step, his legs moving like iron pestles piercing the air. With every dull thud, he moved with a speed that lacked nothing in agility; wherever he struck, mud walls and wooden huts collapsed and shattered, creating an astonishing spectacle!

The minor completion of a hard-body technique was unexpectedly this ferocious.

Shi Wen had not even utilized his blood-energy, yet his legs struck like iron pestles, causing everything in their path to shatter upon contact!

[Extreme Seal]

[Baji Fist Introductory Foundation: Minor Completion (25/100), Trait: Penetrating Momentum]

[Iron Whip Leg: Minor Completion (2/80)]

[Evolution Branch 1: Contaminated Fortune Meat (-9.2h)]

Shi Wen withdrew his gaze, sensing the blood-energy in his dantian swimming like a loach, now the length of a little finger. His expression shifted slightly. "What is going on?"

"Two martial arts at minor completion, yet they have increased my blood-energy by more than just double? Why is this?"

Over the past two days, he had practiced diligently, supplemented by meat and medicinal tonics.

He had only managed to nurture his blood-energy to the size of a few embroidery needles, yet today, after bringing the Iron Whip Leg to minor completion, his blood-energy had grown to the size of a loach?

This was far more than a simple doubling.

"Could it be that because the Iron Whip Leg is a hard-body technique, and it tempers different parts of the body, it creates an effect where 1+1 > 2?"

"If I have the chance, I must find other martial arts to test this theory."

Shi Wen withdrew his gaze.

He ate some dried beast meat to replenish his blood-energy, his eyes fixed on the end of the alley.

Someone was walking over.