Gale-Breaking Fist

Fang Han had practiced the Gale-Breaking Fist in a corner of the training ground for a long time, sweat soaking through his clothes, yet he found that the more he practiced, the more wrong it felt.

Stopping his movements, he focused his mind slightly, and the Panel appeared before him:

[Martial Art: Gale-Breaking Fist (Mortal Grade)]

[Proficiency: 0/100, Not Entry]

Why was the proficiency still zero?

Staring at the Panel, Fang Han frowned deeply.

Could the Panel be malfunctioning?

He had practiced at least twenty or thirty times since morning, yet the Gale-Breaking Fist's proficiency had not budged at all.

Fang Han pondered this and, after carefully analyzing it, came to a conclusion.

Most likely, he had merely copied the movements of the Gale-Breaking Fist without truly understanding the fist forms within.

More simply put, his movements while practicing the Gale-Breaking Fist had yet to meet the Panel's standards.

Just as he figured this out, footsteps sounded behind him.

"Have you been practicing since this morning?"

Fang Han turned around and saw Senior Brother Huo standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze resting on Fang Han with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

Fang Han hurriedly cupped his hands. "Senior Brother Huo."

Huo Zheng nodded slightly. Seemingly seeing Fang Han's confusion, he asked calmly, "Do you feel that despite practicing for so long, your fist technique has made no progress?"

Fang Han gave a bitter smile and nodded.

Huo Zheng continued, "The fact that you can see the problem means you're not stupid. But you must understand this: learning boxing isn't something you can accomplish just by reading a manual. You need someone to teach you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huo Zheng moved and began demonstrating the Twelve Forms of Gale-Breaking Fist.

"Watch closely."

Though it was the same Gale-Breaking Fist, Fang Han discovered that Senior Brother Huo's fist forms were completely different.

Every punch was like a gust of wind, fierce and swift, while his footwork was nimble and his advances and retreats were measured.

Fang Han held his breath and stared intently at Huo Zheng's movements.

As Huo Zheng performed the forms, he explained their intricacies. "For the first form's opening stance, remember this: sink your center of gravity. Like me, your waist and stance must move as one. For the second form, the straight punch, you must..."

He explained all twelve forms in succession, every one of them with meticulous detail and Subtle Mastery.

When the demonstration ended, Huo Zheng's expression had not changed and his breathing remained steady. He looked at Fang Han. "Do it again."

Fang Han took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and reviewed everything he had just seen in his mind.

Then he moved.

This time, even from the opening stance alone, it was clear that he had improved significantly and that his fist forms were proper.

With every punch, a faint gust from his fist could be heard, producing an extremely soft sound in the air.

Soon, Fang Han withdrew his fists. His face was flushed, and his heart pounded violently.

It was not because performing the proper fist forms was exhausting, but because just then, a line of tiny golden words had appeared before his eyes!

--Gale-Breaking Fist Proficiency +1

It had gone up!

His proficiency had finally gone up!

Fang Han was overwhelmed with excitement.

A trace of surprise flashed through Huo Zheng's eyes as he stood nearby, as though he had not expected Fang Han's comprehension to be so good.

He walked over to Fang Han, reached out to correct several subtle movements, and adjusted his posture in greater detail.

Fang Han followed each instruction and performed the Gale-Breaking Fist again. Sure enough, it was smoother than before.

Gale-Breaking Fist Proficiency +1

Huo Zheng stared at Fang Han in silence, his gaze somewhat complicated.

Junior Brother Fang's innate physique may be poor, but his comprehension is quite good. He understands at the slightest prompt and learns as soon as he is taught. What a pity...

What a pity that on the path of martial arts, innate physique was the foundation.

Those with good innate physiques could achieve in one day what others needed four or five days to accomplish.

Those with exceptional innate physiques could accomplish twice the result with half the effort!

Comprehension, temperament, diligence—these were merely icing on the cake. Without innate physique as a foundation, no amount of comprehension could lead to Major Accomplishment. The limit of one's future was already set.

Still, Huo Zheng ultimately did not say any of this aloud.

Afterward, Huo Zheng gave Fang Han guidance twice more. Once he was sure that this older junior brother had grasped the key points of the Gale-Breaking Fist's forms, he gave him a few reminders and left directly.

Fang Han cupped his hands and thanked him solemnly.

Watching Senior Brother Huo's figure disappear from the training ground, he withdrew his gaze, looked at the Panel, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

He continued practicing.

Once.

Gale-Breaking Fist Proficiency +1

Again.

Gale-Breaking Fist Proficiency +1

Gale-Breaking Fist Proficiency +1

As the sun slanted westward, the Outer Court apprentices gradually dispersed.

Fang Han could no longer hold on and stopped practicing.

His whole body was drenched in sweat, his arms ached, and his legs were weak and trembling.

Though he was utterly exhausted, his eyes were brighter than they had ever been.

The Panel displayed:

[Martial Art: Gale-Breaking Fist (Mortal Grade)]

[Proficiency: 23/100, Not Entry]

In one afternoon, he had practiced the fist technique twenty-three times.

After resting briefly and recovering, Fang Han dragged his weary body away. He changed clothes, left behind the martial hall's training uniform, and departed the martial hall toward Mud Bay Alley.

Returning in the martial hall apprentice's clothes would be far too conspicuous in Mud Bay Alley. If Zhou Dabao's group learned that he had money to enter the martial hall, it would definitely bring trouble.

Until he had sufficient strength, he had to keep a low profile.

By the time the sky had begun to darken, Fang Han hurried to his home's entrance.

But as soon as he reached the door, he saw several people gathered in the courtyard.

Fang Han immediately sensed that something was wrong. He quickened his pace into the courtyard and saw a sight that made his blood boil!

The courtyard was a mess. His grandfather lay on the ground, pale-faced, clutching his chest and groaning softly.

His grandmother held his younger sister behind her. The little girl was crying loudly in fright, but their grandmother tightly covered her mouth.

His mother crouched beside his grandfather, helpless and at a loss, tears streaming down her face.

The visitor was Zhou Dabao!

Fang Han stared fixedly at the back of Zhou Dabao's head, killing intent churning in his chest.

But he quickly forced the killing intent down into his heart.

Fang Han took a deep breath, strode forward, and forced a fawning smile onto his face.

"Master Bao, what's going on?"

Zhou Dabao turned around, glanced at him sideways, and sneered. "The Fang Household's second boy is back? Good. Saves me from sending someone to find you."

"Master Bao, this..."

Zhou Dabao sneered. "It's nothing major. The gang leader gave a strict order: the offering for this River God Festival has gone up. Eight taels, not a penny less."

Eight taels!

Fang Han's heart sank, but he did not dare show it. Looking troubled, he said, "Eight taels... It's only been one day. Why has it gone up again..."

"How the hell should I know?"

"Cut the nonsense. Same as before: either pay up, or you or your elder brother signs a labor contract, or hand over this little girl as an offering to the River God and save everyone the trouble."

Zhou Dabao grinned viciously, frightening Fang Rui into letting out a scream and burrowing into their grandmother's arms.

The smile on Fang Han's face remained unchanged, but the killing intent in his heart only grew stronger.

He stepped closer to Zhou Dabao, took out a string of coins from his robes, around fifty or so copper coins, and offered it with both hands.

"Master Bao, please take this small token to have some tea. As for the offering money, please grant us a few more days. Once I gather it, I'll personally deliver it to you!"

For the last sentence, Fang Han lowered his voice.

Zhou Dabao accepted the string of coins and weighed it in his hand, his expression easing slightly.

"Fine. Since you know the rules, I'll give you a few more days. The fourth day of the month is the final day. If you still can't gather it by then, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Fang Han nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes. Thank you, Master Bao. Thank you, Master Bao."

Zhou Dabao stuffed the money into his robes and waved his hand. Several thugs swaggered out of the courtyard behind him.

Once the courtyard had quieted down, Fang Han turned to look at his family.

"It's all right now. I'll find a way to get the money. Don't panic, and don't be afraid."

Fang Yuanshan looked at him, his lips trembling. After a long while, he managed to force out a sentence. "Eight taels... That's eight taels!"