Sickly Tiger Bones, Yi He Attacks

When Qin Geng arrived at Hundred Herb Hall, dawn had just broken.

Early autumn mornings in Tianjin carried a chill.

The hall's heavy black-lacquered doors stood open. Several assistants in blue cloth jackets swept dust and fallen leaves from the entrance with long brooms, their strokes going swish, swish.

Qin Geng climbed the steps and lifted the heavy cotton door curtain.

A rich medicinal scent rushed toward him, bitter at first, then faintly sweet. It sharpened his senses.

Behind the tall rosewood counter in the main hall, a short, stout figure was busy at the medicine cabinets.

Zheng Tonghe held a small balance, deftly measuring out herbs. He did not look back, as though he had eyes in the back of his head.

"Reached the third level of the Fire Wheel?"

Zheng Tonghe kept working. "If you've reached the third level, why aren't you looking for Old Lu? What brings you to my shop?"

Qin Geng's heart tightened.

Shopkeeper Zheng was no ordinary man. Qin Geng's steps had been light, and he had deliberately restrained his breathing, yet Zheng had recognized him the moment he entered.

"Shopkeeper Zheng."

Qin Geng cupped his hands, respectful but neither humble nor overbearing. "My Fire Wheel isn't quite there yet. I came today to buy some medicine."

He added, "For martial training."

At the words "martial training," Zheng Tonghe's hand paused.

He turned. A sharp gleam flashed through his seemingly kindly, narrowed eyes.

Shopkeeper Zheng looked Qin Geng up and down. His gaze lingered on Qin Geng's broad back and the thick tendons that stood out slightly beneath his skin, and surprise filled his eyes.

"Wait a moment."

Zheng Tonghe suppressed his astonishment and returned to his work.

He sorted the herbs he had measured into the many-drawered cabinet behind him, then closed the ledger on the counter. He finished quickly.

Qin Geng did not rush him. He stood quietly before the counter, breathing long and slow, straight as a pine.

Once everything was in order, Zheng Tonghe wiped his hands and came around the counter.

He gestured to a rosewood table for Qin Geng to sit, then brewed a pot of tea from broken leaves.

"Have a prescription? Or do you need me to fill the gaps?"

Zheng Tonghe took a sip of tea as he asked.

Filling the gaps meant coming without a prescription and asking for guidance. It cost more, and only an apothecary who practiced martial arts himself could do it.

Besides, buying medicine in Tianjin had its own rules.

Different schools trained differently and suffered different injuries. Their prescriptions were secrets they never passed on.

To keep a prescription from leaking, martial artists often mixed in a few unrelated herbs. Others split one prescription into three parts and filled each at a different shop, muddying the waters.

Qin Geng had no such tricks up his sleeve.

"I have a prescription."

Qin Geng reached into his robe.

He took out a neatly folded slip of paper and offered it with both hands. "Here it is. Please have a look."

Qin Geng saw the situation clearly.

In the back courtyard last time, Shopkeeper Zheng had caught one of his heavy punches with ease. He was a true master.

Besides, Zheng was the Martial Arts Champion's disciple and the grand-disciple of Guo Yunshen, a martial grandmaster. What secret formula had he not seen?

What Qin Geng held was probably no secret to him.

Sure enough.

Zheng Tonghe took the prescription, glanced at it, and set it on the table.

"Bone-Strengthening Powder from Hebei's Xingyi Dragon and Tiger."

Zheng continued, "The formula is sound. It strengthens the foundation and nourishes the body, fortifying sinews and bones. It isn't expensive. With ox bone as the medicinal catalyst, a dose costs one silver dollar. With tiger bone..."

He paused and spread five fingers. "Five silver dollars a dose."

Qin Geng's brow twitched.

Five silver dollars!

Only the sons of wealthy families could afford to train with medicine at that price.

An ordinary poor wretch could sell his life and still not afford a dose.

"Is there a difference?"

Qin Geng asked.

"Hahaha."

Zheng Tonghe laughed despite himself.

"Tiger bone is better, naturally. As the saying goes, clouds follow dragons, and wind follows tigers. Tiger bone is a thing of pure yang. Its fierce strength can penetrate right into the marrow."

"But..."

Zheng Tonghe changed tack, his gaze settling on Qin Geng. "Medicine has to suit the person and his stage of training. Strong as your body is, you're still tempering your sinews and bones. It's like eating: your stomach can only hold so much. Feed you dragon meat, and you'll absorb only so much of it. The rest will pass right through."

"If ox bone is enough, use ox bone for now. When you feel it's no longer enough, your body will have reached a new stage. It won't be too late to switch to tiger bone then. You should know what 'not enough' feels like."

"I do."

Qin Geng nodded firmly.

He knew that feeling all too well.

Before, he had eaten braised offal until it reached his throat and his stomach ached from fullness, yet hunger still seeped from the cracks in his bones. It was as though a wolf lived inside him that he could never feed.

"How many?"

Zheng Tonghe asked.

Qin Geng calculated quickly.

He had fourteen silver dollars in total.

That would last two weeks. He did not know how much he would improve, but he might as well use it all. He could earn more when the money ran out.

"Fourteen doses to start."

Qin Geng's voice was steady. "Does the medicine keep well?"

"Keep it dry and somewhere with good airflow."

Zheng Tonghe nodded, then asked, "Do you have a clay pot where you live?"

Qin Geng paused and shook his head. "No."

His place in Yi He Shantytown had an earthen stove connected to a heated bed. He only lit it for warmth in winter. He did not even have a proper cooking pot, much less a clay pot for decocting medicine.

"It's best if you brew this yourself."

Zheng Tonghe explained, "Bring it to a boil over a strong fire, then simmer it over a gentle one. The medicinal steam carries the essence. If you practice beside it, that essence will soak into your body through your pores, and none will go to waste. If you let the steam escape and boil it down before drinking it, you'll lose at least thirty percent of its potency."

Qin Geng's face showed his difficulty.

He really did not have the means.

Zheng Tonghe studied him, tapping the tabletop lightly with a finger. After a moment's thought, he said:

"All right. No need to make this difficult."

"Last time at Bell Mountain, you risked your life to save my junior martial brother. You were paid to do it, but that still makes you half one of us."

Zheng Tonghe stood. "I have a little stove in the back courtyard for brewing medicine, and clay pots ready to use. Come here every morning from now on. Brew it here, drink it while it's hot, then run through your boxing. How does that sound?"

Delight rose in Qin Geng's eyes.

That would be an enormous help!

It solved the problem of brewing the medicine and gave him a safe place to train, sparing him the risk of prying eyes at the shanty.

"Thank you, Shopkeeper!"

Qin Geng stood at once, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply.

He took out the cloth pouch he kept hidden against his body, untied it, and counted fourteen gleaming silver dollars into a neat stack on the table.

"Shopkeeper, fourteen silver dollars. That's enough for two weeks."

Zheng Tonghe glanced at the stack, then at Qin Geng.

The young man before him was dressed like a carriage driver and wore shabby clothes. But he had paid without hesitation, carried himself well when he bowed, and now had the vigor and spirit of a martial artist.

"No problem."

With a sweep of his sleeve, Zheng Tonghe gathered the dollars. "Wait here. I'll prepare the medicine. No time like the present—you can start today. Martial training is like rowing upstream. If you leave your body depleted for too long and an ailment takes root, it'll be hard to make up for it later."

"Thank you for looking out for me, Shopkeeper."

Qin Geng cupped his hands again.

"You paid for a service. No need for ceremony."

Zheng Tonghe waved a hand and headed into the medicine cabinets.

Before long, he returned carrying several paper packets and motioned for Qin Geng to follow.

They passed through the front hall, went around a moon gate, and entered Hundred Herb Hall's back courtyard.

The courtyard was small but exceptionally quiet. Several locust trees grew in a corner. Against the wall stood a row of little red-brick stoves, each topped with a soot-blackened clay pot.

Zheng Tonghe went to one of the stoves and deftly lit the charcoal.

He put a packet of prepared herbs into the pot, added the right amount of well water, and set the lid in place.

"Practice your stance here. Breathe through your nose and mouth. As your pores open and close, they'll absorb the essence in the medicinal steam."

Zheng Tonghe pointed to an open spot before the stove. It had been carefully chosen: it lay directly in the easterly wind, which would carry the heat and medicinal steam straight to whoever stood there.

"When the waterline drops below the mark inside the pot, put out the fire at once. Let it cool a little, then drink it all in one go."

As he spoke, Zheng Tonghe pointed to a strainer and a large, coarse porcelain bowl on a nearby shelf. "The tools are over there. Strain it before drinking. The dregs are too heating, so avoid eating them."

"The whole process should take a little over two hours."

"I've packed the remaining thirteen doses. Your name is written on them, and they're in this cabinet. If I'm not here when you come, let an assistant out front know and handle it yourself."

Qin Geng looked at the pot, which was already giving off steam, and felt a little uneasy. "If I do it myself, could I weaken the medicine or brew it wrong?"

It was his first encounter with such "Treasure Medicine," and his own training was at stake. He could hardly help worrying.

Zheng Tonghe smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. Xingyi training is fierce, like raging fire melting gold, but this bone-strengthening decoction is only a basic medicine for beginners."

"The real danger comes after you reach Bright Force and begin taking powerful medicines to break through a bottleneck. That's when you need an expert standing guard, in case your training goes astray."

"I see."

That made sense to Qin Geng, and he relaxed. "Good. Thank you for the guidance, Shopkeeper."

"Right, I'll get back to work. Keep an eye on the water level while you train. Don't get so absorbed that you miss the mark."

"I will."

Zheng Tonghe left the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

Quiet returned. Only the charcoal in the stove gave off a faint crackle.

Qin Geng drew a deep breath and walked to the windward spot directly before the stove.

The water in the clay pot had begun to boil. Once clear, it had turned cloudy. As bubbles churned, an intensely strong medicinal smell rose with the scalding steam and rushed into his face.

"Opening stance!"

Qin Geng spread his feet, gripped the ground with his toes, sank his body, and took up the Three-Body Stance.

He knew the stance by heart, but today was different.

Rolling waves of heat, carrying the herbs' pungent bite and deep, heavy scent, enveloped him.

Qin Geng began the Six Harmonies Breathing Method. His chest rose and fell in rhythm.

"Exhale—"

"Inhale—"

With every breath in, it felt as if he drew the scalding medicinal air straight into his lungs. It burned, yet brought an indescribable comfort.

As his breathing deepened, he felt every pore open under the heat, greedily devouring the medicinal essence drifting in the air.

Hot!

Scorchingly hot!

Qin Geng felt as though his skin were roasting over a fire. His whole body flushed red, and each bead of sweat dried as soon as it emerged. Yet with the heat came a sense of fullness.

The great dragon of his spine warmed under the nourishment of the medicinal steam, as if a hibernating snake had begun to wake and slowly stir.

The sensation was ten times, a hundred times stronger than simply eating meat!

Time passed, second by second.

Two hours later.

The moment Qin Geng saw the water level fall to the mark Zheng Tonghe had mentioned, he pulled the charcoal from beneath the pot.

The decoction inside was now black as ink and thick enough to seem coated in oil. It gave off a heady, dizzying fragrance.

Qin Geng glanced at the light screen in the corner of his vision.

[Experience +2]

Just two hours of that "steam bath" had earned him two experience points!

That matched an entire day of hard training before!

It really is Treasure Medicine!

Delighted, Qin Geng ignored the sweat on his body. He used a damp cloth to lift the pot and set it on a stone platform nearby.

The cool early-autumn breeze swept over it, raising wrinkles across the surface of the scalding liquid.

After about fifteen minutes, the medicine had cooled enough to drink.

Qin Geng picked up the strainer and poured the liquid into the large, coarse porcelain bowl. It filled the bowl to the brim, black and gleaming.

He lifted the bowl and tipped it back without hesitation.

Gulp!

Gulp!

Bitter!

Astringent!

And rank!

It tasted like drinking mud, but Qin Geng did not even frown. He drained the bowl in one breath.

The medicinal liquid hit his stomach and instantly turned into a ball of fire.

Boom!

Heat erupted through his stomach and raced wildly into every limb and bone.

"So this is Bone-Strengthening Powder!"

Qin Geng wasted no time. He took his stance again and continued his standing practice, using his breathing technique to circulate the medicine's tremendous power.

His blood surged, his tendons trembled, and faint sounds came from his bones, as though they were cheering.

The hunger that had gnawed at him to the bone finally vanished.

In its place came a fullness and sense of strength unlike anything he had felt before.

Another two hours passed.

When Qin Geng slowly finished his practice and breathed out a mouthful of stale air, he felt clearheaded and refreshed, with strength to spare.

He looked at the panel again:

[Experience +4]

His experience had risen a full six points that morning!

More importantly, the feeling that his body had been hollowed out was completely gone.

"Whew..."

Qin Geng looked at the empty medicine bowl, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Bone-Strengthening Powder really is expensive, but it's worth every coin!"

"At this rate, how could my martial arts fail to flourish?"

At a thought, the Book of a Hundred Trades' glowing screen unfolded before his eyes.

[Profession: Martial Artist (Level 5)]

[Experience: 7/50]

[Talents]:

[Dragon Spine Through the Back (Level 1)]: Your spine is like a dragon; your tendons snap taut, greatly enhancing your explosive power and ability to withstand blows.

His gaze moved down, and a new line of text appeared, previewing what lay ahead:

[Raise Martial Artist to Level 10 to unlock the talent: Sickly Tiger Bones]

Qin Geng's eyes locked onto those four characters.

[Sickly Tiger Bones]:

[As the boxing saying goes: "The dragon moves with wind and thunder; the tiger moves as though sick."]

["Sick" does not mean weak. It means spirit and energy drawn inward, the body relaxed and sunk into the bones.]

[Your frame will grow broader, and your bones will differ from those of ordinary people, dense as iron.]

[With Tiger Bone in your body, your tendons will naturally relax as you walk, sit, or lie down, your joints sinking slightly, like a drowsy tiger just waking from sleep.]

[You may seem full of openings and limp with weakness, but your vitality is held within, locked deep in your marrow. In an instant, wind and thunder will stir the clouds as you choose someone to devour!]

"Sickly Tiger Bones?"

Qin Geng silently repeated the words, his eyes flashing.

Though he had never entered a renowned school, he had read the principles of boxing in Xingyi Dragon and Tiger.

In traditional martial arts, the hardest thing to master was not "tension," but "relaxation."

Only when the body was thoroughly relaxed could its strength become unified.

Sickly Tiger Bones was clearly an exceptionally advanced way of moving and shaping the bones.

Dragon Tendon governed explosive power; Tiger Bone governed relaxation and sinking.

Once both came together in one body, hard and soft would truly work as one, dragon and tiger meeting!

"With Dragon Tendon and Tiger Bone in one body, that really would be a top-tier talent."

Qin Geng drew a deep breath and suppressed his excitement.

"The talents in the Book of a Hundred Trades are fearsome. If I keep training like this, I'll absolutely make a name for myself as a Martial Artist!"

"With Bone-Strengthening Powder helping me, I should reach Level 10 in just a few months, step into Bright Force, and unlock that Tiger Bone talent."

"Only then will I truly leave behind this wretched life at the bottom and have the means to survive in these troubled times!"

His heart burned with anticipation. He was about to strike while the iron was hot and stand a while longer to consolidate the medicine's effects.

Just then, hurried footsteps broke the quiet of the back courtyard.

A young assistant from Hundred Herb Hall ran in, panting.

"Mr. Qin! Mr. Qin!"

Before he had even stopped, the assistant called out, "There's an old man surnamed Zhu looking for you out front! He said he's Master Zhu Xin and that it's desperately urgent! The shopkeeper told me to come tell you at once!"

"Hm?"

Qin Geng's heart gave a violent jolt.

Master Zhu Xin?

That old hand was usually the steadiest of men, and they had only just parted. Why would he suddenly come looking for him?

And why was it "desperately urgent"?

"I'm coming!"

Without another word, Qin Geng snatched up the jacket beside him and strode out, pulling it on as he went.

He reached the entrance of Hundred Herb Hall.

Master Zhu Xin was pacing anxiously below the steps with his hands behind his back. His old eyes, usually narrowed to slits, were wide open, and agitation covered his face.

Beside him crouched a young carriage driver holding an empty rickshaw, gulping down air. He had clearly run the whole way.

Qin Geng hurried down the steps. "Master Zhu Xin, what's so urgent? What happened?"

The moment Master Zhu Xin saw him, even his voice changed pitch.

"Xiao Wu! Quick! Get to Xun River Wharf!"

"Something terrible's happened!"

"Those bastards from Yi He Shantytown have gone all out this time! I don't know where they found several tough fighters, but they brought men and stormed Xun River Wharf!"

"From the look of it, they mean to kill. Someone could die!"

"I happened to spot them while I was out walking nearby. I knew your shantytown had just taken that territory, so I hurried over by rickshaw to warn you!"

Qin Geng's face darkened at once.

Yi He Shantytown!

Xu Chun, Uncle Jin, and several elders from the shantytown were among the few people close to him in this world. They had fed him when he was at his lowest, and Qin Geng had never forgotten that kindness.

If anything happened to Uncle Xu...

"I understand."

Qin Geng drew a deep breath and turned to Master Zhu Xin.

"Master Zhu Xin, words can't repay this kindness. I, Qin Geng, will remember it, and I'll thank you properly later!"

"Saving them comes first. I'm going ahead!"

"Go! Quickly!"

Master Zhu Xin waved him on. "Those men have weapons. Be careful!"

Before the words had left his mouth, Qin Geng had already turned away.

Bang!

The stone slab beneath his feet gave a dull thud.

The next instant, Qin Geng bent his back slightly. His tendons snapped taut, and he shot forward, whipping up a gust of wind.

Under the young carriage driver's dumbfounded gaze, Qin Geng's figure left an afterimage along the street and vanished around the corner in the blink of an eye.