Chapter 129

The Action Division is the frontline of the Patrol Department; the benefits and treatment are very high, inferior only to the mandarins of the General Affairs Department.

The entire floor's training grounds are equivalent to a "large gym" dedicated for their cultivation.

Downstairs there are also a laundry room and showers; next to them a supermarket and a cafe are open — presenting Action Division credentials allows free use and unrestricted consumption.

One must admit, as the Security Bureau's most capable left and right arms, the Patrol Department's funding is indeed ample in this regard.

"Qin Classmate, have you ever contested Qi Jin with anyone?"

Tan Cong looked at Qin Shi, who had nimbly leaped onto the platform and landed without a sound; his gaze involuntarily changed, the color of appreciation growing even thicker.

Wanting to properly control one's body and adapt to every fraction of strength is no easy task.

This requires repeated practice, repeated familiarization.

It not only consumes a great deal of time and energy, but also demands the ability to endure loneliness and withstand the monotonous, repetitive process.

Even among Old Martial Arts factions, inheritors willing to persist in such bitter cultivation solely to master the body are exceedingly rare.

"No, but I heard my master mention it a few times; I have a general understanding."

Qin Shi stood on the flat, unguarded platform, occupying a corner as his foothold.

The so-called "contesting Qi Jin" is the Old Era Martial Arts World's method of sparring.

Those practitioners in the martial halls and sects observe many particulars and rules.

Such as mounting the platform to fight, showing no mercy.

To them, stepping onto the platform and signing the waiver means putting their lives aside; life and death hang by a thread.

But in daily interaction, seeing a worthy opponent stirs the heart; encountering a strong adversary, one inevitably wants to measure relative height.

Yet the two bear no grudge; rashly drawing blood and forming a feud would be too extreme.

So the relatively gentle modes of joining hands and contesting Qi Jin evolved.

The former: practitioners hide their palms in their sleeves; a mutual touch and grip reveals whether the other's kung fu foundation is sufficient.

The latter is much the same: both raise arms and spread them wide, like bulls locking horns.

Release the Qi Jin within, mutually oppose, wear down, compare technique.

"Haha, it's fine; you and I are just exchanging friendly pointers — don't feel pressured."

Tan Cong laughed heartily.

It is very obvious: this Tiger of the Action Division is a martial arts fanatic.

"Then I must trouble Officer Tan for your guidance."

Qin Shi was polite; mimicking the Old Era Martial Arts World's practitioners, he performed a clasped-fist ancient salute.

"Come come come! Let me see how the Old Martial Arts' young outstanding talent compares to the Qiguang Heng University students of twenty years ago!"

Tan Cong's blood boiled with excitement; he rubbed his hands, stepped forward a few paces, and spread his arms wide in a grappling posture.

His feet settled into a horse stance; his center of gravity slowly lowered, concentrating on a single point.

This is the opening stance of ancient wrestling.

Qin Shi copied him: toes touching the ground, knees splayed outward, waist and hips unified, gazing levelly at his opponent.

The distance between the two gradually closed — Bang! Palms collided heavily, like a steel cannon shell leaving the barrel, shaking the platform so it trembled!

This commotion instantly attracted the rest of the Action Division personnel.

Watching excitement seems to be a creature's nature; they put down their apparatus one after another and gathered in twos and threes into a cluster.

Discovering the one standing on the platform was Tan Cong.

Someone couldn't help but exclaim in surprise:

"Instructor Tan! He's found someone to spar with again! Who's so unlucky to be abused by Instructor Tan this time?"

The young man beside him frowned:

"The opponent's age is very small; he looks like a freshman university student? Or a high school student?"

Everyone deeply knew Tan Cong's character — absolutely not the vicious type to bully the weak with strength — so they felt very curious.

"Qin Shi Qin Classmate!"

Someone recognized the other youth.

It was shockingly Wei Zheguang from the Cheng Hua Branch.

The moment he spoke, he was pinned by several gazes.

"Lao Wei, you know him?"

"What's his background?"

"Could it be that at such a young age, not knowing the heights of heaven and earth, he actively challenged Instructor Tan……"

Wei Zheguang shook his head and said:

"Qin Classmate is very formidable. A few days ago, Ox Head was crippled, Snake Boy's head was smashed in, and Gray Viper suffered direct brain death…… it was all done by Qin Classmate. He's a high school senior and has already obtained a Third-Tier Credential Temporary Certificate — a genuine genius!"

That guy who eliminated the Three Harms?

He's actually still a high school student?

Damn, that's outrageous!

The rest were half-believing, half-doubting, especially upon learning the student's identity.

It was hard to equate the fierce figure who beat Snake Boy to death with that delicate face.

Just as they were talking, Qin Shi and Tan Cong, already on the platform, had exchanged blows a second time.

The first collision was more probing; they hadn't used technique, merely released raw force.

"Qin Classmate's strength is very strong; his physical quality is already approaching fifty points of Qi Life Force."

Tan Cong's inner anticipation grew fuller; he pushed his palm very slowly, as if the air were heavy and sluggish, a stream of sluggish Qi Jin circulating, trying to stick to Qin Shi and fling him away.

"Vast and profound — this Officer Tan's cultivated Qi Jin is truly heavy as a mountain; if he raised his fist and smashed down, even a dozen-centimeter-thick alloy steel door would be smashed through!"

Qin Shi's palm felt slightly warm, as if sensing something; if he were stuck, he feared it would be hard to break free.

After training under Old Ren, he had made great progress in operating force.

The force variation named "True Yuan One Qi" instantly surged with his breath, swift and fast.

Violent and fierce power suddenly turned light and flexible; five fingers grasped emptily, the palm hollowed, as if a whale's eye swallowed surging billows, actually pulling and shifting Tan Cong's sticky force, deflecting it to the side!

"What a flexible variation!"

Tan Cong grew interested, quickly withdrew his palm into a retreating posture, then clenched his fist, striking like a cannon blast!

Boom!

The air let out a muffled explosion, like a solid iron ball shooting out, crashing toward Qin Shi's center gate.

Because it was fighting strength, not a fight to the death.

This punch was not fast, but contained very fierce explosive force, like gunpowder exploding, giving an overwhelming momentum that seemed impossible to block.

"Instructor Tan is taking it seriously!"

The youth from the Action Division narrowed his eyes, finding it hard to believe.

A youth whom Tan Cong treated this way must surely be outstanding in skill.

Those fighting experts in the Action Division who thought themselves formidable usually couldn't last two rounds before being knocked down, not even knowing how they lost.

"This punch is hard to block……"

Wei Zheguang bared his teeth; having studied fighting with Tan Cong for a while, he knew Old Tan held nothing back, and if he injured Qin Classmate, Chen Yun's tigress might well fly into a rage.

"I can block it!"

Qin Shi did not retreat; he placed his left hand at the crook of his right elbow, as if giving firm support.

The results of practicing "Internal External Spirit Brave Strength Qi Art" were displayed in an instant!

As it is said, the internally strong have supple tendons, fine skin, and extremely heavy power.

Qin Shi, having taken Mineral Essence, had fully reached the level of internal and external qi strength.

Doing what the art describes—"join the fingers, can pierce a cow's belly; turn the palm, can break a cow's head; clench the fist, can shatter a tiger's shin"—was not difficult at all.

Qin Shi straightened his spine, still pushing his palm out, breath steady, not leaking outward.

His palm rotated slightly, as if toying with a ball, not directly receiving Tan Cong's fist, but like cloth in the air wrapping over, following that explosive force.

Immediately after, Qin Shi's chest sank, dissipating three parts of the force, then taking advantage to push outward, dissolving and resolving Tan Cong's attack.

In less than two minutes, the two exchanged blows, displaying very exquisite force-operating skill.

"Good! Truly heroes come from youth! Qin Classmate, if this were twenty years ago, Qiguang Heng University should have specially recruited you!"

Tan Cong was too excited; as an Old Martial Arts practitioner, meeting a top genius like Qin Shi, he could hardly restrain the joy in his heart.

"Twenty years from now, Qiguang Heng University will also specially recruit me."

Qin Shi smiled, but did not speak these words from his heart.

Back when he followed Old Liang to learn Old Martial Arts, he said Hong Sheng's most outstanding constitution was "Dragon Tendons Tiger Bones Kirin Strength" and "Bee Waist Ape Arm Mantis Leg."

He now had both.

The versatility and comprehensiveness of True Yuan One Qi answered the Kirin Strength.

"Instructor Tan, I also have a force; I'd like you to receive it."

Qin Shi, who had dissolved several attacks in succession, took a deep breath, his gaze flashing with sharpness.

He also wanted to verify the results of his recent hard training.

"Come on! Don't hold back! Qin Classmate, I have thick skin and tough flesh, no need to worry about breaking me!"

Tan Cong was full of confidence; even without using the life domain of a professional rank, relying only on the physical quality from Life Force Development, he could withstand Qin Shi's attacks.

After all, the gap in strength was there!

"Then I'm coming."

Qin Shi was easily persuaded; since Officer Tan said so, he naturally had to give face.

He regulated his breathing; though his breath was steady, like rolling hot mist trapped in a furnace, his entire body was already scorching hot, driving his muscles to constantly tighten and contract.

His slender fingers lightly clenched into a fist, then his waist and arm rotated inward as he struck forward.

At first glance, there was no momentum!

The onlookers outside the ring couldn't see anything impressive, but Tan Cong's facial color changed.

He could be the fighting instructor of the Action Division and subdue these hotheaded youngsters, naturally because he had real skill.

In Old Martial Arts, it has always been said: "The lighter you train, the looser you are; the harder you strike, the more explosive."

Only those who cannot control their power strike with rigid ferocity, because they cannot hold the qi within, so they cannot press down the violent force.

Truly top-tier fighting experts who understand operating force hold their power steady; that force reaches all four limbs, and they can release it however they wish—even a single hair could pierce a steel plate!

"Shaking Pound Strength!"

Tan Cong's skin and hair tightened all over; actually, his five senses were acutely sensitive to warning signs, representing that Qin Shi's punch had already produced a threat!

He knew very well that Pound Strength was more fierce than Cannon Strength!

Qin Shi appeared to clench his fist, but actually held it empty and hollow, so it looked loose, but just before it neared his body, tendons and bones moved together, all eight ranks and nine joints of his body vibrating as one, as if twisted into a single piece.

If this punch landed, even a hard blue stone as big as a calf would be smashed and shattered into pieces!

In a real fight, Tan Cong could dodge, but fighting strength was about who could dissipate force, borrow force, strike force, and release force.

At the critical moment, he could only take a breath and raise his fist to meet it!

Boom!

As if thunder had exploded on flat ground!

At the point where the two fists collided, the air raged like white waves, turning into hurricanes!

Immediately after, the solid ring seemed unable to bear it, making a "crack" sound, actually being torn and split open by the force of the two men planting their feet!

Qin Shi's figure trembled violently; fortunately, his twelve large tendons were thick and tough, neutralizing the force and steadying him without moving his footsteps, dissipating his center of gravity.

Tan Cong also swayed, his feet rooted to the ground, firm as a boulder.

A wild wind brushed past, clothing clinging tight; both faces were calm, seemingly at ease, fully displaying the bearing of masters.

The Action Division people below couldn't help but exclaim in amazement — what kind of monsters are these!

Tan Cong was one thing; he had long borne the title of "Martial Arts Instructor," his strength plain for all to see.

Qin Shi, at this age, at this level, actually matched Instructor Tan evenly.

Simply a monster!

"No wonder I heard the Hengzhou Martial Association plans to cultivate Qin Classmate with all their might! Your talent is truly... seen only once in a lifetime!"

Tan Cong straightened, hands clasped behind his back, avoiding the Action Division crowd's observation.

His knuckles reddened, swollen and painful; even with a professional-grade physical constitution, it was somewhat unbearable.

"This sparring session benefited me greatly as well. Officer Tan's force operation is exquisite, with many places worth learning from."

Qin Shi said sincerely.

"Haha, come to the Action Division often from now on; we'll exchange pointers to our hearts' content."

Qin Shi nodded; it was rare to encounter a professional-grade Old Martial Arts practitioner, so he should seek more guidance.

"Tan Erhu! You've made something of yourself, idling about with nothing to do and bullying a novice!?"

Before the two could leave the platform, Chen Yun strode into the training ground with aggressive momentum, her eyes unkind.

In her view, professional-grade Tan Cong contending with Qin Shi who hadn't even set a section rank was pure bullying!

"Inspector Chen, don't be angry; Qin Classmate and I are both Old Martial Arts practitioners, just friendly exchange..."

Tan Cong said embarrassedly.

"Damage to public property, I'll pay! As for Qin Classmate, Equipment Department's Lao Huang is my buddy; later I'll have him pick out a Level 3 Bulletproof Vest and a Level 1 Stab-proof Suit!"

Chen Yun carefully scanned Qin Shi, seeing he was uninjured and not bedraggled, and let out a breath of relief.

"Count you as sincere! You Action Division Group Two are all elites! Xiao Qin is the specialist our Group Four hired; don't get any ideas! Xiao Qin, let's go, I'll take you to receive equipment!"

Chen Yun came and went in a whirlwind, dragging away Qin Shi who was being surrounded and watched by the crowd.

"Lao Wei, so this is the pretty-boy boyfriend of Inspector Chen you mentioned before?"

Someone in the Action Division teased.

"Bah! Stop spreading rumors! They're siblings — sworn sister and sworn brother; you lot are truly filthy-minded!"

Wei Zheguang stuck out his neck, anxious to explain.

"Got your meaning! Losing to this kind of genius, you're not wronged! Truly a freak, running into Instructor Tan and not getting abused..."

"Sister Yun, why call Officer Tan 'Tan Erhu'?"

Leaving the training ground, Qin Shi and Chen Yun took the escalator downstairs and sat in the cafe next to it.

"Lao Tan calls himself Tiger of Action Division, but above him there's still a Tiger of the Inspection Department, so he can only settle for the name 'Second Tiger'."

Chen Yun ordered a cold drink and got a milk tea for Qin Shi as well.

"Tiger of the Inspection Department... should be Lao Chen."

Qin Shi pondered a moment; the only one worthy of that title was Chen Ruofu, the head of the Taian Metropolitan Area.

"Heard my dad say you joined the Nanhuang Dojo?"

Chen Yun looked up and asked.

"Studying under Instructor Ren; can't call it formally becoming a disciple."

Qin Shi shook his head, unaware he had been internally designated as the next successor.

"Anyway, since you're close with the Nanhuang Dojo, you must beware of trouble. Twenty years ago, Hengzhou's New and Old Martial Arts transition sparked a blood conflict..."

Chen Yun warned.

(Chapter End)