Chapter 29

A glowing human figure occupied his field of vision; no need to observe with the naked eye — red and white alternating colors, bright light evenly distributed across different parts.

Mainly in the four limbs; other places were a bit lighter, a bit darker.

"Somewhat like the red muscle, white muscle a fitness trainer explains."

Qin Shi thought seriously; he knew skeletal muscle divides into two types, red and white.

Red muscle has more endurance and lasts long; white muscle has more explosive power and is strong.

It is said the sports department uses this method to select athletes — high proportion of white muscle fibers, suited for sprinting and high jump.

Conversely, they participate in marathons, cycling road races, and the like.

"It shouldn't be that simple; I see there are also subtle pinks, red and white blending, turning into strand after strand of pink light... could this be Qi Sense?"

The glowing human figure sat in a cross-legged posture; that strand of pink light, thick as a finger, traversed between red and white, moving very slowly.

Qin Shi, on one hand, grasped the Qi Sensation, guiding its circulation;

on the other hand, he maintained the Inner Vision State, carefully observing the pink light, tender and soft like an infant's, containing vital life force.

After about seven or eight minutes, the warm current completed one full circulation.

That is what Lao Liang called operating the Small Heavenly Circuit.

"The pink grew a trace stronger, then the red and white grew a bit brighter."

Extremely minute changes, under the Inner Vision State, were seen clearly by Qin Shi.

"According to Old Martial Arts' saying, each time one operates the Small Heavenly Circuit, making the Qi Sensation complete a cycle, cultivation progress speeds up by a fraction.

This process is actually deepening the brightness of the two colors red and white, raising the body's intensity."

Qin Shi appeared thoughtful; following the Four Steps of Entry proposed by Lao Liang, Meridian Opening is tempering, Grasping Qi Sensation is strengthening.

Two-pronged approach squeezing potential, releasing rich Qi Life Force.

Finally open the Mortal Body's Eight Ranks and Nine Joints, achieve Grand Circulation of Qi Sensation, let the tender pink light cover the whole body.

"Old Martial Arts' inheritance of many years is indeed extraordinary, links interlocking, seamless.

As long as one follows the steps methodically, one can ascend step by step.

Of course, the premise is being able to enter the door."

Qin Shi opened his eyes, stretched his waist, bones connected throughout, integrated as one.

As if he had done ten-odd minutes of gentle stretching, opening up his whole person.

At this moment, Qin Shi had none of the muscle soreness and bodily fatigue after high-intensity training; on the contrary, he felt incomparably light and agile.

Whole body's tendons and muscles — loose where they should be loose, tight where they should be tight — like a brand-new machine just oiled.

"This step of Eight Ranks and Nine Joints comes naturally. Next is increasing the Small Heavenly Circuit's circulation cycles, and solidifying the striking foundation."

Qin Shi stepped out of the house, splashed cold water on his face; from outside came Xie Yucheng's voice:

"A Shi, hurry up, don't be late; today Brother Ze prepared a big show, manpower is very tight!"

"Got it."

Qin Shi nimbly locked the door, jumped onto the bicycle's rear seat.

"Lao Liang rarely showed kindness yesterday, gave us a day off; originally wanted to find you with Brother Yuan to hang out, but you weren't home."

Xie Yucheng stepped on the pedals, the bicycle bell jingling, speeding like the wind, heading toward Beiguan Street.

"Cheng Ge's breath is very even, but not continuous enough; the breathing rhythm is like swinging a hammer, comparatively short and abrupt."

Qin Shi had just learned how to capture others' breath, judge bodily strength and weakness, and used the cycling Xie Yucheng to practice.

He closed his eyes and listened sideways, letting the air current brush past his face, blowing up his hair strands.

Exhale, inhale.

Qin Shi concentrated his attention.

Gradually, Xie Yucheng's breathing sounds were amplified, continuously forming a rising-and-falling wave fluctuation curve.

"Qi Sense — Cheng Ge also has Qi Sense, only very thin."

The more expert among trained fighters, the closer the curve representing breathing breath approaches stability; the oscillation amplitude won't be very intense, unless entering combat state, then it will sharply pull up a peak with huge drop.

"Hmm, how come I can also see the body colors on Cheng Ge."

At the moment Qin Shi's spirit was highly condensed, his field of vision suddenly shook, stripping away Xie Yucheng's flesh-and-blood form, presenting extremely dim red and white bright lights; as for the tender pink like an infant's, it was even more nearly non-existent.

"Red occupies more, white occupies less — no wonder Cheng Ge usually loses to Brother Yuan in actual combat training.

Strong endurance, insufficient explosive power; throwing a punch has no strength, lacks a decisive attack method."

The Inner Vision State wasn't maintained for long before Qin Shi's head felt somewhat heavy; observing others consumes seemingly especially much.

"Come to think of it, does this count as having X-ray vision? If the range were expanded further, able to activate through walls and obstacles, wouldn't that be a god-tier skill for ambushing people!"

……

……

Past nine-ten, the bicycle stopped before the brightly lit Midnight Palace's main gate.

Xie Yucheng turned his head:

"A Shi, I'll go lock the bike; you go in from the back first, Brother Yuan has been here since afternoon."

Qin Shi nodded, jumped off the rear seat.

Beiguan Street at this hour was extremely lively, constant stream of vehicles and horses, crowds pressing.

Sedans rarely seen on Old Factory Street came and went in an endless stream, driving into this place.

Those bag-carrying parking attendants enthusiastically came forward to help park and reserve spots.

"Hua Ge, open the door."

He ducked into the alley, knocked on the iron door, and once again saw the bear-type fierce bald man.

"Little Hour, inside they're warming up the scene; hurry and change into worker uniform. I told Manager Yu you and A Cheng already arrived, just squatting in the toilet."

The bald man named Niu Aihua smiled kindly.

"Thanks, Brother Hua!"

Qin Shi slipped through the corridor and into the locker room.

The deafening sound waves from outside battered the walls, seeping through.

"So lively."

Xie Yucheng, who had also sneaked in, remarked:

"The foreman said this kind of explosive big show can attract a lot of big spenders to buy tickets; hope we can earn a few hundred in tips and have a hearty late-night snack."

Qin Shi looked at the poster stuck on the outside of the locker room iron cabinet — a copper-skinned, steel-cast muscular man striking a rear lat spread pose, while his opponent was a skinny Tianzhu man wrapped in a headscarf.

"Wonder how high the physical intensity of Brother Ze's fighters is?"

……

……

Tonight the Midnight Palace was exceptionally boiling; the guests no longer paid attention to the scantily clad dancers or the voluptuous hostesses, but all stared at the octagonal cage rising on the main stage.

The heavy iron cage stood erect, emitting a cold gleam, about ten meters in diameter, with railings two meters high.

Eight thick corner pillars pulled out eight steel mesh gates, like a miniature beast-fighting arena.

The microphone carried the host's high-pitched, passionate voice throughout the entire hall:

"Tonight will feature a desperate fight of fist to flesh! One side is 'Hei Luoni' from Beiguan Street — his pair of hands have crushed the heads of countless fighters! The other side is the 'Suffering Monk' from the Tianzhu Autonomous Region……"

The flamboyantly dressed host shouted himself hoarse, but the audience just wanted him to scram off quickly, impatient to watch the slaughter.

"Brother Yuan, what Hei Luoni, Suffering Monk — the reputations sound impressive!"

Qin Shi finished delivering a few cocktails the guests ordered and huddled in a corner chatting idly with Li Yuan.

"All made up. Hei Luoni is a fitness trainer from the Urban Circle; because he took drugs his head got pointy — looks big but is actually as clumsy as a pig, not necessarily able to beat me.

The Suffering Monk is even more of a joke — a dishwasher at a curry restaurant in the North District.

The opening act has nothing to watch; it's mainly to build atmosphere and fool laymen."

Li Yuan pursed his lips.

"Ah?"

Qin Shi was surprised.

Turns out it's the nightclub version of Wu Lin Feng?

Competing over who acts better?

"The truly exciting content — how could it be put out in the open?"

Li Yuan shrugged:

"The main course is only served after the appetizers are finished. Tonight a few big bosses from Yincheng came, specifically demanding to see a death match — they won't stop until they see blood."

By the end, Li Yuan's face was full of worry; his and Xie Yucheng's clearest "career plan" was nothing more than following Brother Ze, upgrading from boxers to arena fighters.

"This ruthless? Must cost a human life!"

As a student, Qin Shi could only touch the dilapidated side of Old Factory Street, never truly glimpsing the darkness hidden beneath the calm life.

"Rich people — they've enjoyed everything there is to enjoy; the dignity, character, time of poor devils can all be trampled by them at any moment — isn't a single life all that's left?"

Li Yuan gritted his teeth, resentment showing in his eyes.

Qin Shi fell silent; his elder sister had shouldered too much burden for him and the youngest.

Paid for their schooling and living, sheltered them from wind and rain.

Let them not really experience the grievance and pain of being beaten by reality.

"A Yuan, table 52, open two bottles of Thorn Rose!"

The bartender at the bar relayed the message via walkie-talkie.

Li Yuan acknowledged and hurried off.

"Earning tips really isn't easy."

Feeling several scorching gazes from the booth area, Qin Shi had to force out a business smile again.

Delivering wine and fruit platters to these lonely, idle single ladies inevitably meant enduring some teasing.

If it were just verbal teasing it would be fine, but some bold ones directly put their hands on him, even asking if he wanted to find a sugar sister or sugar mommy.

"Boys out in the world must protect themselves well!"

Hearing the bar's drink-delivery reminder, Qin Shi sighed again, preparing to swallow the humiliation.

Hope not to run into those perverts who call themselves 'needing discipline', 'willing to be slaves', 'begging to be stepped on'.

Before Qin Shi could pick up the drinks, he was stopped by Manager Yu, dressed somewhat seductively:

"A Shi, don't be busy yet — Brother Ze is looking for you in the second-floor private room."

(Chapter End)