Chapter 60: Dogs Don't Bite, The Beginning of the Mad Surge

Whoosh!

Whoosh whoosh!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

The setting sun cast its orange-golden warm light over the playground.

Qin Shi planted his feet, swung his arms, ceaselessly chopping and slashing, cleaving the air currents.

His movements were not without speed, accompanied by breath at the tip of his nose and exhalation from his lips and teeth; the twelve blood-colored major tendons within his body throbbed and leaped.

His palm stood upright like a single blade, each strike exceptionally fierce, as if afterimages skimmed the void, his momentum not bad.

As his method of exerting force grew more proficient, his qi circulation speed grew ever swifter; his arms seemed like two steel whips lashing about—let alone flesh and blood, even solid steel bars would bend and snap.

"Still far too short; I cannot achieve what Lao Liang does—holding light as heavy, manipulating air currents to form blade-like cutting force."

Qin Shi frowned, recalling Lao Liang's palm strike, the chilling killing intent within it bursting forth like a razor-sharp blade that could cut iron like mud.

"Is it because my momentum tempering isn't up to par? Is my spirit-nurturing contemplation not good enough, failing to grasp the wonder of 'Its Speed Like Wind Momentum'?"

He pondered alone, not rushing to ask Lao Liang.

The Old Martial Arts path likewise stresses that the master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual.

The master can only clear some obstacles on the disciple's path ahead and offer protection.

As for how to learn and improve, to comprehend the essence, it all depends on the disciple's own natural talent.

"With my astonishing wisdom that instantly entered the Spirit Nurturing Technique, there's no reason I can't grasp the essence and truth of 'Its Speed Like Wind Momentum'; something must be wrong!"

Qin Shi was unconvinced and decided to practice another forty minutes; he had to comprehend the secrets of the "Killing Whale Hand."

The sun sank, and night deepened.

Forty minutes passed in a flash.

"What exactly is momentum! I can't figure it out, really can't!"

His arms were so sore he couldn't lift them, still without a clue; Qin Shi gritted his teeth in anger.

"My Spiritual Field Power is as high as sixteen points! There's no reason I can't comprehend Hundred Aspects Momentum Tempering; where exactly is the problem..."

He considered whether to activate 【Deep Sleep】, perform another Spirit Nurturing Contemplation, and defend the dignity of an Old Martial Talent!

Lao Liang, who had watched for a long time, finally spoke:

"Hong Sheng, Hong Sheng, is the Hong Gate's 'Saint' character line. In the past, the martial world had one gate split into two factions; the gate master who held power usually took two disciples to pass on true skills."

"One serves as the main pillar, upholding the gate's face; one hides behind the scenes, protecting the inheritance."

Qin Shi lowered his stance, regulated his breathing, and quietly listened to Lao Liang's account.

"The Hong Sheng line does the dirty work and holds the substance."

"Therefore, 'Wind' and 'Fire' in Hundred Aspects Momentum Tempering are not open and aboveboard fighting techniques, but lethal assassination fist arts."

"You have never stained your hands with blood since childhood, so your strikes always lack a bit of sharpness."

Lao Liang's eyes shone brightly.

Back then, he fully tempered Swift as Wind Momentum and suddenly comprehended Killing Whale Hand.

It was on a life-and-death contract ring that he defeated a strong enemy, shattering the man's Adam's apple cartilage.

To this day Lao Liang still remembers the scene: his palm struck out, thrust straight at the neck, a crisp crack rang out, and fresh blood spurted from the mouth.

That strong enemy fell face up, his gaze gradually dimming.

Scorching hot wind swirled, blowing over his exhausted body, already spent of strength, like the breath of the god of death.

It was in that instant that Lao Liang's mind and spirit suddenly opened.

The eight characters "Death Like Wind, Ever by My Side" flashed through his mind.

"Back then, Hundred Aspects Momentum Tempering placed greater emphasis on mind and spirit condensation; your talent in practice methods and combat methods is exceptionally outstanding, truly fine material."

"But taking momentum, contemplation, entering the spirit, and then comprehending killing moves, letting fists and feet possess 'imagery'—"

"This cannot be achieved simply by imitation and study. Comprehension has always been the most elusive natural quality on the Old Martial path."

"Otherwise, I would have you attempt the God Breaking Pass Great Limit."

Watching Qin Shi, who had trained hard all afternoon without finding the way in, Lao Liang laughed heartily:

"Tempering momentum with mind and spirit is a very long road; no need to rush into running."

"Just slow your steps, enjoy the scenery along the way, and perhaps one day you will comprehend it."

Qin Shi felt helpless; no matter how remote Hengzhou was on the borderlands, no matter how forgotten Old Factory Street was, general order still existed—only the line between black and white was blurrier, not so clear.

Where am I supposed to go see blood?

It's not the ancient era where boxers escort goods and fight in rings.

People don't just grab weapons and draw knives at the drop of a hat!

"Master Liang, then how does the New Martial Arts School comprehend imagery?"

He asked curiously.

The Old Martial Arts School's mind-and-spirit momentum tempering extracts essence from life and death, facing enemies, and combat, refining it repeatedly—

Finally returning it to oneself!

So how does the New Martial Arts School complete it?

"They're far too simple. Throughout ancient and modern times, what could better spawn killing combat methods than the battlefield, this meat grinder, this great furnace?"

"You think the 'Cannon Fist' and 'Collapsing Fist' of the Bionic Style and Military Martial Arts School came from nowhere?"

"Throw them into trenches for a few years, running through gunfire and hail of bullets for tens of thousands of li, and anyone would comprehend it."

Lao Liang shook his head; obviously, he had contacted many New Martial Arts practitioners and faced those incredible, immensely powerful "strange imagery."

"No wonder Old Martial Arts has declined; in the cosmic age of great cannons and war ships, the New Martial Arts School has many conveniences and can continuously cultivate talent, while the Old Martial Arts School, still stuck at breaking human body limits, indeed easily fades."

Qin Shi very much wanted to tell Lao Liang that martial arts were not such an inconvenient thing.

He himself also needed to comprehend more common, more intense forms of "momentum"!

For example, the cement mixer truck and bulldozer parked at the Stone Gate Archway were quite good!

But he feared speaking so plainly would get him cleaned out of the school by one Killing Whale Hand from Lao Liang!

"Heart Momentum Imagery cannot be learned in a day or two.

You need to change this temper of yours; being too eager for success in everything only makes you more likely to fall flat on your face.

At seventeen or eighteen years old, why rush about so anxiously like an old man with yellow earth buried up to his neck?"

Lao Liang admonished him with a serious expression; the reason he had imparted the Killing Whale Hand to Qin Shi was to temper his nature.

Even a peerless monster like He Lanchan needed ten years of settling down before achieving Great Achievement.

"I just want to improve too much, Teacher Liang."

Qin Shi scratched his head and put on an obedient act.

He thought that when he got home at night, he would activate the Stela.

Let me see the panel's limit!

……

……

The night was thick as a great curtain, shrouding Hengzhou New Star.

The crescent moon was veiled by dark clouds, making Old Factory Street a little pitch black tonight.

Leaving Zi Fu No. 9 Middle School, Qin Shi showed off the Super Protein Lao Cao had given him while pondering the way of tempering the heart and forging momentum.

Passing by the lively Snack Street, he casually bought two portions of chicken frames, planning to take them back as a night snack.

"Aiyo, why did Old Li decide he couldn't go on and just leave!"

"Sigh, having such a Nie Zhai as a son, he even stole the property deed to mortgage it!"

"Looks like demolition is coming soon, able to move into a new house..."

In the spacious open space before the shantytown gate, an ambulance bearing Dangyang Hospital markings was parked.

Medical personnel in white coats and masks carried out a stretcher covered with white cloth from the single-story house.

"Make way! Don't crowd here! In a moment the cars won't be able to get out..."

The medical worker in front shouted.

The black mass of onlookers, like waves parted by a rush, retreated to both sides.

Old Li's wife leaned against the threshold, seemingly too weak to rise, staring blankly at the cold corpse being loaded onto the ambulance.

"Old Li! Why are you so heartless, abandoning me..."

After the ambulance drove away, the mournful wailing inside the single-story house was soon drowned out by noisy discussion.

Qin Shi, carrying two bags of chicken frames, stood across the street, piecing together the whole story from the seven-tongued-eight-mouthed whispering.

Old Li's son was idle and loafing; recently friends had dragged him to play cards and gamble, he won quite a bit at first, then started losing consecutively.

Under a mountain of debt, he stole the family's property deed to mortgage it.

Originally he had planned to pay off the debt, but once there he thought of making a comeback.

As a result he lost everything to the last penny, and even lost a leg.

Two days ago when debt collectors came to the door, Old Li felt he had no face to see people, and in a moment of desperation took poison.

"Gamblers harm people."

Qin Shi exhaled, relieving the gloom in his chest.

Having lived on Bao Gong Street for many years, the neighbors were all familiar faces.

Witnessing such a tragedy, his heart was indeed suffocated.

"When Old Li's memorial service is held, let the youngest contribute some funeral white silk gold."

Qin Shi shook his head, suddenly seeing a familiar figure.

Cheng Ze, with a cigarette in his mouth but unlit, leaned silently against the wall corner.

The latter seemed to sense it, turned his head, and met Qin Shi's gaze.

"Brother Ze."

Qin Shi walked over to say hello.

Midnight Palace had been closed these days, and he hadn't been there for several days.

"Your neighbor?"

Cheng Ze lifted his chin toward the single-story houses.

"Old Li, a good old man. He used to work as a stoker on the train, then after being laid off he switched to driving a taxi."

"Whoever was renovating or getting married, hauling furniture, buying things, he was always happy to help."

Qin Shi nodded.

The neighbors on Bao Gong Street were mostly warm-hearted; for hard work like laying bricks and building tiles, painting and making kang stoves, buying two packs of ordinary cigarettes and treating a few meals, they were all willing to lend a hand.

"The son is unworthy, making the old man suffer."

Cheng Ze bit the filtered cigarette, as if he couldn't find a lighter, and instead held it between his fingers.

"Kid, after the demolition and renovation opinion letter is signed, take your sister and move to the west side; they will build new resettlement housing there."

Qin Shi made an "oh" sound.

He felt that this Brother Ze of Beiguan Street was not as imposing tonight as usual.

"Have you thought about what university to take?"

Cheng Ze held a cigarette, looking down at the shiny shoe surface.

"The goal is Heng University, Ke University."

Qin Shi answered.

"That's promising! Our Old Factory Street hasn't produced a Wenqu Star in ages!"

Cheng Ze smiled:

"If you get in, let me know, I'll give you a big red envelope. Back when my dad was still alive, he'd go on and on every day, saying if I could get into Heng University or Ke University, he'd consider me a worthy son. You hear that? Haha, the older generation dreams of having someone in the family who can study, who can amount to something."

Qin Shi said bashfully:

"It's all thanks to my sister supporting me, otherwise I'd have dropped out of school long ago."

Cheng Ze suddenly asked:

"Then don't let your sister down. Hey, is that chicken frame you bought?"

"Mm, this place is an old established brand, Brother Yuan took me there last time."

Cheng Ze said with a smile:

"Haven't tasted it in ages, I loved gnawing on it since childhood."

Midnight Palace has every delicacy from land and sea, yet he actually mooched my chicken frame.

Qin Shi froze, only able to reply:

"Brother Ze, why don't you have a portion, my treat."

Cheng Ze didn't stand on ceremony, took the warm paper bag, waved his hand:

"It's getting late, go back. Don't go to Midnight Palace recently, base salary as usual."

"Sure thing."

Qin Shi, having a portion of chicken frame "robbed," felt strange inside.

After he left, Cheng Ze, having gnawed clean a whole chicken frame, wiped his mouth.

He reined in his smile, pressed all expression to the bottom of his heart, looked toward the bungalow again, the wailing had already grown faint, the old woman leaning on the threshold had also been persuaded back inside.

After a long while, Cheng Ze lowered his head and clamped that cigarette between his lips, two fingers lightly touching the cigarette roll.

Tss!

A spark flared.

The figure turned and stepped into the pitch-black deep alley.

(Chapter End)