[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h":3,"chapter-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-14":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Devouring Evil, Exterminating Demons Across All Heavens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2266959,4426,"Chapter 14: Out as General, In as Chancellor, Three as One","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-14",14,"\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu said that when he learned boxing, no one had ever explained these details to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper told him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a boxer to open the gates, means directing one’s energy deep into the body to achieve training effects beyond the norm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which aspect shows results first depends on the practitioner’s intent and the direction of their relentless effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the intent is “gathering”: water gathers into a deep pool, sand gathers into a mountain, taking its momentum, grand and awe-inspiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The part of the body most easily felt to move is not the blood, but the fascia and muscles: gather the strength of the arm’s fascia and muscle, gather the strength of the waist and back’s fascia and muscle, until all the fascia and muscle of the body converge into one point; during this convergence, constantly refine until the body can bear this force without self-injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Legend says the divine dragon is formed from the convergence of all beasts’ forms; if this path is carried to its peak, the whole body is wrapped as if by a living dragon, strength surpassing tigers and oxen, agility like apes and gibbons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence it is called, Dragon-Wrapped Body!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, the intent is “dispersing”: human strength has limits; gathering the flesh to resist metal and stone is unwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This path emphasizes dispersing external force throughout the hundred bones to share the burden, and the best part to guide this force is the bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all human endowments, bones are most precious; when trained to the point that even a faint vibration resonates through the entire body to dissipate force, even if struck by a charging warhorse or crushed by an ox-cart, one can redistribute the force and escape, preserving life and greatly extending combat endurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After achieving this path, it was originally called “Penetrating Sound Bones,” but ancient boxers changed one character for good fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is called, Guanyin Bones!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third, the intent is “truth”: though fascia and muscle are resilient, bones are hard, yet growth still depends on internal organ transformation—thus, the internal organs’ power is true power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning outward to seek inward, open and close the seven orifices, press and stimulate acupoints, torment the meridians, compress blood flow—even at the cost of temporary damage to fascia and bones, to achieve internal organ refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When this path is fully opened, injuries and fatigue heal without medicine; one may eat half a cow in a day, or fast for half a month; one can hold breath and still the heart underwater, go three days and four nights without sleep, heart and chest at ease, spirit unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even unfamiliar plants, birds, or beasts, upon tasting, one can instantly discern toxicity; living on dew alone, one seems like an immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence it is called, Eating as Immortal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone completes all three paths, uniting them as one, they touch a faint threshold; breaking through it leads to the next level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood and Qi become a stove, harmonizing a hundred flavors, transforming decay into wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person becomes the Stove Lord, ruling the hundred bones, riding the hot smoke to reach heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those in ancient times who reached this level were no longer human, revered by the masses, daring to call themselves gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were called, Wu Zao Shen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three as One, Martial Art Can Create a God.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper said this, eyes gleaming, “Before the Eastern Han, we won’t speak of the age of gods and monsters; since the end of the Han, those who completed all three paths and dared call their martial skill divine have always been the highest pursuit of all martial practitioners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu pondered silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragon-Wrapped Body, Guanyin Bones, Eating as Immortal, Wu Zao Shen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea of boxers opening gates is similar to his hometown, but the later evolution of martial arts differs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These four names alone carry deep meaning; each character was likely refined repeatedly, hinting at key points of each path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked again: “Then what about ‘Out as General, In as Chancellor’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper said: “It’s just a common saying—perhaps coined just to make eight characters flow better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some say ‘Out as General, In as Chancellor’ means that anyone who completes one path gains the chance to be enfeoffed and appointed as a general; battlefield campaigns and high-official luxury both aid martial training—perfectly complementary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another view holds that the three martial paths are all like fierce fires, repeatedly tested—demanding ferocity, boldness, courage, decisiveness—like the way of a general.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But to break through the final threshold, one must go from general to chancellor: unmoved by eight winds, preserving form and nurturing life, watching the fire with cold eyes, cautious and reverent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hometown, there were too many schools; no consensus existed on realm divisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In old society, there were vague notions of “first-class” and “second-class” figures, like foreign letter grades—unrelated to cultivation thresholds, purely based on actual performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this world, there is this universally recognized realm: “Three as One.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must have been forged during a glorious age when martial arts dominated, allowing such insights to be summarized and passed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though one strong body part brings some benefit to others, today’s boxing manuals have developed such clear distinctions that each style focuses on only one path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One martial art focuses on a single path, single-mindedly, pushed to its extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one truly completes one path, they can simply learn another style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu’s “Gluttonous Back-Punching Fist” doesn’t fit well here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It has effects on internal organs, but only trains the stomach and intestines; it has muscle effects, but only emphasizes the limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I must classify it, my fist style leans toward… the Dragon-Wrapped Body path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu fully drew his sword, flicking a small sword blossom in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And my fist style already contains sword techniques—this sword seems truly destined for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper began shooing him out: “Enough, enough—don’t sword-dance in my room, I’ve got work to do. Go rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu was truly exhausted from the day; he took his sword and returned to his room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper sorted the talisman paper, cinnabar, and brush, walked into the front hall, held the inkstone in his left hand, licked the brush with his right, and began drawing talismans on the black-clad man’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, dot the forehead at the third eye, split to left and right cheeks, skip the neck, draw the chest—evil ways, dim and unaware of cold…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brush handle pried open the corpse’s front robe; red streaks marked the black, thin skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But magic can obscure magic—it cannot cloud another’s mind from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if those bandits didn’t know the leopard-cat warrior was dead, if he failed to return for two or three days, they’d sense something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the nature of the heretical bandits from Jiaozhi, they’d likely launch a direct assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it would be the town’s test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad old Zhong isn’t here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the talismans on the corpse, Ma the Shopkeeper sat at the table, gazed into the back courtyard, recalling his youth when he and his brother had fought such bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Zhengwu, Zhong Jinqiu, talismans and spells, long spear charges—how spirited they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like only a blink, and both had grown old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither became a high official or headmaster; one kept a tavern, reading newspapers, years without touching ink or talismans; the other lost wife and children to earth, teaching militia half-heartedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I expected old age to be turbulent, but never imagined meeting such an interesting young man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper pondered: “Can someone who masters magic really progress so quickly in martial arts when they begin training?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It shouldn’t be just that… he must be naturally suited to boxing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk, why couldn’t I have crossed that threshold back then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a hint of complaint, Ma the Shopkeeper sharply folded paper cranes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fingers flipped and smoothed, flipped and smoothed again—within two or three blinks, a paper crane was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper picked up the brush, painted eyes onto the crane, then pulled out a thumb-sized locust-wood bottle, uncorked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint brown mist, as if weighted, flowed from the bottle and merged into the crane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper quickly cupped both hands over the crane, murmured incantations, and blew gently inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he opened his hands, a small brown-feathered sparrow sat on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sparrow darted its head left and right, hopped onto Ma the Shopkeeper’s palm, pecked his thumb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again, I must trouble you—later, release your companions too; for the next two days, you watch the west.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper smiled, stroked the sparrow, turned, and sent it out—the bird flew from the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He studied the “Fire Bird Daoist” lineage of Maoshan magic, divided into Fire and Bird aspects; though he’d never set foot on Maoshan, he mastered the subtle arts of borrowing fire for spells and nurturing bird spirits with flawless skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These sparrows were all raised by him himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they died of old age, he trapped their souls in locust-wood bottles, nourishing them constantly with his willpower; such sparrow spirits were full of vitality and gentle temperament, clinging to paper forms without emitting even a trace of yin energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they had no offensive power, even in daylight—unless at noon—they could fly and scout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Practitioners of other schools might glimpse them but would find it hard to detect them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma the Shopkeeper began folding the second sheet of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, moonlight slowly shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Chu Tianshu woke the next day, he went to the kitchen and found no one; he drank two large gourds of water, crossed the courtyard, and saw Ma the Shopkeeper still in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man leaned sideways, elbow on the table, fist propping his head, asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leopard-cat warrior’s corpse was gone; on the table were only ten thumb-sized locust-wood bottles, dried brush, and inkstone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu didn’t wake him; stepping outside, he saw a wooden board by the door with a white towel nailed to it—this meant temporarily closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the staff didn’t come today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then where would I eat breakfast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu gazed down the street; at this hour, early vendors usually had their stalls set up—today, none were visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from a side street opposite, several familiar figures emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Dashao led four bodyguards, each hand on sword, one carrying a spear—highly alert; only Meng Dashao carried a half-sized burlap sack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha, Brother Chu, I knew you’d…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu signaled him to be quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Dashao understood, glanced into the tavern, and set the sack down on the front steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Between the household guards from each family and the original militia, we’ve gathered over seventy men; last night we notified everyone in town—these days, few shops will open.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Dashao whispered, “But my family’s food is good—see what I brought you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the sack were bundles tied with fine hemp rope, oiled paper packets radiating rich meat aroma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu picked one up—the texture wasn’t meat; when he unwrapped it, it was a packet of green silkworm beans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ate it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard these bandits are no ordinary lot—I’m scared even leaving home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Shuangjiang muttered, “Brother Chu, don’t go so far outside town alone to practice—just come eat your meals at my place from now on; I’ll make sure you’re stuffed full…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the words carried warmth, there was also a hint of nagging, unlike Meng Shuangjiang’s usual sense of restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianshu noticed the white, fat older brother’s brows twitching slightly, his face tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure from the Jiaozhi bandits was already showing on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I won’t leave town these two days. I’ll just walk around inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chu Tianshu spoke, he spotted another group emerging from a different path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not as familiar as Meng Shuangjiang, but he’d seen them last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Fu had come looking for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1986,"2026-06-19T20:45:51.976Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","19d045f14a466fbbca88d7f85704c73fae737899f0a60209c0388a4ce5304e93","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-15","devouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-chapter-13",155,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdevouring-evil-exterminating-demons-across-all-h-cover.jpg"]