Chapter 96: Joy Descends from Heaven

"A deal?"

Jiang Cheng's expression grew serious as he realized there was a hidden meaning in the other's words.

"That's right."

Shi Yan lowered his voice, his eyes bloodshot, "You wear your training uniform to the Martial Arts Hall every morning to practice, and if I'm not mistaken, you're after that thing, aren't you?"

"Come inside and speak."

Jiang Cheng felt a heat rise in his chest.

He had a premonition.

Perhaps what he couldn't obtain at the Martial Arts Hall could be obtained here.

Jiang Cheng opened the door, let the other in, then glanced outside twice, and after confirming no strange people were around, closed the door.

"Brother Shi, the thing you mentioned, are you referring to Secret Martial Arts?"

After the two sat opposite each other, Jiang Cheng got straight to the point.

"That's right."

Shi Yan replied without hesitation, "I have a Secret Martial Art in my hand; to be precise, it's a Human Weapon."

"What does that mean?"

Jiang Cheng asked, puzzled.

He hadn't heard Lin Quanliang and the others mention such things.

Perhaps because it was in a private room at the time, a semi‑public setting, it wasn't easy to say much.

"Xiao Cheng, you don't even know this; it seems the Martial Arts Hall hasn't encountered these,"

Shi Yan gave a somewhat proud smile.

The less Jiang Cheng knew, the more advantageous it was for him.

Seeing this, Jiang Cheng let out a cold snort.

Although he coveted the Secret Martial Arts, at present it was the other party who had come to him.

"Ahem."

Shi Yan quickly coughed twice to mask his embarrassment, then said, "Xiao Cheng, you know the human body has 129,600 acupoints; opening them grants extraordinary power. The more you open, the stronger you become, so the number of acupoints a Secret Martial Art can unlock after cultivation is the key measure of its strength."

"We Yan people have fourteen meridians in our bodies—twelve primary meridians plus the Ren and Du channels—totaling 361 points. Among them, 108 are critical points that, if damaged, become crippled, and 36 are lethal points that, if damaged, cause death. No matter how bizarre the cultivation methods or essential techniques, they all rely on moving and manipulating these meridian points."

Beyond that, there are extra‑meridian strange acupoints. Mainstream knowledge recognizes forty‑eight types, totaling 409 points, but in fact there are far more. Many deep‑rooted sects or families, during qi training, duels, or medical practice, often discover them, yet most keep them secret and do not record them in the classics.

Each of these extra‑meridian strange acupoints is linked to a specific human potential, mechanism, or vital spot, and whether used for personal cultivation or for attack or healing others, they hold considerable value. Many divine skills and unparalleled arts stand out because they tap into certain secret strange acupoints.

Jiang Cheng, hearing this, couldn't help but ask, "So does that mean there are over a hundred thousand extra‑meridian strange acupoints?"

Shi Yan, unable to laugh or cry, replied, "There aren't that many. In fact, counting the strange points, a human has only 1,296 of them. But once you open all 1,296 acupoints, you must begin refining each one, so that one point connects to a hundred, one spirit transforms into a hundred spirits,"

"At that stage, not even moving mountains or filling seas—let alone howling down the stars—would be beyond reach. These things were common knowledge a century ago, but after a hundred years, even this most basic knowledge has become top secret."

He sighed, "I see."

Jiang Cheng took a deep breath.

"Then, Brother Shi, about the Human Weapon you mentioned earlier."

"Based on the number of acupoints they can open, Secret Martial Arts are divided into Human Weapon, Earth Martial, Heaven Martial, and True Martial, which involves extra‑meridian strange acupoints. There are higher levels beyond that, but even a century ago, ordinary people could hardly reach Secret Martial Arts above True Martial, so you wouldn't remember what I'm saying."

"That's true."

Jiang Cheng nodded.

"Human Weapon can open up to 30 acupoints in the body, mostly through certain fist techniques. Earth Martial opens between 30 and 60 points, including some leg techniques and weapons. Heaven Martial can open 60 to 100 points, many of which are on the torso, providing a great boost,"

"As for True Martial, it not only opens 100 to 300 points but also involves some extra‑meridian strange acupoints; even with the same number of points opened, it far surpasses those who cultivate Heaven Martial."

Jiang Cheng felt his heart surge.

"So, Brother Shi, you only have one Human Weapon and nothing higher?"

Shi Yan sighed at the words, pouring out his bitterness: "Xiao Cheng, you know how strictly this is investigated outside. Last year someone was discovered, taken away by the Enforcement Squad, and there's been no news since—likely a grim fate. Coming to you took a huge resolve on my part."

"Not long ago, you also heard about the Wild Wolf Gang's massive price hike. Originally I could still muster the money, but my wife fell ill, coughing terribly, and I had to take her to the doctor. That back‑and‑forth spent all my cash. I thought the Wild Wolf Gang could hold out a bit longer, but those bastards vanished after collecting the money. In the past couple of days, rumors have spread that the Iron Fist Gang is coming; not only won't they lower the price, they'll raise it further. How could I possibly afford that? Yet if I have no money, those people won't be merciful—they'll target my wife. My daughter is still young; I can't let her end up homeless with us."

Jiang Cheng also let out a sigh upon hearing that.

He too wanted to help others, but his current abilities are too weak; even ensuring his own safety is a challenge.

"Brother Shi, so that's why you came to me?"

"Yes."

Shi Yan looked up at Jiang Cheng, "I know your roasted sweet potato business is thriving, and you have money to pay for the Martial Arts Hall's Senior Member fee—five thousand a month. I guess you join as a Senior Member partly to avoid paying the gangs, and also likely to pursue the Secret Martial Arts."

Jiang Cheng smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed inside.

Isn't that so.

And I was just rejected.

Think about it—he went to great lengths to approach that Gym Master, spending several thousand, yet just sitting at home waiting for someone to come to him is somewhat laughable.

It fits an old saying: "With intention the flower fails to bloom; without intention the willow takes root and shades."

"It's nothing."

Shi Yan shrugged, "No one's a fool; everyone knows without strength, staying here makes you a lamb to be slaughtered. If there's a way, you must try it. But those at the Martial Arts Hall aren't fools either—learning real skills from them without paying a hefty price is impossible."

Having said that, he glanced at Jiang Cheng.

"So, Brother Shi, you're implying that to obtain the Secret Martial Art you hold, I must pay a large price, right?" Jiang Cheng retorted.

"That's right."

Shi Yan extended a finger, "One‑time price: one hundred thousand. One hand pays, the other delivers."

(End of Chapter)