Chapter 109: Stones from Other Hills Can Polish Jade

Zhuang Tie agreed to accept money to perform the task, hired by Zhou You to be a Meat Target for sparring.

The next day, he moved out of the chaotic market and rented a small bungalow to settle his master, Zhuang Daqiang.

He also hired an old woman to provide personal care; the old woman was also from Su Cheng, so they knew each other's backgrounds well.

These matters did not cost much, less than 10 taels in total.

Zhuang Tie wore a set of new clothes, and as he stood in the ruins of Tian Tianjing Fang, he felt moved inside.

If Su Cheng still existed, as a Qi and Blood Disciple of the Dazhuang Fist, his monthly income would be far more than 100 taels.

But now, firstly, one is lowly when away from home, and secondly, a fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken.

Even without Zhang Shiyu's coercion and flight, the remaining money would only be enough to eat through his savings, and he would head toward ruin sooner or later.

To live in this world, one must rely on fixed assets; only with a stable income can one last long.

He accepted the employment to be a Meat Target; the first month alone paid 100 taels, and even if it were reduced later, it would be enough for the master and disciple to live on.

However, there were also concerns...

The big-headed youth Xiao Shao had once secretly told him that many local martial artists were wicked and would secretly strike with dark hands to beat a Meat Target to death; not only would they not have to pay, but they would not be held accountable, and they could also satisfy their craving for killing.

He recalled the few times he had met Zhou You; this Apprentice of the Jian Xiong Martial Hall had nothing particularly outstanding about him.

The only bright spot was that he had desperately defeated Zhang Shiyu.

Thinking about it now, it was a good fight; he only regretted not killing that little beast at the time.

Zhuang Tie gently stroked his severed arm; he did not want to bring up past matters, it was just a business deal, take the money and do the work.

Even if his strength was greatly reduced, he was still at the Qi and Blood level and was not afraid of the other party playing dirty.

"You've come quite early."

Zhou You's voice rang out.

Zhuang Tie turned around and saw Zhou You leap down from the top of the wall to the ground.

"Apologies, this is the only place available; it's a bit crude."

As the employer, Zhou You had the responsibility to find a place, but he had no connections to arrange a venue.

Practicing martial arts was a private matter; it could not be done in a public place, and it had to be sufficiently secret and have a large space.

A martial hall was impossible; Zhuang Tie's identity could not be brought inside.

After thinking it over, only Tianjing Fang was the most suitable—familiar territory and rarely visited by people! This area avoided the private space where he practiced Poison Palm, so he was not afraid of his secret being revealed.

"It's not early; I have practiced martial arts since I was young, and there hasn't been a day where I didn't get up at dark and practice until dark before sleeping."

Zhuang Tie said in a deep voice, "In practicing martial arts and boxing, if you want to achieve something, there is no shortcut other than enduring hardship."

"Well said!" Hearing these simple words, Zhou You was touched and cupped his fists in thanks.

Zhuang Tie moved his only remaining arm, "Although it is sparring, let me first witness your skills."

"How much mastery have you attained in your Tiger-Subduing Fist to this day?"

Zhou You took a Tiger Tendon Pipa from behind his back and spread his fingers to pluck it.

The originally clanging and harsh sound seemed to have been washed by a clear spring, becoming soft and gaining a few more pleasant rhythms.

His ten fingertips were sharp as if flying, nimbly brushing across the tiger tendons one by one.

Zhuang Tie's expression became solemn.

His Jinli was proficient; to be able to practice the Tiger Tendon Pipa to this level, he undoubtedly stood at the peak of the Jinli Level.

Such an Apprentice would be a key object of cultivation in any martial hall.

He began to doubt Zhou You's identity; being able to give out 100 taels of silver with one hand and possessing the strength of proficient Jinli, such an Apprentice was not the common sort found in droves at martial halls.

"What exactly is your background?"

Zhou You spread his hands, "Just a Commoner kid; I practice martial arts to fight for a future."

"Master Zhuang, please lend me a hand."

Since he knew Zhou You's general strength, things would be much easier to handle from here on.

"You have already seen the style of the Dazhuang Fist."

"I am not being defensive, but I will say the ugly things first: it is not that the Dazhuang Fist lost to your Tiger-Subduing Fist, but that we, these useless ones, could not unleash the power of the fist style, which led to the failure of the challenge."

"In the following sparring, if you harbor prejudice and contempt, you are only asking for humiliation." Although Zhuang Daqiang only had one arm, his fist techniques were airtight, and as afterimages flashed by, they instantly multiplied tenfold.

Countless arms circled his body, reaching the point where not even water could leak through.

A single arm was actually more agile than Zhou You, who had both arms intact.

Zhou You finally realized that even if a Qi and Blood martial artist was down on his luck, he was not something that could be lightly insulted by mere Jinli.

Zhuang Tie was able to protect the old man and survive until now; he must have one or two hard skills up his sleeve.

It could be said that the current inheritance of the Dazhuang Fist all rested on him alone.

"Pluck the eyes and take the pearls."

Zhou You's pair of Hu Zhua lunged toward Zhuang Tie's face.

This move was taken from the posture of a fierce tiger gouging out eyeballs to swallow them raw; it was ferocious and vicious, and it was strictly forbidden to use during sparring between partners.

Because if this move did not work, it was fine, but once it hit, it would result in death or injury.

Now, the one sparring with him was a Meat Target hired with real silver, so he could test the move without restraint.

"Overturn the hoe."

Facing Zhou You's fierce fighting style, Zhuang Tie was unhurried; he crossed his wrists in a cross shape and flipped them downward to smash.

The momentum was fast and steady, like a sharpened hoe digging into the soil.

Silently, Zhou You's pair of Hu Zhua were pressed down.

"Fist styles have no high or low; it is not that taking a majestic name makes it more powerful."

"If you practice farming techniques well, you can still strike a fatal blow."

Zhuang Tie slightly circulated his Qi and Blood, the vibration of his skin transmitting into Zhou You's arms.

Zhou You's eyelids twitched uncontrollably; he was instantly caught in the other's influence, the Qi and Blood vibration affecting his blood and muscles, causing his arms to go limp, unable to muster any strength.

This was an unprecedented experience; Qi and Blood had such a way of being used.

He immediately realized that sparring with Zhuang Tie was a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The other's strength and experience were comparable to Big Senior Brother Lu Qiang, making him a treasure to him.

When learning boxing at the martial arts hall, Zhou You could only occasionally receive guidance from Lu Qiang, but now he could directly spar with Zhuang Tie and experience the might of Qi and Blood.

Bang, bang, bang.

In the wasteland of Tianjing Fang, the force swept wildly, and patches of wild grass were cut down like blades.

Bang, bricks and stones exploded, debris flying everywhere! "Moving forward with determination, force should be able to be retracted and released at will, yet you are like a wild bull that won't turn back until it hits the southern wall."

"Are you a man-eating tiger? I think you're a cat scaring mice."

"It's nothing special to punch fast; only by being slow can one see the true mastery. Being too impatient only reveals flaws."

Zhuang Tie commented while throwing punches, his breathing not the least bit disordered.

In contrast, Zhou You gritted his teeth, responding with all his might, having no strength left to speak.

This bout was a fair and square exchange, truly reflecting the level of strength of both sides.

The gap between Zhou You and Qi and Blood was simply too great.

If he didn't use Qi and Blood and Poison Palm, he wouldn't even be able to hold out for ten rounds.

Zhuang Tie hitting him was just like teasing a three-year-old child.

It was only by relying on his agile footwork that he could barely manage to circle around for a while, looking utterly disheveled.

Little did he know, Zhuang Tie was also shocked internally; he knew that Jian Xiong Martial Arts Hall was about to have another Qi and Blood practitioner.

His own, Zhuang Tie's, comprehensive strength was currently between the 3rd and 4th stage of Qi and Blood, far surpassing Zhou You.

Although he had lost one arm, his dueling experience and eye for talent remained; how could he not see Zhou You's outstanding nature?

Zhou You's current state had been thoroughly gauged by him; he was only one step away from breaking through to Qi and Blood.

He was even a few points better than Zhang Shiyu, whom the master regarded as a precious gem.

Following his cold words and taunts, not only did Zhou You not feel discouraged, but he fought with increasing courage, improving visibly to the naked eye.

This guy was actually an inconspicuous genius! (End of chapter)