Chapter 18: The Wind of Rumors Rises from the Tip of the Green Duckweed

"It's been almost two months, why is Zhou You still practicing basic hand and foot techniques?"

In the Outer Courtyard's training grounds, the new Apprentices were sweating like rain, each practicing their fist techniques.

The most eye-catching one among them was none other than Zhou You.

Unlike the other new students who were buried in practicing the Tiger-Subduing Fist, he was still buried in the hard practice of the Wood-Cleaving Hands and the Square-Circle Steps.

Lu Qiang walked over to take a look; this wouldn't do, it was simply a waste of time.

He specifically walked up to call a halt, "Zhou You, what are you doing?"

Zhou You naturally knew what he was doing—earning Experience Points!

After the Tiger-Subduing Fist broke through to lv10, there was still the major threshold of lv20, and the Experience Points required were massive.

He had to seize the moment and race against time; the more he earned, the better.

"It's not that the basics aren't important, but you must distinguish between the primary and the secondary."

"The Wood-Cleaving Hands and the Square-Circle Steps have their limits after all; even if you practice them for a lifetime, you won't be able to develop internal force."

"The Tiger-Subduing Fist is an introductory fist technique, and it concerns your assessment for becoming a Zhengshi Xuitu."

As Lu Qiang spoke, he sighed; there were always young people who would get stuck in a dead end, believing they were right.

The Zhou You before him was just like that, buried in practicing basic hand and foot techniques, wasting his prime time.

"Big Senior Brother, I also practice the Tiger-Subduing Fist..."

Zhou You explained.

He still wanted to explain, but suddenly an unfamiliar Apprentice walked over quickly, "Big Senior Brother, there is something in the Inner Courtyard that needs you."

This Apprentice was a Zhengshi Xuitu who operated in a specialized training ground, whom the new students rarely saw.

Before leaving, Lu Qiang said to Zhou You, "Seize the opportunity; this might be the only chance in your life."

After the Big Senior Brother left, the surrounding new Apprentices looked at Zhou You and talked about this matter in private.

Zhou You was also very helpless; should he just give up the easily obtainable Experience Points?

Forget it, he would just perform a set of Tiger-Subduing Fist as a gesture!

The one hundred and eight moves of the Tiger-Subduing Fist not only consumed time but also consumed energy.

Basically, the Apprentices in the Outer Courtyard all specialized in practicing moves they were not yet proficient in, to stretch their tendons and bones and strengthen their muscles.

During this time, there were also sparring partners to cooperate and feed moves, helping him correct deviations and shortcomings.

Ever since Song Fugui left, Zhou You had no sparring partner and relied entirely on his own hard practice.

"Hmm?"

Zhou You practiced the Tiger-Subduing Fist from start to finish; at first, no one cared, but gradually it attracted more attention.

The reason was simple: every move and every stance was too standard, as if he had been taught hand-in-hand by the Big Senior Brother.

People who practice martial arts have a term: "methodology," also known as a routine.

A routine is the fixed sequence of punches and kicks; if a fist has no routine, it becomes chaotic, and not only will it fail to generate force, but it will also lead to internal injuries.

Therefore, from the beginning of building the foundation, the requirements for the posture of the moves were very strict.

The Big Senior Brother, Lu Qiang, was even more severe; if he encountered someone practicing a move incorrectly, he would kick them to the ground.

The role of a sparring partner was also to correct errors in the routine from a second perspective and improve the efficiency of practice.

Who would have thought that Zhou You, without a sparring partner, would practice the Tiger-Subduing Fist routine to such a state of proficiency?

This level of attainment was even more excellent than some new students who were about to complete their third month.

"Could he really be a genius? I've never seen him practice on normal days."

"What do you know? I saw Zhou You practicing martial arts under the moonlight when I got up at night; this guy is practicing in secret."

The new students whispered to each other, believing they had found the truth.

A disdainful voice sounded, "So what if the moves are practiced well? It's just an empty shell."

The new students looked over; it was Zhang Shu.

Everyone knew that Zhang Shu and Zhou You had a grudge, so some rumors were normal.

"Don't look at his standard posture; if he can't develop internal force, no matter how good it looks, it's useless."

Zhang Shu looked at Zhou You's back, his eyes revealing a sense of hatred.

He kept the grudge of that punch in his heart, always thinking of finding an opportunity to retaliate.

He whispered to several new students around him, "Do you know? Zhou You has connections with gangs on the street."

What?

The new students were in an uproar; this was an incredible matter.

Apprentices who could enter the martial arts hall were all selected from respectable families, and a clean background was the primary standard.

The rules in the martial arts hall were very strict; the first one was that one could not associate with gangs, otherwise, they would be expelled.

Zhou You looked quiet and unassuming, yet he was so bold?

"Zhang Shu, don't talk nonsense; spreading rumors without evidence will harm Zhou You."

A new student felt it was inappropriate and spoke up to dissuade him.

"What do you know?"

Zhang Shu sneered, "Zhou You has a good friend named Gao Qiang, who is a rising star in the Crazy Horse Gang. The two have an excellent relationship and have played together since they were children."

"His good friend is a gang member, and Zhou You has offended the rival Wild Fox Gang."

"Tell me, is it possible that Zhou You has nothing to do with the Crazy Horse Gang?"

"You all should associate less with him, lest you be implicated."

When it comes down to it, there is no evidence; this is all just your speculation, right?

Several new Apprentices were skeptical and did not express anything on the spot.

Zhang Shu's eyes flickered with a hint of triumph; this was the effect he wanted—to muddy the waters.

The power of rumors lies in how they grow more intense as they spread; once the Inner Courtyard of the martial arts hall knows about this, they will inevitably step in to deal with Zhou You.

Once Zhou You is expelled from the martial arts hall, he can then take his revenge to his heart's content.

"I can't beat you, but I can use my brain to frame you."

"Zhou You, I won't take this beating for nothing; I'm definitely going to kill you."

"Experience Points +1."

Zhou You was still unaware of what was happening outside the arena; after finishing a set of Tiger Subduing Fist, he was slightly sweating.

His mind was clear; this was the benefit of exercise, invigorating his essence and blood, and making his thoughts flow more smoothly.

With less than two months left, he could still receive about 6 or 7 patches of Tiger Bone Ointment from the martial arts hall.

With frequent use, drug tolerance increases significantly, and conservatively estimated, it would bring at most a 2-point increase in attributes.

The three parameters of strength, speed, and defense, if raised to 15 points, would just barely meet the requirements for level 10 Tiger Subduing Fist.

There was still a gap in his attributes; relying solely on Tiger Bone Ointment was not enough, far from enough.

If there were a way to obtain more Secret Medicine, he could accelerate the efficiency of his breakthrough.

Those from wealthy families have too great an advantage in martial arts, having sufficient funds to purchase Secret Medicine.

Take Li Hao for example; although his family has declined, he still has the financial means to privately purchase Tiger Bone Wine to help him develop internal force ahead of time.

Zhou You had also inquired; a jar of Tiger Bone Wine costs 50 taels of silver, he couldn't afford it, really couldn't afford it.

A jar of Tiger Bone Wine is concentrated essence, with an effect equivalent to 20 patches of Tiger Bone Ointment.

If Zhou You had the money, he would want to buy it too, but unfortunately, the silver he has is already earmarked for paying tuition.

His biggest windfall, 3 portions of Bone Forging Powder, was a rare opportunity that could be met but not sought.

He heard that because Gao Qiang lost something, he was stabbed in the thigh with a sharp knife and was still lying in bed recovering, unable to get up.

This childhood friend was currently in a somewhat miserable state, so he couldn't fleece him anymore.

Right, he also had an enemy, Tu Laosan of the Wild Fox Gang.

Although this guy has a despicable character, he has an older brother who serves as a Vice Gang Leader, so there might be some profit to be made.

It would be a good time to also inquire about what kind of Secret Medicine the Wild Fox Gang has.

Sigh, I am inherently kind, but the business of having no capital is too tempting; sooner or later, I'll have to do another job.