[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups":3,"chapter-starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-chapter-72":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},231447,282,"Chapter 72 - 70: Martial Arts Masters","starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-chapter-72",72,"\u003Cp>\"Petal showers hide the moonlight, just one cup to offer at the Phoenix Platform, the Princess’ tears accompany her incense...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The radio sang with catchy operatic tunes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning, inside a four-walled courtyard with a dated look,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Jianguo sat back in a rattan chair, legs crossed, listening to the opera with eyes half-closed, his hand rhythmically patting his thigh to the melody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the faint sound of a door opening, he suddenly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fixed his gaze toward the front gate of the courtyard, at a sneakily loitering hefty figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately shouted angrily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop right there!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hefty figure flinched, turned around, and revealed an honest smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just going out to buy some cigarettes to smoke, to relieve some boredom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ma Jianguo was not about to listen to his explanation and scolded him fiercely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ma Donghe, do you have a death wish?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go mix with those fair-weather friends again, you might as well let someone break your legs, too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you dare step half a pace out of this door today, I will disown you as my son!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been scolded, Ma Donghe dejectedly turned back inside, plopped down on the steps, and remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His right hand was in a cast, hanging below his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was scruffy with unevenly grown beard, his hair as disheveled as a bird’s nest, looking quite downcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his sulking son, Ma Jianguo spoke again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s an activity meeting today; some newcomers are planning to join, I need you to take charge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once you’re a bit more healed from your injuries, I won’t stop you from hanging out, just stay away from the gangs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Ma Donghe lifted his head and muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just some other fool being swayed. I’ve never seen anyone stick with it since I was a kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those fellows can’t settle their minds, they’re unsuited for our sect’s cultivation techniques; if they run off, let them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Jianguo, however, seemed unconcerned and even held a glimmer of hope:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Brother Wu mentioned that this young fellow is immensely talented, a rare prodigy that appears once in a hundred years, maybe there’s some hope...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Donghe scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man loves to mess about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d set up classes in a shopping center, teaching people Tai Chi Boxing for health, fooling old men and old ladies. That was one thing, but he insisted on dragging Qigong into it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in less than half a month, someone’s mental state went awry practicing Qigong, and after a complaint, they had to close down the operation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even had someone’s adult children come over and give him a thrashing, leaving bruises on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it wasn’t for his old age, it’s uncertain if he would’ve been able to see his father again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Donghe inwardly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Qigong Heart Method, not even the old man himself had fully mastered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had started learning from a young age and still hadn’t learned anything impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it comes to fighting, those fancy moves aren’t as effective as a simple, straight punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Ma Donghe touched upon something deep, and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s the use of learning Kung Fu so well? Still can’t beat those freaks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who says you can’t beat them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Jianguo replied, his mustache bristling and his eyes glaring:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your great-grandfather truly mastered Qigong to a high degree, was appreciated by the President, became his personal bodyguard, and was appointed the first director of the National Martial Arts Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s just that our descendents have let things slide, and our family has declined...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Ma Donghe realized his father was about to launch into another reprimand and quickly pleaded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, alright, I get it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Jianguo still shot him a glare, persisting in his lecture:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, the way of martial arts focuses on cultivating one’s essence and nurturing the nature, not about you getting skills just to brawl and compete with those hoodlums...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Donghe was about to retort, but held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had been learning some basic Cultivation Techniques since he was young, they weren’t much help in fights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his physical condition had improved a lot, and his recovery ability seemed different from ordinary people’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without any supplements, his build has grown so large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, he looked at his old man with a softened gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old man, you’ve been practicing martial arts for decades. Take it easy and I wager you could live to a hundred years old.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk, you’re already over thirty, find a wife quick and stop leeching off me, I can live to a hundred and twenty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this son born when he was nearly fifty, Ma Jianguo was quite disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the father and son were talking, the sound of car horns and people talking were gradually coming from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Jianguo immediately stood up, his face transforming with a genial and amiable smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The guests have arrived!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiangbei Suburb, Tianxin Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the name suggests, this place used to have many cultivated farmlands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as urbanization expanded, the number of farms in the village decreased, and factories increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The environment thus seemed not so great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Datong drove a small electric scooter, with Fang Cheng sitting on the back seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cement road wasn’t very smooth, and the electric scooter bumped along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this the place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng looked around at the scenery where the urban met the rural, somewhat doubtful about the identities of those fellow practitioners Wu Datong had mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother Ma is indeed a remarkable person; not only does he have a profound family heritage, he is also extremely amicable, without an ounce of pretense. This Martial Arts Research Association was organized under his leadership.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I used to not believe in traditional martial arts, but after witnessing his capabilities, I was immediately convinced and deeply impressed...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Datong praised profusely while driving the electric scooter, explaining to Fang Cheng non-stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon they arrived, and the vehicle was parked by the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng dismounted, lifting his eyes toward a small courtyard with white walls in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It appeared to be a common residence, yet there were several luxury cars parked at the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A renowned person indeed had an impressive circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Datong, dragging his slightly lame left leg, stepped forward and knocked forcefully on the iron gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang, bang, bang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard door quickly opened, and a strong man with his arm in a cast greeted and let them in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng followed behind into the yard, noticing a group of people already standing there waiting for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve brought someone, Senior Brother Ma, you can go ahead and vet him first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Datong shouted loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng’s gaze quickly scanned the people present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He discovered they were all quite old, with gray hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you included Wu Datong and the strong man who had opened the gate, it was almost a full lineup of the old, weak, sick, and disabled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Fang Cheng’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a Martial Arts Research Association, it was more like a senior home combined with a disabled association...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes flashed, and he immediately recognized the strong man with a broken arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Ma Donghe, the debt collector he had once met in the hospital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Donghe also seemed to recognize Fang Cheng at the same time, revealing a hint of surprise in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elder standing by his side, with a rosy and serene demeanor, sized up Fang Cheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad, not bad. You look talented and elegant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This young brother, are you thinking of joining our Martial Arts Research Association? However, as per the rules, your abilities must be tested first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just finished speaking when another old man sipping tea immediately cut in:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right, our Martial Arts Research Association only recruits martial arts talents; we do not accept mediocrity that merely fills the ranks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing their refined and old-fashioned way of speaking, as if they were martial arts masters, Fang Cheng couldn’t help but clasp his hands together in a respectful manner:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I ask who all of you are?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the five elders present announced their impressive titles loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Baguazhang, Dong Yunchuan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xingyi Boxing, Zhang Haixiang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eagle Claw Skill, Chen Zizhen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"White Crane Sect, Wu Dewang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the serene-looking elder said with restraint:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Current head of Ma’s Tai Chi, Ma Jianguo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiss, is this a preparation for a grand martial arts convention?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Cheng was slightly taken aback before saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Testing my capabilities is fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, may I have the honor to witness the skills of my elders first?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1450,"2026-05-29T15:13:17.897Z","2026-06-01T04:29:35.325Z",1,"novelbin.me","c1583f130fca02ce31f2a40d2c8114a899e031a2d580c586c5269f7bdf9ce233","starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-chapter-73","starting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-chapter-71",1278,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-to-gain-experience-from-push-ups-cover.jpg"]