Chapter 6: Killing with a Borrowed Knife
The next day, at the De Bao Martial Arts Hall.
Shen Lin swept his gaze over the crowd and said, “The Piercing Void Palm consists of nine moves and eighty-one forms. Each move contains nine forms, all unique and imbued with profound mysteries. When facing an opponent, you cannot rigidly follow the forms; you must adapt cleverly. Thus, you must first master every form until it becomes second nature.”
Under Shi Hao’s guidance, Yang Xing learned the nine moves and eighty-one forms.
These techniques were exquisitely crafted, each imbued with intense killing intent.
Shi Hao smiled and asked, “Junior Brother, do you feel these are mere routines?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Try striking with your palm.”
Yang Xing took a deep breath and thrust his palm forward.
His recent training in stake work had tempered his blood and energy, rapidly increasing his strength.
He could now lift a two-hundred-pound stone plate; if an ordinary person were struck by this palm, they would likely be sent flying.
Thud!
Shi Hao dodged the attack by twisting his body, then powered his back and bumped Yang Xing backward by four or five steps.
Shi Hao laughed, “This is the Iron Chain of the Piercing Void Palm’s eighth move.”
Yang Xing’s heart was jolted, and he suddenly understood.
Although many could proficiently use these forms, most relied on rigid imitation. The true challenge lay in applying these exquisite moves in real combat.
Knowing how to evade an opponent’s attack, finding their weakness, and then retaliating with these refined techniques—this was true combat.
At that moment, a glimmer of light flashed across the bronze mirror in his mind.
[Piercing Void Palm Entry (1/100): Practice ten times daily, diligence makes up for clumsiness; three months to minor achievement, one year to mastery.]
Shi Hao continued to explain the moves and routines, detailing how to dodge incoming attacks and which techniques to use in counter.
Yang Xing memorized everything.
Meanwhile, Shen Lin paced around the hall.
Just then, a new disciple asked, “Master, does De Bao Martial Arts Hall have any internal cultivation methods?”
Yang Xing pricked up his ears, intrigued.
Shen Lin frowned and grumbled, “You little rascal, you don’t know a thing! You haven’t even mastered the external arts, and you’re already dreaming of internal cultivation?”
“Train diligently! Refine your force to reach Ming Jin first.”
With that, he kicked the boy’s backside.
Yang Xing was excited, thinking to himself, “So there really are internal cultivation methods?”
What is inner force, true energy—these are what true martial arts masters possessed in his previous life.
Ordinary people might be limited by their talent and unable to learn them, but with his destiny of diligence compensating for shortcomings, he had no need to worry.
After lunch, Yang Xing continued practicing the Piercing Void Palm.
By afternoon, visitors arrived at De Bao Martial Arts Hall.
An elderly man in a coarse jacket led several young men and women inside; their robust blood and energy revealed them as skilled practitioners.
“That’s Tian Zhongrui, the master of Feng Yu Martial Arts Hall.”
“They’re here to compete again today.”
The older disciples of De Bao Martial Arts Hall whispered amongst themselves.
Yang Xing asked quietly, “Senior Brother Zhu, what’s going on?”
Zhu Kai shrugged, “It’s nothing, just disciples from Feng Yu Martial Arts Hall coming for a friendly bout.”
There were more than twenty martial arts halls in Liyang County. Their main source of income was recruiting students, which required reputation.
So, halls often held competitions and invited officials or wealthy patrons to watch.
Whichever side won would see their fame rise, gaining more students and benefits.
Feng Yu Martial Arts Hall and De Bao Martial Arts Hall were long-standing rivals.
Zhu Kai pointed to the two competing on the platform, “Feng Yu’s Changming Fist is formidable too. It mimics the movements of a white crane, with the sound of a crane accompanying each punch, unifying muscle and force.”
“But these bouts require at least the Ming Jin stage.”
Yang Xing nodded in understanding.
Such competitions were out of his league for now.
The first tempering refines the whole body’s strength, unleashing Ming Jin—punches that crack the air with astonishing force.
Reaching this stage meant dominance among ordinary people, and eligibility to enter the martial civil service exams.
The second tempering involved heart and skin, harmonizing with the meridians to produce An Jin, with blood and force far surpassing Ming Jin.
This stage was beyond ninety-nine percent of people, marking one as a pillar within a faction; only a handful at De Bao Martial Arts Hall had reached it.
The third tempering was Hua Jin—organs, flesh, and bones suffused with An Jin. When the blood surged, every tissue resonated like thunder, unleashing even greater power.
Currently, only Shen Lin at De Bao Martial Arts Hall had attained the third tempering.
After a bout, Shen Lin spoke softly, “Ye Tian, it’s your turn.”
“Yes, Master.”
A tall, dark-faced youth stepped forward—it was Ye Tian.
Yang Xing remembered him well, not only because Shen Lin valued him, but also for his diligence; he often practiced stake work before dawn.
The people from Feng Yu Martial Arts Hall commented among themselves.
Once on stage, Ye Tian’s punches and kicks were crisp and precise, his timing impeccable. Within a few moves, he defeated his opponent.
His expression showed he was not yet fully satisfied.
Wang Defa looked at Ye Tian with envy, “Brother Shen, you’ve truly found a gem. This one is sure to pass the martial exams—perhaps even become a provincial scholar one day.”
A martial scholar was already a figure of great importance in a county.
Shen Lin, with no background, was able to open a martial arts hall in the city largely because of his status as a martial scholar.
“Brother Wang, you flatter me,” Shen Lin replied humbly, though anyone could see the smile he struggled to suppress.
The competition soon ended, and Yang Xing prepared to resume his training.
Zhu Kai reminded him, “Ah Xing, you need to temper your body soon.”
Body tempering is the foundation.
Ming Jin, An Jin, Hua Jin—the essence of the Piercing Void Palm lies in these three stages.
Tempering requires powerful blood and energy, which means daily stake work and plenty of meat for nourishment.
Unless one is exceptionally gifted, ordinary people find tempering difficult—hence the saying, ‘martial arts for the rich, literature for the poor.’
Yang Xing nodded, “I know.”
He could only study at the hall for three months. If he didn’t complete the first body tempering in that time, he would have to leave.
Zhu Kai opened his mouth as if to speak, then fell silent.
His family was wealthy, but that didn’t mean he could help freely. He was waiting.
Waiting for Yang Xing to take the initiative, to seek his help.
Only then could Zhu Kai offer assistance.
After another half hour of practicing the Piercing Void Palm, Yang Xing drew a deep breath and stepped out of De Bao Martial Arts Hall.