Superior Martial Arts?
Bai Qi's heart skipped a beat.
The first thought that arose was suspicion!
This old man is fooling me!
Bullying me because I haven't read many books?!
Although the Fisherman of the Black Water River doesn't know much, he still knows that martial arts are divided into three levels: superior, middle, and inferior.
The "Eight Section Skill," a common inferior martial art, can be sold for several hundred large coins.
As for higher levels, there's no need to mention them.
Somewhat more impressive middle-level martial arts can refine power, break through the First Training Major Barrier, and become a true practitioner.
There would be no problem setting up a Martial Arts Hall and making a name for oneself.
As for superior martial arts, it's said there exists a Bone Training Secret Technique that allows one to surpass the second training threshold.
Even if you throw out thousands of taels of snowflake silver, it's tough to buy the real thing.
Such a rare item!
How could it be taught to Bai Qi just because of a favor involving a Silver Sand Carp?
"Hehe, you think I'm tricking you, right?"
Seeing Bai Qi's shocked expression, Liang Laoshu felt quite satisfied and finally stopped being mysterious:
"Superior martial arts are indeed valuable; they are family heirlooms.
However, this 'Golden Core Great Strength Skill' is somewhat different; it originally had two styles and three moves, corresponding to Muscle and Bone Training levels.
By the time it came to me, it was incomplete, leaving only the first two styles — 'Big Stance Qi Training Style' and 'Sea Tourism Tiger Riding Style.'
They involve breathing techniques and power refining.
Moreover, this skill integrates medicine and martial arts, following the path of Inner Qi Cultivation.
It focuses on slow cultivation and longevity with nearly no power in fists and feet.
Although called superior, it's just below middle-level.
Not that valuable."
Bai Qi couldn't help but let out a breath of relief; if Liang Laoshu really taught superior martial arts, it would be too hot to handle,
He deliberately inquired from Xiaotou, learning that there are seventeen Martial Arts Halls in the Inner City.
But those that can teach superior Kung Fu, surpass Muscle Training, and directly enter Bone Training are prestigious.
Only three!
Divine Hand Sect!
Broken Blade Sect!
Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall!
These giant entities with many apprentices and over a hundred disciples only serve the wealthy families.
People who worry about basic needs can never step over their threshold.
With Bai Qi's negligible skills, if he dared carry superior martial arts today,
Some tough character would snatch it from him tomorrow, sinking the body into the Black Water River.
"Look at you; you're happier knowing it's not superior Kung Fu.
A seventeen-year-old with such a stable character is really something."
Liang Laoshu praised.
Thinking back to his own age, a flirtatious woman in the brothel exposed some skin, and he couldn't control his gaze.
Let alone having superior martial arts in front of him.
"Eat according to your stomach's capacity, or else you'll burst."
Bai Qi scratched his head, putting on a friendly smile.
"I've also worked as a woodcutter and know it's hard for the poor to make it."
Liang Laoshu called over his son, telling him to get the secret manual from where the account books were kept.
Soon, the thick, several dozen-page thread-bound book of 'Golden Core Great Strength Skill' was handed to Bai Qi.
The latter opened it briefly; it was rich with illustrations and clear annotations.
It even had crucial explanations of the essentials, far surpassing the "Eight Section Skill."
"Refine power, start with the limbs, then to the waist and abdomen, through the spine, into the brain.
This skill progresses slowly, nurturing and avoiding errors.
Take it to study, and if there's anything you don't understand, I'll guide you."
Liang Laoshu was quite generous, not even asking Bai Qi to transcribe it but giving the original directly.
Clearly, he wasn't very interested in the incomplete 'Golden Core Great Strength Skill.'
"Elder Liang, today's kindness will surely not be forgotten!"
Bai Qi earnestly accepted the thread-bound book with both hands.
He cherished it like a treasure, keeping it close to his body.
"All I can do is this. I heard from Sanshui earlier that Yangquan took money, wanting to make your younger brother a godson of Lin the Sixth.
This matter, delay it if you can. Once you have refined power and gained footing, I'll host and mediate a bit more.
Ah Qi, you must understand, one must be strong to strike metal."
Liang Laoshu advised earnestly:
"If you can't hold the scene, even if I come forward, Yangquan will comply outwardly but not inwardly.
Over time, the accumulated resentment will eventually cause trouble for you two brothers."
Bai Qi felt a chill in his heart; Old Liang indeed is a veteran of Jianghu, thinking more thoroughly.
If one were to just leverage the favor of the Silver Sand Carp to pressure Yangquan to retreat,
Given his nature, he might get angrier the more he thought about it, and deliberately cause trouble.
He has so many ruffians at his disposal, even if he doesn't take action.
Lurking around the door all day would make it hard to work in peace.
As the old saying goes, giving someone a fish isn't as good as teaching them how to fish.
Only by mastering the 'Golden Core Great Strength Skill' early on can one make Yangquan wary and retreat on his own.
"Elder Liang speaks with reason, I will definitely train diligently to refine my power."
Bai Qi nodded heavily, thinking to himself:
"With that mystical talisman in my mind, combined with my innate talent, it shouldn't be difficult to master this Inner Strength."
Liang Sanshui, who had been busy in the kitchen for a long time, came out carrying a steaming clay pot:
"Dad, the soup is done."
Old Liang gave a soft grunt as if he didn't care much.
The root of his illness had set in too long, with cold and dampness stagnating in his body, making it difficult to clear out.
A Silver Sand Carp might provide temporary relief, but the old ailment would relapse shortly.
"This fish has not been descaled, only the gills and intestines removed, fried in oil until golden brown, and then simmered with ginger and wine to remove the fishy smell.
It starts with a high flame to bring the water to a boil, then slow simmer to ensure all the essence blends into the soup."
Liang Sanshui was very attentive, carefully cooking the treasure fish and cautiously placing it before his father.
"Understood."
Liang Laoshu rocked gently on his chair:
"Ah Qi, since it's meal time, stay and have a bowl."
Bai Qi glanced at Liang Sanshui beside him and saw that his expression hadn't changed before bending down to pick up the ladle:
"Brother Shui, let's first serve a bowl for Elder Liang to taste."
Taking care of Liang Laoshu's meals should obviously be done by his own son.
"Certainly!"
Liang Sanshui belatedly realized and hurriedly scooped the milky-white fresh fish soup into a bowl, placing it by his dad's hand.
"To think an outsider like Ah Qi has to remind you to be filial, you..."
Liang Laoshu habitually pointed out his son's faults but then softened his tone:
"Sit down, join me for some soup."
Liang Sanshui was flattered, never expected to share even a spoonful of the hard-to-get treasure fish soup.
"Smells delightful!"
Bai Qi held the bowl in both hands, took a small sip, and was met with a fresh and delicious taste.
When he usually caught fish and shrimp to cook, he couldn't afford such ingredients, and the flavor was nowhere as good.
Ignoring the heat, he quickly finished the bowl of treasure fish soup made from Silver Sand Carp,
soon feeling a rush of warmth flooding through his body.
The qi and blood cultivated in his abdomen seemed to strengthen, gradually transforming into a gentle warm current, circulating through his limbs and bones.
"Is this the treasure fish? The effect is clear and immediate!"
Though it was just a small bowl of broth, it filled Bai Qi completely, as if he had drunk strong wine, with a slight flush on his face.
Then, as his pores opened up, a steaming sweat emitted.
"Remember, breathe in through the mouth, out through the nose!
Inhale, with arms raised chest level, palms facing up, fingers together…
Exhale, with arms rotating inward, forcefully thrust forward, turning palms downward, fingers pointing forward…"
After finishing two bowls of soup and picking at some fish, Liang Laoshu, seeing Bai Qi in this state, calmly instructed:
"Practice the 'Great Word Standing Qi Transport Pose' from the first chapter of 'Golden Core Great Strength Inner Strength' to absorb the benefits of the treasure fish."
Bai Qi, possessing the literacy skill, had a photographic memory.
Instantly recalling the illustrated content from the secret manual, he began to assume the posture according to the movement.
Alternating between nostril breathing, inhaling and exhaling.
The breath inside his abdomen flowed with his blood, moving around and nourishing every inch of muscle, providing a warm, comfortable sensation.
In less than half an hour, the mystical talisman trembled slightly, flashing several lines of text.
[Skill: Golden Core Great Strength Skill (Initiated)]
[Progress: 1/800]
[Effect: Cultivate great vigor and power, externally transform each muscle and bone]
"Have I really grasped the intricacies of this Inner Strength so quickly? Could it be that I'm a martial arts prodigy?"
Full and content, while picking his teeth, Liang Laoshu raised his eyebrows, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
To know, when he acquired this incomplete 'Golden Core Great Strength Skill', he spent several days figuring out how to practice it correctly.
This kid indeed has a bit of insight!
...
...
Fully immersed, without a trace of distraction.
When Bai Qi opened his eyes again, it was already sunset, and the sky glowed with an orange-gold hue.
Liang Laoshu in the rocking chair was nowhere to be seen, nor was there any sign of Liang Sanshui.
He crossed his palms, retracted the standing posture, and silently adjusted his breathing.
The qi and blood in his abdomen had become more condensed, like a fierce river current surging powerfully.
"Just one bowl of treasure fish soup saved me at least twenty days of hard training.
No wonder those Martial Arts Hall disciples spare no expense to purchase it."
Having acquired the Middle-Level Martial Arts skill of refining power, and drinking the treasure fish soup to enhance qi and blood, he gained considerable benefits.
Bai Qi felt delighted, raising his leg and walking towards the front door.
On the way, he encountered those helpers from the East Market Shop, each one shouted to him:
"Brother Qi, you've finished training?"
"Brother Shui has prepared dinner, he wants you to join!"
"Take care of us in the future, Brother Qi!"
Bai Qi was momentarily stunned, then immediately understood.
Is this because of the relationship with Liang Laoshu and Liang Sanshui?
Just by developing a slight connection, I was promoted from "Bai Ahqi" to "Brother Bai Qi"?
Elevated to the rank of "Brother"!