The Iron Mountain Fist was the introductory fist technique at the Guo Wei Martial Arts Hall.
It was also a relatively easy fist technique to practice. Guo Wei had established a rule: if any young man practicing this technique failed to develop Fist Force within a year, he simply wasn't cut out for martial arts.
He wouldn't let them continue training at the Martial Arts Hall, even if they paid more tuition.
And developing Fist Force required not only natural talent but also the ability to endure grueling work.
BOOM!
Chu Lingguang threw a punch—the Mountain Ascending Technique—and the sound of Fist Force exploded in the Inner Courtyard.
The muffled boom was startlingly abrupt.
Guo Wei, who had just lain down, thought he was hearing things. He simply frowned, not bothering to sit up.
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family's eyes went wide. She had a feeling that muffled boom had come from Chu Lingguang's fist. Though she had never practiced martial arts, she'd been washing and cooking at the Martial Arts Hall for over ten days. She had seen Hei Hu practice and had heard the roar of Fist Force before.
Some of the other students who heard the noise looked at Chu Lingguang, their faces blank with confusion.
Lost in his own world, Chu Lingguang flowed into his next move, the Mountain Descending Technique.
CRACK!
His fist struck nothing but air, yet it sounded like an iron hoof crushing stone.
'That wasn't my imagination.' Guo Wei pushed himself up from his lounge chair and looked toward the center of the courtyard, noticing that most of the students were staring at the same spot.
WHAP!
Chu Lingguang switched techniques, throwing another punch—the Breaking Army Technique of the Iron Mountain Fist. It was as if his fist had pierced a wall of water to smash heavily against an iron plate.
Guo Wei shot to his feet, pushing through the crowd in front of him. When he saw that the one practicing was Chu Lingguang, his eyes widened in utter astonishment.
BOOM!
Chu Lingguang advanced with successive steps, executing the twelve forms of the Iron Mountain Fist in a continuous, fluid sequence. His movements were powerful and vigorous, smooth as flowing water, and each technique carried the boom of an iron hoof on stone.
His techniques grew faster, and the booming sound became a continuous rain of hammer blows.
BOOM!
Finally, he concluded with the Mountain Ascending Technique. Qi Blood gathered in his fist, making it glow as dazzlingly as a red-hot iron. The final detonation of Fist Force was like a clap of thunder in broad daylight, startling Hei Hu, who was lifting a Stone Lock, so badly that he nearly dropped it on himself.
The courtyard fell completely silent.
Everyone stared at Chu Lingguang in disbelief.
In the corner, Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family's eyes filled with tears. She covered her mouth, her body trembling slightly, too overcome with emotion to speak.
"Excellent!"
Guo Wei's shout broke the silence, startling everyone.
"You brat! Talk about saving the best for last! A true late bloomer. I'm impressed!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
He clapped Chu Lingguang hard on the shoulder and couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter. Chu Lingguang had given him an immense surprise.
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Master Guo!"
Chu Lingguang was inwardly terrified. 'That casual pat from Guo Wei had the force of my strongest punch,' he thought. 'It's hard to imagine just how powerful he truly is.'
"None of this 'Master Guo' business. You should know what to call me now."
Guo Wei said dismissively.
"Thank you, Master!"
Chu Lingguang hurriedly knelt, about to kowtow to Guo Wei.
"Don't bow yet. Tomorrow is an auspicious day. You and Hei Hu can perform the ceremony together then."
Guo Wei pulled Chu Lingguang up by the arm.
"Yes."
Chu Lingguang nodded firmly.
"Alright, everyone, listen up!"
Guo Wei pulled Chu Lingguang forward and addressed the crowd. "Practicing martial arts, just like studying, cannot be rushed! Chu Lingguang joined the Martial Arts Hall exactly one year ago tomorrow, and only today has he developed Fist Force. I previously declared he wasn't cut out for martial arts and advised him to quit. It seems I was wrong! As long as you are willing to put in the grueling work, perhaps you too can be like him and break through at the final moment. All of you should learn from him! Let him be your example!"
"Yes!"
The crowd replied in unison.
Many of the less-talented students looked at Chu Lingguang with exceptionally excited eyes.
"Especially you, Hei Hu." Guo Wei rounded on him, saying angrily, "In martial arts, you must avoid impatience and the desire for quick results! You need to get rid of that nasty habit of yours, you hear me?"
"Yes, Master. I know I was wrong. I'll learn from Junior Brother Chu."
Hei Hu's face flushed red as he lowered his head.
He had wanted to establish his authority in front of the students today, but instead, he'd been humiliated by Guo Wei, and now Chu Lingguang had completely stolen his thunder.
"Alright, carry on with your training! Hahahaha!"
Guo Wei was in exceptionally high spirits.
Chu Lingguang's late blooming, developing Fist Force just one day before the deadline, not only set a great example for the new students, but the story would also become a fine tale to tell.
Chu Lingguang was also thrilled to have earned Guo Wei's approval. He looked over at Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family, who had now wiped the tears from her face. Noticing that Guo Wei's tea had grown cold, she left to brew him a fresh pot.
All thoughts of resigning vanished from her mind. She finally understood why Chu Lingguang had asked her to come to the Inner Courtyard to watch him train. It wasn't just so she could see him practice; it was to show her that no one could take her job at the Martial Arts Hall away from her.
"Junior Brother, congratulations on developing Fist Force. And thank you for helping me find my pouch the other day."
Guo Fang, having heard that Chu Lingguang had developed Fist Force, had come especially to congratulate him and to thank him for finding her pouch.
"It was no trouble at all, Senior Sister. You don't have to thank me."
Chu Lingguang said with a smile.
"After you and Hei Hu's discipleship ceremony tomorrow, I'll treat you both to a meal."
Guo Fang said.
"Okay, thank you, Senior Sister."
Chu Lingguang nodded.
After Guo Fang left, a line of text appeared before his eyes.
(Helped Guo Fang find her pouch. Gained 3 Favor Points.)
'Just as I thought,' Chu Lingguang mused. 'To earn Favor Points, the Favors I grant have to be recognized and sincerely appreciated by the other person.'
Ever since getting this ability, he had tried proactively helping neighbors watch their kids. But he hadn't earned any Favor Points from it; in fact, he'd gotten a harsh scolding when one of the children scraped their knee.
At the same time, he also understood that only by increasing his own strength would his Favors be considered truly valuable.
Take Guo Fang, for example. She knew from the start that he was the one who found her pouch, yet she ended up thanking Hei Hu. Only today, after he had developed Fist Force and earned the right to test for the title of Martial Scholar, did she finally come to thank him properly.
When afternoon practice ended.
Chu Lingguang walked out of the Martial Arts Hall.
Outside the Martial Arts Hall, he saw Hei Hu and Li Yang together.
"Hu, why the sudden change of heart? My mother already prepared the food and wine."
"Just keep it and eat it yourselves. Tell your mother it didn't work out. No one's replacing Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family."
"Hu, but didn't you say before…"
"What did I say? Scram!"
Li Yang tried to press the issue, but Hei Hu roared in frustration. Not knowing what had gone wrong, Li Yang left, stewing in resentment.
"Damn it."
Still fuming about the day's events, Hei Hu cursed under his breath. As he turned, he saw Chu Lingguang standing behind him. His dark expression instantly vanished, replaced by a forced smile. He cupped his fists and said, "Junior Brother, congratulations on developing Fist Force."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. My aptitude is poor, so I'm afraid my future progress will be slow. I'll be counting on your guidance."
Chu Lingguang replied with great sincerity, cupping his fists.
"You're too modest, Junior Brother. We're fellow disciples now. If you need anything, just ask."
Hei Hu stepped forward and slung an arm around Chu Lingguang's shoulders. He was no fool; he knew who it was important to stay on good terms with.
PS: Don't forget to bookmark and keep reading! Your continued readership is very important!