Observing Wanfa from the martial arts school servants

Chapter 21 Sparring

After offering their congratulations, everyone gradually dispersed.

Chen Yuan leaned close to Zhou Yu's ear and asked, "So, are you going to take up a temporary post or a part-time position?"

"If it's a part-time job, I'm afraid you won't have time to come to the martial arts gym."

Once a martial artist enters the Ming Jin stage, there are usually three paths they can take.

A martial arts prodigy with exceptional talent will be sought after by powerful families and clans, who will offer them generous rewards and elixirs, allowing them to focus solely on cultivation without worrying about anything else.

This is called "offering," for example, Yan Hua.

Ordinary martial artists with decent aptitude and the potential to reach the inner strength level were sought out by wealthy families to "hold temporary positions".

He is usually very relaxed, only showing up when there is something to do, and otherwise practicing martial arts on his own, managing to do both.

The lowest rank could only take on "part-time" jobs everywhere. Working for a security escort agency was considered good; after a mission, one could rest for a few days and return to the martial arts school to practice. If one worked as a guard in a restaurant or casino, one would be bogged down in trivial matters all day long, and one's martial arts skills would soon go to waste.

Zhou Yu didn't rush to answer, his gaze drifting towards Cui Mingyue and Ye Lang.

The two stood under the eaves and, seeing him looking over, began to discuss in hushed tones.

"Given his background, does he intend to join the Cui or Ye families?"

"Of course I want to."

"The Zhou family was just a family that ran a rice, flour, cooking oil, and silk shop in town."

"The Qi and Blood Pill can empty their coffers."

"If it were the Ye family, they would receive at least five taels of silver and a packet of Qi and Blood Powder every month, which would be quite a sum for the Zhou family."

"But big families don't support idlers."

"Even if we agree, we'll be kicked out by the manager after a while."

"Unless there is a possibility that he can go further."

Cui Mingyue smiled at Zhou Yu from afar, without making a statement.

Zhou Yu was somewhat disappointed.

If they can catch the eye of the Cui and Ye families, and accumulate resources over a few years, there is still a sliver of hope for them to break through to the Dark Force realm.

That's impossible now.

"I should go back to the Zhou family." Zhou Yu sighed, his joy at breaking through to the Ming Jin level completely overshadowed.

......

Spurred by Zhou Yu's breakthrough, the fellow disciples practiced until the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) before gradually dispersing.

Lin Mu was the only one left practicing stance training in the outer courtyard.

The martial arts school door creaked open.

Bai Yungui came out carrying a wine gourd, leaned against the door frame and took a sip. He looked at Lin Mu for a while, then tucked the gourd into his waistband and strode to the center of the courtyard.

"Come on, let's have a match."

"Senior Brother." Lin Mu jumped off the wooden stake and stood still.

Bai Yungui stepped out with his left foot and slapped Lin Mu's shoulder with his palm.

Lin Mu slightly turned his body, his palm brushing against Bai Yungui's clothes, while his right fist flipped out from his waist, aiming straight for Bai Yungui's ribs.

Bai Yungui's eyes lit up, he pressed down with his left palm to block the punch, and took half a step back.

"good."

The second palm strike followed immediately, aimed at Lin Mu's chest.

Lin Mu twisted his waist and took a sudden step, his whole body like a gust of wind, circling around to Bai Yungui's side and hitting him in the back with his elbow.

Bai Yungui leaned forward to avoid the elbow strike, then flicked his wrist, sending a gust of wind towards Lin Mu's neck.

Lin Mu ducked to dodge, then swept his leg straight at Bai Yungui's knee.

The two exchanged blows, the muffled thuds of their fists colliding echoing under the moonlight.

Although Lin Mu was occasionally caught off guard, he was always able to quickly adjust and even seize Bai Yungui's weaknesses to counterattack.

Bai Yungui's palm strikes grew faster and faster, while Lin Mu's footwork became increasingly agile. The two entangled in the courtyard for more than a dozen rounds, with neither side gaining a clear advantage.

"Your footwork is more agile, and your punches are keeping up." Bai Yungui nodded as he parried the moves, his tone full of approval. "Let's try again."

Lin Mu took a breath, pushed off the ground with his left foot, and pounced again.

This time he took the initiative to attack, using the Sudden Wind Step combined with the Willow Swaying in the Wind, his fist shadows layered upon layer, pressing down on Bai Yungui.

Bai Yungui did not retreat. His palms flew, and he parried each attack. The two fought back and forth, their clothes fluttering in the wind.

Just then, the door to the inner courtyard creaked open.

Yan Hua paused when he saw the two people fighting in the courtyard.

"Senior Brother."

"If you have time, why not keep your cultivation level at the Ming Jin stage and spar with me?"

Clearly, he felt that exchanging blows with Lin Mu was a waste of time.

Bai Yungui stopped, took a swig of wine, and sized up his genius junior brother.

"OK."

Baiyun Gui stood with his hands folded over.

Lin Mu retreated to the base of the wall to watch the battle.

Yan Hua walked to the center of the courtyard.

The two remained motionless for a long time, and the air was quiet for a while before Yan Hua finally made the first move.

He pushed off with his left foot, took a sudden step, and shot towards Baiyungui like an arrow released from a bow.

His right fist flew out from his waist, aiming straight for Bai Yungui's jaw.

This is the Long Wind Fist, also known as "Slanting Wind and Drizzling Rain," which is sharp, fast, and ruthless.

The muscles and bones resonated, making a "crackling" sound.

Bai Yungui took a half step back with his left foot, slightly turned his body, and placed his right palm on Yan Hua's fist, pulling it backward along with the force of the fist.

Yan Hua's fist grazed past his clothes, its force largely dissipated, causing his body to involuntarily lean forward.

Light cloud and wind.

Bai Yungui stood with his hands folded over, awaiting Yan Hua's next attack.

"Again."

Yan Hua roared angrily.

This time it was "Wind Brushing Willows," the punch suddenly changed direction halfway through, from a straight punch to a hook punch, heading straight for Bai Yungui's temple.

Bai Yungui lowered his body, turned around, and circled behind Yan Hua.

Yan Hua reacted extremely quickly, twisting his waist and striking backward with his elbow. Bai Yungui reached out and caught his elbow, gently pushing it away.

He stood with his hands folded over again.

The two exchanged blows in the courtyard, the muffled thuds of their fists colliding echoing in the night air.

Yan Hua's attacks became increasingly fierce, combining the Sudden Wind Step with the Long Wind Fist, each punch faster and each kick heavier than the last.

His punches sent fallen leaves flying, swirling in the air.

The sleeves fluttered in the wind.

The senior brother always defused his attacks with ease.

Lin Mu's gaze remained fixed on Bai Yungui.

Bai Yungui's every block and dodge was like a textbook example, leaving indelible marks in his mind.

[After observation, the skill can be refreshed: Long Wind Fist.]

Refresh?

The booklet suddenly lit up.

It can actually be refreshed.

Lin Mu silently replied, "Yes."

A warm current slowly crawled through my limbs and bones, finally settling in my muscle memory.

Some blurry images appeared in my mind, representing advanced postures and the feeling of exertion.

He kept studying Bai Yungui's figure in the courtyard, and even his martial arts progressed.

Finally, I reached the level of [Long Wind Fist: Beginner (99/100)].

At this moment, the fight in the courtyard had reached its most intense stage.

Yan Hua leaped high into the air, unleashing a powerful punch, his right fist striking Bai Yungui's temple.

Bai Yungui raised his arm to block, making a crisp "snap" sound, and then flicked his wrist back—Wind Sweeps Away the Clouds.

Yan Hua was pushed out and staggered several steps before regaining his balance.

He stopped and bowed to Bai Yungui:

"Let me practice for a few days, then we can spar again."

"it is good."

Bai Yungui took a sip from his wine gourd and walked towards Lin Mu.

"Senior Brother, you've gained a lot from practicing your boxing today."

"I want to test the gap between myself and a Ming Jin stage expert."

Bai Yungui took a swig of wine and hung the gourd back on his waist.

"Come."

Before he finished speaking, Lin Mu pushed off the ground with his left foot and unleashed the full power of his Sudden Wind Step.

Simultaneously, the body-strengthening technique was activated, and qi and blood surged from all parts of the body, flowing into the soles of the feet, and then sprang up.

He swooped down like a hawk swooping down on its prey, soaring towards the white clouds.

His right fist flipped out from his waist, swaying like a willow in the wind, aiming straight for Bai Yungui's left neck.

The force of the punches pierced the air, its momentum even greater than the previous night.

Bai Yungui raised his hand to block, the movement casual, using only a third of his strength.

Fist and palm collided with a muffled "thud".

Bai Yungui swayed slightly—Lin Mu's punch was much heavier than he had expected.

That force wasn't simply generated by the arm; it was a method of generating force using the "manifest force" (明劲).

However, its strength is still slightly insufficient.