Before long, Zheng Jun noticed several curious gazes peering at him through the cracks of the Martial Arts Hall's doors. However, upon recognizing who it was, the young hunters and farm boys practicing their punches quickly pulled their heads back. To them, Zheng Jun felt as terrifying as a Great Demon—like a monstrous falcon from Black Mountain that had gained sentience.
Shortly after, an elderly but spirited man with snow-white hair walked out of the hall. Upon seeing Zheng Jun, the old man clearly took a moment to calm his breathing before hurrying forward. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I am Ma Zhiyuan, the current Sect Leader of the Ma Family Fist. Greetings, Squad Leader Zheng.
"I have long heard of your formidable reputation, Squad Leader Zheng. With your esteemed self gracing us today, I must admit I only know some superficial skills and am absolutely no match for you. I willingly concede defeat. Here are some local specialties from the town. I hope you will accept them..."
His voice carried an imperceptible tremble, clearly betraying his fear of Zheng Jun. Behind the old man followed a sprightly young girl in a white training uniform. She held a tray displaying various herbs, animal organs, and bone marrow—items Zheng Jun could not identify. The girl, however, looked indignant. Her fists were clenched, evidently upset by this coercive display, and her pretty face was filled with reluctance.
Zheng Jun looked at Hall Master Ma. Although this Hall Master Ma was a Blood Refining Martial Artist—and appeared to have undergone Blood Refining at least three times—he was advanced in years. His Qi and Blood had declined, meaning his actual combat prowess was nowhere near what it used to be. Even Liang Fan, the first poor soul to die by Zheng Jun's hand, could probably kill him with a single Chop of his blade. After all, on the path of Martial Arts, as long as one had not achieved Qi Storage to gather a breath of True Qi, their Qi and Blood would inevitably wane over time. This was the very reason why martial artists feared facing younger, stronger opponents.
Looking at the God of Slaughter standing before him, Ma Zhiyuan felt a myriad of complex emotions. As an old veteran of the Jianghu, his strength was far inferior to Xu Tianfang of the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall or Luo Lei with his Hard Qi Skill. Therefore, his best survival tactic was to stay well-informed, constantly keeping track of who could and could not be provoked in Black Mountain County. And Zheng Jun was exactly the kind of ruthless figure who had recently skyrocketed in infamy!
First, he Slashed Liang Fan to death, and later, under the cover of night, he Slashed Liang Fan's master, Lou Wei! A Blood Refining Martial Artist killing a Qi Storage expert! What kind of ferocious monster was this?!
He thought, "I've practiced fist techniques for over forty years. Although I've heard exaggerated Jianghu rumors, those stories are always about big shots from Noble Families and orthodox sects. I've never seen such a thing happen in Black Mountain County! Though there seem to be hidden details, the fact remains that Lou Wei genuinely died at Zheng Jun's hands. A Qi Storage Martial Artist failed to take down a Blood Refining Martial Artist and was counter-killed instead!"
Such a Blood Refining Martial Artist was undeniably a vicious character who could not be provoked lightly. Thus, upon hearing that Zheng Jun had come to his door, Ma Zhiyuan had leapt up in fright. Terrified that Zheng Jun wanted to build his reputation by challenging the hall and might beat him to death with a few punches, he hurriedly prepared a batch of "local specialties" and spoke softly, intending to turn hostility into peace.
Seeing Ma Zhiyuan's extremely humble attitude, Zheng Jun was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say. He thought nothing of these medicinal herbs. He wondered, "If I accept them, won't I look like some villain extorting protection money?"
"Master Ma, you misunderstand. I am not here to challenge your hall. Instead, I wish to humbly seek guidance and learn the Ma Family Fist."
Zheng Jun did not even glance at the herbs and animal bones. Instead, he said earnestly, "I heard that the Ma Family Martial Arts Hall teaches its Fist Technique to outsiders for just two taels of silver a month. Therefore, I have come to study. I hope Hall Master Ma will be generous with his teachings."
Hearing Zheng Jun's words, Ma Zhiyuan was momentarily stunned.
"Ah? This, this..."
Ma Zhiyuan was at a loss for words, his mind filled with confusion and bewilderment. He knew perfectly well what his own Ma Family Fist was worth—it was completely unpresentable. He wondered why someone with Squad Leader Zheng's capabilities would want to learn their inadequate Fist Technique.
Amidst his astonishment, he suddenly noticed Zheng Jun staring at him. Complaining bitterly in his heart, Ma Zhiyuan hurriedly said, "You flatter me, Squad Leader Zheng, you flatter me! To be honest, regarding my family's ancestral Fist Technique, I also have... uh, some areas I don't quite understand. Please come inside, Squad Leader Zheng, and offer this old man some pointers."
Hearing Ma Zhiyuan's words, Zheng Jun was left speechless once more. This Hall Master Ma was truly quite the character. It was no wonder he could smoothly navigate Black Mountain County and maintain his wealth through amiability at such an old age.
"We can discuss it. Just a discussion." Zheng Jun coughed lightly. After exchanging a few more words, he entered the Martial Arts Hall under Hall Master Ma's escort.
Inside the hall was a large courtyard, behind which stood a screen wall. The area behind the screen wall appeared to be the courtyard where Hall Master Ma lived his daily life. Hall Master Ma guided Zheng Jun all the way into the training room where he usually practiced to delay the decline of his Qi and Blood. After dismissing the others, the old man immediately said, "Then, please instruct me, Chief Zheng."
"The root lies in the feet, the power is generated by the legs, controlled by the waist, and expressed through the fingers. From the feet to the legs to the waist, there must be a complete and unified flow of Qi. Whether advancing or retreating, one can then seize the opportunity and the advantage..." Ma Zhiyuan recited the core principles and insights of the Ma Family Fist while demonstrating the Fist Technique.
Zheng Jun stood to the side, watching quietly and mentally noting down several key points. After the time it takes to drink two or three cups of tea, Ma Zhiyuan finished the entire set of the Ma Family Fist. He was immediately out of breath, a fine layer of sweat breaking out on his forehead. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ma Zhiyuan asked, "Squad Leader Zheng, where would you like us to start demonstrating from? My stamina is failing me. Perhaps I could call in my Martial Arts Hall's head disciple, Du Ding, or my granddaughter to explain it to you in detail?"
"Alright." Zheng Jun nodded. He hadn't memorized it. But if he asked Hall Master Ma to perform it a few more times, the old man would probably die of exhaustion. It was better to let the young people do it. Zheng Jun understood; after all, this wasn't a standard routine. To perform a proper Fist Technique required mobilizing the body's entire Qi and Blood, so fatigue was perfectly normal.
Hearing Zheng Jun agree, Ma Zhiyuan immediately called for Du Ding and the sprightly young girl from earlier. Upon receiving their instructions, the two promptly began demonstrating the Ma Family Fist for Zheng Jun. Ma Zhiyuan stood by, offering explanations. Thanks to the combined efforts of the three, small ink-wash characters flashed before Zheng Jun's eyes, immediately forming a new line of text.
[Mastered new Martial Arts: Ma Family Fist.]
[Ma Family Fist.]
[A foundational Fist Technique evolved by a Martial Artist surnamed Ma based on his own practice of the 'Eight-direction Concealed Fist Form'. Upon practicing it to Perfection, there may be hope to deduce and perfect it.]
[New Advanceable Martial Arts: Ma Family Fist (Great Success).]
[Do you wish to advance 'Ma Family Fist (Great Success)'? Because this borrows the Fruit of the Future, you must practice and perfect it before it can truly become your own.]
Looking at the small ink-wash characters before him, Zheng Jun was immediately somewhat surprised. However, his surprise did not last long. There may be hope. That meant the hope was extremely slim!
"Advance!" Zheng Jun chanted silently in his mind.
[Advance successful.]
As the ink-wash characters reading 'Advance successful' surfaced before him, Zheng Jun instantly felt a warm current wash over his body.
Zheng Jun sighed inwardly, "What a long-lost feeling of comfort." He was deeply immersed in this sensation of advancement.
Next, Zheng Jun gently closed his eyes. Guided by the warm current, he assumed the stance of the Fist Technique. As his limbs coordinated their movements, a faint sound unexpectedly echoed from within his body at that very moment.
Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound—the bones and muscles humming in unison!
Simultaneously, the aura radiating from Zheng Jun underwent a drastic transformation.
Ma Zhiyuan, who had been standing to the side wondering what Zheng Jun was doing, widened his eyes at the sight. His eyes filled with utter disbelief, he subconsciously blurted out, "Bones and muscles humming in unison?! This... this..."