stjorthotic Chapter 9 The White Ape's Six Transformations
Chapter 9 The White Ape's Six Transformations
The next morning, a thin mist hung in the air.
Just to be on the safe side, Su Yu went into the city with his older brother, Su Hong.
The two paid the entrance fee, crossed the bustling main road, and turned into a relatively quiet neighborhood on the west side of the outer city. Here, the alleys were deep and secluded, and the bluestone paths meandered and twisted.
Finally, Su Hong stopped in front of a somewhat old-fashioned courtyard with blue tiles.
A black plaque hangs above the doorway, bearing the four large characters "White Ape Martial Arts School" in vigorous strokes, but the plaque is somewhat old and mottled.
"Second brother, this is the White Ape Martial Arts School. Although Master Qin has an eccentric temper, his skills are genuine." Su Hong patted Su Yu on the shoulder. "Think it over and go in."
"Okay. Big brother, you go to the gang, be careful."
Watching Su Hong leave, Su Yu took a deep breath and straightened his clothes.
The health-preserving martial arts style of the Changchun martial arts school was not what he sought. In this chaotic world, only ruthless methods could protect him!
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
He stepped forward and knocked on the brass ring on the door.
A moment later, the heavy wooden door creaked open a crack.
A burly, shirtless man poked his head out: "What is it?"
Su Yu respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and bow, saying, "My name is Su Yu. I have come here because I have heard of your reputation and wish to become your disciple and learn martial arts!"
The burly man sized him up and stepped aside, saying, "Come in."
Entering the courtyard gate and passing through the screen wall, the view suddenly opens up.
In the front courtyard, dozens of disciples were practicing their fist techniques shirtless. The shouts and yells were deafening. Although it was late autumn, the vigorous fluctuations of their blood and energy, along with the rising heat, made Su Yu secretly startled.
After passing through the front yard, Su Yu was led into a quiet backyard.
Under an old locust tree, an elderly man with white hair and beard lay on a recliner, resting with his eyes closed, and a pot of cold tea beside him.
"Master Qin, someone wants to become your disciple," the burly man respectfully announced.
This old man is Qin Fangqiong. He came to Blackstone City decades ago and made a name for himself with his fierce White Ape Fist, establishing the White Ape Martial Arts School. Although he is now old, his power remains.
Qin Fangqiong slowly opened her eyes, her gaze cloudy yet sharp, like an old ape waking from a nap.
His gaze was fixed on Su Yu, giving off an inexplicable sense of pressure.
This pressure made Su Yu feel extremely uncomfortable, as if he wanted to dodge. It was as if he were being watched by a ferocious beast, ready to tear him apart at any moment.
If someone is timid, they might immediately show their fear.
Su Yu, however, endured the discomfort that felt like needles on his back, straightened his back, met the old man's gaze directly, and clasped his hands in greeting again: "Junior Su Yu, from Qingxi Village, has come to seek apprenticeship!"
Qin Fangqiong nodded slightly upon seeing Su Yu's performance.
This kid looks thin, but his courage and temperament are commendable. A martial artist who lacks courage is just a lump of mud, beyond redemption.
He won't accept people like that!
Unless... you have to pay more!
"How old are you?"
"eighteen."
"It's a bit late to start learning martial arts at this age." Qin Fangqiong shook her head, got up from the recliner, circled around Su Yu, and suddenly reached out a thin, withered hand, grabbing Su Yu's shoulder with lightning speed.
"Bear with it!"
Before he could finish speaking, a piercing pain struck him.
Qin Fangqiong's fingers were like iron clamps, pinching down along Su Yu's shoulders, spine, and ribs, as if she wanted to crush his bones.
Su Yu was in so much pain that cold sweat poured down his forehead, but he stubbornly remained silent.
A moment later, Qin Fangqiong withdrew her hand, her brows furrowed slightly, and uttered three words without any politeness:
"Poor physical constitution!"
It's a pity, his temperament seemed pretty good.
"The tuition fee is ten taels of silver, which will only cover three months of study. After three months, if you can successfully complete one stage of the training, you can stay and continue your martial arts training. Are you willing?"
Su Yu was mentally prepared for this.
Poor bone structure?
It's okay!
I possess unparalleled talent, diligence can compensate for lack of talent, and a liver capable of defying the heavens!
Without hesitation, he pulled out the heavy bag of silver from his pocket and offered it with both hands: "This junior is willing!"
Taking the money, Qin Fangqiong's expression softened slightly. She waved her hand and said, "Xu Feng, take him to the front yard to register. You'll be in charge of training this month's newcomer."
"Yes, Master Qin."
……
A corner of the front yard.
Xu Feng said with a serious expression, "Su Yu, from now on you are a member of the White Ape Martial Arts School. I am your senior brother, Xu Feng, and I will be responsible for guiding you through the basics."
Before I teach you the boxing techniques, I'll explain the rules of the martial arts school to you.
"The first three months include room and board; dormitory accommodation is available. You will have two days off per week and may leave at your own discretion. If you wish to leave at other times, you must inform the organization. Before becoming a martial artist, you are only an apprentice and are not allowed to cause trouble outside the martial arts school!"
"I've got it, Senior Brother Xu," Su Yu replied respectfully.
Xu Feng nodded, then changed the subject, "In that case, I will begin to formally teach you martial arts."
Su Yu immediately focused his attention and listened intently.
Xu Feng nodded in satisfaction again. Many people had shown dissatisfaction when they realized that Qin Shi was not personally teaching them, but Su Yu had remained calm and composed.
"The path of martial arts has three stages: tempering the skin, refining the flesh, and forging the tendons."
"The first stage is skin tempering. Once you break through, you become a martial artist and are completely transformed! Your skin is as tough as cowhide, and ordinary sticks and clubs can hardly hurt you; your blood and qi are abundant, and you can lift a cauldron."
With such fighting prowess, he can hold his own anywhere. In a gang, he could become a leader; against ordinary people, a single punch would be fatal. On the battlefield, he'd be a squad leader, armed with weapons, capable of slaying ten soldiers without exhausting his strength!
Su Yu listened with great excitement. Martial artists, who gather power into their own bodies, were indeed something to aspire to!
Only by breaking through to become a martial artist can one truly gain a foothold and have the power to protect oneself in this chaotic world.
"Martial artists are strong, but breaking through is not so easy!" As he said this, Xu Feng's eyes narrowed as he stared at Su Yu.
"You need to train your muscles and bones day after day, enduring pain that ordinary people can hardly bear, and finally break through three qi and blood barriers before you can become a martial artist! And each of these barriers will stop many people, so practicing martial arts is harder than climbing to heaven!"
"And your natural talent is even more mediocre. If you don't have great perseverance, you should give up as soon as possible to avoid wasting money."
Su Yu remained calm. Is martial arts difficult?
Don't be afraid! I have unparalleled talent!
Seeing Su Yu's calm expression, Xu Feng secretly shook his head. Without truly experiencing it, one cannot understand the hardships involved.
Besides innate talent, perseverance, and determination, martial arts training also requires a vast amount of resources, and it often excludes ordinary people.
He had seen too many ordinary people who fantasized about building a future through martial arts, but unfortunately, their dreams were shattered by harsh reality.
He will never become a martial artist in his entire life!
However, Xu Feng will still do his best to teach them, as it is his responsibility as their senior.
"Watch closely! I'm about to teach you the foundational stance training of the White Ape Fist: the Six Transformations of the White Ape!"
Xu Feng let out a low shout, and his aura changed drastically.
The once somewhat simple and honest burly man now exuded an agility and ferocity akin to that of a monkey.
"Lower your center of gravity, grip the ground with both feet, and lightly embrace your dantian! First move, White Ape Embracing the Seal!"
He held his arms loosely, his muscles tense, as if he were truly holding a massive seal.
Su Yu held her breath and stared intently at every detail of his movements.
"Second move: Pulling up the waist and lifting the arms!"
Xu Feng strode forward, his spine rising like a dragon ascending to heaven, his arms stretched out with all his might, and his joints cracked with every movement.
"Third move, White Ape Leaning Against the Mountain!"
"Fourth move, White Ape Shaking Armor!"
……
After performing the entire routine, Xu Feng's skin was flushed red, steam rising from his body, and his muscles trembled, displaying a dynamic beauty that was also full of violence.
"You try!" Xu Feng stopped, slightly out of breath.
Su Yu dared not delay, stepped forward, and followed suit.
"First move, White Ape Embracing the Seal..."
As soon as he started working on it, Su Yu sensed something was wrong.
This skill may seem simple, with only six movements, but it is actually extremely difficult!
Not only did he have to adopt a certain posture, but he also had to coordinate his breathing and control his muscle tension. He felt like a puppet on strings, his movements incredibly stiff, and he couldn't find the same surging energy and vitality as Xu Feng.
But he didn't stop. He gritted his teeth and stumbled through the whole routine.
His posture was awkward, and his exertion was incorrect; he didn't resemble a nimble yet fierce white ape at all...
Su Yu felt a sense of awkwardness, like trying to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog, but fortunately, familiar characters lit up.
[Martial Arts]: White Ape Six Transformations (Beginner 1/800)
As the words fell, Su Yu suddenly gained a new understanding of this skill, and insights into power generation techniques and muscle control emerged out of thin air.
After practicing just once, no matter how bad you are, you'll be able to get the basics of the interface!
This is his unparalleled talent!