Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 21: Chapter 20: Taking a Master! Official Disciple

’What a coincidence...’

Wan Ze never expected to run into that unlucky guy at school, but he had no desire to get involved in his affairs.

Having provoked the notorious Secret Palace, his most urgent priority was to become the Hall Master’s disciple.

He had made arrangements with Lei Ming the previous night. So, as soon as school let out in the afternoon, he and Zhou Xianchuan headed to the martial arts hall, and he went straight to the A Class.

Lei Ming was already there, leading a few students through their exercises. When he saw Wan Ze arrive, he gave his students a couple of instructions before walking over. ”Come on, follow me to the Inner Courtyard. I already gave Master a heads-up. He wants to see you personally.”

”Should I have bought some fruit or something?” Wan Ze asked instinctively.

Lei Ming was stunned.

Wan Ze shrugged. ”Well, that didn’t seem to lighten the mood. If anything, it just made things more awkward.”

Lei Ming snapped out of it and couldn’t help but laugh. ”You punk, just relax. I told our Master about your situation. He also asked for Master Qin’s opinion, and Master Qin had nothing but praise for you. There’s nothing to worry about.”

”Brother Lei, thanks,” Wan Ze said quietly.

Lei Ming gave him a light punch on the shoulder. ”From now on, you should call me Senior Brother. I mean... a real Senior Brother.”

”Yes, Senior Brother,” Wan Ze said with a smile.

Lei Ming smiled back and led him to the Inner Courtyard of the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall.

「Inside a spacious, dimly lit hall of dark-red wood.」

A kind-faced old man sat cross-legged on a cushion. Behind him was a giant ”Dragon Eagle” insignia. On the low table before him sat a long, jade-colored candle, its flame burning a brilliant red, like a crimson longsword reaching for the ceiling.

”Master, I’ve brought him,” came Lei Ming’s respectful voice from outside the door.

”Come in.”

Having received permission, Lei Ming nodded to Wan Ze, then pushed the door open and entered first.

The room had little light, illuminated mostly by the flame of the long candle.

A faint breeze drifted in, causing the candlelight to flicker.

With a solemn expression, Lei Ming bowed. ”Master, this is Wan Ze.”

”Not bad.” The old man’s gaze was sharp as it landed on Wan Ze. He spoke slowly, ”From this day forward, you are an Official Disciple of the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall. You will enter my tutelage and receive the inheritance of our Secret Technique.”

Wan Ze was startled.

’Don’t I even need to be tested?’

’Did I really succeed just like that?’

”Haha, Master, look, Junior Brother Wan is so happy he’s stunned,” Lei Ming said with a laugh. He gave Wan Ze a nudge and whispered, ”Aren’t you going to thank Master?”

”Th-thank you, Master.” Wan Ze snapped back to reality, his heart soaring with joy.

The old man nodded with a smile. ”I’m already aware of what happened last night. You’re not having any lingering thoughts, are you?”

Lei Ming also looked over.

He knew the Master was worried that Wan Ze might have psychological issues after killing someone. But Wan Ze’s attitude was made clear by the four words he said... ”They deserved to die.”

Lei Ming was stunned.

The old man’s expression remained unchanged. He simply said slowly, ”The true Martial Dao is about life and death. Only by seeing your true self can you achieve the Way. This hall can teach you martial arts, but it cannot teach you your path. You must find your own way... Of course, this takes time to prove. As for the Secret Palace, you need not worry. You were dragged into this by a twist of fate; it has nothing to do with you. If you run into them, just mention my name, and I will personally intervene.”

”Thank you, Master.” Wan Ze knew the Hall Master was personally offering his protection. He would never doubt the weight carried by a First Generation Grandmaster.

”Since you’ve already completed your Qi and Blood Refining, you can begin your Cultivation of the Dragon Eagle Secret Technique... What are you still doing here? Have you forgotten the lesson on imparting the technique to your junior brother, or what?” The Hall Master suddenly shot a glare at Lei Ming, clearly annoyed.

Lei Ming chuckled sheepishly. ”This disciple was just hoping to review what I’ve learned.”

The Hall Master didn’t chase him out. Instead, he took a piece of paper from his robes and handed it to Wan Ze. ”Read this first. If you don’t understand something, ask.”

”Yes, Master.”

Wan Ze unfolded the parchment and examined it closely.

The yellowish paper was about the size of two hands placed together. It depicted a human figure in a posture resembling the Squatting Horse Stance. Various points on the body were marked in detail, with the location of the Yellow Court highlighted in red ink.

”Have you memorized these points?” the Hall Master’s voice asked.

Wan Ze nodded.

The Hall Master continued, ”Now, assume the posture shown on the diagram. Use the Breathing Technique to cause your qi and blood to resonate, and guide that wisp of qi to the Yellow Court... The Yellow Court is in the Central Palace, the center of your chest. It is the pivot for Qi and Blood Convergence, the place where the spirit resides... The full name of the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall’s Secret Technique is the Dragon Eagle Secret Martial Arts. Listen closely to the incantation... Once you feel that wisp of qi inside you, begin reciting the incantation silently.”

Hearing this, Wan Ze rose and did as he was told. He pressed his hands forward and rose slightly onto the balls of his feet. As his leg muscles tensed, a hot surge of blood began to well up within him.

He focused his mind.

His high Intelligence of 0.81 allowed him to easily clear his mind of distracting thoughts.

”Find that wisp of qi,” the Hall Master’s voice echoed in his ear.

’Qi...’

’Where is it?’

The qi and blood generated by the power in his lower limbs began to warm his entire body. In an instant, Wan Ze felt a force trembling just below his navel.

’The qi... it’s right here!’

Fortunately, his Thunderbolt Breathing Technique had long since reached the High Level. Capturing this wisp of qi with his Breathing Technique wasn’t difficult. Then, following the Hall Master’s instructions, he divided his focus and silently recited the incantation.

The next moment.

The data frame at the bottom of his vision suddenly flickered, and a new line of text slowly materialized.

...

[Illustrated Guide: Dragon Eagle Secret Martial Arts]

[Skill Beginner Level Requirement: Maintain Martial Arts Posture for ten minutes.]

...

”During your Cultivation of the Secret Martial Arts, your body will naturally stimulate your qi and blood to flourish. When your entire body feels fiery hot, like a furnace, it means you have successfully mastered the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall’s Secret Martial Arts. From now on, you must practice frequently in this state. Your Power, and indeed your entire physical constitution, will improve dramatically...”

The Hall Master’s voice rang out again. ”You are just beginning your Cultivation, so the improvement process will be slow at first... Later on, you’ll need to supplement your diet with plenty of meat to enhance your qi and blood. On the path of the Martial Dao, the qi and blood stage is crucial. Our Dragon Eagle Secret Martial Arts is the Core of the Unity of Form and Spirit, so you must build a solid foundation for the Blood Tempering Third Transformation!”

Wan Ze maintained the posture, cultivating the Dragon Eagle Secret Martial Arts while listening to the Hall Master explain the key points and various precautions for its practice.

As time went on, his entire body felt like a furnace.

SNAP.

The personal Attributes in his vision changed.

His Power slowly rose from 0.77 to 0.78. Then, as if a floodgate had burst open, it began to skyrocket... 0.79, 0.8, 0.81, 0.82, until it finally stopped at 0.83.

In that instant, every muscle in Wan Ze’s body trembled violently. A vast, profound power suddenly erupted from every part of him.

His biceps, the muscles wrapping his shoulder joints, his pectorals, his abdomen, and even his entire back down to his lower limbs all swelled with clearly defined contours.

”Master, Junior Brother Wan did it!” Lei Ming exclaimed, looking at the Hall Master in delight.

The Hall Master’s expression softened. ”Beginner Level in ten minutes. His aptitude is truly excellent.”

HUUUU...

Wan Ze let out a long breath. In the candlelight, his exhalation had a faint reddish tinge and carried a coppery scent—impurities being expelled from his body after the flourishing of his qi and blood.

Before he could look up,

The Hall Master’s voice came again. ”The Dragon Eagle Secret Martial Arts combines our Breathing Technique with special breathing skills and Body Tempering to unlock the body’s potential. It allows you to release the strongest explosive effect during combat... That is the Dragon Eagle Secret Martial Arts!”

”There are no shortcuts in martial arts. Heaven rewards the diligent! Sweat does not lie. Talent is only the first step; the effort you put in afterward is what truly matters!”

”Wan Ze, now that you have successfully reached the Beginner Level with the Secret Martial Arts, you are now considered a true Martial Artist of the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall. When everyone is gathered, we will hold the formal discipleship ceremony.”

Wan Ze opened his eyes. His expression was solemn as he clasped his fist in a martial salute. ”Yes, Master!”