Chapter 32: Learning Martial Arts
“The core of the Mad Python Martial Arts lies in force—integrated force, circulating force, and explosive force.”
On the second floor of the Mad Python Martial Hall, inside a room of several dozen square meters, Liu Shihu was teaching Zhou Ming the ways of the Mad Python Martial Arts.
“Watch closely, I’ll demonstrate it for you.”
Since it was his first time instructing Zhou Ming, Liu Shihu perhaps wanted to give him a concrete understanding of the Mad Python Martial Arts, so he directly demonstrated its power on the ironwood stake in front of him.
“Bang.”
Liu Shihu’s right hand lashed out like a giant python’s tail, his palm striking the ironwood stake—roughly a foot in diameter—with an explosive sound. Even the nearby window panes trembled from the shockwave.
Seeing this, Zhou Ming frowned slightly.
The speed of that strike—if Inkband attacked Liu Shihu at that range, it would likely be sent flying.
The best possible outcome would be mutual destruction.
Moreover, with Liu Shihu’s explosive physical strength, he could easily handle a small heavy machine gun. At such distance, Zhou Ming would have no choice but to dodge.
It seemed that even at the Apprentice Rank, ordinary people could not be underestimated.
Watching Liu Shihu display his strength, Zhou Ming silently assessed him in his mind.
“How about that? Not bad, right?”
Seeing Zhou Ming’s serious expression, Liu Shihu looked quite pleased with himself. After all, to display such strength as a mere ordinary human was something he could take pride in.
“Impressive. If it were close combat, even an average Beast Tamer might not have the time to react.”
Zhou Ming couldn’t help but praise Liu Shihu’s performance.
“Ha, you flatter me.”
Having achieved his purpose, Liu Shihu’s expression turned serious as he officially began teaching.
“What you just saw was the explosion of force—gathering the entire body’s power and releasing it at a single point.”
“You can’t reach that level yet. Besides physical fitness, it also requires technique.”
“Now, I’ll first teach you the training methods. Along with the martial hall’s medicinal soups and herbal meals, you’ll quickly improve your physical fitness. After that, we’ll hone your technique, and finally, you’ll learn the Mad Python Martial Hall’s secret killing move.”
While explaining the Mad Python Martial Arts, Liu Shihu also outlined Zhou Ming’s overall training plan, giving him some mental preparation.
“Alright, I understand.”
Hearing Zhou Ming’s response, Liu Shihu began teaching him the training methods of the Mad Python Martial Arts, explaining its characteristics and related knowledge along the way.
With something to do, time passed quickly. Before Zhou Ming realized it, several days had gone by at the Mad Python Martial Hall.
He spent his days training there, eating the medicinal meals provided by Liu Shihu at noon, and soaking in a special medicinal bath at the end of each day.
After returning home at night, he would release Inkband to get some fresh air—after all, it wasn’t possible to train martial arts while keeping his beast on him.
Then he would begin his nightly meditation. Beast Taming was still his main cultivation path, but since he hadn’t yet found a way to obtain what he wanted, he was temporarily using martial arts to improve his strength.
Meanwhile, through his Spiritual Power, he would also sense how Inkband moved and exerted force.
The Mad Python Martial Arts mimicked the striking motion of serpents—he naturally wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity for reference.
Poor Inkband, however, hadn’t even enjoyed much of its free time before being caught and observed by its master, looking rather pitiful.
As for the other Ironthread Snakes, Zhou Ming released them each night through the drainage pipes to hunt Hardfur Rats in the sewers.
Though limited to a range of about one kilometer around him, it was already sufficient.
Hardfur Rats—creatures of first-stage mutation—had strong adaptability. As long as normal rats existed, they would keep appearing.
Their mutation survival rate was high, ensuring the Ironthread Snakes would never lack prey.
A week later, inside Zhou Ming’s training room at the Mad Python Martial Hall—
“Bang.”
A muffled thud echoed—it was Zhou Ming practicing his striking form.
Thanks to his Beast’s feedback and the martial hall’s supplements, Zhou Ming’s body had improved enough to barely begin practicing the techniques.
Liu Shihu had originally intended to wait longer, but since Zhou Ming requested to speed up, he could only comply, teaching him as long as it didn’t harm his body.
The sound he produced couldn’t compare to Liu Shihu’s earlier demonstration, but it had at least taken form.
“Average comprehension, but outstanding physical talent.”
Having personally taught Zhou Ming the Snake Whip technique, Liu Shihu could clearly gauge his condition.
After a brief evaluation, he continued,
“Zhou Ming, remember the essence of the Mad Python Martial Arts—if you have an opening, strike like a raging python, kill in a single blow. If you’re evenly matched and can’t find an opening, close in and constrict like a python, forcing your opponent to reveal a weakness. But if you face someone stronger…”
Liu Shihu glanced at Zhou Ming before continuing,
“Then just use your Beast. A true martial artist should make full use of his own strengths. Martial arts, for you, are ultimately an auxiliary means.”
“I understand—if one strike can kill, there’s no need for a second.”
Liu Shihu almost wanted to say, You didn’t have to be that straightforward.
“Ahem, roughly that.”
Perhaps to cover his awkwardness, Liu Shihu went on,
“At your current rate, keep this up for another month and you can begin learning the secret killing technique. Once you’ve learned that, the rest will depend on your own effort.”
“Of course, within this year, I’ll still provide you with guidance to prevent mistakes in your practice. The medicinal soups and meals will also continue.”
He added this quickly, worried Zhou Ming might think his tuition fee wasn’t worth it.
“Understood.”
Seeing it was about time, Liu Shihu gave Zhou Ming a few more pointers before leaving.
As the senior disciple of the hall, he had plenty to handle, but since Zhou Ming had paid generously, he had no choice but to personally oversee his training.
After Liu Shihu left, attendants soon brought in a large wooden tub filled with medicinal bathwater. Zhou Ming undressed and began his daily soak.
“Crack, crack, crack…”
“Ahh, that feels good.”
After the bath, Zhou Ming stretched, releasing his force throughout his body.
A series of joint pops echoed as his fatigue melted away, his body filled with renewed vigor.
Feeling refreshed, he sighed in comfort.
After dressing, he prepared to leave the Mad Python Martial Hall.
Naturally, the bathwater and training clothes would be taken care of by the staff—after all, for the amount he paid, the service was quite satisfactory.
“Lei Yuan? Why are you here—waiting for me?”
Before him stood Lei Yuan, the young woman who had first brought him into the Mad Python Martial Hall.
“I wanted to treat you to a meal.”
“Haha, what for? To thank me for helping you earn your commission? No need for that. I only stayed because the martial hall turned out to be pretty good.”
“You’d better save your money. Focus on your studies—don’t get distracted with part-time jobs anymore.”
Lei Yuan looked ordinary, yet she had successfully been admitted to Qinghui University, a major institution in the Qinghui Large Base—a research-oriented university.
From what Zhou Ming had learned, getting into a liberal arts university within the Blue Star Alliance was truly like “a thousand troops crossing a single-log bridge.”
After all, only large bases had such universities.
Medium-sized bases typically only hosted martial or Beast Taming academies, and the best ones were all located in large bases.
When Zhou Ming first learned this, he hadn’t expected this slightly shy girl to be so remarkable.
This time, Lei Yuan had taken on part-time work simply to earn some living expenses. Her family background was only average—although tuition was waived, her living costs still had to be covered by herself.