Martial Arts Crossover: My master tricked Huang Rong into becoming my wife!

The kitchen was cold and deserted, not even a mouse would bother to visit it.

Chen Yanzhou lifted the lid of the pot and scraped off a few pieces of burnt, yellowish-black rice crust from the bottom of the large iron pot.

"Click."

One bite and your mouth is filled with the taste of burnt charcoal; it's as hard as chewing on a piece of tile.

Chen Yanzhou didn't mind at all. He used the cold water in the ladle to quickly swallow the pieces of rice crust that were harder than rocks.

With food in my stomach, that restless feeling returned.

Chen Yanzhou wiped his mouth, didn't go back to the shack, but turned and disappeared into the dense bamboo forest behind the mountain.

This place is secluded; apart from the bamboo rats here, no one comes here on ordinary days.

The setting sun casts dappled shadows on the bamboo.

Chen Yanzhou took off his cumbersome long robe, bared his arms, gave a low shout, and got into a fighting stance.

It was still the Hun Tian Gong taught by Hong Qigong.

The moves are simple and unadorned, all straightforward and hard-hitting, emphasizing stretching the muscles and bones throughout the body.

A punch was thrown, creating a slight gust of wind.

Chen Yanzhou held his breath and focused all his attention on that small area in his dantian.

Once, twice, three times.

Sweat streamed down his back, pooling on his waistband and soaking a large area.

Chen Yanzhou relentlessly punched, kicked, and rammed into the target.

Every move was executed with full force, and every stance pushed the muscles to their limit.

The bamboo forest echoed with a series of muffled whooshing sounds, along with the boy's slightly heavy breathing.

The sun gradually sank below the horizon, and the light in the woods grew dimmer.

Chen Yanzhou had no choice but to stop when the last rays of sunlight were swallowed by the night.

He braced himself on his knees, panting heavily, sweat pouring down his face like broken beads onto the leaf-strewn ground.

No, there's nothing at all.

His dantian remained stagnant; he couldn't even muster a fart, let alone feel any qi.

Aside from the muscle soreness all over my body, that mysterious feeling was like a morning dream that dissipated once I woke up.

Chen Yanzhou plopped down on the ground. Was he not some one-in-a-million martial arts prodigy?

What happened this morning was purely a fluke.

The evening breeze rustled through the bamboo forest, carrying away the heat from my body and calming my feverish mind.

Chen Yanzhou lay on his back on the ground, his mind racing.

My master had mastered external martial arts to the extreme, and from the outside in, internal strength naturally arose.

However, upon closer examination, it's full of pitfalls.

Who is Hong Qigong?

That's the Northern Beggar, one of the Five Greats! He's an unparalleled martial arts master who could go toe-to-toe with Wang Chongyang and Huang Yaoshi at the Mount Hua Sword Tournament.

Such a person's talent is like God feeding them. Can their experience be applied to ordinary people?

Chen Yanzhou rolled over and casually tore off a blade of grass and put it in his mouth.

It's like those top students in a past life who never did practice problems, slept in class, and still got full marks on exams. When you asked them how they studied, they would say, "I just looked at it and I got it."

If you believe his nonsense and follow him into class and sleep, you're not far from ending up in a factory fixing screws.

Chen Yanzhou recalled the Legend of the Condor Heroes and actually discovered a blind spot.

In the entire book, besides Hong Qigong, who else became a top master solely through practicing external martial arts?

No, none at all.

Even Guo Jing, who later became famous throughout the world, cultivated both internal and external skills.

Back in the day, Guo Jing learned martial arts from the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan in the desert.

Were those seven masters dedicated to teaching him? Yes, they truly treated Guo Jing like their own son.

Was Guo Jing diligent in his training? Yes, he was. He trained hard in the coldest and hottest winters and summers, and no matter how many times he fell and was beaten, he would get up and continue training.

And the result? Ten whole years of training!

Aside from being physically strong and resilient, if they encounter a slightly skilled master like Yin Zhiping, they'll still get beaten senseless.

Why? Because the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan only taught external martial arts!

Ke Zhen'e's Demon-Subduing Staff Technique, Han Baoju's Golden Dragon Whip Technique, Nan Xiren's Nanshan Palm Technique... their moves are flashy and their styles are complicated, but they are missing one thing—internal energy cultivation methods.

Later, Master Ma Yu of the Quanzhen School went to the desert.

Ma Yu didn't teach Guo Jing a single move, but he taught him how to sleep, breathe, and meditate, imparting to him the most authentic Xuanmen internal skills of the Quanzhen Sect.

After only two years of training, Guo Jing was able to climb cliffs with his bare hands, exchange a few blows with Mei Chaofeng, and even amaze his six masters.

This is the importance of internal strength!

Later, Guo Jing met Hong Qigong and learned the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

Without Ma Yu's foundation in Quanzhen internal energy, it would have been impossible to learn fifteen palm techniques in just over a month.

Chen Yanzhou spat out the grass stem in his mouth and sighed.

It's not that it's impossible to follow Hong Qigong's "from the outside in" approach, but it's too slow, too difficult, and too dependent on luck.

He might train until he's forty or fifty and still just a beggar elder who only knows brute strength, at best a stronger version of Lu Youjiao.

In this world where the Jin army is pressing in and masters are everywhere, can we rely on brute force?

That's the fate of cannon fodder; we must obtain the internal energy cultivation method.

Moreover, Chen Yanzhou's internal energy cultivation method cannot be the common kind; it must be a superior one.

Although the internal energy cultivation method of the Quanzhen School is moderate and peaceful, its progress is too slow, emphasizing the accumulation of knowledge and skills before unleashing them, which is not suitable for the current situation.

The Nine Yin Manual is a valuable item, but on Peach Blossom Island, obtaining it is harder than climbing to heaven.

Toad Style Kung Fu? That's Ouyang Feng's unique skill. Practicing it will make you look ugly, and you'll have to lie on the ground. It's too undignified. No way.

After much thought, I realized I still had to fleece my own master.

With the internal energy cultivation method, combined with one's modern understanding, and the external skills honed by Hong Qigong, one can achieve great things.

Cultivating both inner and outer strength is the only way to become a top master.

"Gurgle..."

As I was thinking about it, my stomach started growling again, much to my dismay.

The crispy rice crust from that meal had long since been digested, leaving not a trace.

Practicing martial arts is extremely taxing on one's vital energy and blood.

Without sufficient meat to replenish the body, it's like a bottomless pit; the more you train, the weaker you become.

The saying "the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts" is truly accurate.

Chen Yanzhou rubbed his shrunken belly, stood up, and patted the dirt off his bottom.

To master unparalleled martial arts, having a secret manual isn't enough; you also need money.

We need to buy meat, medicinal herbs for bathing, and ginseng and deer antler to nourish our bodies.

Otherwise, you'll ruin yourself before you even become a master.

"It seems we need to hurry up with this 'Beggars' Logistics' matter."

Chen Yanzhou glanced in the direction of Xiangyang City, where the lights were dim and the sound of the watchman's gong could be faintly heard.

Lu Youjiao should still be in the prefectural government office, arguing and trying to persuade people.

Hopefully, there will be good news. If this first deal goes through, it will be a steady stream of money.

With silver, you can eat meat; with meat, you can practice martial arts.

If you master martial arts, you can live like a human being in this chaotic world.

……

At this moment, in the back hall of the Xiangyang Prefectural Government Office.

Bright lights.

Lu Wende, the prefect of Xiangyang, was sitting in a grand chair, holding a cup of top-quality pre-Qingming Longjing tea in his hand, but his brows were furrowed into a deep frown.

On the table in front of him lay the petition, "Request for the Establishment of the Righteous Transport Office," which had been polished by Old Man Xu and planned by Chen Yanzhou.

Lu Youjiao stood below the hall, his back ramrod straight, holding the bamboo cane in his hand. Although his clothes were tattered, his air of a rough and untamed江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) was in no way weak.

Elder Lu.

Lu Wende put down his teacup, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his tone tinged with amusement, "So, your Beggars' Sect... is going to switch to being porters?"

"Your Excellency is mistaken."

Lu Youjiao, neither humble nor arrogant, replied according to the rhetoric Chen Yanzhou had taught him, "It's not that I'm changing professions, but rather that I'm sharing the burdens of the country. Now, the northern barbarians are invading the borders, and refugees are everywhere. Although we Beggar Clan disciples are beggars, we still understand the greater good of the nation. This memorial asks for no reward, no official position, but only to give those thousands of refugees a meal and to give this Xiangyang city... a moment of peace."

Lü Wende's eyelids twitched.

That's a beautifully crafted statement, perfectly watertight.

Especially the last line, "Give Xiangyang City a moment of peace," sounds like a declaration of loyalty, but upon closer examination, it has a threatening undertone.

Thousands of refugees—thousands of mouths to feed, and thousands of destabilizing factors that could riot at any moment.

If the Beggars' Sect doesn't take action, and these thousands of people start a riot, his time as prefect will be over.

"What a fine example of sharing the nation's burdens."

Lu Wende gave a forced smile, "However, the transportation of supplies has always been handled by the escort agency. If you... cough, if you interfere, you might break the rules."

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible."

Lu Youjiao stepped forward, his voice booming, "The escort agency has limited transport capacity and charges exorbitant fees. With the war now raging, the transfer of supplies is of utmost urgency. Our Beggars' Sect is willing to undertake 'righteous transport,' charging only a small fee for the journey. This will not only alleviate the urgent needs of merchants but also appease the hearts of displaced people. My lord, this is a great thing that benefits both the country and the people."

Lu Wende fell silent. He was a corrupt official, but not a foolish one.

He could see right through the tricks of the trade at a glance.

What "righteous cause"? To put it bluntly, it's just the Beggars' Sect wanting to do business.

But it must be said that this proposal really hit his weak spot.

The problem of displaced people is his biggest headache right now. The disaster relief funds allocated by the imperial court have long been siphoned off by layers of corruption, leaving very little money. Where is the money to support so many people?

If the Beggars' Sect can really take on this responsibility, even if it only solves the livelihood of some of the displaced people, it will be a great achievement for them.

and……

Lu Wende's gaze fell on the memorial, and seeing the words "not taking a single penny from the government," his mind started racing with calculations.

It solves problems without requiring government funding.

Where else can you find such a good deal?

As for what the escort agency might think... Hmph, that's a matter for the martial arts world, what does it have to do with the government?

Elder Lu.

After a moment's hesitation, Lü Wende finally spoke slowly, his expression softening slightly, "Since Chief Hong has such a noble sentiment, wouldn't it be unreasonable of me to obstruct him?"

Lu Youjiao was secretly delighted, but kept a straight face: "Your Excellency is wise."

"but……"

Lu Wende's tone shifted abruptly, his eyes sharpening. "Let's get this straight. Since this 'Yiyun Division' is nominally under the government's name, if anything goes wrong, like lost goods or riots by displaced people... the blame will fall on your Beggars' Sect."

"That's natural."

Lu Youjiao patted his chest and guaranteed, "If anything goes wrong, even without the adults lifting a finger, the Beggars' Clan's rules will not let anyone off the hook!"

"good!"

Lu Wende slammed his hand on the table, picked up his vermilion brush, drew a heavy circle on the memorial, then took out his official seal from his sleeve, breathed on it, and pressed it down forcefully.

Snapped!

A crisp sound.

The bright red seal was stamped on the paper, gleaming with an oily sheen under the light.

Lu Youjiao looked at the red mark, his heart filled with excitement, but he didn't show it on his face.

It really happened.

"Thank you, sir!"

Lu Youjiao snapped out of his thoughts, took the paper with both hands, carefully put it into his bosom, and bowed again.

"Go."

Lu Wende waved his hand, picked up his teacup to see the guests off, and said, "I'm waiting to see your results. If you do well, I will personally report to the court and request commendation for Chief Hong."

"Goodbye!"

Lu Youjiao turned and strode away, his bamboo cane tapping on the bluestone slab with a soft, rhythmic sound, as if it were about to take flight.

As I stepped out of the government office, the night breeze rushed towards me.

Lu Youjiao took a deep breath, couldn't help but grin and burst into laughter.

At that moment, he seemed to see countless silver coins flowing down that thin piece of paper into the Beggars' Sect's empty money bag.

"Oh, Yanzhou..."

Lu Youjiao touched the document in his arms and muttered to himself, "You little rascal, you really are a little money-making machine!"